Croatia and Balkans grand tour - five countries in 16 days

Day-by-day itinerary

DAY 1

Welcome to Zagreb, inland capital of Croatia

Upon arrival in Zagreb, you'll be greeted with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel and check-in.

Experience the charm of this lively city as you explore its rich history and culture on a private walking tour. Zagreb offers a unique blend of Central European and Mediterranean influences, from the Baroque atmosphere of the Upper Town to the picturesque open market and lush green parks.

You'll visit some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the Stone Gate, Grič Cannon, and St. Mark's Church. You'll also discover the elegance of the Lower Town's Austro-Hungarian architecture and parks.

End your day with a relaxing overnight stay in Zagreb.

DAY 2

Discover the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes and the coastal city of Zadar

Start your day with a delicious breakfast before embarking on a journey to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a magical world of lakes, waterfalls, moss, and forests. You'll take a guided sightseeing tour, including a boat ride, to experience the park's stunning beauty.

Continuing your journey, you'll reach the coastal city of Zadar. Check-in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the city on your own. Walk through the ancient streets, admiring the opulent Gothic and Renaissance-style windows.

Enjoy dinner at one of the city's famous restaurants, trying traditional dishes such as the Zadar cake and fritule. End your day with an overnight stay in Zadar.

DAY 3

Discover the ancient beauty of Zadar and Šibenik

After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, you will embark on a private walking tour of Zadar, where you will discover the city's rich history and culture. The tour includes a visit to the Cathedral of St. Anastasia, considered one of the most impressive Basilicas in Dalmatia, and the church of St. Donatus, a representative bishop's chapel dating back to the 8th century. You will also see the ruins of the Roman Forum and admire the defensive walls, which are part of the UNESCO heritage that protects the city on three sides with four medieval gates.

You will also have the opportunity to sit by the Sea Organ, a one-of-a-kind instrument embedded in the waterfront, and listen to the music created by the waves. Zadar's monument, The Greeting to the Sun, symbolizes communication with nature and communicates with light (LED panels), while the Sea organ transmits via the sea-generated sound.

After your tour of Zadar, you will continue your journey along the coast to Šibenik. Here, you will take a guided private stroll through the historic centre of the city, where you will marvel at the streets and squares' Dalmatian Medieval and Renaissance architecture. You will also explore the city's famous symbols, especially the Cathedral of St. James, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the only cathedral in Europe made entirely of stone, and the Šibenik fortresses.

Upon arrival in Split, you will check in at the hotel and have some time at leisure.

Overnight in Split.

DAY 4

Explore the history and culture of Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a private walking tour of Split. The tour will start with a visit to Diocletian's Palace, an impressive ancient palace inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Explore the palace's underground cellars, central square known as the Peristyle and the majestic Cathedral of St. Domnius. Admire the unique Egyptian sphinx that was brought to the palace by Emperor Diocletian to adorn the entrance to his tomb.

The tour will then take you to the Golden Gate, which was exclusively used by Diocletian and his family members. You will also visit the statue of the Croatian bishop Gregory of Nin and learn about the significance of the statue and the tradition of rubbing its toe for good luck.

After the tour, enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own. Take a stroll through the charming streets, visit some of the local markets or enjoy a traditional Croatian meal.

Overnight in Split.

DAY 5

Full-day speedboat tour to Blue Cave on Vis Island, Pakleni Islands and Hvar City

Breakfast at the hotel. Come aboard the Blue Cave tour and bounce from one island to the next, embracing only each destination's best.

Since the tour starts early in the morning, you will enjoy the panorama of the islands near Split before the sun rises on the horizon.

From the Blue Cave, all other attractions on our journey are just a short boat ride away. Explore one of Croatia's remarkable natural masterpieces – the Blue Cave on Biševo island, where the sun's rays reflect off the water and white seabed to cover the cave's interior with a vivid shade of blue.

The tour is organised from the small port on Bisevo island. You will board a wooden boat capable of entering the narrow cave entrance. Getting inside the Blue Cave is quite an adventure you will not soon forget. Witness this bright blue phenomenon up close before heading towards the Monk Seal Cave. The longest cave on Biševo island (160 meters), the Monk Seal Cave is named after the Mediterranean Monk seal, which is known as one of the most endangered mammals in the world.

Before you know it, you'll be soaking up the sun at Stiniva Bay on the island of Vis, a 600-meter-long pebble beach enclosed by vertical cliffs. From Stiniva, you'll dive into the turquoise lagoon of Budikovac and then cruise Pakleni islands archipelago, a set of 14 flawless islets which provide unique opportunity to enjoy in the peace, tranquility and unprecedented clear blue sea.

