The Visa-Free Tour Guide is here! Eastern European Balkan tours have never been so silky~

Budva on the Montenegrin coast; ©Sunflower Light Pro/shutterstock

In the once slightly mysterious Eastern European Balkans, three countries can easily travel to China without visas, namely Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Albania. In addition, if you have a valid US visa, Schengen visa, etc., you can also enter North Macedonia and Montenegro without a visa.

Many people call us to publish a visa-free tour around the Balkans - intimate LP This is sent! If you are already eager to try it out, but are still hesitant to arrange the time and itinerary, please put away this 14-day detailed itinerary, and then attach the nearby Croatia and Slovenia Raiders, you can freely combine it according to your own preferences, take it without thanks!

Walk Balgan

#免签走5国

Starting point: Belgrade, Serbia

End point: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Time required: 14 days

Countries visited: Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Courtesy of Lonely Planet, Eastern Europe. The routes shown in this article do not exactly match the routes shown on the map, please refer only to country and city locations

The Balkans of Eastern Europe are fascinating, surrounded by beautiful seas with mysterious castles and ancient towns along the route.

Albanian Riviera; ©wildman/Adobe Stock/Figureworm Creative

Historically war-rife and turbulent, the light of peace now shines on the land. You will find that your trip here is not only beautiful and affordable, but also has warm and friendly people, which is definitely worth the trip.

Skada, Montenegro; ©Lonely Planet

Day 1-2 | Serbia, Belgrade

Don't miss: Kalemegdan Castle, trendy restaurants and nightlife

Straightforward, bold and full of pride – Belgrade is not a "beautiful" city, but it is vibrant and one of the liveliest cities in Europe. While the city embraces a bright future, it also showcases its chaotic past.

©Lunja/Getty Images

Although Belgrade literally means "white city", it is in fact a colorful and hot city.

©Issy Crocker/Lonely Planet

The historic district of Belgrade

©muyun

Skadarska is Belgrade's version of Montmartre. Covered with cobblestones, this area is located east of Republic Square and is the hinterland of Bohemian art at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.

©Vladimir Nenezic/Shutterstock

Savamala is the coolest area in Belgrade today. Built for hipsters in the 1930s, this neighborhood is now full of cultural centers, old buildings and plenty of nightclubs. Don't be fooled by the building's decaying exterior, the wonderful is inside.

©muyun

Located 6 km northwest of Belgrade city center, Zemun was the southernmost point of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the period of Turkish rule in Belgrade.

©ChernoBog/Shutterstock

Today, it's known for its fish restaurant and quaint country vibe.

©Nataliya Nazarova/Shutterstock

Kalemegdan Castle

Kalemegdan Citadel

©elenathewise/deposit/ Figureworm Ideas

The view of Kalemegdan Castle is magnificent and unforgettable. In the hundreds of years since its construction, the castle has been damaged more than 40 times and witnessed 115 wars.

©Makicom/Shutterstock

The fortifications of the fortress were built in the Celtic era, and later during the "Singidunum" period of Roman settlement, the fortress was expanded to the alluvial plain, and "Singidunum" became the Roman name of Belgrade. Most of the fortresses today are the product of the reconstruction of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Turkey in the 18th century.

©Mladen Savkovic/Lonely Planet

River cruise

©Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

Belgrade is famous for its cruise nightclubs on the Sava and Danube, which are collectively known as splavovi. Most cruises are only open during the summer months. There are said to be 1.5 km long cruise strips on the west bank of the Sava River, and they are all veritable crazy party boats.

©Bokic Bojan/Shutterstock

Practical information

Chinese tourists can enter Serbia visa-free for 30 days. In 2022, direct flights between Beijing and Belgrade have been opened, and it is hoped that flights will resume as soon as possible this year.

Day 3 | Serbia Novi Sad

Don't miss: the new classic architecture, the outdoor café and the view of the fortress on the Danube

Walking through Novi Sad, the capital city of Vojvodina, you will feel a laid-back atmosphere different from Belgrade. It is a delightful city, being the "European Capital of Youth" in 2019 and the "European Capital of Culture" in 2022.

©Veronika Kovalenko/Shutterstock

With more than 25 ethnic groups and 6 languages, it is home to more than 25 ethnic groups and 6 languages, making it the best place to explore Hungarian and Serbian traditions. The variety of crepes in Vojvodina is rich and varied, unheard of in other countries.

©vestica/Getty Images

Locals gather in beautiful parks and outdoor cafes, and the pedestrian boulevard Zmaj Jovina has numerous bars that stretch from Trg Slobode to Dunavska Street, and are lively at night.

