Under-the-radar destinations in the Balkans are drawing growing attention from travellers seeking affordable prices, dramatic landscapes and relief from overcrowded hotspots, according to a roundup of Europe’s top travel discoveries published this week by Britain’s Guardian newspaper.
Among the standout Balkan destinations is Kosovo, where hiking routes through the Accursed Mountains are emerging as a new draw for adventure tourism. Travel writers highlighted the Via Dinarica Kosovo trail, recently remapped to improve access, which winds along the borders with Montenegro and Albania.
The region offers alpine scenery, rare wildlife such as lynx and bears, and traditional mountain hospitality, with tourism seen as a vital source of income for remote communities.
Albania was also singled out for its appeal to travellers willing to venture off established routes. Northern villages such as Lëpushë, near the Montenegrin border, were praised for near-empty hiking trails, natural swimming pools and locally run guesthouses. Despite proximity to popular Balkan trekking circuits, these areas still receive only a fraction of the visitors seen in better-known destinations like Theth, keeping prices low and experiences more intimate.
In Croatia, writers pointed to Zadar as an alternative to overcrowded Dubrovnik. The Adriatic city combines a compact historic centre with family-friendly attractions such as the Sea Organ and solar-powered Greeting to the Sun installation, while nearby islands and nature parks remain accessible by low-cost ferries and day trips. The report noted Zadar’s appeal for budget-conscious travellers seeking Mediterranean scenery without peak-season congestion.
Further east, Bulgaria featured for value-for-money winter tourism. Borovets, the country’s oldest ski resort, was highlighted as a cheaper alternative to Alpine destinations, offering forest-lined slopes, traditional food and accommodation at a fraction of Western European prices—an increasingly important factor as inflation squeezes holiday budgets across the continent.
Travel experts say the growing interest in Balkan destinations reflects broader shifts in European tourism, with travellers prioritising sustainability, affordability and less crowded experiences. Improved transport links, EU-funded infrastructure projects and digital promotion by local tourism boards have also helped put the region on the map.
As mass tourism pressures mount in Europe’s most famous cities, the Balkans are increasingly positioning themselves as a diverse, cost-effective alternative—combining mountains, coastline and culture within short distances, and offering what many travellers now value most: space, authenticity and value for money. (Balkan View)