From world renowned music festivals like Ultra to outdoor sports events, the active calendar in the Balkans for 2027 is chock-a-block.
If you’re planning a visit to Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro or Serbia in 2025, see below our round-up of the best activities and events to help you decide when to visit.
But why travel all that way for just a day or two? A lovely way to stretch out your trip and really get to know one of these spectacular Balkan countries is to book a holiday on either side of it.
So, whether you’re looking to keep up the momentum from a regatta or marathon, delve deeper into the local culture following a food festival, or recover from a gig in a sleepy fishing village, we’ve included information on tours located near each for inspiration.
Outdoor active festivals & events in Croatia 2027
Ston Wall Marathon
- When: Mid September, date tbc
- Where: Ston
Looking for a new year’s challenge? The Ston Wall Marathon takes place on “Europe’s Great Wall of China” There are three distances on offer: 4km, 15km and the 42.2km marathon. Whichever you choose, epic views over the towns and glistening Adriatic sea are guaranteed.
Why not bring some spectators and then stick around after for a holiday together? Take a look at our 7-day Southern Dalmatia multi activity holiday.
Find out more about our Croatia holidays
Outdoor active festivals & events in Albania 2027
Tirana Marathon
- When: October
- Where: Tirana
The Tirana Marathon is one of the Albanian capital’s biggest events, attracting around 4,000 runners, both locally and from overseas. The first three to pass the finish line in the full marathon receive a generous cash prize (€5,000 for first place). But you don’t have to do the marathon; there’s the choice between a half marathon, 10km or 4km.
With those leg muscles already fired up, tackling the Theth to Valbona Pass during our North Albania adventure will be a piece of cake (or a great warm-up if you’re joining us before the race).
Lost Dot Cycling Race
- When: tbc 2027
- Where: Accursed Mountains, Albania
The Accursed Race is an off-road cycling race by Lost Dot as part of its Transcontinental Race will take riders through Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.
See all of our Albania adventure holidays
Outdoor active festivals & events in Montenegro 2027
Ocean Lava Montenegro Triathlon
- When: 11th October
- Where: Tivat
Located in Montenegro’s UNESCO World Heritage Kotor Bay, the Ocean Lava Triathlon attracts athletes from around the world who come to swim, cycle and run around its pretty fishing villages and crumbling peninsulas.
Our beautiful converted farmhouse on the shores of Lake Skadar is the perfect place to recover from such an adrenaline-fuelled event – or keep that adventurous outdoor spirit fed. We have a range of packages at our Villa Miela base suitable for families, solo travellers or adult groups.
Alternatively, prime your muscles ready for the challenge ahead on our week-long yoga retreat (11th May) and we can arrange your transfer to Kotor Bay in time to start the race.
Prokletije Skyrunning & Vertical Kilometre
- When: July
- Where: Prokletije National Park
Taking place in one of the most beautiful national parks in the Balkans, this sporting event is guaranteed to get the blood pumping (and the adrenaline). As the name suggests, the Vertical Kilometre is a run in which you will gain 1 km in elevation.
Following this leg burner, feast on freshly prepared farm to table food and ease those sore muscles with wild swims in some of Montenegro’s other hidden beauty spots. Lake Skadar, where several of our Montenegro holidays are based, is a three-hour drive away from Prokletije National Park.
Blacklake Xtreme Triathlon
- When: 12th September
- Where: Black Lake, Durmitor National Park
Taking place in a glacial lake at 1,400m above sea level, the Blacklake triathlon isn’t for the faint hearted, but it’s worth the effort. You’ll be swimming, running and cycling amid dramatic karst landscapes and ancient pine forests, so beautiful you’ll forget how exhausted you are (well, almost).
To see more of Durmitor National Park and some of Montenegro’s other beauty spots, join our Montenegro super active adventure holiday.
See all of our Montenegro holidays
Festivals & events in Serbia 2027
Belgrade Marathon
- When: 18th-19th April
- Where: Belgrade
Another one for the runners among us: the Belgrade Marathon is one of the capital’s biggest sporting events and attracts athletes from around the world.
Our exciting week-long adventure holiday in Serbia starts and ends in Belgrade, so ideal if you’d like to extend your stay and really get to know this Balkan state. Highlights include a homestay in a traditional mountain village in Trešnjica, hiking to the famous Bajina Bašta viewpoint in Tara National Park and a walking tour of Belgrade.
Danube Day Regatta
- When: 29th June
- Where: Novi Sad
Taking place in Novi Sad, the Danube Day Regatta is a fun and important event which helps promote sustainability and conservation of the Danube River through watersports such as sailing.
Taking place in Novi Sad, you’re just 90 minutes’ drive away from Belgrade, where you can join us for a week of outdoor adventures along some of Serbia’s other fine waterways.
Drina Regatta
- When: 13th-19th July
- Where: Bajina Bašta
This regatta takes place on Serbia’s other major river, the Drina, which flows through Tara National Park (the location of this event) and forms a natural border between Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Whether you’re taking part or spectating, you’ll be treated to some epic views of the festival and surrounding scenery from the Bajina Bašta viewpoint.
We dedicate two days to exploring Tara National Park on our Serbia adventure, so don’t feel you need to say goodbye to it when the regatta is finished.
Iron Gate Kayak Marathon
- When: September
- Where: Djerdap National Park
Now, if you love a kayak as much as we do, this is the event for you. The Iron Gate Kayak Marathon is breathtaking in every sense of the word as you follow the Danube’s twists and turns round formidable cliffs, through Djerdap National Park, which is guarded by a fantastic fortress (pictured above).
Belgrade is within a two-hour drive from there, so come and join us for more waterborne adventures on the Danube and the Drina afterwards.
Book now: Serbia 7-Day Multi Activity Holiday
Outdoor active festivals & events in Kosovo 2027
Prishtina Half Marathon
- When: May
- Where: Prishtina
Another world renowned running event, the Prishtina Half Marathon attracts runners from all over the place. You’ll clock up just under 21 km in total on the circular route around the city. The exact 2025 dates are tbc, but it takes place in May.
Prishtina is the start and end point for our Kosovo adventure holiday, which is equal parts active outdoors, culture and food. So once you’re done with the race (or even beforehand), join us for a week of activities like hiking in the Accursed Mountains, visiting a bear sanctuary and watching silversmiths at work in Prizren.
Book now: Kosovo adventure holiday
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