Traveling through the Balkans, especially off-the-beaten-path areas like the Trans Dinarica cycling route, offers a wild and unparalleled bike tour experience. While these Balkan countries might seem daunting for solo travelers, the locals, in our experience, are incredibly welcoming and always ready to assist. Even if they don’t speak your language. To give you a glimpse of what awaits, we’ve prepared some essential tips for those eager to ride this beautiful journey.

If you come across a shepherd with a herd of sheep or cows, stop and, at least with a facial expression, ask if you can continue, showing respect for their animals and way of life.

1. Languages

In most of the countries along the Trans Dinarica cycle route, the primary languages are of Slavic origin (the exceptions are Albania and Kosovo). Knowing Croatian allows you to communicate in Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia. However, it is important to note that Macedonian is slightly different from the other ex-Yugoslavian languages.

Some useful words:

Hvala = Thank you
Dobar dan = Hello / Good day
Doviđenja = Goodbye
Molim = Please
Oprostite = Sorry / Excuse me
Voda = Water
Pivo = Beer
Vino = Wine
Hrana = Food

The good thing about traveling to the Western Balkans is that almost all young people speak English, especially in the cities. In more remote villages, gestures might be your best friend, but modern tools like Google Translate can bridge any communication gaps.

2. Currencies

Money is quite varied in the area. Slovenia and Croatia use euros because they are in the European Union (EU). Montenegro and Kosovo are not members of EU, but you can still use euros there. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will need to provide convertible marks (many times it is also possible to pay with euros, 1 EUR is 1.95 KM), in Serbia Serbian dinars, in Macedonia Macedonian denar, and in Albania Albanian lek. For those planning long-distance bike trails in Europe or participating in self-guided bike tours, it’s essential to be aware of these currency differences while cycling through the region.

Don’t count on being able to pay with credit cards everywhere (especially not in bars, restaurants, or small hotels/accommodations). When withdrawing cash, stick to ATMs of verified banks and avoid ‘tourist ATMs’ (bad exchange rates, high fees, high pre-set withdrawal amounts.) In general, it is recommended that you choose to charge in local currency at ATMs, which means that the conversion will be done by the bank that issued your card. In more remote areas, don’t expect an ATM around every corner, so carry enough cash for two or three days.

3. Meeting locals (farmers, shepherds …)

As you explore Balkan travel routes, you may come across a shepherd with a herd of sheep or cows. In this occasion stop and if necessary, get off your bike and, at least with a facial expression, ask if you can continue. Bicycles are not as big as cars, and not as loud as motorcycles, but still: let the locals know that you respect their animals, their work, and their way of life.

In the end, this kindness may lead you to an interesting conversation, coffee, rakija, or maybe even an unplanned overnight stay. If shepherd dogs are guarding the herd, do not try to pet them – these are not pets, but guardians (also from wolves and bears). This rule applies when traveling in any part of the world, but such interactions will be slightly more common in the Western Balkans. Read more about meeting animals here: Cycling on Trans Dinarica: What about stray and shepherd dogs and wild animals?

As you travel through the Balkans, you’ll encounter friendly locals known for their warm hospitality. These interactions often lead to engaging conversations, and sometimes spontaneous invitations for a meal or even an overnight stay.

4. Bicycle services, parts

Do not expect specialized shops for bicycles and sports equipment, except in larger cities (Sarajevo, Podgorica, Split, …). That’s why it’s important to always have the essential cycling gear and basic tools like an air pump, set for patching tires, spare tubes, and at least one tire – with you on your bike. People in the Western Balkans are masters of improvisation but don’t expect a perfect part match for your new carbon gravel bike. Good thing: we included several bike shops as POIs in the navigation pack.

5. Theft

While theft isn’t a major concern on the Trans Dinarica cycling trail, the advice to take care of your belongings is the same as anywhere else in the world. The good thing about bicycles is that you can always put them in a garage, stairwell, or woodshed overnight. Lock the bikes and take the bags with you to the room. You know the saying: Opportunity makes a thief.

6. Alcohol

In some Muslim-majority Balkan regions, you won’t get alcohol in restaurants. Don’t be surprised if you must drink yogurt or Coca-Cola with your burek (by the way, the ‘Yugoslav Coca-Cola’ is called Cockta – it’s caffeine-free but tastes great). Are you curious about what will be on your plates? Read more here: Food on Trans Dinarica: strong, meaty, but also fresh and local.

Cycling the Trans Dinarica, you’ll discover the rich flavors of traditional Balkan cuisine, with hearty meals like burek, fresh grilled meats, and local cheeses.

7. Wild camping

The Trans Dinarica bike trail spans diverse territories, each with its own camping regulations on wild camping, so we won’t speculate on what is right and what is not. In short: we know that wild camping is strictly prohibited in Slovenia and Croatia, while the rules are somewhat ‘softer’ further south. The Trans Dinarica also crosses several national parks, so make sure you spend overnight in accordance with local rules – and the rules of caring for nature.

