start in Skoplje and end in Zagreb
14 DAYS – 5 COUNTRIES
Duration
11 days
Type of tour
multi-day
Group size
min. 2 persons
Languages
english
Available
during the whole year
Age
suitable for all ages
Tour overview
Welcome to an unforgettable journey through the Balkans, a region rich in history, culture and natural beauty.
The starting destination of this tour is Skopje. In addition to visiting five Balkan countries in just eleven days, you will get to know our traditions, tastes and the atmosphere of the Balkans. Try authentic dishes, socialize with the locals and discover cities like Skopje, Ohrid, Budva, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Zagreb and many others.
The Balkans is a region rich in history, culture and diversity.
Did you know?
- Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, and has well-preserved medieval walls and architecture. The most famous series “Game of Thrones” was filmed here.
- That the city of Sarajevo is often called the “Jerusalem of Europe” because of its rich multicultural history. Different peoples and religions have met here throughout the centuries
- Trogir is a city full of churches, palaces and other historical buildings that are a mixture of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, and have been incredibly well preserved over the years
- Nobel Prize winner and humanitarian, Mother Teresa, was born in Skopje, a city that commemorates her legacy with the Mother Teresa Memorial House. Skopje is known for its delicious cuisine. From hearty grilled meat to traditional pastries and refreshing Balkan drinks
- The Japod Islands, located 16 km from the town of Bihac, represent a heart-shaped fairy tale on the Una islets. Bridges lead you across the river, from the terraces you can enjoy the view of the beautiful Una and its surroundings, summer on the Japod Islands is known for the perfection of nature embodied in the sunrise and sunset.
Highlighted tour activities
- Visit 5 countries with stops in 19 cities
- Experience the tradition, natural wealth, and diversity of the countries we will visit
Tour itinerary
Upon your arrival at Skopje International Airport, your tour guide will warmly welcome you and assist with your transfer to your hotel in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. After checking in and taking some time to rest, enjoy a welcoming dinner at the hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to explore this amazing city at your own pace. Overnight in Skopje.
After breakfast we will have a city tour of Skopje with our local tour guide, where you’ll visit the main sites, including the Skopje Fortress, Stone Bridge, Old Bazaar, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, and the Memorial House of Mother Teresa. If you’re looking for a unique shopping experience, look no further than the Old Bazar. This is the largest bazaar in Macedonia and its’s full of interesting shops selling everything from traditional Macedonian clothing to delicious food. From ancient ruins to modern-day marvels, this beautiful city is home to some of the best attractions in the region and it’s safe to say there is something for everyone in Skopje. After that we will try some Macedonian specialties, in local restaurant with amazing view. After lunch, we will start our trip to Ohrid. On our way to Ohrid we will have a stop in Tetovo, where we will see one of the most amazing historical monuments Colorful mosque. One of the most beautiful and most representative buildings in Macedonia, as well as the most recognizable site of the city of Tetovo is the Colorful mosque. It is located in the old part of the city, on the right side of the Pena River, dating back to 1495. It features an one-space square structure that combines Baroque and Neoclassical Ottoman building style. Once when we arrive in Ohrid, you’ll have a free time to rest and to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest human settlements in Europe. Overnight in Ohrid.
After breakfast, join a local guide for a walking tour exploring the well-preserved medieval architecture and lakeshore. Following the tour, take a boat ride around Ohrid Old Town, cruising close to the shore for a detailed view, and on the return journey, enjoy a unique panoramic perspective of the entire Old Town. Notable landmarks include the 9th-century Church of Saint Sophia, the fishermen settlement Kaneo, and the mid-15th-century Church of Saint John at Kaneo—renowned for its breathtaking location perched on a cliff overlooking Ohrid Lake.
After a day filled with activities, have lunch at a local restaurant, sampling authentic regional flavors. Here, you will have a free time to explore along the Ohrid Lake promenade, enjoying the scenic views. In the afternoon, continue your journey to Tirana, the capital of Albania. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and unwind for the rest of the evening at your leisure.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will leave Budva and continue our way to Tirana. Once we arrive in Tirana we will have a walking tour which will include visits to Skanderbeg Square, the National Historical Museum, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the Pyramid of Tirana. You will also see the colorful buildings of the Blloku neighborhood, which was once reserved for the communist elite.
