Hey!
My partner and I are planning a Balkans trip in 2026 - probably spring or late fall (we want to avoid the summer heat).
I did a really cool organized Balkans trip a few years ago: Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) by Travel Talk with 147 Tour Reviews (Code: BLB) - TourRadar
It was a great way to experience many different countries in 9 days. But now, I’d like to do a longer trip, staying in each city or place longer.
Where we want to go:
I’m really interested in seeing more of Bosnia and Herzegovina (been to Sarajevo and Mostar). Any suggestions on places and activities around the country outside of the more popular areas? We love nature and exploring the culture.
Also Albania: any recommendations on national parks or beaches that are a bit under the radar?
Appreciate any other suggestions around the Balkans, where to go and what to do 
I have visited Albania last year and it was amazing. While I only saw Tirana, it was absolutely amazing; the food, the people and the culture. The local guides told me to explore the Albania Peaks like Teth and the Valbona Valley so check out some trips there. I think they have guided and self guided options. And the local guides told us that it is still very untouched.
If you’re considering Albania, I definitely recommend Dhërmi. We stayed there, and it was honestly one of those places that surprised us in the best way.
The ocean is unreal, crystal clear, proper turquoise, and the beaches feel much more wild and natural than a lot of other Mediterranean spots. What I loved most was the setting: you’ve got these dramatic mountains right behind you, and then the coastline opens up in front.
It also felt like amazing value, food was really cheap, and it still had that “hidden gem” vibe, especially if you go outside peak summer. We found it super relaxing, but there was still plenty to explore nearby.
If you’re doing a longer Albania section, Dhërmi is a perfect base for coastal days and it’s an easy add-on if you’re also thinking about the Albanian Alps (Theth/Valbona) for nature.
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@RichardRoams - Did you drive in Albania?
I’ve driven in Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro then up through Croatia before and am wondering if it’s worth driving down to Albania - I like the side trips on the way down and back - or fly and use public transport, or hire a car.
That way I probably get more time in Albania.
Nope, we didn’t drive in. We actually flew into Corfu, took the ferry over to Albania, and then rented a car once we arrived. After our time there, we took the ferry back to Corfu again.
We decided to do something a bit different, and it was a great experience - super easy, and it gave us a lot of flexibility once we were in Albania.
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