This is the route that most first-time Balkans travellers follow, and for good reason. Ten days lets you see Zagreb’s cafe culture, Plitvice’s waterfalls, the Dalmatian coast at Split and Dubrovnik, Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, and Bosnia’s Ottoman-era cities - all connected by straightforward bus routes.
Route: Zagreb (1) → Plitvice Lakes (1) → Split (2) → Dubrovnik (2) → Kotor (1) → Mostar (1) → Sarajevo (2).
Typical costs (per person, excluding flights): budget approx. EUR 500–750; mid-range approx. EUR 900–1,400 as of 2026. Grab a Balkans eSIM before departure for connectivity across all border crossings, and get travel insurance before you leave home.
Day 1 - Zagreb
Arrive at Zagreb Airport (ZAG). The ZET airport bus runs to the main bus station (approximately EUR 8, 35 minutes). Taxis cost approximately EUR 25–30.
Afternoon: walk the Upper Town - St Mark’s Church (tiled roof), the Stone Gate, and Lotrščak Tower (approximately EUR 4 entry, fired cannon at noon daily). Stroll down to Ban Jelačić Square and through the Dolac Market if it is still open. Browse Zagreb tours and activities →
Evening: dinner at Vinodol (Croatian mains approximately EUR 10–18) on Teslina, or Mali Bar (tapas-style small plates approximately EUR 6–12) near Flowers Square.
Where to Stay
Budget: Swanky Mint Hostel - dorms from approximately EUR 18, privates from EUR 55. Mid-range: Hotel Jägerhorn - doubles from approximately EUR 85, the oldest hotel in Zagreb. Upscale: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel - doubles from approximately EUR 200. All prices as of 2026. Search all Zagreb hotels → Full accommodation guide: Where to stay in Zagreb
Day 2 - Plitvice Lakes
Getting There
Morning bus from Zagreb main bus station to Plitvice Lakes. Journey time approximately 2–2.5 hours. Multiple daily departures with Brioni Pula, FlixBus, and Croatia Bus from approximately EUR 12 one way.
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Entry costs approximately EUR 30 in high season (July–August) and EUR 20 in shoulder months as of 2026. The park has two sections: the Upper Lakes (forest boardwalks, cascading pools) and the Lower Lakes (the large waterfall, Veliki Slap, at 78 metres). A full circuit of both sections takes 4–6 hours. The internal electric boats and shuttle buses are included in the ticket.
Start at Entrance 1 for the Lower Lakes and the big waterfall, then boat across to the Upper Lakes. This direction catches the best light in the morning.
Evening: stay near the park. There is no town at Plitvice - accommodation is scattered guesthouses along the main road. Search Plitvice Lakes hotels on Booking.com for available options (from approximately EUR 40–90/night). Book dinner where you sleep, as restaurant options are limited.
Days 3–4 - Split
Getting There
Morning bus from Plitvice to Split. Journey time approximately 4.5–5 hours. Tickets from approximately EUR 18 one way with FlixBus or Čazmatrans.
Day 3: Diocletian’s Palace and Old Town
Diocletian’s Palace is not a museum - it is the living centre of Split. The Roman walls enclose apartments, shops, bars, and the Cathedral of Saint Domnius (approximately EUR 6 entry, includes bell tower climb). Walk through the Peristyle (the central courtyard), explore the underground cellars (approximately EUR 8 entry), and exit through the Bronze Gate to the waterfront Riva promenade.
Evening: Konoba Varoš (Dalmatian mains approximately EUR 10–16) in the Varoš neighbourhood, or Uje Oil Bar (mains approximately EUR 12–18) for modern Croatian dishes.
