The Balkans offer a one-of-a-kind travel experience, blending ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures. From the snow-capped peaks of the Accursed Mountains to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, every corner of this region is packed with surprises. Imagine driving along the Adriatic Highway, exploring medieval fortresses in Serbia, or enjoying a scenic train ride through Montenegro — you can find all this and more on a Balkan road trip.
A Balkan road trip is perfect for adventure seekers, history buffs, and food lovers. Whether you’re a backpacker looking for an affordable journey or a couple seeking a luxury Balkan holiday, the region offers incredible diversity.
If you love off-the-beaten-path destinations, budget-friendly travel, or stunning nature, this is the ideal trip for you.
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How Long to Visit the Balkans?
One Week Balkan Itinerary: stick to one or two countries, like Croatia and Montenegro or Serbia and North Macedonia.
2-Week Balkan Road Trip: cover five to six countries, mixing coastal drives and mountain adventures.
3-Week Balkans Itinerary: a full Balkans loop, including Albania, Bosnia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece, plus hidden gems along the way.
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How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Balkans?
Budget Travel: €30–€50/day.
Hostels: €10–€15/night Street food: €3–€5 Bus/train travel: €5–€15 per ride
Mid-Range Travel: €70–€120/day (Example: a 2-week Balkan road trip with car rental and comfortable stays.)
Boutique hotels: €40–€70/night
Restaurants: €10–€20/meal
Car rental: €20–€40/day
Luxury Travel: €200+/day (Example: a Peaks of the Balkans guided tour with premium hotels and gourmet dining.)
5-star hotels: €150–€300/night
Private tours: €100+
Fine dining: €30–€50/meal
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Local Tips and Money-Saving Advice for Visiting the Balkans
✅ Use public transport. A Balkan train itinerary can be both scenic and affordable.
✅Eat at local bakeries (try Burek in Bosnia, Ćevapi in Serbia, and Pide in Turkey).
✅ Rent a car outside major cities for cheaper rates. ✅ Winter (December–February) is great for skiing in Bulgaria and Montenegro.
✅ Must-Have Travel Passes: Balkan Flexipass (great for train travel across multiple countries) or Interrail Route Balkan (for unlimited train travel if you’re under 27.
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Featured Travel Guides from the Balkans
Now that you know how to plan your Balkan road trip itinerary, check out some of my detailed guides on The Travel Bunny:
The next day, Ana and Tim went to visit Ohrid Town. Although Simon and I had already been there the day before, we still went to town to get a bus to Bitola, in Pelagonia Valley. We all went on the same shuttle bus from Lagadin, but we went our separate ways once we got to town. About Bitola, North Macedonia Located in the southwest of the nation lies the city of Bitola in the Republic of North Macedonia. It has a long history that dates back to ancient times and is the second-largest city in North Macedonia. The stunning architecture, thriving culture, …
In the morning, Simon and I had a quick breakfast, then went on a day trip to Ohrid Town. Meanwhile, Ana and Tim decided to spend a lazy day by the lake, in Lagadin. The buses come quite frequently and on time on the shore of Lake Ohrid. You pay the fare with the driver. Therefore it’s all very simple and easy, should you decide to travel this way. About Ohrid Town The town of Ohrid is a historic and cultural center located in North Macedonia, on the shores of Lake Ohrid. It’s famous for its beautiful setting, with the …
When we arrived at Lake Ohrid, we took in the sights and looked for some accommodation. We had nothing planned, we had no idea what was the best place to stay at Lake Ohrid. Therefore, we just looked for signs posted by people outside their homes or yards. And we eventually found excellent accommodation in Lagadin, a very small tranquil village, where people come only during the warm months, according to some locals. Read on about the best place to stay at Lake Ohrid! Searching for Lake Ohrid accommodation Lake Ohrid is a popular tourist destination in North Macedonia and …
Early in the morning (yes, somehow it’s always early in the morning!), we had breakfast, said goodbye to the local cat, and met up with Simon. We were all heading to Tirana, so he joined us on a Matka Canyon boat ride along the way. The road there wasn’t very pleasant (I was sharing the backseat with Simon and one of our backpacks) and we got a bit lost because we took a wrong turn. However, it was worth it. Is Matka Canyon worth visiting? Matka Canyon is a beautiful and scenic destination that is definitely worth visiting if you …
On our second afternoon in Skopje, we stopped for lunch in the Old Bazaar, joined by Simon, one of the Germans we met during the free Skopje walking tour. We ate some delicious food: Tim and I chose Kebapchinya, Ana decided to get the ubiquitous Shopska salad, and Simon chose the baked beans. Over lunch, somehow we suddenly decided to go together on a Millennium Cross hike. We also talked about a lot of other things and discovered that we had a lot of things in common. Tim and Simon had actually gone to the same university, though they finished …
