Balkan Highlights Train Tour

Your adventure begins in Zagreb, a city where Austro-Hungarian elegance meets Balkan spirit. As you settle in, you’ll start to notice the rhythm of the capital as trams clatter by, you can watch locals sipping coffee for hours, and the historic Upper Town revealing its charm in lantern-lit alleys.

You will spend the day exploring both the Upper and Lower Towns of Zagreb on a walking tour, where Gothic spires, baroque facades, and socialist-era blocks tell a layered story. From the colorful roof of St. Mark’s Church to the peculiar Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb offers a quirky mix of tradition and modernity, with leafy parks and lively squares in between. Not to worry, you’ll have plenty of time to explore on your own as well.

In the early afternoon, you will board the train to Split, crossing from the green hills of inland Croatia to the rugged beauty of the Dalmatian coast. The 8-hour journey winds through villages, vineyards, and mountain valleys, offering a window into rural life and timeless landscapes before arriving in the vibrant, sea-kissed city of Split by evening.

Another day, another unforgettable historic city. On the Split tour, you will walk along 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 freedom to shape your day: spend it leisurely in Split, soaking in the Adriatic sun, or take a trip to Dubrovnik. If you go, the drive hugs the coastline before arriving at the walled city, where red rooftops and limestone streets form a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

Today you’ll leave Croatia behind as a private transfer takes you across the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina. The journey weaves through mountains and river valleys toward Mostar, where the iconic Stari Most bridge arches over the turquoise Neretva River. The blend of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Balkan influences make this small city feel both familiar and foreign.

The short train ride from Mostar to Sarajevo is among the most scenic in Europe. As you follow the Neretva River northward, steep canyon walls, rolling hills, and sleepy towns pass by your window. Upon arrival in Sarajevo, you’ll find a city where minarets, church towers, and the echoes of recent history come together in a compelling and poignant urban landscape.

With a full day in Sarajevo, you’ll have the chance to explore its many sides. The walking tour will show you the seamless way the Ottoman-era bazaars lead to Austro-Hungarian boulevards, while museums and memorials offer insight into the city’s complex 20th-century past. Whether sipping Bosnian coffee in Baščaršija or standing on the corner where WWI began, Sarajevo is bound to leave a lasting impression.

Today you’ll descend from the highlands of Bosnia into Montenegro’s Adriatic basin via a private transfer. The road from Sarajevo to Bar cuts through rugged mountain passes, river gorges, and sleepy border towns. By the time you reach the coast, the air shifts – warmer, saltier, and full of Mediterranean promise as you arrive in the seaside town of Bar.

You will set out along Montenegro’s most stunning coastal road toward Kotor Bay, a landscape often called Europe’s southernmost fjord. Ringed by limestone peaks and dotted with small fishing villages, the bay leads you to Kotor’s UNESCO-listed Old Town reveals centuries of Venetian and Balkan influence. You will have time to wander the fortress, visit St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, and enjoy the tranquil charm of this breathtaking coastal gem before returning to Bar.

It’s time for the highlight of the trip – one of Europe’s great rail journeys aboard the Montenegro Express, climbing from the Adriatic Sea into Montenegro’s wild interior. The 12-hour ride, including a train switch at Bijelo Polje, carries you across more than 400 bridges and through over 250 tunnels, with endless views of canyons, forests, and mountain villages before arriving in Belgrade in the evening.

In Belgrade, you’ll find a city constantly reinventing itself. Perched at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, it offers a raw, magnetic energy, whether in its lively bohemian quarter, historic Kalemegdan Fortress, or buzzing nightlife. Between brutalist blocks and Art Nouveau mansions you’ll explore on your walking tour, the city tells stories of past wars, cultural shifts, and Balkan resilience.

For the final exploration, a short train ride will take you to Novi Sad, Serbia’s second city and the cultural heart of the Vojvodina region. Overlooking the Danube, the Petrovaradin Fortress hints at the city’s Austro-Hungarian past, while colorful streets, art spaces, and relaxed cafés invite slow exploration. You’ll return to Belgrade in the evening for one last taste of the capital’s charm.

Your journey through the Balkans comes to a close in Belgrade. After two weeks of crossing borders by train, discovering ancient cities, and witnessing the diversity of this complex region, you’ll depart with memories of coastlines, canyons, and cultures that have stood the test of time.