7-Day Balkans Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Balkans tour itineraries

Compiled by

NadineBalkans travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in the Balkans, incl. Sarajevo and Dubrovnik

  A seven-day Balkan tour covers 9 cities from Sarajevo to Skopje. The UNESCO-protected Mostar Bridge, medieval Kotor, and crystal-clear Lake Ohrid showcase the region's diversity. Guests stay in 4-star accommodations like Hotel Kapetanovina in Mostar, with expert guides and comfortable transport included.

  

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  • Day 1

    Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina: Begin your morning at Vrelo Bosne

    a peaceful spring-fed park that's quietest during early hours. Visit the Tunnel of Hope museum to learn about the city's wartime history. Spend your afternoon in Baščaršija, the Ottoman old town, exploring between City Hall and Latin Bridge. One visitor shared: "We fell in love with Bosnia-Herzegovina - the different cultures, food, and history made Sarajevo a true highlight."

    
  • Day 2

    Konjic to Mostar (140 km): Get an early start to avoid traffic

    on your way to Konjic. Take in the Ottoman stone bridge for about an hour before driving through the beautiful Neretva River canyon to Mostar. Visit the Old Bridge area early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and get better photos. Remember to wear good shoes as the bridge stones get slippery.

    
  • Day 3

    Dubrovnik & Kotor (250 km): Visit Dubrovnik's city walls first thing

    to beat the summer heat. Explore the Old Town, then go up to Mount Srđ for city views. You can take the cable car up and walk down if you like. Drive to Kotor afterward, but plan for slow border crossings. Visit the medieval town later in the day when most tourists have left.

    
  • Day 4

    Tirana & Ohrid (300 km): Your biggest travel day starts with a 3-hour drive to Tirana

    Visit Skanderbeg Square to get a quick look at Albanian history. Check out the Pyramid building and a nuclear bunker before heading to Lake Ohrid. The Old Town's upper streets offer beautiful lake views at sunset.

    
  • Day 5

    Ohrid, North Macedonia: Start your day at Samuil's Fortress

    before the crowds arrive. Visit the ancient theaters and churches through the morning. Take a boat ride in the late afternoon for the best light. Shop for pearls in the old bazaar rather than the waterfront for better prices.

    
  • Day 6

    Ohrid to Skopje (180 km): Drive to Skopje in the morning

    through scenic roads. Walk through the city to see its mix of old and new architecture. Begin at the old railway station museum and walk through the bazaar to the fortress. Summer gets very hot here, so carry water and plan some indoor stops.

    
  • Day 7

    Skopje Departure: If you have a later flight

    spend your morning in Skopje's Old Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest in the Balkans. The Mother Teresa Memorial House is also good to visit in the morning before heading to the airport.

    

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• 7 Days in the Balkans, incl. Tirana and Belgrade

  A grand Balkans tour spans 12 destinations from Tirana to Belgrade. Kotor's medieval churches, Mostar's iconic bridge, and Zagreb's historic center highlight the journey. The route includes Plitvice Lakes' 16 lakes, local guides in major cities, and 4-5 star accommodations.

  

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  • Day 1

    Tirana, Albania

    Start in Albania's capital at Skanderbeg Square. Visit the Et'hem Bey Mosque before noon for the best photo lighting. Drive north to Shkodra for the night. The journey takes about 2 hours on new roads, but Albanian traffic can be unpredictable so budget extra time.

    
  • Day 2

    Montenegro & Croatia

    Leave early to make the most of coastal highlights. Visit Sveti Stefan before 10 AM to beat the tour buses. Continue to Kotor, but note that summer traffic can slow you down on Montenegro's coastal roads. Plan for 3 hours of driving. Climb Kotor's city walls in the morning or late afternoon to avoid intense heat. End your day in Trebinje, a more affordable option than staying in Dubrovnik.

