Balkan Adventures
The Balkans are endlessly fascinating – a mix of Ottoman echoes, communist relics, and jaw-dropping scenery. From the cobbled lanes of Sarajevo to the painted mosque of Tetovo and the mountain passes of Montenegro, it’s a region that rewards slow, curious travel.
Whether you arrive by plane, train, bus, or boat, expect warm welcomes, strong coffee, and plenty of surprises along the way.
Below you’ll find my Balkan travel guides, covering real-world routes and local details you won’t find in generic itineraries. More will join soon – there’s always another border to cross in this part of the world and I’m still on ‘catch-up’.
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Things to Do in Tuzla, Bosnia: A City Built on Salt
Tuzla is Bosnia’s third-largest city, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of it. I certainly hadn’t, until I started looking at options for travelling between Belgrade and Sarajevo, when its name kept cropping up as a potential place to break a potentially long and gruelling bus journey. Tuzla has international connections too. The budget flight carrier, Wizz Air, reopened its Tuzla base in December 2025. And there’s…
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Top Things to do in Belgrade: Beyond the Nightlife
Serbia was one of the last European countries we hadn’t explored, so that made it reason enough to plan a visit. We were aware of Belgrade’s reputation for lively nightlife along the Sava River, and we found that vibrant spirit continued in Skadarlija, the Bohemian quarter, and in bars across the city. Kalemegdan Fortress and the Church of Saint Sava dominate Belgrade’s skyline, while the ultra-modern waterfront development is becoming…
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Things to Do in Novi Sad: An Easy Day Trip from Belgrade
Visit Serbia’s second city by high-speed train. If you’re spending time in Belgrade and want to explore somewhere new for the day, Novi Sad should be at the top of your list. It’s Serbia’s second-largest city, located on the banks of the Danube in the northern province of Vojvodina, near the borders with Croatia and Hungary. With a very different feel from Belgrade, it reminded me of Debrecen, Hungary’s second…
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Belgrade to Sarajevo by bus and why breaking the journey in Tuzla makes sense
A practical overland itinerary including tips on things to do and where to stay in each city Sarajevo has to be my favourite Balkan capital, with Belgrade not far behind, and I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting to visit both on the same trip. There’s a problem, though. Getting between the two cities on public transport looks more like an endurance test than a fun thing to do on…
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The kind of European places I want to keep writing about
As 2025 draws to a close, I’m sharing some European destinations I’ve visited over the last couple of years. Some I’ve written about already, others I haven’t, but they’re all favourites, albeit for different reasons. I tend to avoid labels like ‘hidden gems‘ or ‘underrated‘. Not because these places lack appeal, but because those terms rarely mean very much. Visibility depends on perspective, fashion shifts quickly, and what feels “undiscovered”…
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Alternative Athens: Neighbourhoods, Street Life & Technopolis
I’ll be honest: the first time I visited Athens (a long time ago), I wasn’t particularly taken by it. I remembered pollution, scruffiness, crowds, and intense heat. But I’ve been back several times since, and by avoiding the chaos of high summer it’s been much easier to relax and enjoy the city. And that’s especially true once you’ve seen the classic sites. Ancient history may make Athens one of the…
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Thessaloniki to Athens Via Meteora, 7 Days, 2 Greek Cities and One Unforgettable Landscape
Planning to travel from Thessaloniki to Athens and spend time in both cities? This 7-day itinerary shows you the best way to go, including an essential stop in Meteora, one of Europe’s most spectacular (and still underrated) landscapes. You’ll find clear transport options and a simple route you can follow using budget friendly public transport. I’ve travelled widely across both mainland Greece and the islands, and this route remains my…
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Classic Athens: Top Sights and Ancient Landmarks for your First Trip to The Greek Capital
As the birthplace of Western Civilisation and democracy, Athens makes a compelling case for your attention. The Greek Capital is named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. And you’ll feel like you’re part of the story as you wander through the city which, in parts, feels like a living museum. The Acropolis, Parthenon and Ancient Agora earn their place at the top of every list, but the city…
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10 Best Things to Do in Thessaloniki: A Walkable Guide to Greece’s Second City
It’s easy to underestimate Thessaloniki. Athens takes most of the limelight, along with the islands, but if you’re looking for an easy, good-value city break in Greece, Thessaloniki should make it onto your list. We left a cold wet UK February and were met with blue skies and warm weather, perfect for sightseeing. It’s a compact city and easy to feel relaxed in. with no need to chase your tail,…
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Tirana to Skopje: A Flexible Overland Itinerary via Kosovo (3 Capitals in 1 Week)
Travelling from Tirana to Skopje via Kosovo is one of the easiest and most rewarding overland trips in the Balkans. In the space of a week you can experience four cities, including three capitals, each with its own character and each leg of the journey is only around 3 hours by bus. You’ll find cable-car rides, ancient churches and mosques, atmospheric bazaars and quirkiness in spades. Whether you’re interested in…
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Best Day Trips and Places to Visit in Kosovo from Pristina
The capital, Pristina, makes a great base for exploring central Kosovo. The country’s small enough to get around easily, and most of the main towns are linked by bus. For some of the more rural or scenic spots, you might need to hop in a taxi or join a local tour, but that’s part of the fun. Or you might prefer to drive and hire a car. You’ll find a…
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Why You Should Visit Pristina: Kosovo’s Surprising Coffee-Fuelled Capital
Europe’s newest capital, Pristina, intrigued me long before I arrived, and after exploring Kosovo’s biggest city, it still does. If you imagined Pristina would be beige or boring because the “things to do” list looked short at first glance, don’t be surprised if you find yourself changing your mind, as I did. Pristina isn’t polished, it’s raw, creative, and full of murals and modern art. Some buildings will divide opinion,…
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10 Things to Do in Prizren, Kosovo – Why It Deserves a Spot on Your Balkan Itinerary
Prizren’s cobbled streets, riverside cafés, and mountain backdrop give it an easy charm that’s hard to resist. Compact and full of character, it’s one of those cities that wins you over straight away. In this guide, I’ve included the 10 best things you can do in Prizren, along with practical advice and a map to help you make the most of your visit to this beautiful Balkan city. Is Prizren…
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Visit the Millennium Cross and Mount Vodno from Skopje by Public Bus
Mount Vodno and the Millennium cross provide a striking backdrop to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. And a visit to see them both, up close and personal, is an essential part of any trip to the capital. We visited the Millennium Cross by catching a city bus to Sredno Vodno, then taking a cable car to the top, instead of taking one of the popular organised tours. This Guide…
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Visit the Painted Mosque in Tetovo From Skopje by Public Bus
In the foothills of the Šar Mountains, Tetovo’s Painted Mosque dazzles with colour — and it’s an easy bus ride from Skopje, making it one of the most rewarding day trips in North Macedonia
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Best Things to Do in Skopje: Your Comprehensive Travel Guide to Europe’s Most Kitsch Capital
Skopje mixes kitsch statues, Ottoman charm and Balkan buzz. This guide on things to do in Skopje covers the city highlights both in the Ancient City and beyond including the modern facades and statues created as part of Skopje Project 2014
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Visit Meteora: An Unforgettable Trip to Greece’s Cliff-Top Monasteries
First off, this place is jaw dropping. Put it on your bucket list! Meteora means ‘hanging monasteries’ and the monasteries certainly do look like they are suspended from the sky as they perch on the striking rock formations. It’s hard to imagine how the monasteries could have been built hundreds of years ago. I first became aware of Meteora from pictures and articles in National Geographic. A photographer’s paradise, it…
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