Alternative 2 to 3 week Balkans Itinerary

As mentioned in a previous article, one suggested route was starting in Sofia, Bulgaria and heading west. Another option for your itinerary is presented here. For example, in this itinerary, you would start from Serbia and head into Bosnia and Herzegovina before going onward.

See previous article: HERE

Explore both articles. See which descriptions of destinations ultimately suit you more. You can also consider basing yourself in one city and taking day trips! It is all up to what you feel comfortable with for your vacation.

Belgrade, Serbia (3 days)

Photo by Markofit Production on Pexels.com

Belgrade might take a bit of warming up to like it did for me, but the small eateries, sunsets, and churches are truly stellar. The sometimes gritty exterior of buildings only add to the charm. The Socialist architecture from the days of Yugoslavia is apparent. That said, this is a unique form of architecture with many other forms of architecture available to see in Belgrade.

The Temple of Saint Sava – iconic church of Belgrade
Belgrade Fortress
Kneza Mihalia (street)
Kalemegdan Park – delightful as afternoon turns to evening
Skadarlija (neighborhood)
Saint Petka’s Chapel – simply stunning!

Next: Try to book a night bus in advance via one of the local companies for the next leg of your journey. The next leg will take 7.5 hours to reach with night bus or less with a car.

Sarajevo (3 days)

I was unsure of how Sarajevo would be upon arrival. I recall seeing the Latin Bridge for the first time and trying a baked apple dessert with whipped cream (does anyone know the name of this?) from a local bakery and I was hooked on the city! The Baščaršija or old section of the city is delightful. However, as noted below, a word of caution regarding any hiking in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the utmost efforts have been made to mark landmines in tourist areas, the frequency with which they were planted makes off-trail hiking unsafe. In addition, I ran into a local couple on my way down the mountain (near the bobsledding track) who asked where I was going. I pointed and the woman told me of reported muggings, so I quickly heeded her advice and took the cable car down (the same way I’d come up).

Latin Bridge
Tunnel of Hope
Baščaršija
Free walking tour
Abandoned bobsledding track
- Note: Do not hike down alone in unfamiliar areas and avoid going down unmarked paths at all costs in remote areas of the area / country

After exploring Sarajevo, hop on the bus for a shorter journey this time. You should reach Mostar within 2.5 hours.

Mostar (2 days)

Mostar is influenced by the Ottoman empire and the history within the country. By being in Mostar, you feel as if you are stepping back into time and experiencing a slower pace of life. I recommend not coming to Mostar with a long list of things and just taking in the feeling of the city itself.

Walk around and try local food
Visit a monastery near to Mostar
Read more: HERE

After spending 2 blissful days in Mostar, head onto Dubrovnik with a 3.5 hour bus ride with 1 bus transfer in Croatia.

Dubrovnik (3 days)

Dubrovnik, Croatia was the filming location for many Game of Thrones locations. While I did not know this at the time, King’s Landing can be seen when walking around in Dubrovnik – I will let you see if you can spot it! Dubrovnik is by far the most touristy city in Croatia, but it is worth the hype. From beaches to views and history, this city is full of fun!

Dubrovnik Cable Car
Stradun (street)
Dubrovnik City Walls – walk into the Game of Thrones!
Sponza Palace
St. Blaise’s Church
Beaches near the city walls
Old Town

Mljet (1 day)

From Dubrovnik, take a ferry to Mljet and spend a day or two taking in a slower-paced view of Croatia. Explore seafood, small hikes and more!

After some island life, you are onto a new country: Montenegro! What better way than to explore Montenegro than via the stunning Bay of Kotor?

Your journey should take ~3 hours.

Kotor (2 days) with option tour of Budva

Montenegro in general, but Kotor specifically is beautiful! Located in a bay, the town feels tucked away between the water and mountains. I have not explored a place quite like it before! The views from the fort / city walls are great, but make sure not to get caught in lightning (which can happen during summer rains). Also, a very important note: say hello to the many cats you will see for me!

Our Lady of the Rocks
Kotor City Walls
Clock Tower of Kotor
Kotor Fortress
Serpentine (driving route)
Lovcen (mountain)
St. Tryphon Cathedral
Saint Luke’s Church

Kotor – Podgorica (2 hours)

From Kotor, head to Podgorica in about 2 hours (keep in mind traffic, delays and other factors) to take a domestic or international flight with the best prices.

Countries: 4 countries in 2 weeks

If 3 weeks, then add:

Budapest, Hungary (3 days) (6 hours from Belgrade, Serbia by bus)