Traveling Around the Balkans: Planning for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Trip Through One of Europe’s Least Discovered Regions

Most trips to Europe revolve around some of the larger, more well-known cities like Paris or Rome. Although it’s becoming slightly more common, you rarely hear of anyone saying they’re going away on their holidays to somewhere in the Balkans like Sarajevo or Tirana. Sure, some of the Croatian cities like Dubrovnik and Split get a lot of tourists, but most never travel deeper into the region.

With the Balkans being less traveled than other regions in Europe, that means information can be trickier to find, making planning your trip there harder than normal. In this article, we’ve pulled together our need-to-know tips for visiting the Balkans so you don’t have to spend hours searching online only to find a handful of outdated posts.

#1 Plan for All Types of Weather

Let’s just say the weather in the Balkans can be somewhat unpredictable. The region has two extremes: in the winter, it can get very cold, with snowfall common in certain countries like Bosnia, while in summer, the temperatures can exceed 40°C.

Unfortunately, particularly in the summer, when the temperatures are high, it can also be quite humid, and thunderstorms are quite common, which can impact your plans for exploring the outdoors, a huge attraction for many coming to the Balkans.

It’s best to pack for the worst and hope for the best for this kind of trip. Have a different outfit put away for rain, hail, snow, and sun, so you’re always prepared. Don’t forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, under thermals, hats, and gloves; you’ll need them all, especially if you’re hiking.

#2 Go to the Transport Stations Rather Than Searching Online

Searching for bus or train routes online in the Balkans is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Anything on the web is either old or written in a way that even Google Translate won’t be able to help you understand. Instead, whenever you want to go somewhere, you’re better off showing up at the station and asking a staff member for information. They’ll have the best knowledge of transport routes and ticket pricing.

Another thing you can do is ask your accommodation for assistance. Usually, they can point you in the right direction as there are always people coming and going from their property, making them a reliable source of information.

#3 Know the Entry Requirements and Plan for Borders Ahead

The Balkans is made up of 11 countries, some of which are in the European Union, like Greece, or the Schengen Zone, like Croatia, while others are completely out on their own, like Serbia. With all these different rules for each country, you should be up to date on the entry requirements, so you’re clear on what to expect at border crossings.

It might be one rule for Americans and another for British citizens: never assume you can cross any border easily. Every nationality has a specific set of rules that must be followed; visit your government’s website to find out what steps you need to take.

#4 Don’t Talk About Politics 

A good chunk of the Balkan countries was a part of Yugoslavia at one stage or another. The fallout from the breakup was a horrible time for the region; many countries went to war with each other, and the scars are still evident today.

If you’re lucky enough to chat with some locals, it’s best to stay out of political discussions and observe them if they’re brought up among people. Of course, some of the main sights in this region relate to these times. We’re not telling you to skip them, but rather, don’t discuss something you’re not an expert on with locals, or you might offend someone.

#5 Expect Things to Take Time

Time is rather an estimate in the Balkans than an exact figure. If the bus company tells you you’re going to arrive at your destination in three hours, don’t bank on it. They forgot to tell you the part where your driver will take a few detours to drop off some packages, have a coffee, and eat lunch with his buddies in his local village. It's all part of the adventure!

Things work differently here with time; you just need to roll with it instead of getting frustrated. Suppose you need to be somewhere at an exact time, give yourself a lot of wiggle room. It’s better to arrive too early than too late.

#6 Prepare for a Lot of Meat and Bread

If you’re a vegetarian, you’re going to struggle in the Balkans. Many of the dishes are meat-heavy; whether it’s Cevapi or Kofta, it’s a veggie's nightmare. As for our gluten-free readers, you might also have some issues as most plates have some sort of bread with them, like Burek or Lepinja.

#7 Always Have Cash on You

Still to this day, most countries in the Balkans are heavily cash-focused. As a tourist, you’ll need to have some cash on you at all times. Even if you don’t necessarily have local currency to hand, most establishments will accept Euros or USD as a form of payment for something substantial, although small corner stores may refuse to accept it from you. Our advice is to get to an exchange office as soon as possible.

#8 Don’t Assume Everyone Can Speak English

A handful of languages are spoken throughout the Balkans. Some people can speak English, but generally, it’s not that widely spoken unless you’re somewhere touristy. In rural areas, getting by without knowing some basic local phrases is difficult. Try to learn some easy phrases on apps like Duo Lingo before you arrive to make things run smoother for yourself.

You’re All Set for Your Trip Around the Balkans With These Tips

Criminally underrated, beautiful on every level, and home to some of the nicest people, the Balkans is a fabulous region to travel to. It’s by no means a walk in the park, there’s a bit of a challenge to it, but that makes it more enjoyable.