14 days Balkans Tour from Bucharest to Sofia and Budapest
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Visit the Balkans in this 14 days tour in wich You will visit 9 countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Hungary. An unforgettable 14-day tour of the not-to-miss Balkan highlights, covering the very best of the Balkans attractions with a comfortable pace.
Itinerary Details
Operated by: Guided Europe Tours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Day 1 Day 1: Saturday – Bucharest – Veliko Tarnovo - Devetashka - Lovech (230 km) ROMANIA + BULGARIA
Stop At: Guided Europe Tours
Pick-up in the morning at 9 a.m. from your hotel.
Stop At: Tsarevets
Visit Veliko Tarnovo , “City of Tsars” , the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Tsarevets Fortress , Monument of the Asenevtsi kings , Samovodska charshia are the main attractions of the city.
Duration: 2 hour
Stop At: Devetashka Cave
The Devetàshka cave is a picturesque karst cave near the waterfalls. Unlike other caves Devetàshka is very well lit and its floor is covered by lush greenery, especially in spring and summer, so sometimes it is hard to believe that one is actually underground.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Krushunskiye Waterfalls
The Krushùna Falls are the biggest travertine cascade in Bulgaria, unique with its picturesque scenery, lush vegetation, numerous round-shaped terraces and small natural pools with mineral water. The main waterfall is about 20 m high and it splits into several smaller ones along its way down the soft limestone rocks.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lovech
Overnight in a 3* hotel in Lovech.
Duration: 9 hour
Day 2 Day 2: Sunday – Lovech - Sofia (150 km) ROMANIA + BULGARIA
Stop At: Lovech
Visit Lovech with the Covered Bridge over the Osam River is another must-see attraction in Lovech. The bridge unites the two halves of the town and it’s a distinctive piece of construction and a significant representation of Lovech.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sofia
In the evening we will arrive in Sofia . The walking tour of city center will include the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint (Sveta) Sofia Church , Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue and the main shopping street Vitosha .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 3 Day 3: Monday – Sofia – Rila – Skopje (350 km) BULGARIA +MACEDONIA
Stop At: Rila Monastery
After breakfast departure to Rila Monastery , Bulgaria's most famous tourist site ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) and founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan Rilsky (St John of Rila ) , a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church . The monastery , one of the largest in the Balkans , was the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for more than 1000 years . Our tour includes a visit to the Church, which is of particular artistic value, for it was adorned by the foremost 19-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Skopje
In the early evening we will arrive in Skopje , the capital of Macedonia . Orientation tour of Skopje before arriving to your centrally located hotel.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 4 Day 4: Tuesday – Skopje – Ohrid (190 km) MACEDONIA
Stop At: Skopje
After breakfast enjoy a walking tour of Skopje (internationally famous for being the birthplace of Mother Teresa ) , with its most important landmarks : quay of the Macedonian river “Vardar”, the narrow streets in the Old Bazaar (is the biggest bazaar preserved in the Balkans today ), the Memorial house of Mother Teresa , the 1500 years old fortress Kale , Macedonia Square with the statue of Alexander The Great on horse .
