Mustafa Ahmed is an IT/CRM freelancer currently living in Prishtina, Kosovo. The 29-year-old is of Somali origin and grew up in Norway. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mustafa decided to quit his job and start studying frontend development. He soon opened his own business providing consultancy around IT solutions such as CRM and marketing for businesses in Ireland and the UK.
“I knew at the time that I didn’t want to stay in Norway, but rather travel and work remotely,” says Mustafa. “I discovered the Balkans for the first time during my trip to Croatia. Croatia was amazing, but it was full of tourism. There I met a few people from the UK who recommended I visit Serbia. Serbia had less tourism, so that was attractive to me.
However, Mustafa still had doubts. He had heard that the Balkans was a controversial and dangerous region, and his concerns about racism in the region led him to be hesitant to travel there.
But when one of his good friends recommended he go, he had no choice but to see for himself. Mustafa knew that his friend, a seasoned traveler, had examined the place and would not blame him.
Today, after living there for more than two years, he says he hasn’t felt as much love in any region as he did in the Balkans. Having visited all the Balkan countries except Slovenia, Mustafa knows the region well. A lover of slow travel, he took his time to explore his nations, even staying in Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia for months each.
“I have traveled all over the world, but no place has captured my heart as much as the Balkans. Although each Balkan country I have visited has shown me love in a different capacity, I will say that my most memorable moment was during my stay in Macedonia. I have visited more than ten cities in this country, such as Ohrid, Bitola and Skopje, and the landscape is so beautiful in each of them!
With everyone he met in Macedonia being so friendly and welcoming, Mustafa was invited to many family dinners and made many friends. He loved Macedonia so much that he decided to start promoting the country and its beauty through social media, including TikTok. Within a month, he gained huge success.
“Macedonia amazed me and will always be a part of me. Serbia, on the other hand, has the best parties and nightlife! The city of Belgrade never sleeps and there are so many amazing restaurants to visit. Once again, the people there were friendly and welcoming.
Smaller than Macedonia and Serbia, but not devoid of character, Mustafa says Kosovo is another great country to visit.
“You would be surprised by the people and culture of this country. For example, the capital Prishtina is full of young and intelligent people with big hearts. Visit Prishtina and Prizren and discover their warm culture and delicious cuisine.
For delicious fresh seafood and amazing beaches, Mustafa says Albania is the place to be, namely Ksamil, Saranda and Dhermi. He appreciates that these places are not invaded by tourists and loves visiting them in summer. Like the rest of the Balkans, Albania can boast a kind and hospitable population, so willing to open their hearts and homes to visitors and make them feel welcome.
“As I was writing this, an Albanian mother came and asked me if I was hungry and cooked me a home-cooked meal. There is something about the Balkan culture that I love, and that is that they would never let a foreigner get lost or starve.
Food is another of Mustafa’s favorite things about the region, and one of the ways he gained so much popularity on TikTok is through his food reviews.
“When I say the food in the Balkans is incredible, I’m not exaggerating! When visiting Macedonia, the best foods to try are Tavce Gravce, Pastrmajlija and Polneti Piperki. In Kosovo, I recommend Flija and Sucuk. And in Serbia, don’t miss Cevapi, Karađorđeva šnicla and Pleskavic.”
Mustafa also adds that foods like Ajvar, Kajmak, Shopska Salata and Burek with yogurt are available in all Balkan countries.
“What makes this food so unique is the love they put into it when they prepare it. The best way to experience real Balkan cuisine is to be invited to a family home or to go to traditional restaurants outside the city, for example Sharri Lisec in Tetovo, Macedonia, or Baba Cana in Skopje, Macedonia.
Regarding his concerns about racism in the Balkans, Mustafa is glad he put his fears aside and came to see and experience this region of the world for himself. There aren’t many black residents in the area, so stares are common, but Mustafa says it’s mostly out of curiosity, as many residents have never seen a man of color before.
“I usually say hello to them in their local language, and they are very happy about it. The few black men who live here are either football or basketball players. So naturally, when they see you on the street, they assume you’re a famous person and treat you as such. I went to the capitals and small villages of the Balkans and everyone was warm and welcoming!
“Racism is a very complex and nuanced concept, but we all know it exists. Contrary to popular belief, this region may be where I encountered racism. less. The vibe, the energy and the whole environment seems so non-racist. When you visit restaurants or just walk around the mall or downtown, you don’t feel the hostile vibe that we all know. The local population in general is more willing to welcome you than to make you feel unwanted.
For black travelers interested in visiting the Balkans, Mustafa recommends checking out black vloggers on YouTube, social media and travel forums to cross-reference other people’s experiences there. Those looking for a raw, off-the-beaten-path Balkan experience might start with Croatia.
“The Balkans are rich in culture and history. For foodies like me, this is the ideal place. And the prices are reasonable for budget travelers. Last but not least, if you come to the Balkans with an open mind and heart, the locals will return the same energy tenfold.”
Mustafa plans to stay in the Balkans for another year and plans to travel there Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia in 2023, potentially remaining three months in each country. You can follow his travels on Tic Tac And Instagram.
Related: Diary of a Black Traveler: How Sam bridged a cultural gap in the Balkans