balkan travel & tours

Bosnia and Herzegovina

North macedonia.

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• Pilgrimage and Religious Tours
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Featured Balkan Tours

Balkan trip: a 13-day heritage and scenery – balkan experience, sofia's historic walking highlights tour, spiritual heritage of bulgaria: rila monastery & boyana church - bulgaria trips.

Today's Pick for You

Explore belgrade: panoramic & walking city tour – serbia trips, discover your next adventure.

• One-Day & Half-Day Tours Quick trips to discover local highlights.
• Multi-Day Tours Extended journeys for deeper immersion.
• Balkan Tours Explore the vibrant diversity of the Balkans.
• Pilgrimage and Religious Tours Spiritual journeys to sacred destinations.
• Culinary Tours Savor the flavors of regional cuisines.
• Family Adventures Tours Fun-filled explorations for the whole family.
• Special Offers Exclusive travel deals.
• Private Transfers Convenient and comfortable transport options.

Uncover the Magic of the Balkans – Go on unforgettable Balkan trips

Unforgettable adventures await you on our Balkan tours! From Croatia’s beautiful landscapes to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s hidden gems and the natural wonders of North Macedonia, experience the rich culture of Serbia, the charm of Montenegro, and the history of Albania and Slovenia. Balkland offers you different Balkan tours where you will get to know the Balkans as it is. Rich in various tastes, natural landscapes, and the best hospitality!

“ The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step „

Explore balkland tours and travel packages.

Explore our travel packages for a seamless and unforgettable experience. From detailed itineraries to helpful tips, we’ve got everything you need. Embark on a journey with Balkland, where each keyphrase guarantees extraordinary adventures in the heart of the Balkans.

Novi Sad & Petrovaradin: Cultural Heart of Serbia Tour | Serbia Trips

Embark on a journey to Novi Sad and Petrovaradin, exploring Serbia's rich culture, history, and wine.

Prokosko Lake: A Day Tour to the Forgotten Village from Sarajevo | Balkland

Must-See in Sarajevo: Escape to Prokoško Lake, a Nature Lover's Must-Visit Paradise in Bosnia's Vranica Mountains.

Dubrovnik Sunset Kayaking Adventure

Discover Dubrovnik from the sea with our sunset kayak tour. Enjoy Lokrum Island, cave snorkeling, and breathtaking city vistas at dusk.

Balkan Tour: a 12-day cultural expedition

Discover the Ultimate Balkan Journey. Explore UNESCO gems in Ohrid, medieval wonders in Kotor bay, and the beauty of Plitvice Lakes, and more..

Our Qualities

What does Balkland offer at Balkan trips?

Good organization.

A good road means a good organization. With our organization, you don’t have to worry about accommodation, food, transportation! We stand behind you as a dedicated companion on every Balkan trips!

We cover 10 Balkan countries

Balkland allows you to visit and feel the charms of 10 countries in the Balkans. Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Slovenia, Romania, Kosovo, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia await you to visit their beautiful landscapes and taste their most delicious food!

Different types of travel throughout the Balkans

The Balkans is a landscape of possibilities! Embark on Balkan Tours with your friends, experience Family Adventures with your loved ones, or Balkan food on Culinary Tours.

Your Smart Travel Guide to Balkan Adventures

Experience the Best of the Balkans with our Blogs.

Why You Should Travel to Balkans for Your Next Vacation

Plan your travel to the Balkans today for an unforgettable experience!

Balkan States Tour Through the Most Beautiful National Parks

Explore the most beautiful national parks of the Balkans!

Balkan Trip: Experience Medieval Pocitelj

Pocitelj is a living museum offering a glimpse into the medieval past of BiH

Tour Balkan Countries With Balkland

Have you ever wanted to visit the unreal nature of the Balkans and try Balkan food rich in various flavors? With Balkland you can do just that! Our Balkan trips are unforgettable, diverse, and full of new adventures. Discover all our Balkan tours and pilgrim tours and choose the best one for you!

Why go on Balkan trips with Balkland?

With Balkland you always travel safely. We have provided transportation, hotels, and adventures throughout the Balkans for you, which are above all safe. The safety and security of our passengers is our priority!

Our Balkan trips are adapted to families, newlyweds, and corporate groups; with us, you can find tours that completely suit you!

Balkland was founded by foreign travelers and lovers of the Balkans, so every trip to the Balkans with us is diverse. Tour Balkan countries with us And you will experience all the beauties of the Balkans, from irresistible food to natural beauties.

Balkland FAQ

Is it safe to travel to the Balkans?

The Balkans are a very safe place to visit today. More than 30 years ago, the war that took place in the Balkans ended, and today the Balkans is one of the safer travel destinations.

Is it cheap to travel in the Balkans?

Yes. Compared to many Western European countries, traveling in the Balkans is often more budget-friendly, offering affordable accommodation, food, and transportation options.

Why is Balkan food popular?

Balkan cuisine is popular due to its rich flavors, diverse influences, and use of fresh, local ingredients. The combination of Mediterranean, Ottoman, and Slavic culinary traditions contributes to the unique and delicious dishes.

What is the most popular Balkan food?

Ćevapi, a type of grilled minced meat, is widely popular across the Balkans. Other favorites include Burek, a pastry with meat or cheese, and Ajvar, a roasted red pepper and eggplant spread.

Is the Balkans safe for solo female travelers?

Yes, many parts of the Balkans are safe for solo female travelers. All the locals are friendly and ready to help you if you get lost or need help. Since you are still in a foreign country, we recommend that you do not go out late at night alone and keep your personal belongings safe.

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• Balkans Tours

Balkans Tours and Trips 2024/2025

A trip to the Balkan region will allow you to explore one of the least visited parts of Europe . The Balkans is a cultural melting pot offering a broad range of destinations, and your tour might include enchanting cities like Dubrovnik in Croatia , astounding architectural accomplishments like Turkey’s Hagia Sophia, or ancient monuments like the Acropolis in Greece – as well as far more besides.

+300 Trips in Balkans with 2,265 Reviews

• Starts Sofia, Bulgaria
• Ends Athens, Greece

All About Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Sightseeing Tours & Art and architecture Sightseeing Tours , Art and architecture & Cultural, religious and historic sites 'data-more-tripid='17753'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel
• Transport Bus, Coach & Boat
• Age Range 18-39 yrs
• Operated in English
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,497
• Special Deal (45%): - US$ 1,124
• Total Price from: US$ 1,373
• Jul 06 10+ seats left
• Jul 13 10+ seats left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

• Starts Split, Croatia
• Ends Split, Croatia

Croatia Sailing Adventure

• Activities Sailing, yachting and motor boating & National parks Sailing, yachting and motor boating , National parks & Chill out 'data-more-tripid='37268'>+1 more
• Accommodation Yacht Cabin
• Transport Private Vehicle, Yacht & Boat
• Age Range 18-40 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,150
• Special Deal (50%): - US$ 1,075
• Total Price from: US$ 1,075
• Jun 12 10+ seats left
• Jun 19 10+ seats left

• Starts Trebinje, Bosnia Herzegovina
• Ends Dubrovnik, Croatia

Walking in Bosnia & Herzegovina

• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Climbing & Trekking and Hiking
• Accommodation Hotel & Hut
• Age Range 18-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,623
• Special Deal (10%): - US$ 268
• Total Price from: US$ 2,355
• Jul 18 Only 1 seat left
• Aug 08 Only 6 seats left

• Starts Tivat, Montenegro
• Ends Tivat, Montenegro

Scenic Montenegro Cruise

• Free cancellation
• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities Sailing, yachting and motor boating & Adriatic Cruise Sailing, yachting and motor boating , Adriatic Cruise , Gulet cruise , Sightseeing Tours & Romantic 'data-more-tripid='44724'>+3 more
• Accommodation Ship Cabin
• Transport Yacht & Cruise Ship
• Age Range 25-80 yrs

• Starts Istanbul, Turkey
• Ends Istanbul, Turkey

Amazing Turkey by Land (5 & 4 Star Hotels)

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Walking tours 'data-more-tripid='14725'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Resort
• Transport Boat, Bus, Coach & Flight
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,950
• Special Deal (45%): - US$ 1,328
• Total Price from: US$ 1,622
• Jun 08 10+ seats left
• Jun 15 10+ seats left

• Starts Bucharest, Romania
• Ends Bucharest, Romania

Carpathian Walking & Bears

• Activities Wildlife & Safari
• Accommodation Guest House
• Transport Minibus & Bus
• Age Range 16-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,023
• Special Deal (5%): - US$ 103
• Total Price from: US$ 1,920
• Jun 15 Only 1 seat left
• Jul 06 Only 1 seat left

• Ends Sofia, Bulgaria

Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

• Activities Sightseeing Tours & Art and architecture Sightseeing Tours , Art and architecture & Cultural, religious and historic sites 'data-more-tripid='17754'>+1 more
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,175
• Special Deal (45%): - US$ 979
• Total Price from: US$ 1,196

• Starts Dubrovnik, Croatia

Bosnia & Beyond

• Activities Food tours & Cultural, religious and historic sites Food tours , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Trekking and Hiking 'data-more-tripid='7557'>+1 more
• Transport Bus & Boat
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,998
• Special Deal (5%): - US$ 148
• Total Price from: US$ 2,850
• Jun 15 Only 2 seats left
• Jun 29 Only 8 seats left

• Starts Budapest, Hungary

Balkan Adventure

• Activities Active and outdoor & City sightseeing Active and outdoor , City sightseeing , Museum and gallery visits & National parks 'data-more-tripid='3671'>+2 more
• Accommodation Guest House, Hostel & Hotel
• Transport Train, Bus, Private Vehicle, Boat & Taxi
• Age Range 15-99 yrs
• Jun 12 Only 10 seats left
• Jun 22 Only 5 seats left

Balkan Cycling

• Trip customizable
• Activities Bicycle tours & Museum and gallery visits Bicycle tours , Museum and gallery visits , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Countryside and village visits 'data-more-tripid='44348'>+2 more
• Accommodation Guest House & Hotel
• Age Range 14-80 yrs

• Starts Pogradec, Albania
• Ends Vlore, Albania

Cycling in Albania

• Activities Bicycle tours
• Accommodation Hotel & Guest House
• Jun 07 Only 8 seats left
• Aug 30 Only 3 seats left

Balkan Kaleidoscope — 8 Balkan Countries in 14 Days

• Activities Local culture & Cultural, religious and historic sites Local culture , Cultural, religious and historic sites , City sightseeing , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='44456'>+3 more
• Transport Minibus
• Age Range 12-80 yrs

Budapest to Bucharest

• Activities City sightseeing & Art and architecture City sightseeing , Art and architecture , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Museum and gallery visits & Countryside and village visits 'data-more-tripid='3668'>+3 more
• Accommodation Home-stay & Hotel
• Transport Train, Bus, Private Vehicle & Taxi
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,550
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 382
• Total Price from: US$ 2,168
• Jun 15 Only 6 seats left
• Jun 22 Only 7 seats left

• Starts Ankara, Turkey

Turkey ExclusiveTour

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Museum and gallery visits 'data-more-tripid='23756'>+2 more
• Transport Boat
• Age Range 6-85 yrs
• Operated in English, Turkish

Balkans Tour Reviews

• Valerie Kilfoil

Balkans — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips

The term Balkan means “mountains” in Turkish and there is no doubt why as the region is carved with beautiful sprawling mountains. This vast region of eastern Europe encompasses Albania , Yugoslavia, Bulgaria , Romania , Moldova, Turkey and parts of Greece and is a backpacker’s paradise. From wine cellars, to medieval towns, islands and sandy beaches, castles and cobblestone streets, and hundreds of street markets, the Balkans region is full of history and architecture ready to be explored.

Tour Highlights

• Tour through Bulgaria and explore the old-world charm of Sofia  and marvel at the famous gold dome of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
• At the center of the Balkan peninsula in Macedonia is Skopje , an ancient city on the Vardar river that’s crossed by a beautiful stone bridge. You’ll find the memorial house of Mother Teresa, fortresses, monasteries, and vibrant bazaars built during the Ottoman empire. A trip to Macedonia will certainly take you through a culturally and historically rich country. 
• Staying one day in Dubrovnik in the south of Croatia is an experience you’ll never forget. This walled city is full of art, cobblestone streets, and a displays a magnificent beach. You can also travel over to the capital, Zagreb , which is a costal city and a wonderful cultural hub. While it has become more popular to go on a tour to Croatia , the country is still relatively cheap compared with other mediterranean countries such as Spain, France and Italy. 
• Don’t forget to tour through  Bosnia , Albania, Montenegro and Serbia as well in between as each has their own unique style and beauty.

Travel Tips

• Bus and train stations in the Balkan region often has outdated times of departure and prices. If this happens, just ask someone at the station for the time and price of departures. While most of the areas you will travel through, they will speak English, if they don’t speak, just write down the location and time you’re looking to travel on a piece of paper and they will understand and correct it for you.
• In terms of safety, the Balkans is a very safe region as they are no longer at war right now. While there are still some ethnic tensions that remain, you’re not likely to encounter any difficulties. As in all countries, keep a close eye on your belongings and stay towards well maintained/lighted areas.
• When you’re looking to decide what time of year to go, it’s best to travel during spring or fall since the summer time is way too hot and crowded with people. This means from March to June and September to October are the best timeframes.

Upcoming Departures

• Summer 2024/2025
• Winter 2024/2025
• Spring 2025
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
• January 2025
• February 2025
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• November 2025

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Custom Travel to The Balkans: Bulgaria & Romania Tours

Customized tour itinerary, licensed local tour, increased flexibility, safety and confidence, choose your travel destination to select from our current balkan tours.

Travel To Romania

Travel To Bulgaria

Travel To Bulgaria & Romania

Ready to book your tour.

Why Choose Us?

Boutique travel agency.

We are Vlad and Zoe Trestian – the owners and managers of Balkan Trails. Vlad is Romanian, Zoe is Bulgarian – we have first hand, local knowledge of the countries our tours explore.

