23-Day Private Balkans Tour: Athens to Zagreb Across 8 Countries

Explore eight Balkan countries on a 23-day private tour: Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Greece.

Starting and ending in Sofia, walk through Sarajevo's Baščaršija bazaar, see Mostar's Old Bridge and explore Dubrovnik's Old Town. Follow the Adriatic coast through Kotor and Budva, visit lakeside Ohrid, and see Meteora's monasteries before continuing to Delphi, Athens and Rila Monastery.

Hotels and cross-border travel are arranged, so you don't have to organize each leg yourself. Entrance tickets and optional excursions cost extra.

• Private driver-guide for your group
• 22 nights in selected 4-star hotels, 21 breakfasts and Day 1 dinner
• Airport transfers, land transport and border assistance included
• Free time in Dubrovnik, Athens and Sofia; optional excursions available

Itinerary

Arrival in Sofia, Bulgaria

1. Athens · 8 h

   Arrive at Sofia Airport and transfer to your hotel. If your arrival time allows, enjoy a short panoramic tour of Sofia before settling in. Spend your first night in Bulgaria's capital.

Sofia City Tour – Nis (Serbia)

1. Bulgaria · 8 h

   Start your day in Sofia with visits to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. George Rotunda, and UNESCO-listed Boyana Church. After exploring these historic landmarks, travel across the border into Serbia and continue to Nis. Enjoy free time around Nis Fortress and the pedestrian area before settling in for the night.

Nis – Belgrade

1. Belgrade · 8 h

   Leave Nis and travel to Belgrade, Serbia's capital. Enjoy a panoramic tour of New Belgrade and see the Temple of St. Sava. Continue to Kalemegdan Fortress and Knez Mihailova Street, the city's main pedestrian area, where historic buildings, shops, and cafés line the streets.

Belgrade – Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

1. 8 h

   Travel from Belgrade toward Sarajevo, passing through Zvornik and the scenic Drina River valley. Along the way, see the changing countryside as you cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina. Arrive in Sarajevo in the evening.

Sarajevo Sightseeing

1. 8 h

   Spend the day exploring Sarajevo, starting in Bascarsija, the city's historic Old Town. Discover its traditional streets before continuing to Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, Latin Bridge, and the Tunnel Museum. These landmarks offer a closer look at Sarajevo's Ottoman heritage and more recent history. You can also choose to enjoy a traditional Bosnian lunch.

Sarajevo – Mostar – Dubrovnik (Croatia)

1. Dubrovnik · 8 h

   Leave Sarajevo and travel to Mostar, where you'll see the UNESCO-listed Old Bridge, a traditional Turkish house, and the historic bazaar. Discover the city's stone architecture and riverside setting before continuing into Croatia. Arrive in Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast in the evening.

Dubrovnik Old Town Tour

1. Lokrum Island · 8 h

   Explore Dubrovnik's historic Old Town, including its famous city walls, Rector's Palace, and Franciscan Monastery. Discover the stone streets and historic buildings that reflect the city's past. If you wish, you can also take an optional boat trip to nearby Lokrum Island. Stay at the same hotel as the previous night.

Free Day in Dubrovnik or Optional Montenegro Tour

1. Bay of Kotor · 8 h

   Enjoy a free day in Dubrovnik to explore at your own pace, or choose an optional full-day trip to Montenegro's Bay of Kotor. The excursion includes Kotor and Perast, two historic towns set along the bay with mountains rising behind them.

Dubrovnik – Kotor – Budva – Shkodra (Albania)

1. Albania · 8 h

   Leave Dubrovnik and follow the scenic Adriatic coastal route into Montenegro. Make short stops in Kotor and Budva, two coastal towns known for their historic centers and seaside settings. Continue south, cross the border into Albania, and travel to Shkodra for your overnight stay.

Shkodra – Kruja – Tirana

1. Rozafa Castle · 8 h

   Begin your day exploring Rozafa Fortress in Shkodra, a historic castle overlooking the surrounding area. Continue to Kruja, where you'll visit Kruja Castle and the Skanderbeg Museum to learn about Albania's history. Later, travel to Tirana and explore the city center on a walking tour.

Tirana – Elbasan – Ohrid (North Macedonia)

1. Ohrid · 8 h

   Leave Tirana and travel through Elbasan before crossing into North Macedonia. Continue to UNESCO-listed Ohrid, a historic town beside Lake Ohrid. In the evening, take a walking tour along the lake and enjoy the town's lakeside setting.

