10-Day Balkans Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Balkans tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineBalkans travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Day Greece & Balkans Itinerary, incl. Athens and Sofia

  A grand circuit of 5 Balkan countries unfolds over 10 days, from Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral to Ohrid's ancient churches. Rest at select hotels including Best Western Terminus Sofia and Albanopolis Tirana. Additional trips available to Matka Canyon ($25) and local wineries ($55).

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Athens

    Land at Athens International Airport and spend your first evening in the Plaka neighborhood. The streets quiet down after 6 PM when most tour groups leave. On day two, start early at the Acropolis. A recent visitor advised: "Get there by 8:30 AM before the intense heat and crowds arrive." Spend the afternoon touring the Panathenaic Stadium and Parliament with a guide who'll walk you through the history.

    
  • Day 3

    Athens to Meteora via Delphi

    This is your longest travel day at 430km. Drive 3 hours to Delphi to see the Temple of Apollo and ancient ruins with a guide. Pack sturdy shoes since the paths can be slippery. Stop for lunch in Arachova to try local mountain dishes before the 4-hour drive to Kalabaka.

    
  • Day 4

    Meteora to Thessaloniki

    Visit the Meteora monasteries in the morning. Remember the dress code: women need long skirts and covered shoulders, men should wear long pants. Take a 3-hour drive to Thessaloniki and spend your evening walking around Aristotelous Square and the waterfront.

    
  • Day 5

    Thessaloniki to Sofia via Rila Monastery

    Cross into Bulgaria and visit Rila Monastery. A visitor noted: "The frescoes are incredible, but bring a light jacket - the mountain monastery stays cool even in summer." You'll reach Sofia by evening.

    
  • Day 6

    Sofia to Skopje

    Take a morning tour of Sofia's highlights, including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Drive 4 hours to Skopje, North Macedonia. Walk around the Stone Bridge and Old Bazaar in the evening when they're lit up.

    
  • Day 7

    Skopje to Tirana via Prizren

    You can visit Matka Canyon in the morning for $25. Drive to Prizren, Kosovo for lunch and sightseeing, then continue to Tirana. The city's colorful buildings look great in photos during late afternoon.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Tirana to Ohrid

    Tour Tirana's main square and mosques in the morning. Drive 2.5 hours to Lake Ohrid. You'll have almost two days to explore the UNESCO Old Town and take a boat trip to St. Naum Monastery if you want ($45).

    
  • Day 10

    Return to Athens

    Your final day includes a scenic drive through Kastoria and past Meteora to Athens. Plan for 8+ hours with stops, so book late flights if you're leaving that day.

    

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• 10 Day Athens to Amalfi Coast Itinerary, incl. Meteora and Rome

  4-day Balkans segment covers Thessaloniki's White Tower, Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Skopje's Stone Bridge. Optional 25 EUR Matka Canyon visit available. Stay at comfortable hotels like Best Western Terminus Sofia and explore Prizren's Ottoman architecture.

  

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  • Day 1

    Athens Arrival

    Your private transfer from Athens International Airport takes you to your hotel. Looking for dinner plans? Walk to the Plaka neighborhood for better dining options than touristy Monastiraki Square. A previous guest noted: "Get to the rooftop bars early evening for stunning Acropolis views without the midday heat."

    
  • Day 2

    Athens Exploration

    Start with a guided Acropolis tour, followed by the Acropolis Museum before the crowds arrive. Later, take a relaxing walk through the National Gardens. The morning tour schedule works best since temperatures are cooler and archaeological sites are less busy.

    
  • Day 3

    Athens - Delphi - Meteora

    Leave Athens at 7AM for a full day (430km total). You'll reach Delphi around 10:30AM. After your tour, it's a 4-hour drive to Meteora. The roads wind quite a bit, so bring motion sickness medication if needed. You'll arrive in Kalabaka (Meteora) by evening. Remember to pack long pants or skirts for tomorrow's monastery visits.

    
  • Day 4

    Meteora - Thessaloniki

    See the Meteora monasteries early for the best photo lighting. Women need shoulder coverings, but you can borrow scarves on site. After lunch, drive 228km to Thessaloniki. Spend your evening walking the waterfront. Want a local treat? Try the famous bougatsa pastry at Bantis, open until midnight.