But we will note two things:

#1

The prices for overnight stays/camps are moderate, sometimes even ridiculously cheap on most of the Trans Dinarica, especially in the southern part.

#2

If you are already thinking of spreading the sleeping bag somewhere in the bush, try to find the owner and ask him first. Maybe he will allow you (or maybe he won’t), maybe he will even invite you to his house to stay warm.

#3

Don’t go off the road into the forest in areas where you see red signs about mines. Read more about mines here: What’s the situation with mines along the Trans Dinarica cycle route?

Regulations on wild camping vary along the Trans Dinarica bike route, so it’s best to ask local landowners for permission before setting up camp.

8. Garbage

Certainly, the blackest stain along the Trans Dinarica cycling route is litter. Some people simply have not yet accepted that this is not right and that it is ugly and inappropriate for Mother Nature. This should not surprise a traveler, and even less should it be the reason that we litter ourselves! As responsible cyclists and adventurers exploring the beauty of the Balkan trails, it is our duty to keep the path clean and leave no trace behind. If we catch you throwing away a piece of chocolate paper into nature, we’ll puncture your tires with our own hands.

By following these tips, you’ll enjoy a smooth and enriching experience traveling the Balkans on Trans Dinarica. No matter which country you choose to cycle through, the hospitality and rugged beauty of the Balkans will surely leave an impression. For now, that wraps up our tips for navigating the Trans Dinarica bike tour. We will be happy if you contact us with additional questions so that we can complete this article.

Traveling through each Balkan country is always multifaceted; we experience it ourselves, and we are surrounded by nature, settlements, locals, animals … After our last cycling trip in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, we believe that meeting people—locals who have been cultivating the Balkan soil for decades—is a more important component than in the case of traveling through more touristic countries. In this article, we will share one day of our journey to highlight the deep sense of hospitality that makes Balkan travel truly unique.

Locals might generously offer you some homemade meals, coffee, and rakija, and welcome travelers like family at every stop along the cycling tour.

A Serbian breakfast to remember

Our first stop on the Serbian section of Trans Dinarica was the small town of Sjenica. “Whenever you want! If it’s at 7:00 a.m., let it be at 7:00 a.m.,” answered the owner of a house, in which she rents out a few rooms this year when asked when we can have breakfast. When I went to prepare the bikes for the next trip in the morning, at 6:40 she was already walking from one kitchen to another (outside) kitchen. Inside she was putting different kinds of cheeses and pickled vegetables on plates, outside she was frying ‘uštipci’ (a kind of fried bread) and fresh green peppers, and under the tablecloth, freshly baked homemade bread was cooling. At 6:58, the table was so full that we couldn’t finish it. But she wrapped up some uštipci, cheese, and some dried meat for us to go on our way. Here, we had lunch.

Afternoon coffee in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Early in the afternoon, there were signs of a storm coming from the west. We were late with the day’s plan, a little earlier we found ourselves on a path we wouldn’t have liked to see under a five-and-a-half-meter van. Slowly, it worked. But the scene before the rain is fantastic; we are on a high plateau, the Albanian and Montenegrin mountains can be seen in the distance, covered with snow, and we are in the screaming green mountains, overgrown with juniper and pine and spruce. We MUST take some photos and videos here! We stop near a lonely house, prepare the camera and walkie-talkie, and start working. If I wasn’t really in a hurry because of the coming rain, I would first go and ask if I could park at the house, but … A minute later, when the cyclists were already moving away, a lady greets me from the porch and asks if we want coffee. Oh, please, thank you!

By the time the shots are finished and the bikes are stowed back in the van, the house already smells of strong coffee, and there is sparkling water, some candy, and slices of dried beef on the table. We talked about life in these remote places, about where the five daughters moved to, how they are waiting for a better road, and how many cyclists pass by here. They refused to accept the payment.

Evening rakija and a table full of delicious food

In the evening, just a few kilometers before our last checkpoint of the day, we wanted to see the possibility of accommodation in a small village. An elderly man was outside making rakija and called his son from the house to ask for information about rooms. After a short conversation right through the windows of the van, we decided to stay right here, in the village. And here – again, in a few minutes, in addition to the promised clean beds, the table was full of homemade goodies, bread, meat, and fresh vegetables. And of course, glasses for rakija as we finished driving for the day.

Cycling any part of the Trans Dinarica bike trail, you will find that locals go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. From offering coffee to packing you extra food for your ride, the people you meet will be a major highlight of your trip. Plan your next bike adventure with us, stay updated with the best tips for exploring the Trans Dinarica, and sign up for our newsletter to stay connected.

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