Balkans Travel Blog
Travel tips and resources for travellers: Travel guides, itineraries, abandoned places, street art and off-the-beaten-path places in the BalkansHello and welcome to our Balkans travel blog. You will find all our blog posts from the European countries collectively known as the Balkans in this section of our website.
Maybe you found our Balkans travel blog because you are considering a visiting the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, or perhaps you are partway through planning a trip to the Balkans. Whatever the reason, we hope we can provide some useful resources and travel tips for the Balkan countries.
Which countries are included in the Balkan region is often cause for debate. The Balkan Peninsula lies in southeastern Europe and typically includes the seven countries that make up the former Yugoslavia plus three more bringing the total number Balkan states to ten. The countries are Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Some sources include Moldova as a Balkans country, but for the purpose of organising our posts, we’ve categorised Moldova as the former USSR. Some people exclude Slovenia from the list, but include Hungary. Arguably part of Turkey (the European part west of Istanbul) and northern mainland Greece have one foot on the Balkan Peninsula.
Geography and politics both come into play when defining the Balkan countries and settling on which countries make the list could turn into a much longer post than we have room for on our Balkans travel blog page.
As you would expect from a region that stretches from Central Europe to the Black Sea, the Balkans comprises a myriad of landscapes, experiences, cultures, cuisines and history. It’s impossible to pick a favourite, and the Balkans cannot be summed up in a singular cliched strap-line, other than “something for everyone”!
Our Balkans blog posts are generally aimed at independent travellers and backpackers like us and have a strong focus on travelling around using public transport, staying in budget accommodation and exploring off-the-beaten-path and lesser-visited places.
Browse all of our Balkans blog posts
Abandoned Bulgaria – former Swimming Complex “Red Banner” in Sofia
Swimming Complex “Red Banner” (also called “Red Flag”) in Sofia, Bulgaria is a vast sports centre that has been abandoned since 2012.
Bulgaria itinerary – What to see in Bulgaria in 2 to 3weeks
Comprehensive Bulgaria itinerary for backpackers and independent travellers to Bulgaria. What to see in Bulgaria in a 2 to 3 week itinerary.
25 locations that could be part of a Wes Anderson movie set
Accidentally Wes Anderson – a selection of our photographs which we think belong on a Wes Anderson movie set #AccidentallyWesAnderson
Socialist-era monuments and memorials near Buzludzha in Bulgaria
A guide to the socialist-era monuments and memorials near Buzludzha in Bulgaria. What to see in and around Shipka and Kazanlak.
Abandoned Croatia: former Separation Mine in Potpićan
Visiting the abandoned Separation Mine in Potpićan in Croatia. Close to pretty Labin, the former mine was once part of Istria’s coal mining industry.
Alternative things to do in Zagreb, Croatia (with a map of locations)
A guide to alternative things to do in Zagreb, Croatia for travellers who like to get off the beaten path. Including a map of locations.
Eerie photos of 10 abandoned hotels in the Balkans
Photos of eerie abandoned hotels and resorts in the Balkans. Some of the most evocative abandoned hotels and resorts in former Yugoslavia.
Places to visit on a road trip from Zadar to Split in Croatia
Planning a road trip from Zadar to Split in Croatia. A guide to the best towns to visit on the drive from Zadar to Split (or Split to Zadar).
In Photos: Abandoned cars and other forsaken forms of transport
Photos abandoned cars and other battered vehicles. The faded beauty of neglected vehicles from the UK to Thailand, and Kyrgyzstan to Cuba.
Alternative things to do in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (with a map of locations)
Alternative things to do in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a map of locations. A guide to unusual and Off-the-Beaten-Path places to see in Sarajevo.
Abandoned Croatia: Haludovo Palace Hotel on Krk Island
The abandoned Haludovo Palace Hotel on Krk Island and a look at the history behind the Penthouse Adriatic Club. Part of our Abandoned Croatia series.
Abandoned Croatia: Villa Izvor in Plitvice Lakes National Park
The abandoned Villa Izvor, Tito’s summer house, is located deep in the forest above Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, unknown to most tourists.
A Short History of the Balkan Wars, 1991 – 1999
A short history of the Balkan Wars, 1991-1999. Read a quick summary of the Balkan Wars, an essential guide for visitors to Europe’s most complicated region.
One day Ljubljana itinerary – What to see in Slovenia’s capital in 24 hours
One day Ljubljana itinerary – What to see in Slovenia’s capital in 24 hours. A guide featuring the best places to visit with a self-guided walking tour map.
Places to Visit in Romania – Photos to Inspire a Trip
The best places to visit in Romania. Photos to inspire a trip to Romania. A European country with the perfect blend of architecture, scenery and culture.
IF YOU ENJOYED OUR BALKANS TRAVEL BLOG, YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN READING OUR BLOG POSTS FEATURING THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, SEEING MORE OF OUR PHOTOS OR CHECK OUT OUR PAGE DEDICATED TO BRUTALIST AND MODERNIST ARCHITECTURE AND MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS.
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