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Aerial view of Ohrid town on the hillside above the lake

Route

Balkan Backpacker Route

Tirana → Ohrid → Skopje → Belgrade
Suggested length
12 days
Stops
4
Countries covered
Albania · North Macedonia · Serbia
Partner hostels
3

The route in short

The route that started NEXT STOP: four countries' worth of capitals, lakes and bazaars, on the cheapest overland trail in Europe.

Transport here is buses rather than trains, and they are slower than a map suggests. Build in a buffer day and do not plan to cross two borders in one go.

Stop by stop

4 cities over roughly 12 days, in the order they work best.

  1. A Tirana landmark washed in blue light after dark

    Tirana

    Albania3 nights

    Europe's most underrated capital, and the cheapest city in the network.

    Don't miss: Bunk'Art 2, the Dajti Express cable car, and an evening in Blloku.

    Partner hostels in Tirana

    Tirana city guide

    Bus to Ohrid · 4h

    Buses and furgons cross to Ohrid via the Qafë Thanë border. Take your passport out before you board.

  2. The old town of Ohrid above the lake at sunset

    Ohrid

    North Macedonia3 nights

    A three-million-year-old lake and the slowest, most restful stop on the route.

    Don't miss: The cliffside boardwalk to Kaneo, Samuel's Fortress and a boat to Sveti Naum.

    Partner hostels in Ohrid

    Ohrid city guide

    Bus to Skopje · 3h

    Several daily buses climb from Ohrid to Skopje's main station.

  3. Skopje at night, the bridges and monuments lit along the Vardar

    Skopje

    North Macedonia2 nights

    An Ottoman bazaar on one riverbank and a marble statue park on the other.

    Don't miss: The Old Bazaar at breakfast time, Kale Fortress, and a half-day at Canyon Matka.

    Skopje city guide

    Bus to Belgrade · 7h

    A long leg north to Belgrade. Night buses run, but the daytime service is far more comfortable.

  4. Belgrade at dusk, the city lights reflected on the water

    Belgrade

    Serbia4 nights

    The loudest, largest city on the route and the easiest place to fly home from.

    Don't miss: Kalemegdan fortress at sunset, dinner in Skadarlija and one night on a river barge.

    Partner hostels in Belgrade

    Belgrade city guide

Journey times on this route are indicative. Operators change timetables by season, so check the current schedule before you commit to a travel day.

Where to stay on this route

Partner hostels in the cities above, bookable at the NEXT STOP rate with a NEXT PASS.

View all hostels

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Travel Balkan Backpacker Route through the network

Check into a partner hostel in Tirana and scan the NEXT STOP QR code at reception. A digital pass appears on your phone, and the code unlocks the NEXT STOP rate at the next hostel on this route.

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