You will start your Balkan tour with Zagreb, and see some of its most famous attractions like the centuries-old Ban Jelačić Square which is the center of Zagreb’s downtown pedestrian zone. You will also stroll through Zagreb’s beautiful Old Town and take a look at the monumental gothic Zagreb Cathedral.
Overnight in Zagreb
Walking tour of Zagreb
Zagreb Old Town
Airport transfer
The next day you’ll first drive to Slovenia’s capital which is just a couple of hours away from Zagreb. Ljubljana is a small city full of character and beautiful architecture. You will be able to compare the architectural and cultural influences of Ljubljana with those of Zagreb, as you walk around town and see some of Ljubljana’s most famous sights like the Prešeren Square and the Triple Bridge. You might even take a boat ride along the beautiful green Ljubljanica River that runs through the city.
Overnight in Ljubljana
Breakfast
Walking tour of Ljubljana
Ljubljana city center Ljubljana’s central market Ljubljana Castle Ljubljanica River
Ljubljana Castle entrance fee Boat ride on Ljubljanica River
After three days of city tours, it’s time to take a break in nature. After waking up in Ljubljana, you will commence with your picturesque drive to Bled, where you will first marvel at the famously romantic Bled Lake with its Bled Castle and Bled Island. Depending on your wishes, you can also cross the lake to visit the church on Bled Island. Afterward, you will head even deeper into the Julian Alps, first to the breathtakingly beautiful and breathtakingly cold Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park, the only national park in Slovenia, which is known for its crystal clear waters, bright green pastures, and monumental mountains. After getting our fair share of fresh air, you will return to Ljubljana to get a good night’s rest.
Bled Castle entrance fee Pletna boat ride to Bled island
Lake Bled Bled Castle Traditional pletna boat Triglav National Park Lake Bohinj
Entrance fee to the church on Bled Island Cable car ride to Mount Vogel
Your next adventure awaits underground. You will visit one of the most famous caves in the world, the Postojna Cave, and with a bit of luck, you’ll even see the “baby dragons” that rule these underground halls. You will also stop by the Predjama Castle, a medieval castle that was built into the rock face and holds the title of the biggest cave castle in the world. Then, you will head back to Ljubljana, where you will be able to enjoy a free afternoon and take in all the amazing views from the day.
Postojna Cave entrance fee
Postojna Cave Slovenian Karst Predjama Castle
Predjama Castle entrance fee
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is famous for its stunning terraced lakes and incredible waterfalls that link them. Its breathtaking views have even been recognized by UNESCO World Heritage and added to their list of protected sites. A day in the serenity of this natural wonderland will recharge your batteries, and offer up views you won’t be able to stop thinking about for days to come. After your Plitvice adventure, you will continue your journey and head to Zadar, where you will have a free evening to unwind and explore this beautiful historic coastal city.
Overnight in Zadar
Plitvice Lakes National Park entrance fee
Plitvice Lakes
You will continue your Balkan adventure with a double feature, as you will see not one but two incredible historic harbor cities in one day. You will first head from Zadar to Šibenik, famous for the Cathedral of St. James, a 15th-century stone church decorated with 71 sculptured faces, as well as its 14th-century Prince’s Palace.
Trogir’s old city center is known for its Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque architecture. You can also admire parts of the original medieval city wall. Trogir’s historic center is even protected as a UNESCO heritage site, because of its Venetian architecture. With our heads full of history and amazing architecture, you will head to Split, Croatia’s second-largest city to spend the night.
Overnight in Split
Walking tour of Šibenik Walking tour of Trogir
Šibenik Old Town Trogir Old Town
Another day, another unforgettable historic city. On your Split tour, you will walk on the steps of history as you discover the Roman Diocletian’s Palace, the Riva promenade from Napoleon’s time, and Split’s Old Town which tells the story of a city that was under the rule of Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, the Byzantine, the Kingdom of Croatia, the Republic of Venice, the French Empire, the Austrian Empire, and Yugoslavia before it finally became part of independent Croatia. You will have the afternoon to yourself, to enjoy Split whichever way suits you best.
Walking tour of Split
Split and UNESCO World Heritage Site Roman heritage of Split
The eighth day of your Balkan exploration will be dedicated to Croatia’s crown jewels – its islands, scattered along its coast in the Adriatic Sea, offering perfect vacation spots to tourists from all over the world. You will embark on a sailing tour that will take you to the breathtakingly beautiful Blue Cave on Bisevo Island, the idyllic Vis island, and the postcard-worthy Blue Lagoon on Budikovac island, where you will explore the crystal clear waters more in-depth, by snorkeling in the lagoon. Your sailing tour will then take you to Hvar, one of the most popular islands in Croatia, where you will get some free time to discover the picturesque town. To finish off the trip, you will sail around the Paklinski Islands, a group of around twenty small islands that are a true holiday paradise. After a day full of sunshine and adventures, you will return to Split.