We have been working in the travel industry in Eastern Europe since the late 1990s. In 2009, we decided to set up Balkan Trails as a family-owned and managed tour operator company. When trusting us with your travel experience, you will be dealing directly with one of us. Zoe or Vlad will be your single point of contact, so you’re always talking to an expert who has an overview of all details related to your tour.

We understand traveling is personal and individual, and no two travelers are alike. That is why the majority of our Bulgaria and Romania tours are based on customized itineraries. Your tour is exactly that: YOURS. Just let us know when you’d like to arrive and depart, what your interests are, the type of hotels you prefer, and we’ll take care of the rest.

We work with a small number of hand-picked, licensed guides. They all have solid experience and speak excellent English. During your time with them, you will get an insider’s perspective on the country, its people, and its culture. They are also the ones who will help you interact with locals – meeting locals is key to truly understanding a country.

Being a small, family-run business and working with a small number of carefully selected guides, also means we are only able to manage a limited number of Balkan tours each year. And that’s OK. Our focus is not organizing lots of “just OK” tours. We are here to create memorable travel experiences. And those do come in limited numbers.

Get in touch today. We’re really looking forward to showing you our part of the world.

Vlad and Zoe Trestian

What Our Clients Say

Over the last 20 years, we have helped many travelers discover our part of the world: the Balkan Countries. These days, a large percentage of our new bookings come from referrals from former clients  – a solid testimony to the quality of our services. This is what some of our past customers have to say about their travel experience in the Balkans with us:

Judy & Jerry Curnow

Leslie Snyder and friends

Jennifer W.

Linda Brolly Hathaway

Jeff & Joan Jacobson

Are you interested in learning more about romania & bulgaria check out our blog .

Bulgaria Travel Guide – the most memorable landmarks and must-see destinations

Unique travel experiences – 5 of the most interesting attractions in Romania’s Mountains

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Complete travel guide of visiting Plovdiv

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Travel guide Romania – the most memorable landmarks and must-see destinations

Your bucket list just got a whole lot cooler.

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• Sail Croatia 2024
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Visit Balkans With Funky Tours

Are you planning to visit naturally beautiful and culturally diverse Balkans? Ever dreamt about Albania , Bosnia & Herzegovina , Croatia , Slovenia , Serbia , Montenegro , Kosovo , and North Macedonia and are interested in exploring our history, culture, stunning scenery, and natural beauty?

Funky Tours is the best answer to all these questions. Our Balkan tours are entirely focused on unique traveler experiences and consistently exceed guest expectations in every possible way.

WHAT DO WE OFFER

Balkan Multiday Holidays

Multi-country balkan tour holidays.

Kosovo Unveiled: An 8-Day Authentic Cultural Journey through Time, Terrain, and Tradition

Budapest to Athens (16 Day Balkan Tour from Hungary to Greece via Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia & Kosovo and Albania)

Croatian 10-Day Adriatic Summer Dream: Explore Dubrovnik & Split, and Sail Croatia to Kornati NP, Zlarin, and Šibenik Archipelago in 6+4 Days

Croatia and Montenegro Adriatic Coastline Journey (8 Days)

The Grand Montenegro Tour (7 Days)

Istrian Peninsula 5 Day Tour – Simply the Best of Croatia

Jewels of the Balkans: Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro (8 Days)

Ljubljana to Tirana (16 Day Best of Balkans Tour from Slovenia to Albania via Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro)

Albania Revealed: 8-Day Tour of Cultural Uprise & Natural Beauty Explorations

Albania multiday holidays, bosnia & herzegovina multiday holidays.

Sarajevo to/from Dubrovnik (Split/Kotor) 2-Day Transfer Tour via Mostar and Herzegovina

Sarajevo to/from Zagreb (Ljubljana) 2-Day Transfer Tour via Central and Northern Bosnia

Dubrovnik to/from Split 3-Day Transfer Tour via Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar and Sarajevo)

Sutjeska National Park 2-Day Tour (Trnovačko Lake Hiking + Tara River Rafting)

4-Day Sarajevo City Break: Explore & Stay in Bosnia’s Vibrant Capital

Explore Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Journey of Cultural Depths and Outdoor Thrills (8 Days)

Visit Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cultural Discovery in Depth (8 Days)

Bosnian Winter Holiday (Snowshoeing + Skiing + Leisure + Culture)

A Concrete Utopia – Bosnia and Herzegovina Brutalist Architecture Photo Tour (7 days)

Herzegovina Wine Tasting – 2Day Connecting Tour Between Sarajevo and Croatia or Montenegro via Mostar

Croatia multiday holidays.

Croatia Sailing Odyssey in Kornati National Park & Šibenik Archipelago (4 Days & 3 Nights at Sea)

Private 7-Day Croatian Sailing Adventure: Discover Central & North Dalmatia with National Parks and Remote Islands

Montenegro multiday holidays.

Durmitor National Park 3 Day Tour from Kotor Bay or Podgorica (Dubrovnik or Sarajevo)

Biogradska Gora National Park with Bjelasica Mountain & Mrtvica Canyon 3 Day All Inclusive Tour

Tent Camping & Stargazing 2 Day Hiking Tour at Durmitor National Park and Škrka Lakes Valley

Kosovo multiday holidays.

Kosovo War Tour: Burden of Independency (2Day 1Night)

Serbia multiday holidays.

Sarajevo to/from Belgrade 2-Day Transfer Tour via East Bosnia and West Serbia (1-Night stay at Mokra Gora)

Slovenia multiday holidays.

WHY TRAVEL WITH FUNKY TOURS

10 Reasons to Travel Balkans with Funky Tours

We perfectly know that the idea of traveling to the Balkans triggers tons of questions. What is there to see, is it safe, how to get there, and many more?

In the past 15+ years, we have been answering these questions theoretically and practically, and today we know exactly what travelers need and how to deliver it.

1. Breaking prejudice

Funky Tours simply exists with purpose to break the prejudice about the Sarajevo, Bosnia and rest of Balkans.

Our “1st prejudice breaker via travels” philosophy ensures our guests to get amazing, fair, unbiased and “off the search engine” experiences.

2. Real life experiences

We know that travel experiences that only focus on places without proper attention at local people’s real life experiences are not complete.

That is why our trips are are perfectly balanced and aside of visiting amazing places, always offer insight into how locals experience life.

3. Responsibility

We take every guest equally and for every and each one we provide fully customized travel experience. Our top priority business culture is to be responsible – always think in advance and adjust ourselves to our guests needs.

We never take travelers for granted and never look them as “numbers”. If we make unintentional mistakes, we make sure they are responsibly resolved.

It is just that we don’t make mistakes. Yeah.

4. Stunning value for money

Most of the Western Balkan countries (except Croatia and Slovenia) compared to rest of Europe are in the mid-low range income.

It simply means when you travel around here, you don’t have to think about “money” too much.

You can simply relax as in most cases value you receive for your money is amazing. Same is for travel companies. Funky Tours experiences are worth every penny invested.

5. Our leaders, tour guides and drivers are "outta" this world

At Funky Tours we know that local touch is what makes travel experience “bad” or “outta this world”. Our guides are the best on the market, and knowledge they posses is unrivaled.

Either if you have tons of questions, or if you are looking for hidden off the beaten path attractions, galleries, cafes, or else, rest assured, with smile, our guys cover it all.

6. Unbiased stories

In the Balkans, due to complicated history, everyone have their own understanding of the events from the past.

Being born and raised here, and having survived the 1990ies wars, we can’t allow ourselves to be biased and one sided.

Regardless of who we and you are, our stories are first-hand experiences backed with judicial facts, aiming to help travelers explore Balkans better, and in the same time empower peace and reconciliation.

7. Small group travel

Ever-since Funky Tours philosophy were small groups, maximized experiences. It continues to be so today.

We believe that small group adventure travels enable travelers to easily engage with locals, hassle-freely reach places off the beaten path and in the same time preserve a feeling of traveling independently.

8. Responsible as a business

Sustainable tourism is one of the guiding stars at Funky Tours. Our tours are crafted to give back to the local community.

Either if we are supporting local family businesses in remote parts of Bosnia and Balkans, organize youngsters charity excursions , promote shared tours to kill CO2 emissions and empower climate change awareness, promote gender equality by being woman-led organization, we strive to be as much as possible responsible company, and still are able to create stunning travel experiences for our guests. 

9. High safety standard

We pride ourselves that one of the most important aspects of our business is safety for us, our guests and all stakeholders in travel industry we deal with.

For example: When we organize long day tours or multi-day package tours even for small group size of 2 to 6 travelers, we always arrange driver and a guide. Why do we seriously kill company earnings like that? Simply because there is no compromise in sense of tour quality and safeness.

Balkans are yet to catch up in road development and lower their traffic accidents in compare to rest of the Europe.

That is why Funky Tours makes sure driver watches the road and guide watches our guests, while working as a team.

10. Always exceed expectations

Being blessed to work in an amazing region of Balkans, and being blessed with amazing natural and cultural diversity, we already have great head start.

Later just by adding special “Funky travel sauce” we are creating experiences that always exceed our guests expectations.

Simply by reading tons of Funky Tours reviews online, travelers satisfaction speaks a lot about us.

Contact Us NOW and organize your Balkan tour

BALKAN COUNTRIES IN OUR ITINERARY

Where Do We Go in the Balkans?

Our Balkans tours generally focus on the Western Balkans,  including countries of ex Yugoslavia with a particular focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. Those three countries are so closely connected but, on the other hand, so different, and work best when combined.

Conversely, if you prefer to go more comprehensive, we can pride ourselves as experts in Slovenia, Albania, and Kosovo too. Lastly, Northern Italy, Austria, and Hungary are always easily added.

Balkan Tour Itineraries

Balkans road-wise are pretty well connected, and most of the essential places within a properly planned itinerary are usually within 2-3 hours of driving away. For example if you are traveling between the ex Yugoslavian capitals you never need to spend hours and hours in a car, when you can optimize road very easily and fill up the day with fantastic sightseeing instead of just driving.

Funky Tours is a specialist in connecting tour kind of traveling style. Our trips are always perfectly created to maximize your experience and minimize time on the roads.

Best of the Balkan Experiences

Balkans are the unlimited source of amazing places and life-changing experiences.

Old buildings, we have those. Stunning Adriatic sea and great island hopping, no problem. Hedonism at its best, you are welcome. Nature you can’t dream of, all around us.  The following is the list of activities and experiences we suggest you must not miss when traveling to Balkans.

Balkans peninsula is know for variety of hiking options. Bosnia by far has the greatest range of mountains available for amazing outdoor activities. Visit ancient Lukomir village and learn the nomad life. If you prefer easy or hard, Dinaric Alps we have it all.

Horseback Riding

Either if you prefer wild nature horseback riding or you are beginner, we have it all. Imagine a trip to wild and remote ends of Bosnia and Herzegovina where you practice horseback riding with local family.

Balkans are full of amazing plains and mountain regions. Either if you are fan of easy city style of biking or maybe prefer the more amazing mountain biking, Balkans will not disappoint you. Have you ever heard of Ćiro biking trail or ever imagined to bike down the Olympic bobsled?

For any study tour anyone does anywhere, Yoga class is a must do. Balkans with its nature and cultural potential is amazing opportunity for great yoga experience.

Home of the 1984 Olympic Games, mountains around Sarajevo, Jahorina and Bjelasnica offer some of the most amazing ski slopes in whole of South Eastern Europe. Everything at an increment of price of the West European ski resorts.

Snowshoeing

Dinaric Alps offer amazing amount of snowfall during every winter. If you are fan of pleasant walking in the snow and soaking up the beauty of the Balkan mountains, snowshoeing style of outdoor adventure is right thing for you.

National Geographic in 2012 listed Bosnia and Herzegovina as the most amazing destination for white water rafting. Having 5 amazing rivers, your rafting options are limitless.

Most of the Balkans National Parks, Nature Parks or general nature areas have no limit on camping, meaning you get to enjoy the most beautiful nature areas without any jam or hassle at all. Maximum safety and enjoyment at your palm.

Protected areas, beautiful untouched landscape, freshwater ecosystems and miles of chalk stream limestone rivers make Balkans as one of the European’s greatest fly-fishing destination.

EXPERIENCES OF LIFE

Life under the siege.

Imagine a 4 years of life spent in the basement. Imagine a place where on average daily, more 330 bombs fall down. Imagine a life priced at only 5 liter of drinkable water. Imagine witnessing loss of your closest friends and family members. You can’t imagine life during the siege, but you can hear it from those who have lived it.

Life After Genocide

By understanding the story of Fall of Yugoslavia, visiting Srebrenica town, Srebrenica Memorial Centre and meeting the Srebrenica Genocide survivors, you get to know the full context of Genocide and life after Genocide. Funky Tours goal is to put these terms into understandable context.

Childhood In War

What does childhood in war mean to you? Does it mean going to school everyday? Does it mean playing outside whenever you can? Does it mean you visit your friends whenever you can? Does it mean you have sweets and fruits anytime you want? How fast do you you shift from a child to a man? Our guides and guest speakers will respond to these questions.

Teenage Soldier

Hear the story of the 16 year old boy who participated in resistance during the Siege of Sarajevo, and learn how he deals with life reality today.

Community life

Enjoy the benefits of rural tourism and learn about local communities. Experience the cultural and customs diversity by interacting with the local communities who will be happy to welcome you in their homes and daily lives. 

Tradition of winemaking

Discover the old tradition of winemaking in Balkans. Visit the most charming wine treasuries and taste some of the their finest wines.

Dinner with locals

Enjoy a pleasant atmosphere of Balkan home, taste some super delicious local food made of fresh organic products and indulge endless chats with friendly local family.

Cruise vacations

The amazing Adriatic Sea is sheltered between the east coast of Italy, the coast of the former Yugoslavia and Greece and is a true gem for small ship cruises. Enjoy  your perfect summer vacation, amazing coastline and charming ancient gems. 

Spa resorts

Whether you are into traditional hammams or super modern, fancy spas, Balkan has it all. Spend your vacation absolutely mind free and relax at some of the world’s best spa centres for not even a fraction of the price you would pay in Western Europe.

