The Western Balkans is a region of Europe that includes Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo*. These territories are home to a beautiful nature and varied landscapes, between translucent lakes, rivers, mountains and the Adriatic Sea coast. There are also towns and villages with a rich heritage. So many places where you can meet the local population, discover their way of life, traditions, crafts and gastronomy. The Western Balkans is a great region to follow an itinerary that leads across borders and to enjoy a multitude of experiences: outdoor activities on land and water, nature contemplation, stops at monuments and discoveries of all that makes the local wealth. It is to protect this wonderful rural environment and preserve the tranquility of the inhabitants while contributing to the economic dynamism of the region that the Explore Balkans agency proposes tours that privilege activities in the open air and encounters around gastronomy and local practices. The Western Balkans is a territory of choice for the practice of green tourism, the tourism of the future. Here are 8 circuits to follow to marvel at a territory of a thousand wonders.
*This designation is without prejudice to the positions on status and is in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 1244/1999 and the ICJ opinion on the declaration of independence of Kosovo.
The promotion by this article was supported by the German Cooperation through the project SEDRA II.
1- Hiking across the borders
During this tour, hiking enthusiasts in the heart of mountain landscapes and green valleys have the pleasure to cross the borders and walk in turn in Albania, Kosovo* and Montenegro. The panoramas offered to them are those of the Balkan peaks with the possible ascent of the Trekufiri, Hajla, Taljanka and Arapi mountains. We cross no less than five national parks. How not to marvel at the beauty of the national park Bjeshkët e Nemuna in Kosovo, surrounded by rocky mountains in the middle of the scent of coniferous forests? There are also beautiful lakes with crystal clear waters. In Montenegro, the Grebaje Valley is a region of the national park Prokletije with unsuspected treasures. The trekking is done in a serene environment and conducive to disconnection. To take advantage of this exceptional rural environment, the nights are spent in small guesthouses, and we will not hesitate to warm up with the locals around a glass of rakija, a local brandy.
2- A circuit for active holidays
This Western Balkans tour starts from the Adriatic coast and crosses Montenegro and then continues in the heart of Serbia to Belgrade. This tour is ideal for families and groups of friends with little experience. The route passes through hilly landscapes, untouched forests, majestic lakes, national parks, vineyards and medieval villages. After enjoying the Vrmac mountain and gazing at the coastal town of Tivat at its feet, the route includes some great stops, such as the one in Lovćen National Park, where the Njegoš Mausoleum offers an exceptional panoramic view on a clear day over Montenegro, Albania and Croatia. Part of the Biogradska Gora National Park, Mount Bjelasica is another natural wonder. Because this tour is so complete, it also leads to one of the last virgin forests in Europe, to Black lake, Snake lake and Jablan lake, without forgetting stops in traditional villages such as Mokra Goraj and Drvengrad. The latter was built for the film Life is a miracle by Emir Kusturica. At the end of the trip, Belgrade awaits the visitors for the discovery of its museums and its culinary specialities.
3- Sandzak Shenanigans, a tour to get your adrenaline going
This is an ideal itinerary in the Western Balkans for adventure enthusiasts and those who want to make the most of outdoor activities. It passes through parts of Serbia and Montenegro that are not known as famous tourist destinations, but whose potential is simply enormous. After an overnight stay in Bijelo Polje, where we take time to taste the generous pastries, the rural adventure begins with hiking and canyoning around the Djavolica cave, as well as the discovery of a 17th century monastery. Then it's on to Tomaševo to discover the underground life at Novakovica Cave and join a farm for a horseback ride in the heart of nature. Water activities include rafting around Kumanica and kayaking in a beautiful reserve around Sjenica. A final highlight is the discovery of the Tara canyon, thesecond longest and deepest in the world at 82 km and 1,300 m deep. Another wonder of nature.
4- Cross-border ski tour
Winter sports enthusiasts will appreciate this guided ski tour that leads to the highest peaks of the Western Balkans and leads to cross the borders to Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania. You can enjoy beautiful, pristine landscapes and high mountain panoramas while skiing and snowshoeing. On the border between Kosovo and Montenegro, we start by exploring the environment around the Hajla mountain. After sleeping in an authentic mountain village, the ascent of Mount Korab, the highest point of Albania and Northern Macedonia, can begin. The 360° views offered on both countries are splendid. The rest of the trip includes sports and snow walks in the Sar Mountains National Park, which also has the particularity of hosting beautiful glacial lakes.
5- Kayak tours on the Drina and Save rivers
Kayaking enthusiasts have the chance to travel through the third deepest canyon in the world on this water route. This canyon is where the Drina River flows and leads to the fabulous rolling green landscape of the Serbia-Bosnia-Herzegovina border. Explore the Balkans by also passing the Drina River House, a wooden hut built on a small rock in the middle of the river, near the town of Bajina Bašta. Not to mention the Mehmed Pasha Sokolović Bridge, from the 16th century. From the other natural wonders of Lake Perućac and the Save River, the tour also includes a visit to architectural splendors such as The Fortress of Zvornik, from the Middle Ages, and the city of Sremska Mitrovica, where several Roman emperors stayed.
6- Conquering the Western Balkans and its traditions
Discovering the Western Balkans is not only to travel through the most beautiful rural areas and admire the heritage, but also to immerse oneself in the local practices and traditions. During this tour, visitors will travel through parts of Albania, Northern Macedonia and Montenegro. On the nature side, they will walk in the heart of the Lovćen National Park, in the canyon of the Tara River and within the Skadar Lake National Park on which they will take a boat ride. In Albania, the Karavasta lagoon, between the smell of pine trees and the contemplation of pink flamingos and other pelicans living in their natural environment, is an exciting place. And what about the Lake Ohrid region? Rich in fauna and flora, it is also around the lake that one of the oldest human settlements in Europe can be found, with the presence of the oldest Slavic monastery. For the architecture enthusiast, another highlight is a visit to the monastery of Gračanica, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nature, heritage, one should also not forget the moments to enjoy the gastronomy and indulge in local activities such as honey making and fly fishing.
7- A complete tour of the riches of the Western Balkans
Here, we must imagine an itinerary with a thousand facets that leads visitors to Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. The guide will then try to show why this territory is ideal to get closer to nature, to get interested in its history and culture. We start with a walk in the Serbian municipality of Sremski Karlovci, where a visit to the main monuments gives way to moments at the Beekeeping Museum and the Živanović Winery. Along the way, we will also have the opportunity to cross paths with women who perpetuate the skills of craftsmanship, with the manufacture of clothing and other organic food crops. On the nature side, we have the opportunity to crisscross the mountainous massif of Durmitor, a wonder of Montenegro. This beautiful mountain can be explored on foot or by bike, and is ideal for multiple stops to take pictures.
8- Kayak tour on the canyons and lakes of the Western Balkans
In this will to propose ecological itineraries and favourable to the practice of a green tourism, this circuit leads the visitors on the waters of the Western Balkans. The Uvac River and its canyon are of incredible beauty, with the presence of fabulous meanders. Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina also reveal other superb canyons: those of Lim and the Drina River. Each time, the surrounding reliefs are a call to contemplation and to school the sounds of nature. A moment on the Perućac will be another opportunity to have a good time on the water. Thekayaking itinerary also includes free time, with the discovery of rural communities and the Staro selo eco-museum in Sirogojno, which presents the architecture and organization of family life in the mountainous region of Zlatibor. The trip can then end in the most beautiful way, with a kayak trip, this time on the Danube, in Belgrade.
