14-day Balkan Holiday

This Balkan trip gives you a perfect chance to enjoy the diversity and richness this part of the world on the south side of the Alps has to offer.

Starting point

Zagreb

Finish point

Dubrovnik

Duration

13 nights/14 days

Price

From: 2,960€/person

Difficulty

Leisurely

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14-day Balkan Holiday

Ljubljana Castle over the city

Postojna Cave

Day 1 - Capital of Slovenia

Our adventure begins on the “Sunny Side of the Alps” in Slovenia’s charming subalpine capital. Exploring Ljubljana, you’ll take in all the main sights while uncovering its rich history. The Old Town enchants with its timeless architecture, while the medieval castle perched above the city provides a unique vantage point. Vibrant markets and squares, along with the green Ljubljanica River winding through the city’s heart, create a scene that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

Included

Ljubljana Castle entrance fee with funicular ride
Boat ride on Ljubljanica River

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Ljubljana

Day 2 - The Alps

On the second day, we’ll explore more of Slovenia’s breathtaking natural beauty with a visit to Lake Bled, a true icon of Slovene tourism. This stunning alpine lake features a charming church on an island and an ancient castle perched high on a dramatic cliff. In the afternoon, we’ll head to another gem, Lake Bohinj, and take a cable car to the top of Vogel mountain, where spectacular panoramic views await.

Included

Bled Castle entrance fee
Traditional pletna boat ride to Bled Island
Vogel Mountain cable car

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Ljubljana

Day 3 - Slovenian Karst

One cannot visit Slovenia without descending into the spellbinding depths of Postojna Cave. It’s the oldest show cave, home to incredible underground formations and the indigenous ‘human fish’. Just down the road from this subterranean gem is Predjama Castle, the biggest and most fascinating cave castle in the world.

IMPORTANT:

The temperature in the cave is 10C, so make sure you are dressed properly.

Included

Postojna Cave entrance fee
Predjama Castle entrance fee

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Ljubljana

Day 4 - Capital of Croatia

Next, we cross into Croatia, starting with its dynamic capital, Zagreb. Known for its vibrant cultural scene, Zagreb offers a perfect blend of history and modern life. The city’s attractions, easily reachable on foot, include the impressive Neo-Gothic Cathedral, the colorful St. Mark’s Church, and the picturesque old town, all set against a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes exploring a true pleasure.

Included

Walking tour of Zagreb

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Zagreb

Day 5 - Plitvice UNESCO National Park

Another day, another mesmerizing destination. Day five brings some more natural splendor to our tour. We’re visiting Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Croatia’s first national park. Its limestone formations, waterfalls, and 16 terraced lakes will take your breath away as you walk down the park’s interlinked walkways and hiking trails. In the evening, it’s onward to the Dalmatian coastal town of Zadar, a historic port and lively Old Town.

Included

Plitvice National Park entrance fee

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Zadar

Highlights

Plitvice national park

Day 6 - Kornati Islands national park

Take a half-day boat tour to explore the stunning Kornati National Park, home to a breathtaking collection of 109 mostly uninhabited islands, islets, reefs and craggy rocks scattered over an area of 224 square kilometres. The park was named after the largest island – Kornati. Spend the day soaking in the natural beauty, with opportunities to swim and relax on gorgeous beaches with tourquise waters. Discover the park’s unique landscapes, including the peaceful Telašćica Nature Park and its salty lake. Enjoy a peaceful day surrounded by some of Croatia’s most stunning scenery.

Included

Boat trip to Kornati Islands national park

Accommodation

Overnight in Zadar

Day 7 - Towns of Šibenik & Trogir

Our next destination is Šibenik. Sightseeing around this Dalmatian jewel includes the 15th-century Cathedral of St. James, the 14th-century Prince’s Palace, and the white stone St. Michael’s Fortress with views of Šibenik Bay and the neighboring islands.

Not far off is Trogir, an authentic medieval town connected to the mainland and an adjacent island by bridges. Trogir comes in a mixture of Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque architecture and a soulful atmosphere. The busy day draws to a close with a drive to the sunny port city of Split.

