Western Balkans in 2 Weeks – Private Tour

Upon your arrival to Belgrade, a local Authentic Treks guide will be waiting to greet you at the airport or bus/train station, and you’ll be transferred to your hotel for the next two nights, Hotel City Savoy****. After check-in, you’ll have the rest of the day free to relax or see some of Belgrade on your own.

Your guided exploration of Belgrade will begin with a visit to Belgrade Fortress, also known as Kalamegdan Fortress, one of Belgrade's most symbolic landmarks. Next, we'll move from the fortress to Dedinje, a posh neighborhood on the other side of the city, to visit the House of Flowers, where Josip Broz Tito's tomb is located. Your guide will provide insight into the powerful cult of personality that the ruler of former Yugoslavia built around himself and how it continued even after his death.

The third stop on our exploration of Belgrade will be St. Sava Church, the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, dedicated to the Serbian prince and Orthodox monk Saint Sava the Enlightener. Born in the 12th century, Saint Sava was responsible for bringing autonomy to the Serbian Orthodox Church in the 13th century, which is why this sacred site is highly significant to Serbians.

After spending some time in St. Sava Church, we'll take you to a popular restaurant in the same neighborhood for a memorable lunch that will include local fare prepared with a modern twist. Once refueled and rested, the tour will continue with a drive to Zemun on the other side of the river. A separate town until 1934, this charming neighborhood is a glimpse into old Austria-Hungary as it was the empire's last outpost before the Ottoman Empire. Here you'll have a chance to wander along the lovely Danube promenade, visit the unique lookout tower on Gardoš Hill, or enjoy a drink with locals at one of the neighborhood's many cozy cafes. Following our visit to Zemun, we’ll head back to Belgrade’s city center, where you’ll have the rest of the day free, and we will be more than happy to provide tips and recommendations.

We will head to Western Serbia and Mokra Gora on the third day of your Western Balkans tour, where you’ll see and experience some of Serbia’s most iconic landmarks and attractions. Starting with the Drina River House, we’ll stop so you can take in some views over this peculiarly placed structure and one of Serbia’s most photographed landmarks.

Our next stop after the Drina River House will be at a local tavern for a hearty lunch before continuing to Mokra Gora, where you will board the Šargan Eight Train, an engineering marvel, unlike any other train in the Balkans. This historic locomotive travels along a narrow-track railway through the mountains of Western Serbia and is considered one of Europe's most picturesque train journeys. Its route is unusual because it resembles a figure eight from above, hence the name “Šargan Eight.” The train journey will last approximately two and a half hours.

Upon disembarking the Šargan Eight, we will head to the eclectic ethnic village of Drvengrad-Mećavnik (Woodentown), a film set turned touristic complex created by film director Emir Kusturica. Your accommodation for the evening will be within the complex at Hotel Mećavnik****.

On the morning of the fourth day, we will leave Serbia and enter Bosnia & Herzegovina. The first stop will be in the town of Višegrad, famed for its striking 16th-century Ottoman bridge, which spans the Drina. Named after the Grand Vizier who commissioned it, Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge is one of the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites found in Bosnia & Herzegovina and was the subject of the Nobel Prize-winning novel “The Bridge on the Drina” by Yugoslavian writer Ivo Andrić. Your guide will share some information about the novel and explain the bridge’s significance before taking you on a short boat ride so you can also view the stunning structure from the Drina. The boat ride will be followed by a traditional, Bosnian-style ćevapčići lunch in Andrićgrad, another one of Emir Kusturica’s quirky developments.

Once we finish in Višegrad, we’ll continue onwards to Sarajevo along the Drina and through the scenic roads of Romanija Mountain. After arriving in Sarajevo, you’ll check in to Hotel Isa Begov Hamam****, your hotel for the next two nights. The rest of the day will be free for you to rest or become acquainted on your own with Bosnia & Herzegovina’s vibrant capital. We will provide tips and recommendations upon request.

On the fifth day of your Western Balkans tour and first full day in the “Jerusalem of Europe,” a local guide from Sarajevo will lead you through Baščaršija, the city’s old bazaar. In addition to providing information about the history of your surroundings and Bosnia & Herzegovina in general, they will also share some of their personal experiences regarding life in the capital, both today and in the past.

