Balkanology :: Explore Southeast EuropeItinerary #2 - Highlights of the Western Balkans
Introduction
This route is an introduction to the eastern half of the Balkan peninsula. It is suitable for first-time travellers to the region, taking in some of the most popular and easily accessible destinations in Romania, Bulgaria, and mainland Greece - a mixture of historic towns, monasteries, and mountain scenery.
Transport is by train for the longer trips, with buses used for some short daytrips. This route sticks fairly close to the beaten path so travel should be straightforward. The basic itinerary takes 21 days, not counting time spent in Budapest and Athens at the start and end of the journey; a number of variations are suggested for travellers with more time.
Like all the suggested itineraries, this one should not be taken too literally. It is meant as a starting point to help you devise a route that suits your interests, not as a definitive list of everything worth seeing in the countries covered.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Budapest to Timişoara
Leave Budapest in the morning on the Intercity "Traianus", which takes less than 5 hours to reach Timişoara. The typically Central European streetscapes of Romania's westernmost large city make it a gentle introduction to the country. Spend the afternoon and evening enjoying its gracious Baroque boulevards and squares, particularly lovely Piaţa Unirii which features 18th-century Catholic and Orthodox cathedrals.
Variations on the basic route
Alternative start and end points
It is quite easy to modify this route to finish in Istanbul instead of Athens: on day 21, return to Thessaloniki and take the overnight sleeper-only train to Istanbul, the Filia-Dostluk "Friendship" Express.
Belgrade is a possible alternative starting point, as there is a direct afternoon train to Thessaloniki (4 hours).
Extra days
If you have time to stay an extra night or two at some places along the route, consider the following options:
- Add a day in Timişoara, with a daytrip to Baile Herculane (2.5 hours each way by train). This spa town has seen better days, but is worth seeing for its air of faded elegance and it lovely situation in the wooded Cerna Valley, best appreciated by following a marked trail to the "White Cross" viewpoint.
- Add a day in Braşov to visit the nearby fortified churches in Prejmer and Harman.
- Add a day in Braşov, take a local bus to the mountain resort of Poiana Braşov, take a cable car to Postavarul summit and walk down to Braşov through the forests.
- Add one or more days in Sinaia or nearby Buşteni for hiking in the Bucegi Mountains.
- Add one or more days in or near Bansko for hiking in the Pirin Mountains.