Southeastern Europe Travel Guide

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Cobblestone streets, fairy tale forests, wine regions, medieval towns, sandy beaches, ancient ruins, cosmopolitan capitals, spice bazaars, haunted castles and a couple of thousand islands. Adventure, anyone?

St Stephens Square (), Hvar Island, Croatia
JEAN-PIERRE LESCOURRET/GETTY IMAGES

Your timing couldnt be better. Countries that were once hard going have oiled the infrastructure and rolled out the welcome mat. Cities that once made headlines for all the wrong reasons are now impressing with their diversity and authenticity. Landmarks that were all but obliterated in the 1990s such as Mostars iconic 16th century stone bridge and Dubrovniks Old Town walls have been painstakingly resurrected. Beyond the sights to be seen though, its the unabashed hospitality that makes each day spent in Southeastern Europe surprising. A quiet lunch by yourself can quickly morph into dinner by the seaside with enthusiastic locals who wont hear of you not trying everything on the menu. This is a region brimming with fresh adventures, more accessible than ever before.

Rocky mountains and terracotta towns plunge spectacularly into the Adriatic Sea along the Croatian and Albanian Riviera. Greece and Turkey make the most of Aegean islands, which boast the perfect marriage of azure waters and blinding white buildings. Parts of Southeastern Europe have been luring outdoor adventurers for centuries, but some pockets are only now being added to adrenalin junkies do-before-you-die lists. Dramatic mountains like Romanias Bucegi, Bulgarias Rodopi and Albanias ominous Accursed Mountains are made for hiking and biking , while there are wild rivers to raft in Bosnia and Hercegovina as well as Slovenia. For those who would rather just absorb the great outdoors than set out to conquer it, some of the ferry rides in Southeastern Europe glide you past idyllic scenery incomparable to any in the world.

Church detail, Sofia (), Bulgaria
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Though change is coming on quickly, timeless traditions and cultural customs arent falling by the wayside. Blood feuds in some parts arent as ancient as they ought to be and pastoral scenes are still as home grown as they ever were. Its a region where you can barely keep up with the nightlife, but will still get stuck behind a horse and cart. Urban landscapes are a pop-up book of ancient architecture on a grand scale, and winding Ottoman streets are punctuated by Austro-Hungarian villas and the occasional communist concrete block. Throw in Gothic castles, Roman ruins and Venetian facades, then wrap it all in a medieval wall and plonk it by the sea. History isnt just ancient in Southeastern Europe, its epic. This was the home of the Spartans, the birthplace of Zeus, and the battle ground of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires; a stroll through town can evoke the rise and fall of civilisations.

Ancient Landmarks, Greece

From Athens renowned Acropolis to the skeletal remains of Knossos, Greece ( ) offers some of Europes most impressive historical sights. Theres the oracular Temple of Apollo at Delphi, perched above the Gulf of Corinth; Olympia, home to the first Olympic Games; Epidavros acoustically perfect theatre; and the mystical Sanctuary of Asclepius. Olive and orange groves surround the vast ruins of Mystras, a one-time part of the Byzantine Empire. Start with the Acropolis and follow the path of history all over Greeces landscape.

The Parthenon, Athens
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stanbul, Turkey

Straddling Europe and Asia, stanbul ( ) is one of the world's greatest cities. Once the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, its heritage can still be seen in the buildings which cluster around Sultanahmet, including the Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque, Topkap Palace and Grand Bazaar. After marvelling at their glittering interiors, its time to experience this 13-million-strong metropolis vibrant contemporary life. Cross the Galata Bridge, passing ferries and fish kebap stands, to Beyolu, full of chic rooftop bars and rowdy taverns.

Nightlife in Beyolu
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Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

Theres a sense of secrecy and mystery to the Bay of Kotor ( ). Grey mountain walls rise steeply from steely blue waters, getting higher and higher as you progress through their folds to the hidden reaches of the inner bay. There, ancient stone settlements hug the shoreline, with Kotors ancient alleyways concealed in its innermost reaches, behind hefty stone walls. Talk about drama! But you wouldnt expect anything else of the Balkans, where life is exuberantly Mediterranean, lived full of passion on these ancient streets.

ALEXEY GALYZIN/GETTY IMAGES

Meteora, Greece

Meteoras ( ) towering rock spires are a stunning natural sight in their own right, but even more incredible are the elaborate 14th-century monasteries built on top of them. There were originally 24 monasteries (one for each pinnacle) though nowadays only six remain, accessible by stairs cut into the rock. Make the ascent and youre rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and, on quiet days, a sense of almost otherworldly serenity. For a completely different experience, Meteoras vertical peaks provide superb rock climbing.

Monastery of Agias Varvaras Rousanou
JEAN-PIERRE LESCOURRET/GETTY IMAGES

Pristina, Kosovo

Kosovo hasnt yet found its way onto the travel trail in Europe. Until recently it was shrouded in a veil of controversy, the smell of conflict lingering in the air and burnt out buildings hovering like a bad conscience. Nowadays Pristina ( ) is a whos who of European and international organisations. The cosmopolitan population bustles between the bars and restaurants, while the New Born statue in the midst of it all still stands tall, resolutely symbolising the forward-facing momentum of the country.