Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

05 July 2025

4-minute read

The countries lying on the Balkan Peninsula are called the Balkans and they lie on the southeastern edge of the European continent. Though there are conflicting definitions of what exactly constitutes a Balkan state, 11 countries are generally considered to be Balkan. They are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia

Historically, the Balkans have been a crossroads of various civilizations and cultures, contributing to their rich and complicated history. Mountain ranges and rivers, like the Carpathians and the Danube, define the geography of the Balkans.

Imran Qasim from Chicago suggests that travellers from South Africa planning to tour The Balkans should fly to Turkey and then catch a short 2-hour connecting flight to the region. Another option, albeit a more expensive one, is to fly into one of the European countries and then catch a connecting flight to the Balkans. Late Spring between May and June or early Autumn from September to October would be the best times of year to visit The Balkans, as it can get very crowded in the summer months.

South African passport holders should be aware of visa requirements when planning a trip to the various Balkan countries. For countries like Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania, a Schengen visa is compulsory, but other countries in the region require visas from the relevant embassies in Pretoria. Alternatively, these countries do grant a visa on arrival for US or UK visa-holders. The only country that does not require a visa is Kosovo, while Albania can be accessed via an e-Visa.

With so many historically rich and culturally vibrant destinations across the Balkans, Imran feels that as Muslims, we should tour those with a rich Islamic history. For nearly 5 centuries, even before the conquest of Constantinople, much of the Balkan region was part of the Ottoman Empire. Many masaajid in the region are built in “the classic Ottoman style” with Ottoman architecture in the old towns. Both the culture and food of the people is very similar to that of the Turks, especially that of the majority Muslim countries like Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia. The remaining countries also have large minority Muslim populations, despite the ploy of the West to erase and strip away religion through communism and secularism, and to “establish an ideology based on nationalism.” However, Imran mentioned that the “deen is growing again,” through the efforts of Muslims.

The capital cities of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Skopje in North Macedonia, Pristina in Kosovo, Tirana in Albania, and Podgorica in Montenegro are all definitely worth a visit. Sarandë at the Southern tip of Albania is perfect for a dip in the Adriatic Sea while Ohrid in North Macedonia is a beautiful town situated on a lake that offers excellent walks and water activities. In Montenegro, find a hotel along the coast in Kotor where there are many shops in the old town with good vibes. Mostar in Bosnia is located along a river that has stunning arched cobblestone bridges with a scenic backdrop of mountains and greenery. It also boasts the Old Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,  commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century.

Adventures or activities can you do in the Balkans include exploring cities and heritage sites, visiting parks with hiking trails, or indulging in water activities like swimming and boating on the ocean.

Travel between the different Balkan countries is best done by renting a car. The buses are also well connected between the different countries. Tourists driving between countries are required to produce their visas and “green card” car insurance at border crossings. A top tip is not to rent a car in Kosovo as you may experience problems when trying to enter Bosnia and Serbia due to political issues.

Affordable accommodation is available in the region, with luxury hotels offering reasonable rates. For those on a budget willing to cut out the frills, there are other accommodation options available at half the price.

When it comes to food, Imran suggest adopting a pescatarian or vegetarian diet while touring The Balkans, even when eating at halal establishments to reduce the risk of cross contamination, as most meat in the region is machine slaughtered. Unfortunately, most halal restaurants do serve alcohol, so he advises being wary of where and what you eat, and be sure to carry your padkos along.

Listen to the full interview on the Weekend Breakfast Show here.