3 Week Balkans Tour Packages

Balkans itineraries for 3 weeks

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.

  

  View itinerary Compare 21 days itineraries
  • 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.

    

  View itinerary

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

  A 21-day Balkan route takes you from Plitvice Lakes to Kotor's medieval walls. Immerse in local culture through cooking classes in Zrnovo's konoba, wine tasting in Peljesac, and traditional smoking methods in Njegusi. Stays include comfortable hotels and family guesthouses across 5 countries.

  

  View itinerary Compare 21 days itineraries
  • Days 1-2

    Slovenia

    Start in Ljubljana to explore the local food scene. On day 2, visit Lake Bled and try the famous kremna rezina dessert at Hotel Park. Get there before 10am to avoid the crowds. A 2-hour drive takes you to Smartno for afternoon wine tasting in Slovenia's western wine region.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Istrian Croatia

    Drive 2 hours to the medieval hilltop town of Motovun. Join a morning truffle hunt in Motovun Forest but wear sturdy shoes for the uneven ground. Visit Rovinj's Old Town and enjoy fresh seafood at the harbor. Summer gets hot here with temperatures over 95°F so plan your activities for early morning.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Coastal Croatia

    Take a 4-hour drive to Plitvice Lakes. Book your entry tickets ahead to avoid long waits. Stay in Rakovica village to try authentic kotlovina stew. Next stop is historic Zadar where you can catch the Sea Organ at sunset. Visit the fish market when it opens at 6:30am for the best picks.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Split & Islands

    "The morning market in Split was a highlight - get there by 7am to watch fishermen bring in the catch and try fresh octopus salad for breakfast." Take a quick 50-minute ferry to Brač Island to visit olive groves and sample hrapoћуša cake in Dol village.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Southern Croatia

    Take a 3-hour ferry to Korčula for a cooking class in Zrnovo village where you'll learn to make hand-rolled makaruni pasta. Visit the vineyards of Pelješac peninsula on your way to Dubrovnik. Take the cable car up Mount Srđ before 9am to beat the crowds.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Montenegro

    It's a 2-hour drive to Kotor through Njegusi village where you can stop for smoked ham tasting. Visit an olive farm in Tici village near Kotor Bay. The fortress climb has 1,350 steps so start early and bring water.

    
  • Days 15-16

    Kosovo

    Cross into Kosovo and visit Prizren's bazaar. Try the local stuffed peppers and Kosovo-Serbian barbecue. Keep your passport accessible and plan extra time for the 5-hour drive on rough roads.

    
  • Days 17-21

    North Macedonia

    Explore Lake Ohrid's churches and ancient sites. Visit Dihovo village to meet a local beekeeper and taste fresh honey. Finish in Skopje after wine tasting in Tikveš region. Join the free walking tour at 10am in Macedonia Square for the best views of Skopje's unique architecture.

    

  View itinerary

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

  

  View itinerary Compare 21 days itineraries
  • 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.

    

  View itinerary