3 Weeks in the Balkans: Every Country in One Trip

Three weeks is the magic number for a proper Balkans circuit. This route loops through eight countries — from Ljubljana’s riverside cafes to Sofia’s golden-domed churches — covering the full range of what the region offers. Every transfer is by bus, and the longest single journey is under 8 hours.

Route: Ljubljana (2) → Zagreb (2) → Plitvice (1) → Split (2) → Dubrovnik (2) → Kotor/Budva (2) → Tirana (2) → Ohrid (2) → Skopje (1) → Sofia (2) → Belgrade (2) → Sarajevo (2).

Typical costs (per person, excluding flights): budget approx. EUR 1,000–1,600; mid-range approx. EUR 1,800–3,000 as of 2026.

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Days 1–2 — Ljubljana, Slovenia

Fly into Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU). The GoOpti shuttle runs to the city centre (approximately EUR 9, 45 minutes). Taxis cost approximately EUR 40.

Day 1: Old Town and Castle

Walk the Old Town along the Ljubljanica River — the Triple Bridge, Prešeren Square, and the Central Market (open mornings, closed Sunday). Take the funicular (approximately EUR 4 return) up to Ljubljana Castle for the panoramic tower and exhibition (approximately EUR 13 combined entry as of 2026).

Evening: Gostilna na Gradu inside the castle (Slovenian mains approximately EUR 12–20) or Gostilna As (mains approximately EUR 14–22) near the river.

Day 2: Tivoli Park and Metelkova

Morning: walk through Tivoli Park — Ljubljana’s largest green space, 5 minutes from the centre. Visit the National Gallery (approximately EUR 10) or Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (approximately EUR 5).

Afternoon: explore Metelkova — a former military barracks turned alternative culture centre with street art and galleries.

Where to Stay

Budget: Celica Hostel — dorms from approximately EUR 22, privates from EUR 60 (in a converted military prison, genuinely interesting). Mid-range: Hotel Nox — doubles from approximately EUR 90. Slovenia uses the euro. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 3–4 — Zagreb, Croatia

Getting There

Bus from Ljubljana to Zagreb, approximately 2.5 hours, from EUR 12. Frequent departures. The border crossing at Obrežje is usually quick (10–15 minutes). Croatia uses the euro.

Day 3: Upper and Lower Town

Upper Town: St Mark’s Church, Stone Gate, Lotrščak Tower (approximately EUR 4). Lower Town: Ban Jelačić Square, Dolac Market, the Museum of Broken Relationships (approximately EUR 7 — one of Zagreb’s most original museums).

Evening: Vinodol (mains approximately EUR 10–18) or Le Bistro Esplanade (mains approximately EUR 16–28).

Day 4: Maksimir and Free Time

Morning: Maksimir Park — Zagreb’s oldest park with walking paths and a small zoo (approximately EUR 5). Afternoon: explore Tkalčićeva Street for cafes and bars, or visit the Zagreb City Museum (approximately EUR 5).

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

Bus from Zagreb, approximately 2–2.5 hours, from EUR 12. Plitvice Lakes National Park entry approximately EUR 20–30 depending on season. Full circuit 4–6 hours. Stay overnight near the park.

Mid-range: Hotel & Restaurant & Rakovica — doubles from approximately EUR 75. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 6–7 — Split

Bus from Plitvice, approximately 4.5–5 hours, from EUR 18. Diocletian’s Palace (cellars approximately EUR 8, cathedral approximately EUR 6), Marjan Hill hike, beaches. Evening: Konoba Varoš (mains approximately EUR 10–16).

Where to Stay

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

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Days 8–9 — Dubrovnik

Bus from Split, approximately 4–4.5 hours, from EUR 15. City Walls (approximately EUR 35), Rector’s Palace (approximately EUR 15), Lokrum Island ferry (approximately EUR 20), cable car to Mt Srd (approximately EUR 27).

Where to Stay

Budget: Hostel Angelina — 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

Bus from Dubrovnik to Kotor, approximately 2–2.5 hours, from EUR 15. Border crossing at Karasovići.

Day 10: Kotor

Fortress of San Giovanni (approximately EUR 8), Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (approximately EUR 4), Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks (approximately EUR 5 boat return). Evening: Galion (seafood from EUR 14).

Day 11: Budva

Bus to Budva (approximately EUR 3, 25 minutes). Old Town walls (free), Mogren Beach. Optional: visit the viewpoint overlooking Sveti Stefan (the island hotel is private; nearby beach approximately EUR 3).

