21 of the best · the Balkans
Beaches, Lakes and Islands in the Balkans
Adriatic and Ionian beaches, the islands of Dalmatia and the great lakes: Bled, Bohinj, Skadar and Ohrid.
Our 21 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Browse by type
Insiders' picks
Three Balkan stories we would show a friend first.
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3 photosThe island church
Lake Bled & Bled Island
A green Alpine lake with Slovenia’s only natural island, crowned by a pilgrimage church.
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3 photosThe Golden Horn
Zlatni Rat
Brač’s celebrated pebble spit at Bol, its tip swinging with the wind and the currents.
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3 photosTurquoise valley
Jablanica lake & the Neretva valley
A long turquoise lake and deep gorges on the Neretva, between Konjic and Mostar.
The full list: Beaches & Lakes, A–Z
Show 15 of 21 places on a map
More areas 15
Beaches & Lakes
Slovenia 3
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3 photosAlpine village
Kranjska Gora & Lake Jasna
Slovenia’s best-known ski resort, with Lake Jasna mirroring the peaks below the Vršič road.
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3 photos
The island church
Lake Bled & Bled Island
A green Alpine lake with Slovenia’s only natural island, crowned by a pilgrimage church.
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3 photosBled’s wilder neighbour
Lake Bohinj
Slovenia’s largest permanent lake, set in a glacial valley inside Triglav National Park.
Beaches & Lakes
Croatia 3
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3 photosHome of picigin
Bačvice Beach
Split’s much-loved sandy bay, a short walk from the centre, where picigin was born.
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3 photosIsland nature reserve
Lokrum
A wooded island reserve with gardens and peacocks, a short boat ride from Dubrovnik’s old harbour.
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3 photos
The Golden Horn
Zlatni Rat
Brač’s celebrated pebble spit at Bol, its tip swinging with the wind and the currents.
Beaches & Lakes
Bosnia & Herzegovina 2
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3 photos
Turquoise valley
Jablanica lake & the Neretva valley
A long turquoise lake and deep gorges on the Neretva, between Konjic and Mostar.
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3 photosMills on the water
Pliva lakes & watermills
Twin lakes above Jajce, linked by a stream lined with tiny wooden watermills.
Beaches & Lakes
Serbia 2
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3 photosThe gorge by water
Boat trips through the Kazan
Summer boat trips through the tightest stretch of the Iron Gates, beneath towering cliffs.
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3 photosDanube city beach
Štrand City Beach
Novi Sad’s Danube beach since 1911: 700 metres of sand, courts, cafés and summer events.
Štrand, Novi SadExplore View on map
Beaches & Lakes
Montenegro 4
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3 photosPine-shaded cove
Miločer Beach (King’s Beach)
A fine-sand beach before the former royal residence of Miločer, framed by exotic trees.
Miločer, BudvaExplore View on map
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3 photosPink-sand beaches
Sveti Stefan Beach
Two pink-hued beaches either side of the causeway to the island of Sveti Stefan.
Sveti Stefan, BudvaExplore View on map
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3 photosDurmitor’s jewel
The Black Lake (Crno jezero)
A glacial lake in pine forest below Međed, a short stroll from Žabljak, circled by a lakeside path.
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Video 3 photosGateway to Lake Skadar
Virpazar & boat trips
The lakeside village where boats set out into the reeds and water lilies of Lake Skadar.
Beaches & Lakes
Albania 4
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3 photosPebbles and a canyon cove
Dhërmi & Gjipe
Long pebble beaches below a hill village, and a cove at the mouth of a limestone canyon.
DhërmiExplore View on map
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3 photosAlbania’s only marine park
Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park
Sea caves, cliffs and clear water around the Karaburun peninsula and Sazan island.
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3 photosIslets and turquoise sea
Ksamil
Turquoise water and four rocky islets just south of Sarandë, inside Butrint National Park.
KsamilExplore View on map
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3 photosBicycles and the lake
Shkodër pedestrian street & Lake Shkodër
Shkodër’s restored pedestrian street, then a bike ride to the largest lake in Southern Europe.
Rruga Kolë IdromenoExplore View on map
Beaches & Lakes
North Macedonia 3
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Video 3 photosEmerald canyon lake
Lake Matka
An emerald lake winding up the canyon behind the dam, with boats and kayaks to Vrelo Cave.
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3 photosForest and peaks
Lake Mavrovo
A mountain lake at about 1,200 metres, ringed by forest and high peaks.
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3 photosRow over the springs
The springs of St Naum
Crystal springs rising through sand beside St Naum, explored by rowing boat.
Every place here is also on our city guide for its country, linked from its page. Opening times and seasons change, so check with each place before you travel.