Top places to go for New Year's Eve 2024 in the Balkans

Do not hesitate to travel this winter and experience the magic of Christmas & New Year’s Eve 2024 in the Balkans. So here are the top places for you to explore!

But first, let’s talk about entry requirements for spending your perfect New Year’s Eve 2024 in the Balkans. If you get to prove your immunity is well against covid 19, you have no reason not to embark on a journey. New Year’s Eve is a special night happening only once a year, and you should have a terrific time. Get on the possibility that this pandemic situation brings us some other travelling opportunities to experience unique holidays. The Balkan area is exceptional, still unexplored, and untouched.
You already know Balkan people are kind and friendly, the food is beyond delicious, nature is outstanding, the history and culture is wealthy, and parties are super fun! But first, let’s see the current countries’ entry requirements. Beware that more or less every Balkan country has the same entry rules, it is crucial to double-check information before your booking and visit as the requirements tend to change quite often. Check all that is needed and embark on enjoying the outdoor adventures of the Balkans!

Stunning Croatia, an Adriatic gem, is open for US tourists. You will need to do a test if you are not fully vaccinated. But also if don’t have proof of recovery from Covid-19 disease. Check more on the US Embassy and Croatia official entry form.

Outstanding Serbia has similar entry requirements as their neighbours. You have to test yourself unless you have proof of recovery from Covid-19 or the full vaccination. No need for quarantine. Double-check these sites: US Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Everyone knows Bosnia and Herzegovina for their magical nature and many rivers. The same rules apply to Bosnia: you have to do a test only if you didn’t vaccinate yourself or recover from Covid. There is no quarantine. Make sure to double-check these websites: US Embassy and Bosnia Border Police.

A gorgeous Montenegro is allowing US travellers to come. You have to do the test only in these two cases: if you don’t have a full vaccination confirmation or if you didn’t recover from COVID-19. But please double-check these websites: US Embassy and Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.

Slovenia is home to many fairy-tale-like lakes that are open only to essential US travellers who are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19. No testing or quarantine. But please double-check these websites before booking your trip: the US Embassy and the Government of Slovenia. Explore fun things to do in Slovenia!

How about some adventure traveling? Let’s reconnect with nature this winter in a festive, Christmas outdoor spirit!

Outdoor activities are pretty popular in Croatia. The choice is wide and you can choose between those that are more adventurous and the ones that are less! For instance:

Enjoy a winter hike near Zagreb to Medvednica and Medvedgrad! Take a journey eight centuries ago to a noble castle and admire the views over Zagreb in a magical Medvednica forest! On this day trip from Zagreb, you have the local food included and transport from Zagreb! Besides, you can stop for a few hours in the capital city itself to have fun in Europe’s best Christmas adventure!

Zipline Adventure in Omiš, Croatia is for all of you who love more adrenaline. Although, when I was here, we had a couple of +80 years! The zipline length is 2100 meters, and the longest wire is 700 meters above the crystal-clear Cetina River. The experience of a lifetime!

You can also go island hopping in Croatia for 5 days from Zagreb and explore some of the most beautiful Croatian islands in the Adriatic Sea! From Zagreb to Brac island, experience winter holidays never like before! Via Brattia is a circular hiking trail that will help you discover the beauties of stunning Dalmatia! This is a perfect trip for families, friends, or couples to enjoy winter holidays near the sea!

Make sure to contact the company first. They do work on appointments only if it’s not summer season. If you are already in Dalmatia and Omiš, try rafting on the Cetina River if you are brave enough! If it’s too cold for water activity, try Safari Buggy in Biokovo Nature Park and admire the outstanding views across the Adriatic Sea.

With its unique and untouched nature, Serbia offers more and more adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. I recommend the Tandem Paragliding Flight in Zlatibor because you will be taking off from an impressive viewpoint of 1422 meters above sea level. Southwestern Europe will be in the palm of your hand. If the weather conditions are suitable, winter may surprise you with white landscapes like those from the Narnia movie!

Hiking is always a good idea for those who seek less adrenaline, but how about an off-road adventure in Zlatar? I know there is too much about Zlatar, but that city is a place in Serbia you must visit! Mountainous, wild, authentic, and picturesque. With a 4×4 vehicle, you will dive deeper into its wilderness, safe and relaxed. Another great way to spend time and discover Serbian nature is to try horseback riding. Also, look for ethnic villages you can make your own New Year’s Eve party with only your friends and family!

