2-Week Balkans Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 2-week Balkans tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineBalkans travel expert at TourRadar

• 14 Day Eastern Europe Itinerary, incl. Vienna and Dubrovnik

  Seven Balkan destinations unfold over two weeks, from Ljubljana's Triple Bridge to Dubrovnik's stone walls. Highlights include UNESCO sites like Plitvice Lakes, Split's Diocletian Palace, and historic Mostar Bridge, with authentic cultural experiences throughout.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Vienna

    Start your journey in Austria's capital. Get to Schönbrunn Palace by 8:30 AM to avoid the crowds. "The palace tour brings the Habsburg dynasty to life, but get there early before tour groups flood in." Spend your afternoon walking the Ringstrasse to see the Opera House and Parliament. Book a classical music concert for the evening but make reservations at least 2 weeks ahead.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Ljubljana

    Take a 4-hour drive to Slovenia's capital. Walk through the Central Market in the morning when locals buy fresh produce. Take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for views of the city and spend time exploring the riverside cafes. "The Triple Bridge area comes alive at sunset when locals gather for evening drinks – grab a table at Makalonca for the best people-watching."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Zagreb

    Drive 2.5 hours to Croatia's capital. Visit the Upper Town first to see St. Mark's Church with its distinctive roof tiles. The Stone Gate shrine is best visited early morning. Spend your second day at the Museum of Broken Relationships or take a food tour through Dolac Market.

    
  • Day 7

    Plitvice Lakes

    Drive 2 hours from Zagreb and arrive by 8 AM to beat the crowds. Bring shoes with good grip since the wooden walkways can be slippery. You'll find fewer people at the Upper Lakes compared to the Lower Lakes.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Split Region

    After 3 hours on the road, explore Split's Diocletian's Palace. "Don't miss the basement halls – they're beautifully preserved and much cooler than above ground in summer." Consider staying in nearby Solin if Split's Old Town is full. Use your extra day to visit Hvar Island by ferry.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Sarajevo

    Stop in Mostar on your way to see its iconic bridge. Visit the War Tunnel Museum in Sarajevo to understand the city's history. "Having dinner with a local family was incredibly moving – they shared personal stories about surviving the war while serving traditional Bosnian food."

    
  • Days 12-14

    Dubrovnik

    The 4-hour drive takes you to Croatia's famous coastal city. Walk the city walls early morning or at sunset to avoid the heat. Take the cable car up Mount Srđ for city views. In summer months, visit the Old Town after 4 PM when cruise ships leave.

    

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• 14 Days Along the Dalmatian Coast, incl. Split and Dubrovnik

  The Balkans unfold through Croatian gems like Split's Riva Promenade and Dubrovnik's Minčeta Fortress. Take in Montenegro's Kotor Bay, Albania's Tirana, and the Albanian Riviera. Includes 13 nights' accommodation and guided tours of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Rome to Split

    Begin in Rome with an evening walk and gelato tasting. Book Vatican and Colosseum tickets several weeks ahead to skip the long lines. On Day 2, take a 4.5-hour drive to Ancona and catch the overnight ferry to Split. Pack motion sickness tablets if needed.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Split

    Discover Split's historic center and Diocletian's Palace. A recent visitor shared: "The bell tower of St. Domnius Cathedral offers the best city views, but the stairs are steep and narrow - go early before the midday heat." Use Day 4 to hike Marjan Hill or visit Klis Fortress, which Game of Thrones fans will recognize from the series.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Korčula & Journey to Dubrovnik

    Take a boat to Korčula island to see its medieval Old Town and the house where Marco Polo was reportedly born. The next day, travel to Dubrovnik through the Pelješac Peninsula. Stop at the Ston walls and try fresh oysters in Mali Ston. The total drive takes about 4 hours.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Dubrovnik to Kotor

    Take a full day to walk Dubrovnik's city walls and explore its fortresses. Ride the cable car up Mount Srđ before sunset for great photos. On Day 8, drive 3-4 hours to Kotor, Montenegro along the beautiful bay. Visit St. Tryphon Cathedral in the medieval Old Town.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Kotor & Tirana

    Start early to climb San Giovanni Fortress for sunrise bay views. Wear good shoes for the 1,350 steps. Next day, drive to Albania via Lake Skadar before reaching Tirana. Plan for 5-6 hours with stops.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Tirana to Corfu

    See Tirana's blend of Ottoman, Italian and Communist architecture. Next day, take a 4.5-hour drive along the Albanian Riviera to Saranda, followed by an hour-long ferry to Corfu. Bring motion sickness medicine if needed.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Corfu

    Explore Corfu's UNESCO Old Town and beaches. Try local olive oil tasting or visit cliff-top monasteries. The trip ends on Day 14, but you might want extra time to see more of Greece.

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• 14 Days in the Balkans Food, incl. Split and Skopje

  The 14-day Balkan route spans 9 cities, from Split to Skopje. Highlights include UNESCO-listed Ohrid Lake, traditional Njegusi smokehouses, and ancient Stobi ruins. Immerse in local life at Kuratica village, sample wines in Tikves region, and wander historic bazaars in Prizren.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Split & Brac Island

    Start your Balkans food adventure in Split, Croatia. Take a walk along the Riva Promenade between Split Harbor and Marjan Forest Park in the evening. Try fresh octopus salad or traditional soparnik pie for lunch. Head to Brac Island on day 2 by ferry (50 minutes). You'll find Croatia's largest olive grove here with over a million trees. Stop by the olive oil museum in Skrip to sample local tapenade, cheeses and cured meats. Make sure to try hrapocusa cake in Dol. It's so special that Croatia's Ministry of Culture has protected it.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Korcula

    Catch an early ferry (2.5 hours) to Korcula Island. The Renaissance-style Old Town features beautiful marble streets to explore. Stop at the local market for amareta almond cookies and kalsuni pastries. Take a cooking class in a local konoba tavern in Zrnovo village to learn how to make traditional hand-rolled makaruni pasta. You can also visit Pupnat village for a genuine dinner made with local ingredients.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Dubrovnik

    Drive along the Peljesac peninsula and visit family wineries along the way. Stop in Ston to try their renowned oysters. They're best enjoyed fresh with just a bit of lemon. While Dubrovnik's medieval walls are beautiful, they get very crowded. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and heat. You can refill your water bottle at the ancient fountains throughout the Old Town.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Montenegro & Kosovo

    Visit the famous smokehouses in Njegusi, Montenegro to see traditional ham smoking and taste local cheeses. Visit an organic olive farm in Tici near Kotor to learn about old pressing methods. Travel through Albania to reach Prizren, Kosovo's cultural melting pot. The bazaar offers plenty of stuffed peppers and local dishes to try.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Ohrid & Bitola

    UNESCO-listed Ohrid sits on Europe's oldest lake and features 365 historic churches. The green market sells traditional burek pastries and gjomleze pie. Experience a cooking demo in a local home in Dolno Dupeni village. In Bitola, visit a beekeeper in Dihovo village to taste honey right from the comb. Watch your step on Ohrid's Old Town cobblestones when wet, they can be slippery.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Wine Country & Skopje

    Visit the ancient Stobi ruins before exploring Macedonia's Tikves wine region. Stop at two leading wineries for tastings with local cheeses and meats. Finish your trip in Skopje and explore the vibrant Debar Maalo neighborhood. If you have time, take a trip to nearby Matka Canyon.

    

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