What Is The Balkans? A First Timer’s Guide To Europe’s Most Misunderstood Region
You hear it all the time: “We’re doing a Balkans road trip” or “You’d love the Balkans.” Then you look at a map, zoom in a bit, and quietly realise you’re not totally sure what that actually covers. Is it Croatia and Greece, or Albania and Serbia, or all of the above? No wonder people feel a bit awkward admitting they’re not sure.
The Balkans stretch across a big corner of south-eastern Europe, with warm coastlines, jagged mountain ranges, layered history and some of the best-value city breaks on the continent. You get Venetian old towns, ottoman bazaars, concrete apartment blocks, ski resorts and beach bars, all shuffled into the same deck. One day you’re sipping espresso by the Adriatic, the next you’re in a mountain village watching clouds snag on the peaks.
This guide is basically the chat I wish I’d had before my first trip to some of the countries. It will help you understand what the Balkans are in simple travel terms, which countries are usually included, how safe and affordable it feels, and what to expect from food, culture and getting around. You do not need a history degree to enjoy it all. A bit of context, some curiosity and basic respect will carry you a long way.
The Balkans: Quick Facts at a Glance
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| What “the Balkans” usually refers to | A loose region in south-eastern Europe, often defined by the Balkan Peninsula south of the Sava and Danube rivers |
| Commonly included countries | Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, plus sometimes the European part of Türkiye |
| Typical daily budget (mid-range) | Roughly €60–120 per person per day (about £52–£104 / $65–$130), with inland areas cheaper than famous coasts |
| Best general times to visit | Spring and autumn for cities and hiking; late spring to early autumn for beaches |
| Ideal first-trip length | Around 7–14 days for a taster of 2–4 countries or a deeper dive into one |
| Who it suits best | Flexible travellers, backpackers, road trippers, couples, culture lovers, foodies and budget-conscious explorers |
👉 Good to know: If you’re short on time, it’s often better to focus on one “cluster” (for example Croatia–Bosnia–Montenegro or Albania–North Macedonia–Greece) rather than zig-zagging all over the map and losing days to buses.
🔥 My Recommended Tour to get you started in the Balkans: From Dubrovnik: Montenegero day trip with cruise
Quick Balkans Q&As
What is the Balkans in simple terms?
The Balkans are a group of mostly south-eastern European countries that share a peninsula, mountain ranges and a tangled history, but each has its own strong identity.
Which countries are in the Balkans?
Most lists include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia, plus sometimes part of European Türkiye.
Is it safe to travel around the Balkans?
For tourists, the Balkans are generally considered safe, with most issues involving petty theft or tourist scams in busy areas rather than serious crime.
Is the Balkans expensive to visit?
Inland areas can feel very affordable, while coastal Croatia, Slovenia and popular Greek islands are closer to Western European prices, especially in peak summer.
How many days do you need for a first Balkans trip?
With 7–10 days you can sample two or three countries, and with 2 weeks you can combine coast, cities and mountains without rushing. ✈️
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Take a photo of your rough Balkans route and save offline maps before you go; pairing that with an eSIM means you are not relying on random Wi-Fi every time you cross a border. 🗺️📱
What is the Balkans, really?
Ask ten people what is the Balkans and you will probably hear at least four different answers. Some focus on geography, drawing a line around the Balkan Peninsula south of the Sava and Danube rivers. Others lean on history, talking about ex-Yugoslav countries and their neighbours. Modern politics adds another layer, as some states prefer to brand themselves as Central Europe instead.
From a traveller’s point of view, it helps to treat “the Balkans” as a practical nickname. You are talking about a cluster of neighbouring countries that share mountain chains, trade routes and plenty of cultural crossover, even though each place feels very much itself. It is not a strict club with membership rules. It is more like a neighbourhood of overlapping stories, foods and landscapes that just happen to sit in the same corner of the map.
Key ideas to hold in mind:
Geography: south-eastern Europe, between the Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean and Black Seas.
History: layers from different empires and political systems, all still visible in the streets.
Travel use: a handy label when planning multi-country itineraries and road trips.
Now let’s get into which countries are in the balkans are why you should visit them.