Ohrid Full Day Tour

1. Ohrid · 8 h

   Spend the day exploring Ohrid's historic landmarks, including St. Sophia, St. Clement, Plaoshnik, and Samuel's Fortress. Discover the town's religious and medieval history as you visit these important sites. You can also choose an optional boat cruise on Lake Ohrid to see the town and surrounding scenery from the water.

Ohrid – Skopje

1. 8 h

   Leave Ohrid and travel through Mavrovo National Park, known for its mountain landscapes and natural scenery. Continue to Skopje for an afternoon city tour, visiting the Stone Bridge, Old Bazaar, and Memorial House of Mother Teresa. These stops introduce you to the different historical and cultural sides of North Macedonia's capital.

Skopje – Thessaloniki (Greece)

1. 8 h

   Leave Skopje and cross the border into Greece, continuing to Thessaloniki. Enjoy a panoramic city tour featuring the Rotunda, White Tower, and Aristotelous Square. See some of the city's best-known landmarks and get a first look at its Roman, Byzantine, and modern history.

Thessaloniki – Kalambaka – Meteora Monasteries

1. Meteora · 8 h

   Travel from Thessaloniki to Meteora, known for its monasteries built high on towering rock formations. Visit two UNESCO-listed Meteora monasteries and discover the area's religious history and unusual landscape. Afterward, continue to Kalambaka, where you'll have the evening free to spend as you wish.

Kalambaka – Delphi

1. 8 h

   Leave Kalambaka and travel through the scenic Thessaly region toward UNESCO-listed Delphi. Explore this important ancient Greek site, with a tour of the Temple of Apollo and Delphi Museum. Discover the history of one of Greece's most significant archaeological destinations.

Delphi – Athens

1. Athens · 8 h

   Leave Delphi and travel to Athens, Greece's capital. Explore the city's ancient history on a tour featuring the Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Syntagma Square. See some of Athens' most recognizable landmarks as you discover the city's historic and modern sides.

Free Day in Athens / Optional Saronic Cruise

1. Aegina · 8 h

   Enjoy a free day in Athens to explore the city independently, or choose an optional day cruise through the Saronic Gulf. The cruise visits Aegina, Poros, and Hydra, three Greek islands known for their waterfront towns and coastal scenery.

Athens – Kavala

1. 8 h

   Leave Athens and travel north through mainland Greece, passing through Thessaloniki before continuing to Kavala. Once there, explore the Old Town and port area, where historic buildings overlook the waterfront. Spend the night in Kavala before returning to Bulgaria the following day.

Kavala – Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

1. 8 h

   Leave Kavala and cross the border into Bulgaria, continuing to Plovdiv. Explore the city's Roman Theatre, historic Old Town, and Ethnographic Museum. See how Roman history and traditional Bulgarian architecture come together in one of the country's oldest cities.

Plovdiv – Rila Monastery – Sofia

1. Rila Monastery · 8 h

   Travel from Plovdiv to UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, set in Bulgaria's Rila Mountains. Discover the monastery's historic architecture and mountain surroundings before continuing to Sofia, where your journey through the Balkans began.

Free Day in Sofia or Optional Day Tour to Veliko Tarnovo

1. Veliko Tarnovo · 8 h

   Enjoy a free day in Sofia to explore the city at your own pace, or choose an optional full-day tour to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi. Discover Veliko Tarnovo's historic hillside setting and the traditional architecture of nearby Arbanassi.

Departure from Sofia

1. Sofia

   Enjoy breakfast before your transfer to Sofia Airport. Your 23-day journey through the Balkans comes to an end.

What's included

• Border assistance
• All land transportations
• Airport arrival & departure transfers
• Rent-a-car for the entire itinerary
• Dinner
• Tour planning and operational coordination
• Breakfast
• 22 nights accommodation in selected 4★ hotels
• Private guide/driver for 23 days

What's not included

• Lunch and dinners excluded
• Flights
• Entrance fees (monuments, museums, monasteries, UNESCO sites)
• Optional excursions (Montenegro tour, Saronic cruise, Veliko Tarnovo)
• Local specialist guides where required
• Tips and personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees (if applicable)

Meeting point

End point

Travellers

• Infant (0–2)
• Child (3–11)
• Youth (12–17)
• Adult (18–64)
• Senior (65–99)

Options

• 23-Day Grand Balkan Tour from Athens to Zagreb

Additional information

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.