Day 4: Marjan Hill and Beach
Morning: hike or walk up Marjan Hill - the forested peninsula west of the Old Town. The summit viewpoint (170 m) takes 30–40 minutes from the base. Afternoon: swim at Kašjuni Beach on Marjan’s south side or Bačvice Beach east of the centre. Browse Split tours and activities →
Where to Stay in Split
Budget: Tchaikovsky Hostel - dorms from approximately EUR 16, privates from EUR 50. Mid-range: Heritage Hotel Antique Split - doubles from approximately EUR 100, inside the palace walls. Upscale: Hotel Vestibul Palace - doubles from approximately EUR 220, built into the original Roman vestibule. All prices as of 2026. Search all Split hotels → Full accommodation guide: Where to stay in Split
Days 5–6 - Dubrovnik
Getting There
Morning bus from Split to Dubrovnik. Journey time approximately 4–4.5 hours via the coastal road. Tickets from approximately EUR 15 one way. The route passes through the Neum corridor (a 20 km strip of Bosnia) - you will cross two quick border checkpoints.
Day 5: City Walls and Old Town
Walk the City Walls (approximately EUR 35, open from 8:00). Then visit the Rector’s Palace (approximately EUR 15) and Sponza Palace (free). Wander the side streets behind Stradun - the quieter alleys of Od Puča and Od Domina have fewer tourists and better atmosphere.
Evening: Proto Fish Restaurant (mains approximately EUR 25–40) on Široka for a special meal, or Taj Mahal (Bosnian food, mains approximately EUR 10–16) on Nikole Gučetića for something less formal.
Day 6: Cable Car and Lokrum
Morning: cable car to Mt Srd (approximately EUR 27 return) and Fort Imperial (approximately EUR 6). Afternoon: ferry to Lokrum Island (approximately EUR 20 return, 15 minutes) for swimming at the Dead Sea saltwater lake and the botanical garden. Browse Dubrovnik tours and activities →
Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
Budget: Hostel Angelina Old Town - dorms from approximately EUR 25, privates from EUR 70. Mid-range: Hotel Stari Grad - doubles from approximately EUR 130. Upscale: Hotel Excelsior - doubles from approximately EUR 280. All prices as of 2026. Search all Dubrovnik hotels → Full accommodation guide: Where to stay in Dubrovnik
Day 7 - Kotor, Montenegro
Getting There
Morning bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor. Journey time approximately 2–2.5 hours including the border crossing. Tickets from approximately EUR 15.
Kotor in One Day
Walk the Old Town - Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (approximately EUR 4), Maritime Museum (approximately EUR 5). Climb to the Fortress of San Giovanni (approximately EUR 8, 1,350 steps). The climb is steep but the bay view from the top justifies the effort.
Afternoon: taxi or bus to Perast (approximately EUR 5, 15 minutes). Boat to Our Lady of the Rocks (approximately EUR 5 return). Browse Kotor tours and activities →
Evening: Konoba Scala Santa inside the walls (mains approximately EUR 10–16).
Where to Stay
Budget: Old Town Hostel Kotor - dorms from approximately EUR 18. Mid-range: Hotel Vardar - doubles from approximately EUR 90. Prices as of 2026. Search all Kotor hotels → Full accommodation guide: Where to stay in Kotor
Day 8 - Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Getting There
No direct bus from Kotor to Mostar - route back through Dubrovnik. Morning bus Kotor → Dubrovnik (2 hours, approximately EUR 15), then Dubrovnik → Mostar (3 hours, approximately EUR 12). Total approximately 5–6 hours. Bosnia uses the convertible mark (BAM 1.96 ≈ EUR 1).
Mostar in One Day
Walk the Stari Most (Old Bridge), climb the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque minaret for the classic bridge photo (approximately EUR 4), browse Kujundžiluk bazaar. Afternoon: taxi to Blagaj Tekke (approximately EUR 3, 12 km south) - a Dervish house built into a cliff above the Buna spring (approximately EUR 3 entry). Browse Mostar tours and activities →
Evening: Šadrvan by the bridge (ćevapi and Bosnian dishes, mains approximately EUR 5–9).