Boat trip Snorkeling gear Water on the boat
Blue Cave – Biševo Island Vis Island Blue Lagoon Hvar Island Paklinski Islands
The next day, you will expand your horizons even further with Bosnia’s Turkish influences that are the result of the Ottoman invasions that started in the 14th century. You will start the day by driving through the incredibly scenic Neretva canyon and continue your way to Mostar. You will take a walk through Mostar’s Old Town, which is famous for its unique architecture, as the city is built around (and over) the Neretva River. It is not surprising that the Old Bridge which connects the two river banks is the central part of Mostar. You will end the day by driving to Sarajevo where you will spend the night.
Overnight in Mostar
Walking tour of Mostar Koski-Mehmet Pasha Mosque entrance fee Franciscan Church Bell Tower entrance fee
Catholic Church of St. Peter and St. Paul Franciscan Church Bell Tower Mostar Old Town Stari Most (Old Bridge) Koski-Mehmet Pasha Mosque
The first order of business on day ten will be the city of Ston. With its ancient and incredibly preserved walls, Ston is a dream location for any medieval enthusiast or just anybody who loves the sight of centuries-old, stone-built structures that have witnessed countless different stories and events.
Your next stop is Dubrovnik. On your walking tour, you will explore the beautiful historic architecture and stone-paved streets of the Old Town, and pay a visit to the famous Dubrovnik City Walls. Dubrovnik is most famous for serving as one of the sets for Game of Thrones, so fans of the show are definitely in for a treat, but we are certain everyone will be enthralled by Dubrovnik, regardless of their TV preferences.
Overnight in Dubrovnik
Walking tour of Ston Ston Walls entrance fee Walking tour of Dubrovnik
Ston Old Town Dubrovnik old town
Dubrovnik Walls entrance fee
The eleventh day of our Balkan tour will be dedicated to wondrous Montenegro. You will start the day off by driving around the Bay of Kotor, and taking in the views in a sedentary position before you continue your exploration on foot. Kotor is an ancient city, and it’s even included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list as part of the Venetian works of defense. You will be able to trace the steps of the Venetians as you climb the Walls of Kotor, the shell of this fortified city. As this is quite a demanding tour, only those who feel up to it will tackle the walls, while the rest will have some time off. After getting to know Kotor, you will head off to Budva where you will spend the evening either strolling Budva’s beaches or old town for a relaxed night.
Overnight stay in Budva
Walking tour of Kotor
Bay of Kotor Kotor Old Town Kotor Walls Budva Old Town
The last day of the tour will be spent in enjoyment and relaxation. Budva is a great town where anyone can find something to their tastes – whether you want to spend your last day before departure soaking up the sun and swimming in the Montenegrin sea, or strolling along the stone-paved streets of the old city center, Budva will give you the perfect setting to finish your Balkan tour on a high.
Not enough? Why not spend a few more days here! Extend your holidays with a pre- or post-holiday extension. Accommodation, sightseeing, and activities can be arranged. Add as many extra days to your holiday as you wish.
This dozen-day Balkan trip gives you a little bit of everything, for a well-rounded exploration of the western Balkans. Our tour of Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, as well as Montenegro, will take you on a Balkan travel experience full of beautiful cities, incredible nature, and heavenly beaches.
The first part of your tour will be a bit more landlocked, as we explore Zagreb, and Ljubljana, two historic capital cities with beautiful architecture, and a relaxed atmosphere. We will then dive into Slovenia’s natural wonders in the Julian Alps. Our destinations will be the world-famous Lake Bled with its picture-perfect scenery, romantic island church, and its slightly less known but no less amazing neighbor, Lake Bohinj.
After your adventures in the mountains, you will head underground, into the majestic subterranean mazes of the Postojna Cave and the mesmerizing underground river that flows through it. Your travels through the Balkan peninsula will continue in Croatia’s Plitvice National Park, which will offer up even more amazing scenes of nature with its terraced lakes and connecting waterfalls.
From lush greenery to the Adriatic coast. The second part of your tour will see you strolling through the ancient cities on the coast of Croatia, and exploring the different Roman, Greek, and Venetian traces left here throughout history. You’ll visit the iconic sights in Šibenik, Trogir, and Split, enjoy a day at sea while sailing around Hvar, Croatia’s most popular island, and discover the unforgettable cities of Ston and Dubrovnik. Later on, Montenegro will give you another taste of Mediterranean magic when you go to the amazing vacation destinations Budva and Kotor.
Your tour will also include Mostar, the most beautiful city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its iconic stone bridge, and fascinating mixture of Ottoman and Balkan cultural influences.
Prepare yourself for twelve days full of adventure and unforgettable memories on this Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia, and Slovenia tour!