💡 Fact: Locals will usually talk about their own country first and “the Balkans” second, so it is worth learning a little about each place you plan to visit.
🗺️ Just incase you are confused: Baltic vs Balkans: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Europe’s Lesser-Known Regions
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Where are the Balkans and which countries are included?
Geographically, the Balkans sit in south-eastern Europe, bridging Central Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. If you draw a rough triangle from Slovenia down through Croatia and Bosnia to Greece, then back across towards Romania and Bulgaria, you have the rough area most travellers mean. The exact edges are soft, which is why debates pop up on forums and in bars.
Traditional lists include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia, plus the European part of Türkiye. Some of these are fully on the Balkan Peninsula, others only partly. Croatia and Slovenia, for example, are often also sold as Central Europe, while parts of Romania sit north of the Danube. It does not stop you mixing them into one flexible Balkans itinerary.
Commonly included fully or partly:
Core peninsula states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia.
Part-peninsula or mixed identity: Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Greece, European Türkiye.
EU and Schengen members: Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania currently sit inside Schengen, so they share open internal borders for eligible travellers.
👉 Good to know: For visas and border checks you deal with individual countries, not some single “Balkan visa”, so always check rules for each stop on your route before you travel.
🗺️ Tips for Visiting Croatia : 20 Essential Croatia Travel Tips I Wish I Knew Before My First Trip
Why the Balkans should be on your travel list
If you like trips with variety, the Balkans are an absolute treat. One week you could be paddling in the Adriatic near Split, the next sipping coffee in Sarajevo’s old bazaar or hiking in the Albanian Alps. I still remember my first bus ride between two Balkan cities, watching the scenery flip from city flats to river canyons in what felt like minutes. It has that slightly scruffy, lived-in charm that makes travel feel real.
Prices are usually kinder than in France or Italy, yet you still get dramatic coastlines, UNESCO-listed old towns and great food. The region is having a bit of a moment too. Montenegro and Albania are getting attention for affordable coastal escapes, while Sarajevo and Sofia are tipped as good-value city breaks. You will still find rough edges in infrastructure and bureaucracy, which for many travellers is half the fun. It feels like Europe, but with its own rhythm.
Reasons to bump the Balkans up your list:
Value: Inland, you can still find beers for around £1.70–£2.50 (about €2–€3 / $2.20–$3.20) and very generous restaurant portions.
Scenery: Coastlines, lakes, mountain ranges and canyons in one compact region.
Culture and history: Ottoman streets, Austro-Hungarian facades, Communist-era monuments and Orthodox monasteries all in the same week.
Adventure potential: Hiking, rafting, skiing and road trips without needing super-technical skills.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If your brain feels overloaded by choice, pick one “lane” to start with, such as the Adriatic coast (Croatia, Montenegro, Albania) or an inland loop (Bosnia, Serbia, North Macedonia) and save the rest for trip two.
🗺️ Recommended Read: Romania Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know
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What to expect from landscapes and weather in the Balkans
One of the joys of a Balkans trip is how quickly the scenery switches. Coastal strips in Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece feel very Mediterranean, with terracotta roofs, olive trees and teal-blue bays. A few hours inland you can be in deep river gorges, high plateaus or snow-dusted peaks, especially around the Dinaric Alps and the mountain ranges in Bulgaria, North Macedonia and northern Greece. 🏖️⛰️
Weather is just as varied. Summers on the coast can be roasting, with some recent years hitting the high 30s and low 40s Celsius. Spring and autumn often give you warm days and cooler nights, lovely for city wandering and terrace meals. Mountain areas stay chillier for much of the year and see proper snow in winter. Smaller coastal towns can feel sleepy out of season when beach bars and guesthouses close.
Simple timing rules of thumb:
Beaches: Late May to early October, with July and August hottest, busiest and most expensive.
Cities and culture trips: April to June and September to October are ideal for pavement time.
Hiking and outdoor adventures: June to September in higher mountains, with local advice on snow and trail conditions.
👉 Good to know: Heatwaves are becoming more common, so plan shade breaks, carry water and book air-conditioned accommodation on Booking.com or Hotels.com when travelling in high summer.
