Cultural heritage isn’t kept behind museum glass in the Balkans—it’s lived, breathed, eaten, sung, crafted and danced. From Ottoman cities like Berat and Mostar to natural wonders such as Durmitor National Park, Albanian folk singing to lacemaking in Croatia, UNESCO World Heritage in the Balkans is a multi-sensory tapestry of the region’s diverse natural and cultural offerings. In light of Lake Skadar being nominated to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in October 2025, we’ve rounded up some of the region’s cultural and natural highlights—many of which you can see on our holidays in Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Croatia. UNESCO natural heritage in the Balkans Durmitor National Park, Montenegro Characterized by towering limestone peaks and glacial lakes, Durmitor National Park in Montenegro is undeniably breathtaking. It’s home to one of Europe’s deepest canyons and the stunning Black Lake. “⁠I’ll never forget my first glimpse of Durmitor National Park, like a real-life Hobbit land, all jagged peaks in stunning formations, and wispy clouds, with wild horses roaming the grassy meadows,” says UB co-founder Emma. “The landscape’s so epic it’s hard to take it all in.” Visit Durmitor National Park on our Montenegro family activity holiday. Lake Skadar, Montenegro & Albania Lake Skadar straddles the border between Montenegro and Albania and is the largest lake in Southern Europe at roughly 400 square kilometres (is actual size depends seasonal water level variations). This biodiversity hotspot is teeming with wildlife and an important nesting site for the endangered Dalmatian Pelican, which our guests love to spot during kayaking safaris on our Lake Skadar holiday, and on boat trips. In 2025, the Montenegrin and Albanian governments both nominated Lake Skadar to become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which means it will enjoy greater environmental protection and extend the so-called 'Amazon of Europe' deeper into Southeast Europe.