©DusanBartolovic/iStock

Novi Sad hosts the rock-inspired EXIT festival, which has been attended by the likes of Chemical Brothers, Gogol Bordelo and Patti Smith, which attracts around 200,000 fans each year. This year's Export Music Festival will be staged from 6-9 July.

©Bernard Bodo, EXIT photo team 2018, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Practical information

The Chinese-built Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway opened last year and takes only 30 minutes.

©Nevena Uzurov/Getty Images

Day 4 | North Macedonia Skopje

Don't miss: resplendent modern Italian-style architecture

Skopje is probably the wildest capital of the Balkans, full of endless fun.

©trabantos/Shutterstock

Ancient history and lively modern atmosphere collide here, creating a fascinating puzzle piece.

Ottoman monuments in the city of Tetovo around Skopje; ©Zoran Karapancev/Shutterstock

Bazaar (Ottoman-style bazaar)

Čaršija

©Aktron, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bazaar is an old city located on the mountainside, which is reminiscent of the period when the city was ruled by the Ottoman Empire. The winding lanes are lined with teahouses, mosques, handicraft shops, and even excellent nightclubs. It is also home to Skopje's oldest buildings and several museums, and is the first place most visitors visit.

traditional Macedonian cuisine; ©blazevskiblagoja/Gettyimages

Practical information

Holders of valid US, Canada, UK, Schengen multiple-entry visas can enter North Macedonia visa-free for stays not exceeding 15 days at a time. It is recommended to prepare the relevant liquor order and insurance certificate for inspection when entering the country.

From Belgrade you can reach Streep by international train.

Day 5-6 | North Macedonia Ohrid

Don't miss: admire the ancient monastery and go for a swim in Lake Ohrid

Surrounded by mountains, Ohrid is North Macedonia's most attractive tourist destination, with its imposing Old Town dotted from top to bottom on rolling hills, surrounded by beautiful churches and the remains of a medieval castle on top of the hill.

©Trabantos/Shutterstock

The cobbled streets are lined with traditional restaurants and lakeside cafes, but it's not yet fully occupied by noisy tourists and still has a livable feel.

©Fabio Nodari/shutterstock

Best of all, one minute you'll be walking through the historical sites, and the next you'll be lying on a deck chair and dipping your feet in the water – right on the peaceful shores of Lake Ohrid. So pleasant, it is recommended to stay for 2 days to enjoy the view.

cycling by Lake Ohrid; ©Ilan Shacham/Gettyimages

Practical information

St Paul the Apostle Airport in Ohrid is 10 km north of town. The long bus ride from Skopje takes about 3 hours.

Day 7 | Albania Berrat

Don't miss: the ancient city listed as a World Heritage Site

Berat, the tourist center of Albania, is best characterized by the white Ottoman architecture that stretches all the way to the hilltop castle, which earned it the title of "City of a Thousand Windows" and was inscribed on the United Nations World Heritage List in 2008.

©Rumours Atletic/shutterstock

Berat has its own unique magic. The undulating mountains are especially impressive when clouds swirl around the spires of minarets or spread out to reveal the snow-capped peaks of Mt Tomorri.

©Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Kala neighborhood within the city walls still exists alive today; If you wander around this busy ancient neighborhood long enough, you're bound to crash into someone's yard and mistake it for a church or monument.

©Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Practical information

Albania has waived visas for Chinese tourists. There is a long-distance bus from Ohrid to Berat and takes about 3 hours.

Day 8 | Tirana, Albania

Don't miss: period architecture and streetscapes

The vivid and colorful Tirana is like the beating heart of Albania. Since the early 90s of the 20th century, the city has been transformed, all the buildings have been painted in bright colors, and the trendy Blloku neighborhood is full of well-dressed men and women. In addition, there are great museums to visit.

©milosk50/shutterstock

The National Historical Museum is the largest museum in Albania and houses many of the country's archaeological treasures. The outstanding exhibits are almost entirely in English and chronological, from ancient Illyria to the most recent period.

museum facades; ©John Copland/shutterstock

Transformed from a "cold war" bunker on the outskirts of Tirana, Bunk'art is Albania's most exciting new attraction and quickly became the highlight of Tirana.

Bunk'art 2 入口；©Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Practical information

The long-distance bus from Berat to Tirana takes about 2.5 hours.

