How to Make the Most of 8 Days in the Balkans

At the Balkans and Beyond, we both work full time jobs. So we have to make the most of our time off. This article will show you how to explore 4 Balkan countries, or 5 if you’re feeling adventurous, in a limited time. Here’s our guide to making the most of 8 days in the Balkans.

8 days in the Balkans

Greece

A direct flight from the UK to Corfu, Greece, was the starting point. This rugged island is, of course, a well established tourist hot spot so there are many well priced flights. Two days were enough to explore the busy old town and beautiful harbour and to sample plenty of the the Island’s cuisine.

The ferry from Corfu to Saranda, Albania, takes around 30 minutes and is a relatively frequent service. After the usual ticket and passport checks we boarded our craft. Well worn but practical, economically priced and not uncomfortable the boat passes the end of Corfu Island and moves across the Ionian Sea to Albania. We booked our ferry ticket in advance, online here. The price ranges from about 25 – 50 Euros each way, depending on the season.

Albania

On arrival in Albania we found a seaside resort, but not as you might know it. Albanians have been spending summers in Saranda for decades but the invitation to global travellers is a relatively recent development. The usual apartment blocks and beach bars are there but this holiday town certainly has a different vibe to it.

Its location in Southern Albania provides an excellent base for day trips. Butrint National Park is a rickety bus ride away from Saranda but well worth the effort. The park contains ruins of ancient civilizations and allows you to stroll through 3000 years of history.

With only one small, well behaved tour to be seen in the park it felt like a private town with only the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Byzantines for company. The well preserved ruins are there for visitors to walk amongst and enjoy without the crowds.

Wildlife fans will also appreciate Butrint with over 900 species of plant and 400 animal species to be found in the park.

Despite receiving visitors, the park remains peaceful, clean and very worthy of a visit.

Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster is a small city in the Gjerë mountains about 1.5 hours by minibus from Saranda. It’s not known as Albania’s most beautiful town for nothing! Surrounded by mountains, the town overlooks the valley which stretches for miles. The winding cobbled streets are lined with well maintained Ottoman architecture and lead through the old town up towards the imposing castle. The Bazaar displays traditional Albanian crafts, hand made rugs and the occasional fridge magnet but tourists are very scarce, even in peak season.

Reaching the castle in the stifling heat is quite a feat – requiring a few drinks stops on the way – but very worth while. Dating back to the 12th century, the strategic position provides spectacular views. Contained within the castle is an arms museum, including tanks and antiaircraft guns, and a US fighter plane that was shot down during the war (although the information blurb lays claims to the contrary). All well worth the 1.5 Euro entry fee!

The clock tower within the castle sits at the very summit and was added from 1811 by the Ottoman governor Ali Pasha. In the shadow of the tower is now a stage used for the National Folk Festival.

The Blue Eye

Syri i Kalter, or the Blue Eye, is also within easy reach from Saranda. This natural spring, of unknown depth, produces ice cold water even in the height of summer. This natural phenomenon is strikingly beautiful, mystical and not to be missed. However, the summer months are unbearably hot and both locals and tourists flock to dip in the icy water making it quite crowded. Spring or autumn might be a better time to visit, given the option.

It is possible to arrive via public transport from Saranda but keep the season in mind. During the summer months, the mercury can hit 40°C and the minibuses are not air conditioned. They are often quite cramped and the breeze from the window is still warm and sticky. Our bus driver even kept stools to put down the aisle when more passengers boarded. This journey is an adventure in itself but it is a part of Albanian life that is worth experiencing.

This minibus served as a useful warm up for the next part of the journey – Saranda to Lake Ohrid. Known as one of the most beautiful spots in the Balkans, Lake Ohrid has to be included in the itinerary. In a relatively underdeveloped country, getting around might not always be easy. Lacking the courage to hire a car, an eight hour bus ride was the only other option. When the old, rattling minibus turned up it was clear it was going to be a long trip.

North Macedonia

The town of Ohrid is on the North Macedonian shore of the lake. The centre has a quiet bustle about it and many great places to eat and drink as it is a popular destination for Balkan tourists in the summer. The lake is a peaceful place to enjoy the sun, take a hike or appreciate the spectacular views over the water and the monasteries nestled in the hills. There are several bars on the shore where you can hire sun loungers in the summer and sip on a cocktail overlooking the lake.

After one night’s stay in the Hotel Tino Sveti Stefan it was time to move on to Skopje, the North Macedonian capital. Another minibus, another 3L lost in sweat and another fantastic destination. This city is a fascinating and evolving metropolis. At first glance, there appear to be many, very well maintained, neoclassical style buildings and statues. On closer investigation, these were only constructed in the last 10 years.

The Ottoman charm still exists in the old town where you can stroll down the busy Bazaar admiring the wares and sampling the delicious, traditional food. Barbecued meat is found in many places and most of the old Ottoman buildings were built with large chimneys for this purpose.

Serbia

The Serbian border is not far from Skopje. A day trip to the small city of Vranje is quite possible (about two hours on the bus) and gets you another stamp on your passport, literally. There are daily buses to Nis or Belgrade that have a few interesting stops on the way. Vranje is a quaint town where people go about their daily lives and tourists are an unusual sight. Visiting here is a great insight into modern Serbian life. There is not much in the way of attractions but take time to enjoy the food and soak up the atmosphere with a coffee in one of the many cafes.

If you have more time then continue on to the Serbian city of Nis, or further to Belgrade, for a more cosmopolitan vibe. We were advised to avoid the Preševo Valley region (near the North Macedonian border) as there may still be lingering tensions between Serbs and ethnic Albanians.

Kosovo

One trip we didn’t manage was from Skopje to Pristina, Kosovo. We were defeated by the thought of another long bus journey in the summer heat. But, to make the most of your 8 days in the Balkans, take the bus from Skopje to Pristina in around 2 hours and explore one of the world’s newest capital cities. For an amazing day in Priština, check out this fantastic post on JOURNICATION.

From Skopje, we flew back to the UK, via Germany, on a relatively straightforward and cheap flight.

8 days in the Balkans

The relaxed vibe, quirky, diverse cities, striking countryside and delicious cuisine really make the Balkans a fabulous part of the world to visit. The fact that many of the places are relatively untouched by tourists makes it all the more intriguing. It is relatively easy to travel between the larger towns and cities by bus. This is a great way to make the most of your 8 days in the Balkans.

Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.

Have you visited the Balkans? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!