10 Days in the Balkans: The Classic Route
Contents
- Day 1 — Zagreb
- Where to Stay
- Day 2 — Plitvice Lakes
- Getting There
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Days 3–4 — Split
- Getting There
- Day 3: Diocletian’s Palace and Old Town
- Day 4: Marjan Hill and Beach
- Where to Stay in Split
- Days 5–6 — Dubrovnik
- Getting There
- Day 5: City Walls and Old Town
- Day 6: Cable Car and Lokrum
- Where to Stay in Dubrovnik
- Day 7 — Kotor, Montenegro
- Getting There
- Kotor in One Day
- Where to Stay
- Day 8 — Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Getting There
- Mostar in One Day
- Where to Stay
- Days 9–10 — Sarajevo
- Getting There
- Day 9: Baščaršija and the Siege
- Day 10: Vijećnica and Departure
- Where to Stay
- Transport Summary
- Budget Summary
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.
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.
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.
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. Budget: House Palić — doubles from approximately EUR 45. Mid-range: Hotel & Restaurant & Rakovica — doubles from approximately EUR 75. There is no town at Plitvice — accommodation is scattered guesthouses along the main road. Book dinner where you sleep, as 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Book ahead
Book the key experiences
Turn this itinerary into reality. Secure your spots — popular tours sell out 2–3 days ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is 10 days enough for the Balkans?
- Yes — 10 days covers the classic western Balkans loop across Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia with two nights in the major cities and a nature stop at Plitvice Lakes.
- What is the best 10-day Balkans itinerary?
- The most popular route: Zagreb → Plitvice Lakes → Split → Dubrovnik → Kotor → Mostar → Sarajevo. It runs south along the Croatian coast then loops inland through Bosnia.
- How much does 10 days in the Balkans cost?
- Budget travellers spend approximately EUR 500–750 per person. Mid-range is approximately EUR 900–1,400. Croatia is the most expensive leg; Bosnia is the cheapest.
- Do I need a car for this route?
- No — every leg has reliable bus connections. A car helps for Plitvice Lakes flexibility but is not essential. Bus services run daily between all cities on this route.