After the tour we will have a lunch and a free time to explore this city. We recommend you to visit Bunk’Art 2 museum which is in the city center of Tirana,and it is the second of the two anti-nuclear bunkers in Tirana recently transformed into an interactive artistic space. We will continue our trip to Budva. Free time to enjoy in Budva and overnight in this amazing city.
After breakfast at Budva, we will continue our way to Kotor. We will arrive in Kotor, a city resembling an open-air museum. Kotor is a dramatic town where the present coexists with medieval churches, cathedrals, Venetian palaces, and pillars. The city is a tapestry of contrasts – old squares with modern cafes, serenades and live music, echoes of footsteps in narrow cobblestone alleys, and balconies adorned with wrought iron railings and petunias. Your first experience will be a boat ride along the shores of Kotor. A boat tour is a fun and exciting way to explore a new place, providing insights into the history and culture of the area. Starting from Kotor, our tour will take you panoramically to the Old Town of Perast, known for its historic buildings, including the Church of St. Nicholas and Perast Museum. As an important trading center with a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, Perast boasts Venetian-style architecture and two small islands, St. George and Our Lady of the Rocks. Our journey includes a stop at the Lady of the Rock island, famous for its 15th-century Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, which is free to visit. The island also houses a museum with maritime artifacts and paintings, providing an opportunity for amazing photos and an unforgettable experience.
Following lunch in one of the oldest local restaurants, you’ll have the freedom to explore this Montenegrin gem on your own. In the afternoon, our journey continues to Dubrovnik, where you’ll check in at the hotel for an overnight stay.
The renowned city of Dubrovnik, often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic,’ awaits us as our next destination. Dubrovnik’s cultural heritage is awe-inspiring, featuring Renaissance and Gothic palaces, churches standing side by side, a polished Stradun (the main street), ornate squares with exquisite fountains and towers – all embraced by defense ramparts constructed between the 12th and 17th centuries. A popular activity is walking along these historic walls, offering spectacular views of the harbor and the beautiful city itself, making them an iconic feature of Dubrovnik. Following a walking tour led by a local guide, you’ll have some free time to explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town and experience the cable car. This cable car ride takes you up to Mount Srd hill, providing breathtaking views. At its summit, you’ll find a large white stone cross and Fort Imperial, a defensive structure built by the French in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars. Dubrovnik is also renowned for its association with Game of Thrones. After a lunch with an amazing view, you’ll spend the entire day exploring the charms of Dubrovnik. After that, we will continue our way to Split. Overnight stay in Split
After breakfast at Split we are heading to Bosnia and Herzegovina. First stop will be – amazing Kravice waterfall. The Kravica waterfall is a pearl of the Herzegovinian landscape, located on the Trebizat River, 7 km away from Ljubuski. It is a unique natural beauty built by the Trebizat River flowing through limestone terrains and depositing tufa.The river Trebizat is rich in numerous waterfalls, clear water, greenery of willows, poplars, apple trees and other vegetation and an abundance of trout and other fish species. This breathtaking natural attraction with cascading waterfalls is surrounded by lush greenery. Its height is about 25 meters and the radius of the lake in the base of the waterfall is 120 meters.
During the summer period, you can swim in the water amphitheater under the waterfall and enjoy water sports, or rent a boat to see the waterfalls up close. After that we will have a lunch and a tour in Mostar. You’ll have free time to explore Mostar on your own, and to spend evening in this amazing city. Overnight in Mostar.
After breakfast, you’ll have a tour with local guide of the City of Mostar. This marks the beginning of your exploration of Herzegovina, an exquisite region boasting scenic landscapes, Mediterranean fruits, and bathed in abundant sun and water. Mostar, with its cobblestone streets, ancient stone buildings, and the iconic Old Bridge spanning the picturesque Neretva River, presents a scene straight from a fairytale. Your itinerary will include visits to the renowned Old Bridge, the Old Bazaar, and the historic mosques and Turkish houses in Mostar’s Old Town. Continuing the journey, we’ll head to Blagaj, where the impressive Blagaj Tekija awaits—a Dervish monastery situated beside the crystal-clear Buna River. Built on solid rocky soil at the right side of the source of the Buna River, one of Europe’s largest, the Tekija boasts European nettle trees growing from the cliff cracks above. A towering 240-meter cliff looms above the Tekija, contributing to its unique charm. Our lunch will be served in this captivating setting, surrounded by the beauty of the Buna River and stone surroundings. We will continue our trip to Sarajevo, and you can spend your evening exploring this city. Overnight in Sarajevo.
