The Balkans are becoming more and more popular among backpackers in Europe. 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 newest hotspot.
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
- 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 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.
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.
Mostar Old Bridge in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- 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.
