So, let’s dive into: Western Balkans - Best Places To Visit

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Best places to visit in the Western Balkans

As one of Europe’s most intriguing destinations, the Western Balkans region is full of rich heritage, diversity and culture. At first glance, the wealth of options regarding places to visit in the Western Balkans can appear overwhelming and daunting, so we have split them up by country.

We travelled around the Western Balkans for 2 months, visiting every country in the region and were fortunate enough to see some incredible sights along the way.

Underneath, you will find our suggestions of all the best places to visit in the Western Balkans - ranging from dramatic waterfalls in Bosnia and Herzegovina to inspiring animal sanctuaries in Kosovo.

We take you from the Albanian Riviera in the South of the region all the way up to the Julian Alps in Northern Slovenia and plenty of other incredible destinations in between.

So, here is our list of the best places to visit in the Western Balkans.

Best places to visit in Albania

For much of the 20th Century, Albania was shut off from the outside world while it was in the grips of a pretty fierce dictatorship. Mercifully, in 1991, its communist doors burst wide open, and the world was invited inside to finally appreciate what Albania has to offer.

From one of the most stunning stretches of coastline in Europe to fascinating Ottoman-era hillside towns, from incredible Albanian food to the beautiful Accursed Mountains in the North, Albania truly is one of the gems of the Western Balkans.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Albania:

Capital City: Tirana

In the heart of the country, Tirana is Albania’s vibrant capital city and represents one of the liveliest cities to visit in the Western Balkans.

Decades of communism engulfed Tirana in a grey and grim shadow, but all that has changed since the fall of the dictatorship in the early 1990s.

Today, Tirana is a cultural, political and entertainment hub home to the famous Albanian hospitality. You won’t be able to move in the city without being invited for a coffee or to try a local rakija (plum brandy).

Gjirokaster

The magical hillside town of Gjirokaster was one of our favourite places in Albania. For Albanians, the town is synonymous with being the birthplace of former dictator Enver Hoxha, who protected it from harm during his reign.

Nowadays, the town is more famous for its lovely cobbled streets, imposing hilltop castle, and its marvellous foody scene - Qofta (minced meat rissoles), Qifqi (fried rice balls) and Fergesë (baked peppers, egg and cheese) are just some of the special things on the menu in Gjirokaster.

Blue Eye

The Blue Eye is one of Albania’s most impressive natural wonders. It is a natural, cold water spring that produces some of the most vividly coloured water we have ever seen.

Interestingly, divers have explored the Blue Eye spring up to a depth of 50m but have never managed to venture any further down - in fact, it is still ambiguous how deep it goes.

Albanian Riviera

Stretching from the Butrint National Park peninsula in the South to the Karaburun peninsula in the North, the Albanian Riviera is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Western Balkans.

While there is a swathe of new resorts popping up along the Riviera every day, there are still several untouched beaches, coves and crags to explore. Pack a beach towel and head towards the Albanian Riviera - one of the most stunning places to visit in the Western Balkans.

Butrint National Park

A national park on a small peninsula that houses ruins and monuments from different historical periods spanning over 2500 years - visiting Butrint National Park really is one of the most unique experiences in the Balkans.

Abandoned until 1927, the ruins at Butrint are buried deep within a 29-sq-km National Park forest - creating one of the most romantic and beautiful ancient sites in the Western Balkans.

Berat

The ‘town of a thousand windows’ certainly lives up to its name. Berat is a charming hillside town in the centre of Albania. It is brimming with beautiful Ottoman-era architecture and a hilltop castle that encases a fully functioning village within its fortified walls.

As one of the more popular places to visit in the Western Balkans, Berat is no longer the secret it once was, but this shouldn’t stand in the way of you exploring this fascinating Albanian town.

Theth and Valbona National Park

Two of the most beautiful, diverse and rugged national parks in Albania, Theth and Valbona, are home to simply breathtaking beautiful landscapes.