Where to Stay in Kotor

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

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Days 12–13 — Tirana, Albania

Getting There

Bus from Budva/Podgorica to Tirana. The most practical route: bus Budva → Podgorica (approximately 1.5 hours, EUR 8) then Podgorica → Tirana (approximately 3.5 hours, from EUR 15). The Montenegro-Albania border crossing at Hani i Hotit or Muriqan is straightforward for most passport holders. Albania uses the Albanian lek (ALL), approximately ALL 105 = EUR 1 as of 2026.

Day 12: Blloku and National Museum

Walk the Blloku neighbourhood — once reserved for Communist Party officials, now Tirana’s cafe and nightlife district. Visit the National History Museum (approximately EUR 3 entry) on Skanderbeg Square and the Et’hem Bey Mosque (free, donations welcome).

Afternoon: BunkArt 2 (approximately EUR 4 entry) — a Cold War bunker turned art gallery and history museum documenting the secret police era.

Evening: dinner at Oda (traditional Albanian, mains approximately EUR 5–9) in a restored Ottoman house, or Mullixhiu (modern Albanian, tasting menu approximately EUR 25) — one of the best restaurants in the Balkans.

Day 13: Dajti Mountain

Take the Dajti Ekspres cable car (approximately EUR 6 return, 15 minutes) up to Mount Dajti (1,613 m). Walk the ridge trail for views over Tirana and the Albanian plain. Allow 2–3 hours on the mountain.

Afternoon: Pazari i Ri (New Bazaar) — Tirana’s refurbished market district with produce stalls, cafes, and restaurants.

Where to Stay

Budget: Trip’n Hostel — dorms from approximately EUR 8, privates from approximately EUR 25. Mid-range: Hotel Boutique Kotoni — doubles from approximately EUR 55. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 14–15 — Ohrid, North Macedonia

Getting There

Bus from Tirana to Ohrid, approximately 3–3.5 hours, from EUR 10. The border crossing at Qafë Thanë usually takes 10–20 minutes. North Macedonia uses the Macedonian denar (MKD), approximately MKD 61 = EUR 1.

Day 14: Old Town and Lake

Walk the Ohrid Old Town — the Church of St. Sophia (approximately EUR 2), the Ancient Theatre (free), and the Samuel’s Fortress (approximately EUR 2) with views over Lake Ohrid. Swim at Kaneo Beach below the Church of St. John at Kaneo — the most photographed spot in North Macedonia.

Evening: Restaurant Antiko (fish and Macedonian mains approximately EUR 5–10) in a traditional Old Town house.

Day 15: Bay of Bones and Monastery

Morning: visit the Bay of Bones — a reconstructed prehistoric stilt village on the lakeshore (approximately EUR 3 entry, 30 minutes south by bus or taxi approximately EUR 5). Return via the Monastery of St. Naum (approximately EUR 2 entry), a 10th-century monastery on the Albanian border with peacocks roaming the grounds.

Afternoon: swim in the lake or take a boat tour from the Ohrid harbour (approximately EUR 5–10 for a 1-hour trip).

Where to Stay

Budget: Sunny Lake Hostel — dorms from approximately EUR 8. Mid-range: Hotel Villa Germanoff — doubles from approximately EUR 40. Prices as of 2026.

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Day 16 — Skopje, North Macedonia

Getting There

Bus from Ohrid to Skopje, approximately 3 hours, from EUR 8.

Skopje in One Day

Walk the Old Bazaar — one of the largest Ottoman bazaars in Europe. Cross the Stone Bridge to the modern centre with its controversial Skopje 2014 statues and buildings. Visit the Memorial House of Mother Teresa (free, donations welcome) and the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle (approximately EUR 3).

Afternoon: Kale Fortress (free entry) overlooking the city, then the Matka Canyon area if time permits (approximately EUR 5 for a boat trip into the canyon, 30 minutes from the centre by bus).

Evening: Destan (Ottoman-Macedonian, mains approximately EUR 4–8) in the Old Bazaar.

Where to Stay

Budget: Hi Skopje Hostel — dorms from approximately EUR 8. Mid-range: Hotel Solun — doubles from approximately EUR 45. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 17–18 — Sofia, Bulgaria

Getting There

Bus from Skopje to Sofia, approximately 4–5 hours, from EUR 12. The border crossing at Deve Bair/Gyueshevo takes 15–30 minutes. Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN), approximately BGN 1.96 = EUR 1 (Bulgaria is expected to adopt the euro, but check before travel).

Day 17: Centre and Cathedrals

Walk the city centre loop: Alexander Nevski Cathedral (free entry, crypt museum approximately EUR 3), the Rotunda of St George (4th-century Roman, free), the National Palace of Culture park, and Vitosha Boulevard for cafes and shopping.

