3-Week Balkans Tour Packages
The Balkans have more history than people give it credit for. Check out Dubrovnik’s walls, hike through the Albanian Alps at Valbona National Park, visit Belgrade’s fortress, and don’t miss Mostar's bridge. Lake Ohrid cruising is a must do, and Romanian Transylvania has those castles everyone talks about. Wine tastings across different countries, ancient ruins everywhere you turn.
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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
Sarajevo Bosnia
38 miTravnik Bosnia
21 miJajce Bosnia
75 miBihac Bosnia
143 miMedjugorje Bosnia
4 miKravice Waterfall National Reserve Bosnia
15 miMostar Bosnia
15 miShow 22 more
Pocitelj Bosnia
13 miBlagaj Bosnia
44 miTrebinje Bosnia
31 miNiksic Montenegro
8 miOstrog Montenegro
20 miPodgorica Montenegro
25 miKotor Montenegro
7 miRisan Montenegro
1 miPerast Montenegro
15 miBudva Montenegro
19 miBar Montenegro
21 miShkoder Albania
20 miLezha Albania
20 miKrujë Albania
22 miDurres Albania
22 miDivjake Albania
29 miBerat Albania
24 miApollonia Archaeological Park Albania
17 miVlore Albania
28 miHimara Albania
6 miBorsh Albania
15 miSaranda Albania
7 miButrint National Park Albania
1 miKsamil Albania
22 miGjirokastra Albania
16 miTepelena Albania
71 miTirana Albania
Explore our featured Balkans tours
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What people love about 3-week Balkans tours
- Vienna to Athens / Corfu; Semi – Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car
We stayed at Retreat Apartments and Besa was a great manager that was very helpful with her recommendations and professionalism. We appreciate the complementary room upgrade. Had a great time in Tirana!
- Balkans Best Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Northern Greece in 20 Days
We had a nice experience with this agency. The Balkans have a lot to offer, from the islands like Hvar and Mljet to the mountains in Albania. It's a lot to see in 20 days but they organize it well.
The 19 day circle of the Balkans was a wonderful experience! The cities, towns, guides and pace were amazing. I loved that we didn’t have to be rushing early in the morning, followed the itinerary and still had plenty of time to do our own things. The hotels were very well situated allowing for independent exploration. The guides were very knowledgeable and professional. I would recommend Balkan and More to anyone.
Small Group: Balkan Grand Circle, 19 days