The signature activity, and high on the bucket list for many Western Balkans travel itineraries, is the wonderful Theth - Valbona hike. The 17km hike takes between 6-8 hours and directly through the heart of the Albanian Alps in the North of the country. There are many great hotels in Northern Albania, which makes it easy to experience everything that Theth and Valbona have to offer.

Best places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Though many people still associate Bosnia and Herzegovina with the unimaginable pain of the civil war in the 1990s, visitors to the country today will be overawed by the kindness and resilience of its people.

From medieval castle ruins lying above Ottoman-inspired old towns to a $4.6 billion underground bunker that remained a secret until the fall of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina represents one of the most fascinating countries in the Western Balkans.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Capital City: Sarajevo

A city steeped in history, there is no better place to witness the transformation of Bosnia and Herzegovina from its war-torn, tumultuous past to a dynamic and energetic, 21st-century country than Sarajevo.

Visit Sarajevo’s old bazaar, the city's beating heart, or discover the nearby Dinaric Alps surrounding the city.

One of the Balkans’ most alluring cities, Sarajevo is a great place to begin your journey to the best places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mostar

While the capital city of Sarajevo is most visitors' first taste of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Southern city of Mostar is perhaps the main drawcard.

Amongst the charming bazaars and Turkish-era architecture lies the famous Stari Most (Mostar’s ‘Old Bridge’) - heavily bombarded during the war, it was painstakingly reconstructed as a replica of the original and in 2004 was officially opened and adorned UNESCO World Heritage status.

Blagaj Tekke

An easy day trip from Mostar, the half-timbered building is a traditional Dervish House - the Dervishes follow a strand of Islam in which the peaceful contemplation of nature plays a significant role, hence the idyllic setting next to the cave.

Enjoy a guided Blagaj Tekke tour or sit in a nearby restaurant and watch the water flow peacefully past the spectacular Dervish house. Either way, visiting Blagaj Tekke will likely be one of the highlights of your Bosnia and Herzegovina adventure.

Kravica Waterfall

Often combined on group tours with Počitelj and Blagaj, the Kravica Waterfall is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most wonderful natural attractions.

The 25m high waterfall crashes into a beautiful emerald pool below, and the admission fee to the park even includes visits to a monastery museum and another nearby waterfall.

Trebinje

One of the prettiest cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, what Trebinje lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in character and charm.

The compact centre is packed neatly between the old town walls, with many endearing market squares and cute cafes to keep you occupied. Trebinje demonstrates a slower pace of life, making it one of the most relaxing places in the Western Balkans.

As it is only 30km from Dubrovnik, wiser travellers often base themselves in the sleepy old town of Trebinje and ‘commute’ to Croatia’s lively - and expensive - coastal city.

Počitelj

One of the most picturesque hillside villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Počitelj is a warren of cobblestones, medieval fortress walls and traditional stone-roofed houses.

The highlight of the village is the beautiful Hajji Alijia Mosque, which was deliberately targeted during the war in 1993. Thankfully, the building has now been restored and once again represents one of the best places to visit in the Western Balkans.

Tito’s Bunker

Tito’s Bunker, officially Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0, is a gigantic underground military bunker near Konjic in central Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Cold War era bunker started its life in 1953, but construction wasn’t completed until 1979 - one year before Tito’s untimely death. His bunker cost an astonishing $4.6 billion to build, which in today’s market roughly transpires as $26billion!

The ominous bunker was kept a secret until the fall of communism in 1992. Nowadays, a guided tour of the underground complex is one of the most fascinating things you can do in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Best places to visit in Croatia

Undoubtedly the crown jewel of the Western Balkans, Croatia has become a hotspot for European getaways in recent years, thanks partly to some 1244 islands strewn along its coast.

The beautiful Adriatic coastline rivals anything the Mediterranean can offer, while Plitvice National Park boasts a landscape of tiered waterfalls and turquoise pools. Croatia is one of the most beautiful countries in the Western Balkans, and it is perfectly poised to explode on the tourist trail.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Croatia:

Capital City: Zagreb

Zagreb, Croatia’s intriguing capital city, offers a fascinating blend of unique Western Balkans heritage with a laid-back, sleepy atmosphere that wouldn’t look out of place in a city on the banks of the Mediterranean.

