Niš may be Serbia’s third-largest city, but it’s a place where few tourists venture. Historically, it’s best known as the birthplace of Constantine the Great (280-337 AD). And today, many of the city’s monuments are
For whatever reason, visiting Topola, a town situated about 75 km south of Belgrade, doesn’t appear on many travelers’ itineraries. But the town is intrinsically linked with the legendary rebel Karađorđe and his descendants, several
Belgrade, a bustling city with nearly 2 million people, is both the capital of the Republic of Serbia and the largest city in the Balkans. While the city has something for everyone, the
Out of all of Bosnia & Herzegovina’s historic small towns, Jajce is probably the most essential. Not only does it have a well-preserved Old Town and fortress, but it uniquely features a large
Located 90 km northeast of Sarajevo, Travnik is one of Bosnia’s most charming small towns. But while its main attractions can be seen in just a couple of hours, Travnik is much more historically important
Sarajevo, with its eclectic mix of classical architecture and scenic mountain surroundings, is easily the most interesting big city of the Balkans. But as heavy as the experiences can be, some of the
As cliché as it may sound, Sarajevo is truly a city where East meets West. Walking around Bosnia & Herzegovina’s bustling capital, you’ll find medieval mosques standing side by side with Central European
Stolac is one of Herzegovina’s most historically important yet overlooked destinations. An easy drive from Mostar, the charming town is home to a hilltop fortress and well-preserved Ottoman bridges. But visiting Stolac is
Mostar is arguably Bosnia & Herzegovina’s most scenic destination, and its rapidly increasing tourism numbers reflect that. The picturesque Old Town was largely developed in the Ottoman era before suffering heavy damage during
Situated within the region of Eastern Herzegovina and the political entity of Republika Srpska, Trebinje gets considerably less attention than its neighbors. It feels like a world away from the nearby tourism hotspots
The Bay of Kotor is as historically rich as it is visually stunning. And just a short distance away from the hustle and bustle of central Kotor are two small towns where history,
If you could only choose one destination to visit in Montenegro, make it Kotor. Nestled between Lovcen Mountain and the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, it’s undoubtedly the country’s most scenic town – and
Budva is easily one of Montenegro’s most popular destinations, largely due to its abundance of beaches. But as the number of tourists increases each year, so does the amount of high-rises, making it easy
Cetinje, Montenegro’s old royal capital, might not exactly take your breath away. But on the contrary, it’s one of the best places in Montenegro to take a breather, especially for those coming from
As you’ll discover throughout your travels along Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, just about every city has a walled Old Town. Usually, as is the case with Budva or Kotor, they’re bustling with museums, souvenir
Shkodër may not have the energy of Tirana, the charm of Korçë, or the seaside views of Vlorë. Nonetheless, as Albania’s second-largest city, there’s plenty to do to warrant a stay of at
Prizren, the cultural capital of Ottoman Kosovo during the centuries-long occupation, remains the country’s most atmospheric city. And despite being Kosovo’s second-largest, Prizren is among the best-preserved Ottoman towns in the Balkans. If
Kosovo as a whole is about as obscure as it gets when it comes to travel in Europe. And those that do visit typically stick to Pristina and Prizren. The off-the-beaten-path northwest portion
Kosovo’s capital of Pristina isn’t going to win any beauty contests, while the city only has a handful of significant tourist attractions. But Europe’s newest capital is buzzing with energy and brimming with
North Macedonia’s capital of Skopje is a historical, busy and often-times confusing place. Inhabited for thousands of years, the city center is home to remnants of the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Most of
Krushevo is one of the Balkans’ highest settlements at an altitude of 1,350 m. But Krushevo has a few other distinctions that make it one of North Macedonia’s must-visit small towns. Not only
The historical town of Ohrid is North Macedonia’s most popular tourism hotspot. Situated along a hill at the edge of Lake Ohrid, few other cities in the region can rival its picturesque setting.
The southeastern Albanian city of Korçë doesn’t appear on a lot of people’s itineraries. And to be fair, other than the Museum of Medieval Art, the city has few must-see attractions. But what a visit to Korçë,
Few foreign visitors have heard of the southern Albanian town of Përmet, nicknamed the ‘City of Roses.’ But as small and remote as it may be, Përmet is home to some unique attractions
Gjirokastër is arguably Albania’s most magical town. While Greco-Roman cities had long flourished at the valley floor, the hillside city we see today was largely established during the Ottoman era. Thanks to its
The small coastal city of Sarandë is arguably Albania’s most popular tourism hub. But aside from making a great base for the ruins of Butrint, does Sarandë live up to the hype? Perhaps
Vlorë, Albania’s third-largest city, is most known for its beaches. But the city’s outskirts contain some interesting and overlooked historical gems for those looking to break up their time lazing in the sun.
