Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro and Albania five Balkan nations you should visit

Occupied by empires for centuries, the Balkan region enters the 21st century telling its turbulent history through its heritage, the result of the crossing of cultures and religions, which can be appreciated in architecture, gastronomy, languages, among others, with an infinite number of tourist attractions, in addition to the natural ones.

It consists of twelve countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Romania, some with a greater and some with a lesser presence, each with a story to tell. This is a region in southeastern Europe, bordered by the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Black Sea on the other.

The area is full of nature and national parks, with little known tourist areas and a remarkable gastronomic diversity, accompanied by a wide selection of wines. To enjoy the warmth and sunshine, you can get to know it in summer. If you prefer a colder climate, with snow and skiing, winter is ideal, even the season when the region is most visited by tourists. For the purposes of our article, we will focus on the nations located in front of the Adriatic Sea: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro and Albania.

 

 

 

Croatia

Croatia is known for its beaches, a brilliant blue sea ideal for sailing and sport fishing, and more than a thousand islands, large and small. Aboard a boat, you can anchor in an uninhabited bay of the Adriatic.

A cruise can be made between the coastal cities of Dubrovnik and Split, both of which are Unesco listed monuments with well-preserved architectural works. Their modern lifestyle offers visitors plenty of entertainment and excellent gastronomy.

Dubrovnik retains its old town surrounded by an imposing stone wall overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Because of its style, its cobblestone streets were the setting for the filming of the television series Game of Thrones.

 

 

Opposite Dubrovnik are the Elaphites, a series of 14 islands, three of which are inhabited (Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan), with buildings that include castles and churches from centuries past. Another island is Mljet, Croatia's oldest marine park, and the Mljet National Park. From the Montokuc viewpoint you can admire the greenery of the area. Other islands are Hvar, one of the most popular in Croatia, a stopover for many celebrities on their beach cruises and party destination; other islands are Stiniva, Bisevo, Paklinski Otoci and Brac, before docking in Split.

Dalmatia is the most famous part of Croatia, where the attraction is its countless islands, beaches and its capital, the ancient coastal city of Split. Its waters are also a paradise for tuna fishing enthusiasts.

Zagreb, Croatia's capital, is vibrant and cosmopolitan, combining historic character with a modern twist. With places like the Plitvice National Park, the Old Town and the centuries-old Ban Jelacic Square. Full of different architectural styles and murals by local street artists, it rewards those who visit on foot. For accommodation in Zagreb, there are the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, Sheraton Zagreb Hotel and Amadria Hotel Capital. On the gastronomic side, Dubravkin Putt and Noel are the restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide with one star.

 

 

Slovenia

This small country on the sunny side of the Julian Alps boasts a charming capital, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, historic coastal towns and natural landscapes. The beauty is not only superficial: it is also known for one of the most incredible caves in the world, the Postojna Cave. For hikers, there are 6,200 miles of trails and 352 peaks over 6,560 feet high.

Lake Bled and its island church with the mountains in the background is the most recognizable sight in Slovenia, within the Triglav National Park, the only one in this nation, part of the Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve, where the Soca River meanders. Taking a boat ride to the island, visiting Bled Castle, the oldest castle in Slovenia (1004), or tasting the local dessert "kremsnita" are some of the reasons to visit this magical place, nominated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Postojna Cave, the most famous cave in Slovenia, invites you to take a ride on its mini subway to explore it and have a chance to see a proteus, an amazing endemic amphibian.

In the heart of the Triglav National Park lies Lake Bohinj, surrounded by the highest mountains in Slovenia. It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities - hiking, canyoning, kayaking and more.

 

 

Slovenia has a small but beautiful coastline of 26 miles with picturesque Mediterranean towns. Piran, with its charming Venetian architecture, is a must-see for its salt festivals and the Tartini Festival, in honor of local musician Guiseppe Tartini (1692-1770).

In the capital, Ljubljana, luxury hospitality is led by the Intercontinental Ljubljana, the city's tallest hotel, with Michelin-starred chef Kommen Bakic's B-Restaurant. Zlata Ladjica has been located in one of the capital's most representative buildings since 1926 and has evolved over time. Kendov Dvorec is a palace converted into a hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant.

