



Duration
8 days
Max Group Size
25
Departure Type
Request
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical level
easy
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
17 - 85 Ages
Tour Overview
If you’re looking to cover multiple countries in a short span, this tour is designed for
your convenience. In just one week, you’ll explore four Balkan capitals – Belgrade,
Sofia, Skopje, and Tirana. From Belgrade’s cultural scene and vibrant nightlife to the
UNESCO sites of Bulgaria and North Macedonia and Albania’s stunning mountain
scenery, this tour is a hassle-free way to experience the best of the Balkans.
Highlights
Itinerary
Arrive at “Nikola Tesla” International Airport.
Our guide will meet you in the arrivals hall with your name on the signboard. He will do
the following: help you with your money exchange, give you essential information about
Belgrade, help you with your check-in, explain to you the location of your
accommodation and advise you how to reach the main sights, and give you an overview
of current happenings in the city. In case your flight is delayed, there is no reason to worry. We will monitor your flight,
delays. After a short ride of 20 minutes, you’ll be in the city’s center. Check-in at the
hotel, and take the rest of the day to get more familiar with Belgrade, walk around, or
follow your guide’s recommendation for dinner.
Overnight: Belgrade
After breakfast, we’ll start with our Belgrade sightseeing tour. Today we will
show you almost all the most important sights in the city.
We’ll start at the daunting Belgrade Fortress, dramatically perched above the confluence
of the Sava and Danube rivers. We’ll check the Victor Monument, Monument of
Gratitude to France, Zindan Gate, The Chapel of Saint Petka, Clock Gate, and The Clock
Tower.
Once we finish with the fortress, we will start our panoramic ride through New Belgrade
– Belgrade’s largest municipality, with impressive modern architecture. Here, we will see
some remarkable buildings such as the Ex-Central Committee of the Communist Party,
Federal Executive Council, also known as the Palace of Federation, Genex Tower or
Western Gate of Belgrade, Sava Center, Belgrade Arena, and many more.
After New Belgrade, we’ll reach Zemun, the northern area of Belgrade, which is
characteristic of its Central European appearance, charming quarters, cobblestone streets,
and fish restaurants on the Danube River banks. Its curvy cobblestone streets and small
houses will give you the impression that Zemun is a melting pot of Mediterranean and
Middle European cultures.
After Zemun, we’ll drive through Dedinje, Belgrade’s most luxurious residential area,
before we reach the imposing Saint Sava Temple, one of the world’s largest Orthodox
churches.
After the sightseeing tour, spend this afternoon on your own. Maybe check out Nikola
Tesla’s Museum or the National Museum, or wander around the central streets.
In the evening, visit the Old Bohemian Quarter of Skadarlija, frequently compared to
Montmartre in Paris, both in appearance and artistic atmosphere.
OPTIONAL: It’s a perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with traditional Serbian cuisine and the famous Belgrade nightlife.
Overnight: Belgrade
After breakfast, we shall make a trip to the City of Novi Sad. On our way to the second largest city in Serbia, we shall stop at the nearby town of Sremski Karlovci, the center of Serbian culture in the 18th century.
Strolling through this picturesque town’s cobbled streets will lead us to the first Serbian High School, which gave Serbian people several great writers and poets.Along the way, we shall visit the Old Patriarch’s Court and theological complex – Assembly Church and Theological Lyceum.
Being in the very heart of the famous wine region, why not visit one of the well-respected wine cellars? We’ll try Bermet wine, the most famous product in the area.
Our next stop is the second-largest fortress on the Danube River – Petrova Radin, one of the most important strategic points in the perpetual war between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires. We shall be introduced to the legends of underground passages before we continue to “Serbian Athens”, as the City of Novi Sad is known.
As we stroll among great cultural institutions and historic buildings, we shall visit the oldest part of Novi Sad, the Zmaj Jovina pedestrian zone. Here, we shall be introduced to the rich history of Novi Sad as we see the monument to Svetozar Miletic, the famous Novi Sad Cathedral, the Episcopal Church… After sightseeing, enjoy your free afternoon and discover Novi Sad independently. Return to Belgrade. Free time.
Overnight: Belgrade
It’s time to leave Serbia behind us and proceed to neighbouring Bulgaria, but only after visiting the third-largest city in Serbia and the birthplace of the
famous Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, the city of Nis.
First, we will visit the Niš Fortress, lying on the bank of the Nišava River. It assumed its final shape in 1723, when the Turks built it, facing the end of their reign in this area. We will continue our sightseeing of the most important sights in the city, including the Banovina Building, Niš Liberators Monument at King Milan Square, The Monument of well-known Serbian writer Stevan Sremac, Mediana Archeological Site, and the infamous Skull Tower – the monument unique in the world, erected by the Turks as an example to others of the folly of opposition to their rule.
We will conclude our sightseeing with a visit to Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, today a museum. The German Gestapo operated the camp and held captured Jews, Serbians, and Romas during the Second World War. We’ll enjoy some of the food that Niš is famous for before we continue our trip to Sofia.
After around 2 hours, we will arrive in Sofia. Quick check-in at your hotel, and that’s it for the day. Use this afternoon to walk around Sofia independently or go for dinner following your guide’s recommendation.