If you are fan of Balkans local food, our cooking classes of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian food will be the highlight of your Balkans journey.

Culture of Balkan Slav people is heavily defined by the music we play. Attend our amazing Bosnian Sevdah music workshop, understand the origin of the traditional sounds and learn to play few notes.

Woodcarving

Woodcarving craft is an art deeply rooted in the DNA of the Balkans people. Even though heavily evolved, this art today still finds it’s purpose and survives industrialization till the day. We will teach you how it’s done.

Traditional arts and crafts of weaving, embroidery and knitting are still largely represented industries throughout the Balkans. If you are interested to learn or see these centuries old techniques, Balkans are place to be.

Coppersmith

Is there better way to bring a souvenir home, then to make it yourself with local technique, present in Balkans over 500 years already now? No there is not, and our coppersmith workshop will help you enjoy that experience.

If you would like to understand how old pottery techniques in the Balkans are still today finding its purpose in the modern world, join us for a pottery workshop, make your own pot and learn about entrepreneurship.

Poetry nights

Indulge into Sarajevo poetry nights and enjoy a warm, friendly and inclusive atmosphere with local poets and their eclectic mix of voices and verses representing Balkan art and poetry.

Travel with people who share your rural interests and connect with the farmers and food producers from all around Balkans. Spend a day or few at local farms, learn about the local communities and have a once in a life time experience.

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9-Day Balkan Tour

We’ll tailor your 9-day adventure with airport pick-ups, drop-offs, and visits to your preferred destinations, ensuring a memorable experience.

With the support of friendly, knowledgeable drivers or fully licensed local tour guides, you’ll be immersed in the local colors, flavors, and culture that make the Balkans truly unforgettable.

Included in Your Tour:

• Insight, guidance, and support: Your licensed guide or driver-guide will provide in-depth information about the events, attractions.
• Comfortable private transportation: Travel around the Balkans in a well-equipped, air-conditioned minivan or van.
• Complimentary, no-obligation quote: Share your preferences for your trip, and we’ll provide a transparent, all-inclusive quote.
• Private tours: we tours for small groups for up to 8 participants.

With Balkan Tales , your tour itinerary will always reflect your own personal tastes and preferences. But we do offer a full range of our favorite itineraries to get you started…

9 Day Balkan Tour Itinerary #1 – Visit 8 countries

9 day balkan trip #2 – visit 5 countries, 9 day balkan trip itinerary #3 – visit 5 countries, 9 day balkan road trip #4 – visit 4 countries, 9 day balkan tour #5 – visit 5 countries, 9 day balkan tour #6 – visit 6 countries, 9 day balkan tour #7 – visit 4 countries.

ROMANIA – BULGARIA – NORTH MACEDONIA – ALBANIA – MONTENEGRO – CROATIA – BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – SERBIA

View Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – bucharest, romania.

The 9 days Balkan tour starts in Bucharest with pick up from your accommodation

→ City tour of Bucharest, Romania Visit the Palace of Parliament, Old town, Piata Victoriei, Cec Palace, unirii Square, Revolution square, National Museum of Romanian history, Constitution square, Lui Carol monument, Palace of justice.

Free time in Bucharest

Overnight in Bucharest

Day 2 – Sofia, Bulgaria

→ Transfer to Sofia, Bulgaria

→ Sofia walking  tour Visit the: St. Nedelya square; Nedelya church; St Sofia Monument; St. Petka Church; The old Serdica Ruins; The mineral springs; The council of ministers; The Rotunda “Saint George”; The Presidency; The mosque “Banya Bashi”; The National archaeology museum (not going inside); The National Bank of Bulgaria; Knyaz Alexander Battenberg Square; The King’s palace; The Russian church; St. Sofia Church; The National Theater; The Monument of the “unknown soldier”; The Alexander Nevski Memorial Church; The city garden.

Free time in Sofia

Overnight in Sofia

Day 3 – Skopje and Ohrid, North Macedonia

→ Transfer to Skopje, North Macedonia (3-4 hours)

→ Free time for Lunch and short walk in the city center (1 – 1.5  hours )

→ Transfer to Ohrid, North Macedonia

→ Walking City tour of Ohrid old town Visit the Ohrid lake, the Monument of St. Naum of Ohrid, the Monument of St Kliment Ohridski, Catcher of a cross monument, the Church of St Sofia, “St Kiril and Metodius” monument, the Ancient theatre of Ohrid; the St John at Kaneo church.

Overnight in Ohrid

Day 4 – Tirana, Albania

→ Transfer to Tirana, Albania

→ City tour of Tirana and free time Visit the “Skanderberg square” (The main square in Tirana) with the Skanderberg Statue; the “Ethem bey” mosque (the Only historical mosque in Tirana) the “Enver Hoxha” pyramid, the Peace bell, the Building of the historical museum of Tirana, a Preserved bunker (In one of the bunkers there is a museum about the victims of the Albanian Communist regime) Maria Theresa boulevard, the University of Tirana, the Old government square; The Clock tower (19th Century)

Overnight in Tirana

Day 5 – Kotor, Montenegro

→ Transfer to Kotor, Montenegro

→ City tour of Kotor Old Town Visit the Kotor old city, Kotor harbour, city walls, St Tryphon cathedral, St Nicola church, Piaza of the arms, Church of St Luke, Gurdich gate, Clock tower, Grubonja palace, Karampana well, Drago palace, Pima palace, Beskuca’s Palace, Grgurina Palace, Bizanti Palace, Prince’s Palace, Sea gate, Old Kotor prison building

→ Transfer to Budva Free time in Budva

Overnight in Budva

Day 6 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

→ Transfer to Dubrovnik, Croatia

→ Dubrovnik city tour Visit the Old town, the Ancient city walls, the Dubrovnik “Saint Saviour” church (16th century church with Renaissance architecture); the Dubrovnik cathedral (Early 18th-century baroque cathedral); The Onofrije’s fountain, The Franciscan Monastery (Landmark monastery built in the 1300s, noted for its cloister, library & historic pharmacy displays); the Gates of Pile; the Old port; the Clock tower, the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace; the Fort Saint John; the Stradun (The main walking street in Dubrovnik old town);

Free time in Dubrovnik

Overnight in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Day 7 – Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

→ Transfer to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

→ Walking tour of Mostar  old town Visit the Old bridge, The Old city, The Old turkish bazar “Kujundziluk”, The Old turkish quarter, “Koskin – Mehmed pasha’s” mosque, Tito’s palace, “Mehmed Karadoz” Mosque.

→ Transfer to Blagaj Visit the Blagaj monastery

→ Transfer to Sarajevo via Konjic

Overnight in Sarajevo

Day 8 – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

→ Sarajevo city tour Visit the Bascarsija (The historical Turkish market); Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (Ottoman mosque from 16th century); The Latin Bridge/ The Assassination Bridge (Ottoman-era stone bridge near the site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s 1914 assassination); The Sebilj Monument (Famous 18th century wooden fountain); the “Sacred Heart” Cathedral (Gothic cathedral from the 19th century); The Sarajevo city hall, The Abandoned Bobsleigh Track (Built in 1984 for the Winter Olympic games in Former Yugoslavia The country opened its doors to the international community to celebrate sport, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, during the long Sarajevo siege the bobsleigh track been used as a base for the artillery); The Tunnel of Hope (Military-history museum at the site of a storied Bosnian War–era underground tunnel);

→ Free time in the afternoon

Overnight in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Day 9 – Belgrade, Serbia

→ Long transfer to Belgrade, Serbia

→ City tour of Belgrade in the morning Visit the Belgrade fortress “Kalemegdan” (Enduring fortress built in 535 BCE) with a view to Sava and Danube rivers; The Pobednik Monument (Monument inside the Belgrade fortress); Church of the Holy Mother of God / Crkva Ruzica (Serbian Orthodox church located inside the Belgrade fortress); The “Knez Mihaylova” pedestrian street; t. Sava cathedralS (The biggest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans ); The House of Flowers (Josip Broz Tito mausoleum); History museum of Yugoslavia; The Republic square, The National Assembly, The bombed buildings.

→ Free time Belgrade, Serbia

Overnight in Belgrade

End of the tour

SERBIA – ROMANIA – BULGARIA – KOSOVO – NORTH MACEDONIA

Day 1 – Belgrade, Serbia

Start the 9 days Balkan private tour in Belgrade, Serbia with pick up from any location in the city (accommodation, hotel)

→ City tour of Belgrade Visit the Belgrade fortress “Kalemegdan” (Enduring fortress built in 535 BCE) with a view to Sava and Danube rivers; The Pobednik Monument (Monument inside the Belgrade fortress); Church of the Holy Mother of God / Crkva Ruzica (Serbian Orthodox church located inside the Belgrade fortress); The “Knez Mihaylova” pedestrian street; t. Sava cathedralS (The biggest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans ); The House of Flowers (Josip Broz Tito mausoleum); History museum of Yugoslavia; The Republic square, The National Assembly, The bombed buildings.

→ Free time in Belgrade During your free time you can take a walk around the Belgrade waterfront or enter some of the museums in Belgrade: Nikola Tesla Museum; The History museum of Serbia; etc.

Day 2 – Novi Sad, Serbia

→ Transfer to Novi Sad, Serbia after breakfasts

→ Novi Sad walking tour Visit the old town and the Petrovadian fortress

→ Transfer to Timisoara, Romania Free time in Timisoara

Overnight in Timisoara

Day 3 – Sibiu and Sighisoara, Romania

→ Transfer to Sibiu, Romania

→ Sibiu walking tour Visit the Consul tower of Sibiu, the Large Square, the bridge of Lies, Sibiu Lutheran Cathedral;

→ Transfer to Sighisoara, Romania

→ Sighisoara city tour Visit the Sighisoara Citadel, The Clock tower, Vlad Dracul House

Free time in Sighisoara

Overnight in Sighisoara

Day 4 – Transilvania, Romania

→ Transfer to the area of Transilvania Visit the Dracula’s castle (Bran castle) and the Peles castle in Sinaia

→ Transfer to Brasov, Romania

Free time in Brasov

Overnight in Brasov

Day 5 – Bucharest, Romania

→ Transfer to Bucharest, Romania

→ Bucharest city tour Visit the Palace of Parliament, Old town, Piata Victoriei, Cec Palace, unirii Square, Revolution square, National Museum of Romanian history, Constitution square, Lui Carol monument, Palace of justice.

Day 6 – Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

→ Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

→ Veliko Tarnovo walking tour Visit the Tsarevets fortress and the craft street

Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo

Day 7 – Plovdiv, Bulgaria

→ Transfer to Kazanlak area via the Shipka pass Visit Kazanlak Thracian tomb Golyama Kosmatka

→ Transfer to Plovdiv, Bulgaria

→ Plovdiv city tour Visit the Old town from the 19th century; the Ethnographic museum; Balabanov house; the Ancient theatre of Philippopolis; the Ancient stadium of Philipopolis, The St St Constantin and Elena church, The Djumaya mosque and square, The building of the Regional Historical Museum, the Main walking street, “The Trap” neighborhood; Nebet tepe.

Overnight in Plovdiv

Day 8 – Sofia, Bulgaria

→ Walking Sofia tour Visit the Historical center of Sofia and the most interesting sights in the area. Visit the St. Nedelya square; Nedelya church; St Sofia Monument; St. Petka Church; The old Serdika Ruins; The mineral springs; The council of ministers; The Rotunda “Saint George”; The Presidency; The mosque “Banya Bashi”; The National archaeology museum (not going inside); The National Bank of Bulgaria; Knyaz Alexander Battenberg Square; The King’s palace; The Russian church; St. Sofia Church; The National Theater; The Monument of the “unknown soldier”; The Alexander Nevski Memorial Church; The city garden; The museum of Sofia.

Day 9 – Rila monastery, Bulgaria and Skopje, North Macedonia

→ Transfer to the Rila monastery Explore the biggest monastery complex on Balkans

→ Walking Skopje city tour (1.5 – 2 hours ) Visit the Old muslim quarter, the Stone bridge, the Macedonia square, the Memorial house of Mother Teresa, the “Warrior on a horse” monument, the “Mustafa Pasha” mosque, the Skopje art bridge, the “Daut Pasha” Hamam, the “Mothers of Macedonia” fontain, The Divers statue, Kapan Han, the King Samuil monument, the Archeological museum building

Free time in Skopje in the afternoon

Overnight in Skopje

ROMANIA – BULGARIA – NORTH MACEDONIA – KOSOVO – ALBANIA

Begin the 9 days Balkan private tour with pick up from your accommodation in Bucharest, Romania

Day 2 – Transilvania, Romania

Day 3 – veliko tarnovo, bulgaria.

→ Long transfer to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

→ Walking tour of Veliko Tarnovo Visit the Tsarevets fortress and the craft street

Day 4 – Plovdiv, Bulgaria

→ Transfer to Plovdiv, Bulgaria via Shipka pass and Shipka church

→ Walking tour of Plovdiv

Visit the Old town from the 19th century; the Ethnographic museum; Balabanov house; the Ancient theatre of Philippopolis; the Ancient stadium of Philipopolis, The St St Constantin and Elena church, The Djumaya mosque and square, The building of the Regional Historical Museum, the Main walking street, “The Trap” neighborhood; Nebet tepe.

Day 5 – Sofia, Bulgaria

→ Sofia Walking city tour Visit the: St. Nedelya square; Nedelya church; St Sofia Monument; St. Petka Church; The old Serdica Ruins; The mineral springs; The council of ministers; The Rotunda “Saint George”; The Presidency; The mosque “Banya Bashi”; The National archaeology museum (not going inside); The National Bank of Bulgaria; Knyaz Alexander Battenberg Square; The King’s palace; The Russian church; St. Sofia Church; The National Theater; The Monument of the “unknown soldier”; The Alexander Nevski Memorial Church; The city garden.

Day 6 – Rila monastery, Bulgaria and Skopje, North Macedonia

Day 7 – prizren, kosovo.