Included

Walking tour of Šibenik
Walking tour of Trogir

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Split

Day 8 - Split and surroundings

The seventh day is spent according to your wishes. You can investigate Split’s gorgeous old center, hop on a boat tour of the beautiful nearby islands of Hvar and Vis, or stroll around the Roman ruins of Solin, the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Whatever you opt for, know that a splendid time is guaranteed.

Included

Walking tour of Split

Extra

Boat trip to Hvar & Vis Islands
Trip to Solin & Klis Fortress

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Split

Day 9 - Bosnia and Herzegovina

On the eighth day, another country enters our itinerary. It’s off to Mostar, the famous heritage site of southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is known worldwide for its iconic Old Bridge over the Neretva River. It’s a reconstructed medieval arched bridge that connects the two sides of the city and boasts incredible cultural significance. Mostar’s amazing Turkish heritage also includes the Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque and stunning views from its minaret. The day is spent exploring the narrow streets and markets whilst enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds of a place lost in time.

Included

Walking tour of Mostar Old Town
Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque entrance fee

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Mostar

DAY 10 - Sarajavo, capital of Bosnia

Explore the historic old town of Sarajevo, known as Baščaršija, on a guided walking tour, where you’ll discover its rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere. Visit key landmarks, including the famous Baščaršija market and the beautiful Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Then, learn about Sarajevo’s resilience during the war with a visit to the Tunnel of Salvation, with entrance included. Experience the unique blend of history and modern life in this captivating city.

Included

Walking tour of Sarajevo Old Town
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque entrance fee
Tunnel of Salvation entrance fee

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Sarajevo

DAY 11 - Počitelj & Ston

Start your day with a relaxed morning in Sarajevo, enjoying a traditional Bosnian coffee before starting your return to the Adriatic. We will stop in Počitelj, wander through its cobbled streets and admire the blend of Ottoman and Mediterranean architecture. We will continue on the coast to Ston, where we will walk along the ancient city walls, the longest in Europe, and take in sweeping views of the surrounding landscape, before continuing to our final stop of the day, Dubrovnik.

Included

Ston Walls entrance fee

Accommodation

Overnight in Dubrovnik

Day 12 - Walled-off town of Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik’s iconic Old Town is encircled by a massive stone wall from the 16th century. You can walk the entire length of the wall and witness this time-capsule of town from above. Afterward, enjoy a guided walking tour through the Old Town, where you’ll explore Dubrovnik’s stunning architecture, from the baroque St. Blaise Church to the Renaissance Sponza Palace and the Gothic Rector’s Palace. Learn about the city’s rich history and cultural heritage as you stroll through its cobbled streets.

Included

Walking tour of Durbovnik
Dubrovnik Walls entrance fee

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Dubrovnik

DAY 13 - Bay of Kotor in Montenegro

Take a scenic day trip from Dubrovnik to the beautiful town of Kotor in Montenegro, located along the stunning Bay of Kotor. Stroll through the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its charming streets and historical landmarks, including St. Tryphon’s Cathedral. Enjoy the dramatic scenery of the bay, surrounded by towering mountains that create a truly unique backdrop. Explore the town’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere as you discover the wonders of this picturesque coastal destination.

Included

Walking tour of Kotor

Accommodation

Overnight stay in Dubrovnik

Day 14 - Departure

The final (official) day of our Balkan Holiday is spent in Dubrovnik. There are plenty of awesome things to see and do in and around the Old Town that will certainly capture your imagination and leave a lasting impression.

Meals

Breakfast

EXTRA DAYS

Not enough? We can always add days after or before the holiday to make your holiday in the Balkans longer!

Want to make some changes?

Tailor made holidays - let us know what works for you and we will make it happen.