Duration: 2 hour
Stop At: Ohrid
Ohrid ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) situated on the banks of the lake with the same name , perched on the border of Macedonia and Albania. Ohrid area has been the setting of thousands of years of human history and the old city center are testimony to its past. Lake Ohrid itself is Europe's oldest lake having formed over three millions years ago. The walking tour of the old city center will include the narrow streets and squares , the Anchient Theater , discover the famous old churches, monasteries and basilicas (Sveti Sofia Church ) , Tsar Samuil’s (Samuel’s) Fortress and pedestrian shopping street .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 5 Day 5: Wednesday – Ohrid – Tirana(180 km) MACEDONIA + ALBANIA
Stop At: Tirana
Continue the tour crossing the Macedonian – Albanian border heading to Tirana, capital of Albania . The walking tour of city center of Tirana will reveal the main tourist attractions : Tirana’s massive main square – Skanderbeg , National History Museum, Et’hem Bey Mosque and Skanderbeg’s statue . In the evening you will arrive in Kruja . The name and the importance of the city are attributed to the national hero of Albania, George Castriot Skanderbeg, who made Kruja a fortress of resistance against the Turkish Ottoman empire for more than 25 years in the 15th century .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 6 Day 6: Thursday – Kruja - Podgorita (140 km) - ALBANIA+MONTENEGRO
Stop At:
After breakfast we will head to the capital of Montenegro and during our walking tour we wil admire: The Clock Tower, Osmanagica and Doganjska Mosque, Skaline (the old stairs), St.George Church, Millenium Bridge, Russian Bridge, Vladimir Vysotsky Monument, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Roman Square, King Nicola's Castle.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 7 Day 7: Friday – OPTIONAL: Podgorica – Budva – Kotor - Podgorica (180 km) MONTENEGRO
Stop At: Budva
Departure to Budva – Montenegro , crossing the Albanian – Montenegro border and stop to visit the Old Town walls of Budva and see the most important spots: Ballerina and Mogren Beach, Land Gate, Ancient Necropolis, Square of Churches, Citadel, Njegoš’s street, marina, Mediternaska Street and Slovenska Plaza
Duration: 2 hour
Stop At: Kotor Old City
In the evening you will arrive in Kotor and discover the fortified old town – Stari Grad ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 8 Day 8: Saturday - Podgorica - Kravice - Medugorje (230 km) MONTENEGRO + BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA
Stop At: Kravice Falls
After crossing the border in Bosnia&Herzegovina we will visit Kravica Waterfall, between the villages of Studenci and Zvirici, the river Trebizat creates a waterfall 28 meters high and a beautiful natural amphitheater 120 meters wide. Kravica waterfall is a paradisiacal place where we shall have a rest from everything that is ordinary and mundane, and simply enjoy the serene setting of captivating waterfalls embraced by the lush greenery. During the summer it is also possible to swim
Duration: 2 hour
Stop At: Medugorje
Next, we will arrive in Medjugorje is one of the most famous Roman Catholic pilgrimage destinations in the world. It became known through the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, which began as a phenomenon in 1981, In years that where coming Međugorje became the center of religious Tourism of this part of Europe. Although, it is one of Bosnian most visited tourist centers, Medjugorje still retained its original charm, in which pilgrims find peace in faith. Walk to Apparition Hill Križevac or just feel the positive energy of this settlement in St Jacob Church
Duration: 2 hour
Day 9 Day 9: Sunday – OPTIONAL - Medugorje - Dubrovnik - Medugorje (250 km) - CROATIA
Stop At: Dubrovnik
Enjoy free time in Medugorje or take our OPTIONAL tour in Dubrovnik. On the walking tour of Dubrovnik, you will explore the beautiful historic architecture and stone-paved streets of the UNESCO-protected Old City of Dubrovnik, and pay a visit to the famous Dubrovnik City Walls. Dubrovnik is most famous for serving as one of the sets for Game of Thrones, so fans of the show are definitely in for a treat, but we are certain everyone will be enthralled by Dubrovnik, regardless of their TV preferences.
Duration: 5 hour
Day 10 Day 10: Monday – OPTIONAL - Saturday – Medugorje – Split - Medugorje (280 km) CROATIA
Stop At: Split
OPTIONAL : Today you will have a chance to admire one of the most popular Mediterranean places, a place so special that there will hardly be a single thing you won’t be fascinated with. They say that Split is a place you have to love, it’s not a matter of choice. The first part of a day we will use for an walking tour and learn about Split in depth. We will take a stroll through the centuries, starting from Roman times and enjoy the treasure trove of endless layers of history, architecture and urban spirit of this amazing city. Just the fact that the essence of the city’s urban life is the grandiose 4th century Diocletian’s Palace which, along with the historic centre are UNESCO protected and maintained by the United Nation’s agency for education, science and culture is a small hint on all of the possible whirlwinds of emotions you will be experiencing while walking the paths of the ancient civilisations and enjoying the mesmerizing colors of Adriatic sea.
