49 of the best · the Balkans
Where to Stay in the Balkans: Lakeside, Island and Old-Town Hotels
Our favourite hotels beyond the capitals, from the Julian Alps to Lake Ohrid, each one already chosen and checked by our city guides.
Our 49 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Browse by type
Insiders' picks
Three Balkan stories we would show a friend first.
-
Video 3 photosFacing the old town
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
A luxury hotel looking across the harbour to old Rovinj, with two MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
-
3 photosUnder century-old plane trees
Hotel Platani
Trebinje’s best-known hotel, on the main square beneath century-old plane trees.
Rista i Bete Vukanović 1, 89101 TrebinjeExplore View on map
-
3 photosKopaonik’s luxury address
Viceroy Kopaonik
An international luxury brand at Serbia’s biggest ski resort, with suites, spa and après-ski.
The full list: Hotels, A–Z
More areas 30
Hotels
Slovenia 5
-
2 photosFamily and wellness
Bohinj ECO Hotel
A family hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica with its own aquapark, rooftop wellness and mountain views.
Triglavska cesta 17, 4264 Bohinjska BistricaExplore View on map
-
Video 3 photosTreehouse glamping
Garden Village Bled
Treehouses, glamping tents and pier tents over a stream, a short walk from the lake.
-
3 photosLakeshore grande dame
Grand Hotel Toplice
A 19th-century grand hotel on the shore of Lake Bled, with a thermal-water pool.
Cesta svobode 12Explore View on map
-
At Lake Bohinj
Hotel Jezero
A hotel in Ribčev Laz on Lake Bohinj, with balconied rooms, an indoor pool and two restaurants.
Ribčev Laz 51, 4265 Bohinjsko jezeroExplore View on map
-
7 photosRoyal summer villa
Hotel Vila Bled
A historic villa in private parkland on the southern shore of Lake Bled.
Cesta svobode 18Explore View on map
Hotels
Croatia 5
-
Video 3 photos
Facing the old town
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj
A luxury hotel looking across the harbour to old Rovinj, with two MICHELIN-starred restaurants.
-
Video 5 photosSeaside by the forest
Hotel Monte Mulini
A luxury seafront hotel beside the Golden Cape forest park, a short walk from old Rovinj.
Antonio Smareglia 3, 52210 RovinjExplore View on map
-
Video 7 photosOld-town palaces
Lešić Dimitri Palace
Stylish residences in restored palaces in Korčula’s old town, home of LD Restaurant.
Don Pavla Pose 1-6Explore View on map
-
Video 5 photosDesign resort
Maslina Resort
A design-led resort in Maslinica bay near Stari Grad, calm and close to nature.
Uvala Maslinica 11, 21460 Stari GradExplore View on map
-
2 photosWine-country boutique
San Rocco
A family-run boutique hotel and restaurant in Brtonigla, in north-west Istria’s wine country.
Hotels
Bosnia & Herzegovina 8
-
3 photosRiverside four-star
Hotel Bristol
A long-standing four-star hotel on the Neretva in central Mostar.
Mostarskog bataljona bb, 88000 MostarExplore View on map
-
6 photosAt the ski centre
Hotel Han Bjelašnica
A mountain hotel at the Bjelašnica ski centre, for winter skiing and summer walking.
BjelašnicaExplore View on map
-
3 photosOld Town heritage hotel
Hotel Kriva Ćuprija
A heritage hotel in Mostar’s Old Town, named for the little stone bridge at its door.
Onešćukova 23, 88000 MostarExplore View on map
-
Riverside, old-town views
Hotel Leotar
A long-established riverside hotel looking across the Trebišnjica to the old town.
Luke Vukalovića 1, 89101 TrebinjeExplore View on map
-
A riverside landmark
Hotel Neretva – Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Mostar’s riverside landmark of 1892, restored and reopened in Hilton’s Tapestry Collection.
-
3 photos
Under century-old plane trees
Hotel Platani
Trebinje’s best-known hotel, on the main square beneath century-old plane trees.
Rista i Bete Vukanović 1, 89101 TrebinjeExplore View on map
-
4 photosIntimate and quiet
Kapetanovina
A small, quiet boutique hotel within a short walk of the Old Bridge.
-
6 photosMGallery retreat
Tarčin Forest Resort & Spa, MGallery
A luxury forest resort and spa near Tarčin, part of Accor’s MGallery collection.
Vilovačka bbExplore Check prices View on map
Hotels
Serbia 5
-
4 photosCentral classic
Grand Hotel & Spa
A classic Kopaonik hotel near the lifts, with pools, a spa and day passes for non-guests.
-
3 photosInside the fortress
Hotel Leopold I
A baroque-style hotel inside Petrovaradin Fortress, with 59 rooms and suites over the Danube.
Petrovaradinska tvrđava bb, PetrovaradinExplore View on map
-
6 photosForest base
Hotel Omorika
A forest hotel at Kaluđerske Bare on Tara, a handy base for the national park’s trails.
-
2 photosFive-star boutique
Hotel Pupin
A five-star boutique hotel in central Novi Sad, with ZAK fine dining and the casual Kalem.