You'll end the tour embracing the glitz and glamour of Hvar town, located on Croatia's sunniest island of the same name. Hvar is no stranger to the spotlight and is known for welcoming the hottest international celebrities and world-class yachts, though behind its prestige is a charming, humble, and ancient town waiting to be explored.

You can hike to the top of the Fortica fortress, a symbol that sits high above the town with a view of red-rooftops and the Pakleni islands below, or embrace the history in the center of the city, which boasts the Arsenal, home to one of the first public theaters in Europe.

Circle through the maze of narrow streets to find art galleries, locally-made handicrafts, and colorful jewelry shops or park yourself at a cafe with the view of a Venetian palace in front of you.

Return to Split and overnight. 

DAY 6

From Split to Dubrovnik by catamaran, private Dubrovnik walking tour

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Private transfer from your hotel to Split port. Departure by catamaran from Split port early in the morning. Arrive at Dubrovnik port at approximately noon (the catamaran schedule is subject to change). Private transfer from the port to your hotel in Dubrovnik and check-in.

In the afternoon, take a 1.5 -2 hours private walking tour of Dubrovnik. The tour takes you deep into the city's 1,400-year history, recalling ancient tales of when Dubrovnik was one of the world's most prosperous port cities. It tells stories of war and lets the tour-goer in on the city's culture.

Begin the journey through history and Old Town. Pass the Franciscan Monastery and admire Orlando's Column, a monument on the Stradun inspired by the city's long-standing freedom and sovereignty. See, too, Onofrio's Fountain, built in 1438 at the end of an 8-mile (12-km) aqueduct that gave the city its water supply. The walk also passes by the Rector's Palace, Sponza Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption, a baroque church built after the devastating earthquake of 1667.

After the sightseeing tour, time at leisure. You can walk (on your own) along the 2 km long Dubrovnik's city walls and enjoy the views of the fortresses, lively squares, and the hidden narrow streets below.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 7

Day at leisure in Dubrovnik, sunset dinner on the Karaka ship 

Breakfast at the hotel.

Following breakfast, you could go to the beach, relax, and swim. Do some shopping or carry on with a fantastic cup of macchiato or cappuccino in Buža cafe, on the very rocks and overlooking the Italian horizon to the West.

You can experience the Grand Market in the morning. Many stalls stock traditional local sweets, such as dried figs, arancini (candied orange peel) and broštulani mjenduli (candied almonds), and offer a free taste before you buy.

Or you can explore the adjacent small island of Lokrum on your own (15-minute boat drive from the city Port), with a short boat trip there and entrances to Island as the nature reserve. Walk around the pine trees, cypress forested areas, and Monastery ruins.

If you prefer some thrill, try the longest seaside zipline in Croatia close to Dubrovnik and enjoy the spectacular view of the sea and the islands.

When sunset begins, you will take a short trip (app. 2 hours) around Dubrovnik and Lokrum Island. Dinner on the replica of the 16th-century Karaka ship, listening to ambient music, sipping champagne, and listening to the tales of old is an authentic Dubrovnik-style experience that you can't miss!

Enjoy a romantic dinner at sunset (Dalmatian cuisine) exploring the town walls from the sea.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 8

Private day tour of the UNESCO-protected mediaeval city of Kotor

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Start your private journey towards Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage City. You will wander through the labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets that stretch through the old town. This street plan seems quite chaotic, but it was made this way on purpose. The intention was to confuse the intruders who came to rob the city, and today it characterises the city.

Many old buildings and churches have small plaques with construction dates and original use. You will stop at the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, one of the city's two Roman cathedrals. The relics of Saint Tripun are kept in the cathedral. However, these relics were supposed to arrive in Dubrovnik but ended up in Kotor.

Along with the Cathedral of St.Tryphon, you can easily bypass the Church of St. Luke because it is much smaller but of great importance to the local population because it represents their unity. You will also walk to the fortress of San Giovanni, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city. On the way to the top, you will pass by the ruins of military buildings and a church from the 15th century.

Overnight in Kotor.

DAY 9

Montenegrin riviera and a private tour of Shköder in Albania

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

You will drive towards Budva, a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, nature and old characteristic buildings. Its life began on the cape two and a half millennia ago and spilt over from the ramparts towards luxury yachts, new buildings, restaurants, bars and nightclubs where entertainment awaits. It was built on an island connected to the mainland by a sand cover and thus grew into a peninsula. The old town of Budva is a unique architectural and urban complex that has been mentioned as a settlement since the ancient period.