One of the highlights of the city is sipping coffee in one of the many quaint outdoor cafes on Tkalčićeva Street - it’s where Zagrebians go to enjoy themselves throughout the day, so it’s certainly worth a visit during your trip to the Balkans.

Dubrovnik

Arguably the most famous city in the Balkans, Dubrovnik was a fan-favourite Croatian destination long before the cast of Game of Thrones were welcomed to the city, but that has only helped to elevate Dubrovnik to an elite European city break destination.

Wandering around the beautiful fortified city has become one of the best activities in the Balkans, and it's easy to see why. A bustling old town, a modern cafe culture and views over the beautiful coastline, what’s not to love about Dubrovnik?

Plitvice National Park

One of the flagship destinations of the Western Balkans, Plitvice is home to a series of tiered lakes and waterfalls that flow majestically through the National Park.

The extraordinary natural beauty of the park can be explored by walking along cute wooden boardwalks that snake around the park, following the hundreds of waterfalls sprawled throughout Plitvice.

There can be no denying that visiting Plitvice National Park and marvelling at the cascading waterfalls is one of the premier sights to see in the Western Balkans region.

Paklenica National Park

A rock climbers paradise, Paklenica National Park isn’t as famous as some of the other more established national parks within Croatia, but that doesn’t make it any less spectacular.

The main attractions of Paklenica are the two canyons - Velika Paklenica and Mala Paklenica (Big and small canyons) - and both can be explored along the twisting hiking routes that run through the canyons.

With hundreds of challenging climbing routes available in the National Park, it is no wonder that many adventurous travellers from across Europe venture to Paklenica every year to get a slice of the action.

Zadar

The wonderful coastal city of Zadar is surrounded by imposing sea walls and features a coastline that matches any city along the Adriatic.

One of the best things to do in Zadar is to marvel at the famous Sea Organ - an art installation by local architect Nikola Bašić that uses the power of the waves to produce hypnotic sounds that reverberate around the entire old town of Zadar.

Zadar may not have the international recognition of Dubrovnik or Zagreb, but it certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the most underrated cities in Croatia.

Krka National Park

Visiting Krka National Park should be at the very top of your Croatia bucket list, and when you see the incredible series of tiered waterfalls at Skradinski Buk for the first time, you will begin to understand why.

Krka National Park spans for an impressive 73km along the length of the Krka river and on top of visiting spectacular waterfalls, the park is also home to one of the most sacred sites in the entire Serbian Orthodox religion - the Krka Monastery.

With mind-blowing natural attractions and fascinating religious history, Krka National Park is the gift that keeps giving in Croatia.

Rastoke (Slunj) Watermill Village

Not far from Plitvice National Park, the wonderful little town of Rastoke is found in the heart of Croatia and is famous for its spectacular combination of nature and human forces.

The village is home to a unique collection of water mills that harness the power of Rastoke’s numerous waterfalls to power the mechanical mills. Dating back to the 17th century, exploring Rastoke is like stepping back in time.

Home to many waterfalls, viewpoints and a magical ‘fairy garden’, visiting Rastoke (Slunj) really is one of the more unique things to do in the Western Balkans.

Omis

Omis is often neglected on the traditional tourist trail of Croatia, but as the adventure capital of Croatia, that is undoubtedly about to change.

The coastal town is a haven for lovers of the outdoors, with an abundance of different activities on offer within a stone's throw from the old town centre. Kayaking, rafting, climbing, ziplining, snorkelling and cliff-jumping are only some options available to you in Omis.

If hiking is what you are searching for in the Western Balkans, then the hike to the Starigrad Fortress in Omis will also tick that box. Omis truly has something for everyone, and in our opinion, it is still a criminally underappreciated destination within Croatia.