→ Depart from Skopje after breakfast

→ Transfer to Prizren, Kosovo via the mountain road

→ Walking tour Prizren Visit the city center; Our Lady of Ljeviš Church (14th-century Serbian Orthodox church); Sinan Pasha Mosque (17th Century mosque)

→ Transfer back to Skopje

Day 8 – Ohrid, North Macedonia

→ Walking Ohrid City tour Visit the Ohrid lake, the Monument of St. Naum of Ohrid, the Monument of St Kliment Ohridski, Catcher of a cross monument, the Church of St Sofia, “St Kiril and Metodius” monument, the Ancient theatre of Ohrid; the St John at Kaneo church.

→ Transfer to the St. Naum Monastery

→ Transfer back to Ohrid

→ Free time in Ohrid

Day 9 – Tirana, Albania

→ Walking city tour of Tirana Visit the “Skanderberg square” (The main square in Tirana) with the Skanderberg Statue; the “Ethem bey” mosque (the Only historical mosque in Tirana) the “Enver Hoxha” pyramid, the Peace bell, the Building of the historical museum of Tirana, a Preserved bunker (In one of the bunkers there is a museum about the victims of the Albanian Communist regime) Maria Theresa boulevard, the University of Tirana, the Old government square; The Clock tower (19th Century)

→ Free time in Tirana, Albania

SERBIA – SLOVENIA – CROATIA – MONTENEGRO

This 9 days Balkan tour begin with pick up from your accommodation in Belgrade, Serbia

Overnight in Belgrade.

Day 2 – Zagreb, Croatia

→ Transfer to Zagreb, Croatia

→ City tour and free time in Zagreb, Croatia Visit the Old Town; The Zagreb Cathedral; St. Mark’s church (Monumental, medieval-style, Serbian Orthodox church); Dolac Market (Large market with many stands offering flowers, fruits, veggies & meats in an indoor/outdoor setup); The Lotrscak Tower; The Medieval Stone Gate; The Lenucijeva Potkova. Ban Josip Jelačić Square (The central square of Zagreb)

Overnight in Zagreb

Day 3 – Ljubljana and Lake Bled

→ Transfer to Lake Bled in Slovenia Explore the lake area

→ Transfer to Ljubljana, Slovenia

→ City tour of Ljubljana The Dragon Bridge; Tromostovje (The Triple Bridge is a group of three bridges which connects the historical part of Ljubljana with the modern part of the city); Preseren Square (The central square in Ljubljana part of the old town’s pedestrian zone), Franciscan Church of the Annunciation (17th-century Franciscan church famous with its interior). Robba fountain (18th-century fountain made of limestone and marble); The Butcher’s bridge; The town square; Ljubljana Town Hall; The city market of Ljubljana; The Ljubljana cathedral (Roman Catholic cathedral with a baroque interior, including gilded columns & ceiling frescoes).

→ Free time in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Overnight in Ljubljana

Day 4 – Plitvice lakes, Croatia

→ Transfer to the Plitvice lakes national park, Croatia Explore the Plivice UNESCO protected lakes

→ Transfer to Zadar, Croatia

Free time in Zadar

Overnight in Zadar

Day 5 – Trogir and Sibenik, Croatia

→ City tour of  Zadar old town in the morning

→ Transfer to Split via Trogir and Sibenik

→ Free time in Split at the afternoon

Overnight in Split

Day 6 – Split, Croatia

→ City tour of Split and free time in the afternoon Visit the old town, The Diocletian Palace; The Cathedral of Saint Domnius (Built in the 4th century AD); The Riva (The central part of Split); The Old Jupiter’s Temple (built in the 3rd century AD); The “Let me pass” street; The Golden Gate (4th-century Roman stone entryway to Diocletian’s Palace, with arches & ornate statues);

Day 7 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

→ Dubrovnik walking tour Visit the Old town, the Ancient city walls, the Dubrovnik “Saint Saviour” church (16th century church with Renaissance architecture); the Dubrovnik cathedral (Early 18th-century baroque cathedral); The Onofrije’s fountain, The Franciscan Monastery (Landmark monastery built in the 1300s, noted for its cloister, library & historic pharmacy displays); the Gates of Pile; the Old port; the Clock tower, the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace; the Fort Saint John; the Stradun (The main walking street in Dubrovnik old town);

→ Free time in Dubrovnik

Overnight in Dubrovnik

Day 8 – Kotor, Montenegro

Day 9 – cetinje and ostrog monastery, montenegro.

→ Transfer to the Njegushi village in the morning

→ Transfer to the Ostrog Monastery Explore the rock monastery

→ Transfer to Cetinje City tour of Cretinje old center

→ Transfer back to Budva

SLOVENIA – CROATIA – MONTENEGRO – BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – SERBIA

Day 1 – Ljubljana and Lake Bled, Slovenia

This private Balkan tour starts from any location in Ljubljana, Slovenia

→ City tour of Ljubljana, Slovenia The Dragon Bridge; Tromostovje (The Triple Bridge is a group of three bridges which connects the historical part of Ljubljana with the modern part of the city); Preseren Square (The central square in Ljubljana part of the old town’s pedestrian zone), Franciscan Church of the Annunciation (17th-century Franciscan church famous with its interior). Robba fountain (18th-century fountain made of limestone and marble); The Butcher’s bridge; The town square; Ljubljana Town Hall; The city market of Ljubljana; The Ljubljana cathedral (Roman Catholic cathedral with a baroque interior, including gilded columns & ceiling frescoes).

→ Visit Lake Bled in the afternoon

Overnight in Ljubljana.

Day 3 – Plitvice lakes, Croatia

→ Transfer to the Plitvice lakes National park, Croatia Nature walk among through the UNESCO national park

→ Transfer to Split, Croatia Free time in Split

Day 4 – Split, Croatia

→ City tour of Split in the morning Visit the old town, The Diocletian Palace; The Cathedral of Saint Domnius (Built in 4th century AD); The Riva (The central part of Split); The Old Jupiter’s Temple (build in 3rd century AD); The “Let me pass” street; The Golden Gate (4th-century Roman stone entryway to Diocletian’s Palace, with arches & ornate statues);

Day 5 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

→ Walking tour Dubrovnik Visit the Old town, the Ancient city walls, the Dubrovnik “Saint Saviour” church (16th century church with Renaissance architecture); the Dubrovnik cathedral (Early 18th-century baroque cathedral); The Onofrije’s fountain, The Franciscan Monastery (Landmark monastery built in the 1300s, noted for its cloister, library & historic pharmacy displays); the Gates of Pile; the Old port; the Clock Tower, the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace; the Fort Saint John; the Stradun (The main walking street in Dubrovnik old town);

Day 6 – Kotor, Montenegro

Day 7 – mostar, sarajevo, bosnia, day 8 – sarajevo, bosnia.

→ City tour of Sarajevo Visit the Bascarsija (The historical Turkish market); Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (Ottoman mosque from 16th century); The Latin Bridge/ The Assassination Bridge (Ottoman-era stone bridge near the site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s 1914 assassination); The Sebilj Monument (Famous 18th century wooden fountain); the “Sacred Heart” Cathedral (Gothic cathedral from the 19th century); The Sarajevo city hall, The Abandoned Bobsleigh Track (Built in 1984 for the Winter Olympic games in Former Yugoslavia The country opened its doors to the international community to celebrate sport, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, during the long Sarajevo siege the bobsleigh track been used as a base for the artillery); The Tunnel of Hope (Military-history museum at the site of a storied Bosnian War–era underground tunnel);

→ Transfer to Belgrade, Serbia

→ Belgrade city tour Visit the Belgrade fortress “Kalemegdan” (Enduring fortress built in 535 BCE) with a view to Sava and Danube rivers; The Pobednik Monument (Monument inside the Belgrade fortress); Church of the Holy Mother of God / Crkva Ruzica (Serbian Orthodox church located inside the Belgrade fortress); The “Knez Mihaylova” pedestrian street; t. Sava cathedralS (The biggest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans ); The House of Flowers (Josip Broz Tito mausoleum); History museum of Yugoslavia; The Republic square, The National Assembly, The bombed buildings.

ALBANIA – MONTENEGRO – CROATIA – BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – SERBIA – BULGARIA

Day 1 – Tirana, Albania

This Private Balkan tour with  begin with pick up at any location in Tirana, Albania

→ Free time in Tirana

Day 2 – Kruje, Albania and Skadar Lake, Montenegro

→ Transfer to Kruje, Albania Explore the Birthplace of Skanderberg Visit the fortress and the old part of town

→ Transfer to Skadar lake (The biggest lake on Balkans) Boat trip to explore the lake

→ Transfer to Budva, Montenegro

Day 3 – Kotor, Montenegro

→ Transfer to Dubrovnik, Croatia Free time in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Day 4 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

→ City tour in the morning Visit the Old town, the Ancient city walls, the Dubrovnik “Saint Saviour” church (16th century church with Renaissance architecture); the Dubrovnik cathedral (Early 18th-century baroque cathedral); The Onofrije’s fountain, The Franciscan Monastery (Landmark monastery built in the 1300s, noted for its cloister, library & historic pharmacy displays); the Gates of Pile; the Old port; the Clock Tower, the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace; the Fort Saint John; the Stradun (The main walking street in Dubrovnik old town);

→ Transfer to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina Free time in Mostar

Overnight in Mostar

Day 5 – Sarajevo, Bosnia

→ Transfer to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

→ City tour of the old town in Sarajevo Visit the Bascarsija (The historical Turkish market); Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (Ottoman mosque from 16th century); The Latin Bridge/ The Assassination Bridge (Ottoman-era stone bridge near the site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s 1914 assassination); The Sebilj Monument (Famous 18th century wooden fountain); the “Sacred Heart” Cathedral (Gothic cathedral from the 19th century); The Sarajevo city hall, The Abandoned Bobsleigh Track (Built in 1984 for the Winter Olympic games in Former Yugoslavia The country opened its doors to the international community to celebrate sport, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, during the long Sarajevo siege the bobsleigh track been used as a base for the artillery); The Tunnel of Hope (Military-history museum at the site of a storied Bosnian War–era underground tunnel);

Free time in the afternoon

Day 6 – Novi Sad, Serbia

→ Transfer to Novi Sad, Serbia Visit the Petrovadian fortress

Overnight in Novi Sad

Day 7 – Belgrade, Serbia

During your free time you can take a walk around the Belgrade waterfront or enter some of the museums in Belgrade: Nikola Tesla Museum; The History museum of Serbia; etc.

Day 8 – Nis, Serbia

→ Transfer to Nis, Serbia Visit the Red Cross concentration camp, The Nis Fortress, The Skull Tower and the Mediana – The birthplace of Consantine the Great

→ Transfer to Sofia, Bulgaria in the afternoon

Overnight in Sofia, Bulgaria

Day 9 – Sofia, Bulgaria

→ Walking tour Sofia Visit the: St. Nedelya square; Nedelya church; St Sofia Monument; St. Petka Church; The old Serdica Ruins; The mineral springs; The council of ministers; The Rotunda “Saint George”; The Presidency; The mosque “Banya Bashi”; The National archaeology museum (not going inside); The National Bank of Bulgaria; Knyaz Alexander Battenberg Square; The King’s palace; The Russian church; St. Sofia Church; The National Theater; The Monument of the “unknown soldier”; The Alexander Nevski Memorial Church; The city garden.

BULGARIA – NORTH MACEDONIA – KOSOVO – ALBANIA

Day 1- Sofia, Bulgaria

Start the Private Balkan tour with pick up at any location in Sofia, Bulgaria (airport , accommodation)

→ Transfer to Boyana area Visit the Boyana church

→ Transfer back to Sofia

→ Walking city tour of Sofia Visit the Historical center of Sofia and the most interesting sights in the area. Visit the St. Nedelya square; Nedelya church; St Sofia Monument; St. Petka Church; The old Serdica Ruins; The mineral springs; The council of ministers; The Rotunda “Saint George”; The Presidency; The mosque “Banya Bashi”; The National archaeology museum (not going inside); The National Bank of Bulgaria; Knyaz Alexander Battenberg Square; The King’s palace; The Russian church; St. Sofia Church; The National Theater; The Monument of the “unknown soldier”; The Alexander Nevski Memorial Church; The city garden; The museum of Sofia.

Overnight in Sofia.

Day 2 – Rila monastery, Bulgaria and Skopje, North Macedonia

→ Transfer to Skopje, Macedonia (3-4 hours) → Walking city tour (1.5 – 2 hours ) and free time in the afternoon Visit the Old muslim quarter, the Stone bridge, the Macedonia square, the Memorial house of Mother Teresa, the “Warrior on a horse” monument, the “Mustafa Pasha” mosque, the Skopje art bridge, the “Daut Pasha” Hamam, the “Mothers of Macedonia” fountain, The Divers statue, Kapan Han, the King Samuil monument, the Archeological museum building

Day 3 – Prizren, Kosovo

Day tour to Kosovo

Visit the city center; Our Lady of Ljeviš Church (14th-century Serbian Orthodox church); Sinan Pasha Mosque (17th Century mosque)

Day 4 – Mavrovo, North Macedonia

→ Transfer to Mavrovo area Visit the St. John the Baptist monastery

→ Transfer to Ohrid at late afternoon

Day 5 – Ohrid, North Macedonia

→ Walking Ohrid City tour in the morning Visit the Ohrid lake, the Monument of St. Naum of Ohrid, the Monument of St Kliment Ohridski, Catcher of a cross monument, the Church of St Sofia, “St Cyril and Methodius” monument, the Ancient theater of Ohrid; the St John at Kaneo church.

→ Transfer to St. Naum Monastery Explore the monastery complex

Day 6 – Berat, Albania

→ Transfer to Berat, Albania Visit the old part of town and the fortress

Overnight in Berat, Albania

Day 7 – Girocaster and Sarande, Albania

→ Transfer to Sarande, Albania via Girocaster

→ Visit the Blue eye on the way Explore the old part of the city

Overnight in Sarande, Albania

Day 8 – Vlore, Albania

→ Transfer to Vlore via the coastline

→ Short walk in the center and free time for relax

Overnight in Vlore

→ City tour of Tirana Visit the “Skanderbeg square” (The main square in Tirana) with the Skanderbeg Statue; the “Et’hem bey” mosque (the Only historical mosque in Tirana) the “Enver Hoxha” pyramid, the Peace bell, the Building of the historical museum of Tirana, a Preserved bunker (In one of the bunkers there is a museum about the victims of the Albanian Communist regime) Maria Theresa boulevard, the University of Tirana, the Old government square; The Clock tower (19th Century)

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Croatia and Montenegro

Bulgaria and Romania

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Where next?

