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
Visiting the site of the Sajmište Concentration Camp in New Belgrade
Visiting the site of Sajmište Concentration Camp and the memorial to the city’s Jewish and Roma population detained there, New Belgrade, Serbia.
The Retro Museum in Varna, Bulgaria
Visiting the groovy Retro Museum in Varna, Bulgaria’s most cosmopolitan Black Sea city. The museum features classic cars and Soviet-era memorabilia.
Einstein Street Art in Sofia | Bulgaria
This is such a genius idea for a garbage bin, don’t you think!? We spotted this Einstein street art on a municipal rubbish bin in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia.
Visiting the Crveni Krst (Red Cross) Concentration Camp and Bubanj Memorial Park in Nis, Serbia
Visiting the Crveni Krst (Red Cross) Concentration Camp and Bubanj Memorial Park in Nis, two culturally important sights in south Serbia.
Street Art in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Explore Veliko Tarnovo street art: we were struck by the large amount of street art in this Bulgarian town. Includes map for a self-guided walking tour.
Suggested Turkey and Bulgaria Itinerary: Istanbul to Sofia
A suggested Turkey and Bulgaria itinerary, travelling from Istanbul in Turkey to Sofia via Edirne and Plovdiv, Bansko and Rila Monastery in Bulgaria.
How to get from Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid to Berat in Albania
A step-by-step guide for backpackers and independent travellers on how to get from Macedonia’s Lake Ohrid to Berat in Albania using public transport.
Budapest to Belgrade the Long Way: An Introduction to the Balkans
A 3-week Budapest to Belgrade itinerary. The highlights of the Balkans, travelling from Hungary through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Hercegovina to Serbia.
Impressions of Albania
A travellers impressions of Albania, one of the Balkans undiscovered jewels, including travel highlights and where to go and what to see.
Suggested Itinerary to Romania and Hungary: Bucharest to Budapest overland
A suggested Itinerary to Romania and Hungary travelling overland from Bucharest to Budapest. For independent travellers and backpackers.
Back in the U.S.S.R. …
Photo essay and thoughts on a new found admiration for unapologetic Soviet and communist-era architecture or the former U.S.S.R.
Suggested Bulgaria and Romania itinerary: Sofia to Bucharest overland
A suggested Itinerary for independent travellers and backpackers to Eastern Europe: Bulgaria and Romania travelling overland from Sofia to Bucharest.
Serbia Road Trip: Our Experience of Renting a Car in Serbia
Renting a car in Serbia: The highs and lows of our Serbia road trip. Tracking down Spomeniks, following the course of the Danube and battling the potholes.
Impressions of Romania
Our overall impressions of Romania mean it is the country in Europe we want to revisit more than any othe. Read our highlights of Romania here.
Visiting Visoki Decani Monastery in Decani, Kosovo
Visoki Decani Monastery in Kosovo is a great place to break the journey between Prizren and Pristina. It is possible to reach by public transport.
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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