A travel blog about adventure and culture

Traveler´s BuddyTraveler´s Buddy

  • HOME
  • TRAVEL 101
  • TRAVEL JOURNAL
  • DESTINATIONS
  • TRAVELBUZZ
  • MORE
    • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
    • Work with me
      • Media content
      • Video Content
      • MediaKit
      • Photography and Video content
    • Contact me
    • About me
Danakil depression camel caravan
Avatar
Juan Martinez
Sunday, 27 November 2016 / Published in Destinations

37 tips for backpacking through the Balkans next summer

Traveling the Balkans Dubrovnik

Backpacking the Balkans is becoming one of the best adventures for travelers in Europe. It offers culture, nature and great nightlife. Here are some tips to make the most of it

Backpacking the Balkans is hot right now. These ex-soviet countries are no longer unknown and dangerous places to foreigners, but hidden gems full of culture, nature and history. Here I give you 37 tips on how to travel better in Europe’s new trendiest destination.

Before the trip

  • Decide if you want to get a Eurail Pass or get around by yourself with local transportation. A Eurail Pass can be useful for a better travel planning, but it will limit your route.
  • Get a travel guide in advance to have access to basic information during your trip
Zagreb Old Town in Croatia during sunset. View of the main church
Zagreb Old Town in Croatia
  • If you are traveling by bus, check their timetables. Buses don´t leave every day, have weird times or can take very long for even short distances.
  • Buy a lock and take it with you during your trip.
  • Separate your budget in cash (EUR, GBP or USD) and at least two credit/debit cards in case you lose one or it doesn´t work.
  • Get a credit card without foreign fee and take money from ATMs without fees.
  • Leave some extra space for any other stuff you might get during your trip.
  • Take a diary and a pen for writing down expenses, important numbers or information in case your smartphone runs out of battery.
  • Download the maps of the cities you visit on Google Maps.
unforgettable and colorful sunsets in Zadar, Croatia
unforgettable sunsets in Zadar, Croatia
  • Get a cheap flight from Western Europe with WizzAir. Flight fares can be as cheap as 10 EUR one way.
  • If you are not an EU citizen check out HERE the visa policy of each country you visit.
  • Get a Spotify premium account if you are traveling for longer than 6 months.
  • Book only the first accommodation in advance. After that book your next accommodation during the previous stop.
  • Take an iPad or a good book for long bus/train rides.
  • Even if you are traveling during hot summer, take a fleece and/or rain jacket with you.
  • If you are not from Europe, get a travel adapter to charge your electronic devices.
  • Don´t take a towel with you. They occupy lots of space in your bag and most hostels offer them for free or just a couple of bucks.
  • The Balkans have the most expensive laundry services I have ever seen while traveling. Take at least clothes for 10 days with you if you are backpacking for a long period.

During your trip

  • Write down the exchange rate somewhere before you travel to another country with another currency.
  • Traveling from Bosnia to Montenegro by bus is very exhausting (you need to enter Croatia and exit a couple of hours later). Get a private transfer and save lots of time.
  • In countries like Albania, Macedonia or Bulgaria you can sometimes pay in Euros. Do this instead of getting too much local currency.
  • Stay in Hostel Mostel during your stay in Sofia. It is by far the best hostel in Europe I have been to.
  • Stay in hostels if you are traveling alone. There is a huge backpacking culture in the Balkan countries.

Read more: Traveling Europe on a budget while using interrail

Narrow streets at Kotor old town in Montenegro during sunset
Narrow streets at Kotor old town in Montenegro
  • Book your bus or train connection one or two days in advance.
  • Most Balkan cities offer a free tour. These are perfect to get an introduction to the city on a budget and meet other travelers.
  • Save a couple of free days at the end of your trip in case you want to extend in a spot you like or make spontaneous decisions.
  • Night buses can help you save money and time, but can be exhausting if you need to cross borders in the middle of the night.
  • Rent a car if you are traveling along the Adriatic coast. You will regret not being able to stop and enjoy that view.
  • While most hostels offer a pub cralw, these are made to just get you drunk, not to taste local drinks. Go to bars and cafes by yourself and order their local products.
  • Food is very cheap in the Balkans. Use this opportunity to taste local cuisine in restaurants and local bars.
  • Get a SIM card with unlimited internet for only 10-15 EUR once you arrive in the Balkans.
  • Visit the Tourist Information Office when you arrive to a new place and get information about what to do from experts.
  • Download the MyPostcard App and send your own photos as postcards to your friends and family worldwide for only 2 EUR.

