Explore the Balkans

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
Explore the Balkans
10 Days
From AUD $2460
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


 (20 reviews)

Explore the Balkans

Explore the Balkans

Intrepid Travel · 10 days
4.5
20 Reviews
View Map
Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Basic

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Veer off the beaten track and discover some of Central Europe’s up-and-coming hotspots on this ten-day adventure. Starting off in cultured and cosmopolitan Budapest, travel to the Serbian capital of Belgrade for a taste of a city on the rise.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a drink at Decje Srce Café - this organisation supports young, local people with developmental disabilities by providing employment opportunities. Learn the story behind the cafe and if you like, support their work by buying one of their handmade products.
  • Visit Novi Sad on the banks of the Danube River and maybe explore the Petrovaradin Fortress – one of the most important landmarks in the city with a great view over the river. Then, immerse yourself in the edgy street scene of Belgrade's Bohemian Quarter.
  • Explore the sobering Tito’s Bunker in Mostar – an underground facility that served as Yugoslavia's ‘Atomic War Command,’ designed to house a skeleton government who would manage the country in the event of nuclear war.
  • Admire the restored architecture of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kotor in Montenegro on a climb along the ancient city fortifications. Then, discover the glittering Bay of Kotor in your free time.
  • Hit the historic hotspot of Dubrovnik along Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline. With medieval walls, Game of Thrones tours, hidden swimming coves and alleyway restaurants, this is the perfect spot to end your adventure.

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Public bus, Private vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Budapest, Bosnia And Herzegovina

Finishes

Dubrovnik, Bosnia And Herzegovina

Accommodations

Basic

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Budapest
Szia! Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital. This city, split into two sides – Buda and Pest – sits right on the banks of the Danube River. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, maybe head out with your fellow travellers for dinner, then take a night walk along the Danube to see the buildings and bridges lit up in lights. Why not keep the night going in one of Budapest's ruin bars tonight, home to eclectic décor and a popular spot for a night out.

Optional Activities:

  • Budapest - House of Terror (4000 HUF)
  • Budapest - Hungarian National Museum (2900 HUF)
  • Budapest - Transport and Entry to Statue Park (5000 HUF)
  • Budapest - Central Market - Free
  • Budapest - Great Synagogue (13000 HUF)
  • Budapest - Bike Ride (15000 HUF)
  • Budapest - Parliament Tour (13000 HUF)
  • Budapest - Szechenyi Thermal Baths (13500 HUF)
  • Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour (9000 HUF)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Novi Sad to Belgrade
This morning you’ll head to Belgrade – Serbia’s capital and one of the oldest cities in Europe. On the way, stop at Novi Sad on the banks of the Danube River. Head out on an orientation walk of the city with your leader, then take a few hours to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to the Petrovaradin Fortress, one of the most important landmarks in the city, and enjoy the view over the river. There are also some great restaurants and cafes at the fortress where you can stop for lunch or a coffee. Then, continue to your destination – sitting at the junction of the Sava and the Danube, Belgrade is an important intersection between Eastern and Western Europe. Enjoy some free time to explore the city’s wide boulevards and squares, the historic green heart of Kalemegdan Park and Kalemegdan Fortress, which has overlooked the river for centuries. In the evening, head down to Skadarska Street in the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija to sample some authentic local food and enjoy the lively atmosphere in a place where Orthodox churches vie for space next to nightclubs.

Included Activities:

  • Novi Sad – Orientation Walk

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Belgrade
Today starts with a visit to Decje Srce Cafe. This cafe provides employment opportunities for young people with developmental disabilities. Here, you’ll have a drink and hear the story behind the organisation and see some of their local handicrafts (that you can purchase if you like!). The rest of the day is for you to discover Belgrade at your own pace. You might like to take a cruise along the Danube River, passing Kalemegdan Fortress, Pancevo Bridge and Zemun. Otherwise, the local market Zeleni Venac can keep you occupied for hours. Take a stroll through the Nikola Tesla Museum to learn about the life and work of Serbia's greatest inventor or check out the city's Ethnographic or Military museums. If the weather’s warm, you could brave the crowds on Ada Ciganlija beach, where you can swim, take up some water sports or soak up the sun. During summer, Belgrade hosts a variety of musical and cultural events, and the city is abuzz with people and activities.

Included Activities:

  • Belgrade - Decje Srce Café Visit

Optional Activities:

  • Belgrade - Danube River Cruise (2000 RSD)
  • Belgrade - Tito’s Mausoleum (House of Flowers) (400 RSD)
  • Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum - Cash only (800 RSD)
  • Belgrade - City Tour with Local Guide (60 EUR)
  • Belgrade - Sveti Sava Church - Free
  • Belgrade - Ethnographic Museum (300 RSD)
  • Belgrade - Military Museum (350 RSD)
  • Belgrade - Bike Tour (from) (30 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Sarajevo
Travel through the countryside to Sarajevo this morning. The journey is long, so sit back and enjoy the scenery (and grab a window seat if you can!). Sarajevo is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s small but vibrant capital. The city often draws comparisons with Istanbul as a place that mixes east and west – dotted with minarets, mosques, bazaars and the aroma of coffee. When you arrive, maybe head on an optional guided tour to gain insight into the history and culture of the city and explore Bascarsija – Sarajevo's old bazaar. Tonight, maybe grab some of the local speciality – bosanski cevapi (local grilled and spiced meats).