Berat is a town that feels stuck in time – in a good way. While once an outpost of the Byzantine Empire, the town emerged as a thriving crafts center from the 17th
Durrës, just an hour from Tirana, is Albania’s most developed and crowded beach town. But whether or not the party atmosphere is what you’re looking for, the city also happens to be one
Tirana certainly isn’t the type of city people imagine when they think of European capitals. And many visitors merely pass through on their way to Albania’s beaches and historical towns. Tirana, however, has
Despite being located by Turkey’s borders with Greece and Bulgaria, Edirne maintains a distinctly Ottoman feel. The city functioned as the empire’s capital from 1369 until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453. But
Istanbul is a huge city, and most first-time visitors focus on the Old City area – particularly the neighborhood of Sultanahmet. But for those wanting to venture further out, trying to decide where
For over 1,000 years, Constantinople was considered one of the world’s most glorious cities. But exploring Istanbul today, the city’s Byzantine legacy largely goes unnoticed by tourists and residents alike. Most Byzantine churches
Despite being Turkey’s capital, Ankara is seldom visited by foreign tourists. With only a handful of attractions and having only become a prominent city quite recently, it’s easy to see why. But for
The traditional Greek town of Ayvalık retains much of its historical architecture, while its scenic setting along the Aegean attracts visitors from all over Turkey. And for those looking for an even quieter
As you travel along Turkey’s Aegean coast, there are several towns that will briefly make you forget which country you’re in. Up until the early 20th century, the region was home to thriving
Izmir (also spelled İzmir), situated alongside Turkey’s Aegean coast, is the country’s third-largest city. Historically known as Smyrna, the city’s history dates back thousands of years. The following Izmir guide covers all the things you
Izmir Province’s Selçuk is best known for being the town closest to the ruins of Ephesus. But Selçuk’s city center is also home to a unique collection of historical sites of major global importance. As
Tucked away from southwest Turkey’s popular beach resorts is an eerie attraction like no other. The Kayaköy ghost town is not merely a collection of several abandoned buildings, but several hundred. And today, the
The overlooked town of Demre is worthy of your attention as you make your way across Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Once a thriving city and prominent member of the Lycian League, Demre was known
Antalya, Turkey’s largest city on the Mediterranean coast, is synonymous with tourism. Each summer, millions of visitors arrive to soak up the sea and sun. But for those not cooping themselves up in a
Konya, one of Turkey’s most significant cities from the medieval period, is still steeped in tradition. It was the capital of the Seljuk Empire’s Sultanate of Rum, and ornate buildings from this period
Gaziantep, with a population of nearly two million, is southeast Turkey’s largest city and among the largest in the country. Like many places in the region, it has a rich history dating back
While not much of ancient Harran survives, its atmosphere remains imbued with a sense of magic and mystery. The Mesopotamian city was a former dwelling place of Abraham and home to Anatolia’s first
With the recent discovery of nearby Göbekli Tepe, the city of Şanlıurfa has been placed firmly on Turkey’s tourism map. But Urfa, as most people call it, is an essential destination in its own right. In
Mardin Province’s Midyat is a historic city situated on the plateau of Tur Abdin, or the ‘Mountain of the Servants of God.’ The region is the historic heartland of the Syriac Orthodox Church,
Mardin, with its elegant limestone buildings overlooking the Mesopotamian plains, is arguably Turkey’s most beautiful city. It’s also one of the country’s most historically rich and culturally interesting, with the region being home
Diyarbakır has long been considered a prized possession of the many kingdoms who managed to control it. Due to its strategic location along the Tigris River, it’s been continuously inhabited for thousands of
Nearly everyone who visits Kars does so to see the nearby ruins of Ani, some 40 kilometers to the east. But Kars is a interesting city that’s a worthy destination in its own
Trabzon, with a population of a million people, is the largest urban area on Turkey’s Black Sea coast. But while the region is best known for the stunning Sumela Monastery and the serene
Batumi, Georgia’s second-largest city, may be thousands of years old, but it now very much represents the ‘new’ Georgia. Skyscrapers are popping up at a staggering rate, while the city is often dubbed
It may lack the coastline of Batumi or the nightlife of Tbilisi, but Kutaisi, Georgia’s third-largest city, is worth checking out. What makes the city unique is the variety of things one can
If you only have a day or two in Georgia’s capital and are wondering what to do, the answer is simple: explore the Old City. The area is jam-packed with architectural gems, scenic
Just 90 minutes by bus from Tbilisi, Sighnagi feels like a world away. Located atop a hill in Georgia’s eastern Kakheti region, Sighnagi is synonymous with two things: scenery and wine. In the
No visit to Cairo is complete without a walk through Islamic Cairo, the medieval city established by the Fatimids in the 10th century. As you stroll down the district’s narrow alleyways, you’ll encounter
Aswan’s main attractions might not be able to compete with those of Luxor or Cairo. But that’s not to say the city has little to see. While many use Aswan as a base
Not even five minutes had passed since stepping off the minibus from Yerevan, and I’d already struck a deal for a trip around town with a local taxi driver. My main objective for
Gyumri, Armenia’s second city, is absent from most travelers’ itineraries. Admittedly, it wasn’t on mine until I realized I had an extra free day in the country. But I’m glad I went, as
Just a short bus ride from Yerevan, the small city of Etchmiadzin is home to many of the nation’s most important churches. In fact, it’s acted as the headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic
Yerevan may have only been the Armenian capital since 1918, but the city just recently celebrated its 2,801st birthday. While Yerevan was first established by the ancient kingdom of Urartu, much of what