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
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The Balkans Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 164 most popular the balkans trips. compare tour itineraries from 91 tour companies. 743 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating., popular balkan tours.

Explore the best of the Balkans with our popular tours, offering a mix of stunning landscapes, historical sites, and vibrant cultures. Discover why these tours are favorites among travelers seeking an unforgettable experience in this diverse region.

Cycling Croatia's Dalmatian Coast

• Spectacular coastal cycling routes
• Explore the mainland and islands on two wheels
• Discover the Unesco city of Dubrovnik

Wild beauties of Montenegro Adventure - 6 days

• Walk through the true oasis of nature in one of the oldest European rainforests at Biogradska Gora NP
• Savour the beauty of Durmitor mountain, peek into rural Montenegro or, simply, enjoy the Jeep safari ride
• Explore the unbelievable and the last conquered canyon in Europe – Nevidio
• Feel the power of nature on your rafting adventure on the Tara River

Kosovo, Albania & Macedonia Explorer

• Explore the remote northern reaches of Albania and take one of the world’s best boat trips with a cruise through the mountainous corridors of Lake Koman
• Experience daily life in the Valbona Valley with a stay at a local guesthouse. Clink glasses with the locals in the village and hike the rugged valley passes.
• Sail across the blue waters of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest lakes. No wonder North Macedonia and Albania share this beautiful attraction – nobody would want to let it go.
• Kososvo is rich in history and contrasts. Step back in time and learn about the infamous Battle of Kosovo on a day trip to the Field of Blackbirds, before embracing the modern culture thriving in Prishtina, Europe’s youngest capital.
• Lose yourself in Tirana, the Albanian capital full of a revitalised urban energy, and partake in the local's favourite pastime: drinking coffee and people-watching.

Balkans Rail Adventure

• Visit seven countries of Former Yugoslavia in just 16 days
• Experience a variety of scenic rail journeys
• Discover contrasting landscapes and cities in this lesser visited region

Undiscovered Serbia Adventure - 9 days

• Experience the essence of the everyday gourmet life in Belgrade
• Head into underground adventure in beautiful Stopića Cave
• Embrace the lavish beauty of the mighty Silver Mountain
• Conquer the mysterious pyramid of Rtanj Mountain

Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia

• Discover Triglav National Park and the Karavanke mountains
• Embark on varied walks over mountains and through forests
• Enjoy a free day to explore Lake Bled or historic Ljubljana
• Stay at a traditional 19th-century Alpine pension

Dubrovnik to Athens

• Admire the World Heritage-listed architecture of Dubrovnik and Montenegro’s Kotor, climbing along their ancient city walls.
• Loose yourself in Tirana, Albania's colourful capital, and partake in the local's favourite pastime: drinking coffee and people-watching.
• Sail across the blue waters of Lake Ohrid – one of Europe's oldest lakes. No wonder North Macedonia and Albania share this beautiful attraction; nobody would want to let it go!
• Explore the endemic flora and fauna on an easy hike of Pelister: North Macedonia’s oldest national park.
• Hike the slopes of Mt Olympus, the ancient seat of the 12 Greek gods. According to mythology Zeus unleashed his thunderbolts from one of Olympus' peaks.

Sail Dubrovnik to Split / Premium Boat, Above Deck Cabins

All The Balkans , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about The Balkans

Small Group The Balkans Tours

Join our small group tours of the Balkans for an intimate and immersive experience. Enjoy personalized attention and a deeper connection with the region as you explore its hidden gems with a close-knit group of fellow travelers.

Simply Serbia Adventure - 7 days

• Meet lovely Zemun, baroque face of Belgrade (along the Danube)
• Explore the stupendous Fruška Gora mountain in its full glory
• Take a deep breath on flourishing Zlatibor, the beautiful air spa mountain
• Seize a moment and enjoy the picturesque Uvac meanders guarded by the Griffon Vulture

Best The Balkans Tours by Duration

Find the best Balkan tours based on duration, whether for a quick getaway or an extended exploration. Choose from various itineraries that fit your schedule and ensure you make the most of your time in this captivating region.

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best The Balkans Tours by Price

Explore the best Balkan tours by price to find an option that fits your budget. Compare different tours and discover affordable yet enriching experiences, ensuring a memorable journey without breaking the bank.

Top The Balkans Attractions

• Touring the wondrous Parthenon atop the Acropolis in Athens
• Wandering the “Pearl of the Adriatic” -- Dubrovnik, Croatia -- and walking its medieval walls
• Sailing past the dramatic Iron Gates gorge on a Danube River cruise through Romania and Serbia
• Uncovering the mysteries of tiny Albania, cut off from most of the world for decades in the mid-to-late 20th century.
• Docking in the breathtakingly scenic port of Kotor, Montenegro, on a small ship cruise
• Being dazzled by the Ottoman treasures in Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace
• Visiting Bran Castle, famous as an inspiration for the Count Dracula legend in Romania’s Transylvania.
• Admiring painted monasteries in Bulgaria and Romania and  domed Orthodox churches in Greece
• Exploring newly vibrant cities such as Belgrade, Serbia, and Ljubljana, Slovenia

The Balkans Tours & Travel

The Balkans Attractions & Landmarks Guide

The Balkan Peninsula encompasses most of southeastern Europe and spans 12 countries – including Greece, the nations of former Yugoslavia, as well as Albania, Romania, Bulgaria and European Turkey.

It’s a region that has historically been a tinderbox of ethnic and political tensions and violence, but is mostly peaceful today and features some of the most outstanding scenic and cultural sites in all of Europe. Prices are still lower there than in the rest of Europe, so now is a good time to book a tour to this fast-emerging vacation destination.

Counting Kosovo – which declared its independence from Serbia in 2011 but is not yet universally recognized as such – and European Turkey, which includes Istanbul, the Balkan Peninsula is made up of a dozen countries that incorporate multiple religions, languages, and cultural traditions.

While Slavic tongues predominate, the region also features Greek, Turkish, and Romanian. Primary religions include Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Islam (both in Turkey and parts of former Yugoslavia).

Ottoman and Italian cultural influences are strong along the Adriatic coast , many towns throughout retain a medieval European atmosphere, the glories of ancient Greece and Rome persist in extensive ruins, and shoddy 20 th century Stalinist architecture is an unfortunate reminder of the sway the former Soviet Union once held over much of the region.

Why Visit the Balkans on a Tour

The Balkans are the perfect place to visit on a tour. Covering over 250,000 square miles, there is so much to see and do. Visiting this region on a tour is the best way to experience the highlights of the area with expertly planned itineraries.

The Balkans have a very special history and cultural makeup which makes visiting on a themed tour ideal. You can plan your trip around hiking the rugged mountains of Montenegro, eating your way through the cities and villages of the region, or learning about the historical influences that make the Balkans special.

Top Countries in Balkans

Traditionally, there are 8 main countries that make up the Balkans. The region stretches from Bulgaria in the north to Greece in the south, Turkey to the east and Slovenia to the west. While each of these countries are spectacular in their own right, there are a few that are top destinations included in most Balkan tour itineraries.

One of the top travel destinations in the Balkans, Croatia has become a traveler haven. With romantic old towns, historic coastlines, and a rich food scene, Croatia has everything a traveler could want. A few of the most popular stops in Croatia are Split and Dubrovnik , the main cities on the spectacular Dalmatian Coast .

Bosnia is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Much of the country is made up of colossal mountains, deep valleys, and teal rivers. Visitors will love the old town of Mostar and its famous bridge and historians will enjoy the walking tours in Sarajevo learning about the city’s importance in recent conflicts and World War I.  

3. Montenegro

Montenegro is no longer a secret anymore. This small Adriatic Coast country is drawing in adventure seekers and beach goers from around the world. Montenegro has some of the best hiking trails in the Balkans and Kotor is a top cruise and tour destination with its mountains and stunning bay.

4. Bulgaria

Once a Communist stronghold, Bulgaria has an interesting feel. The capital of Sofia is laid back with busy city parks, sprawling squares, and a thriving cafe scene. The surrounding countryside has rolling hills and history that any traveler will want to visit.

Off the Beaten Path Balkan Travel Destinations

While much of the Balkans may be considered off the beaten path, there are few destinations in this region that most travelers may not have heard of.

1. Mostar, Bosnia

A must when visiting Bosnia, Mostar is a hidden valley village. This small town is known for its medieval Ottoman old town and Stari Most (old bridge). Visitors will enjoy eating at the restaurants surrounding the water, shopping through the streets of the old bazaar, and catching a glimpse of one of the world-famous bridge jumpers.

2. Skopje, Macedonia

The capital of Macedonia is a quirky one. Skopje is popular for its unique architecture and hodge podge of buildings lining the river that runs through the city. However, if you wish to go where most have not, this fun city has a growing cafe scene and historic shopping area that will not disappoint.

3. Lake Ohrid, Macedonia

Straddling both Macedonia and Albania, Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest lakes in Europe. This vast lake is an ideal place for boat tours, relaxing on the beach, or visiting the countless churches surrounding the lake.

4. Prizren, Kosovo

Kosovo’s second city, Prizren is nestled below the Shar Mountains and is the cultural center for the country. Kosovo’s important location in Europe can best be scene in Prizren where you can see Ottoman architecture, Serbian Orthodox churches, medieval fortresses, and Kosovo’s wine region.

Balkan Cuisine

Like its weather, Balkan cuisine depends on which country you are in. However, many of the countries do have some overlap.

Throughout the region you will see influences from the Mediterranean , Middle East , Eastern Europe, and Russia . Additionally, in Slovenia and parts of Croatia you can find food closely related to Austria .

Popular dishes in the Balkans range from lamb, goulash, and seafood. Balkan cuisine is very rustic and hearty with stews and soups being a mainstay. One of the most common things you will find are sacs, or lids that cover a dish that hot coals have been poured over to cook the meal. The traditional stews and lamb dishes are cooked in these dishes.

Additionally, the Balkans are known for stuffing everything. You will find peppers, pastries, and meat stuffed with vegetables, sauces, and more meat throughout all of the area.

For travelers who are vegan or vegetarian, you will find eating in the Balkans a bit difficult. Traditional Balkan food is very meat heavy, but there are options in the major cities for vegan restaurants and vegetarian options.

What to Expect from Balkan Tours

One of the best parts about Balkan tours is the combination of scenery and cities. This area of Europe has stunning landscape and some of the most historic and unique cities. You can expect to be awed by both the natural environment and the man made wonders of the Balkans.

There will be plenty of opportunities to learn about the storied history of this region and how the combination of cultures has molded these countries. You will also be able to learn more about how the countries are growing and developing after the recent conflicts that have occurred.

While some Balkan tours will have a low activity level , it should be noted that the Balkans are very mountainous. Some of the cities were built next to mountains or on the coast and you will encounter steep inclines and many stairs. Also, if you are taking a more active tour, you can expect to be doing some extreme hiking .

Are the Balkans Safe to Visit?

Overall yes, the Balkans are safe to visit. The people of the Balkans are known for their kind hospitality and generosity. However, in the busier areas, pickpocketers are common so make sure to secure your belongings.

Much of the conflicts that occurred after the dissolution of Yugoslavia and Communism have ended. However, there are some areas, like the Albania and Kosovo border, that you should avoid. Double check your country’s safety recommendations before visiting and pay attention to your trip itineraries for where the destinations are.

Which Balkan Tour is Right for Me?

In choosing the Balkan tour that’s right for you, it helps to break down the region into three main parts: Greece, Albania, and European Turkey; the former Yugoslav republics; and Romania and Bulgaria. (Alternatively, if you’re interested in seeing them via small-ship sea cruise, you could separate them by the major seas that frame their coastlines: the Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean, and Black.)

1. Traveling through Greece, Albania, and European Turkey

Greece is the best known and most popular tourist destination in the Balkans, and easily warrants a trip by itself, especially if you include the Greek Islands . Athens, Olympia, Mt. Olympus and Delphi are among the mainland highlights, while the Cycladic islands – such as Mykonos and Santorini – are among the most popular in the Aegean. Greece also borders the Ionian Sea to its west.  

Little Albania , just a short ferry hop from the Greek island of Corfu, is sandwiched between Greece to the south and Montenegro to the north, with a coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.

Just now being discovered after a long period of isolation and subsequent years of developing facilities for tourists, Albania is a land of castles, monasteries, mountains, beaches, and parks.

European Turkey stars Istanbul , one of the world’s great cities, whose sights include the Topkapi Palace museum, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, and ferry trips across the Bosporus between European and Asian Turkey. Recently plagued by terrorism, Istanbul travel currently poses some risk.

2. Traveling through the former Yugoslav Republics

Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia comprise this grouping (the country of Macedonia is not to be confused with the Greek region of the same name). Held together for decades by the dictator Tito, Yugoslavia disbanded following the collapse of Communism and initially set off a series of post-civil wars among Serbia, Croatia, Kosovo, and Bosnia, ignited by long-simmering ethnic, religious and national rivalries.

The region is now peaceful and Croatia has become one of the stars of European tourism, with outstanding attractions such as medieval Dubrovnik, classical Split (the city walls are built right into the remains of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace), a series of jewel-like islands along the Adriatic coast , and inland natural wonders such as Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Little Slovenia , heavily influenced by nearby Italy , is a land of mountains, lakes, and castles, while Montenegro is almost entirely mountainous – except for a slender strip along its lovely Adriatic coast. That strip harbors Kotor, one of Europe’s most pristine medieval walled towns, framed by a steep mountain backdrop and reached via southern Europe’s only fjord.