Best places to visit in Kosovo

Europe’s newest country, the landlocked nation, lies at the heart of the Western Balkans and represents one of the very few truly off-the-beaten-path destinations left on the continent.

Despite what people who have never visited Kosovo suggest, the country is perfectly safe to travel to. We found the Kosovan people to be some of the most welcoming and friendly people we met on our travels around the Western Balkans.

Kosovo is certainly one of the less-travelled countries in the region, and yet it is home to some of the best places to visit in the Western Balkans.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Kosovo:

Capital City: Pristina

There are very few capital cities in Europe where you can be sipping on your morning coffee while the call to prayer blasts from Minarets all around you. Pristina is one of those wonderfully multicultural cities where this magical scenario is the norm - it really is quite special.

While the city centre does boast a number of interesting museums and noteworthy architectural sites, it is the atmosphere of Pristina that really attracts the crowds - it is a city with a rising stock within the Balkans and you should try and be a part of it.

Bear Sanctuary

European Brown Bears are found in the wild throughout the Western Balkans, but unfortunately, their numbers are dwindling.

One of the reasons for this, alongside the loss of habitat, was the popularity of caging brown bears as house mascots for restaurants and bars. Mercifully, the tradition has been outlawed throughout the region, but this left a number of vulnerable bears needing a home and some much-needed love and attention.

The Bear Sanctuary that lies just to the East of Pristina provides exactly this - the rescued bears now live in semi-wooded shelters that must seem a million miles away from the cages they were once subjected to.

Rugova Canyon

Easily one of the most beautiful places we visited in the Western Balkans, the Rugova Canyon is found in the eerily named Accursed Mountains in Kosovo, close to the border with Montenegro.

With a depth of up to 1000m and a length of over 25km, Rugova Canyon is considered the largest in Europe. The best way to discover this beautiful part of the world is by climbing high above it.

Experiencing the brand new Via Ferrata routes in the Rugova Canyon is certainly one of the most adrenaline-fuelled activities on offer in Kosovo - imagine strapping yourself to a metal cable as you ascend from the river-level all the way to the top of the canyon. Without a doubt, it was the most adrenaline-inducing adventure we had in the Balkans.

Visoki Dečani Monastery

It’s not often you have to hand over your passport to gain entry to a Monastery, but that’s precisely what is required if you want to step inside the Visoki Dečani Monastery in Western Kosovo.

The monastery is among the most sacred sites in the Serbian Orthodox religion and has been the victim of countless attacks since Kosovo declared independence from its larger neighbour.

Nowadays, members of the KFOR peacekeeping unit guard the entrance to the beautiful 14th-century monastery, so be sure to bring your passport if you want to explore.

Best places to visit in Montenegro

Montenegro may be one of the poorest countries in Europe, but what it lacks in economy, it certainly makes up for in unexplored wilderness and beauty.

Despite being two-thirds the size of Wales, Montenegro still boasts an impressive depth of incredible places to visit - with Kotor being high up on that particular list. The fortified city in an atmospheric corner of Kotor Bay has risen in popularity in recent years thanks to the influx of luxury cruises and yachts that frequent the city’s marinas.

For travellers looking for adventure in the Western Balkans, leave the coast behind and head inland towards the mountains and Durmitor National Park. As with many of its neighbours, Montenegro is still a major refuge for European bears and wolves, but you’d be lucky to see one.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Montenegro.

Capital City: Podgorica

Many visitors to Montenegro barely make it away from the cruise ships and the beautiful Bay of Kotor. Still, those who are willing to venture inland will find one of Europe’s last capital cities to remain off the main tourist trail.

Podgorica is brimming with art galleries, leafy plazas, coffee shops and a fascinating history that dates all the way back to the Romans.

Kotor

One of the Adriatic’s many fortified cities, Kotor is undoubtedly the most popular place to visit in Montenegro, and as soon as you get close to the walled city, it is easy to see why.

Often inhabited by some luxury cruise ships at a time, the city is nestled in the secluded Kotor Bay, flanked on either side by the imposing limestone cliffs that loom over the city - adding to the mystery and intrigue of Kotor.

