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

  This 21-day route covers 13 cities across Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo with 20 hotel nights. Cruise the Bay of Kotor to Perast, hike Biogradska Gora's ancient forests, and visit UNESCO sites like Ohrid's old town with 365 churches plus Butrint's 3,000-year-old Greek ruins.

  

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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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• Off-season 21 days Bosnia+Montenegro+Albania tour from Sarajevo. The Balkans off the beaten path. UNESCO sites. Nature. Culture. History.

  This Balkan odyssey covers 1,777km from Sarajevo to Tirana over three weeks. Witness 10 UNESCO sites including Mostar's Bridge and Berat's Ottoman quarter, tour medieval fortresses in Jajce and Shkoder, and savor local hospitality at Trebinje's wineries.

  

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  • Sarajevo Bosnia

    38 mi

  • Travnik Bosnia

    21 mi

  • Jajce Bosnia

    75 mi

  • Bihac Bosnia

    143 mi

  • Medjugorje Bosnia

    4 mi

  • Kravice Waterfall National Reserve Bosnia

    15 mi

  • Mostar Bosnia

    15 mi
  • Show 22 more

  • Pocitelj Bosnia

    13 mi

  • Blagaj Bosnia

    44 mi

  • Trebinje Bosnia

    31 mi

  • Niksic Montenegro

    8 mi

  • Ostrog Montenegro

    20 mi

  • Podgorica Montenegro

    25 mi

  • Kotor Montenegro

    7 mi

  • Risan Montenegro

    1 mi

  • Perast Montenegro

    15 mi

  • Budva Montenegro

    19 mi

  • Bar Montenegro

    21 mi

  • Shkoder Albania

    20 mi

  • Lezha Albania

    20 mi

  • Krujë Albania

    22 mi

  • Durres Albania

    22 mi

  • Divjake Albania

    29 mi

  • Berat Albania

    24 mi

  • Apollonia Archaeological Park Albania

    17 mi

  • Vlore Albania

    28 mi

  • Himara Albania

    6 mi

  • Borsh Albania

    15 mi

  • Saranda Albania

    7 mi

  • Butrint National Park Albania

    1 mi

  • Ksamil Albania

    22 mi

  • Gjirokastra Albania

    16 mi

  • Tepelena Albania

    71 mi

  • Tirana Albania

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