Welcome to our handy shopping guide on what to buy in the Balkans (souvenirs, gifts, local products). It goes without saying that the best souvenir from the Balkans is time spent there. But if you want something tangible to take home, here are 12 artisan crafts that are made locally, used daily and have long histories. Souvenirs is a word often associated with tourist tat, but the Balkans is not a turbo-charged tourism industry, so things you can buy in markets still tend to be hand-crafted traditional gifts. Plus, supporting local craftspeople is all part of being a conscientious traveller and leaving a positive impact. These 12 souvenirs are traditional Balkan gifts we genuinely love, use and give to our friends. Some are practical, some beautiful, some edible, and all of them will have you hankering to go back long after you’ve unpacked your bag. What to buy in the Balkans: The best traditional gifts in the Balkans are locally made, small-batch products that reflect the region’s culture. Look for: Rakia (fruit brandy) from family-run distilleries Regional wines from lesser-known Balkan vineyards Handmade ceramics and traditional pottery Embroidered textiles and handwoven rugs Olive oil, preserves and other small-batch food products Herbal teas and natural, plant-based cosmetics Artisan jewellery inspired by local heritage Scroll down to find out where to find the best of each... Handwoven Kilims: Albanian and Serbian Rugs Among the best traditional gifts to buy in the Balkans, a handwoven kilim dates back centuries. Distinct traditions are found in Albania's Lake Shkodra region and Serbia's Pirot near the Stara Planina. Albanian kilim weaving dates back to Ottoman times, when rugs were gifted as dowries (paja), and the motifs woven into each piece told the story of a specific place, family and tribe. Our Multi-activity holiday in Albania includes
Welcome to our handy shopping guide on what to buy in the Balkans (souvenirs, gifts, local products). It goes without saying that the best souvenir from the Balkans is time spent there. But if you want something tangible to take home, here are 12 artisan crafts that are made locally, used daily and have long
Wine, like rakia, is woven into any Balkan adventure. This week, we sat down with Dušan Jelić of @winesofserbia to talk Balkan wine regions and wines. Dušan has worked in the wine world for decades, and has seen the Balkan viticulture move from post-communist recovery to producing world class award-winning pours, all within 20 years. Sadly, many of these bottles are hard to find in the UK or USA, which is all the more reason to travel to the country of origin and combine wine discovery with an Undiscovered Balkans adventure. For Dušan, the vineyards of South-East Europe offer something unique: "Winemakers are warm, deeply hospitable and welcome you with an authenticity we have lost elsewhere. You will experience indigenous grapes you have never tasted before." Best of all, says Dušan, "Wine is always paired with the Balkans' exotic cuisine that fuses Mediterranean, Ottoman and local influences. Don't forget that enjoying Balkan food and wine is budget-friendly! " Dušan has kindly given us his tips on native grapes, top Balkan wine labels and local festivals, which we've paired with our adventures to nearby mountains, lakes and historic towns to create a practical guide to the main wine regions in the Balkans. Related: A guide to Albanian food and wine 10 traditional Balkan foods you have to try How to drink Bosnian coffee the right way Balkan Wine Regions: a Country-by-Country Guide Croatian wine Events: Biklijada When: September 2026 Where: Vrgorac Croatia does niche, local and authentic festivals like no other. Did you know that there is even a tiny local festival dedicated to the Bikla drink, a mix of young red wine and goat milk? The strange but refreshing blend is only drunk at harvest time when the wine is still young. It's possible to see people holding a wine under
Wine, like rakia, is woven into any Balkan adventure. This week, we sat down with Dušan Jelić of @winesofserbia to talk Balkan wine regions and wines. Dušan has worked in the wine world for decades, and has seen the Balkan viticulture move from post-communist recovery to producing world class award-winning pours, all within 20 years. Sadly,
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