Hungary and The Balkans, featuring; Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo & North Macedonia.

A previous visit to The Balkans in 2024, saw us travel to Croatia (EU), Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Romania, ticking off the following 22 UNESCO Sites.
Bosnia & Herzegovina; Mostar Bridge, Stecci Medieval Tombstone Graveyards, Vjetrenica Cave,
Croatia; Dubrovnik, Stari Grad Plains, Split, Trogia, Sibenik Cathedral of Saint James, Plitvice Lakes,
Montenegro; Kotor, Durmitor National Park
Romania; Monastry of Horezu, Brancusi Monumental Ensemble of Targu Jiu, Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains, Rosia Montana Mining Landscape, Sighisoara, Villages of Fortified Churches of Transylvania, Churches of Moldavia, Wooden Churches of Maramures, Frontier of the Roman Empires (Darcia).
Bulgaria; Rock Hewn churches of Ivanovo.

As we are not eligible for the EU Schengen freedom of movement, we chose a return visit to The Balkans in 2025, to spend our 90 days in Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia. With a brief, 1 day, side trip to Hungary as it was so close to the Serbian border this allowed us to cover a further 10 UNESCO sites for 2025.

Plitvice Lakes, Mostar Bridge & Dubrovnik.

North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina , Montenegro & Croatia.

Kotor, Montenegro

Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Mostar Bridge

Venetian Works of Defence Croatia and Montenegro

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Mehmed Pasa Sokolovic Bridge

The stunning Lake Ohrid is considered a mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising both its natural and cultural importance and is shared by North Macedonia and Albania with both countries being responsible for its preservation. The region includes the historic city of Ohrid, and Early Christian churches. Inscribed in 1979 for its natural significance and 1980 for its cultural aspects, with the site extended to include the Albanian portion of the lake in 2019. The lake is crucial for biodiversity, boasting over 200 unique species of flora and fauna, and also contains significant cultural and historic elements. However, the lake faces threats from pollution and construction, leading to concerns about its UNESCO status.

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐/5

Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐/5

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐/5

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐/5

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐/5

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐½ /5

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐ /5

To view all the Balkans and Romanian videos please use the button below. ⬇️

Serbia/Kosovo

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐½ /5

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐½ /5

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐ /5

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐⭐ /5

The visited sites in Serbia mainly consisted of monasteries with the exception of the Palace of Galerius. Shoulders covered and full length pants were the requirements of all the monasteries, with no photos or videos permitted inside the churches and none were pet friendly.

Hungary

Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae)’; Our first visit to Hungary was in 2017 and it has remained a firm favourite since. Its history, food, architecture and the people and their sense of national pride shows in how beautiful they keep their country. Pécs is a shining example of a beautiful Hungarian town. Located right near the border of Serbia and Croatia, Pécs is known for having the oldest University in Hungary and is home to the Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae)’ inscribed to the World Heritage List in 2000, under the cultural heritage category.
The 4th and 5th century Christian cemetery complex was unearthed during archaeological excavations that began 200 years ago and has been known to science ever since.

Bacon's rating of interest; ⭐⭐½ /5