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Grand Balkan Tour from Istanbul

4.75

(13.420 Reviews)

Highlights

Istanbul landmarks & Ottoman heritage, Sofia highlights & Rila Monastery, Bucharest grand boulevards & Transylvanian castles, Belgrade & Novi Sad cultural hubs, Sarajevo Baščaršija & Mostar Old Bridge, Dubrovnik Old Town & Adriatic coast, Kotor Bay & Budva Riviera, Tirana & Albanian heritage sites, Lake Ohrid UNESCO town & Skopje Old Bazaar

Destinations

Bucharest, Budva, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Mostar, Ohrid, Plovdiv, Rila Monastery, Sarajevo, Sibiu, Skopje, Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Bachkovo, Belgrade, Hunedoara, Istanbul, Novi Sad, Shkodra, Timisoara, Tirana

Budget

From €2.340,- p.p excl. flight tickets

Tour Highlights

Embark on an unforgettable Grand Balkan Tour starting from Istanbul, exploring 9 countries across Southeast Europe in 15 days. This expertly designed multi-country itinerary takes you through the cultural treasures, scenic landscapes, and historical landmarks of Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia. Perfect for culture lovers, history buffs, and adventurous travelers, this tour offers a seamless experience with private transport, guided sightseeing, and handpicked hotels. Discover the true spirit of the Balkans—one border at a time.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Turkey

Pick-up from airport.
Check-in and rest at the hotel.
Welcome dinner and briefing session.
Overnight: Istanbul
Included meals: Dinner

Day 2: Istanbul City Tour

Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and Topkapi Palace.
Bosphorus cruise in the afternoon.
Free time at Grand Bazaar.
Overnight: Istanbul
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Istanbul – Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Depart for Plovdiv (approx. 5 hrs).
Walking tour in the Old Town, Roman Theatre, and Kapana District.
Bulgarian folklore dinner option.
Overnight: Plovdiv
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Plovdiv – Sofia

Morning visit to Bachkovo Monastery.
Arrive in Sofia. Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Theater, and Roman ruins.
Free time in Vitosha Boulevard.
Overnight: Sofia
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Sofia – Rila Monastery – Veliko Tarnovo

Visit Rila Monastery (UNESCO).
Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo – Bulgaria’s medieval capital.
Overnight: Veliko Tarnovo
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Veliko Tarnovo – Bucharest, Romania

Short city tour and visit Tsarevets Fortress.
Cross into Romania.
Panoramic Bucharest city tour.
Overnight: Bucharest
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Bucharest – Sibiu – Hunedoara – Timisoara

Journey through Transylvania.
Stop in Sibiu and visit Hunedoara Castle.
Evening in Timisoara.
Overnight: Timisoara
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Timisoara – Novi Sad – Belgrade, Serbia

Enter Serbia. Visit Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad.
Evening arrival and city tour of Belgrade.
Overnight: Belgrade
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Belgrade – Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Scenic drive through the Drina River valley.
Guided tour of Sarajevo’s Old Town (Baščaršija), Latin Bridge, and Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque.
Overnight: Sarajevo
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Sarajevo – Mostar – Dubrovnik, Croatia

Stop in Mostar for the famous Old Bridge and Ottoman quarter.
Continue to Dubrovnik. Evening free time.
Overnight: Dubrovnik
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Dubrovnik – Kotor – Budva, Montenegro

Walking tour of Dubrovnik’s city walls.
Visit Kotor’s Old Town (UNESCO).
Overnight in Budva.
Overnight: Budva
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Budva – Shkodra – Tirana, Albania

Explore Rozafa Fortress in Shkodra.
Continue to Tirana: visit Skanderbeg Square and Blloku District.
Overnight: Tirana
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Tirana – Ohrid, North Macedonia

Cross into North Macedonia.
Visit Lake Ohrid, Church of St. John at Kaneo, and Old Bazaar.
Overnight: Ohrid
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Ohrid – Skopje

Drive to Skopje. Explore Old Bazaar, Stone Bridge, and Mother Teresa Memorial House.
Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Overnight: Skopje
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15: Departure from Skopje or Return to Istanbul

Transfer to Skopje Airport or optional return leg to Istanbul by road or flight.
Included meals: Breakfast

Services

Included

14 nights accommodation in selected 3★ or 4★ hotels
Daily breakfast
Private guide/driver for 15 days
Rent-a-car for the entire itinerary
Airport arrival & departure transfers
All land transportation Turkey – Balkans – Albania – North Macedonia
Border assistance
Tour planning and operational coordination

Excluded

Flights
Lunches and dinners (unless explicitly stated)
Entrance fees (museums, monasteries, fortresses, UNESCO sites)
Bosphorus cruise and other optional excursions
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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