The Theth–Valbona pass is an unforgettable introduction to Albania’s high mountains, but it’s popular. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite alternative places hike in our new guide to the best hiking in #Albania.

Why there's more to hiking in Albania than Theth to Valbona

Five more of Albania's best hikes beyond Valbona-Theth, from sacred Mount Tomorr to Mt Korab's summit and a border crossing into the Accursed Mountains.

undiscoveredbalkans.com

The Balkans are having a moment. 🙌 Our latest newsletter is out, and it's packed with Balkan travel temptation, especially if you prefer paths less travelled. Get inspired at the link below. 👉 https://mailchi.mp/undiscoveredbalkans/september-newsletter-2026

"Albania is in our hearts. I cannot recommend this trip highly enough." 🇦🇱 Barnes and his family joined us in June for a holiday they'll never forget and left a glowing 5 star review. Swipe to read more.

North Macedonia might be the best kept hiking secret in Europe, and it's perfect for a mountain + lake cool-cation.⛰️ Learn more in our guide to the best hiking to be had here. 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/best-hiking-in-north-macedonia-from-mavrovo-to-pelister-national-park/

Skopje has been knocked down and rebuilt more times than most, and is a fascinating mix. An Ottoman bazaar sits next to Brutalist concrete, modern sculptures and marble columns. Read our full Skopje guide on the blog 👉

The best things to do in Skopje, Macedonia: Undiscovered Guides

Explore unusual brutalist architecture, ride old London busses, shop for wedding dresses and leather slippers in an old bazaar, climb an Ottoman fortress and kayak in a canyon.

undiscoveredbalkans.com

THIS is September hiking in Montenegro's mountains. ☀️🌧️ Blue skies one day. Cloud and mist the next. And sometimes, both. It's crazy and beautigul. All photos from our group last week Find out more about our guided hiking trips 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/tour-category/walking-holidays/

Balkan countries like Montenegro and Albania reward curious travellers, but a few local customs are worth knowing before you go. Read our latest blog post for the five main things not to do when visiting the Balkans 👉https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/balkan-cultural-etiquette-guide/

It’s been a crazy, fun-filled few weeks in the Balkans ☀️ Thanks to all the wonderful families who’ve joined our adventures this summer for some quality time together. Plan your next summer break, with us as your regional experts 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/tour-category/family-holidays/

The best kind of travel advice? Hearing it from people who've just been there. 🌟 Planning your 2027 adventure? Save this post for a little travel inspiration — and a reminder that we and the Balkans are waiting. 🇲🇪 🇦🇱 🇲🇰

It's been a busy summer for us with dozens of tours running all across the Balkans. Thanks to all our lovely reviewers for winning hearts & minds for the Balkans. If you're thinking of planning a 2027 holiday away from the crowds, up a mountain, avoiding extreme heat, give us a call!

📍 Bosnia & Herzegovina – a country where you can swap the crowds of Western European hotspots for dramatic canyons, Montana-like mountains and adventures like rafting at a fraction of the cost. 🇧🇦  👉https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/bosnia-holidays/ #travelbalkans

Everyone who's heard of Macedonia 🇲🇰 has heard of Lake Ohrid. We love it too, but as a recent guest on our North Macedonia activity trip said, "there's so much more to see and do." Read Ginny's trip highlights 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/beyond-lake-ohrid-north-macedonia/

Forget the Alps – right now the Balkans are having a wildflower moment🌼 🌸🏔️ We've rounded up our 7 favourite wildflower hikes in the region, from the legendary Peaks of the Balkans trail to Bulgaria's Pirin mountains. Get inspired 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/wildflower-hikes-balkans/

Some families like to stroll gently through nature. Our guests just chose a vertical hike on the Durmitor Via Ferrata, and they thrived! Try it on our 7-day Montenegro Family Adventure Holiday.  👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/tours/family-multi-activity-holiday-montenegro-mountains/

Meet Maja Arapit — Albania’s very own Matterhorn. 🏔️🇦🇱 At 2,218m, it’s nowhere near as high as Switzerland’s iconic peak, but the similarity in shape is striking. See it on our Montenegro to Albania hiking tour. 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/tours/via-dinarica-hiking-montenegro-albania-7-days/

North Macedonia is Europe's best-kept foodie secret: foraging for wild strawberries on mountain hikes to tavče gravče—a slow-baked bean stew, the best cheese and world-class wines from Tikveš.  We've been eating and drinking our way around this Balkan country, read our food & wine guide in the blog.

