2 Weeks in the Balkans: The Grand Tour

Two weeks opens up the full western Balkans arc — from Belgrade’s energy and Novi Sad’s Habsburg charm, down through Croatia’s coast, across to Montenegro, and deep into Bosnia. This route crosses four countries, passes through five border crossings, and covers everything from Roman ruins to Ottoman bazaars to Adriatic beaches.

Route: Belgrade (2) → Novi Sad (1) → Zagreb (1) → Plitvice (1) → Split (2) → Dubrovnik (2) → Kotor/Budva (2) → Mostar (1) → Sarajevo (2).

Typical costs (per person, excluding flights): budget approx. EUR 700–1,100; mid-range approx. EUR 1,200–2,000 as of 2026.

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Days 1–2 — Belgrade, Serbia

Day 1: Kalemegdan and Old Town

Arrive at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG). The A1 bus runs to Slavija Square (approximately EUR 4, 40 minutes). Taxis cost approximately EUR 20–25.

Afternoon: walk Kalemegdan Fortress — the Roman-Ottoman-Austrian citadel overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Entry to the park is free; the Military Museum inside is approximately EUR 3. Walk down Knez Mihailova, Belgrade’s main pedestrian street, to Republic Square.

Evening: dinner at Question Mark (mains approximately EUR 7–12, Belgrade’s oldest kafana, opened 1823) or Manufaktura (Serbian mains approximately EUR 8–14) on Kralja Petra.

Day 2: Skadarlija and Zemun

Morning: walk Skadarlija — Belgrade’s bohemian quarter, a cobbled street of traditional restaurants and live music. Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum (approximately EUR 5 entry, guided tours with working Tesla coil demonstrations).

Afternoon: cross the river to Zemun — the former Austro-Hungarian border town now absorbed into Belgrade. Climb the Gardoš Tower (approximately EUR 2) for views over the Danube, then walk the Zemun quay.

Evening: dinner on one of Belgrade’s river barges (splavovi). Iguana on the Sava serves grilled meats and Serbian salads (mains approximately EUR 8–14).

Where to Stay in Belgrade

Budget: Hostel Bongo — dorms from approximately EUR 10, privates from EUR 30. Mid-range: Hotel Moskva — doubles from approximately EUR 75, Art Nouveau landmark on Terazije. Upscale: Square Nine Hotel — doubles from approximately EUR 160. Serbia uses the Serbian dinar (RSD), approximately RSD 117 = EUR 1 as of 2026. All prices as of 2026.

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Day 3 — Novi Sad

Getting There

Train or bus from Belgrade, both approximately 1.5 hours. Trains from approximately EUR 5, buses from approximately EUR 6. Departures every 30–60 minutes.

Novi Sad in One Day

Walk the Petrovaradin Fortress on the Danube — the “Gibraltar of the Danube.” Entry to the grounds is free; the underground tunnels tour costs approximately EUR 4. The fortress also hosts the EXIT Festival each July.

In the city centre: Dunavska Street for cafes, the Synagogue (one of the largest in Europe, exterior only), and the Serbian National Theatre on Trg Slobode.

Afternoon: walk the Danube quay or visit the Museum of Vojvodina (approximately EUR 2).

Evening: dinner at Fish i Zeleniš (mains approximately EUR 7–12) or Projekt 72 (modern Serbian, mains approximately EUR 8–14).

Where to Stay

Budget: Varad Inn — dorms from approximately EUR 12. Mid-range: Hotel Centar Novi Sad — doubles from approximately EUR 50. Prices as of 2026.

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Day 4 — Zagreb, Croatia

Getting There

Bus from Novi Sad to Zagreb. Journey time approximately 4.5–5 hours. Tickets from approximately EUR 20 one way. The border crossing at Bajakovo usually takes 15–30 minutes. Croatia uses the euro.

Zagreb in One Day

Afternoon: Upper Town — St Mark’s Church, Stone Gate, Lotrščak Tower (approximately EUR 4). Take the funicular (approximately EUR 1, 55 seconds) between Upper and Lower Town. Walk Ban Jelačić Square and Dolac Market.

Evening: Vinodol (mains approximately EUR 10–18) or craft beer at Pivnica Medvedgrad (mains approximately EUR 8–14) on Tkalčićeva.

Where to Stay

Budget: Swanky Mint Hostel — dorms from approximately EUR 18. Mid-range: Hotel Jägerhorn — doubles from approximately EUR 85. Prices as of 2026.

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Day 5 — Plitvice Lakes

Getting There

Morning bus from Zagreb, approximately 2–2.5 hours, from EUR 12.

The Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park entry costs approximately EUR 20–30 depending on season as of 2026. Walk the Lower Lakes first (Entrance 1) for the Veliki Slap waterfall, then boat to the Upper Lakes. Allow 4–6 hours for the full circuit.

Where to Stay

Budget: House Palić — doubles from approximately EUR 45. Mid-range: Hotel & Restaurant & Rakovica — doubles from approximately EUR 75. Book dinner at your guesthouse.

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Days 6–7 — Split

Getting There

Morning bus from Plitvice to Split, approximately 4.5–5 hours, from EUR 18.

Day 6: Diocletian’s Palace

Diocletian’s Palace underground cellars (approximately EUR 8), Cathedral of Saint Domnius with bell tower (approximately EUR 6), the Peristyle courtyard, and the Riva promenade. Evening: Konoba Varoš (mains approximately EUR 10–16).