The route follows the beautiful riviera to Sveti Stefan, a historic fishing village on a small island near the coast. However, visiting the island is no longer possible because it has been turned into a five-star resort. Even while standing on the shore, Sveti Stefan is a sight for sore eyes - worth a picture.

From Sveti Stefan, you will cross the border with Albania and visit the town of Shköder, named after the largest lake in the Balkans. The oldest wall of the Shköder castle dates back to the 1st millennium BC.

You will visit Rozafa Castle with a beautiful view of the lake and three rivers that merge into the Adriatic Sea. The Venetian style strongly influences the city's architecture. Visit the exhibition of Venetian masks and learn that most are handmade and produced in Shköder.

The city tour includes visiting the Catholic cathedral and the Great Mosque in Shköder.

Overnight in Shköder.

DAY 10

Private city tour of Tirana, including a gigantic bunker converted into a museum

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

You'll begin your adventure by discovering Tirana, the capital of Albania, founded in the early 17th century by the Turkish general Barkinzade Süleyman Paşa, who is said to have built a mosque, bathhouse and bakery to attract settlement. It was chosen as the capital of Albania in 1920 at the congress in Lushnjë. Colourful, lively, vibrant, dynamic, 24/7 and crazy nightlife are some words that better describe this city, where the buildings of the communist and capitalist eras contrast each other.

When you are in Tirana, you will visit the Skanderbeg Square with the giant statue of Skenderbeg, the Albanian national hero, the Blloku area and the Clock Tower.

You will be impressed by "Bunk'Art", one of the most exciting museums in Tirana, initially conceived as a nuclear bunker offering refuge to Albanian Communist Supreme Leader Enver Hoxha and his close party members during the Cold War. The bunker was hidden from the public until 2014, when the Albanian government decided to launch an exciting project to turn the five-story underground palace, with 106 rooms and a meeting hall, into a museum depicting the life of Albanians during 45 years of communism.

Overnight in Tirana.

DAY 11

Experience Berat – the "City of one thousand windowds"

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Your next destination will be Berat, located on the banks of the Osum River, known as the city of 1000 windows and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walk through the narrow stone streets offers a fantastic view of old medieval houses with windows that seem to stand on top of each other.

Berat has it all - a beautiful medieval castle, old churches and mosques, a lively lower town made up of grand old houses on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remnants of Albania's communist era.

Looking down from a high vantage point, it's easy to see how Berat got its nickname. The medieval old town of Berat is built into the hill, with a collage of window frames that all look out towards the river and the Byzantine fortifications. It's more like a quiet residential area perfect for wandering around and getting lost in cobbled streets. For a livelier atmosphere, take a walk along Bulevardi Republika with cafes, bars, pastry shops and restaurants.

Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufrije, a famous painter of churches throughout the Balkans, who was distinguished by the creation of a specific reddish color that is still difficult to imitate today.

Overnight in Berat.

DAY 12

Private tour of the UNESCO-protected city of Ohrid and Samoil's fortress 

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

You will leave Albania and cross the border into North Macedonia. Ohrid is one of the most desirable destinations in the country, and it is indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe.

The city of Ohrid and Lake Ohrid have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. The Illyrian tribe of Enkeley inhabited Lake Ohrid and its surroundings. The city became an important centre for Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, which are said to have one church for each day of the year.

The houses were built with a specific architecture that created narrow streets, tunnels and small courtyards on the hilly terrain, which gave each house a good view of the lake.

During the city tour, you will visit the Samoil's Fortress, the Church of St. John in Kaneo, the Halveti Hayati Tekke Mosque, and the Ohrid Amphitheatre's ruins.

Samoil's fortress is mentioned in descriptions in chronicles from the year 476. Today's Samoil's Fortress is associated with the name of Emperor Samoil, who probably expanded and built the fortress when he chose it as the seat of his medieval Macedonian state. The fortress today has 18 towers and four gates. The central part of the fortress has a wall 10 - 16 meters high and strong defensive towers, followed by ramparts in the direction of the lake. In the second courtyard are ancient graves, the remains of a round tower and cisterns.

Most famous for its picturesque location, the church of St. John in Kaneo, which stands on a cliff above Lake Ohrid, is a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist, St. Kaneo, one of the most magnificent churches in Macedonia. The exceptional combination of Byzantine and Armenian elements is significant for the church's architecture, which creates a favorable space for examining medieval monuments in Ohrid.