    
  • Day 5

    Thessaloniki - Rila - Sofia

    Today you'll enter Bulgaria and visit Rila Monastery. Pack good walking shoes for the cobblestone paths. Total driving is 350km including border crossing. Get Bulgarian currency at Thessaloniki airport for better exchange rates.

    
  • Day 6

    Sofia - Skopje

    Tour Sofia's highlights including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in the morning. Drive to Skopje (244km) in the afternoon. Border crossing usually takes 30-60 minutes. Take an evening walk in Skopje's renewed center. Keep some euros with you as many local places prefer them.

    
  • Day 7

    Skopje - Prizren - Tirana

    Visit Kosovo's Ottoman town Prizren on your way to Tirana. Nature enthusiasts should consider the optional Matka Canyon stop ($25). One traveler shared: "Don't skip Prizren – the fortress view and local food were unexpected highlights of the whole trip."

    
  • Day 8

    Tirana - Rome

    Tour Tirana before your flight to Rome. A private transfer takes you to your hotel. Buy a 24-hour metro pass (€7) for tomorrow's sightseeing.

    
  • Day 9

    Rome

    Take the special Colosseum tour through Gladiator's Gate to skip the regular lines. Visit the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill afterward. Bring water and sun protection since these sites offer little shade.

    
  • Day 10

    Rome - Pompeii - Amalfi

    Consider the full-day excursion ($150) to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. Leave Rome at 7:30AM. Wear good shoes for Pompeii's rough stone paths. In Positano, take the town bus (€2) to avoid the steep walk to the beach.

    

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• 10 Day Western Balkans Itinerary, incl. Dubrovnik and Sarajevo

  The grand tour covers 16 destinations across 4 Balkan countries in 10 days. UNESCO treasures like Dubrovnik's Old Town and Mostar Bridge take center stage. Accommodations include Hotel Marija 3* in Kotor, with visits to Durmitor's Black Lake.

  

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  • Day 1

    Tirana, Albania

    Arrive by early afternoon to explore Albania's capital. The city center is compact and easy to walk around. Visit the main Skanderbeg Square and the lively Blloku district. Look for accommodation near the New Bazaar area, which puts you close to local restaurants and morning markets.

    
  • Day 2

    Montenegro Coast (Ulcinj & Bar)

    Drive north into Montenegro (3 hours from Tirana). Visit Skanderbeg's mausoleum in historic Lezha on your way to Ulcinj. The medieval castle town offers stunning coastal views but prepare for steep cobblestone streets. Finish your day in Bar and take an evening walk along the waterfront promenade.

    
  • Day 3

    Budva & Kotor

    Visit UNESCO-listed Kotor early before cruise ships arrive around 10 AM. The fortress climb includes 1,350 steps so start early and bring water. Take an afternoon boat to Perast's island churches. Visit the Lady of Rocks church after 4 PM to avoid the crowds.

    
  • Day 4

    Dubrovnik & Medjugorje

    Enter Croatia early to beat Dubrovnik's crowds. Walk the city walls when they open at 8 AM. The drive to Medjugorje takes about 2.5 hours plus border crossing time which can add 30-60 minutes.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Mostar & Sarajevo

    Stay in Mostar to explore Bosnia's highlights. See the famous bridge at sunrise for the best photos. Plan a day trip to Sarajevo (2.5 hours each way) to explore the Turkish quarter and war sites. You can visit Tito's nuclear bunker on the way but book ahead.

    
  • Day 7

    Durmitor National Park

    Explore Montenegro's mountains. The Black Lake walking trail takes about 2 hours. Pack layers since mountain weather changes quickly. Try the zipline at Đurđevića Tara Bridge but reserve your spot during peak season.

    
  • Day 8

    Kolašin & Podgorica

    Start with hiking in Kolašin National Park before going to Montenegro's capital. Podgorica isn't packed with tourists but offers real local experiences. Visit the old Turkish quarter by the Ribnica river in the evening.

    
  • Day 9

    Shkodër & Tirana

    Return to Albania through Shkodër. Climb 15 minutes to Rozafa Castle for views across three countries. Back in Tirana visit the Bunk'Art museums to learn about Albania's communist history.

    
  • Day 10

    Departure

    Leave early for Tirana airport. The drive usually takes 45 minutes but traffic can be unpredictable.

    

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