Several other of Sarajevo’s most important attractions will be visited during your locally guided tour, which will conclude around lunchtime. At this point, you’ll reconnect with your Authentic Treks guide, who will take you for a tasty meal at a local restaurant. You will have the rest of the day free after lunch to explore Sarajevo further on your own or rest up for the next day.

From Sarajevo, the next leg of your journey will take you along the tranquil Neretva River to Mostar, the iconic Herzegovinian town made famous by the spectacular 16th-century stone bridge, Stari Most, and the pervasive cliff divers that flock there to jump for tourists, the annual cliff diving competition, or just for a thrill. For the next few hours, we’ll wander a bit more through Mostar’s Ottoman-style old town and show you a few more of the town’s most significant sights before heading out to another special location for lunch.

Situated on the source of the Buna River, Blagaj is a unique piece of Herzegovina where many go to escape the heat with a nice breeze and cool fresh water from the Buna, which steadily flows from a cave underneath an imposing rock. This is where you’ll enjoy local Herzegovinian delicacies for lunch at a small family-owned restaurant before we make our way to Trebinje, another important town in the region.

With its Mediterranean charm and abundance of rolling vineyards found in its surroundings, we are certain you will have a delightful stay in Trebinje for the next two evenings. Upon arrival, your Authentic Treks guide will help check you into your accommodation at Hotel Platani**** and leave you free to explore or relax for the rest of the evening.

The 7th day of your Westerns Balkans tour will be spent walking around Trebinje’s old town with a local guide. They will show you Trebinje’s most significant historical sites from the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods, as the town has a beautiful mix of both.
Further afield, your local guide will take you to one of the most iconic sites in Trebinje, the Arslanagić Bridge (also called Perović Bridge,). Another impressive 16th-century structural marvel commissioned by Mehmed Pasha Sokolović, you’ll learn why the bridge is somewhat controversial due to its name and rejection as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also take you to see Tvrdoš, a magical monastery celebrated not only for its beauty and spiritual significance but also for the award-winning wine it produces. You’ll walk around the monastery grounds and enjoy a wine tasting in the wine cellar before we make our way to an unforgettable lunch. This will take place at a household in a nearby village, and you’ll be treated to an authentic Herzegovinian meal prepared by a local family.

After lunch, you can return to Trebinje and have the rest of the day free, or, as a bookable extra, we can organize an additional excursion to Dubrovnik, Croatia, which is just an hour and a half away from Trebinje.

On the morning of your 8th day in the Western Balkans, you’ll bid farewell to Trebinje and Bosnia & Herzegovina, and cross the border to Montenegro, the third country once a part of former Yugoslavia that you will explore. With its diverse coastline and dramatic mountains, we are certain you will be in awe of the scenery during the two-hour drive to Kotor, our stopping point for the day. Situated at one of the most breathtaking corners of Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), Kotor is by far the most beloved and visited destination along this part of the Adriatic.

Once we arrive in Kotor, we’ll get you checked in to your hotel for the evening, Hotel Monte Cristo****, and then take you on a stroll through the charming old town and visit its most notable landmarks. Your introductory tour will be followed by lunch in a local tavern, and from there, you are free to explore more of Kotor on your own or spend the rest of the day however you wish. We will happily provide tips and recommendations on other points of interest or activities for you to consider.

The following morning, we will resume our scenic drive along the Montenegrin coast towards Albania, the fourth country you will visit on your Western Balkans tour. Closed off from the rest of the world for 40 years by its paranoid Communist dictator, Enver Hoxha, many travelers will be surprised by how far it has come since its Isolationist period ended in 1991.

Shkodra/Skadar will be the first stop on the other side of the border, and we will take you up to the towering Rozafa Fortress, Shkodra’s historic citadel, which can be seen from many points throughout the city. After sightseeing, we’ll head out to the Albanian countryside for lunch to sample domestic, all-natural delicacies produced on-site.

Continuing towards Tirana, Albania’s capital city and our base for the next two evenings, we will make a brief stop-off in the historical town of Kruja to visit Kalaja e Krujës, a “living” castle that is highly symbolic for Albanians as it represents the nation’s resistance against the Ottomans during the 15th century. Precariously perched 1,827 feet above sea level, you’ll hear the story of the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea.

We’ll arrive in Tirana in the late afternoon/early evening, and you’ll have the rest of the day to relax or soak in the capital’s vibrant nightlife after we check you into your hotel for the next two nights, Hotel Brilant Antik****.