After breakfast at your hotel, you will have a full day tour of Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina! Explore the Old Town, renowned for its Ottoman-era architecture and vibrant marketplaces. Highlights of the day include the historic Baščaršija Square, the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, the Latin Bridge – where on 28 June 1914, Gavrilo Princip shot and killed Franz Ferdinand, the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. This event was the immediate cause for the beginning of the First World War. Whether in summer or winte, Sarajevo remains a magical city, where the East and West meet. Accompanied by our local guide, you’ll see the real life of locals, savor Bosnian cuisine, and witness a captivating demonstration at a hammered copper workshop by a skilled artist. For those passionate about Bosnian cuisine, there’s an opportunity to participate in cooking classes after the tour. No visit to Sarajevo is complete without trying the renowned Bosnian ‘ćevapi’ – kebab, served with traditional bread, somun, and onions. Bon appétit! Later, we will visit the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum, recounting the story of the city’s siege during the Bosnian War. Following the sightseeing, you will be transferred back to your hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Sarajevo.
After breakfast, our first stop will be Travnik, a historic town known for its Ottoman-era architecture and beautiful mountain scenery. You will explore the Travnik Fortress, the colorful Sulejmanija Mosque, and the birthplace of Nobel Prize-winning author Ivo Andrić. You will then continue to Jajce, a town famous for its beautiful waterfall and historic fortress.
You will visit the Pliva Waterfall, the Jajce Fortress, and the Catacombs, an underground complex of tunnels and chambers that served as a hiding place for the resistance during World War II.
Afterwards, you will make your way to Bihac, a charming town located on the banks of the Una River. Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel and have the rest of the evening at leisure. You can take a leisurely stroll along the river or relax and unwind at a local cafee.
After breakfast, you will depart from Bihac and cross the border into Croatia. Your first stop will be the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most beautiful natural wonders of Croatia. You will spend the day exploring the park’s interconnected lakes and waterfalls, walking along the wooden pathways that meander through the lush forest, and enjoying the pristine beauty of the turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls. In the afternoon, you will continue your journey to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel and have some free time to rest or explore the city on your own. Overnight in Ljubljana.
Start your day with a walking tour of Ljubljana’s charming old town with local tour guide. You will visit iconic landmarks such as Triple Bridge, Preseren Square, and Ljubljana Castle. Explore the local markets, such as Central Market and Open Kitchen, to experience the vibrant culinary scene. After that,we will continue our trip to Bled. Upon arrival in Bled, we will take a boat ride to Bled Island. Here, you can take some time to explore the island, including the charming Church of the Assumption. After that, we will enjoy in dinner at one of the local restaurants with views of Bled Castle. At the end of the day, you must try one of the most popular Slovenian cake, “Kremšnita” (Bled Cream Cake), at a local cafe or pastry shop. Here, you’ll have a free time to explore Bled on your own, and our overnight will be in one of the hotels in this hidden natural gem in Slovenia.
Today, after breakfast at Bled, we will continue our trip to Zagreb, where you will embark on a full-day city tour of Zagreb, the capital and largest city of Croatia. You will explore the city’s historic landmarks, cultural sites, and vibrant atmosphere. You will visit the historic Upper Town, including the St. Mark’s Church, the Lotrščak Tower, and the Croatian Parliament. You will also visit the Lower Town, including the Ban Jelačić Square, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Dolac Market. In the afternoon, you will have the option to visit some of Zagreb’s museums, such as the Museum of Broken Relationships or the Museum of Contemporary Art, or simply enjoy some leisure time to shop for souvenirs or explore the city at your own pace. Rest of the day will be free so you will enjoy exploring this city. Overnight in Zagreb.
After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute sightseeing or shopping in Zagreb before checking out from your hotel. You will then be transferred to the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your tour.
The tour includes
- Accommodation in 4*/5* hotels on a bed and breakfast basis in double rooms
- Guide
- Transportation during the tour with an English driver
- SIM card with internet
- Tourist taxes and insurance in hotels
- Driver
the tour does not include
- Entrance tickets
- Additional meals – lunch and dinner
- Single room supplement
- Travel insurance
- Anything not mentioned