Many Balkan countries have a tumultuous, violent history, with wars raging as recent as the turn of the century. With that in mind, it’s fair for the average traveler to wonder how safe the Balkans are right now.
How Safe Are the Balkans?
The Balkans overall are a very safe part of the world. Crime rates in most Balkan countries are incredibly low, even for European standards. Even petty crime like pickpocketing is very rare. Sure, you should always be aware of your surroundings, but no Balkan countries can be labeled “dangerous.”
What Is the Safest Country In the Balkans?
According to Numbeo’s 2025 Crime Index, Slovenia is the safest country in the Balkans, with the region’s lowest Crime Index and highest Safety Index.
Croatia also ranks among the safest countries in the Balkans and Europe as a whole, followed by Romania and Montenegro. Even countries that rank lower within the region still compare favorably to many popular Western European destinations. In other words, “least safe” in the Balkans does not necessarily mean unsafe for tourists.
What Is the Most Dangerous Country in the Balkans?
There really aren’t any countries in the Balkans that I’d consider dangerous for travelers. According to 2025 data, Albania has the highest Crime Index among Balkan countries, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia.
Even so, these scores remain low by European standards, and violent crime affecting tourists is uncommon. For most visitors, the biggest concerns are the same as anywhere else: keeping an eye on your belongings in crowded tourist areas and using common sense while out at night.
Are the Balkans Safe for Solo Travelers?
Yes. The Balkans are very safe for solo travelers. Public transportation is generally safe, locals are welcoming, and it’s common to see people walking around city centers late into the evening. If you’re in remote areas, is a common way for solo backpackers to get around.
How Travelers Can Stay Safe in the Balkans
No extra precautions need to be taken by travelers in this part of the world. Simply be aware of your surroundings like you should anywhere in the world. Honestly, the most dangerous aspects of traveling in the Balkans involves crazy drivers and wildlife. I was told before visiting Romania that the only thing to worry about from a safety standpoint were the bears that roam the Carpathians.
From a true safety standpoint though, my main recommendation would be to avoid taking cabs or taxis. While many taxi drivers are probably honest, hardworking people, some will take advantage of tourists and charge way more than any particular ride should be. If you do take a cab, make sure to agree on a fair price before the ride. However, if you’re in a city or near a popular coastal destination, there should be at least one rideshare app operating in your vicinity. BOLT and Uber are common in most Balkan countries and are the safest ways to get around quickly.
This goes for anywhere, but don’t accept drugs or offerings from women promising to take you strip clubs or other things of that nature. Balkan countries generally have very strict policies on drug use. You won’t be hounded any more than you would elsewhere, but if you’re in a party district of a city, you might have a couple people come up to you offering these types of things or activities.
What I love about the Balkans is that almost everywhere is safe to wander without any sort of agenda. You don’t need to be on alert wondering if you’re in an OK neighborhood from a crime standpoint. Even capital cities like Zagreb, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, and Belgrade have little-to-zero sketchy parts of town. The major international cities like Athens and Istanbul are worth knowing where you are, but they’re no more dangerous than the average western European or East Asian city.