🇦🇱 Albania is the rising gem: Why The Travel Tinker Thinks You Should Make Albania Your Next Destination
Culture, languages and everyday life in the Balkans
Culturally, the Balkans feel like a series of overlapping stories. You meet Slavic, Albanian, Greek and Turkish influences, plus lots of local flavours that do not fit neatly into boxes. In some cities you can wander from an Orthodox church to a Catholic cathedral and then past a mosque in the space of a short walk. It is one of the few regions where that mix feels completely normal.
Languages include various South Slavic tongues, Albanian, Greek, Romanian and minority languages. You will see both Latin and Cyrillic scripts in places like Serbia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia. English is widely spoken in touristy areas, especially by younger people and in hospitality, but you cannot always rely on it in villages. Everyday life leans heavily on long coffees, family time and seasonal produce. I’ve lost count of how many hours I’ve spent just people-watching in Balkan cafés. ☕
Things visitors tend to notice:
Café culture: People linger over tiny coffees or tall beers for hours, especially in the evenings.
Hospitality: Guests often get offered extra food, homemade rakija or fruit, sometimes more than you can realistically eat.
Social history: You may see war damage, memorials or political graffiti in some cities, which can be sobering; guided tours help put things in context.
💡 Fact: In more than one Balkan country, “Let’s go for coffee” really means “Let’s sit and talk for at least two hours,” so do not plan anything urgent straight afterwards.
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Is the Balkans safe to visit?
Safety is usually the first question people ask once they get past “what is the Balkans”. Overall, the region is considered safe for tourists and does not feel more intimidating than a typical European trip. The most common problems tend to be petty theft in busy spots, tourist scams around bus stations and the odd taxi trying its luck with prices.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, for example, are often described as broadly safe for visitors who take the usual city-trip precautions. You will still see references to landmines from the conflicts of the 1990s, but these are mostly in clearly marked rural areas that tourists have no reason to wander into. Most locals are proud their countries are now firmly on the travel map and are keen for you to go home with good stories.
Typical safety tips:
In cities: Keep valuables zipped, especially in trams, buses, markets and around bus stations.
Money and taxis: Use ATMs attached to banks, agree taxi prices in advance or choose reputable apps where they exist.
Trips and tours: Book established tours and transfers rather than following random touts; it is easier to resolve issues through a booking platform.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Always read your government’s latest travel advice before you go and take proper travel insurance that covers medical care plus activities like hiking, driving and winter sports.
Budget and costs: how far your money goes
Good news if you are cost-conscious: compared with much of Western Europe, your money usually stretches further in the Balkans. Inland cities such as Sarajevo, Belgrade and Skopje are often flagged as some of the cheaper capitals in Europe, with affordable accommodation, food and public transport. Coastal hotspots like Dubrovnik, parts of the Croatian and Montenegrin riviera and some Greek islands sit at the pricier end, especially in July and August, but still feel reasonable next to the likes of the Amalfi Coast.
As a rough guide, inland you might spend around €50–70 per person per day (about £43–£61 / $55–$80) on a mid-range trip with a private room, restaurant meals and a few activities. On the more famous coasts, €100–140 per day (around £87–£122 / $110–$155) is more realistic in peak season, mainly because of accommodation and excursion prices. When you see local prices in Bosnian marks, Serbian dinars, Albanian lek or Bulgarian lev, converting back to euros, pounds and dollars quickly becomes a little travel hobby in itself.
Example mid-range daily budgets
| Destination (approx mid-range) | Local estimate | Approx EUR | Approx GBP | Approx USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarajevo or Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina) | 120 BAM | €60 | £52 | $70 |
| Tirana or Durres (Albania) | 6,000 ALL | €62 | £54 | $72 |
| Belgrade or Novi Sad (Serbia) | 7,000 RSD | €60 | £52 | $70 |
| Sofia or Plovdiv (Bulgaria) | 120 BGN | €61 | £54 | $71 |
👉 Good to know: Many places still prefer cash for small purchases, though card use is growing fast, so keep a mix of notes and cards for everyday spending.