A city steeped in history and tradition found a stone’s throw away from the tranquil Adriatic water, Kotor is certainly one of the best places to visit in the Western Balkans.

Ostrog Monastery

The most important Orthodox site in Montenegro, Ostrog Monastery is an intriguing place that represents one of the best places to visit in the small Balkan nation.

The monastery rests improbably within the cliff face, some 900m above the Zeta Valley. Daily trains from the capital city, Podgorica, make a trip to Ostrog a necessity when creating your Montenegro itinerary.

Durmitor National Park

One of the most beautiful places in Montenegro, Durmitor National Park is overflowing with glacial lakes, dramatic limestone peaks and ominously deep canyons.

The rugged national park covers the Durmitor mountain range and is one of the best places in the Western Balkans to go rafting - several kilometres of tumbling white-water rapids await those brave enough to take the plunge.

Best places to visit in North Macedonia

Byzantine buildings, Roman ruins and intricately designed monasteries, like much of the Western Balkans, North Macedonia is teeming with history and intrigue.

North Macedonia is the second-most mountainous country in the world - only trailing behind its near-neighbour Montenegro - and this helps to create some truly breathtaking landscapes.

Ottoman-era old towns bring charm to a country otherwise dominated by outstanding natural beauty. Glacier-fed lakes and imposing mountain peaks await you in this highly unexplored Western Balkan gem.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in North Macedonia:

Capital City: Skopje

Routinely described as one of Europe's most bizarre capital cities, let alone the Western Balkans, Skopje is a city that is easier to understand once you have visited yourself.

You will find over 100 monuments and statues in the city centre, ranging from impressive Lion statues to a replica of the Arc de Triomphe.

As the birthplace of Mother Teresa, Skopje is also home to many significant historical gems - one of Europe’s oldest stone bridges helps to bridge (literally) the divide between the metropolitan area on one side of the city, with its traditional old bazaar on the other side of the Vardar river.

The Old Bazaar is arguably where you will want to spend most of your time in Skopje. It is brimming with traditional hammams, Ottoman mosques and market stalls. In fact, it is the second largest bazaar in Europe, behind only the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

Lake Ohrid

The poster boy of the country, Lake Ohrid, has helped to welcome North Macedonia into the tourist sphere, and when you set eyes upon the famous Monastery of St. Naum, it is easy to see why the area has become so appealing to visitors all over the world.

The 900-year-old monastery, with its distinctive tiling and architecture, can be found a mere 2km from the border with Albania., and paying a visit to the famous monastery is certainly one of the best things to do in Ohrid.

Towering over Lake Ohrid below, the St Naum Monastery has become one of the most iconic buildings in the Western Balkans - it’s a great place to discover a desirable Instagram picture or two.

Matka Canyon

Undeniably part of the most breathtaking scenery in North Macedonia, you can easily explore the area on a simple Matka Canyon day tour from Skopje - the Canyon itself lies only 15km away from Skopje city centre.

The best way to explore Matka is via one of the many boat excursions available throughout the canyon. The boats take you along the entire breadth of the 8km (5-mile) canyon as you marvel at Matka's impressive size and depth.

Unbelievably, the lake at Matka Canyon isn’t actually natural - in 1938, an artificial dam was erected on the Treska River, creating the stunning mountain lake that is visible today.

Best places to visit in Serbia

Serbia, one of the largest countries in the Western Balkans, is threatening to explode onto the European backpacking trail and not just because it is home to the world-famous EXIT music festival.

Explore hermitage monasteries buried deep into the side of cliff faces before strolling around the minaret-studded city of Novi Pazar. Tara National Park offers a wealth of hiking, biking and rafting options. Sremski Karlovci is one of the best places in the Western Balkans to find an affordable wine and honey-tasting experience.

Undoubtedly one of the most diverse countries in the region, Serbia is home to many of the best places to visit in the Western Balkans.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Serbia:

Capital City: Belgrade

As Yugoslavia's former capital, Belgrade lacks natural beauty and charm, which it certainly makes up for in rich, intriguing history.

