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28-Day Grand Balkan Tour from Bucharest, Romania

4.75

(13.420 Reviews)

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Highlights

Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO), Dubrovnik Old Town & City Walls, Rila Monastery (UNESCO), Bran Castle (Dracula), Bay of Kotor & Perast, Lake Bled Alpine scenery, Diocletian’s Palace in Split (UNESCO)

Destinations

Brasov, Bucharest, Budva, Dubrovnik, Ohrid, Plovdiv, Sarajevo, Skopje, Sofia, Split, Veliko Tarnovo, Zagreb, Banja Luka, Belgrade, Ljubljana, Opatija, Plitvice, Zlatibor

Budget

From €4.420,- p.p excl. flight tickets

Tour Highlights

Embark on an unforgettable 28-day Grand Balkan Tour starting from Bucharest, designed for travelers seeking a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. This expertly curated Grand Balkan Tour from Bucharest, Romania covers the best of Eastern and Southeastern Europe, including Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Hungary. With premium 4-star accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless land transfers, this comprehensive Grand Balkan Tour from Bucharest, Romania reveals ancient cities, UNESCO World Heritage sites, Adriatic coastlines, and vibrant capitals. Perfect for culture lovers and adventurers, this immersive experience will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the Balkan Peninsula’s diverse heritage.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest (Romania)

Arrival and transfer to your 4* hotel
Welcome dinner and orientation
Hotel: Hotel Mercure Unirii or similar

Day 2: Bucharest – Sinaia – Brasov

Visit Peles Castle in Sinaia
Continue to Brasov for a walking tour of the medieval old town
Hotel: Hotel Kronwell Brasov or similar

Day 3: Brasov – Bran – Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria)

Visit Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle)
Cross the border to Bulgaria
Explore Tsarevets Fortress
Hotel: Yantra Grand Hotel Veliko Tarnovo

Day 4: Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanassi – Plovdiv

Traditional lunch in Arbanassi
Walking tour in the Old Town of Plovdiv
Hotel: Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton Plovdiv

Day 5: Plovdiv – Bachkovo – Sofia

Stop at Bachkovo Monastery
Evening arrival in Sofia with city orientation
Hotel: Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel or similar

Day 6: Sofia City Tour

Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman ruins, National History Museum
Leisure time in the afternoon
Hotel: Same as above

Day 7: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Skopje (North Macedonia)

Explore Rila Monastery (UNESCO)
Cross into North Macedonia
Hotel: Hotel Solun or Bushi Resort & Spa

Day 8: Skopje – Matka Canyon – Ohrid

City tour of Skopje & scenic stop at Matka Canyon
Evening arrival in Ohrid
Hotel: Hotel Su or Tino Sveti Stefan

Day 9: Ohrid City Tour (UNESCO)

Boat ride to St. Naum Monastery
Explore the Old Town and lakeside promenade
Hotel: Same as above

Day 10: Ohrid – Elbasan – Tirana (Albania)

Drive through scenic Albanian countryside
Short stop in Elbasan
Evening in Tirana with walking tour
Hotel: Hotel Xheko Imperial or The Plaza Tirana

Day 11: Tirana – Kruja – Shkodra – Budva (Montenegro)

Visit Kruja Castle & traditional bazaar
Stop in Shkodra, continue to Budva
Hotel: Avala Resort & Villas or Hotel Budva

Day 12: Budva – Kotor – Perast – Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Bay of Kotor cruise or panoramic visit to Perast
Continue to Dubrovnik
Hotel: Hotel Lapad or Grand Hotel Park Dubrovnik

Day 13: Dubrovnik City Tour

Explore the Old Town, Rector's Palace, and city walls
Free afternoon to relax or take a cable car
Hotel: Same as above

Day 14: Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Walk the iconic Mostar bridge
Evening arrival in Sarajevo
Hotel: Swissotel Sarajevo or Courtyard by Marriott

Day 15: Sarajevo City Tour

Baščaršija, Tunnel Museum, Latin Bridge
Optional Bosnian cooking experience
Hotel: Same as above

Day 16: Sarajevo – Jajce – Banja Luka

Visit the waterfall in Jajce & Ottoman fortress
Hotel: Hotel Courtyard by Marriott Banja Luka

Day 17: Banja Luka – Zagreb (Croatia)

Cross into Croatia, explore Zagreb’s Upper Town
Hotel: Hotel Dubrovnik Zagreb or Canopy by Hilton

Day 18: Zagreb – Ljubljana (Slovenia)

City walking tour of Ljubljana, cruise the Ljubljanica River
Hotel: Hotel Cubo or uHOTEL Ljubljana

Day 19: Ljubljana – Lake Bled – Lake Bohinj – Ljubljana

Full-day Alpine lake excursion
Optional traditional Pletna boat ride
Hotel: Same as above

Day 20: Ljubljana – Postojna – Opatija (Croatia)

Visit Postojna Cave or Predjama Castle
Stay in the seaside resort of Opatija
Hotel: Hotel Ambassador or Hotel Milenij

Day 21: Opatija – Plitvice Lakes National Park

Explore the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes
Hotel: Hotel Jezero or Fenomen Plitvice Resort

Day 22: Plitvice – Zadar – Split

Roman ruins in Zadar, sea organ
Drive to Split along the coast
Hotel: Hotel Cornaro or Marvie Hotel & Health

Day 23: Split – Trogir – Split

Split Old Town tour (Diocletian’s Palace)
Half-day trip to Trogir (UNESCO)
Hotel: Same as above

Day 24: Split – Šibenik – Dubrovnik

Stop in Šibenik (St. James Cathedral)
Return to Dubrovnik
Hotel: Hotel Lapad or similar

Day 25: Dubrovnik – Trebinje – Zlatibor (Serbia)

Wine tasting in Trebinje
Scenic drive to Zlatibor mountain resort
Hotel: Hotel Mona Zlatibor

Day 26: Zlatibor – Mokra Gora – Belgrade

Ride the Šargan Eight train
Evening arrival in Belgrade
Hotel: Hotel Moskva or Courtyard by Marriott

Day 27: Belgrade City Tour

Kalemegdan Fortress, Republic Square, Skadarlija
Farewell dinner with music
Hotel: Same as above

Day 28: Belgrade – Novi Sad – Budapest (Hungary)

Morning in Novi Sad
Late afternoon arrival in Budapest
Tour ends (Optional hotel night or transfer service)

Services

Included

  • 27 nights accommodation in selected 3★ or 4★ hotels
  • Daily breakfast
  • Private guide/driver for 28 days
  • Rent-a-car for the entire itinerary
  • Airport arrival transfer on Day 1
  • All land transportation across Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, and Hungary
  • Border assistance
  • Tour planning and operational coordination

Excluded

  • Flights
  • Lunches and dinners (unless explicitly stated)
  • Entrance fees (castles, museums, monasteries, UNESCO sites, trains, boats)
  • Optional activities and experiences
  • Local specialist guides where required
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fees (if applicable)
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What our travellers are saying

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