Seasonal
Christmas and New Year in the Balkans: snow, skiing and winter day trips
Where to find snow over the holidays, what Plitvice and Bled are like in winter, the best ski resorts for New Year, and why the season runs on into January.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
The short answer
Two kinds of winter trip work well in the Balkans: snow and skiing in the mountains, or a city break with a day or two outdoors. The coast is the one place to skip. Most beach hotels, island ferries and summer restaurants close from November to April.
For winter scenery without skis, go to Plitvice Lakes or Lake Bled. For skiing, the best bets are Kranjska Gora in Slovenia, Jahorina and Bjelašnica near Sarajevo, and Kopaonik in Serbia.
One thing most visitors miss: in Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia the holidays run on into mid-January, because Orthodox Christmas falls on 7 January and the Old New Year on the night of 13 January. Snow is never guaranteed on 25 December at the lower resorts. January is the safer bet.
Plitvice Lakes in winter
Plitvice is the strongest winter trip in the region, and the cheapest time to see it. The adult ticket drops to €10 in winter, against €40 from June to September, and the boardwalks that are shoulder to shoulder in August are almost empty.
Expect a smaller park. From November to March the Lower Lakes are open, the Upper Lakes are usually closed, and the electric boat and panoramic train may not run. In a cold spell the waterfalls freeze into curtains of ice, which is the photo everyone comes for, but it needs several days below zero and is never guaranteed.
Wear boots with real grip, as the wooden walkways get icy, and plan on two to three hours of walking. Zagreb is about two hours away. The most-booked option is the guided Plitvice and Rastoke day trip from Zagreb, which includes the park ticket and runs all winter.
Lake Bled and Bohinj in winter
Bled is the easiest snowy escape in the region, 45 minutes from Ljubljana airport. The 6 km path around the lake is flat and takes about two hours, with the island church and the castle on its cliff in view the whole way. Vintgar Gorge closes for winter, so don't plan around it.
For more snow and fewer people, continue 30 minutes to Lake Bohinj, inside Triglav National Park. The Vogel cable car above Bohinj is closed for maintenance until at least 1 December 2026, so check that it has reopened before you plan a ski day there.
Two winter tours run from Bled and Ljubljana: a beginner snowshoe walk in the Julian Alps, from December to March, and a winter day trip to Bohinj and Kranjska Gora, which in December finishes at the Kranjska Gora Christmas market.
Skiing over Christmas and New Year
New Year week is the busiest and most expensive time at every resort in the region. Rooms at Kopaonik, Jahorina and Zlatibor sell out from late December to mid-January, so book accommodation first and the rest after.
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia: the family pick, with slopes right behind the village and an adult day pass at €50 for 2026/27. An hour from Ljubljana.
Jahorina and Bjelašnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina: the two 1984 Olympic mountains, 30 to 45 minutes from Sarajevo and the best value in the region. Jahorina's adult day pass costs 98 KM (about €50) for 2026/27.
Kopaonik, Serbia: the biggest resort, with around 60 km of runs and the most reliable snow, but also the busiest and priciest over New Year. Day passes cost about €48 to €55 for 2026/27.
Early in the season the lower resorts rely on snowmaking, so in a mild December stick to the higher ones. For resort-by-resort detail, see our guide to skiing in the Balkans.
Winter day trips from the capitals
From Zagreb: Plitvice Lakes, about two hours each way. The classic winter day out.
From Ljubljana: Bled in 45 minutes, Bohinj in about an hour and a quarter, and Kranjska Gora in about an hour for a ski day or the Christmas market.
From Sarajevo: Jahorina and Bjelašnica are close enough to ski and be back for dinner. Without skis, try snowshoeing on the Olympic mountains above the city or a run down the 1984 Olympic bobsleigh track with a former Olympian.
From Belgrade: Kopaonik is three to four hours away, so treat it as an overnight trip rather than a day out. Zlatibor is slightly closer and gentler.
Daylight is short, with sunset between about 4pm and half past four in December, so start early on any day trip.
Winter with kids, and for couples
With kids: Kranjska Gora and Jahorina are the easiest places to learn, with gentle slopes, ski schools and rental shops a short walk from the lifts. Book lessons well ahead for New Year week, when instructors are fully booked. Lessons and rentals cost a fraction of Alpine rates.
For couples: the walk around Lake Bled on a frosty morning, or the quieter shore of Lake Bohinj, beats any mountain hike at this time of year, when the high trails are under snow. On the coast, Kotor is quiet in winter, with far fewer cruise crowds and the old town almost to yourself.
Orthodox Christmas and Serbian New Year
Croatia and Slovenia celebrate Christmas on 25 December. Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, and Serbian Orthodox communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, follow the Julian calendar, so Christmas falls on 7 January, with Christmas Eve on 6 January.
New Year is celebrated twice. Everyone marks 31 December, then the Old New Year, often called the Serbian New Year, follows on the night of 13 to 14 January, with concerts and fireworks in Belgrade and other cities.
For travellers this means the holiday season runs from late December to mid-January, ski resorts stay busy for longer, and 7 January is a public holiday when many shops and offices close.
Driving in winter
Winter tyres are compulsory across most of the region in winter, and mountain roads can require snow chains, so confirm both with your rental company before you book. Rules and dates differ by country and change, so check the current requirements for each country you will drive through.
Some mountain roads close entirely. The Vršič Pass shuts for winter, and the road to Lukomir is cut off by snow. Roads to the ski resorts are cleared, but expect delays after heavy snowfall, and allow extra time at border crossings over the holidays.
If you would rather not drive on snow, the day tours above all include transport.
Christmas and New Year questions
Is it worth visiting the Balkans in winter?
Yes, if you want snow, skiing or quiet winter scenery. Plitvice and Lake Bled are beautiful under snow and far less crowded than in summer, and skiing costs a fraction of Alpine prices. The coast is the exception: most beach hotels and island ferries close from November to April.
Is there snow in the Balkans at Christmas?
Usually in the mountains, but it is not guaranteed on 25 December at the lower resorts, which rely on snowmaking early in the season. Kopaonik and Vogel are the most reliable. January and February bring the best snow everywhere.
Is Plitvice Lakes open in winter?
Yes. From November to March the Lower Lakes are open, the Upper Lakes are usually closed, and the boat and train may not run. The adult ticket drops to €10, and in a cold spell the waterfalls can freeze. Wear boots with grip, as the walkways get icy.
When is Christmas in Serbia?
On 7 January, with Christmas Eve on 6 January, because the Serbian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar. Montenegro and North Macedonia celebrate on the same dates. The Old New Year, or Serbian New Year, follows on the night of 13 to 14 January.
Where is the best place to ski over New Year in the Balkans?
Kopaonik in Serbia for the most terrain and the most reliable snow, Jahorina near Sarajevo for value, and Kranjska Gora in Slovenia for families. All three are busiest over New Year, so book accommodation early.
Ready to plan a winter trip?
Browse guided winter day trips and ski holidays across the Balkans.
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