🗺️ Useful Guide: Salina Turda Guide: Exploring Romania’s Salt Mines
Getting around the Balkans: buses, trains, cars and ferries
Getting around is where the Balkans feel a bit different to highly organised rail-heavy parts of Europe. You cannot lean on a huge high-speed train network, but you can get surprisingly far using buses, shared shuttles and the occasional scenic train. For many travellers, buses become the backbone of a Balkans itinerary, linking capitals, coastal cities and inland towns.
Trains exist and can be lovely on certain routes, but they are often slower than the bus and not as frequent. Ferries and catamarans link Croatian islands, parts of Montenegro and Albania and some Greek islands too. If you like maximum freedom, self-drive road trips are hugely popular because distances are short and car hire is relatively affordable, especially if you collect and drop off in the same country. 🚗
Transport choices in simple terms:
Buses: Cheapest and most extensive, but sometimes slower and a bit rough around the edges.
Trains: Great on specific routes if you have time and patience.
Car hire: Brilliant for viewpoints, villages and juggling beaches, especially if you book flexible car hire with cross-border options.
Ferries: Essential for island-hopping in Croatia and handy around the wider Adriatic.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If you plan multiple border crossings by car, tell the rental company all your intended countries in advance and make sure the paperwork includes cross-border permission and the insurance “green card”.
🗺️ More guides: Sofia Travel Guide: Discovering Bulgaria’s Vibrant Capital
Borders, visas and practicalities
Borders are very much part of the story here. Some crossings are as smooth as driving between France and Germany, while others still involve queues, stamps and a slight “what now?” feeling as you inch towards the booth. Several Balkan countries are now in the EU and Schengen, including Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania, which means no routine internal checks between them for eligible travellers. Others, such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo, sit outside Schengen with their own entry rules.
If you are coming from the UK or another non-EU country, the usual pattern looks like this: you have a limited number of days inside Schengen across countries such as Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania, then separate allowances in non-Schengen states like Albania or Serbia. A new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) is rolling out to track Schengen entries, so future trips will involve scanned passports and stored biometric details at the border.
Border basics:
Documents: Keep passports, car papers and rental agreements handy at crossings.
Time: Expect slower queues in July and August, especially on busy driving routes like Croatia–Montenegro.
Kosovo routing: If you plan to visit both Serbia and Kosovo, read up on current advice, as entry and stamp rules do get tweaked.
💡 Fact: You can easily cross three or four phone roaming zones in a week, so grabbing an airalo eSIM before you go is often cheaper and far less stressful than juggling local SIM cards at every border.
Food and drink in the Balkans: what you will actually eat
Come hungry. Balkan food leans comforting and generous, in a way that makes you question your trouser choices by day three. Expect grilled meats, stews, stuffed vegetables and fresh bread, plus excellent seafood along the coast. You will meet dishes like cevapi (small grilled sausages), burek (flaky pastry with cheese, meat or spinach), sarma (stuffed cabbage leaves), bright salads and slow-cooked beans that taste like they’ve been bubbling away since sunrise.
Coastal Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece serve plenty of fish, octopus and shellfish, often grilled simply with lemon and herbs. Inland, you will see more hearty meat dishes and street food. Vegetarians can do well on baked cheese, salads, grilled vegetables and pastries, though vegan options still take more effort in traditional spots. To drink, expect strong coffee, local wines and rakija, the region’s powerful fruit brandy that locals pour very generously. 🍷
Balkan eating habits in a nutshell:
Portions: Big. Sharing plates and leftovers are completely normal.
Timing: Evening meals start later and often roll on for hours, especially in summer.
Budget: In many capitals, a proper three-course meal can still sit around £12–£20 (roughly €14–€24 / $15–$26) if you avoid the fanciest spots.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Book at least one food-focused tour or cooking class early in your trip so you can learn how to order, what to try and how not to accidentally eat three people’s worth of meat in one sitting.
Sample first-time Balkans itineraries
You could easily spend months in the region, but most first-time Balkans itineraries fall into two camps: coastal or all-rounder. Coastal routes lean into beaches and old towns. All-rounder routes mix cities, mountains and a bit of sea, usually with at least one bus journey that becomes a travel story in itself.