©Nevena Uzurov/Getty Images

Day 9 | Sveti Stefan, Montenegro

Don't miss: wonderful beaches

Montenegro's coastline is less than 300 kilometers long, but it has some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Europe. The majestic cliffs and dazzling waters of the Bay of Kotor are dazzlingly beautiful; The Adriatic Coast's beautiful sandy beaches and charming old town are equally enchanting.

Montenegro Perast; ©givaga/shutterstock

The island of Sveti Stefan is the most likely place on the entire Adriatic coast to make you exclaim "Wow, that's beautiful." This walled island village is now a luxury resort where wonderful beaches can be enjoyed. If you have enough money, it is better to stay at the resort for one night.

Sveti Stefan Island; ©Marius Roman/Gettyimages

Practical information

Holders of valid US, UK and Schengen visas can enter Montenegro visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. There is a direct long-distance bus from Tirana to Sveti Stefan, which takes about 3 hours.

Day 10-11 | Montenegro Kotor

Don't miss: fjord views, World Heritage Old Town

Nestled between a vast expanse of mountains and a sad corner of the bay, this heart-wrenching city blends in perfectly with its surroundings.

The fortified walls meander incredibly up the surrounding hillsides, encircling a medieval labyrinth of museums, churches, café-filled squares and Venetian palaces. At dusk, the city walls are illuminated by beautiful lights, which glow serene and serene like a halo.

The best thing about being in Kotor is to let yourself get lost in the labyrinthine winding streets and find your own exit. You'll soon become familiar with every corner.

Don't miss climbing the city walls. The fortress in Kotor was built in the 9th century on St John's Hill, with a protective wall added in the 14th century and was not completed until the 19th century. Climb 1,200 meters up the 1,350 steps of this fortification and reach an altitude of 260 meters above sea level for amazing views of the ancient city and the bay.

Practical information

In addition to Kotor, the Adriatic coast of Montenegro also has ancient cities such as Budva and Perast, which are not far from each other and have convenient transportation with each other, which is very worth visiting.

Transit to Croatia

Croatia has officially become a member of the Schengen Sector. If you have a Schengen visa, you can travel directly from Kotor to Dubrovnik, King's Landing, which takes only 2 hours.

Day 12-13 | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Don't miss: the restored historic center

This beautiful and rugged place still retains the scars and relics of the civil war of the 90s of the 20th century. But today, travelers remember Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina) most for the deep, earthy warmth of Black Bosniac and the atmosphere of East and West cultures, which comes from the seamless fusion of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian history.

The capital, Sarajevo, now has a well-restored historic centre, full of cosy cafés and good value accommodation. Bosnian houses with red roofs loom, and countless minarets stretch out to verdant ridges.

Baskaga

Baščaršija

Centered around the strip affectionately known to foreigners as "Pigeon Sq", the heart of Old Sarajevo, pedestrians wander the light-coloured stone alleys and squares, surrounded by lively coppersmiths' alleys, grand mosques, caravan hostel restaurants and charming little cafes.

Sarajevo City Hall

The fairytale neo-Moorish façade makes the town hall, completed in 1898, one of Sarajevo's most beautiful Austro-Hungarian buildings. Badly damaged during the siege of the 90s of the 20th century, the building was finally reopened in 2014 after a time-consuming and laborious reconstruction. The multi-arched interior and stained glass ceiling are beautifully restored after restoration.

Practical information

Chinese tourists can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free for 90 days. Modern and compact, Sarajevo International Airport is located about 12 km southwest of Baskaga, but flights are not yet available. Coming from Montenegro generally requires a connecting flight in Serbia, and direct flights are available from Zagreb. It can also be reached by night bus from Tivat, near Kotor.

Day 14 | Bosnia-Herzegovina Mostar

Don't miss: the stone bridge built in the 16th century

The world-famous Ancient Bridge is the undisputed visual focal point of Mostar. The arch bridge was originally built in 1557-1566 on the orders of Suleiman the Magnificent. The original bridge was blown up in the 90s of the 20th century, and the current bridge body is rebuilt in the 21st century, which is ancient and extremely realistic.

Every summer, young men jump from the guardrails of the ancient Mostar bridge, which is more than 20 meters high, into the icy waters of the Neretva River below. This is not a suicide attempt, but a professional sport - spectators can donate performance fees, but imitation is definitely not recommended.

Practical information

Mostar is more than 2 hours drive from Sarajevo.

Continue to Slovenia

If you have a Schengen visa, you may wish to continue your visit to Slovenia from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

With such a beautiful Balkan Peninsula, when are you going to go?

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