Kosovo is a small landlocked country nestled between Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia. It’s in its infancy as a tourism destination and we don’t think it gets enough credit for its vast swathes of untouched natural beauty and fascinating culture. So, we’re putting the spotlight on it this week. Whether you’ve got an
Looking for a sunshine escape in Europe in October? Croatia, Albania and Montenegro all get a decent amount of sunshine and there are other advantages to visiting the Balkans at this time – fewer crowds, it’s cheaper, ideal temperatures for walking holidays, plus it’s rakija season, meaning ample opportunities for tastings. It’s also time for
Booking your September sun holiday in Europe and not sure where to go? Behold: The Balkans. Croatia, Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina all remain hot and sunny well into October, which is why lots of our trips run until then. In fact, some of our most active holidays are best enjoyed at this time
Looking for your next hiking, cycling or kayaking holiday? With breathtaking scenery and a unique culture? And only a short flight from the UK, say in Europe somewhere? Check, check and check. The Balkans boasts vast swathes of untouched natural beauty in its national parks. Some of the forests are so old and undisturbed, they’re
Believe it or not, the city walls of Ston are actually bigger and more impressive than Dubrovnik’s, yet hardly anybody knows about this Croatian town. Just a stone’s throw from the tourist trap lies the two-part town of Ston, a fortified settlement promising glorious Adriatic views, crumbling medieval architecture, delectable seafood and fine wine. Ston
Wait what? Balkan countries produce wine? Yes they do, as it happens, and some are not just good. They’re VERY good. Wine season is fast approaching and we just so happen to have holiday bases in two of the finest wine countries in the Balkan region: Croatia and Montenegro. In late August and September, it’s
Shkodër is a North Albanian city beside Lake Shkodra, Southern Europe’s largest lake which Albania shares with Montenegro (where it’s called Skadar). It’s around two hours’ drive from Tirana and considered the gateway to the Albanian Alps. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Shkodër, including a couple of hidden
Cold water swimming may be the latest wellness trend but here at Undiscovered Balkans, we were doing it long before it became mainstream. When you live near some of Europe’s cleanest rivers and lakes, it’s impossible to resist. While our friends in the Nordic countries are credited with promoting the health benefits of cold water
To say that the Theth valley in the Albanian Alps is stunningly beautiful is an understatement, so there’s no wondering why it’s becoming increasingly popular with hikers. The Accursed Mountains, as they’re also known, could easily be mistaken for the Peruvian Andes. On the Valbona pass, karst limestone topography carpeted by beech forests stretch as
Like many Balkan states, Serbia is in its infancy as a tourism destination but it’s slowly making its way onto more people’s radar. In 2023, it saw its biggest growth in tourism yet, helped in part by budget flights to Belgrade, the capital. With that being said, we thought we’d help you get to know