Balkans explained
Is Greece in the Balkans?
Yes, geographically. Mainland Greece forms the southern end of the Balkan Peninsula, and its history is closely tied to the rest of the region. Many Greeks, however, describe their country as Southern European or Mediterranean rather than Balkan, so the answer also depends on who you ask.
Here is how geography, history and modern identity each shape the answer.
The geographical answer
Geography
The Balkan Peninsula is bounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas to the west, the Aegean to the south and the Black Sea to the east. Mainland Greece sits at its southern tip and shares land borders with three Balkan countries: Albania, North Macedonia and Bulgaria, plus Turkey in the east.
Greece’s islands lie in the Aegean and Ionian Seas, but the country’s mainland, including Athens, Thessaloniki, Epirus and Thrace, is part of the peninsula itself. More on how the region is defined: Balkan Peninsula.
A shared history
History
- Ancient Greece shaped language, philosophy and architecture across the whole region.
- The Byzantine Empire, Greek-speaking and centered on Constantinople, ruled much of the Balkans for centuries and spread Orthodox Christianity.
- Ottoman rule shaped Greece as it did its neighbors, and independence came step by step from the 1820s onward. See Ottoman Greece.
- The Balkan Wars (1912–1913) saw Greece fight alongside Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro against the Ottoman Empire, and then against Bulgaria. See Balkan Wars.
Why many Greeks say “Mediterranean”
Identity
Greece joined the European Community in 1981, decades before most of its neighbors, and its tourism has long been marketed around islands, beaches and classical sites. For many Greeks, “Southern European” or “Mediterranean” simply describes their country better.
The word “Balkan” has also carried negative stereotypes, as the history of the term Balkanization shows. That makes some people in the region, not only in Greece, prefer other labels. When you travel, follow the lead of the person you are talking to.
Where you feel the Balkan connection
On the ground
Northern Greece is where the links are easiest to see. Thessaloniki has Byzantine churches listed by UNESCO, an Ottoman-era bathhouse and market streets, and a long Sephardic Jewish history. Epirus, with Ioannina and the stone villages of Zagori, shares mountain landscapes and food traditions with neighboring Albania.
Food tells the same story: pies such as spanakopita and the region’s many versions of burek, grilled meats, strong coffee and grape spirits such as tsipouro, a cousin of rakija, appear across borders under different names.
Language and religion
Culture
Greek is its own branch of the Indo-European language family, unrelated to the Slavic languages of most of its northern neighbors. Religion is a stronger link: the Greek Orthodox Church shares its traditions, calendar of saints and church architecture with Orthodox communities in Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Romania.
Easter is the clearest example. Across the Orthodox Balkans it is the most important holiday of the year, marked with midnight services, red-dyed eggs and long family meals.
Planning a northern Greece and Balkans route
Route idea
Thessaloniki is a natural starting or finishing point for a southern Balkan trip. From there, roads lead west to Ohrid in North Macedonia and on into Albania, or north toward Sofia.
- Thessaloniki: Byzantine churches, the White Tower and a busy food scene.
- Meteora: monasteries on rock pillars in central Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Ohrid: a lakeside old town just across the border in North Macedonia.
- Gjirokastër and Berat: UNESCO-listed Ottoman-era towns in southern Albania.
Note that Greece is not one of the countries Balkland operates in, so we suggest planning the Greek part of such a route separately.
Key takeaways
Summary
- Geographically, mainland Greece is part of the Balkan Peninsula.
- Greek history, from Byzantium to the Balkan Wars, is closely tied to the rest of the region.
- Many Greeks describe their country as Southern European or Mediterranean.
- Northern Greece is where the Balkan connection is easiest to experience.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Is Greece a Balkan country?
Geographically yes, because mainland Greece is on the Balkan Peninsula. Culturally, Greece is often described as both Balkan and Mediterranean.
Which countries border Greece?
Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey.
Are the Greek islands in the Balkans?
The islands are in the Aegean and Ionian Seas rather than on the peninsula itself, but they belong to Greece, which is usually counted as a Balkan country.
Can I combine Greece with other Balkan countries?
Yes. Northern Greece pairs naturally with North Macedonia and Albania, and Thessaloniki is a short drive from the North Macedonian border.
Related reading
Prepared by Balkland’s regional travel team.
Travel stories, route ideas, and practical Balkan tips prepared for you by the Balkland regional team.