If you fancy hiking, explore Starica mountain in Serbia or enjoy in Rtanj mountain hiking adventure and hear all about mystical stories! But if you love snow and you need a proper, snowy winter holiday, discover Splitboard Freeride in Kopaonik and book your snowboarding lessons!

If you are more for a relaxing New Year’s Eve 2024, then many wellness & spa hotels in Serbia offer an affordable but still luxurious way of celebrating all the good that is yet to come!

Bosnia is mountain heaven. Many Bosnian mountains are perfect ski resorts for all ages. For example Jahorina and Vlašić. Besides skiing, you can overnight here, enjoy the snow, dine, participate in competitions and take a ski course! If you are not a fan of snow, you can always hike to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bosnia like the Skakavac waterfall – over 20 meters high!

Bosnia is a terrific country for winter holidays, especially for snowboarding and ski lessons! The best place to enjoy your ski lessons or snowboarding lessons is a fantastic Jahorina mountain covered in beautiful, soft snow, perfect for beginners or pros who love to try snow activities! Try snowboarding lessons in Jahorina and learn something new these winter holidays or taste the ski resort in Jahorina with ski lessons!

Canyon Nevidio and canyoning here is perhaps one of the most thrilling adventures in Montenegro. However, this may be a bad idea during the wintertime. I advise you to hike and explore Durmitor National Park, where you can cycle or go one part of the way with any vehicle or horse! Kolaškin ski centre on Bjelasica is more suitable if you seek winter and snow fun! Look for cabins and ethno-village options. There are numerous places to explore! If you have never tried an ATV tour in Montenegro, we advise you to book it! This adventure is full of adrenaline and it will make you fall in love with off-the-beaten paths in Montenegrian Biogradska Gora! Ideal as family fun, friends, or as team building to strengthen your work surroundings! 

Slovenia is a truly romantic country, full of magnificent lakes. A hot-air ballooning adventure on Lake Bled might be the best outdoor adventure you can try here. Observing the wildlife in its terrific nature is more for those less adventurous, but then, you also have the captivating Julian Alps. Go mountaineering in the Julian Alps and admire the speechless views. If you are lucky, and I bet you will be, there will be some snow for extra joy! Book a tour guide and explore all the best trails – there are many!

No food – no fun! Any New Year’s Eve is all about fun, a great location, and even greater food and drinks. Do not let New Year’s Eve 2023 in the Balkans be something else! The Balkans are heaven for food lovers, and I am here to help you out with the most traditional delicacies you should not miss!

If you choose Croatia for your New Year’s Eve and you find yourself in Dalmatia, try out black risotto, fish brodetto, shrimp buzara, and taste the Plavac Mali wine from Hvar island. However, ask if the fish is fresh because winters can be tough on fishermen. If you are in Istra, do not miss to chin/chin with Malvazija wine and try their ham and truffles! Perfect to combine with outdoor adventures!

Gibanica, Sarma, or Prebranac may be the best choices for New Year’s Eve 2024. Then all the grilled meat like ‘pljeskavica’ and burek for breakfast, if you are in the Southeast, like in Niš. Oh, do not forget about the plum brandy! You must try that! But go easy with it because less is more – think about the day after!

Bosnia is also wealthy in tasty delicacies. Klepe – Bosnian minced meat dumplings, cevapi – minced meat sausages, Bey’s soup, traditional bread, cheese, Bosnian Lonac – stew, and Tufahija if you have a sweet tooth! I am not sure about you, but this list made me hungry, and we are not even done yet!

Lamb in milk is a perfect choice for all meat lovers – the Balkan porridge and Njeguski steak can provide you the taste of a small, but beautiful Montenegro. Beware that Montenegro has Adriatic sea too. So there are plenty of seafood options – perhaps a bit less during the winter.

Slovenia is another heaven for food lovers! With Kranjska sausage, Kraški Prosciutto, Yota, Žganci, and many more, Slovenia will give you a few kilograms more if you can’t control yourself! Prekmurian Layer Cake or Kremna Rezina are served in almost every hotel.

As can be seen from above, The Balkans are the perfect destination if you want to have loads of fun, full bellies, and entertaining activities for the winter holidays. It may seem that every Balkan country is the same or quite similar, but that is not the case. Over time, every Balkan country – especially those ex Yugoslavian, developed its own distinctive culture, traditions, and atmosphere. Taste them all, one by one! Or combine more of them and spend the best New Year’s Eve 2023 in the Balkans!