A city break is an ideal way to learn something about a different culture in just a few days. A city break gives you the opportunity to absorb a new experience. The Balkan region has a diverse mix of geography, history, and culture.

Balkan city breaks offer something for everyone, no matter your age, taste, or whether you’re part of a group or traveling solo.

Here are 10 cities that reflect the character of the Balkans.

1. Belgrade-Serbia

Belgrade is known for being a vibrant and trendy city and has a reputation for offering a vibrant nightlife, the best features of which are the barges dotted along the banks of the Sava and Danube rivers.

Belgrade has two opera houses, several museums, including the National Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also some impressive architecture.

A former river island, Ada Ciganlija, on the Sava River, is the largest sports and recreation complex in Belgrade. It is the most popular destination for both Belgrade residents and visitors during the city’s hot summers.

2. Bucharest – Romania

Bucharest is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Epoque buildings, and reputation for the good life, at one point earning it the nickname “Little Paris.”

Bucharest has a lot of historical charm, from the streets of the Old Town, which are slowly being restored, to the grand architecture of the Royal Palace and the lush greenery of Cismigiu Park. The city also has a large number of museums, art galleries, exquisite Orthodox churches and unique architectural sites.

3. Dubrovnik-Croatia

Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved fortified cities in the world and features two kilometers of walls, some 6 meters thick in places lined with towers and turrets, that run through the city. George Bernard Shaw said in 1929: “If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik.”

4. Ljubljana – Slovenia

Ljubljana is a charming city, the many parks and a vibrant cultural scene. There are numerous art galleries and museums and a medieval castle situated on the top of the hill that dominates the center of the city.

The decks of the Ljubljana Zoo have 152 species of animals. An antiques market is held every Sunday in the old city. Tivoli Park is the largest park in the city, it has 3 main avenues, planted with chestnut trees.

5. Sarajevo-Bosnia

Sarajevo is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated around the Miljacka River, commonly known as the Sarajevo River. This river is one of the main features of the city. In December 2009, Lonely Planet listed Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2010.

A great way to get around this city is on the electric tram system. Sarajevo was the first city in Europe to have a full-time operational electric tram network running through the city.

6. Skopje – Macedonia

Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, and the Mother Teresa Memorial House commemorates her. There are many old churches and mosques to visit for lovers of history and architecture.

Many famous artists from all over the world have attended the music festivals over the years. The Skopje Jazz Festival is part of the European Jazz Network. The Blues and Soul Festival in early July is part of the Skopje Summer Cultural Festival and the May Opera Nights have been one of the most visited events in Skopje.

The City Park houses the main museum, several monuments, small lakes, cafes and restaurants. The city’s zoo and stadium are also located here along with several nightclubs.

7. Sofia – Bulgaria

Sofia is located in the foothills of the Vitosha Mountain, which makes it an ideal place for hiking and skiing. The city of Sofia is a lively, bustling and cosmopolitan city with many nightclubs, live venues and traditional Bulgarian taverns and restaurants. Many famous musicians have played in Sofia.
Sofia is home to numerous museums and art galleries, including the National Historical Museum, the Bulgarian Natural History Museum, the Museum of Earth and Men.
The city has many places of special interest, museums and churches, and has a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Boyana Church.

8 Split – Croatia

The city is located on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea and offers excellent connections to the surrounding coastal cities and to the many Adriatic islands.

The city center is occupied by the Split Historical Ensemble with Diocletian’s Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. Athens – Greece

Athens is home to the world famous Acropolis? The Parthenon and the other main buildings on the Acropolis were built by Pericles in the 5th century BC. C. as a monument to the cultural and political achievements of the inhabitants of Athens. You could spend a few days exploring this and it’s best to start early on hot summer days.

The Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. It is now a pedestrian zone with restaurants, tourist shops and cafes and is a nice place to relax.

The National Archaeological Museum is among the top ten museums in the world.

10. Istanbul-Turkey

Istanbul, the historical city that is located in Europe and Asia and has the status of European Capital of Culture 2010 is an ideal place for a city break.

In the steep and bustling streets of Istanbul, visitors can spend hours shopping or viewing the wonderful products on offer in the markets, where haggling is essential. The Grand Bazaar has more than 4,000 craft shops, selling rugs, ceramics, jewelry and antiques in its mazes.

There are many monuments and historical sites, such as the Hagia Sophia and one of the best examples of Islamic architecture, the “Blue Mosque”.

Be sure to take a ferry across the Bosphorus Strait and enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city, especially at sunset.

There are many more places in the Balkans that make it ideal for a short city break.