Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Zagreb
You'll arrive in Zagreb by train or flight, then get transferred to your hotel. This kicks off your 15-day journey through the Balkans, taking you across Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
- Accommodation
- (Hotel Laguna oder ähnlich), (Hotel International oder ähnlich)
Optional Activities
- Overland travel from Munich to Zagreb by direct train (approximately 8.5 hours, morning departure) or overnight train (approximately 9-10 hours)
- Combination stopover in Ljubljana
- Day 2
Zagreb to Zadar
Start with a 2-hour walking tour of Zagreb's upper and lower towns, checking out the cathedral and the vibrant market locals call the 'belly of Zagreb'. After that you'll travel 285 km south to Zadar on the Adriatic coast, a seaside city with over 3,000 years of history and nice beaches to explore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Porto Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Kolovare oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Zagreb with guide (2 hours) - upper town, lower town, cathedral, market
Landmarks/POIs Zagreb Cathedral Zagreb Market 
- Day 3
Zadar to Split
This morning your guide takes you through Zadar's old town on the peninsula, where you'll see Roman remains and medieval walls. You'll also check out modern installations like the 'Greeting to the Sun' and 'Sea Organ'. Later you head east along the coast to Split, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Diocletian's Palace from the 4th century and a mix of ancient history with modern city life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Annex Building of Art Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Art Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Zadar with guide (outdoor tours) - old town exploration, Roman buildings, medieval city walls, gates, 'Greeting to the Sun', 'Sea Organ'
Landmarks/POIs Zadar Old Town Greeting to the Sun Sea Organ Diocletian's Palace 
- Day 4
Split to Mostar
Begin with a 2-hour guided tour of Split in the morning, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Diocletian's Palace, an ancient Roman complex that functions as an open-air museum. In the afternoon you cross into Bosnia-Herzegovina heading to Mostar. Your guide shows you the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque for views over the city, then you wander the charming old town with its famous Stari Most bridge over the Neretva River where bridge jumpers perform.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Villa Divani oder ähnlich), Hotel (Villa Fortuna Heritage Hotels oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Split with guide (2 hours) - Diocletian's Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque with guide and viewpoint
- Stroll through Mostar old town and markets
Landmarks/POIs Diocletian's Palace Stari Most Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque 
- Day 5
Mostar to Sarajevo
You'll travel through idyllic rivers, hills, and green forests on your way to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Your guide brings you to Baščaršija Square with the Sebilj fountain and the Gazi-Husrev-Beg Mosque plus its small museum. After that you walk through bazaars from the 15th century and find famous oriental-Bosnian sweets to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Astra Garni Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (President Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Sarajevo with guide (2 hours) - Bašćaršija Square, Sebilj fountain, Gazi-Husrev-Beg Mosque with harem and museum
- Explore bazaars and old alleyways
Optional Activities
- Trebevic cable car round trip from city center to local mountain slopes (approximately 12 EUR, payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Bašćaršija Square Sebilj Fountain Gazi-Husrev-Beg Mosque Trebevic 
- Day 6
Sarajevo to Durmitor National Park
Cross into Montenegro and head to Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. You'll stop in the mountain village of Zabljak in the heart of the park where you can take extended hikes, walk around Black Lake (the largest of 18 glacial lakes), and see the diversity of mountain landscapes at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Polar Star Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Hotel Zabljak oder ähnlich)
Optional Activities
- Extended hike in Durmitor National Park
- Walk around Black Lake
Landmarks/POIs Durmitor National Park Black Lake - Day 7
Durmitor to Budva
Leave the mountains and forests behind for a scenic drive to the Montenegrin coast, arriving in Budva. This idyllic Adriatic town has fresh sea air and beautiful beaches. Your guide walks you through the winding old town alleyways surrounded by medieval city walls, then you browse markets and relax in cozy cafés.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Bracera Budva oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Budva with guide (2 hours) - winding alleyways of old town
- Admission to Budva city walls (medieval fortifications)
Landmarks/POIs Budva Old Town Budva City Walls - Day 8
Bay of Kotor
Enjoy a coastal tour from Budva along the Montenegrin Riviera with short hikes, visits to old churches and fortresses, and photo stops. Start at Kotor's picturesque old town surrounded by Venetian city walls (UNESCO World Heritage Site). See St. Triphun's Cathedral, then continue to Perast for a boat trip to the island of Gospa to visit its church. Explore Risan to see Roman mosaics from the 2nd century, and end at Bar before returning to Budva.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Bracera Budva oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Kotor with guide - old town exploration
- Admission to St. Tryphon's Cathedral
- Boat trip from Perast to island of Gospa and church visit
- Visit to Risan - Roman mosaics from 2nd century A.D. (when site is open to visitors)
Optional Activities
- Short hikes along the coast
- Visit to old churches and fortresses
- Self-guided exploration of Bar old town
Landmarks/POIs Kotor Old Town St. Tryphon's Cathedral Perast Gospa Island Risan Bar - Day 9
Budva to Podgorica to Shkodra