Duration: 5 hour
Day 11 Day 11: Tuesday– Medugorje - Mostar - Sarajevo (150 km) BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA
Stop At: Mostar
After breakfast , we will head to Mostar where the focus of our attention will be the old town and the Old Bridge of Mostar. Built in 1566 the Mostar bridge has since been the main reason behind Mostar developing into the capital of the Herzegovina region. Unfortunately in November of 1993, during the Siege of Mostar, the bridge was destroyed. Reasons and judicial facts behind the destruction of the Mostar Old Bridge, we will thoroughly cover during our walking tour of Mostar. Since the Bridge, since then there’s been a tradition of bridge diving. Today young and brave Mostar divers compete to earn a few euros by diving off the bridge in front of the tourists from all around the world.
Duration: 3 hour
Stop At: Sarajevo
After we leave Mostar, we shall take an amazingly scenic road passing by the Jablanica lake and via the Neretva river canyon, we’ll arrive in Sarajevo. Walking tour of the old part and city centre of Sarajevo. Our 2.5 hour tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We shall visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics and life during the Siege of Sarajevo will surely be part of our story today.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 12 Day 12: Wednesday – Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 km) CROATIA + SERBIA
Stop At: Belgrade
After breakfast we will head to Serbia and in the afternoon we will arrive to Belgrad, capital of Serbia. Visit the Republic Square, the National theater and the National museum, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), the oldest part of Belgrade with Ottoman heritage, the only mosque in the city, Kalemegdan park, Belgrade fortress, „Victor“ the most famous symbol of Belgrade and the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 13 Day 13 – Thursday – Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 km) SERBIA + HUNGARY
Stop At: Novi Sad
After breakfast , departure to Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad where we will visit Zmaj Jovina Street, the promenade of Novi Sad and obligatory sight for any tourists, not least for the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. We will see also y – Dunavska, street with its long line of single-storied 19th century houses. The Danube embankment, the outside of Petrovaradin Fortress on the other bank.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Budapest
In the evening we will arrive to Budapest ,`´ The Queen of Danube “ , capital of Hungary .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 14 Day 14 – Friday – Budapest HUNGARY
Stop At: Budapest
Free time in Budapest in wich you can discover by yourself this magical city and see the iconic statues of Heroes’ Square, the Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover also St. Stephen’s Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue and the beautiful Castle District in Buda.
Duration: 12 hour
Day 1 Day 1: Saturday – Bucharest – Veliko Tarnovo - Devetashka - Lovech (230 km) ROMANIA + BULGARIA
Stop At: Guided Europe Tours
Pick-up in the morning at 9 a.m. from your hotel.
Stop At: Tsarevets
Visit Veliko Tarnovo , “City of Tsars” , the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Tsarevets Fortress , Monument of the Asenevtsi kings , Samovodska charshia are the main attractions of the city.
Duration: 2 hour
Stop At: Devetashka Cave
The Devetàshka cave is a picturesque karst cave near the waterfalls. Unlike other caves Devetàshka is very well lit and its floor is covered by lush greenery, especially in spring and summer, so sometimes it is hard to believe that one is actually underground.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Krushunskiye Waterfalls
The Krushùna Falls are the biggest travertine cascade in Bulgaria, unique with its picturesque scenery, lush vegetation, numerous round-shaped terraces and small natural pools with mineral water. The main waterfall is about 20 m high and it splits into several smaller ones along its way down the soft limestone rocks.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Lovech
Overnight in a 3* hotel in Lovech.
