Situated east of Albania, North Macedonia, a former Yugoslav state, gained independence in 1991. Its attractions include the captivating capital, Skopje, with its Old Bazaar, the shared Lake Ohrid with Albania, the impressive Millennium Cross on Vodno Mountain - the second largest cross in Europe, and the scenic Mavrovo National Park.

Montenegro boasts some of the most picturesque coastal landscapes in the region. Highlights include the Venetian-style walled city of Kotor along the Bay of Kotor, the old town of Budva by the Adriatic Sea, and coastal towns like Ulcinj and Bar. The capital, Podgorica, and Montenegro's pre-World War I historic capital, Cetinje, offer attractive city centers.

Despite its 2008 declaration of independence, Kosovo's status is not universally recognized. The capital, Prishtina, features a noteworthy ethnographic museum and a statue of Bill Clinton. Prizren, one of Kosovo's most beautiful cities, boasts traditional Ottoman architecture and an impressive fortress. The nearby Sharr Mountains offer some of the Balkans' highest peaks.

As the largest country in the Western Balkans, Serbia showcases vibrant city centers in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Nis. Notable attractions include beautiful monasteries, impressive museums in Belgrade, and the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad.

Once a site of conflict in the 1990s, Bosnia & Herzegovina has transformed into a tourism destination. Its historic capital, Sarajevo, showcases attractive minarets and a renowned university. Mostar, with its famous rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge, the Dervish monastery of Blagaj, and the Kravica waterfall, are among the country's must-visit sites.