    
  • Day 3

    Bosnia & Herzegovina

    Drive to Mostar (2.5 hours from Trebinje). Get there by 9 AM before crowds fill the Old Bridge area. Pack water shoes for Kravica Waterfalls since the limestone gets slippery. Stay overnight in Medjugorje, a pilgrimage town with surprisingly active nightlife.

    
  • Day 4

    Split & Zadar

    Take the scenic drive along the Dalmatian coast. Tour Split's Diocletian's Palace in the morning before cruise ships dock. Plan to reach Zadar by sunset to see the Sea Organ and enjoy the waterfront promenade (Riva) at its liveliest.

    
  • Day 5

    Plitvice Lakes & Zagreb

    Get to Plitvice Lakes when they open at 7 AM to avoid crowds. Wear shoes with good grip since the wooden walkways can be slippery. The full lake circuit takes 5-6 hours. Head to Zagreb for the evening and explore the Upper Town's nighttime charm.

    
  • Day 6

    Zagreb to Belgrade

    The 4-hour drive brings you to Serbia's capital. Start at Belgrade Fortress for the best views of the Sava and Danube rivers meeting. In the evening, join locals for their traditional korzo (evening walk) on Knez Mihailova Street.

    
  • Day 7

    Belgrade

    Spend your last morning in Belgrade's old town. Visit Kalenic Market early to see locals shopping at their favorite green market. Leave plenty of time to reach the airport - 45 minutes normally, more during rush hour.

    

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• 7 Days in the Balkans, incl. Tirana and Ohrid

  This 7-day circuit from Tirana encompasses 9 cities across 5 Balkan countries. UNESCO sites like Ohrid Old Town and Meteora monasteries stand out. The route takes in Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Matka Canyon, and Prizren's Ottoman heritage.

  

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  • Day 1

    Tirana, Albania

    Begin your Balkans trip in Tirana. Visit Skanderbeg Square in the early morning for the best photos of Et'hem Bey Mosque before the crowds arrive around 10 AM. When the day heats up, cool off inside the Bunk'Art museum. In the evening, join locals for xhiro (the traditional evening walk) around the Clock Tower's pedestrian area.

    
  • Day 2

    Tirana to Ohrid

    The 3-hour mountain drive to Ohrid can be windy, so bring motion sickness medication if needed. Visit St. Naum Monastery in the afternoon and watch the peacocks that roam the grounds. Stay in Ohrid's UNESCO-listed Old Town, where you'll find beautiful lake views along the narrow stone streets.

    
  • Day 3

    Ohrid to Meteora via Bitola

    Start early with a 1.5-hour drive to Bitola. Walk down Shirok Sokak street to see Ottoman architecture and stop for lunch at the old bazaar. The 4-hour drive to Meteora includes a border crossing between North Macedonia and Greece. Keep your passport ready and expect some delays.

    
  • Day 4

    Meteora to Thessaloniki

    See the monasteries early when morning light creates shadows on the rocks. The paths can be slippery, so wear sturdy shoes with good grip. After a 3-hour drive to Thessaloniki, spend your evening near the White Tower watching street performers and enjoying dinner by the sea.

    
  • Day 5

    Thessaloniki to Sofia

    Drive about 4 hours to Sofia, stopping at UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery to see its beautiful frescoes. Plan to reach Sofia by evening to see Alexander Nevsky Cathedral lit up at night.

    
  • Day 6

    Sofia to Skopje

    Take the 3.5-hour drive to Skopje. Visit Kale Fortress for city views, then explore Macedonia Square's mix of Ottoman buildings and modern statues. Browse the Old Bazaar for souvenirs, especially the local filigree jewelry.

    
  • Day 7

    Skopje to Tirana via Matka Canyon and Prizren

    Pack three stops into your final day. Visit Matka Canyon early (30 minutes from Skopje) for better boat access to the cave monastery. Drive 2 hours to Prizren, Kosovo, where you can climb to the fortress for views of Ottoman mosques below. The final 4-hour drive takes you back to Tirana.

    

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