It’s time to take that big Balkans tour you’ve been wanting so much! From being visa-free and budget-friendly to the allure of its natural beauties, there are countless reasons to go on a Balkans tour. We know, it is a tedious task to sit down and make a comprehensive itinerary. In this article, we give you the ideal route for the Balkans. Starting from lush Belgrade and ending in Prizren, Kosovo’s cultural ambassador, we have selected the most special cities of the Balkans for this comprehensive tour. In one city you will find yourself in the Middle Ages, in another you will come across traces of sad pasts. In short, this is a route where you can experience the diversity of the history and culture of the Balkans to the fullest. If you only have 10 days, you can easily visit every city on the list. But if you can spare more time, we recommend spending at least 2 days in each city.
Before we start this article, let us remind you: You can visit the detailed routes and stories of all the cities on the list with your personal tour guide Piri Guide mobile app. Piri creates the best route for you and tells the story of the place you are in.
Belgrade,Serbia
First stop is Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and the city of Nikola Tesla. Belgrade is one of the most visited cities in the Balkans. Bohemian streets, medieval castles and intertwined cultures are the biggest attractions of Belgrade. Embraced by the Danube and Sava rivers, this magnificent city is like an open-air museum with its rich historical heritage. Belgrade castle, with its beautiful view of the city, is a must-see on your list. Knez Mihailova Street is especially lively in spring and summer. Belgrade is also famous for its hospitable people; it is quite common to encounter the friendly demeanor of the locals as you wander the streets. When the sun goes down, you can get lost in the cobblestone streets, lively cafes and soulful sounds of traditional Serbian music in Belgrade’s bohemian neighborhood of Skadarlija.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo, the capital and cultural center of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is one of the hidden gems of the Balkans. The city offers one of the best examples of the interaction of East and West; traces of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian eras are still vivid in the architecture and cultural fabric of Sarajevo. The narrow streets of Baščaršija in the city center are lined with historical buildings from the Ottoman period. Here you can also taste the local delicacies of freshly baked baklava and cevapciches. Landmarks such as the Latin Bridge and the Old Sarajevo Clock Tower should also be on your list.
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor is a city that feels frozen in the Middle Ages. This city with an Italian touch in the middle of the Balkans is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Balkans. Situated at the bottom of the Boka Kotorska Bay, Kotor is famous for its magnificent mountain views and historic fortifications. Kotor’s historical texture can still be felt as you wander through the narrow stone streets dating back to the Middle Ages. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town is enchanting with its Gothic churches, Renaissance palaces and traditional stone houses.
Tirana, Albania
Tirana is a city with powerful names and deep and shocking stories in its past. Despite this, today it is a vibrant, lush green city. Skanderbeg Square, the heart of the city, and the National History Museum and Haji Ethem Bey Mosque that crown the square are among the places you must see. Bunkart, one of the thousands of shelters in the country, The Cloud, a work of contemporary art, and the Pyramid of Tirana, which today functions as a center of education and culture and art, are also unique to Tirana and should not be missed.
Ohrid, North Macedonia
Ohrid is one of the most spectacular cities in the Balkans. It is not called the pearl of the Balkans or even Macedonia for nothing. It is a rare place with its deep-rooted history and unique natural beauty. What’s more, this city is on the UNESCO World Heritage list! First, in 1979, Lake Ohrid was listed as one of Ohrid’s greatest symbols. Later on, Ohrid’s historical and natural structure led to the entire city being placed under UNESCO protection.
Bitola, North Macedonia
As we are slowly coming to the end of our trip to the Balkans, it is impossible not to stop by Monastir, the city that inspired young Mustafa Kemal. In fact, Monastir was the inspiration for Mustafa Kemal’s favorite folk song, “The Ballad of Monastir”. This city was Ottoman territory for 500 years under the shadow of Byzantium. That’s why the call to prayer and church bells accompany you as you walk around the city. It has a texture that embraces differences and nourishes each other. It was precisely this unifying culture that fueled Mustafa Kemal’s love for his homeland. Make sure to visit the Monastir Military Idadisi, where young Mustafa Kemal once studied. Today it is used as the Monastir Museum. In one part of the museum you can see Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s identity card, uniform, medals and a geometry book. If you have time, we recommend you to visit Thessaloniki after your trip.
Prizren, Kosovo
Considered as the cultural and historical capital of Kosovo, Prizren offers an unforgettable experience with its medieval narrow streets, historical buildings and breathtaking views. Prizren is a city that still harbors the effects of the Ottoman Empire and is a representative of the historical richness of the Balkans. On the other hand, it is a city that makes you feel at home with its similarities. It is even popularly said that Prizren is ‘a copy of our province of Amasya’.
Prizren Castle, located in the city center, is an important symbol of historical heritage. Especially if the weather is nice, we recommend you to go up to the castle at sunset. Last but not least, don’t forget to drink water from the fountain in Shadrıvan Square. Because they say that whoever drinks the water from this fountain will definitely return to Prizren one day. There are even those who say that those who drink from this water will find love and get married in Prizren.
Skopje, North Macedonia
Skopje is the capital of Macedonia, uniquely known as the “Land of the Sun”. This is also the land where Alexander the Great was born and raised. Skopje is a city with a lot of history and stories. A sweet walk on the Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, which connects the historical and modern parts of the city, will be like medicine after a long journey. Skopje is also a center where the heart of Macedonian culture beats. The Macedonia Square, the statue of Alexander the Great and the National Museum of Macedonia in the city are among the places that should be on your list.
Pristina, Kosovo
The last stop of our Balkans trip is Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. The apple of Kosovo’s eye is ideal for a nice finish as you approach the end of your trip. The city is a silent witness to the many tumultuous historical events that Kosovo experienced from the Roman period to the Ottoman Empire. Pristina, with its museums, statues and streets where history is written, offers an emotional yet enjoyable experience to every traveler.
The symbol of Kosovo, the historic Pristina Clock Tower dating back to the Ottoman period, the historic Prizren Gate and the Newborn Statue, which attracts attention with its modern architecture. In addition to these, the Ethnography Museum and the National Library of Kosovo are also worth seeing for those who want to explore the history and culture of the city more deeply.
If you are looking for more destination inspirations, check out our Budget Friendly European Cities list.
