Balkans — Bucket List

Sail Adriatic islands, walled cities, and waterfall parks of Croatia

Paddle emerald lakes, alpine valleys, and vine-striped hills of Slovenia

Sail the fjord-like bay, limestone peaks, and stone hamlets of Montenegro

Wander Transylvanian castles, painted monasteries, and Carpathian meadows of Romania

Ski Pirin peaks, explore Thracian history, and sip wines of Bulgaria

Experience the Albanian Alps, Ottoman stone towns, and turquoise Riviera of Albania

Cross stone bridges, emerald rivers, and mountain villages of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sail Lake Ohrid, Byzantine frescoes, and Sharr mountain trails of North Macedonia

Toast rakija cellars, fortress towns, and Danube promenades of Serbia

Explore Ottoman bazaars, Rugova Canyon, and cafe-lined boulevards of Kosovo

Visit Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Explore the Palace of the Parliament (one of the world's largest and heaviest administrative buildings), stroll through the Old Town (historic center with 19th-century architecture and lively cafes), and see the Village Museum (open-air museum showcasing traditional Romanian village life with over 300 buildings).

Visit Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Explore the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad) with St. Mark's Church (colorful tiled roof depicting medieval coats of arms) and the Lotrščak Tower (19th-century cannon fired daily at noon). Stroll through the Dolac Market (one of the largest open-air markets in Europe, known for fresh produce and local crafts) and see the Museum of Broken Relationships (unique collection of personal objects and stories about failed relationships).

Visit Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Explore the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (a gold-domed Orthodox church built in the early 20th century), see the ancient Serdica Roman ruins at the metro station, stroll through Vitosha Boulevard (a pedestrian street with shops and views of Vitosha Mountain), and visit the National Museum of History (housing Thracian gold treasures and artifacts from Bulgaria's past).

Visit Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Walk through Baščaršija (the old bazaar with Ottoman-era shops and the Sebilj fountain), see the Latin Bridge (where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, sparking World War I), explore the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (a 16th-century Ottoman landmark with intricate architecture), and try local dishes like ćevapi (grilled minced meat) and burek (savory pastry).

Visit Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Explore Ljubljana Castle (a medieval fortress with panoramic views over the city), stroll across the Triple Bridge (a unique triple-arched pedestrian bridge designed by Jože Plečnik), and wander through the Central Market (a vibrant hub with fresh produce and local crafts along the Ljubljanica River).

Visit Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Explore the Belgrade Fortress (historic citadel at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers with panoramic views), stroll through Skadarlija (bohemian quarter with cobblestone streets and traditional kafanas), see the Church of Saint Sava (one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world with a massive dome), and enjoy the nightlife along the splavovi (floating river clubs on the Sava).

Visit Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Explore the Stone Bridge (a 15th-century Ottoman bridge spanning the Vardar River), see the massive Warrior on a Horse statue in Macedonia Square, wander through the Old Bazaar (one of the largest and oldest in the Balkans with traditional crafts and architecture), and visit the Memorial House of Mother Teresa (birthplace museum of the Nobel laureate).

Visit Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. See the Newborn Monument (a large yellow sculpture unveiled on Kosovo's independence day in 2008), explore the National Museum of Kosovo (housing archaeological artifacts from the region's Illyrian and Roman periods), and visit the Imperial Mosque (a 15th-century Ottoman mosque with historic frescoes).

Visit Dubrovnik, a historic coastal city in Croatia. Walk the ancient city walls (2 km long with views of the Adriatic Sea and red-tiled roofs), explore the Stradun (main limestone-paved street lined with Baroque buildings), and see the Rector's Palace (Gothic-Renaissance palace housing a cultural history museum). Take a cable car up Mount Srđ for panoramic vistas over the Old Town and Elaphiti Islands.

Visit the Spomenik monument, unique abstract memorials built in former Yugoslavia during the 20th century

Visit Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. Explore the Millennium Bridge (a modern cable-stayed bridge over the Morača River), see the historic Clock Tower in the Old Town, and relax in King's Park (a green space with monuments and city views).