Customize your holiday

Guided

Included in price

English-speaking guide

Comfortable transportation

13 nights 3* accommodation with breakfast

All entrance fees as per itinerary

Ljubljana Castle entrance fee with funicular ride

Boat ride on Ljubljanica River

Bled Castle entrance fee

Traditional pletna boat ride to Bled Island

Vogel Mountain cable car

Postojna Cave entrance fee

Predjama Castle entrance fee

Walking tour of Zagreb

Plitvice National Park entrance fee

Boat trip to Kornati Islands national park

Walking tour of Šibenik

Walking tour of Trogir

Walking tour of Split

Walking tour of Mostar Old Town

Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque entrance fee

Walking tour of Sarajevo Old Town

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque entrance fee

Tunnel of Salvation entrance fee

Ston Walls entrance fee

Walking tour of Durbovnik

Dubrovnik Walls entrance fee

Walking tour of Kotor

Tourist tax

Self guided

Included in price

13 nights 3* accommodation with breakfast

All entrance fees as per itinerary

Comprehensive itinerary handout

Tour organisation

Ljubljana Castle entrance fee with funicular ride

Boat ride on Ljubljanica River

Bled Castle entrance fee

Traditional pletna boat ride to Bled Island

Vogel Mountain cable car

Postojna Cave entrance fee

Predjama Castle entrance fee

Walking tour of Zagreb

Plitvice National Park entrance fee

Boat trip to Kornati Islands national park

Walking tour of Šibenik

Walking tour of Trogir

Walking tour of Split

Walking tour of Mostar Old Town

Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque entrance fee

Walking tour of Sarajevo Old Town

Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque entrance fee

Tunnel of Salvation entrance fee

Ston Walls entrance fee

Walking tour of Durbovnik

Dubrovnik Walls entrance fee

Walking tour of Kotor

Tourist tax

From:

2,490€

/person

Inquiry

Our expedition around the Balkan region begins in Ljubljana, the greenest of capitals. From there, we journey to world-famous Lake Bled and the magical Julian Alps, before delving into the captivating Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. This vibrant start offers a stunning introduction to Slovenia’s unique historical and geographical multiplicity.

Next, we travel to Croatia, beginning with a visit to Zagreb. From there, we explore the natural miracle of Plitvice National Park, a forest reserve with captivating lakes and waterfalls. The journey continues to Zadar, a charming coastal town in Dalmatia, followed by a day trip to the idyllic Kornati Islands. We then make our way along the sunlit coastline to Šibenik and the ancient town of Trogir, arriving in Split, Croatia’s second-largest city. The latter is a superb stepping stone to some of Dalmatia’s most attractive islands, Hvar and Vis, as well as the Roman ruins of Solin.

Our adventure then takes us to Bosnia & Herzegovina. We’ll be visiting Mostar, the country’s acclaimed cultural heritage site and the meeting point of cultures. From there, we spend some time in Sarajevo, the nation’s capital, soaking in its rich history, vibrant culture, and unique atmosphere.

We round up our amazing journey by heading back over the border to do some sightseeing in the ancient relic of Ston and the unbelievably gorgeous walled town of Dubrovnik, a sensational Adriatic port of immense historical importance. While in Dubrovnik, we also take a day trip to Kotor in neighboring Montenegro, exploring its stunning bay and medieval charm.

If a longer adventure is more to your liking, visit The Balkan Tours for some more comprehensive experiences. For a more detailed description of what to expect on this Balkan road trip, please check out the itinerary.

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The included pickup in the price published on our website is in Ljubljana and drop-off at the end of the holiday is in Dubrovnik. For any changes, please notify us upon booking. The included transfers are all the transfers between places and/or activities specified in the itinerary.

On your holidays you will have an experienced tour leader/tour guide, who will look after you for the entire duration of the tour. At some locations, city tours are conducted by professional local guides. All of our guides will make sure that you will receive expert guiding combined with great fun and memorable experiences.

Both our back office team and our guides know where to go. We can give you recommendations or even pre-book some places for you. You can be adventurous and find places on your own. Either way, let us know if you would like any sort of help.