Travel to Podgorica, Montenegro's capital where two rivers meet and the cultural center of the country. Your guide shows you the impressive Cathedral of the Resurrection (Montenegro's largest Orthodox church) and the picturesque old Ribnica Bridge. Continue to Virpazar on Lake Shkodra, visiting the idyllic Dajbabe Monastery with its cave church, then take a boat trip on the lake before crossing into Albania to spend the night in Shkodra.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tradita Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Colosseo Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Podgorica with guide (2 hours) - Cathedral of the Resurrection, Ribnica Bridge
- Visit Dajbabe Monastery with cave church
- Boat trip on Lake Shkodra
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of the Resurrection Ribnica Bridge Dajbabe Monastery Lake Shkodra - Day 10
Shkodra to Tirana via Kruje
Start with a morning walk along Lake Shkodra with its steep rocky slopes and small bays. Head toward Tirana (Albania's capital), stopping in the mountain town of Kruje to visit its fortress and the Skanderbeg Museum. The fortress is significant for Albanians since the national hero Skanderbeg defended it against the Ottomans in the 15th century. Browse the bazaar mosque before continuing to Tirana.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Brilant Antik Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Hotel Opera oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Morning walk along Lake Shkodra
- Visit Kruje Fortress with guide (half day)
- Skanderbeg Museum visit
- Visit bazaar mosque in Kruje
Optional Activities
- Evening walk around Lake Tirana
- Relax in street cafés
Landmarks/POIs Kruje Fortress Skanderbeg Museum Kruje Bazaar Mosque 
- Day 11
Tirana to Ohrid
Begin with a half-day tour through dynamic, young, and colorful Tirana at the foot of Dajti mountain. You'll see Sheshi Skanderbeg square, the Palace of Culture, Opera House, and the historic Ethem Bey Mosque on outdoor tours. Then travel through green mountain ranges to Ohrid in North Macedonia on the northeastern shore of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest lakes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Vila St. Sophija Hotel oder ähnlich), (Royal View Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Tirana with guide (half day) - Sheshi Skanderbeg square, Palace of Culture, Opera House, Ethem Bey Mosque (outdoor tours)
Landmarks/POIs Sheshi Skanderbeg Palace of Culture Opera House Ethem Bey Mosque Lake Ohrid 
- Day 12
Ohrid to Skopje
Start with a half-day guided tour of Ohrid exploring the old town and lakeside promenade with palm trees. You'll see the Church of St. John of Kaneo dramatically perched on a rocky outcrop jutting into the lake. Continue south to Skopje, North Macedonia's capital (dating back over 2,000 years to Roman foundations). Your guide takes you up the historic Kale Fortress for city views and through the Old Bazaar's narrow streets with goldsmiths and shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (De Koka Hotel oder ähnlich), (Alexandar Square Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Ohrid with guide (half day) - old town, lakeside promenade, Church of St. John of Kaneo
- City tour of Skopje with guide (half day) - Old Bazaar, Kale Fortress, view over the city
Landmarks/POIs Church of St. John of Kaneo Kale Fortress Old Bazaar of Skopje Scupi Aqueduct - Day 13
Skopje to Niš
After optional morning time in Skopje, travel to Niš, a Serbian university town and one of the Balkans' oldest cities. Your half-day tour includes the traditional merchant street in the city center and the historic fort with its cafés. As Serbia's third-largest city, Niš has numerous archaeological sites and monuments, plus regional culinary specialties like handmade börek (puff pastry with cheese, spinach or ham) and local rosé wine to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Ideo Lux Hotel oder ähnlich), (Best Western Hotel My Place oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Niš with guide (half day) - traditional merchant street, historic fort with cafés
Optional Activities
- Morning exploration of Skopje
- Taste local börek pastry and regional rosé wine
Landmarks/POIs Niš Fort - Day 14
Niš to Belgrade via Gamzigrad
Travel to Belgrade, Serbia's capital, stopping at the fascinating ancient Galerius Palace in Gamzigrad (UNESCO World Heritage Site). This archaeological site ranks among Europe's largest and best-preserved Roman buildings, built as a retirement home for Emperor Galerius (293-311). The completely preserved enclosure wall with 20 mighty bastion-like towers rising up to 15 meters offers an impressive sight. Your local guide takes you through before you head to Belgrade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Queen's Astoria Design Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Falkensteiner Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Galerius Palace in Gamzigrad (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with local guide
Landmarks/POIs Galerius Palace - Day 15
Belgrade City Tour
Discover Belgrade, Serbia's important capital on the Danube, with a full-day guided city tour. You'll visit the impressive Kalemegdan fortress plateau, now home to the city's largest green area and Belgrade's most important archaeological and art-historical complex. Experience magnificent panoramic views of the Sava and Danube river confluence and the Belgrade districts of Zemun and Novi Beograd. In the evening, dive into the capital's legendary nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Queen's Astoria Design Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Falkensteiner Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Belgrade with guide (full day) - Kalemegdan fortress plateau, archaeological complex
Optional Activities
- Experience Belgrade's legendary nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Kalemegdan Fortress Beogradska Fortress - Day 16
Departure from Belgrade
Your 15-day Balkan journey comes to an end. You'll get transferred to the train station or airport for your departure home.
