Croatia and Slovenia Tour
See the best of Slovenia & Croatia in 8 days
Marvel at the majestic mountains in the Triglav National Park and the emerald green water of the Plitvice Lakes National Park
Explore the unique natural sights of the Julian Alps and the Postojna Cave
Visit the capital cities of Ljubljana and Zagreb, rich in their history
Stroll the streets of ancient Croatian coastal cities of Split and Dubrovnik
Smell the sea on the beaches of the beautiful Adriatic coastline
Itinerary
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 can even take a boat ride along the beautiful green Ljubljanica River that runs through the city or roam inside the walls of the Ljubljana Castle.
Walking tour of Ljubljana
Overnight in Ljubljana
After a day in the city, it’s time to take a break in nature. After waking up in Ljubljana, you will commence on your picturesque drive to Bled, where you will first marvel at the famously romantic Bled Lake with its Bled Castle and Bled Island. Afterward, you will head even deeper into the Julian Alps, first to the breathtakingly beautiful 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 your 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
Overnight in Ljubljana
Our 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
Predjama Castle entrance fee
Overnight in Ljubljana
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Zagreb, where you will see some of its most famous attractions like the centuries-old Ban Jelačić Square which is the center of Zagreb’s downtown pedestrian zone. On the walking tour, you will also stroll through Zagreb’s beautiful Old Town and take a look at the monumental gothic Zagreb Cathedral. As you’ll also spend the night in Zagreb, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city on your own and get a feel for its lively atmosphere.
Walking tour of Zagreb
Overnight in Zagreb
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.
Plitvice Lakes National Park entrance fee
Overnight in Zadar
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 your head full of history and amazing architecture, you will head to Split, Croatia’s second-largest city to spend the night.
Walking tour of Šibenik
Walking tour of Trogir
Overnight in Split
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
Overnight in Split
Our final destination is Dubrovnik. On your walking tour of Dubrovnik, 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.
Walking tour of Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Walls entrance fee
Want to make some changes?
Guided
Included in price
Self guided
Included in price
Description
Come with us on a week-long Balkan holiday to Slovenia and Croatia, the shortest of Balkan travel and tours, and get a comprehensive tour of the two countries. From mountainous Triglav National Park and vibrant capitals to spectacular seaside cities on the Croatian coastline, your week will be over in an instant, but the memories of the amazing places you’ll visit will stay with you forever.
Of course, you can’t visit the two countries and not go to their capital cities. Ljubljana and Zagreb will offer their beautiful architecture, great city vibes, a lively coffee culture, and some incredible historic sites like the medieval Ljubljana Castle and the gothic Zagreb Cathedral.
Slovenia offers an abundance of natural wonders so we’ll make sure that you spend a few days exploring its picturesque Julian Alps, the romantic Lake Bled, the beautiful Triglav National Park, and its jewel-like Lake Bohinj. But Slovenia’s beauty is not just surface-level. Underneath the ground hides a magical world of maze-like, dripstone-filled caves. You’ll visit the world-famous Postojna Cave which even has a river flowing through it, providing truly breathtaking views.
That being said, Croatia also prides itself on many spectacular natural sights. One of them is the Plitvice National Park, a natural phenomenon of terraced lakes connected by mesmerizing waterfalls, all nestled in a pristine, lush natural landscape.
It would be a crime to visit Croatia, and not take advantage of its amazing coastline. You’ll get your fix of the Mediterranean vibes in Šibenik, Trogir, Split, and, of course, Dubrovnik. All of these cities have an incredibly relaxed summer atmosphere, romantic stone-paved streets and stairways, and a fascinating history, as these locations have been important harbors since antiquity until today. That’s why they are also full of epic historic architecture, like the 15th-century Cathedral of St. James which is decorated with 71 sculpted faces, or Dubrovnik’s famous city walls.
Join our holidays in Croatia and Slovenia, and we promise you, you’ll only want to travel more of the Balkans by the end of it!
Map
Start planning today!
Things to know
No, but we can arrange them for a surcharge from the following airports:
- Ljubljana
- Venice
- Zagreb
- Belgrade
- Sofia
- Dubrovnik
- Podgorica
No, our tours do not include plane tickets, and we also do not advise on them. However, we can help you choose the airport closest to the starting location of your tour or arrange a shuttle from/to the airport for an additional fee.
Of course, just let us know upon booking so we can make timely arrangements.
Solo travelers who want to meet and travel with like-minded people often join us on our tours, except the private ones. Our mission is to provide you with a relaxed and sociable tour experience that allows the group to grow closer throughout the journey. Solo travelers will be roomed with another solo traveler of the same gender or can upgrade to a solo room for an additional fee.
If you provide your dietary requirements when booking your tour, we will make the necessary arrangements to the best of our ability. But please understand that vegan & gluten-free options are not as widely available in this area, especially in the more rural Balkans.
All the countries on our Balkan Tours, except Slovenia, use their local currency. We recommend you exchange small amounts of money as you go in the cities since the exchange rates are much more favorable than at the airports. Your tour leader will be happy to assist you.
The currencies in the countries on our way are:
- Serbian Dinar,
- Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark,
- Macedonian Denar,
- Albanian Lek,
- Euro in Slovenia and Croatia.
On scheduled tours, you are limited to taking 1 suitcase and 1 smaller bag for personal items per person.
There are no luggage restrictions on private tours, as long as you’re able to carry it for a short distance.
Yes, but anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Also, keep in mind that some of the activities on our Balkan Adventure tour are not appropriate for children under the age of 12.
Depending on your nationality and the countries you are traveling to, you will need a valid passport and an entry visa. Check this well in advance of the departure date of your tour since some visa processing times may take multiple weeks. Be mindful that Slovenia is the only country we visit that is in the Schengen area, so every other country has its entry conditions. Some even require passports to have 3-6 months left until the expiry date, so be sure to double-check before booking your tour. When deciding to book your travels, contact us for assistance, so we can help you to get everything you need for a stress-free tour through the Balkans.
Besides the price of the flight tickets, it depends on how much you anticipate spending on food, drinks, and shopping. On average, the prices in the Balkans are lower than in Western Europe and decrease the further south you go. It is also common practice to tip in restaurants, bars, hotels, and taxis if you feel you have received excellent service.
All of the hotels and other accommodations on our tours have WiFi available.
Each trip can be made shorter or longer. Inform us of your wishes upon or before booking.
Of course. All of our tours are fully customizable. Itineraries can be prolonged, shortened, combined or just tweaked a little, with no extra charge for you.
Sure. Choosing the hotels can always be up to you. If you’re on more of a budget, we can offer you affordable accommodation options, or upgrade to more premium ones for a more luxurious experience.
No. We recommend you take medical insurance that would cover any possible health-related costs on this trip.