Surrounded by Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean, Marmara and Black Seas, the Balkan Peninsula treasures a past of history, war and culture that is emerging today in a fairytale place, ideal for getting lost in crowds-free settings. To serve as the first sketch of a future route, we guide you through the most magical places to visit in the Balkans.
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
Considered one of the most beautiful national parks in the worldWorthy of a sequel to the movie Avatar, Plitvice shines as a must on any visit to the country of Croatia. A set of 30 thousand hectares macerated with forests, mountains and even 16 lakes formed by the Korana River whose abundance sneaks between pine trees and trails, celebrating a nature that here acquires a unique dimension.
Mostar Bridge (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Like a story, the also known as the Old Bridge in the Herzegovinian city of Mostar is one of the most fascinating in the world. Mostar Old Quarter Extension, designated World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2005, the bridge served as a nexus over the Neretva river between both areas of the city, being built in the XNUMXth century until reaching the status of cultural icon during the Ottoman period of the country. A classic of the Balkans.
Lake Bled (Slovenia)
Formed in 1991 after its separation from Yugolasvia, the Slovenian nation today shines as one of the ecotourism destinations most famous in Europe. A combination of medieval cities (Ljubljana), routes through the Julian Alps and places worthy of a story by the Brothers Grimm, among which Lake Bled stands out. An expanse of water with an island of Bled at its epicenter, defined by the presence of the Church of the Mary, in baroque style and preceded by 99 steps around which the festival is held Bled Days and Bled Night, which is celebrated in July and is characterized by 15 thousand candles formed in eggshells that float across the lake. A celebration that, according to rumors, would have inspired a certain scene from the Disney movie Tangled.
Durmitor National Park (Montenegro)
Covered by mountains for a large part of its extension, Montenegro finds one of its best representatives in the Durmitor National Park. Ideal to enter the Dinaric Alps, the park is a set of lakes, mountains and pine forests crossed by the Tara River, ideal for practicing Rafting, in addition to a set of glacial caves among which the famous Ice cave, which reveals the tip of a mass of ice that few dare to enter. Pure adventure in the Balkans.
Ohrid (Macedonia)
Located on the shores of a huge lake shared with neighboring Albania and designated Heritage by UNESCO, Ohrid is one of the most famous places in Macedonia. A city full of history defined by places like its Old Bazaar, business area and shops; the ancient China Tree, in the middle of the Krushevska Republika square; or an irresistible Bieja City carved in stone in which the presence of the Church of San Juan Kaneo, overlooking a lake where, during the summer months, tourists and locals do not hesitate to lie down to sunbathe.
Tirana (Albania)
The capital of Albania is one of the best places when it comes to entering this unique Balkan country. Surrounded by hills, valleys and the Adriatic Sea, Tirana revolves around its Skanderberg Square, full of gardens and the main administrative buildings of the city, in addition to other monuments such as the Et'hem Bey Mosque, pure contrast, or the Pyramid of Tirana, currently a conference center with a most peculiar design. A unique city whose best way to glimpse in a panoramic way is through a cable car route to the top of Mount Dajt.
Acropolis (Greece)
Although we do not normally associate it directly as part of the Balkans, the truth is that the mythical Greek country also belongs to this historic peninsula. Cradle of its famous Greek islands, Greece finds in the Acropolis of Athens, its capital, the greatest icon of its legacy. The old "Upper Town" is today an equally interesting vestige where the Parthenon, also known as Temple of Athena, attracts all eyes as well as being surrounded by other monuments such as the Theater of Dionysus, a place where Sophocles used oratory on more than one occasion.
Dubrovnik (Croatia)
Touristy, yes. But anyone can resist the most famous place in the Croatian country. A city with reddish roofs overlooking the Adriatic and surrounded by a huge wall that shapes one of the most fascinating medieval places in Europe. So much so that part of your current claim is based on your condition as filming location for much of the Game of Thrones episodes and footage from the latest Star Wars trilogy. Cinematic tints for a city that reconciles the visitor with the monumental power of Croatia and, why not, also some island beaches that surround the city inviting to take a dip after a historical route.
Buzludhza (Bulgaria)
Also known as the Bulgarian UFOBuzludhza is a sinister structure shrouded in mist that served as the venue for the festivities of the high ranking communists in Bulgaria. A place worthy of the X-Files erected on the top of the Buzludzha mountain whose restricted access does not subtract a visit for the surroundings while, up there, the certainty that the aliens reached the Balkans at some point becomes most credible.
As you can see, the balkans they set up a map of attractions among which to find charming towns, dream national parks, mythical monuments and even a lake worthy of a Disney animation film.
Have you visited any of these places in the Balkans?