Places to Visit in the Balkans: A Visa-Free and Unforgettable Route
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Where should you go on a Balkan tour? The best cities to visit and historic routes across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania.
Places to Visit in the Balkans
Visa-free, affordable, culturally close to us, and enchanting with its natural beauty... The Balkans fully deserve to be the first stop for Turkish travelers. Here are the essential stops on a Balkan itinerary, country by country:
1. The Heartfelt Warmth of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo: The heart of the Balkans, with Baščaršija, where East meets West and the call to prayer mingles with church bells; the Tunnel of Hope, which tells the story of the city's tragic wartime past; and its delicious Bosnian pastry shops. Mostar and Blagaj: The elegant Mostar Bridge over the emerald-green Neretva River, built by a student of Mimar Sinan, and the legendary Blagaj Tekke, a dervish lodge in the cave where the river rises.
2. Montenegro's Luxury and Rugged Beauty
Kotor: Europe's southernmost fjord, formed when seawater flooded the space between steep mountains. Explore the historic, maze-like streets within the walls built by the Venetians. Budva: A coastal city with luxury yachts, lively beaches, and Montenegro's best nightlife. The iconic island hotel Sveti Stefan is also located here.
3. The Gems of North Macedonia
Ohrid: A sparkling lake among the mountains, Ottoman houses on the hillsides, and the Church of St. John at Kaneo, where you can watch the sunset from the edge of the cliffs. It is known as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans." Skopje: The Vardar River running through the heart of the city, the historic Stone Bridge, and the giant statues of Alexander the Great on the other side of the river. Bitola: The city home to the historic building where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk attended military high school.
4. Serbia's Free Spirit
Belgrade: Watch the Danube and Sava rivers meet from Kalemegdan, enjoy Serbian music on Skadarlija Street, and immerse yourself in science at the Tesla Museum.
5. Albania on the Rise
Tirana: A modern capital where the gray buildings of the communist era have been painted in bold colors, rising around Skanderbeg Square. Berat: A historic town known as the City of a Thousand Windows, with magnificent white Ottoman architecture protected by UNESCO.
If you want to discover all these wonders on a single trip without the hassle of border crossings, be sure to check out our Balkan Tours!