Here is a simple 7-day coastal taster I often recommend to friends:
| Day | Base | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubrovnik (Croatia) | Walk the city walls, explore the old town, ride the cable car for sunset. |
| 2 | Dubrovnik | Day trip to Lokrum Island or a short boat trip, swim spots and coastal walks. |
| 3 | Kotor (Montenegro) | Travel to Kotor, climb the fortress, wander lantern-lit old town lanes. |
| 4 | Kotor / Perast | Boat trips on the Bay of Kotor, Perast and its little island churches. |
| 5 | Tirana (Albania) | Travel via Budva and Shkoder and overnight in Tirana. |
| 6 | Tirana | Street art, museums and long coffees in Blloku. |
| 7 | Durres or the Albanian Riviera | Beach time before flying home from Tirana. |
For 10–14 days, an all-rounder route could chain together Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Lake Ohrid and Skopje or Sofia, using buses and a couple of guided tours or transfers. Aim for at least two nights per stop so you do not spend your entire trip staring out of bus windows instead of actually being there.
Who the Balkans are perfect for (and who might not love it)
The Balkans really shine for travellers who enjoy variety, value and a little bit of unpredictability. If you like chatting to locals, learning snippets of language, fiddling with bus timetables and chasing viewpoints that do not always have a perfectly paved path, you will probably fall hard for the region. Some trips feel a bit like joining a rolling conversation that has been going on for centuries.
If your ideal holiday is super-slick luxury with everything working exactly as it does at home, you may need to pick your spots carefully. In some areas, pavements are cracked, buses run late and official websites lag behind reality. The upside is plenty of authentic guesthouses, family-run restaurants and unscripted moments, plus prices that are kinder than a lot of Western European favourites.
Who tends to love the Balkans:
Backpackers and budget travellers who appreciate low prices and social hostels.
Couples and friends looking for road trips, small cities and coastlines without huge resort complexes.
Slow travellers and digital nomads happy in café corners and mid-sized cities like Tirana, Belgrade or Sofia.
FAQs about the Balkans
What is the Balkans in terms of countries?
In most travel conversations, “the Balkans” covers Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia, plus sometimes the European side of Türkiye. Some are fully on the Balkan Peninsula, others only partly, which is why lists vary slightly between guides.
Is it easy to travel between Balkan countries?
Yes, with a bit of planning. Buses are the main way to hop between capitals and big cities, and many companies now offer online booking and clear timetables. A few scenic train routes and some ferries add variety, and if you are comfortable driving, car hire can make border-hopping even smoother.
Do you need a car to explore the Balkans?
You can absolutely explore the Balkans by public transport and many backpackers do whole trips without driving at all. A rental car just buys you more freedom for viewpoints, rural villages and last-minute detours, especially in Albania, Montenegro and parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Is the Balkans good for solo travel?
How long do you need for a first trip to the Balkans?
If your diary and budget allow, aim for 10–14 days so you can mix at least one inland city, one coastal base and a mountain or lake region. With only a week, focus your Balkans travel guide planning on a compact route such as Dubrovnik–Kotor–Tirana or a single-country loop in Croatia, Albania or Bulgaria.
Ready to plan your Balkans trip?
So, next time someone asks you what is the Balkans, you can say it is a cluster of south-eastern European countries where you can swim in the Adriatic, ride mountain switchbacks, wander ottoman-era lanes and drink tiny coffees in the space of a few days. You now have a clearer picture of which countries are involved, what things cost in local currency, euros, pounds and dollars, how safe it usually feels and what sort of itineraries actually work.
From here, you can dive into more detailed country guides, pick a starting city such as Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Tirana, Sofia or Thessaloniki, then string a route together using buses, trains or car hire. Book your accommodation on Booking.com or Hotels.com, keep hostels in mind for social nights, grab an airalo eSIM before you go to calm down roaming costs and line up a couple of tours to tackle trickier journeys or border-hopping day trips.
When you are ready, save or bookmark this guide, send it to the friend you are trying to persuade and start sketching your own Balkans adventure on TheTravelTinker.com. The mountains, coastlines and café tables are waiting for you.👇💬
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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