Day 7: Marjan Hill and Beach

Morning hike up Marjan Hill (30–40 minutes to summit). Afternoon: swim at Kašjuni Beach or Bačvice Beach. Evening: Uje Oil Bar (mains approximately EUR 12–18).

Where to Stay in Split

Budget: Tchaikovsky Hostel — dorms from approximately EUR 16. Mid-range: Heritage Hotel Antique Split — doubles from approximately EUR 100. Upscale: Hotel Vestibul Palace — doubles from approximately EUR 220. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 8–9 — Dubrovnik

Getting There

Morning bus from Split, approximately 4–4.5 hours, from EUR 15. Passes through the Neum corridor (two quick border checks).

Day 8: City Walls

City Walls walk (approximately EUR 35), Rector’s Palace (approximately EUR 15), Sponza Palace (free). Evening: Proto Fish Restaurant (mains approximately EUR 25–40) or Taj Mahal (Bosnian, mains approximately EUR 10–16).

Day 9: Lokrum and Mt Srd

Morning: ferry to Lokrum Island (approximately EUR 20 return). Afternoon: cable car to Mt Srd (approximately EUR 27 return), Fort Imperial (approximately EUR 6). Sunset from the top.

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik

Budget: Hostel Angelina Old Town — dorms from approximately EUR 25. Mid-range: Hotel Stari Grad — doubles from approximately EUR 130. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 10–11 — Kotor and Budva, Montenegro

Getting There

Morning bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor, approximately 2–2.5 hours, from EUR 15. Border crossing at Karasovići. Montenegro uses the euro.

Day 10: Kotor

Old Town walk, Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (approximately EUR 4), climb to Fortress of San Giovanni (approximately EUR 8). Afternoon: taxi to Perast (approximately EUR 5) and boat to Our Lady of the Rocks (approximately EUR 5 return). Evening: Galion (seafood mains from EUR 14).

Day 11: Budva

Bus or taxi to Budva (approximately EUR 3–5, 25 minutes). Walk the Budva Old Town walls (free) and the Citadel (approximately EUR 4). Swim at Mogren Beach (a 10-minute walk from the Old Town through a tunnel). Afternoon: optional boat trip to Sveti Stefan viewpoint (the island hotel is private but the nearby beach is public; entrance approximately EUR 3 in season).

Return to Kotor for the night or stay in Budva.

Where to Stay

Kotor Budget: Old Town Hostel — dorms from approximately EUR 18. Kotor Mid-range: Hotel Vardar — doubles from approximately EUR 90. Budva Mid-range: Hotel Avala — doubles from approximately EUR 85. Prices as of 2026.

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Day 12 — Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Getting There

Route back through Dubrovnik: Kotor → Dubrovnik (2 hrs, approximately EUR 15) then Dubrovnik → Mostar (3 hrs, approximately EUR 12). Total approximately 5–6 hours. Bosnia uses the convertible mark (BAM 1.96 ≈ EUR 1).

Mostar in One Day

Stari Most (Old Bridge), Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque (approximately EUR 4, includes minaret), Kujundžiluk bazaar. Afternoon: taxi to Blagaj Tekke (approximately EUR 3 each way, entry approximately EUR 3). Evening: Šadrvan (mains approximately EUR 5–9).

Where to Stay

Budget: Hostel Majdas — dorms from approximately EUR 12. Mid-range: Muslibegovića House — doubles from approximately EUR 95. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 13–14 — Sarajevo

Getting There

Morning bus from Mostar, approximately 2.5 hours, from EUR 10.

Day 13: Old Town and Siege History

Baščaršija, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (approximately EUR 2), Latin Bridge. Afternoon: Tunnel of Hope Museum (approximately EUR 10). Evening: Ćevabdžinica Željo (ćevapi from approximately EUR 4) or Dveri (mains approximately EUR 8–14).

Day 14: Vijećnica and Departure

Vijećnica (approximately EUR 5), Ferhadija pedestrian street. Optional: cable car to Trebević (approximately EUR 10 return). Depart from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ), taxi approximately EUR 10–15.

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. Prices as of 2026.

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Transport Summary

Leg	Duration	Cost (approx.)
Belgrade → Novi Sad	1.5 hrs	from EUR 5
Novi Sad → Zagreb	4.5–5 hrs	from EUR 20
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 122

All prices one way, as of 2026.

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Border Crossings

This route crosses five international borders:

1. Serbia → Croatia (Bajakovo): Non-EU to EU. Passport check, typically 15–30 minutes.
2. Croatia → Bosnia (Neum corridor): Two quick checks when the Split–Dubrovnik bus passes through Neum. Usually under 10 minutes each.
3. Croatia → Montenegro (Karasovići): EU to non-EU. Typically 10–20 minutes.
4. Montenegro → Croatia → Bosnia: When routing Kotor → Dubrovnik → Mostar, you briefly re-enter Croatia then cross into Bosnia.

Keep your passport accessible on every bus journey.

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Budget Summary

Category	Budget (14 days)	Mid-Range (14 days)
Accommodation	EUR 200–400	EUR 700–1,200
Food	EUR 150–250	EUR 350–550
Transport	EUR 125–160	EUR 135–175
Attractions	EUR 100–150	EUR 110–160
Total	EUR 575–960	EUR 1,295–2,085

Serbia and Bosnia are the budget-friendly bookends — expect to spend EUR 30–50 per day. Croatia’s Dubrovnik and Split are the most expensive at EUR 80–150 per day mid-range.