On the 10th day of your Western Balkans tour, you’ll be met in the morning by a local guide who will take you on a city tour around Tirana. The guide will provide insight into life under the regime of Enver Hoxha, the difficult transition period faced in the 1990s, and how life is now in modern-day Albania with all the dynamic changes it’s been experiencing in a relatively short period of time.
When your tour of Tirana concludes, you’ll be met by your Authentic Treks guide and be taken for lunch at a traditional Albanian restaurant to try typical Albanian cuisine. You’ll have the rest of the day free after lunch to enjoy Tirana however you’d like, and your guide can provide sightseeing tips or restaurant recommendations upon request.

On Day 11, you will depart Tirana and start heading towards North Macedonia. Driving through Albania’s rugged mountains towards the border, you’ll have a better understanding of how Albania’s geography was an important factor in its ability to stay isolated for so many decades and will have a chance to see some of the infamous mushroom-shaped bunkers an increasingly paranoid Enver Hoxha insisted on building between 1967 and 1985. Estimates place the total number constructed at 750,000, which impeded the development of the country’s basic infrastructure and took a huge financial toll on Albania’s already weak economy.

It will take approximately 2 ½ hours to reach the border of North Macedonia, the fourth former Yugoslav republic and final country you will visit on your Western Balkans adventure. Largely overlooked by visitors to Europe, North Macedonia is a hidden gem richer in nature and culture than most travelers expect, making it a wonderful destination to spend your final days soaking in the magic of this often-misunderstood region.

Your first stop after crossing the border will be at the picturesque monastery of Sveti Naum, which is situated on the shore of stunning Lake Ohrid. You’ll have time to wander around the monastery grounds and enjoy your first views of one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes before we head to the town of Ohrid for lunch and to check you into your hotel for the next two nights, Hotel City Palace****. You’ll have the rest of the day to yourself to relax and enjoy Ohrid’s peaceful lakeside atmosphere.

Your first full day in Ohrid will be dedicated to exploring the most significant points of interest in and around its charming old town and visiting some of the unique attractions located in the vicinity. After your local guide picks you up from your hotel, you'll head to Samuil's Fortress, an ancient fortification restored by King Samuil of Bulgaria in the 900s. If you feel like climbing to the top of the fortress walls, you will be rewarded by the magnificent view of the lake and Ohrid's surroundings. Nearby, you'll visit several other historical sites and churches, all located at the top of a hill overlooking the Ohrid town.

After admiring Ohrid's sacred sites, you'll be driven to the quirky and lesser-known village of Vevčani, about thirty minutes away. One of two micronations in the Western Balkans, the self-declared "Independent Republic of Vevčani" is a delightful place to stroll around as much as it is an entertaining one, and your guide will be more than happy to share the story of its declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. In addition, you'll have the chance to purchase a souvenir passport and Vevčani currency and visit the refreshing springs the village is famous for before we sit down for a traditional and tasty lunch.

You'll be driven back to Ohrid after lunch and have the rest of the day free to spend soaking in Ohrid's lakeside beauty and reflecting on what a fantastic journey it's been so far. Local cuisine and restaurant tips will be provided upon request.

On the final full day of your Western Balkans tour, we will depart Ohrid and start the drive toward North Macedonia’s capital, Skopje. Before entering, however, we have an exceptional stop to make at one of the most beloved spots in the country: Matka Canyon. This serene nature preserve near the border of Kosovo is North Macedonia’s oldest artificial lake and is popular with local families and tourists alike. You’ll be taken on a relaxing boat ride to one of its ten caves to admire its stalagmite and stalactite cave decorations and most likely encounter a few friendly bats. Lunch will follow at a local restaurant with priceless canyon views, and then it will be time to head to Skopje, just half an hour away.

After helping you check into your hotel for the night at Hotel Aleksandar Square****, we’ll send you off to venture through Skopje and soak in its curious and highly controversial architecture on your own. Located in the heart of the city in Skopje’s main square, you’re perfectly positioned to explore, and we’ll gladly provide sightseeing suggestions, shopping tips for last-minute souvenirs, and local restaurant recommendations.

By the final day of your Western Balkans adventure, we hope you will have a deeper insight into this beautiful and complex region. Your Authentic Treks guide will accommodate your departure from Skopje depending on your arrangements and bid you farewell until the next time. If you plan to stay longer in North Macedonia, we can also provide any additional tips or recommendations to help make the end of your trip as enjoyable as possible.