Afternoon: National Archaeological Museum (approximately EUR 5) or the Sofia History Museum in the old mineral baths building (approximately EUR 6).

Evening: Hadjidraganov’s Houses (Bulgarian, mains approximately EUR 6–12) or Skaptoburger (gourmet burgers approximately EUR 5–8).

Day 18: Boyana Church and Vitosha

Morning: taxi or bus to Boyana Church (approximately EUR 10 entry, UNESCO World Heritage, 13th-century frescoes — book time slot in advance). Afternoon: take bus 66 to the base of Vitosha Mountain and hike to Aleko hut or walk the lower trails (1–3 hours depending on route).

Where to Stay

Budget: Hostel Mostel — dorms from approximately EUR 10 (includes free breakfast). Mid-range: Hotel Niky — doubles from approximately EUR 55. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 19–20 — Belgrade, Serbia

Getting There

Bus or night bus from Sofia to Belgrade, approximately 6–7 hours, from EUR 18. The border crossing at Kalotina/Gradina takes 15–30 minutes. Serbia uses the Serbian dinar (RSD), approximately RSD 117 = EUR 1.

Day 19: Kalemegdan and Knez Mihailova

Kalemegdan Fortress (free, Military Museum approximately EUR 3), Knez Mihailova pedestrian street, Republic Square. Afternoon: Nikola Tesla Museum (approximately EUR 5).

Evening: dinner at Question Mark (kafana mains approximately EUR 7–12) or kebabs at Walter (from approximately EUR 4).

Day 20: Skadarlija, Zemun, and Nightlife

Skadarlija bohemian street, cross to Zemun and Gardoš Tower (approximately EUR 2). Belgrade’s nightlife is some of the best in Europe — the splavovi (river barges) on the Sava are the signature experience.

Where to Stay

Budget: Hostel Bongo — dorms from approximately EUR 10. Mid-range: Hotel Moskva — doubles from approximately EUR 75. Prices as of 2026.

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Days 21–22 — Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Getting There

Bus from Belgrade to Sarajevo, approximately 7–8 hours, from EUR 22. The Serbia-Bosnia border crossing is straightforward. Bosnia uses the convertible mark (BAM), approximately BAM 1.96 = EUR 1.

Day 21: Baščaršija and Siege History

Baščaršija, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (approximately EUR 2), Latin Bridge. Afternoon: Tunnel of Hope Museum (approximately EUR 10, taxi approximately EUR 8 each way).

Evening: Ćevabdžinica Željo (ćevapi from approximately EUR 4) or Dveri (mains approximately EUR 8–14).

Day 22: Vijećnica and Departure

Vijećnica (approximately EUR 5), the Austro-Hungarian quarter. Optional: cable car to Trebević (approximately EUR 10). Depart from Sarajevo Airport (SJJ).

Where to Stay

Budget: Hostel Franz Ferdinand — dorms from approximately EUR 10. Mid-range: Hotel Europe — doubles from approximately EUR 120. Prices as of 2026.

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Transport Summary

Leg	Duration	Cost (approx.)
Ljubljana → Zagreb	2.5 hrs	from EUR 12
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
Budva → Tirana (via Podgorica)	5 hrs	from EUR 23
Tirana → Ohrid	3–3.5 hrs	from EUR 10
Ohrid → Skopje	3 hrs	from EUR 8
Skopje → Sofia	4–5 hrs	from EUR 12
Sofia → Belgrade	6–7 hrs	from EUR 18
Belgrade → Sarajevo	7–8 hrs	from EUR 22
Total transport		from EUR 165

All prices one way, as of 2026.

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Currencies

Country	Currency	Approx. Rate (as of 2026)
Slovenia	EUR	—
Croatia	EUR	—
Montenegro	EUR	—
Albania	ALL (lek)	ALL 105 = EUR 1
North Macedonia	MKD (denar)	MKD 61 = EUR 1
Bulgaria	BGN (lev)	BGN 1.96 = EUR 1
Serbia	RSD (dinar)	RSD 117 = EUR 1
Bosnia	BAM (mark)	BAM 1.96 = EUR 1

ATMs are widely available in all cities on this route. Inform your bank before departure to avoid card blocks.

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Budget Summary

Category	Budget (22 days)	Mid-Range (22 days)
Accommodation	EUR 220–440	EUR 900–1,600
Food	EUR 200–350	EUR 450–700
Transport	EUR 165–220	EUR 180–250
Attractions	EUR 120–180	EUR 140–200
Total	EUR 705–1,190	EUR 1,670–2,750

Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Bosnia are all significantly cheaper than Croatia and Slovenia. Expect your daily spend to drop by 40–60% once you leave the Croatian coast.