Where to Stay
Budget: Hostel Majdas - dorms from approximately EUR 12. Mid-range: Hotel Mepas - doubles from approximately EUR 60. Prices as of 2026. Search all Mostar hotels → Full accommodation guide: Where to stay in Mostar
Days 9–10 - Sarajevo
Getting There
Morning bus from Mostar to Sarajevo. Approximately 2.5 hours, from EUR 10 one way. Multiple daily departures.
Day 9: Baščaršija and the Siege
Morning: Baščaršija bazaar, Sebilj fountain, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (approximately EUR 2), Latin Bridge. Afternoon: Tunnel of Hope Museum (approximately EUR 10, taxi approximately EUR 8 each way from centre). Walk back through the city to see the Markale Market memorial and the Sarajevo Roses (mortar scars filled with red resin). Book a Tunnel of Hope guided tour →
Evening: Ćevabdžinica Željo (10 ćevapi with bread from approximately EUR 4) or Dveri (mains approximately EUR 8–14).
Day 10: Vijećnica and Departure
Morning: Vijećnica (City Hall, approximately EUR 5) and the Austro-Hungarian quarter along Ferhadija. Optional: cable car to Trebević (approximately EUR 10 return) for the abandoned Olympic bobsled track.
Afternoon: depart from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ), approximately EUR 10–15 by taxi.
Where to Stay
Budget: Hostel Franz Ferdinand - dorms from approximately EUR 10. Mid-range: Hotel Old Town - doubles from approximately EUR 55. Upscale: Hotel Europe - doubles from approximately EUR 120. All prices as of 2026. Search all Sarajevo hotels → Full accommodation guide: Where to stay in Sarajevo
Transport Summary
| Leg | Duration | Cost (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Zagreb → Plitvice | 2–2.5 hrs | from EUR 12 |
| Plitvice → Split | 4.5–5 hrs | from EUR 18 |
| Split → Dubrovnik | 4–4.5 hrs | from EUR 15 |
| Dubrovnik → Kotor | 2–2.5 hrs | from EUR 15 |
| Kotor → Mostar (via Dubrovnik) | 5–6 hrs | from EUR 27 |
| Mostar → Sarajevo | 2.5 hrs | from EUR 10 |
| Total transport | from EUR 97 |
All prices one way, as of 2026. Search and compare tickets for every leg — including FlixBus, local operators and rail — on Omio.
Budget Summary
| Category | Budget (10 days) | Mid-Range (10 days) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 150–280 | EUR 550–900 |
| Food | EUR 100–180 | EUR 250–400 |
| Transport | EUR 100–130 | EUR 110–140 |
| Attractions | EUR 80–120 | EUR 90–130 |
| Total | EUR 430–710 | EUR 1,000–1,570 |
Croatia (Split and Dubrovnik) accounts for roughly 50% of the budget. Bosnia (Mostar and Sarajevo) is the most affordable section - expect to spend half as much per day as in Dubrovnik.
Where to Stay
- Zagreb — Where to stay in Zagreb
- Split — Where to stay in Split
- Dubrovnik — Where to stay in Dubrovnik
- Kotor — Where to stay in Kotor
- Mostar — Where to stay in Mostar
- Sarajevo — Where to stay in Sarajevo
Things to do at each stop:
See also
- 1 week in the Balkans
- 2 weeks in the Balkans
- Dubrovnik city guide
- Split city guide
- Kotor city guide
- Mostar city guide
- Sarajevo city guide
- Zagreb city guide
- Bay of Kotor guide
- 3 days in Dubrovnik
- Balkans without a car
- Mostar vs Sarajevo
- Kotor vs Dubrovnik
- Balkans visa guide
- Balkans travel costs
Book Your Trip
Flights — search and compare on Aviasales eSIM — stay connected with Airalo Travel insurance — get covered with EKTA Airport transfers — book with Kiwitaxi Car rental — compare with GetRentaCar Hotels — compare and book accommodation on Booking.com Tours and activities — browse GetYourGuide