We already tell you almost everything we know about the Balkans, we gave you tips not to screw it up, we told you something about the Bosnian War, and we told you about all the countries we have visited: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania , Macedonia and Bulgaria. But we don't tell you what captivated us most about this corner of the world, so today we are going to give you our Top 10 of the most beautiful places in the Balkans, very personal opinion, obviously.
| The best of the Balkans, our top 10:
10. THE CRAZY OF ALBANIA
You may think "What a shit, if this is not a specific place", okay, but Albania has to enter the top 10 of a trip to the Balkans ... simply because of its essence. There is no other place like that, and if not, where can you see a man boarding a bus with a hot cob in his pocket, or hundreds of unused bunkers on the sides of the road, or horse-drawn carts as the main means of transport of many families, or the madness of the capital's traffic? Where can you stuff yourself with cupcakes for € 1 and then climb a concrete pyramid in the center of the capital? Albania is madness in its purest form. And we love it.
More info: articles about Albania
9. THE CATHEDRAL OF ALEXANDER NEVSKY DE SOFIA
If we were amazed in front of the Cathedral of San Saba in Belgrade, in front of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral it almost gave us a patatús: how beautiful please! If it impresses on the outside, it hides a world made of icons, candles and prayers. Safety pin.
More info: It rains in Sofia
8. SPLIT DIOCLECIAN PALACE
Oh Croatia, how cool! Diocletian's Palace is located in the coastal city of Split, but don't imagine a normal and ordinary palace, no: Diocletian's Palace is like an entire historical center! This small citadel is surrounded by walls and behind them are the major attractions of the city: from Peristilo to basements through beautiful squares and narrow streets that seem anchored at another time. Diocletian's Palace is so beautiful and suggestive that several scenes of Game of Thrones have been shot here ... the truth is that it impresses (yes, there are no dragons here).
More info: Split, traveling in time
7. THE GASTRONOMY
On the way back we weighed and wept for days but ... they take away what we ate. Our 3 essential gastronomic in the Balkans are:
- Cevapi: minced and spiced sausage-shaped meat (the last time I defined them as sausages, I fell a row). The best place to eat it is Sarajevo, without a doubt!
- Burek: salty cakes with different fillings (meat, spinach and cheese, potatoes ...)
- baklava: a cupcake of Ottoman origin full of calories and happiness (endorphins rise to each bite, I swear).
6. THE CITY OF OHRID
It will be the crystal clear waters of its lake, the fortress at the top of the hill, the enchanting Byzantine churches or it will be the stray cats, the tea shops where to drink Turkish tea and eat baklava ... whatever Ohrid has a special aroma that makes Macedonia It is an essential stop on a trip through the Balkans.
More info: Ohrid, the heart of Macedonia
5. BLED LAKE
One of the icons of Slovenia, Lake Bled is one of those places that leaves no one indifferent. Here you can navigate its green and fresh waters until you reach its central islet, climb the castle of Bled to have the best panoramic view or stroll along the lake (much better if you are enjoying a Bled-cake, an exquisite cream pie) .
More info: Lake Bled, the perfect excursion
4. DUBROVNIK, ALL ENTERITE
It has many flaws, or rather has a large one: tourists. Too many tourists. But you can not miss in the top 10 this beautiful Croatian walled city. Thanks to its walls, the beaches to its corners full of charm and its wide history you will forget the hundreds of other tourists who walk around. Dubrovnik is beautiful to rage.
More info: Dubrovnik, the capital of the Adriatic
3. MOSTAR
Mostar, a city with a sad history behind it that today is one of the most visited in the area. The reason? Its bridge, the symbol of an absurd war. Exploring the historic center, climbing to the minaret of the Koski Mehmed Paša mosque, crossing its famous bridge and walking with the puppies of the place has been unforgettable. If you have time you can approach the nearby town of Blagaj, famous for its beautiful dervish monastery and Pocitelj.
More info: Mostar, the city of the bleeding bridge
2. SARAJEVO
We knew even before visiting that this would happen ... and it happened: the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been left with a little piece of our heart. Sarajevo suffered a lot but knew how to be reborn from his ashes like a phoenix. Multicultural, sensitive, strong and surprising. We do not see the time to return! Take a tour like this to know the city, they are cheap and you will learn a lot.
More info: Volim te Sarajevo!
1. KOTOR MON AMOUR
Our particular paradise The Bay of Kotor is an authentic natural wonder, we were even thinking of moving to live in a little house by the sea ... mmm our portfolio did not seem to agree. The center of Kotor looks like a small Dubrovnik (tourists included) and if you want to climb a few steps we advise you to go to the fortress of San Juan to enjoy the best views. Essential: visit the nearby village of Perast.
More info: Kotor, the pearl of the Balkans
Many wonderful places like Ljubliana, Belgrade, the Plitvice Lakes or Istria, a Croatian region that surprised us a lot, Zagreb, Berat ... are going off the list, it is worth visiting the Balkans.
As someone already asked us, we are going to tell you what the most beautiful countries of the Balkans are for us: Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro. So you know ... if you have to choose a destination for a trip of about 7-15 days, this area will not disappoint you!