Duration: 9 hour
Day 2 Day 2: Sunday – Lovech - Sofia (150 km) ROMANIA + BULGARIA
Stop At: Lovech
Visit Lovech with the Covered Bridge over the Osam River is another must-see attraction in Lovech. The bridge unites the two halves of the town and it’s a distinctive piece of construction and a significant representation of Lovech.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Sofia
In the evening we will arrive in Sofia . The walking tour of city center will include the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint (Sveta) Sofia Church , Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue and the main shopping street Vitosha .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 3 Day 3: Monday – Sofia – Rila – Skopje (350 km) BULGARIA +MACEDONIA
Stop At: Rila Monastery
After breakfast departure to Rila Monastery , Bulgaria's most famous tourist site ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) and founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan Rilsky (St John of Rila ) , a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church . The monastery , one of the largest in the Balkans , was the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for more than 1000 years . Our tour includes a visit to the Church, which is of particular artistic value, for it was adorned by the foremost 19-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Skopje
In the early evening we will arrive in Skopje , the capital of Macedonia . Orientation tour of Skopje before arriving to your centrally located hotel.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 4 Day 4: Tuesday – Skopje – Ohrid (190 km) MACEDONIA
Stop At: Skopje
After breakfast enjoy a walking tour of Skopje (internationally famous for being the birthplace of Mother Teresa ) , with its most important landmarks : quay of the Macedonian river “Vardar”, the narrow streets in the Old Bazaar (is the biggest bazaar preserved in the Balkans today ), the Memorial house of Mother Teresa , the 1500 years old fortress Kale , Macedonia Square with the statue of Alexander The Great on horse .
Duration: 2 hour
Stop At: Ohrid
Ohrid ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) situated on the banks of the lake with the same name , perched on the border of Macedonia and Albania. Ohrid area has been the setting of thousands of years of human history and the old city center are testimony to its past. Lake Ohrid itself is Europe's oldest lake having formed over three millions years ago. The walking tour of the old city center will include the narrow streets and squares , the Anchient Theater , discover the famous old churches, monasteries and basilicas (Sveti Sofia Church ) , Tsar Samuil’s (Samuel’s) Fortress and pedestrian shopping street .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 5 Day 5: Wednesday – Ohrid – Tirana(180 km) MACEDONIA + ALBANIA
Stop At: Tirana
Continue the tour crossing the Macedonian – Albanian border heading to Tirana, capital of Albania . The walking tour of city center of Tirana will reveal the main tourist attractions : Tirana’s massive main square – Skanderbeg , National History Museum, Et’hem Bey Mosque and Skanderbeg’s statue . In the evening you will arrive in Kruja . The name and the importance of the city are attributed to the national hero of Albania, George Castriot Skanderbeg, who made Kruja a fortress of resistance against the Turkish Ottoman empire for more than 25 years in the 15th century .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 6 Day 6: Thursday – Kruja - Podgorita (140 km) - ALBANIA+MONTENEGRO
Stop At:
After breakfast we will head to the capital of Montenegro and during our walking tour we wil admire: The Clock Tower, Osmanagica and Doganjska Mosque, Skaline (the old stairs), St.George Church, Millenium Bridge, Russian Bridge, Vladimir Vysotsky Monument, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Roman Square, King Nicola's Castle.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 7 Day 7: Friday – OPTIONAL: Podgorica – Budva – Kotor - Podgorica (180 km) MONTENEGRO
Stop At: Budva
Departure to Budva – Montenegro , crossing the Albanian – Montenegro border and stop to visit the Old Town walls of Budva and see the most important spots: Ballerina and Mogren Beach, Land Gate, Ancient Necropolis, Square of Churches, Citadel, Njegoš’s street, marina, Mediternaska Street and Slovenska Plaza
Duration: 2 hour
Stop At: Kotor Old City
In the evening you will arrive in Kotor and discover the fortified old town – Stari Grad ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 8 Day 8: Saturday - Podgorica - Kravice - Medugorje (230 km) MONTENEGRO + BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA
Stop At: Kravice Falls
After crossing the border in Bosnia&Herzegovina we will visit Kravica Waterfall, between the villages of Studenci and Zvirici, the river Trebizat creates a waterfall 28 meters high and a beautiful natural amphitheater 120 meters wide. Kravica waterfall is a paradisiacal place where we shall have a rest from everything that is ordinary and mundane, and simply enjoy the serene setting of captivating waterfalls embraced by the lush greenery. During the summer it is also possible to swim
Duration: 2 hour
Stop At: Medugorje
Next, we will arrive in Medjugorje is one of the most famous Roman Catholic pilgrimage destinations in the world. It became known through the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, which began as a phenomenon in 1981, In years that where coming Međugorje became the center of religious Tourism of this part of Europe. Although, it is one of Bosnian most visited tourist centers, Medjugorje still retained its original charm, in which pilgrims find peace in faith. Walk to Apparition Hill Križevac or just feel the positive energy of this settlement in St Jacob Church
Duration: 2 hour
Day 9 Day 9: Sunday – OPTIONAL - Medugorje - Dubrovnik - Medugorje (250 km) - CROATIA
Stop At: Dubrovnik
Enjoy free time in Medugorje or take our OPTIONAL tour in Dubrovnik. On the walking tour of Dubrovnik, you will explore the beautiful historic architecture and stone-paved streets of the UNESCO-protected Old City of Dubrovnik, and pay a visit to the famous Dubrovnik City Walls. Dubrovnik is most famous for serving as one of the sets for Game of Thrones, so fans of the show are definitely in for a treat, but we are certain everyone will be enthralled by Dubrovnik, regardless of their TV preferences.
