Balkankusten

Balkankusten, or the Balkan coast, denotes the coastal zones of the Balkan Peninsula along the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean seas, as well as the western Black Sea coast in Bulgaria. It includes coastlines in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Neum), Montenegro, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria.

The Adriatic coast runs from Istria to Montenegro with the Dalmatian archipelago and limestone cliffs; the Albanian Riviera lies along the southern Adriatic. The Ionian and Aegean coasts of Greece are highly indented with numerous islands and peninsulas. The Bulgarian Black Sea coast lies to the east, featuring sandy beaches and ports.

The coast shows karstic limestone, fjord-like bays, and steep mountainous hinterlands. The climate is Mediterranean along the southern Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean shores, temperate along the northern Adriatic, with more continental influence inland. Biodiversity includes coastal ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and Mediterranean scrub; several protected areas exist.

The Balkankusten is a major tourism region and fishing ground. Historic towns—Dubrovnik, Split, Kotor, Vlore, Patras—illustrate its cultural heritage and port economies. Environmental pressures include coastal erosion, resort development, pollution, and climate-change impacts on sea level and biodiversity.