The Michelin guide ranked 63 restaurants in Slovenia. The Hisa Franko restaurant with Ana Ros in Kobarid, a town near the Italian border, kept its top award of three stars, while the Milka restaurant in Kranjska Gora, on the triple border with Austria and Italy, with David Zefran, again received two stars from the Michelin judges. Eight Slovenian restaurants, each in a different city, have one star, including the recently opened Pavus in Lasko.

 

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Located between Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the result of a mixture of cultures from all over the Balkans, with remnants of the Ottoman Empire scattered throughout the country. This is evident in its beautiful and colorful cities, such as Mostar and Sarajevo, its capital.

The rich culture, relaxed pace of life, Turkish architecture and amazing food are all mixed together. In 1984, Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics and the Bjelasnica, Jahorina, Igman and Trebevic mountains are part of the Dinaric Alps.

Visiting the Latin Bridge (Latinska Cuprija), which crosses the Miljacka River between Obala Culina Bana and Obala Isa-Bega Ishakovica, means knowing a part of history. Built in the Ottoman period, its four stone arches date back to at least 1565. On June 28, 1914, the Serbian mercenary Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie while they were on a state visit to Sarajevo, choosing the northern corner of the Latin Bridge to commit his crime, triggering the political events that led to the outbreak of World War I. Today, a plaque marks the spot and portraits of Princip and Franz Ferdinand are displayed in front of the Sarajevo Museum.

The Sarajevo Tunnel (Tunel Spasa), converted into a war museum (1992-1995), is the best way to learn about the siege of Sarajevo in Bosnia. Dug by hand with shovels and picks, the 2,620 feet tunnel served as a lifeline for the city in 1993, connecting the Dobrinja and Butmir neighborhoods to free Bosnian territory beyond Sarajevo Airport. After the Bosnian war ended, the house whose basement served as the tunnel's entrance was turned into a museum.

 

 

Visitors can see an 18-minute movie about the war, the blockade and the tunnel experience, as well as photographs, maps, military equipment and uniforms, tools and documents. Visitors can also walk about 65 feet into the tunnel. The museum is a stop on almost every war-themed tour of Sarajevo.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina visit the Bascarsija bazaar, a vibrant and bustling marketplace with several mosques and hammams (baths) dating back to 1462, when the country was under Ottoman rule. In the 17th century, it was a thriving commercial center with thousands of workshops practicing dozens of crafts, from coppersmiths to potters to jewelers, amidst mosques and minarets. Another attraction is the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, built in 1530. The hotel business in Sarajevo is international, with places of the level of Swissotel Sarajevo, Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana, Malak Regency Hotel, Ha Hotel Mostar and Hotel Park.

The coast of Bosnia and Herzegovina is Neum, the only coastal town in the country, with a coastline of 15 miles. The ancient city of Mostar, built on the banks of the Neretva River, was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. Walking through its cobblestone streets and across the reconstructed Old Bridge, protected by Unesco, which connects the two banks of the city, is a journey through time. Its 17 mosques are a reminder of the Ottoman influence that took over the city in 1468. Another famous bridge, Mostar Bridge, built in the 16th century, was bombed in 1993 and rebuilt in 2005.

The Una National Park is the largest park of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of only three preserved parks in the country, protecting the Una and Unac rivers and the diversity of flora and fauna.

The second largest city is Banja Luka, where the influence of Illyrian, Ottoman, Slavic and Austro-Hungarian history can be seen everywhere. The city was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1969. Another attraction is Pocitelj, a medieval village from the Ottoman period, built on the banks of the Neretva River. Because of its beauty, damaged by the passage of time and wars, it has been protected by the World Monuments Watch since 1996.

 

 

 

Montenegro

Montenegro has two capitals: Podgorica and Cetiña, the latter being the seat of government. In the case of Podgorica, it was invaded by Romans, Ottomans, and Austro-Hungarians at different times and nearly razed to the ground in several wars. Stara Varos, an old town that was once an Ottoman court mosque, stands in contrast to the brutalist buildings of the Yugoslav era.

The Moraca River offers a beautiful beach next to the medieval bridge where the Ribnica River flows into it. Podgorica's galleries contain a good ethnological display and fantastic paintings by artists such as Mato Duranovic and Nikola Gvozdenovic. For accommodation there are Bristol Hotel, Kings Park Hotel and Hilton Podgorica.

