3-Week Balkans Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Balkans tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineBalkans travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Day the Balkans Itinerary, incl. Zagreb and Athens

  A grand 2,465 km route spans 5 Balkan nations over 21 days. Marvel at 14 UNESCO sites from Dubrovnik's medieval walls to Berat's historic center. Visit Orthodox monasteries like Ostrog and Tvrdos, plus medieval fortresses including Dubovac and Gjirokaster.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Northern Croatia & Dalmatian Coast

    Start in Zagreb and take a 3.5-hour drive south to Zadar. Stop to see Dubovac and Nehaj fortresses along the way. Your second day is for Zadar's unique Sea Organ and Sun Salutation. Book accommodation in the historic center. A local tip: the Sea Organ is best experienced at sunset when the sounds and lights create something special.

    
  • Days 3-5

    Split Region

    Travel to Split, but first stop at the UNESCO-listed Šibenik Cathedral (1.5 hours from Zadar). Give yourself a full morning to explore Diocletian's Palace in Split before the cruise ships arrive. Use Day 4 to visit Trogir, a medieval town set on a small island connected by bridges. You'll need about 2-3 hours to see Trogir properly.

    
  • Days 6-7

    Southern Dalmatia

    Take the coastal road to Dubrovnik and stop at Ston, a town known for its salt pans and oyster farms. Spend a day walking Dubrovnik's walls. Book your wall tickets online to skip the lines, and plan for at least 2 hours to complete the circuit.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Bosnia & Montenegro

    Stay in Trebinje, Bosnia to visit Tvrdoš Monastery and local wineries. Next is Montenegro's Ostrog Monastery, built into a cliff. A recent visitor advised: "The approach to Ostrog is nerve-wracking on narrow mountain roads - go early and take it slow."

    
  • Days 10-11

    Montenegrin Coast

    Visit Kotor and Budva's medieval sites. Set aside 3 hours to climb Kotor's fortress walls for views of the bay. Continue through historic Bar to reach Podgorica.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Albania

    Spend two nights in Berat, a UNESCO site famous for Ottoman architecture. Visit the castle and historic areas before heading to Apollonia's archaeological site and on to Gjirokaster.

    
  • Days 15-17

    Northern Greece

    Cross into Greece to see Ioannina's castle and Jewish quarter. Visit the ancient Dodoni theater before reaching Parga on the Ionian coast, where the castle offers beautiful sunset views.

    
  • Days 18-19

    Central Greece

    Visit Messolonghi's lagoon before spending two nights in Nafpaktos. The Venetian harbor looks beautiful when the castle lights up at night.

    
  • Days 20-21

    Final Stretch

    Start early at Delphi to avoid crowds, then visit the Byzantine monastery of Hosios Loukas on your way to Athens. Allow 3-4 hours for Delphi's site and museum.

    

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• 21 Day the Balkans Itinerary, incl. Kotor and Pristina

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Kotor & Bay of Kotor

    Start in Montenegro's medieval gem. Arrive mid-afternoon to avoid cruise ship crowds in the Old Town. Take a morning boat tour to Perast for about 3 hours, picking early departures before it gets hot. "The morning light on the bay makes for incredible photos. Don't miss climbing the city walls before 9 AM when it's cooler and less crowded."

    
  • Days 3-5

    Montenegro's Mountains

    Travel inland to Žabljak and Kolašin to explore Durmitor and Biogradska Gora National Parks. The drive from the coast takes 3-4 hours on winding roads. Bring motion sickness pills if needed and pack layers since mountain temperatures can drop 20°F from the coast.

    
  • Days 6-8

    Northern Albania

    Cross into Albania at Shkodër with a 2-hour border crossing. Visit Rozafa Castle but plan for a steep 15-minute climb. Wear good shoes and go before sunset for the best views. Move on to Tirana and join the free walking tours from Skanderbeg Square to get your bearings.

    
  • Days 9-11

    Albanian Riviera

    Take the coastal route from Vlorë to Gjirokastër past beautiful beaches and mountain passes. The roads wind a lot so plan extra travel time. If you're visiting Butrint in summer, pack mosquito repellent for the archaeological site.

    
  • Days 12-14

    Historic Albania

    Visit Berat and return to Tirana. Get your best photos of the UNESCO "City of a Thousand Windows" from across the river in early morning. "The local guide at Berat Castle showed us hidden corners tourists usually miss - worth hiring one for an hour."

    
  • Days 15-17

    North Macedonia

    Spend at least two full days at Lake Ohrid. Walk the boardwalk before 9 AM to avoid crowds. Visit Skopje's Old Bazaar around sunset when locals gather for coffee.

    
  • Days 18-21

    Kosovo

    Finish in Prizren and Pristina. The fortress in Prizren offers great views after a steep 20-minute climb. Go at sunset but bring a flashlight for walking down. Plan your Pristina departure after 11 AM to avoid morning traffic.

    

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• 21 Days in the Balkans, incl. Ljubljana and Sarajevo

  A 21-day adventure features iconic sites like Plitvice Lakes and Mostar Bridge. Visit 12 cities while enjoying local experiences including wine tasting at Tvrdoš Monastery and traditional cheese-making in Trebinje. Package includes 20 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and expert-led tours.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Ljubljana

    Start in Slovenia's charming capital. Take a guided market tour on your first morning. Visit Ljubljana Castle before 10 AM to beat the crowds and take the funicular up for city views. Skip the Triple Bridge area during busy midday hours. It's much nicer for evening walks.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Slovenian Coast

    Drive to Piran (2.5 hours) to see its beautiful Venetian architecture. Visit Portorož's salt pans in the early morning light for great photos. Take a side trip to Trieste in Italy to experience its coffee culture at the historic Caffè San Marco and visit the coastal Miramare Castle.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Lake Bohinj & Bled

    Stop at Postojna Cave system first but wear good shoes since the paths get slippery. Then head to Lake Bohinj. Spend the next day at Lake Bled. Get there early to rent a rowboat when the lake is calm and quiet.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Zagreb & Plitvice

    Take the morning train from Ljubljana to Zagreb (2.5 hours). See Zagreb's Upper Town before going to Plitvice Lakes National Park. A recent visitor shared: "Start at Entrance 1 when they open at 7 AM - you'll have the wooden walkways almost to yourself and the morning light on the waterfalls is spectacular."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Šibenik

    Visit Krka National Park for swimming at the waterfalls. Spend another day exploring Prvic and Zlarin islands. Check the ferry schedule carefully before you go.

    
  • Days 11-12

    Makarska

    Stop in Split to see Diocletian's Palace after 4 PM when tour groups leave. Continue to the Makarska Riviera. You can take a day trip to Brač island but book ferry tickets early during peak season.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Dubrovnik

    Stop for fresh oysters in Ston on your way. Walk the city walls in Dubrovnik. Explore the old town early or late to avoid heat and crowds. Take the cable car up Mount Srđ about an hour before sunset.

    
  • Days 15-16

    Trebinje

    Cross into Bosnia & Herzegovina. Visit family-run apiaries and cheese farms in Trebinje. Go to the local market before 9 AM to shop with residents.

    
  • Days 17-18

    Mostar

    See Kravica waterfalls first thing to avoid crowds. Then explore Mostar's historic center. Want great photos of the famous bridge? Go at sunrise.

    
  • Days 19-21

    Sarajevo

    The capital blends Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences. Take a food tour to learn about local culture through its food. One traveler noted: "Don't miss the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum - book a guide to truly understand the city's wartime story."

    

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