Narodnih heroja 3, Novi SadExplore View on map
-
3 photos
Kopaonik’s luxury address
Viceroy Kopaonik
An international luxury brand at Serbia’s biggest ski resort, with suites, spa and après-ski.
Hotels
Montenegro 12
-
6 photosThe islet reborn
Aman Sveti Stefan
Aman’s return to Sveti Stefan: a 15th-century island village and a former royal villa on the shore.
-
3 photosChalet among pines
Bianca Resort & Spa
A chalet-style resort among tall pines near Kolašin’s centre, with a spa pool facing the forest.
-
Video 4 photosAcross from Budva
Dukley Hotel & Resort
A five-star resort on the Zavala peninsula, gazing back across the water at Budva’s old town.
Jadranski put bb, Zavala Peninsula, Budva 85310Explore WatchView on map
-
3 photos13th-century palace
Hotel Astoria Kotor
Nine individually designed rooms in the 13th-century Buća family palace, Kotor Old Town.
Old Town, KotorExplore View on map
-
Video 6 photosNapoleonic theatre walls
Hotel Cattaro
A four-star stay on Kotor’s main square, set partly in the town’s former Napoleonic-era theatre.
-
3 photosInside the walls
Hotel Monte Cristo
A boutique hotel in Kotor Old Town, in a restored 13th-century bishop’s residence.
Old Town 424, 85330 KotorExplore View on map
-
3 photosDurmitor cooking
Hotel Polar Star
A mountain-style hotel in Žabljak with Durmitor cooking, a wellness area and villas.
Borje bb, ŽabljakExplore View on map
-
3 photosOn the Black Lake road
Hotel SOA
A four-star mountain hotel among conifers on the road to the Black Lake, with a small spa.
Durmitor National Park, 84220 ŽabljakExplore View on map
-
3 photosAt the old gate
Hotel Stara Čaršija
A small hotel in the old bazaar of Stari Bar, right below the walls of the ruined city.
Starobarska čaršija 243, 85000 BarExplore View on map
-
Video 2 photosRestored lazaretto
Lazure Hotel & Marina
A five-star hotel at Meljine, set partly in the bay’s old quarantine station, and its own marina.
-
VideoOne&Only’s European debut
One&Only Portonovi
One&Only’s first European resort, on the water at Kumbor with a spa, private beach and fine dining.
-
Video 3 photosOn the marina
The Chedi Luštica Bay
The first hotel of Luštica Bay’s new resort town, a five-star address on the marina promenade.
Hotels
Albania 10
-
Near Maestral Beach
Buzë Boutique Hotel
A four-star boutique hotel 200 metres from Maestral Beach, with a pool and Mediterranean restaurant.
Rruga Butrinti, Lagja nr 1, SarandëExplore View on map
-
3 photosSeafront villas
Drymades Inn Resort
Seafront rooms and villas on Drymades beach, with a spa, pool and beach bar.
Rruga Perivolo, Dhërmi 9422Explore View on map
-
3 photosAn old inn in the bazaar
Hani i Pazarit
Korçë’s restored caravanserai, with simple rooms around a lively courtyard restaurant.
Pazari i VjetërExplore View on map
-
4 photosIn the bazaar
Hotel Argjiro
A central hotel in Gjirokastër’s old bazaar, close to the castle and house museums.
Rruga Gjin ZenebishtiExplore View on map
-
3 photosOld-town views
Hotel Kodra
A 13-room boutique hotel in Gjirokastër’s old town, with a terrace restaurant below the castle.
Lagjia 11 Janari, Rruga Zejtareve, GjirokastërExplore View on map
-
3 photosOn Livadhi bay
Miamar Luxury Hotel
A modern hotel on Livadhi beach, just north of Himarë, with a wellness area and sea-view dining.
Rruga Shen Varvara, Livadh, HimarëExplore View on map
-
Riverside in Gorica
Muzaka Boutique Hotel
A restored stone house in Gorica, looking across the Osum to the windows of Mangalem.
GoricaExplore View on map
-
Eight rooms and suites
Poda Boutique Hotel
A small boutique hotel in the centre of Ksamil, with sea-view suites and a pool.
-
2 photosPool by the sea
Rapo’s Resort Hotel
A resort hotel at Potam in Himarë with an outdoor pool, terrace restaurant and private beach.
Potam, 9425 HimarëExplore View on map
-
3 photos37 rooms and suites
Zoe Hora
A Dhërmi retreat with 37 rooms and suites, an infinity pool, spa and two restaurants.
Rruga Vlladas, Dhërmi 9422Explore View on map
Hotels
North Macedonia 4
-
6 photosMountain spa
Grand Chamois Hotel & Spa
A mountain hotel and spa in Mavrovo, within easy reach of the lake and the slopes.
-
3 photosOwn sandy beach
Hotel Granit
A four-star lakeside hotel at St Stefan, 5 km from Ohrid, with its own sandy beach.
Sv. Stefan BB, 6000 OhridExplore View on map
-
Video 2 photosLake views, spa
Hotel Tino & Spa
A lakefront hotel on Ohrid’s quay with a French-inspired brasserie and a small spa.
Kej Makedonija 55, 6000 OhridExplore View on map
-
5 photosSki and spa
Radika Resort
A family-friendly resort hotel with an indoor pool, a spa and winter ski shuttles.
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.