It really depends on the level of your restriction. Vegetarian options are fairly easy to find in Slovenia and Croatia, but vegan dishes, on the other hand, are extremely hard to come by in rural areas and in smaller towns. Please note, that the places where we stop off for lunch are often traditional and may have difficulties accommodating you outside of their standard menu. We suggest you keep this in mind.

It is important to dress for the season. Slovenia has all 4 seasons, so please check the weather forecast before the holiday regarding temperatures and rainfall. When you are close to the Alps, you can see all 4 seasons change in the same day, so your best bet is to always bring an extra layer and rain gear. Croatia gets very hot, especially during the summer, so we advise you to do as locals do and bring your swimsuits to cool off in the balmy Adriatic. Visiting religious buildings, such as churches and mosques, you will need modest clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.

If you want to, sure! We are well aware that some people love to stay in groups while others prefer some more alone time on their trip. We wanted to give you the opportunity to do things your way. It is your holiday, after all! As long as you respect the group timings and locations designated by your guide, please feel free to customize your itinerary and create your own adventure!

We want to give you the opportunity to really see the best of the Balkans, so for those of you prepared to spend a longer holiday in our region, we offer the option to extend your holiday for a few days in some areas. We believe that these places should not be missed if you have a few extra days you can spare.

Ivana

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Join a group: From: 4,690€/person

Private guided: From: 7,190€/person

Self guided: From: 2,960€/person

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R Spencer

Verified Customer

The service provided by this company is first class. Our agent, Marusa was superb in terms of her communication, her suggestions and recommendations and brilliant organisation of our trip. Had we tied to organise for ourselves we would almost certainly have missed things out through lack of knowledge. Everything worked so well that we were able to make the most of our first wonderful visit to this beautiful, friendly and hospitable country. We loved it.

Jorrit van Gelder

Verified Customer

Very helpful travel agency. Great contact who always replied swiftly and adequately. They deliver as promised!

Harrie Boonen

Verified Customer

Slovenia Holidays / World Discovery ( travel agent Grega) arranged a one week travel program for us in Slovenia, combining our own wishes of some hiking and nature experiences, some sea-, city- and country-side visits and his own suggestions (Ljubljana food tour, Planina cave spelunking with personal guide, etc.). The process around customising the itinerary and perfecting it went very smooth. He arranged tickets, guides and a rental car, all accessible through a neat app, and the plan turned out to fit very well, including a rental car upgrade to accommodate larger then anticipated suitcases. We had not heard so much about Slovenia beforehand, but it is amazing, as are its people, food, culture and not least its diverse nature, its exceptional gorges and caves.

Chris Jukes

Verified Customer

Slovenia Holidays did a fantastic job in putting together an eight-day, tailor-made tour for our small group. We had an amazing time and highly enjoyed all elements of our trip – including tour of Ljubljana, gorge hiking, visiting Slovenia’s famous caves, alpine views, hot air balloon ride, beautiful coastal town of Piran and, of course, delicious food and wine 😊. Our holiday agent – Grega - was a pleasure to work with and ensured our holiday covered the key locations and experiences Slovenia has to offer. The tour was a perfect introduction of Slovenia – beautiful and diverse country. We enjoyed everything, well organised and felt in safe hands. Our guide – Sanda - was a good match for us and tuned into our relaxed attitude. We would highly recommend Slovenia Holidays to anyone wishing to discover and explore real Slovenia.

Susan Mulready

Verified Customer

Our private Hike and Bike tour was nothing short of amazing! We had a fantastic holiday, and Tomaz, our guide, went out of his way to ensure everything went smoothly. He was knowledgeable, punctual, entertaining, reliable, experienced... the perfect guide! It was a pleasure to indulge in such a breathtakingly beautiful country. Thank you, Ivana and Grega, for arranging our trip professionally and efficiently.

Carol Thomson

Verified Customer

Slovenia Holidays provided a great experience for us. There was a good balance between planned activity and free time. Our guide Ivana was not only knowledgeable but very friendly and helpful as well. We fell in love with Slovenia and look forward to going back. When we do we will use Slovenia Holidays again!