The ‘White City’, as it is known to many, is the biggest in the Balkans and has become one of the party havens in Eastern Europe. From a lively bar scene to spirited boat cruises down the Sava and Danube rivers, having a fun time in Belgrade is easy.

Being one of the best-connected cities in the area by air and rail, Belgrade makes a great starting point for your Western Balkans travel itinerary.

Crna Reka

While we were fortunate enough to visit many monasteries during our Western Balkans trip, none were as fascinating as Crna Reka.

Accessed via a narrow, wooden footbridge, the Serbian Monastery is built in a series of caves on the side of a cliff that overlooks the river below.

It really is a marvellous creation, and while the interior is modestly sized, the simply baffling architecture makes the monastery one of the most curious places to visit in Serbia.

Uvac Canyon

We often read about rivers ‘snaking’ through countries when they often have a relatively straight trajectory with a couple of long winding bends here and there. Nowhere could this be more different than in the Uvac Canyon, however.

The incredibly green Uvac River meanders, twists and turns its way through the canyon to create one of the most remarkable settings in the Western Balkans.

There are many hiking trails and guided boat trips along the Uvac, but it isn’t until you see the canyon from above that you can truly appreciate all the fuss.

Novi Sad

When wandering through the streets of Novi Sad in Northern Serbia, it’s easy to see why the city became the first European Capital of Culture to lie outside of the EU.

Petrovaradin Fortress hovers eerily over the banks of the Danube and remains in slumber all year long before coming alive in July. The fortress hosts the annual EXIT Festival, Serbia’s largest and most famous music festival.

Galleries, museums and churches make up the more sophisticated side of Novi Sad and contribute to it being on our list of the best places to visit in Serbia.

Sremski Karlovci

The modestly sized town of Sremski Karlovci is found a stone’s throw away from Novi Sad and is a lovely place to relax during your trip to Serbia.

The majority of the architectural highlights of the town lie on the boundary of the main square but venture further afield, and you will find the charming Museum of Beekeeping & Wine Cellar Živanović.

For as little as 650 Serbian Dinar (£4.70/$5.00), you are treated to a museum tour that includes trying seven different wines and three different types of honey; you can’t ask for anything more.

Tara National Park

It’s hard to think of a more beautiful place in Serbia than Tara National Park. With over 200 sq-km of forests, mountains, ravines and river canyons, Tara National Park is a brilliant example of the sheer beauty of the Western Balkans.

Alongside the spectacular scenery, Tara offers a wealth of outdoor adventure endeavours. From rafting to canyoning, there is sure to be something that will get everybody’s heartbeat racing.

For one of the best views in Serbia and one of our personal favourite views in the Western Balkans, head to Banjska Stena - lakes, canyons, mountains and nearby Bosnia can all be marvelled at from one viewpoint deep in the forest of Tara National Park.

Best places to visit in Slovenia

Finding a country that can offer as much as Slovenia can in such a small space is rare. Venetian-inspired coastal towns, snow-capped mountains and an underground world that rivals anything above the surface, Slovenia is a country brimming with places to explore.

Arguably the best country in the Western Balkans for adventure enthusiasts and travellers who love the outdoors, Slovenia acts as the perfect introduction to the Western Balkans.

The Slovenian scenery is a wonderful infusion of Balkan, Alpine and Mediterranean, and its culture is a melting pot of all three, too, so you’ll certainly need at least 7 days in Slovenia to see all the highlights.

We’d probably go as far as saying that Slovenia was our favourite country in the Western Balkans, and we know you will love exploring it as much as we did.

Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit in Slovenia:

Capital City: Ljubljana

Widely regarded as one of Europe’s most liveable capital cities, thanks largely in part to it being one of the greenest cities on the continent, Ljubljana is centred around the banks of the Ljubljanica River.

Pedestrians stroll alongside the river, while cyclists can be seen overtaking the traffic-less streets of central Ljubljana. In the summer months, expect to see cafes and restaurants sprawling out onto the river banks, creating a street party vibe.