Serbia is anchored by the region’s largest city, Belgrade, gaining fans for its newly minted nightlife, but the country is also known for its mountains, monasteries, and medieval fortresses. One way to see parts of Serbia is via Danube river cruises . Its small offshoot country, Kosovo, is largely undiscovered, as is Macedonia to the south.

Bosnia-Hercegovina played a huge role in world history – its capital, Sarajevo, was the site of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination in 1914, which ignited World War I. Bosnia today is a center of Islamic culture in the Balkans, a remnant of the days when the Ottomans ruled much of this region. But most of Bosnia’s Moslems are native Slavs, not Turks. Mosques, mountains and medieval villages are among the highlights.

3. Romania and Bulgaria

These two major Balkan countries have outlets both to the Black Sea and the Danube River, so may be partially toured via small ship and river cruises. Romania, the land of both notorious Vlad the Impaler and Transylvania’s fictional Count Dracula – whose Bran castle, along with Vlad, were two of the inspirations for Drac – is also known for its painted churches and monasteries, medieval villages, and the Carpathian Mountains. Bulgaria is an ancient land of mountains, monasteries, castles, and a vibrant traditional culture.

Trip Reviews

Just brilliant.

We had a wonderful time cycling the Dalmation Coast. The scenery was amazing, the group were all lovely, our tour leader Marijo was fantastic and the food was grea...

The brochure tells you about the scenery etc but until you get there whow! It's a trip you must do the scenery ,roads and great guide will bring you to places you...

Wonderful way to see a beautiful country

This Croatian trip was a wonderful mix of unspoilt countryside, sparkling clear seas and historical walled towns and cities. It was also a good mix of fairly chall...

Breathtaking scenery and super smooth cycling!

It really was as described on the label - fabulously clear seas teeming with fish, gorgeous vistas of islands, vines and historic villages, with hidden gems of fre...

Highly recommended!

My husband and I have just returned from this cycle trip and we can highly recommend it to anyone thinking of doing the same. Alan, the tour leader, was outstandin...

See all The Balkans reviews

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The Ultimate 2-Week Balkans Itinerary: 3 Perfect Routes

Last Updated on January 2, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

When it comes to planning a Balkans itinerary, it can be difficult to know where to start. As one of the least-visited regions in Europe, there is much of the Balkans that remains undiscovered to most foreign travellers.

This makes travelling in and around the countries that made up former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Albania a perfect place to get off the beaten path while also sticking to even the tightest of budgets.

The Balkan region has something to offer any type of traveller — from thriving, metropolitan cities, to sprawling bucolic idyll, ancient Greek and Roman ruins to pristine blue seas and inviting beaches.

However, with so much on offer in the area, the prospect of piecing together a route can seem slightly overwhelming. The itineraries below will, hopefully, take some of the guesswork out of planning and help you see the highlights of the Balkans over the course of a fortnight!

Table of Contents

Planning a Balkans Trip

Best time to visit the balkans.

One of the biggest things you’ll need to consider for your trip to the Balkans is the time of year in which you plan to visit the region. All Balkan countries experience four seasons — from cold, snowy winters to hot and muggy summers. Also, many places in the Balkans tend to book out far in advance in the summer high season, especially along the Adriatic and Black Sea coasts.

Personally, I think that the best time to visit the Balkans would be in the shoulder seasons. Either in March-May or September-November.

In regards to the weather, with the exception of a handful of cold snaps early on, we found the weather to be mild and pleasant — averaging about 20ºC (68ºF) with abundant sunny days.

I tend to think that travelling in the shoulder seasons would be ideal for the more active traveller as well. There are a wealth of mountains and outdoor activities for the nature lover in the Balkans and the milder weather would make it all the more pleasant to enjoy these.

Planning your itinerary in the winter might prove fruitful as well, however, as many countries (especially Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia) offer world-class skiing at a fraction of the cost to their Western European counterparts.

Trip Length

Though the area of the Balkans seems small, these countries are incredibly diverse and complex and one could easily spend years in the region and barely scratch the surface. In fact, even after spending over three months exploring the Balkans, we feel that there was still so much we missed out on and are desperate to return and see more.

That being said, we understand that the majority of people don’t have an unlimited amount of time in which to devote to a Balkans itinerary. So, if you’re keen to dip your toe into exploring this amazing and diverse region, we would recommend going for two weeks at a minimum.

When planning a two-week Balkan itinerary, there are several things you might want to keep in mind. First off, especially if it’s your first time visiting the region, is that you need to take it slow.

If you can only spend two weeks in the Balkans, try to limit your travels to two or three countries at maximum. While travellers may think the only thing to see in certain Balkan countries is their capital or most popular city, there are a number of beautiful and interesting places to visit in each country and that takes time.

If you have more than two weeks to spend, all of the itineraries in this article can easily be combined or added to in order to suit any trip length. The only limit is your imagination!

Finally, have you considered taking out travel insurance for your Balkans trip? If you’re travelling on a budget and are only after travel medical insurance it’s worth checking out SafetyWing’s nomad insurance.

Getting Around the Balkans

If your visions of travelling through Europe include a lot of train travel, it’s time to give you a harsh dose of reality: the train network is extremely lacking in the Balkans. Therefore, if you are going to be relying on public transit while visiting the corner of Southeastern Europe, you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the bus.

Intercity buses in the Balkans are frequent and affordable throughout the region, but there can be some idiosyncrasies depending on where you are visiting and when. Not all bus routes are listed online, for instance, and those that are can sometimes be inaccurate or out of date.

The best way to make sure that you’re aware of all potential bus routes is to either check at the station or ask someone at your accommodation. This will usually point you in the right direction.

If a particular bus route is erratic, there is also another public transit option that is quite popular among Balkan travellers and that is the minibus. There are a few transfer companies that organise door-to-door intercity transfers in small, privately owned vans.

These do cost more than a traditional bus, however, they operate more frequently and at more agreeable hours than many intercity routes and have the added convenience door-to-door pick-up and drop-off.

If you are interested in using a minibus as transport in the Balkans, they can normally be arranged by your accommodation or privately through a quick Google search. Just type “city A to city B minibus transfer” and you will surely find something.

If you aren’t planning on using public transport to get around and are keen to embark on a Balkan road trip itinerary, then there are a few things you should keep in mind about driving in the Balkans . First and foremost, make sure that your car has the proper insurance so you are able to cross the border.

Most Balkan countries are outside of the Schengen area and therefore have different laws concerning international car travel, so make sure to check with your rental car company to ensure you are able to visit all of the countries on your itinerary.

Generally speaking, roads in the Balkans are fairly well-maintained, especially those going between the large cities. The exception to this, however, is Albania where there isn’t as much money to invest in the infrastructure and the roads can be quite precarious.

Balkan drivers can also be a bit aggressive, so make sure that you are comfortable driving defensively if you want to go on a Balkan road trip.

Accommodation

As mentioned earlier, if you’re not travelling in the high season it’s not essential to book accommodation more than a few days in advance. However, if you happen to find yourself in the Balkans between the months of June and August accommodation can be in a lot higher demand, especially along the coast.

If you are travelling in the high season, we highly recommend booking accommodation as far in advance as makes sense for your travel style – typically a couple of weeks to as much as a couple of months in advance.

If you’re on a budget, then these are some of the accommodation options that we recommend in the Balkans:

• Booking.com – You can generally book anything from budget guesthouses to luxe hotels on this platform throughout the Balkans (and the rest of the world!).
• Hostelworld – Balkan hostels  are some of our favourite hostels in the world as they are often run by locals and tend to be smaller than the typical larger Western European hostels
• Airbnb – a great budget option if you’re travelling as a couple or with friends as private rooms can be cheaper than two dorms.

Balkan Highlights Itinerary

This Balkan itinerary will see you visiting the highlights of the central Balkan nations of Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Both countries have long and complex histories, incredibly diverse and vibrant cities, and friendly and hospitable residents. One thing is certain, however: you will leave longing to come back and see more.

Days 1-3: Belgrade, Serbia

There is really no better major city to begin a sojourn through the Balkans than in Belgrade , the capital of Serbia and the former capital of Yugoslavia.

Belgrade is an incredibly special city that, though certainly a bit rough around the edges and not traditionally beautiful, has a tendency to charm travellers off their feet. There aren’t a ton of typical tourist sites to see here, but it is worth spending at least three days exploring and getting to know the Serbian capital.

Spend your first day exploring the Dorcol and Skardalija neighbourhoods of the city – the oldest part of Belgrade with a range of different architectural styles and fascinating history. Take the time to visit the Kalemegdan Fortress Park which sits above the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers.

And, of course, no visit to Belgrade is complete without experiencing its infamous nightlife.

On your second day, tour the St Sava Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Visit the Nikola Tesla museum and geek out over the inventions of this celebrated scientist and maybe sample a craft beer or two in one of Belgrade’s many pubs.

On the third day in the city, opt to visit the Zemun neighbourhood – which used to be separate from Belgrade entirely and was a part of Austria-Hungary. You could also take the time to wander around Novi Beograd or venture a bit further out and visit the Museum of Yugoslavian History.

Where to Stay in Belgrade

Garni Hotel Opera – Located in the city centre, this is a great hotel if you have a higher budget when visiting Belgrade. They come very highly rated, are within walking distance to all of the best attractions, they have several clean and comfortable rooms available, and breakfast is included in the nightly rate.

El Diablo Hostel – If you’re travelling to Belgrade on a budget, then this hostel is the best place to stay. This place has an incredible atmosphere, a wonderful and helpful local staff, clean dorms and private rooms, and they also organise social events in the evenings. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Belgrade!

Day 4: Novi Sad, Serbia

Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, is an excellent place to visit for a day trip from Belgrade, especially if you want to see a bit more of Serbia. Easily reached in a bit over an hour via bus or train from Belgrade, spending one day in Novi Sad is a wonderful idea.

Selected as the European Capital of Culture 2021, Novi Sad is finally getting the attention it deserves on the international tourism scale. Famous already for its notorious EXIT music festival each summer, Novi Sad also has a beautiful old town that is worth wandering through and a thriving cafe culture.

One of the main sites to see in Novi Sad would be the Petrovardian Fortress which sits atop the banks of the Danube. The city also has a great nightlife and arts scene which ensures that you won’t be bored for a day trip.

Day 5: Belgrade to Sarajevo

The fifth day of this itinerary should be treated as a travel day as you make your way from the capital of Serbia to the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina: Sarajevo. Sarajevo is a delightful city to visit, but it does take basically a full day to get there.

There are buses that leave from Belgrade’s main train station and arrive at the East Sarajevo bus station, which is a fair distance from the city centre – however, it’s easy to hop in a taxi and make it to the old town.

Once you arrive in Sarajevo, simply spend your evening wandering around, getting your bearings or maybe snacking on some burek or classic Sarajevski cevapi.

Where to Stay in Sarajevo

Hotel VIP – This hotel, located in the Old Town, is within a stone’s throw of all of Sarajevo’s best sites. They have a range of comfortable and clean rooms available, a restaurant on site, and a fantastic breakfast included in the nightly rate. 

Hostel Franz Ferdinand – A great hostel for solo and budget travellers. They have a range of dorms and private rooms with helpful staff and breakfast included.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Sarajevo!

Days 6-7: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Sarajevo is a wonderful city to explore and it has a completely different feel to it than Belgrade. With two days here, you can take the time to visit the city’s many museums and learn about its place in history…from Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule to the devastating siege in the 1990s.

Though the war ended here more than 20 years ago, there are still reminders of the devastation that Sarajevo saw scattered throughout the city and it is incredibly important to educate yourself on this contentious matter.

Other interesting sites in Sarajevo include the bazaars of the Old Town, the Latin Bridge (the site where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, which many historians believe was an inciting incident to the beginning of the First World War), and the Yellow Fortress. To learn more about the war od the ’90s, make sure to visit the heartbreaking War Childhood Museum.

On your second day in the city, it can be worth heading out to learn more about the siege of the 1990s by taking a tour the visit the War Tunnel Museum or even riding the cable car up to the abandoned bobsled tracks from the 1984 Winter Olympics. Today they are covered in graffiti and can be fascinating to walk along.

Also, take the time to visit the harrowing 11/07/95 Gallery to learn more about the horrors of the Srebrenica Massacre in 1995.

Days 8-9: Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

After spending time in the Bosnian capital, it’s time to head south to one of the country’s most popular tourist cities: Mostar.

Mostar is perhaps most famous for the iconic, Stari Most, or Old Bridge, which was reconstructed in 2004 after being destroyed by Croatian forces during the Balkan Wars in 1993. Before then, the same bridge had connected the two sides of Mostar for over 400 years.

While Mostar is becoming ever more popular purely because it is incredibly picturesque, small, and walkable, it is important to learn about the history and culture that has shaped this Bosnian city.

Take the time to go on a tour of Mostar in order to learn how the city is still very much ethnically divided today and to try and understand the horrors that residents have had to live through.

On your second day, you can also venture out to visit the lovely Kravice Waterfalls and Blagaj Monastery, along with many other historic sites.

Where to Stay in Mostar

Hotel Eden – This hotel is excellently located in the Old Town, has a number of great rooms available and also has a free breakfast each morning.

Hostel Majdas   – This small hostel located close to everything in Mostar is one of the best hostels in the entire region. Run by incredibly hospitable owners, the rooms are clean and comfortable, they organise day tours of Mostar and the surrounding area, and a hot and delicious breakfast is included in the nightly rate.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Mostar!

Days 10-12: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Now that you’ve been relatively off the beaten tourist trail in the Balkans, it’s time to visit arguably the most popular destination in the region: Dubrovnik . Yes, Dubrovnik is touristy but it’s for a reason – it is absolutely beautiful!

You can reach Dubrovnik from Mostar in about 3 hours, so if you get an early start you will have lots f time to devote to exploring a bit on your very first day.

On the 11th day of this itinerary, take the time walk the city walls (get there early!) and explore all of the highlights of the Old Town. And on your final day in Dubrovnik, take the time to dig a little bit deeper, head to the lovely nature reserve on Lokrum Island or spend some time working on your tan by lounging on one of Dubrovnik’s many beachy areas.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Boutique Hotel Porto   – Located within easy reach of the old town, this boutique hotel is perfect for a plush stay in Dubrovnik. They have plenty of lovely rooms and amenities like free parking and an on-site restaurant.