Cetiña was the former royal seat of Montenegro with emblematic buildings, monuments and temples. The Lovcen Fairy, a monument commemorating Montenegrins who emigrated to the United States to join the army during World War I, stands out.

With its vast and unspoiled natural landscapes, it attracts both nature lovers and adrenaline junkies, who can get their thrills in the Durmitor National Park while rafting Europe's deepest canyon, the Tara River.

 

 

Kotor is an ancient medieval coastal town on the bay of Boka Kotorska, surrounded by impressive, Unesco-protected Venetian walls and the 12th-century Cathedral of St. Tryphon. Nearby is glamorous Tivat, a summer resort for artists and aristocrats who arrive in their yachts at the luxurious marina.

With 185 miles of coastline, Herceg Novi stands out, recognizable by its abundance of mimosa trees and its numerous flights of stairs. It is known as "The City of the Sun", thanks to the large number of sunny days throughout the year. Its buildings date from the 15th to the 17th century. The origins of tourism in Herceg Novi date back to the 19th century, taking advantage of the Mediterranean climate, with dry, warm summers and mild winters. There are artificial caves dug into the rock to hide submarines during World War I.

Known as the party capital of Montenegro, Budva is also famous for its long sandy beaches and lively old town.

Durmitor National Park covers the largest mountain massif in Montenegro and is home to vast mountains, including the 8,277 feet Bobotov Kuk, pristine lakes and green meadows. It is also home to Europe's deepest canyon, the Tara River Canyon.

Lovcen is another national park with Montenegro's most famous mountain and national symbol, with its 25 curves arranged in 10.5 miles reach the top by car. At the top of the highest peak, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, you can see the mausoleum of Montenegro's most important leader, Petar Petrovic Njegos.

Finally, there is Ulcinj, an ancient Montenegrin seaport near the Albanian border whose history dates back to Roman times. Ulcinj's coastline is 20.5 miles long, of which 8 miles are beaches, making a total of 25. Sunbathe on the sandy beach of Long Beach or visit the island in the river delta, Ada Bojana.

 

 

 

Albania

Known as the "land of eagles", it boasts beautiful beaches and endless sunny days. It has four ports: Durres, Vlora, Shëngjin and Saranda.

Although it is less popular as a vacation destination - it became known as a tourist destination only in 1991 - its beauty is present. Due to its geographical position, it was under Greek, Roman and Venetian rule for a long time, which is reflected in its architecture, such as the Roman amphitheater of Durres. The 6,177 acres Butrinto National Park includes an archaeological park with remains from its Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman past. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Ksamil is a village built in the sixties on a small coastline in front of three islets. Its white sand beaches resemble those of the Caribbean. Another beach is that of Borsh, the longest of all the Riviera, with a length of 3.7 miles. There are still about 175 thousand bunkers on Albanian territory, built by Enver Hoxha, the communist dictator who was in power for 40 years and feared a foreign attack or invasion.

 

 

Gjipe beach is one of the crown jewels of the Albanian Riviera, reached by a spectacular 230 feet descent down a cliff face. Music lovers will enjoy summer festivals such as the Druga Godba Jazz Festival in Ljubljana, Slovenia in May. There are also many carnivals to celebrate the end of winter and the arrival of spring, such as the Kurentovanje carnival in Slovenia.

The capital, Tirana, is also a fascinating mix of cultural and architectural influences, with Italianate, European bourgeois, and Brutalist styles spread throughout the city. Ottoman mosques, Orthodox churches, Italianate buildings, gray Socialist-era buildings and facades painted with colorful murals coexist on the French-style boulevards that start at Skanderbeg Square.

A century ago, the city had no more than 10,000 inhabitants, and today it is home to more than half a million of the country's nearly three million Albanians. Lodging options include the Tirana Marriott and the Radisson Collection Morina. Berat and Gjirokastra are two Unesco World Heritage cities for their monuments and vernacular urban dwellings from the classical Ottoman period, in continuity with the various medieval cultures.

 

 

 

Text: Amura ± Photo: Blietskiy, Rainprel, Gordon Bell, Yasonya, Kasto80, Iligirg, Sergey Dzyuba, Ucebistu, Indurango, Daniel Turbasa, Lemert, Zdeneek Matyas