View of Ada Bridge in Belgrade, Serbia.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, culture vulture, archaeology aficionado, history buff, culinary explorer or nature lover, a journey through the Balkans brings feelings akin to those of a child in a candy store. You’ll find yourself delightfully overwhelmed, unsure of where to start or which of the many flavours to taste first.
Hidden gems of the Balkans
This southeastern corner of Europe is full of hidden gems to explore. First up, Serbia; rich in geographical and cultural diversity, this is an exciting country with an intriguing history, gorgeous natural beauty and authentic wines. It’s a country full of tradition, yet inspiringly open to new trends.
Travel a bit further south and you’ll find North Macedonia, a small natural paradise made up of vineyards, mountains,lakes and rivers, complemented by charming cities, warm people and excellent food. A visit here offers beautiful beaches, hidden coves and dramatic mountain landscapes.
If it’s impressive gastronomy that you’re after, Albania will deliver – it’s a country that invites culinary adventure. In this curated list, you’ll find Decanter’s top recommended sights in each of these wonderfully diverse countries.
Knez Mihailova Street in Belgrade, Serbia. Credit: Aleksandar Matic?
City sights
Amidst the historical buildings, ancient temples, museums, modern galleries and other attractions that grace the capitals of these Balkan countries, lie true national treasures of urban culture. These remarkable sites deserve your attention and exploration. Here are our top recommendations for each capital.
The Bunk’Art project is an underground museum and art gallery in Tirana, Albania.
Tirana, Albania: Bunk’Art
History underground
The Bunk’Art project is an incredible space that was opened to the public in 2016, as a museum and art gallery, and it now attracts hundreds of visitors every day. Once an emergency refuge for dictator Enver Hoxha in case of war, it is the largest of the country’s famous – and increasingly scarce – pillbox bunkers which hark back to darker days when Albania remained an isolated state in Europe.
Carved into a mountain, the bunker’s slightly sinister dark tunnelled entrance leads to five floors and 106 rooms, which help to tell the story of Albania’s turbulent past. The space holds a rich exhibition of historical artefacts from the communist era, as well as works and installations by contemporary artists.
The Old Bazaar of Skopje in North Macedonia.
Skopje, Macedonia: Old Bazaar
Step back in time
In Skopje’s now rather modern city centre, lies the ancient Stone Bridge that leads to the largest preserved oriental bazaar in the Balkans. The Old Bazaar of Skopje is a bustling place where vendors sell hot, sweet tea to the throng of pedestrians that pass by, and the air is filled with the scent of oriental sweets, grilled kebabs and freshly roasted nuts.
The city’s dwellers come here to ply their trade, pray in temples and just relax and hang out in its restaurants, wine bars and gardens, against a backdrop of live music and buzz, particularly on summer evenings. Oriental inns and baths have been transformed into museums and galleries, whilst impressive mosques and churches stand strong. The bazaar’s unique architecture combines a predominantly oriental style with the city’s Byzantine heritage and contemporary influences.
The Mesara Morava Meat Concept Store in the Palilula Market Place in Belgrade, Serbia. Credit: Vojislav Vujanic & Nasa-Mreza
Belgrade, Serbia: Palilula Market Place
An urban party with salad and champagne
The unpretentious Palilula Market is full of the unexpected. It’s a busy hub where people from all over the city come to buy fruit and veg, eat delicious things and enjoy a drink together. Its gastronomic backbone is the Mesara Morava Meat Concept Store, where bone marrow comes with steak tartare.
At the Mehuri? champagne bar among the market stalls, pork…
Source : https://www.decanter.com.master.public.keystone-prod-eks-euw1.futureplc.engineering/sponsored/uncovering-the-treasures-of-the-balkans-536893/
