9 + Astonishing Balkan Hidden Gems to Discover

Balkan hidden gems

The Balkan Peninsula is one of the few parts of geographical Europe that hasn’t been swamped with tourists. With majestic mountains, quirky cities and a fascinating history, the Balkan countries have so much to offer. However, not many people are aware of the beauty throughout this part of the world, so we have put together a guide to a few of our favourite Balkan hidden gems.

Albania

Albania has only really opened up to foreigners within the last 30 years. Situated in the south west of the Balkans, it is just a hop over the water from Italy and Greece. However, we know relatively little about this mysterious country. Thanks to some recent movies, Albania has a reputation for being full of gangs who kidnap, murder and steal. The country’s latest tourist campaign has even used the slogan “Be taken by Albania”.

However, the towns and cities across the country are generally very safe. There are so many reasons to visit Albania; fascinating cities, spectacular countryside and friendly locals, to name but a few. There are also so many beautiful places to explore and it is definitely home to many of the Balkan’s hidden gems. Here are a few to start with.

Syri i Kalter

In south western Albania lies a mysterious and intriguing body of water shrouded in local legend. Syri i Kalter, or the Blue Eye, is a natural water spring of unknown depth and chilling temperatures. The centre of the spring is a deep, dark blue whilst the surrounding water is a fresh green fading out to the white of the pebbly shore.

The water is a dark blue at the deepest point. It is not known how deep the spring is as the water pressure is too strong for divers to reach the bottom. The deepest recorded dive is 50m but the unknown depth only adds to the mystery of the spring. In the summer months it does get busy so better to visit early in the morning or later in the evening.

It’s easy to travel to this Balkan hidden gem from Saranda. The bus departs from a stop next to the Synagogue remains on Rruga Flamurit. See it on the map HERE. You can buy the tickets on the bus. Tell the driver you are going to Syri i Kalter, this is a popular stop and they will know what you mean. The trip will cost 300Lek (about €2) for a one-way journey.

Butrint

Butrint National Park contains an ancient port city in Southern Albania. The route through the ruins takes you passed roman baths, an amphitheatre, an acropolis dating back to the 8th Century BC and, our favourite, the relatively complete basilica from the 6th century. We also learned that prehistoric sites have been identified within the area and the earliest evidence of occupation dates back to 50,000 BC. The civilization was eventually abandoned due to the progression of the marshland.

This protected area also has a diverse range of rare plants and animals with over 900 species of plant and 400 animal species. Butrint is a microcosm of Mediterranean history as it has escaped the overdevelopment that other countries have undergone. When leaving the park, it is worth having a look at the small stalls selling locally made crafts as the sellers are clearly proud of their products and of the history of the area.

Again, it’s easy to reach Butrint National Park by bus, from Saranda. Check out how HERE.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Since the end of the Bosnian war in 1995, this country has been steadily recovering and thriving. With a wealth of natural beauty and interesting, diverse towns and cities, Bosnia is truly a hidden gem in Europe. The food is also amazing and Bosnian coffee is famous throughout the Balkans.

Do be aware that the war was less than 30 years ago and there are still unexploded mines in the countryside. Sometimes it is sensible to take a local guide if exploring remote areas. However, Sarajevo, the capital city, is a safe, diverse place with beautiful architecture and friendly people.

Mostar

Mostar is a small Bosnian city famous for its beautiful Ottoman bridge – Stari Most. Originally built in the 16^th century, it was rebuilt in 2004 after it was destroyed during the war.

The old town of Mostar is full of narrow, winding, cobbled streets with stalls selling beautiful scarves, handmade copper items, baklava, steaming hot coffee and much more. A walk along the bustling bazaar is a delight for the senses and feels like a journey back in time.

Kravica waterfalls

These falls are known as one of the most beautiful natural sights in Bosnia, and there is certainly tough competition. It is also one of Europe’s best kept secrets and an amazing example of one of the many Balkan hidden gems. The falls are 25m high and 120 m wide, which is why they are known as the “mini Niagara Falls”.  The fall is at its fullest during the springtime and this is an ideal time to visit.

The falls are only 140km from Dubrovnik which will take about 2.5 hours by car. There isn’t much in the way of public transport so it’s best to hire a car or take a tour. Some tours offer Mostar and Kravica in the same day from Dubrovnik.

Bulgaria

The sunny coastal towns of Bulgaria are popular with tourists from across Europe. As one of the cheapest countries to visit on the continent it’s a great option for a budget break.

Sofia is Bulgaria’s small but charming capital city. She does not have the same touristic pull as cities like Paris or Rome, but don’t let that put you off! With a long and captivating history, interesting food and welcoming locals, Sofia is a place worth learning about and discovering for yourself.