Included Activities:

  • Sarajevo - Burek Snack in Bascarsija

Accommodation:

  • Pension (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Sarajevo
Enjoy a free day in and around Sarajevo today. You can take an optional day trip out to the thermal springs and green parks of Ilidza – the source of the Bosna River. You might prefer to discover local history with a visit to the History Museum, the Sarajevo War Tunnels and Sniper Alley, or learn about the tragedies faced by the city's Jews at the Jewish Museum. Maybe get cultural with a stroll through the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or return to Bascarsija and get lost in the mosques, caravanserais and stone-vaulted bazaars while snacking on burek. The Pivnica HS brewery and restaurant is a good place to sample local award-winning beer and spend the night with your travel crew.

Optional Activities:

  • Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library (10 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (3 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - Svrzo's House (3 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan (3 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - Despica House (3 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum (5 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - City Tour with Local Guide (90 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - Jewish Museum (5 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs (15 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - War Tunnel (10 BAM)
  • Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina (8 BAM)

Accommodation:

  • Pension (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Mostar
This morning, travel to Mostar. On the way, stop at Tito's Bunker, named after the late leader of the communist country, for a 1.5-hour tour with a local guide. This underground facility served as Yugoslavia's ‘Atomic War Command,’ designed to house a skeleton government of 350 people who would manage the country in the event of nuclear war. Continue to Mostar – thanks to the river Neretva, this city was able to develop in the barren landscape of Herzegovina. When you arrive, maybe head to the famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), first built by the Ottomans in 1565 – it was the great architect Mimar Hajrudin who succeeded with the impossible mission to cross the Neretva River with a single span stone bridge. If you’re lucky, you might see the famous brave members of Mostar’s diving club hurl themselves into the icy waters below.

Included Activities:

  • Mostar - Stari Most
  • Konjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tour

Optional Activities:

  • Mostar - Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque & Minaret (15 BAM)
  • Mostar - Old Bridge Museum (10 BAM)
  • Mostar - War Photo Exhibition (6 BAM)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Kotor
This morning after breakfast, you’ll travel to Kotor. This fifth-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is set on a secluded bay, with towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline dotted with waterside towns. When you arrive, explore Europe’s most southerly fjord, Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor) and Kotor town, with a free afternoon. Maybe check out the 12th-century Cathedral of St Tryphun, the South Gates of Kotor (the Gurdich Gate) and the Armoury Square (Trg od Oruzija).

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Kotor
Today is another free day to get lost in the crooked alleyways of Kotor. Maybe check out the boutiques and cafes or climb the hills behind the city to visit Kotor's ruined fortification walls. A 1.5-hour hike up the stone steps, past churches, gates and bastions to the Fortress of Sveti Ivan at the top, rewards you with magnificent views across the town and the Bay of Kotor. Tonight, maybe hang out in a lookout spot and take in the lights – the city walls are lit up in the evening here to provide a unique night-time perspective.

Optional Activities:

  • Kotor - Cruise on Kotor Fjord (40 EUR)
  • Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral (4 EUR)
  • Budva - Day Trip (by public bus) (6 EUR)
  • Kotor - Fortress (3 EUR)
  • Kotor - Maritime Museum (5 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Dubrovnik
Leave Montenegro by bus this morning, riding along the beautiful southern coast of Croatia to Dubrovnik. When you arrive, the day is free for you to explore this medieval city at your own pace. There is so much to see and do here, so ask your leader if you’re stuck for ideas. You might like to take a boat trip to nearby Lokrum Island, where you’ll find the French-built Fort Royal Castle, a monastery and a botanical garden that dates back to when the Austrian archduke Maximilian had his holiday home on the island. Tonight, maybe find a secluded beach spot to watch the sunset or enjoy a harbourside meal with the group for dinner.

Optional Activities:

  • Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
  • Dubrovnik - Church of St. Blaise - Free
  • Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure (69 EUR)
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car (27 EUR)
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence (4 EUR)
  • Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace (13 EUR)
  • Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum (10 EUR)
  • Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip (27 EUR)
  • Dubrovnik - Franciscan Monastery (4 EUR)
  • Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport & entry to sites) (35 EUR)

Accommodation:

  • Hostel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Dubrovnik
With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time. If you’d like to stay longer and explore more of what this gorgeous historical city has to offer, just speak to your booking agent.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $2,460
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Veer off the beaten track and discover some of Central Europe’s up-and-coming hotspots on this ten-day adventure. Starting off in cultured and cosmopolitan Budapest, travel to the Serbian capital of Belgrade for a taste of a city on the rise.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 02 May 2026

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.5
David
Traveled, September 2023

09/25/2023

This trip has to be the best way to understand the Balkans. Just the right amount of time to immerse yourself in it all before the next exciting destination. Thoroughly enjoyed this trip and heartily recommend it to all. Go light, Go alone, Go now!

4.5
Marian
Traveled, August 2023

08/30/2023

We would never have been able to do the Balkans without our leader who could help with the language, buses etc. Just being able to do our own thing at each stop but with transport and accommodation organised by the tour co was great!

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Book Now