Explore the list of Balkan places you need to visit

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The Balkans represent a very interesting region a rich history, incredibly beautiful nature, delicious food, but above everything else, very warm and friendly people. It is the part where East meets West, resulting in an energetic combination of cultures and religions that give the Balkans some characteristic personality traits. This is one diverse and colorful region where your next holiday should be spent. Join us as we uncover some of the most exciting Balkan destinations! Whether you are looking for a customized, private guided tour, or a fly & drive tour, or even a group tour, we have just the right trip for you.

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Dubrovnik is one of those must-see Balkans. This beautiful city, positioned at the southern tip of Croatia’s coast, has been in the visitor’s eye for centuries long before cruise ships arrived and before Game of Thrones tours became popular. One of the most famous endorsements of Dubrovnik came from Irish playwright and Nobel Prize winner George Bernard Shaw, who visited in the early 20th century and famously dubbed it “the pearl of the Adriatic.” The Dubrovnik Summer Festival brings a series of concerts, ballets, and theater productions to the historic city center.

The main interest of Dubrovnik is its UNESCO-protected Old Town, featuring its elegant palaces in Venetian style and Gothic churches. Start your walk around the town by entering the walled city through Pile Gate, continuing up to the main street—Stradun. Further, it will lead you to many historic attractions of the city, one of which is the Franciscan Monastery Complex, housing one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in the world. If anything, walking upon the ancient city walls of Dubrovnik will finally complete the visit and truly soak in the charm of this city.

THE BAY OF KOTOR, MONTENEGRO

Though small, Montenegro is ably endowed with incredible diversity and stunning contrasts. Tourists from around the world are drawn to its virgin Adriatic coastline, its white-pebble beaches lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters. Aside from the sun-and-sea combination, however, Montenegro has so much more to offer. It is a truly captivating combination of rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty, especially in the iconic Bay of Kotor.

Often trumpeted as Europe’s southernmost fjord, the Bay of Kotor is one of the Balkans’ absolute must-see destinations. Its steep walls rise to form a vast natural amphitheater that you’re well rewarded to spend at least a few days exploring. Kick off with visits to the handsome Venetian towns of Kotor and Perast before embarking on a panoramic drive up the mountainside, taking in breathtaking views of the bay. Proceed with a visit to Lovćen National Park and climb the famous “Black Mountain,” which gave its name to Montenegro for even more breathtaking moments.

BELGRADE, SERBIA

A trip to Belgrade is never dull, since the Serbian capital is eternally vibrant, teeming with students and travelers who come for its dynamic nightlife. Nicknamed the “party capital of the Balkans,” Belgrade also hosts historical landmarks, interesting museums, bustling shopping streets, hip bars, and restaurants serving authentic, traditional cuisine. This city—strange as it seems—is more often called “The White City,” and it simply must be high on your list when considering the things you should see in the Balkans.

It is also a modern European capital, with foreign investment really starting to take hold. Perhaps the most ambitious development is the Belgrade Waterfront, still very much a work in progress, but it will be a sight to see in the years to come. While it gets there, there are plenty of historic attractions, from the magnificent Temple of St. Sava to the quirky Museum of Yugoslavia and its iconic leader Josip Broz Tito’s mausoleum.

MOSTAR, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Mostar is undoubtedly the crown jewel of tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its charming cobblestone streets wind through the old bazaar, stretching across both sides of the turquoise Neretva River, connected by the iconic and UNESCO-protected Old Bridge. Beyond its beauty, Mostar holds deep significance as a symbol of unity, bridging two cultures and religions that have coexisted for centuries.

If you visit Mostar during the summer, we recommend staying overnight to experience its historic center in the evening, when the crowds of day tourists have departed. You can even use Mostar as a base for exploring nearby Balkan gems, such as the hillside village of Počitelj, the mystical Dervish monastery at the Buna River’s mouth, or the popular Catholic pilgrimage site of Medjugorje. While Bosnia is often remembered for its war-torn past, the country has made great strides in recent decades, particularly in its growing tourism sector.

HVAR, CROATIA

Of course, Mostar is the crown jewel of Bosnia and Herzegovina tourism—cobblestone streets curving through an Old Bazaar that stretches across both sides of the turquoise-colored river of Neretva, connected by the iconic and UNESCO-protected Old Bridge. Besides its beauty, it has deep meaning as a symbol of unity, bridging two cultures and religions that have coexisted side by side for centuries.

If you come to Mostar in summer, we recommend staying overnight to experience its historic center in the evening, once all the crowds of day tourists have left. You can even use Mostar as a base for exploring nearby Balkan gems: the hillside village of Počitelj, the mystical Dervish monastery at the mouth of the Buna River, or the popular Catholic pilgrimage site of Medjugorje. While Bosnia is often remembered for its war-torn past, in the last decades, it has been making quite a number of strides; to put it more precisely, its tourism sector is really thriving.

LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

Difficult to pronounce it may be, but charming Ljubljana has become one of the most popular European capitals to visit in recent years. It is one of the continent’s most livable cities, too, full of green space and areas friendly both for pedestrians and cyclists. Green, vibrant, and with a river—the Ljubljanica River—flows through the center of town with bars, restaurants, and shops on both sides—a haven for locals and tourists alike to take in a leisurely walk.

Centrally located within this small country, Ljubljana is a very good base to see many of the attractions that Slovenia has in store. One of the most popular day trips is to the alpine village of Bled, something out of a fairy tale with breathtaking views from every angle but perhaps best from the terrace of Bled Castle where you can sample the traditional kremšnita pastry. Another recommended trip is to the Postojna Cave, the biggest cave complex in Europe that is accessible to visitors, and this can be combined with a visit to the Predjama Castle located nearby.

LAKE OHRID, ALBANIA & NORTH MACEDONIA

Large Ohrid Lake, of 358 square kilometers in area, forms a natural boundary between two less famous Balkan countries: Albania and North Macedonia. The shores of the lake are a favorite resort place not only for foreign tourists but for the citizens of both countries.

Ohrid Lake not only is it the deepest, up to 300 meters deep, but also one of the oldest European lakes, dating back a cool 3 million years. It is highly biodiverse, outmatching any other lake in that respect for its size. On the North Macedonia side, it hosts the historic town of Ohrid, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979. In 2019, the protected area was extended to also include the surrounding region near Pogradec in Albania.

The most iconic of them is probably the breathtaking St. Naum Monastery, perched on the cliff overseeing the lake. Visitors are highly recommended to take a boat trip to the nearby springs of St. Naum itself for the completeness of the experience if they want to see how beautiful this natural part of the region is.

Curious about what you have read so far? Why not see these exciting Balkan destinations with your own eyes? As locals, we are specialized in tailor-made tours across Southeastern Europe, from Slovenia and Croatia to Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Just let us know your preferences, and we will tailor the perfect trip to the Balkans for you. Be it lakes, rivers, mountains, or even cultural landmarks that interest you, rest assured that the journey will be unforgettable with the contribution of local insights. At Zadventuro, we are dedicated to providing unique touring services, ensuring you experience the best the region has to offer with our expertise and personalized touch. Trust our knowledge as we guide you through the beauty of the Balkans!