The quickest way to become the coolest parent on holiday? Say "yes" to this… 🇲🇪 💦 😄 Find out more about our locally-led #Montenegro Family Adventure for summer 2027 👉 https://undiscoveredmontenegro.com/tours/family-multi-activity-holiday-montenegro-mountains/

Five stars for a week of adventure in Albania! 🇦🇱✨ A huge thank you to Marianne, Roy & Rebecca for sharing their experience after exploring Albania with us earlier this month. Find out more 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/albania-holidays/

A country of mountains, lakes and epic landscapes.📍 #NorthMacedonia is the kind of place that surprises you around every corner. In celebration of our new organised adventure here, we’ve shared 12 fun facts about Macedonia on the blog. 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/north-macedonia-fun-facts/

We’re in the new Lonely Planet Montenegro Guide! 🎉 Our copy just arrived, and we’re thrilled to be recommended once again – for our Lake Skadar adventures, Montenegro birdwatching holiday and Villa Miela – the base for many of our holidays. A huge thank you to author Peter Dragicevich and the LP!

Europe has a secret. And it's called Macedonia. 🇲🇰 We've just returned from our inaugural 8-day Macedonia Activity Holiday, and it looked like this... Available to book now 😄 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/tours/north-macedonia-activity-holiday/

Bosnia & Herzegovina may be out of the World Cup, but we're so proud of the team and their amazing fans. 🇧🇦  We love BiH's music, moutains, lakes, waterfalls, cities and rivers. Here's three adventures beyond the cities 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/bosnia-adventures-beyond-mostar-and-sarajevo/

📸 Here's some snapshots from Albania, where our guests have been having a whole lot of fun this last month. If Albania's on your adventure list, get in touch to join our small group trips here this summer or autumn, rated 5 stars. 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/albania-holidays/

Did you know Lake Skadar and Lake Shkodër are the same place? The lake shared by Montenegro and Albania has just become one of Europe's newest UNESCO biosphere reserves. If you want to visit, our guide covers both sides of the lake  👉https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/lake-shkodra-lake-skadar-guide/

Our art retreat in #Montenegro has just ended and it was wonderfully inspiring. 🎨 2 spots left for September 2026 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/tours/painting-holiday-in-montenegro-7-day/

"We can't recommend this holiday highly enough!" Thanks to the Foster/Coll family for this 5-star review of their 'Super-Active Montenegro' holiday. Ready for your own Montenegro adventure? We still have some summer spots. Find out more 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/montenegro-holidays/

What an amazing two weeks holding the first ever paddlesports retreats to take place in Montenegro, with the East of England Paddlesports Society! (photos from the packrafting day). Check out our range of adventures on the water 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/tour-category/kayaking-holidays/

You don’t need to fly to Bali or Peru for authentic cultural experiences. 📍 Some of Europe’s richest living traditions are right here in the Balkans. We’ve pulled together 10 of our favourite cultural experiences. Get inspired 👉 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/balkan-cultural-experiences/

Is Albania safe to travel right now? Yes! We just hosted two groups in Albania who left great reviews and they felt safe. If you're worried about travelling to Albania or the Balkans, call us or read our tips for safe travels👉🏼 https://undiscoveredbalkans.com/is-albania-and-the-balkans-safe-to-visit/

🎉 Wonderful news – Lake Skadar (Shkodër) has just become a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in #Montenegro 🇲🇪 and #Albania 🇦🇱. This extraordinary landscape is one of Europe's most important wetland ecosystems. Come and explore it on one of our adventures. 💙