Overnight: Sofia
Breakfast and check out. After that, we will start with our Sofia walking tour. Bulgaria’s capital and largest city is built on the ruins of the Roman settlement known as Serdica.
During our 90-minute walking tour, we will check the city’s most important sights and must-see places, such as the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Theatre, St. George Rotunda, the Bulgarian Presidency, St. Sofia Monument, the Ruins of Serdica, and many others. A quick coffee, and we’ll hit the road again.
Two hours later, we will enter one more Balkan state – Northern Macedonia. This beautiful country represents a unique mix of cultural influences, including Turkish, Slavic, Albanian, and Mediterranean. We’ll quickly reach Skopje, the country’s capital. They say that you will either love this city, rarely in between.
After the check-in and a short break for refreshing, we’ll start with our Skopje walking tour. During the 90-minute walking tour, we will walk around the city’s main squares and streets and cross the Stone Bridge over the Vardar River to reach Skopje Fortress and Čaršija (Ottoman Old Town).
Surely, we will not miss the gigantic Macedonia Square and the birthplace of Mother Theresa.
Use the afternoon on your own. North Macedonia is famous for its warm and hospital people, yummy food, and good wines, so this evening is your perfect opportunity to experience all that. You’ll be positively surprised, both by the quality of the food and service and the amount on the check.
Overnight: Skopje
Breakfast and check-out. On our way to Ohird, we’ll stop at Matka Canyon. Only 20 kilometers west of Skopje, this hidden gem of nature is probably one of the most beautiful places to visit in North Macedonia. Here, we will have a one-hour boat ride and a chance to admire the stunning beauty of the scenery, with the high mountains rolling steeply to the deep gorge filled with green water.
After a short refreshment, we’ll continue towards Ohrid. Nicknamed “The Jerusalem of the Balkans,” Ohrid was once the center of Slavic culture and religion. The natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, more precisely, one of the few places that are both on the Cultural and Natural list. We’re sure that this place’s beauty and charm will impress you.
After the check-in and a short break for refreshment, we will start with our walking tour.
We will walk the Old Town’s cobbled streets and feel this unique place’s atmosphere.
We will walk to the hilltop Church of St John at Kaneo to get the most incredible view over the lake, mountains, and Galicica National Park. We’ll check out sights such as the Church of St. Sophia, the Roman amphitheater, and the Samuel Fortress.
After the walking tour, spend the evening on your own. Walk around the lake and the Old Town, or maybe go on a boat tour.
Overnight: Ohrid
Breakfast and check-out. After a short ride of 30 minutes, it’s time to enter one of the perhaps most mysterious and yet-to-be-discovered countries of The Balkans – Albania.
The country’s geographical position, political history, and unique language made Albania one of Europe’s least visited countries, which has rapidly changed in the past 10 years. On our way to Tirana, we’ll make a short stop at Elbasan, the third-largest city in the country, right in the middle of Albania. We’ll check the Castle of Elbasan, the King’s Mosque, St Mary Orthodox Church, and the Clock Tower.
After a short refreshment, we’ll continue towards Tirana. Check-in at the hotel, and off we go, to explore this vibrant city, famous for its non-stop energy and motion. During our tour, we’ll see the Mosque of Et’hem Bey and the 35 m high Kulla e Sahatit or the Watch Tower.
Moreover, we will visit the famous Mosaic uncovered on the floor of an old Roman lodge. Its center configures the walls of the castle of the Roman emperor Justinian (A.D.
520). The monumental Tomb of Kaplan Pasha and the Ura e Tabakëve (a bridge constructed at the beginning of the 19th century, located on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard) are a few other interesting places we will visit.
Enjoy your free afternoon discovering Tirana on your own. Perhaps visit the Bunk’Art 1, a former anti-nuclear bunker now turned into a very interesting historical and art center, or check out the Dajti Cable Car and enjoy the breathtaking city views.
Overnight: Tirana
Breakfast. Free time until your flight. Transfer to the airport. End of services. Have a safe
flight!
Trip includes
Included
7 nights 4* accommodation
3 nights in chosen hotel category in Belgrade
1 night in chosen hotel category in Sofia
1 night in chosen hotel category in Skopje
1 night in chosen hotel category in Ohrid
1 night in chosen hotel category in Tirana
English-speaking tour manager from 2nd to 7th day.
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Arrival & departure airport transfers
Transfers according to the itinerary
Entrance fees: Saint Sava Temple, Wine tasting during the Novi Sad trip, The Scull Tower,
The Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, Matka Canyon boat ride
You MUST confirm and obtain any visa requirements prior to the booking.
All visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the traveler.
A current valid passport is required on the day of travel.
The final choice of hotels will depend on the availability at the moment of your booking.
We reserve the right to change the hotel due to availability, but we promise the same category, location, and level of quality.
If the traveler requests a change of hotel standard, there will be price alteration based on the property type.
Excluded
Arrival and departure flights
Food & drinks
Optional expenses
VISA
Gratuities are not included in the price (not mandatory, but encouraged)
Availability
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Book the tour by paying only 25% upfront, and settle the remaining amount 30 days before the tour departure.
Request a Private, Customizable Departure
By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:
Personal
Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.
Protected
Travel withing your own bubble.
Professional
Access our Travel Specialists insider knowledge.
Privacy
Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.
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