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Balkan Countries Travel Photos
23
May
The photos in the Balkan Countries 2017 Gallery were taken during a two-month-and-a-half road trip through Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo, in the summer of 2017.
Here, you will find photos from Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo (2017). In the future, I am planning to explore more of this region, though – the countries of former Yugoslavia (summer 2018).
A general overview of this trip can bee found at Balkan Countries Travel Planning – Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo.
I work with a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX300, 20.1MP.
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Macedonia
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- Skopje (new, modern town) – Ul. Makedonija
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- Skopje (old, Turkish Bazaar – Carsija) – Suli Hani: Mehdi in his shop with antiquities
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- Skopje’s surroundings: Kozjak Lake in a very wild area
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- Saint John Bigorski Monastery – Radika Canyon, near Mavrovo
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- Kratovo – local food at Etno House Shancheva: simple, traditional, and hearty
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- Kratovo – the small museum from Etno House Shancheva
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- Zrze Monastery – built on a vertical cliff
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- Treskavec Monastery, near Prilep
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- Ohrid – Kaneo small bay
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- Kumanovo – The Soldiers’ Memorial on Kosturnica Hill
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- The Memorial of the Balkan War from Zebrnjak, near Kumanovo
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- Kratovo – generous lunch at Etno House Shanceva
Albania
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- Korce – whitewashed houses in the old part of the town
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- Cattle on the bad road from Korce to Leskovik
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- Gjirokastra – Zekate Ottoman house
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- Gjirokastra – the main street of the New Bazaar
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- Palase Beach – concrete bunkers built by the former communist dictator, Enver Hoxha
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- Vlore – Xhamia e Muradies Mosque
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- Berat Castle – typical alley in the old castle (still lived today)
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- Berat – Mangalan Quarter: traditional Ottoman houses
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- Tirana – Blloku Quarter: communist buildings with flats
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- Mesi Bridge, near Shkoder
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- Trek Valbona Theth – on the way to Rrogam hamlet along Valbona Valley
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- Trek Valbona Theth: on the way to Valbona Pass (Qafa e Valbonës)
Kosovo
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- Prizren – the Sinan Pasha Mosque
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- Prizren’s Fortress – the view of the town (left side is the Sinan Pasha Mosque)
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- Prizren – the old bell tower of the Church of the Savior
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- Near the Rugova Valley: Decan Monastery (still guarded by NATO in 2017)
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- Rugova Valley and Gorges
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- Rugova Valley – Drelaj village
Ah! I think with the times that we are in now, the only way to travel is through images. So, these photos come at a perfect time. Kosovo seems especially beautiful – I need to get there someday!
Yeah, I wouldn’t have thought of that when I posted them, but you are right.
The Balkans have been mentioned a lot on a ton of the “next hot destination” lists, good thing you were able to see a lot of it before an influx of tourists come. I’ve been wanting to go to Tirana for a while now, so I was definitely studying that picture! It’s so interesting how different each photo is from one to the next. When we hear about a geographical area like “the Balkan” we tend to think everything looks the same. Clearly, that’s not the case. Rugova Valley looks absolutely stunning!
Nooo, when you enter Montenegro coming from Bosnia, you just see what a big geographical difference it is. It is the terrain that separated and created historical borders long ago, after all.
Looks like you had an incredible trip! I loved seeing the different pieces of architecture throughout your gallery, specifically the mosques and Monasteries. My favorite has to be the Decan Monastery!
I enjoyed a lot seeing different religious place just one next to another. It seems that they are doing ok so far.
I have never thought of posting just a photo album. But a good way to share your long trip. The variety in your pictures is amazing. From country to city, nature and art. I can certainly see why you stayed so long.
I think I stayed for two months and a half. It was one of my longest road trips.
Your photographs truly capture the beauty and the essence of the country. The Kozjak Lake looks so beautiful. Good to see the photographs of food as well. Kosovo is really beautiful as well.
I always try to take photos of what I eat to remember the names, and maybe even the tastes.
Those are some really awesome travel memories. The monasteries in your pictures have always lured me. Ohrid and Rugova Valley add a different variety to your landscapes. Goes to show how diverse the entire place is. Thanks for sharing them with us
I am always passionate about taking photos, so that is why I thought of putting them together.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures of Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. It gives a great insight into what to except when one is there. If I had to choose them in the order that I would visit, it would be Macedonia first as I have heard so much about the place before followed by Kosovo and then Albania.
Macedonia has hospitable people, Albania has a great coastline, while Kosovo has an intriguing mix of cultures and religions.
I haven’t traveled to Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo till now. But through your photos, it seems like you had a great time exploring these countries. More than anything, I would like to explore these countries for their local food and architectural history. This is what interests me the most.
You will find tasty, very cheap food in the Balkans. And the old architecture is great, too.