Routes & itineraries
The 17-day Grand Balkan Tour, day by day
Our Grand Balkan Tour crosses nine countries in 17 days, from Bucharest in Romania to Ljubljana in Slovenia. Along the way it takes in Transylvania, Sofia, Lake Ohrid, Tirana, the Bay of Kotor, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Zagreb and Lake Bled, with 4–5★ hotels and guides throughout.
Here is what each day looks like, and who the route suits. Full details and current prices are on the tour page.
The route at a glance
Overview
- Countries: Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Slovenia.
- Starts: Bucharest. Ends: Ljubljana.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way include: the Ohrid region, the Old Towns of Kotor and Dubrovnik, and the Old Bridge area of Mostar.
Days 1–5: Romania and Bulgaria
Week one
- Day 1 – Bucharest, Romania: Arrive, meet your tour leader and driver, check in to your 4–5★ hotel and join a welcome dinner.
- Day 2 – Bucharest: Guided city tour, including the Palace of the Parliament, one of the world’s largest administrative buildings.
- Day 3 – Transylvania: Peleș Castle, Bran Castle with its Dracula associations, and a guided walk in Brașov.
- Day 4 – Bulgaria: Cross into Bulgaria: Veliko Tarnovo and the Tsarevets Fortress viewpoints, then a guided tour of Plovdiv.
- Day 5 – Sofia: Guided tour of Bulgaria’s capital, including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Roman Serdika.
Days 6–10: North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro
The south
- Day 6 – North Macedonia: Boat cruise in Matka Canyon to Vrelo Cave, a guided tour of Skopje, and dinner.
- Day 7 – Ohrid: Catamaran cruise on Lake Ohrid with stops at the Bay of Bones and St. Naum Monastery, then Ohrid’s old town at sunset.
- Day 8 – Tirana, Albania: Guided city tour, the House of Leaves museum, and dinner with live music.
- Day 9 – Albania to Montenegro: Kruja Castle and bazaar, a farm-to-table lunch at Mrizi i Zanave, Shkodër, then on to Podgorica.
- Day 10 – Montenegrin coast: Skadar Lake, the Sveti Stefan viewpoint, Budva Old Town, a guided tour of Kotor and a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks from Perast.
Days 11–17: Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Slovenia
The north
- Day 11 – Croatia and Herzegovina: Guided walk in Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Kravica Waterfalls, Medjugorje, then Mostar.
- Day 12 – Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mostar’s Old Bridge and bazaar, stops in Jablanica and Konjic, then an evening tour of Sarajevo with a ćevapi dinner.
- Day 13 – Serbia: Dobrun Monastery and Drvengrad, Emir Kusturica’s wooden village, then a guided tour of Belgrade.
- Day 14 – Zagreb, Croatia: Travel to Zagreb for a guided walk through the Upper Town and St. Mark’s Square.
- Day 15 – Slovenia: Bled Castle, a pletna boat to Bled Island, then a city tour of Ljubljana.
- Day 16 – Slovenian karst: Postojna Cave by cave train, Predjama Castle in its cliff, and an evening canal ride in Ljubljana.
- Day 17 – Ljubljana: Private transfer to Ljubljana Airport.
Who this tour suits
Is it for you?
The Grand Balkan Tour is for travelers who want to see the whole region in one trip: its capitals, its coast and its mountains. Days are full and include several long drives, balanced by guided walks, boat trips and time on your own in the evenings.
If you prefer a slower pace, a shorter route focused on one region, such as Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, may suit you better.
Practical notes
Practical
- Arrival: fly into Bucharest, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.
- Departure: a private transfer takes you to Ljubljana Airport on day 17.
- Pace: several days include long scenic drives between countries; there is free time most evenings.
- Borders: your tour leader and driver handle the border crossings between non-Schengen countries.
- Before you book: check passport validity and current entry rules for each country on the route.
Key takeaways
Summary
- Nine countries in 17 days, from Bucharest to Ljubljana.
- Highlights include Transylvania, Lake Ohrid, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo and Lake Bled.
- Hotels are 4–5★, with guides and transport throughout.
- Current prices and dates are on the tour page.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Where does the Grand Balkan Tour start and end?
It starts in Bucharest, Romania, and ends in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Which countries does it visit?
Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Slovenia.
Is the tour very fast-paced?
It covers a lot of ground, with several long travel days. Travelers who prefer a slower trip may choose a shorter regional route.
How do I see prices and dates?
Current prices and departure dates are on the tour page.
Related reading
- Balkans travel guide: countries, seasons and routes
- Explore the Balkans in 10 days
- Sofia, Bulgaria: a travel guide
See the full itinerary, inclusions and current prices on the Grand Balkan Tour page.
Prepared by Balkland’s regional travel team.
Travel stories, route ideas, and practical Balkan tips prepared for you by the Balkland regional team.