Author: Camilla Bell-Davies

This week, we invited journalist and travel writer Camilla Bell-Davies to be a guest blogger and tell us which Balkan countries are on her radar in 2026. Camilla lived in Serbia and often travelled to Bosnia and Kosovo for a change of scene. She wrote about Balkans travel for The Financial Times, The Guardian and Telegraph Travel. I first stumbled into the Western Balkans as a student backpacker in the 2010s and was instantly drawn to its rich culture and gorgeous landscapes. It wasn't long before I made the Balkans my permanent home, as a writer based in Belgrade. With free reign to wander, I came to know the many wonderful places on the Undiscovered Balkans radar. Every country has so much to recommend, but if I was to pick the top three rising stars for 2026, it would be these: Beyond Belgrade: Serbia's wild places I may be bias given I lived there, but 2026 really is the moment for Serbia to step into the spotlight. The country saw record visitor numbers in 2024 and 2025, travel magazines are calling it 'Europe's most under-the-radar destination', and it has affordable prices that make slow, immersive travel possible. I say visit now before Serbia becomes the next big thing!                  Belgrade, Tašmajdan park in the snow Serbian hospitality is soulful and spontaneous, guesthouses are rustic and full of charm, and cities feel refreshingly untouristy. Venture beyond Belgrade’s café-lined streets and legendary nightlife to the wild 'Eagle Canyon', or the mighty Iron Gates at Djerdap Gorge on the Danube river, where you can kayak for hours to peaceful birdsong.  Going with a local guide is the best way to enjoy a Serbia adventure. Belgrade has seen peaceful student protests ongoing for a year, but these are confined to