Everyone is talking about having a “European” summer this year. Mostly, this involves a trip to either Italy, France, Spain, maybe the UK and maybe Germany. However, Europe is much more than just these handful of countries. In this blog post I will give you 7 reasons to have a «Balkan» summer this year. Still Europe, but at least a little more specific 😉
what are the Balkans?
Before I go into more detail, I want to preface that the Balkans is an overarching term for a group of geographically close, but culturally very diverse countries. By no means should this article suggest that they are all the “same”.
Generally, the following countries are considered to be part of the Balkans (in alphabetical order):
- Albania
- Bosnia
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Kosovo
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Serbia
Depending on who you ask, sometimes these countries are also included:
- Greece
- Slovenia
- Turkey
here are 7 reasons to visit the balkan peninsula
1. It’s still very affordable
The tourist hotspots in Western Europe have gotten quite expensive over the years! If your budget is not endless, and you’re looking for some more affordable places to have a vacation – the Balkans are the place to go! Well actually, maybe Croatia and Greece do not fit into this category anymore, but the rest for sure still is!
Personally, I am very familiar with Macedonia (I’m originally from there!). You can easily have a 3-course meal for around 8-10 CHF. A cocktail will only cost you around 4 CHF. This is a fraction of what prices are in Western Europe.
2. The food is amazing
Many may not know this, but the Balkan cuisine is actually really awesome! With influences from Turkey and the middle east, you will find many flavors and dishes that you won’t typically find at home. Oh also, these countries know how to barbecue!! If you love meat, the Balkans will be heaven for you 😉 And once again, everything is still very affordable. My family of 6 had a huge barbecue platter last year, with multiple salads and several drinks each – and we only paid 80 euros in total!
3. Rich History
The Balkans have a very rich history, which today is still reflected in the architecture, culture, cuisine, religion, etc… You will find remains from many different historic eras. For example, the Roman Via Egnatia passes through the Balkan Peninsula, which means that along the way you can find different Roman ruins. Many of the modern nations today also used to be part of the Ottoman Empire, leaving behind mosques, hamams and city parts with a distinct architecture. Under Tito’s Yugoslavia, the region also underwent a communist transformation, before the federation crumbled again, forming the countries we know today. This time period is reflected in the large, concrete buildings that are still prominent in many of the larger cities.
4. Great for Going out
If you like going out, you won’t be disappointed in the Balkans! Besides the well-known party hotspots of Croatia and Greece, people definitely know how to party in all major cities. Especially Belgrade has made a name for itself lately, offering tons of clubs and Casinos to have a fun evening. I’ve also heard of great beach parties in Montenegro and Bulgaria, as well as beach clubs by lake Ohrid in Macedonia.
5. Very diverse landscapes
The word Balkan is Turkish and means “mountain,” this is fitting because the Balkan Peninsula is dominated by this type of landform. Besides the mountains, some Balkan countries obviously also are located by the sea. You can choose between the Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean or Black sea! If you prefer the calmer waters of a lake, there are also many beautiful ones to choose from, such as Lake Ohrid in Macedonia! If you haven’t noticed, I might be a little biased towards North Macedonia, but I really think North Macedonia is worth visiting!
6. heaven for outdoor enthusiasts
Linked to the diverse landscapes you can find in the Balkan, the region is therefore obviously heaven for outdoor sports enthusiasts! Across all countries you will find great hiking routes, mountain bike trails, you can go paragliding, scuba diving, kayaking in canyons, etc…! Really, pretty much whatever outdoor activity comes to your mind, there is a place to do it in the Balkans 🙂
7. It’s just different
Last but not least, visiting the Balkans will be different! Unlike the typical travel hotspots like Italy, France, etc… the Balkans are still mostly a hidden gem for international tourists. If you’re looking for a more authentic trip, one that you have not seen on your tik tok or insta home feed a million times already, why not check out the Balkans?
I hope that you have gotten some inspiration and that I might have sparked a new found desire to travel the Balkans! The region is in my opinion highly overrated! You can do many of the same things as in Western Europe, but with less crowds and for a lot less money! If you have any more (specific) questions, leave a comment below!