Duration: 5 hour
Day 10 Day 10: Monday – OPTIONAL - Saturday – Medugorje – Split - Medugorje (280 km) CROATIA
Stop At: Split
OPTIONAL : Today you will have a chance to admire one of the most popular Mediterranean places, a place so special that there will hardly be a single thing you won’t be fascinated with. They say that Split is a place you have to love, it’s not a matter of choice. The first part of a day we will use for an walking tour and learn about Split in depth. We will take a stroll through the centuries, starting from Roman times and enjoy the treasure trove of endless layers of history, architecture and urban spirit of this amazing city. Just the fact that the essence of the city’s urban life is the grandiose 4th century Diocletian’s Palace which, along with the historic centre are UNESCO protected and maintained by the United Nation’s agency for education, science and culture is a small hint on all of the possible whirlwinds of emotions you will be experiencing while walking the paths of the ancient civilisations and enjoying the mesmerizing colors of Adriatic sea.
Duration: 5 hour
Day 11 Day 11: Tuesday– Medugorje - Mostar - Sarajevo (150 km) BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA
Stop At: Mostar
After breakfast , we will head to Mostar where the focus of our attention will be the old town and the Old Bridge of Mostar. Built in 1566 the Mostar bridge has since been the main reason behind Mostar developing into the capital of the Herzegovina region. Unfortunately in November of 1993, during the Siege of Mostar, the bridge was destroyed. Reasons and judicial facts behind the destruction of the Mostar Old Bridge, we will thoroughly cover during our walking tour of Mostar. Since the Bridge, since then there’s been a tradition of bridge diving. Today young and brave Mostar divers compete to earn a few euros by diving off the bridge in front of the tourists from all around the world.
Duration: 3 hour
Stop At: Sarajevo
After we leave Mostar, we shall take an amazingly scenic road passing by the Jablanica lake and via the Neretva river canyon, we’ll arrive in Sarajevo. Walking tour of the old part and city centre of Sarajevo. Our 2.5 hour tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We shall visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics and life during the Siege of Sarajevo will surely be part of our story today.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 12 Day 12: Wednesday – Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 km) CROATIA + SERBIA
Stop At: Belgrade
After breakfast we will head to Serbia and in the afternoon we will arrive to Belgrad, capital of Serbia. Visit the Republic Square, the National theater and the National museum, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), the oldest part of Belgrade with Ottoman heritage, the only mosque in the city, Kalemegdan park, Belgrade fortress, „Victor“ the most famous symbol of Belgrade and the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers.
Duration: 3 hour
Day 13 Day 13 – Thursday – Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 km) SERBIA + HUNGARY
Stop At: Novi Sad
After breakfast , departure to Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad where we will visit Zmaj Jovina Street, the promenade of Novi Sad and obligatory sight for any tourists, not least for the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. We will see also y – Dunavska, street with its long line of single-storied 19th century houses. The Danube embankment, the outside of Petrovaradin Fortress on the other bank.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Budapest
In the evening we will arrive to Budapest ,`´ The Queen of Danube “ , capital of Hungary .
Duration: 3 hour
Day 14 Day 14 – Friday – Budapest HUNGARY
Stop At: Budapest
Free time in Budapest in wich you can discover by yourself this magical city and see the iconic statues of Heroes’ Square, the Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover also St. Stephen’s Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue and the beautiful Castle District in Buda.
Duration: 12 hour
