Balkan Escorted Tours 10 Day 9 Night
4.8
607 reviews
🏆 Travelers' Choice 2026
/ 10
Duration
10 days
Max Group Size
40
Departure Type
Scheduled
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Physical Level
Easy
Operated In
English
Age Requirement
11 - 99 Ages
Highlights
- ✓Istanbul (Turkey) Explore the iconic Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar. Enjoy a scenic Bosphorus Cruise for stunning views of the city.
- ✓Plovdiv (Bulgaria) Walk through the historic Old Town and Roman Ancient Theatre. Visit the artistic neighborhood of Kapana. Sofia (Bulgaria) Discover the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Boyana Church (UNESCO site). Explore the Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia’s shopping and dining hub. Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria) Visit the impressive Tsarevets Fortress, a medieval stronghold.
- ✓Bucharest (Romania) Tour the massive Palace of the Parliament. Stroll through the historic Lipscani District and charming city center. Timisoara (Romania) Discover this cultural gem, known for its Baroque architecture and vibrant squares.
- ✓Belgrade (Serbia) Explore the lively Kalemegdan Fortress and bustling Skadarlija Street. Enjoy Belgrade's vibrant nightlife and riverside views. Nis (Serbia) Visit the historical Skull Tower and explore the ruins of the Nis Fortress.
- ✓Skopje (North Macedonia) Explore the blend of modern and historic at Macedonia Square. Visit the landmark Stone Bridge and Old Bazaar.
- ✓Prizren (Kosovo) Wander through Prizren Fortress for panoramic views. Enjoy the charming Ottoman-era architecture.
- ✓Shkodër & Ulcinj (Albania/Montenegro) Visit Rozafa Castle in Shkodër with spectacular lake views. Explore Ulcinj's beaches and medieval charm.
- ✓Tirana (Albania) Discover Skanderbeg Square and Blloku District, a lively area for cafes and culture.
- ✓Ohrid (North Macedonia) Relax by the picturesque Lake Ohrid. Visit the historic Church of St. John at Kaneo overlooking the lake
- ✓Thessaloniki (Greece) Explore the vibrant port city with sites like the White Tower and Rotunda. Enjoy local Greek cuisine in its lively waterfront tavernas.
Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Balkans, exploring its diverse cultures, historical landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. This 10-day, 9-night tour takes you through some of the most iconic cities and hidden gems across Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, and Greece. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the serene waters of Lake Ohrid and the vibrant culture of Thessaloniki, this immersive tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, culture seekers, and adventure lovers.
Route
Starts from
Istanbul
Ends in
Istanbul
Pickup Location
Istanbul Airport
Dropoff Location
Istanbul Airport
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Itinerary
- Arrival:
Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) . After clearing customs and
collecting luggage, you'll depart directly for a hotel located on the
outskirts of Istanbul, along the route to Bulgaria, to minimize travel
time the following day.
- Travel
to Hotel: The hotel will be situated in the
suburbs of Istanbul, closer to the highway that leads toward Bulgaria.
- Activities:
No sightseeing due to late arrival; time to rest and prepare for the next
day’s travel.
- Overnight: Istanbul
- Travel:
- Hotel
to Plovdiv (approx. 360 km from the
outskirts of Istanbul, estimated 4.5 hours, mostly highway).
- Plovdiv
to Sofia (approx. 145 km, estimated 1.5
hours, highway).
- Activities:
- In
Plovdiv, visit the Roman Amphitheater and the Old Town
for photo stops.
- In
Sofia, photo stops at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and St.
George Rotunda.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo (approx. 220
km, estimated 6.5 hours, non-highways).
- Veliko
Tarnovo to Bucharest (approx. 180 km,
estimated 4.5 hours, mix of highways and non-highways).
- Activities:
- In
Veliko Tarnovo, explore Tsarevets Fortress (photo stops).
- In
Bucharest, photo stops at Parliament Palace and Revolution
Square.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Bucharest
to Bran Castle (approx. 185 km,
estimated 5 hours, non-highways).
- Bran
Castle to Timisoara (approx. 400 km,
estimated 7.5 hours, mix of highways and non-highways).
- Activities:
- Bran
Castle: Photo stop.
- In
Timisoara, quick orientation with photo stops at Victory Square
and Unirii Square.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Timisoara
to Belgrade (approx. 160 km,
estimated 2 hours, mostly highway).
- Belgrade
to Nis (approx. 235 km, estimated 2.5
hours, mostly highway).
- Activities:
- Photo
stops in Belgrade at Kalemegdan Fortress, St. Sava
Temple, and Republic Square.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Nis
to Skopje (approx. 200 km, estimated 2.5
hours, mostly highway).
- Skopje
to Prizren (approx. 95 km, estimated 2.5
hours, non-highways).
- Activities:
- In
Skopje, photo stops at Stone Bridge, Macedonia Square,
and the Old Bazaar.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Prizren
to Shkoder (approx. 100 km, estimated 3
hours, non-highways).
- Shkoder
to Ulcinj (approx. 40 km, estimated 1 hour,
non-highways).
- Activities:
- Photo
stops in Shkoder at the Rozafa Castle and Lake Skadar.
- Free
time in Ulcinj to explore the coastal town.
- Overnight:
- Travel:
- Ulcinj
to Tirana (approx. 125 km, estimated 3.5
hours, mostly non-highways).
- Tirana
to Ohrid (approx. 135 km, estimated 4
hours, mostly non-highways).
- Activities:
- In
Tirana, visit Skanderbeg Square and take photo stops at the
Pyramid of Tirana.
- Overnight: Ohrid
- Travel:
- Ohrid
to Thessaloniki (approx. 265 km,
estimated 5 hours, mix of highways and non-highways).
- Thessaloniki
to Kesan (approx. 265 km, estimated 3
hours, mostly highways).
- Activities:
- In
Thessaloniki, photo stops at the White Tower, Aristotelous
Square, and the Rotunda.
- Overnight: Kesan.
- Travel:
- Kesan
to Istanbul (approx. 200 km,
estimated 2.5 hours, mostly highways).
- Activities:
- Final
day in Istanbul with photo stops at Topkapi Palace and
along the Bosphorus.
- Departure:
Evening transfer to Istanbul Airport (IST) for your flight.
What's included
- ✓Accommodation
- ✓Guide
- ✓Transport
- ✓Other included
- ✓Hygiene protocol
Not included
- ✕Flights
- ✕Meals
- ✕Insurance
- ✕Other not included
Need help or have a question about this tour?
If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We're ready to help.
Availability
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