Old Town Hostel   – This hostel, located in the centre of the old town, is perfect for those visiting Dubrovnik on a budget. They have several dorms and private rooms to choose from and great common areas.

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse other options in Dubrovnik

Days 12-14: Kotor, Montenegro

The final stop on this Balkans itinerary is the lively town of Kotor in Montenegro.

Kotor is a popular day-trip option from Dubrovnik, however, we believe it is an incredible city that deserves more time than just one simple day.

Your first day in this beautiful place can be spent wandering through the charming cobbled streets of the Old Town and walking the famed city walls. It is also worth hiking around the surrounding hills to gain some truly spectacular views of Kotor and the harbour below.

Your second day in Kotor can be spent either exploring more of the city itself or venturing a little bit farther afield to the nearby town of Perast. This is a smaller and less touristy area of coastal Montenegro, however, it is incredibly beautiful and very much worth visiting.

If you have a little bit more time, you could also opt to continue on to the lively coastal town of Budva or the beautiful town of Bar. From the latter, you can also take a train (considered to be one of the most scenic in Europe) back to Belgrade and make this trip a circular route.

Where to Stay in Kotor

Hotel Monte Cristo – This hotel is located in the centre of the Old Town and has a number of great, clean, and comfortable rooms on offer. They also have breakfast included in the room rate and a helpful staff to give you recommendations about Kotor.

Old Town Kotor Hostel   – Located, as the name suggests, in the Old Town, this hostel is a fantastic base for exploring Kotor. They have a very friendly staff who organise social events, clean facilities, affordable breakfast options, and a range of both dorm and private rooms.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse the best options in Kotor!

Central Balkans Itinerary

If the draw of the Balkans for you lies in getting considerably off the beaten path and exploring nations like Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo, then this is the itinerary for you!

Like the route listed above, one of the most logical starting points of any trip through the Balkans is in Belgrade. So if you’re following this itinerary through the Central Balkans, then make sure to start with a few days exploring the Serbian capital.

Days 4-5: Skopje, North Macedonia

From Belgrade, it’s time to hop on a bus (or into your hire car!) and head to the capital city of North Macedonia: Skopje. Skopje is an interesting city, one that has seen some massive renovations in the past decade.

There are many interesting things to see in Skopje, such as the statue of Alexander the Great, the Kale Fortress, and the Stone Bridge. There are numerous monuments to historical figures in the country’s history littered throughout the capital, as well, most of which were erected within the past fifteen years or so.

Another great thing to do in Skopje is to take a day hike and enjoy the natural scenery surrounding the capital. Spending the day hiking to the Matka Canyon, for instance, is very popular amongst visitors to the North Macedonian capital.

Where to Stay in Skopje

Hotel Old Konak – This centrally located hotel is a fantastic base for exploring Skopje. It has a number of clean, comfortable rooms available and breakfast is also included in the nightly rate.

Shanti-Hostel   – Located in the centre of town, this hostel has great common areas, is clean and comfortable, and has both private and dorm beds available. They also have friendly staff to ensure your visit to Skopje is a great one.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Skopje!

Days 6-7: Ohrid, North Macedonia

After spending time exploring the capital, it’s time to head to one of the most beautiful towns in North Macedonia: Ohrid. Situated on the banks of the eponymous Lake Ohrid , this wonderful town is a great place to visit, recharge your batteries, and enjoy the beautiful lakeside scenery and relaxed way of life.

It is worth riding a bicycle by the lake to take in the scenery away from the (albeit minimal) tourist crowds. Visit the main attraction in the city, the Church of St John the Theologian, take the steep hike up to Samuel’s Fortress which offers spectacular views of the city, and ensure you don’t miss the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid.

There are a number of other beautiful hikes you can do in and around Ohrid if you are keen to explore some of the mountainous terrain of the Balkans, along with some watersports available on the lake itself.

Where to Stay in Ohrid

Villa Jordan  – This hotel, located directly on the lake, is one of the best places to stay in Ohrid. Their clean, spacious, and comfortable rooms include lake views, there is a pool and other recreational facilities, and there is a fantastic breakfast included in the nightly rate. 

Old Town Hostel   – A great option for both budget and solo travellers alike. Centrally located, they have a great local staff who are keen to help out their guests with anything, they have many rooms available, and great common areas to meet others. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to see the best hotel deals in Ohrid!

Days 8-10: Tirana, Albania

After enjoying the order and beauty of the previous towns and cities mentioned in this particular itinerary, it’s time to head to the wonderful chaos of the Albanian capital: Tirana .

Tirana isn’t always everyone’s favourite city, with its lack of traditional tourist sites and visible outward beauty. However, visit this city with an open mind and speak with locals and you are sure to have an amazing visit to this underrated Balkan destination.

Tirana has a thriving cafe culture and one could easily spend a day hopping from one cafe to another, enjoying some of the best coffee in the region. There are also a number of interesting museums and historical sites to visit which will help you learn more about Albanian history and isolation.

Where to Stay in Tirana

Hotel Antigone – This hotel located in Tirana’s city centre is a great option. They have a number of clean rooms available, a restaurant and bar on site, and breakfast is included in the room rate.

Trip’n Hostel   – This small hostel run by a friendly and helpful local staff has a great atmosphere and fantastic common spaces to meet other travellers. They also have a range of dorm and private rooms available.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Tirana!

Day 11: Berat, Albania

As one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Albania, spend your eleventh day of this itinerary on a day trip to historic Berat. Driving, Berat is only located only about 1.5 hours from Tirana, however, it may take a bit longer if you’re on the bus so make sure to get an early start.

Once in Berat, make sure to explore its UNESCO-listed historic centre and hike up to the incredible castle. Here, you can get excellent views and also enjoy the charming, village-like atmosphere.

Berat is one of those places that is simply a joy to wander through and get a bit lost in. It makes for the perfect place to expand on your experience of Albania when you don’t have a whole lot of time.

Days 12-13: Prizren, Kosovo

After spending some time exploring beautiful Albania, it’s time to venture even more off the established tourist trail and head to Kosovo.

Prizren is the second-largest city in Kosovo and also one of the most beautiful, which makes it a perfect addition to this Balkans travel itinerary.

It has a more laid-back pace of life than the capital of Pristina and there are a number of lovely historic sites to visit in the city as well. The picturesque old town is filled with beautiful mosques, bridges, and the Prizren Fortress which offers great views over the rest of the city.

It is quite small in size, so you can see a great portion of the sites in just a day or two. Take the time to really get to know Prizren during your time here and maybe take advantage of a day trip or hike nearby.

Where to Stay in Prizren

Hotel Edi Imperial – This small hotel is a great place to base yourself in Prizren. Located in the Old Town, they have a few cosy and clean rooms on offer, a helpful staff, and a great breakfast included in the nightly rate.

Ura Hostel – This hostel has a fantastic and hospitable local staff who are keen to show off the best of what Prizren has to offer. They have both dorm and private rooms available and clean and comfortable facilities. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Prizren!

Day 14: Pristina, Kosovo

End this route through the Central Balkans in the capital city of Kosovo: Pristina. Kosovo sees very few visitors as Balkan countries go but this is a huge shame as this young nation has a lot to offer travellers.

It might seem like there isn’t much in Pristina, however, this is another city that needs time to get to know and appreciate. Take the time to get lost in its streets, visit some of its fantastic historical sites, a enjoy its thriving cafe culture.

Pristina also has some great restaurants that would be a great introduction to Kosovan food, which is unique to that of other countries and draws from a number of influences. It is also a fantastic base to go on some day trips to other, smaller towns and villages in Kosovo where few tourists ever venture.

Where to Stay in Pristina

Hotel Prima – This hotel is in a prime location for exploring Pristina. They have a few great clean and comfortable rooms available and also have a free breakfast that is included in the nightly rate. 

Oda Hostel – Situated in a great location, this small hostel has a friendly and involved staff that have a ton of great recommendations and organise evening social events. They have a few rooms on offer for visitors. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Pristina!

Coastal Balkans Route

Those who are after beautiful coastal scenery but still want the atmosphere and travel challenges associated with the Balkans, then this itinerary is for you! Winding through Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, this is a great route for those who want the perfect mix when it comes to Balkan travel.

Days 1-3: Dubrovnik, Croatia

There really is no better place to begin an itinerary such as this one than in the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik. Though it can be an expensive destination to visit (especially when compared to the prices in the Balkans elsewhere), spending your first few days exploring Dubrovnik is a pure joy.

This is going to be the busiest place you visit on this particular itinerary, but if you spend more than a day in Dubrovnik, you will be able to find ways to avoid the crowds.

Days 4-6: Kotor, Montenegro

From Dubrovnik, continue along the Adriatic to the beautiful town of Kotor in Montenegro. There’s a lot to do in Kotor and it’s especially great for those who want to be a bit active during their holiday.

You can get your heart rate pumping by climbing up to the iconic fortress which offers beautiful views over the Bay of Kotor!

Spend two days in Kotor enjoying all that the town has to offer before moving onto our next destination – wonderful Albania!

Days 7-9: Tirana, Albania

After spending time in and around Kotor, it’s time to cross the border once more and head to Albania, where we’ll spend the remaining week of this itinerary. Begin your time in Tirana and plan to spend two days exploring the Albanian capital before moving south and exploring more of this beautiful country.

Day 10: Berat, Albania

From Tirana, hop on a bus (or in the car) and begin making your way south – including a stop in the lovely town of Berat, where we’ll be spending the night.

Known as the “Town of a Thousand Windows,” Berat is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted for its historic castle and countless Ottoman-style houses lining the picturesque streets.

Spend a day exploring the joys of Berat and make sure to get a good night’s rest, because there are even more great places to visit tomorrow!

Where to Stay in Berat

Hotel Bila Nino  – This cosy little hotel in the centre of Berat is a great, comfortable option for those after a mid-range stay. They have several lovely rooms and an inviting terrace and garden on site.

Berat Backpackers Hostel  – Those after a good budget choice in Berat will like this hostel. They have a great location for exploring the town and plenty of dorms and private rooms to choose from

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse more Berat hotels!

Days 11-12: Gjirokaster, Albania

From Berat, head even further south to the historic town of Gjirokaster. This is another of the well-known UNESCO-listed towns and has an incredible collection of Ottoman-era stone houses and a grand old bazaar to explore.

Gjirokaster is also the birthplace of the infamous and brutal dictator Enver Hoxha, who ruled Albania from 1941-1985 and made it one of the most isolated and oppressed countries in Europe during his rule.

It can take about 3 hours to get from Berat to Gjirokaster, but depending on bus timetables, this can vary in how long it will take to reach the town. Therefore, plan to spend at least one full day exploring all this incredible town has to offer.

Where to Stay in Gjirokaster

The Stone Sky Hotel  – A delightful hotel in the old town of Gjirokaster, they have several great rooms on offer, a fab breakfast available in the morning and an on-site restaurant.

Stone City Hostel  – Backpackers will love this highly-rated hostel in a central location. There are several types of rooms available and excellent common areas along with day trips arranged.

Not quite what you’re looking for?  Click here to browse more Gjirokaster hotels!

Days 13-14: Sarande, Albania

Though we’ve spent a bit of exploring the inland areas of this area of the Balkans, it’s time to end your itinerary in the coastal town of Sarande – located in the south of Albania not too far from the border of Greece.

Sarande itself is nice enough to explore – with a lovely beach and views of the gorgeous Ionian Sea and even the island of Corfu in the distance – but it’s also a great base to see some incredible scenery of fascinating ancient ruins.

So during your time in Sarande, ensure that you take a day trip to Butrint. which is home to an archaeological park filled with excellently preserved Greek ruins. You can also make a stop in Ksamil, which is home to one of the region’s few beautiful sandy beaches.

This is a great place to end your fortnight in the Balkans, however, you could venture into Greece if you have a bit more time. The island of Corfu is only a stone’s throw from Sarande or, if you’d like to visit Mainland Greece , you can head further onto places like Meteora or even all the way to Thessaloniki .

Where to Stay in Sarande

Hotel Kanes   – Offering several rooms with views over the Ionian Sea, this hotel has plenty of amenities like free parking and even an airport shuttle.

Saranda Backpackers  – Great for backpackers looking for a lively seaside atmosphere, this hostel has a great location right on the waterfront. There are several rooms to choose from and fantastic common areas, as well.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Sarande hotels!

Mapping out the perfect Balkans travel itinerary can be a daunting process, with so many wonderful places to explore in this diverse region. Make sure to devote an adequate amount of time to each destination you visit and you will ensure that your Balkan trip is the best it can be!

Are you planning to visit the Balkans? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Very descriptive and in-depth knowledge shared , kudos !!!

Glad you found this helpful!

Hi Maggie, Thanks for your travelogue and suggestions. You are doing a great public service which is greatly appreciated. We are planning to travel from Ljubljana to Split to start our Balkan trip in Nov/Dec this year. We plan on stopping at a number of places along the way before making our way from Kotor to Tirana, then from there south to Corfu and onwards to Thessaloniki. We want to do the entire trip by bus and train and have been looking at travel options in Rome to Rio. I’m not sure how accurate the website is. What is your advice on public transport in winter, Are buses in the Balkans reliable and what about in Albania and into Greece? I heard that the roads are a bit iffy in Albania. Thanks again.

I’m so happy you’ve found this information helpful! Sounds like you’re planning a great trip 🙂 In general, buses are reliable in the Balkans, though some routes may have fewer connections in the winter. I don’t think you should really encounter a problem. I wouldn’t rely completely on what Rome2Rio says, but it can be a good overview of what routes exist. Generally, your best bet is to see the connections available while at the bus station itself (or by asking around – perhaps at your accommodation). Hope this helps and you have a wonderful time!

It is interesting – only te Western part of Balkans is covered. I wonder what is the reason? Probably Greece is widely covered, but there are Southern parts, that are not so popular. Bulgaria is not mensioned at all too. Even Turkey has its part on the Balkans!

