5 national parks in the Balkans that are worth visiting

Don't get us wrong - the beach will always have a special place in our hearts. But sometimes you can replace it with other great alternatives, such as national parks, and still have a rest.

National parks are protected areas where you can enjoy beautiful nature away from the crowds. You can visit North Macedonia’s beautiful Pelister National Park or several famous ones in the Balkans.

 

5 national parks in the Balkans that are worth seeing at least once in your life:

Tara National Park, Serbia

This national park is located in western Serbia and offers beautiful landscapes, hidden recesses rich in flora and fauna, fairy-tale lakes and many natural wonders.

 

How to reach Tara?

 

Raketa AB buses run regularly to Tara and local mountain villages, from major Serbian cities and back, especially from Belgrade and Nis.

Kornati National Park, Croatia

The beautiful Kornati islands in Croatia are a real highlight of this fantastic destination and absolutely worth seeing.

 

They are located in Dalmatia, just off the coast of Zadar and impress as the densest group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea.

 

How to get to the Kornati Islands?

 

Arriving at the Kornati Islands is only possible by boat, usually departing from the town of Murter.

 

The easiest way to get to Murter is by bus, as there are several buses that travel there from other Croatian cities, especially Zagreb.

Tet National Park, Albania

Tet in Albania is an underrated holiday destination. People are kind, and they have the most beautiful mountains!

 

This national park is located in the extreme northern part of Albania, near the border with Montenegro.

 

How to get to Tet?

 

Whether you decide to take a bus from Shkodër to Tet, or a boat from Shkodër to Valbona and then walk to Tet, at the end of your trip you will need to travel from Tet to Shkodër to exit the park.

 

The bus ride from Shkodër to Tet costs €10 and will take around two to three hours, depending on many different factors beyond your control. Most buses leave in the morning.

Rila National Park, Bulgaria

Rila National Park is located in the southwestern part of the country, in the Rila Mountains.

 

Park managers aim to preserve and maintain biological diversity, protect wildlife, and provide opportunities for scientific and educational activities, tourism development, and ecological lifestyles for the population.

 

How to get to Rila?

 

The best way to get to Rila National Park is to rent a car. You can also take a bus from Sofia to Dupnica, and then from there to Sapareva Banja, then to Panicishte resort.

 

From the resort you can walk 1 to 2 hours to reach Rila, or take a lift which costs 10 euros, but in 20-25 minutes you are in the national park.

Durmitor National Park, Montenegro

This amazing national park is formed by glaciers and has rivers and underground streams running through it.

 

Along the canyon of the Tara River, which has the deepest gorges in Europe, there are clear lakes and a wide variety of endemic flora between dense pine forests.

 

How to get to Durmitor?

 

Žabljak located in the center of the park at 1,450 meters above sea level (the highest urban settlement in the Balkan region) is the place to reach.