Read more: Guide to plan an interrail trip in Europe

Postcard of Mostar Old Bridge in Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Mostar Old Bridge
Postcard of Mostar Old Bridge in Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Mostar Old Bridge
  • The Balkan Backpacker is a community that offers you 10% discount in their hostels all around the region.
  • Use wikitravel.org to get information on how to get to a new city and move around.
  • Many bars, nightclubs and even restaurants close when temperatures go low and autumn begins.
  • Be a good traveler and help the local businesses by giving tips and buying local products.
  • Tweet
Tagged under: backpacking, balkans, Europe

What you can read next

A view inside Kuala Lumpur´s cuisine
Stargazing in Jamaica - View of the milky way in Jamaica
Stargazing in Jamaica: It’s more than just seeing the stars
Hiking up Pacaya – Guatemala´s most active volcano
Hiking Pacaya – Guatemala’s most active volcano

I also contribute at:

Juan Martinez BBC Travel - Deutsche Welle

Follow me on Instagram

Instagram Juan Martinez Travelers Buddy

Follow me on facebook

facebook banner travelersbuddy

See my videos on YouTube

youtube channel Travelersbuddy

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

  • What if…  your favourite destinations were small planetsWhat if… your favourite destinations were small planets
  • Understanding Nova Scotia’s love for lobster (and 5 places to eat it)Understanding Nova Scotia’s love for lobster (and 5 places to eat it)
  • The indigenous group where the reindeer is sacredThe indigenous group where the reindeer is sacred
  • Exploring West Side National Park – The Bahamas’ unspoilt secretExploring West Side National Park – The Bahamas’ unspoilt secret
  • Europe’s most beautiful mountain landscapesEurope’s most beautiful mountain landscapes
  • Jamaica, with license to relaxJamaica, with license to relax
  • Why Germans drink so much sparkling waterWhy Germans drink so much sparkling water
  • 10 ways to save money for your travels10 ways to save money for your travels
  • Exploring Colombian landscapes – Places to visit while traveling in ColombiaExploring Colombian landscapes – Places to visit while traveling in Colombia
  • Day Trip in San Marino – The  micro-country in the heart of ItalyDay Trip in San Marino – The micro-country in the heart of Italy

RECENT POSTS

  • cars at the somaliland border - crossing Djibouti Somaliland border

    How to cross the border between Djibouti and Somaliland by land

    I crossed one of the most remote land borders i...
  • A travel guide to Djibouti City - European Quarter architecture

    A travel guide for Djibouti City – East Africa’s melting pot

    Undervalued, charming and enchanting, Djibouti ...
  • sulphur lake Lac Abbe Djibouti

    Lac Abbé & Lac Assal – Djibouti’s alien landscapes

    Desertic and inhospitable, but simultaneously b...
  • Liechtenstein Trail View of Vaduz

    The Liechtenstein Trail: Hiking across the world’s sixth-smallest nation

    Crossing the whole country and connecting all o...
  • Hiking Routes in Liechtenstein

    Liechtenstein – Getting lost in the micro-country of the Alps

    Either hiking across the full country in just 3...
  • Outdoor activities to do in the Dolomites

    Outdoor activities to do in the Dolomites

    Cycling, hiking and rock climbing in Summer, wh...
  • Dolomites‘ most adventurous hike - The Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking

    Dolomites‘ most adventurous hike – The Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking

    Covering some of the best spots in the Dolomite...
  • Alta Via 1 - Hiking Passo Giau - Dolomites

    Hiking the most epic route in the Dolomites – the Alta Via 1

    Named as one of the most extraordinary hikes in...

WRITE YOUR STORY

We accept guest posts from bloggers, journalists or travel enthusiast about anything what motivated you to travel and experience new things

CONTACT ME HERE

WORK WITH ME

Last year we worked with over 10 different tourism boards from all over the globe. Learn more how we can work together and present how awesome your destination is

CONTACT ME HERE

COME AND SAY HI

Don't be shy and just drop us an email. It´s free

CONTACT ME HERE
Travelers Buddy Mountains Footer
  • Home
  • Travel journal
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Imprint
  • More about Traveler´s Buddy
  • Travel journal
  • Home
  • About me
  • Work with me
  • Write for Traveler’s Buddy
  • Contact me
  • GET SOCIAL

www.thetravelersbuddy.com© 2017. All rights reserved

TOP