The ancient theatre located in the old part of Ohrid, Varoš, was built at the end of the third or the beginning of the second century BC and had about 4,000 seats. The Ohrid Open Air Theater has a perfect location: the two hills that surround it protect it from winds that could disturb the acoustics during performances. Some former prominent citizens leased their seats in the theater, and their names are still engraved in the stone blocks. The theater was most likely destroyed at the end of the 4th century, that is, at the beginning of the 5th century AD, when Christianity arrived in Ohrid. The material from its seats was used for the construction of sacred and profane buildings.

After the tour, you will have time to visit the Ohrid bazaar and shopping area.

Overnight in Ohrid.

DAY 13

Wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Your journey continues towards Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The Vardar River divides the city into two parts: Slavic and Ottoman. Both parts are rich in monuments: Stone Bridge, Daut-Pašin Amam (Turkish Bath), Feudal Tower, Isa-beg's Mosque, Mustafa-Pasha's Mosque, Old Skopje Bazaar, Skopsko Kale Fortress, Monastery of St. Nikita, Church of St. Salvation.

The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences. A stone bridge connects the new and old parts of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the statue of Alexander the Great in the centre. Another bridge that stands out is the Art Bridge, lined with sumptuous street lamps and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians.

You will walk through Skopje's Old Bazaar, the largest in the Balkans, which combines a modern lifestyle with centuries-old history. The cross on top of the mountain can be seen kilometres away from Skopje and has become a city symbol. It is as tall as a 20-story building and can be reached by cable car.

Whether you explore the numerous museums, browse the shops in the old Turkish bazaar, or hang out in a cafe drinking a macchiato, Skopje will reward the curious in large quantities.

After the tour, continue to Kosovo and the city of Prizren.

Overnight in Prizren.

DAY 14

Private city tour of Prizren and lunch at a farm

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Prizren is considered the cultural capital of Kosovo, which combines its rich history, amazing nature, religious tolerance and gastronomic delights. Prizren played an essential role in the region as an Illyrian settlement and a crossroads for the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, contributing to the city's unique architecture. The river flows through the heart of the old town and under all the bridges that cross the town.

You will visit the Old Town and Prizren Fortress, which was declared a cultural monument of exceptional importance in 1948. Archaeological remains dating back to 1100 BC have been found here, but the Byzantines built the first fortress here. It was then expanded by successive Serbian kings in the 12th to 14th centuries before becoming the seat of power for the Ottoman rulers of Kosovo until their expulsion in 1912.

The Archaeological Museum was opened on November 17, 1975, where you can find over 790 archaeological finds from the Prizren region. In the same location, you will have the opportunity to see the Clock Tower built in 1498.

The Church of Our Lady of Ljeviška is the main official diocesan church of the Prizren. Orthodox Serbian bishops and Orthodox Serbs consider it the pride of the medieval royal city of Prizren. Since 2006, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Your next destination is one of the best farms in Albania and the Balkans. You will start with a tour of the farm. In addition, you will find out the story of this farm and how it has created jobs for more than 400 people in the region. During lunch, you will learn about the history, culture and food that make this region unique from the rest of Albania.

After free time, we continue towards Montenegro.

Overnight on the Montenegrin Riviera.

DAY 15

Private city tour of Tivat on the Montenegrin Riviera before returning to Dubrovnik

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Before returning to Croatia, you will have a tour of the city of Tivat, which went from a not-so-interesting to a popular destination in Montenegro. However, you can still experience local life instead of being overwhelmed by tourists.

Tivat is a small town, which is believed to have been named after Queen Teuta, an Illyrian queen who ruled the territories of present-day Montenegro, Croatia and Albania during the 3rd century BC. She built herself a summer house in Tivat, which used to be a shelter back when the Romans attacked it in 229 BC.

You will visit the clock tower, the medieval house of the Buca family, which consists of five buildings, and walk along the long promenade with a beautiful view. Porto Montenegro is another interesting place in Tivat in Boka Kotorska. The harbor offers a beautiful view of luxury yachts.

Continue to Dubrovnik.

Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, check-in in the hotel. Have dinner (on your own) in one of the famous Dubrovnik restaurants such as Nautika, Arsenal, Dalmatino, Kopun, Konoba Knez or at your choice.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 16

Farewell Dubrovnik and Croatia

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. At the appropriate time, you will be met by your private driver at your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight home.