The pace of life in Ljubljana is more relaxing than in other European Capitals, which helps to make it one of the best places to visit in Slovenia. Not to mention its excellent air links thanks to Slovenia’s major international airport being found on the outskirts of the city.

Lake Bled

The most picture-perfect lake in the Western Balkans, Bled is one of the main tourist highlights of any visit to Slovenia.

Lying in the lake's centre is the beautiful Bled Island, home to the Church of the Assumption. The island can be seen from the walking trail that circumnavigates the lake, but for the best way to spend a day at Lake Bled, you should hop aboard one of the many tour boats that line the shores and take a quick trip to the island.

With the picture-postcard lake, a medieval castle that clings to a rocky cliff, and the surrounding mountain peaks of the Julian Alps, it is no wonder that Bled is Slovenia’s most popular resort.

Predjama Castle

One of Europe’s most dramatic Castles, Predjama Castle, is worth visiting in Slovenia.

Predjama was built halfway up a 123m cliff and was originally built to be an impregnable fortification. It sits above a large cavern that leads to the incredible Postojna cave system - a series of underground halls and passageways some 24km long.

You can explore both Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave in one day, and it is sure to be one of the most memorable days you can spend in the Western Balkans.

Skocjan Caves

Imagine walking through the middle of a 150-metre-deep canyon with a ferociously flowing river running through the heart of it - now place that exact scene far below the surface of the Earth in an underground cave system.

The Skocjan Caves are one of Slovenia’s most impressive natural phenomena and are unlike any cave system we have visited worldwide.

While the beginning of the cave system is noteworthy, it isn’t until you enter the main subterranean chamber that you begin to appreciate just how spectacular Skocjan really is. The Western Balkans is graced with a large array of caves and underground caverns, but none of them can compete with Skocjan.

Triglav National Park and Tolmin Gorge

Triglav National Park is in the heart of the Julian Alps, nestled along the borders of Austria and Italy. Triglav is a haven for climbers and mountain expeditions, with the increasingly popular Mount Triglav ascent, a 26km out-and-back adventure, commencing in nearby Bled.

Among the countless highlights of Triglav National Park is the delightful Tolmin Gorge. Over 200m in length and 60m in depth, Tolmin Gorge is a dramatic example of the power of rivers.

As one of the best places to see in Slovenia, visiting Tolmin Gorge has become increasingly popular over the years, and while the drive may take up to 2 hours from the popular base of Lake Bled, the spectacular cavern walls and cascading river will certainly be a great reward for taking the journey.

Soča Valley

Probably our favourite area of the Western Balkans, Orla had the pleasure of visiting the Soča Valley during a kayaking trip at University and has wanted to return ever since. Thankfully, our journey through Slovenia meant we could visit together, and we weren’t disappointed.

With paragliders populating the airways and rafters braving the scantily-believable rapids of the Soča River, the Soča Valley region is one of the best places in the Western Balkans for adventure and outdoor enthusiasts.

One of the highlights of the Soča Valley that cannot be missed is the Kozjak Waterfall Hike found just outside Kobarid. The trail takes you along the river and into the luscious Kobarid forest before leading to the spectacular waterfall.

Piran

One of the best preserved Venetian towns anywhere along the Adriatic Coast, Piran’s charming old town is awash with cute cafes, bars and restaurants; while wandering the old town walls offers you the rare chance to enjoy one of Slovenia’s best-kept secrets, its tiny slice of beautiful coastline.

Sit in the Tartinijev Trg (main square) and watch as kids kick a football around after school while their mothers help themselves to coffee and ice cream.

Piran is also one of the best places in the Western Balkans to try seafood - we recommend the fritto misto (mixed fried seafood); it’s delicious!

There we have it, folks, our round-up of the best places to visit in the Western Balkans. Despite a vast array of incredible things to see and do in the region, the Western Balkans is arguably one of Europe’s last off-the-beaten-path areas to explore.

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