Mount Vitosha

Vitosha Mountain overlooks the city of Sofia and is an imposing presence. Vitosha Boulevard is a bustling street with many places to eat and drink, as well as displaying a fine view of its namesake. Mount Vitosha is a mountain massif and the tallest peak sits at 2290m high, the highest in the Sofia area. Balkan hidden gems don’t come much higher than this! It is popular with locals for hiking in the summer as many bid to escape the sweltering heat of the city. Skiing is a common pursuit in the winter.

There is a National Park around the mountain area so car parking is easy and accessible. You can also reach the park by public transport which mostly includes a bus then a chair lift. However, the details vary tremendously depending on what trail you choose and where you start in Sofia. Bus 64 takes you to the Boyana Church which is where we started.

If you visit Sofia, make sure you keep a day aside for Mount Vitosha. If you’re a keen hiker you will love every minute of it. I hiked with a guide, however, it’s not necessary as most of the routes are well signed (our route was about 10km).

Decent, basic equipment (boots, waterproof, map, compass) will be necessary for the tougher routes – some of the peaks are very rocky. But regular clothes are fine for exploring the lower trails in fair weather. If hill walking is not your usual activity of choice then go to enjoy the fresh air, beautiful scenery and spend a day with nature.

Montenegro

A county well placed for cruise ships from Italy and Croatia, Montenegro receives its share of tourists. However, once you come away from the port towns of Kotor and Budva, there is plenty of unexplored countryside to uncover. The lakes and mountains are incredible and the capital city of Podgorica is great for a weekend break. It has a beautiful old town, delicious restaurants and welcoming locals.

Skadar/Virpazar

Virpazar is a village on the banks of Lake Skadar, around 30 minutes from Podgorica and near the Albanian border. The view over the lake and surrounding mountains is magnificent. The dark, rugged peaks reach from the green lake to the soft clouds and the hillside is dotted with grey stone houses. We were short on time so decided to climb up to Besac Castle, appreciate the spectacular vista and enjoy a spot of lunch. To enter the castle, we paid €1 each, which was worth it just for the views over the lake.

Train tickets were bought from Podgorica train station for €1 and the journey took about 35 minutes.

North Macedonia

The Republic of North Macedonia is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe. It gained independence in 1991 from Yugoslavia and has a population of just over 2 million. North Macedonia has a rich cultural heritage in art, architecture, poetry and music along with many ancient, protected religious sites. As a Balkan country, it also has ample mountains, lakes and exciting, small cities. The capital, Skopje, is fascinating mix between old and new architecture and has loads of appetizing food.

Ohrid

The lake is a peaceful place to enjoy the sun, take a hike or appreciate the spectacular views over the water and the monasteries nestled in the hills. There are several bars along the shore where you can hire sun loungers in the summer and sip on a cocktail overlooking the lake – which is what we did.

The old town is also one the huge number of Balkan hidden gems. It is full of traditional, red roofed houses, mosques and has a large square filled with restaurants and market stalls. We browsed the shops selling pearls from the lake, ornaments and dazzling jewels.

Romania

Perhaps one of the better known Balkan countries, Romania is famous for rural villages, mountains, castles and, of course, vampires. Bran Castle is thought to be the inspiration for Bram Stokers Dracula. It is a striking castle with an undoubtedly spooky atmosphere. But one can be quite sure there are no vampires within the walls. Lesser known castles are scattered across Romania and are fantastic Balkan hidden gems that you must visit

Peles Castle

Set high in the Carpathian Mountains, Peles Castle was built between 1873 and 1914 for King Carol I. No expense was spared in the building of this palace and it was the first castle in Europe to have electricity. This breathtaking neo-renaissance building is surrounded by spectacular scenery and sits around 120km north of Bucharest, Romania’s capital city. During the winter months the mountains are often snow covered and there are few guests. If you can handle the cold, this is a beautiful time to visit.

Serbia

This whole Balkan country is a hidden gem! Serbia is full of enchanting landscapes and any part of the country you visit will make you want to return. Belgrade, the capital city, is known for having great food, a buzzing nightlife and beautiful architecture. Whereas smaller towns like Nis are full of fascinating history and tradition.

Vranje

Vranje is a quaint town where people go about their daily lives and tourists are an unusual sight. Visiting here is a great insight into modern Serbian life. There is not much in the way of tourist attractions but take time to enjoy the amazing barbeque food and soak up the atmosphere with a coffee or ice cream in one of the many cafes. You can visit Vranje from Skopje as a day trip and travelling by bus is really cheap and easy.

Discover the Balkan hidden gems

These are just a few examples of some of the amazing sights the Balkans has to offer. There is a lot of the area that is virtually untouched by mainstream tourism which is so rare in Europe. For us, the mesmerising countryside, the small, unusual cities and the wonderful people keep us going back to explore more of this fascinating part of the world.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited any Balkan countries? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!