It’s impossible to incorporate such a vast region in only a few 2-week itineraries. We do have dedicated itineraries for Bulgaria: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/bulgaria-itinerary/ , Mainland Greece: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/greece-mainland-itinerary/ and Turkey: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/turkey-itinerary/ so I assure you, these countries are not forgotten or overlooked in our eyes!

Hello…want to travel to the balkans with my group of well travelled friends around 15 seniors in good health.., with interest in culture history n cuisine. we are Indian nationals of Xtian origin….so we have visa issues which we organise with your support data…these are the countries.. Serbia, Bostnia &Herzegovina,Kosovo Albania, Macedonia , Montenegro. We need a slow pace trip n not rush , days can be 15 or more. Thnx n regards Wynoma Thnx wynoma

Sounds like you’ve got quite a trip planned, Wynoma! Hope you have a great time.

Thank you for your email, sounds awesome. What would it cost me to do this tour.(BALKANS) 2 people traveling, sharing accommodation.

Hi Vanessa, glad you found this article helpful! We have actually written a detailed price guide to help you figure out your travel costs. You can find it here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/balkans-travel-budget/ Hope you’re able to plan a great trip!

Hi Maggi, We are a travel enthusiast couple from India . Could you please help me to plan a route for these destinations by public transport . Flying in to Tivat – Montenegro -Kotor, Montenegro-Tirana, Albania-Berat and Gjirokaster -Sarandë -Butrint-Skopje, Macedonia- Ohrid, Macedonia-Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina-Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina-Novi Sad, Serbia- flying out of Belgrade, Serbia. I have 3 weeks plus and we don’t want to rush every day with suitcases so day trips wherever possible are preferable. We don’t mind doing some if not all these destinations, though from your itinerary account they all seem fabulous. Thanks

Hi Aradhana, sounds like you’re planning quite the trip. Bus timetables and public transport in the Balkans can be hard to plan, but you can check up on a lot of routes by using BalkanViator.com. However, this isn’t always 100% accurate and it’s a good idea to check the routes at the bus stations when you’re there on the ground. Hoe you have a great trip!

Hi Maggie Great site – I really enjoyed reading about your journeys. We are planning a trip to the Balkans in September. Unfortunately, and unusually for us, it has to be a little less ‘off the beaten path’ as I broke my leg and ankle badly last year and my hiking and stair walking abilities are much compromised. That said, we are planning to see some of Bulgaria, Romania, a quick pass through Zagreb before going to Bosnia and then on to Montenegro. We have been to the Istrian Coast of Croatia and a bit of inland Croatia but are not planning to go down the dalmation coast (I did this many years ago). We’ll be driving ourselves – we’re pretty comfortable with this as we’ve driven around Turkey and Morocco and Spain and Italy. We have about 6 weeks for this trip. Things we are keen to see include Brasov, drive the transfargarian road, Sarajevo, Mostar, Durmitor NP, Perast, Trebinje and anything ancient! Have you got any recommendations? Do you think we are trying to do too much? We also hope to duck over to Bari from Dubrovnik and spend an additional week in the Lecce area (depending on finances :-/ ) Thanks in anticipation Rana

Hi Rana — sorry to hear about your injury but it sounds like you’re planning quite the trip nonetheless! We have quite a bit of information about a lot of places in Bulgaria and Bosnia & Herzegovina if you want to check out our destination pages for those: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/tag/bulgaria/ & https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/tag/bosnia/ Hope these help and you have a great time in the Balkans!

Hi Maggie! Thank you so very much for all of this excellent information. I scored a round trip ticket to Belgrade from JFK for $193 – how could I NOT DO THIS??? In APRIL?? I will be visiting solo and your advice has helped me feel super excited instead of nervous. I have been taking Bosnian/Croatian language for a year and my teacher here will hopefully be able to arrange meet-ups with family he has still in the area. But I’m much happier being overly prepared than underprepared!

Thanks for your comment, Helena! Sounds like you snagged a great flight deal and I hope you have a great trip to the Balkans. I’m so glad that our advice has been helpful for you 🙂

Hello Maggie, Your itineraries sounds very exciting! I plan to do a solo travel in the Central Balkans for 2 weeks in September. Is it a good idea to travel solo? Thanks

Hi Shini, glad you like the itineraries and sounds like you have a great trip planned! September should be a great time to visit the Balkans. In my own experience, travelling solo was safe and easy in that area of the world. It was always easy to meet other people and I never felt like my personal safety was at risk. Hope you have an amazing time, I’m sure you will love it 🙂

Thanks for the reply!

Hi Maggie. Great page! I am likely going to mirror your Central Balkans itinerary in July 2019. Can you expand on how you traveled in between destinations? And how you managed booking the transportation? Thanks!

Hey, Greg, thanks for your comment! Your best option when it comes to travelling between destinations is to take the bus — it is more often than not the only public transport option, as well. If you want to make absolutely sure that you get a seat, I recommend heading to the bus station to book your place a day or two before you intend to travel. Some bus companies may have online booking, but in our experience, it can be unreliable. Hope that helps and you have a great trip!

Hi Maggie. At the end of 2017 my wife and I sold our house, most of our furniture and our car and embarked on a year long travel in Europe. Our plan is to stay a month at a time in one location (to both save via a month long discount and immerse ourselves at least a little in the culture) central enough in various countries and take day or overnight trips to nearby sites. So far we have spent a month in southern Spain and are concluding a month in southern France. Next up is Greece. As you know we will then need to spend 3 months outside Schengen countries and our thought was to do that in the Balkans. I could not have read your Balkans piece at a better time! As an authority on the area where would stay if you were to spend a month in 3 locations including Romania, Bulgaria and the Adriatic Balkans? Just so you know we have taken a tour of the Adriatic Balkans with Road Scholar that included Montenegro north to Slovenia and loved all of it. We know very little about Romania and Bulgaria. We have been using Airbnb to find lodging.

I look forward to any advice you can throw our way.

Cheers, Wayne

Hey Wayne! That sounds like an absolutely amazing journey and I hope you’re having a great time! As for a place to settle for a bit outside of the Schengen area, Sofia can be quite a good option — people generally have mixed opinions about the city but we, personally, loved it — and it has a great restaurant and arts scene and a lot of really interesting things to do. Plovdiv is also a great option in Bulgaria, it is definitely prettier than Sofia and has a lot of ancient Thracian ruins as well. It’s also located close to a lot of Bulgaria’s best wine country.

In Romania, our favourite city we visited there was Cluj-Napoca and it definitely feels very livable and vibrant. However, if you’re keen to do a few more day trips, it might be better to base yourselves somewhere like Brasov, which is closer to a lot of the “highlights” of Transylvania.

I hope this helps!

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Top Things to Do in Balashikha, Russia

Places to visit in balashikha.

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• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Malenky Puppet Theater

2. Balashikha Park

3. Monument to Street Cleaner

4. Rock Fountain

5. Temple of Archangel Michael

6. Palace Pekhra-Yakovlevskoe

7. Monument to Fallen Soldiers-Brothers

8. Transfiguration Church

9. Mystical Castle

10. Alexander Nevskiy Cathedral in Balashikha

11. Homestead Gorenki

12. balashikha museum of history and local lore.

13. Arena Balashikha Ice Dome

14. Protection of the Holy Virgin in Balashikha

15. Art Gallery of The City District

16. Grave of Michael Lunn

17. Temple of St. Catherine

18. Alekseyevskiy Pond

19. Temple of Pochayevskaya Icon of Our Lady

20. Temple of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in the Trubetskoy

21. Lover's Bridge

22. Temple of St. Vladimir

23. fairy tale children's model puppet theater, 24. saltykovka flea market.

25. Lisya Gora

26. Ecodrom Ekvilibr

27. temple of the prelate nicholas, 28. balashikha chapel.

29. Zoodvorik Zolotoi Fazan

30. Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

Balkan Explorer

• Fully Guided
• Coach / Bus

Places You’ll See

• Explore every country in the Balkan Peninsula
• Free days to enjoy Dubrovnik, Budapest and Sofia
• Explore Delphi, Meteora and Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Visit Kotor, Budva, Tirana, Ljubljana, Belgrade and Thessaloniki
• Introduction
• Day 1 Start of tour in Athens
• Day 2 Delphi - Meteora - Kalambaka
• Day 3 Kalambaka - Ohrid
• Day 4 Ohrid - Tirana
• Day 5 Budva - Kotor - Dubrovnik
• Day 6 Dubrovnik
• Day 7 Mostar - Northern Croatia
• Day 8 Plitvice Lakes - Ljubljana
• Day 9 Ljubljana - Budapest
• Day 10 Budapest: Free Day
• Day 11 Budapest - Belgrade
• Day 12 Niš - Sofia
• Day 13 Sofia: Free Day
• Day 14 Sofia - Thessaloniki
• Day 15 Thessaloniki - Athens
• Day 16 End of tour in Athens

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Customer photos.

Operated by Expat Explore Travel

Expat Explore is one of the industry’s leading coach tour operators. Their core mission is #TravelMadePossible - to make travel fun, convenient and affordable for travellers from all over the world. They offer a selection of more than 60 itineraries that explore destinations across Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Sustainability Initiatives

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 4.1
• Itinerary Excellent 4.3
• Guide Excellent 4.4
• Transport Excellent 4.3
• Accommodation Good 3.9
• Food Good 3.9
• Tour Operator Expat Explore Travel 4.4
• Most Recent
• Most Popular
• Highest First
• Lowest First

• MA Mahmood · 24th August 2021 This tour has been cancelled by the company just a few days before the tour supposed to begin and we were waiting to hear from the company if this tour is going to be run or cancelled. Trip date: August 2021

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• August 2025
• September 2025
• October 2025
• Saturday 8 Jun, 2024 Sunday 23 Jun, 2024 English Sold Out Based on Double Room €2,309 See Similar Tours For These Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 23 Jun, 2024 Monday 8 Jul, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,309 Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 13 Jul, 2024 Sunday 28 Jul, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,309 Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 28 Jul, 2024 Monday 12 Aug, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,309 Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 17 Aug, 2024 Sunday 1 Sep, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,150 Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 1 Sep, 2024 Monday 16 Sep, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,309 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 21 Sep, 2024 Sunday 6 Oct, 2024 English Filling Fast Multiple Room Types €2,309 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 6 Oct, 2024 Monday 21 Oct, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types €2,309 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Monday 14 Oct, 2024 Tuesday 29 Oct, 2024 English Almost Sold Out Multiple Room Types €2,309 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• Get Instant Confirmation Thursday 8 May, 2025 Friday 23 May, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €2,257 0% Interest Instalments Only Pay 10% Deposit Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h

Frequently Asked Questions

Whilst internal flights are covered for certain itineraries, you will have to make your way to the meeting point for the start of your tour. When booking flights be mindful of departure times and possible delays. Tip: We suggest that you start comparing prices the moment your deposit is paid to avoid costly flights.

We have a set minimum age of 10 for our tours, but we're happy to consider younger children on a case-by-case basis. Just let us know your request, and we'll do our best to accommodate it. Expat Explore reserves the right to accept or decline the request at our discretion. We want to ensure everyone has a great time exploring with us!

We make every effort to include local cuisine on our tours to ensure an authentic experience for you. You'll receive an email before the tour begins, where we'll ask for your dietary preferences. We always have a vegetarian option, and we'll work hard to accommodate any other dietary needs or preferences you may have.

Contactless payment is widely accepted across Europe – it’s best to bring a payment card with no overseas withdrawal fees. * Keep in mind that certain optionals are payable in cash to your tour leader whilst on tour. We suggest that you talk to your Tour Leader about when & where to draw cash to pay for the optional excursions.

While Expat Explore cannot assist with booking pre or post-tour accommodation, we recommend Booking.com for affordable accommodation options prior to and after the tour. If hotel information is available, we can provide you with the details in advance so that you can book accommodation at or nearby the start hotel. Please request this by sending a message through on the conversation page.

While Expat Explore endeavours to stay current on all major entry requirements, we are not a registered visa agent. We are, however, able to make things a little easier by providing you with the required supporting documents for a visa application once your tour is paid in full. It is a requirement of the embassies that tours are paid for in full before visa support documentation is requested and applications are made. When you have made the final payment for your booking, simply reach out to our Customer Support Team to request your visa support documents and confirm which embassy you will be applying to.

This is up to you and will vary depending on how much you wish to spend on snacks, drinks, souvenirs etc. We do not include entrance fees to attractions and museums. We do, however, provide you with free time to see everything you want, and our tour leaders will have all the information on pricing and locations so you can manage your own budget. Please refer to your tour-specific pre-departure information and optional excursions guide for further details.

It's your responsibility to arrange sufficient travel insurance for your trip. When you travel with Expat Explore, both you and your personal belongings do so at your own risk. A comprehensive insurance policy should cover medical expenses for illness or accidents before or during the holiday, as well as reimbursement for lost holiday funds due to cancellation, curtailment, or other insurable events. Make sure there are no exclusions that would limit coverage for the activities included in your tour. We generally recommend WorldNomads because they cover a wide variety of nationalities, but you are welcome to use any supplier that offers you the most comprehensive plan. You are able to obtain travel insurance through one of TourRadars partners, XCover. Please reach out to receive a quote.

We embrace travelers of all ages and backgrounds, prioritizing attitude and mindset over age restrictions. However, our tours are fast-paced and jam-packed with experiences. Regrettably, individuals with mobility limitations or those using wheelchairs may find this tour challenging. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring quaint towns and navigating cobblestone streets. We want every traveler to fully enjoy their journey, so we encourage reviewing the itinerary carefully before making your booking decision.

When you book for more than one person, we will by default group you together in the same room(s), unless you request single supplements or specifically request us not to. If there are unequal numbers (3, 5, 7 etc.) then the remaining traveller will be roomed with another passenger of the same gender, unless you opt to add a single supplement (subject to availability) to your booking. Please note that minors under the age of 18 cannot share with another traveller outside of your group's booking. If you are making separate bookings and would like to share the same room(s), please send us an email with the booking references for each of the travellers and the details of your preferred rooming allocation.

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Rusmania • Deep into Russia

Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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