Our Balkans holidays & tours
Our Balkans holidays explore one of the most fascinating regions in Europe, one steeped in ethnic, religious and political divisions that have led to a fractious, convoluted history and an enormously diverse culture. While we can arrange tailor made, self guided holidays here, this is a region where escorted small group tours come into their own. A local guide can explain the complexities of Balkan politics and geography, and how they have resulted in each country having its own distinct identity, while also making useful introductions in the many communities you’ll pass through along the way.
Most of our Balkans tours take in at least two countries, and sometimes several more, allowing you to appreciate their similarities and differences. Albania and Montenegro, for instance, are all about mountain walks and coastal charm; tiny North Macedonia boasts superb Roman ruins, while Croatia’s beautiful Dalmatian coast is all watersports and glamour. The cuisine is varied too, though fruit brandy, coffee and savoury pastries are ubiquitous across the Balkans. All of which are perfect for you to spend a free hour outside a pavement cafe, getting a feel for life in cities from Skopje to Dubrovnik.
Most of our Balkans tours take in at least two countries, and sometimes several more, allowing you to appreciate their similarities and differences. Albania and Montenegro, for instance, are all about mountain walks and coastal charm; tiny North Macedonia boasts superb Roman ruins, while Croatia’s beautiful Dalmatian coast is all watersports and glamour. The cuisine is varied too, though fruit brandy, coffee and savoury pastries are ubiquitous across the Balkans. All of which are perfect for you to spend a free hour outside a pavement cafe, getting a feel for life in cities from Skopje to Dubrovnik.
Our top The Balkans holidays
Holiday to Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina
From
£2469 to £2699
11 days
ex flights
A magical mixture of European and Eastern culture
Small group2026: 9 May, 23 May, 30 May, 13 Jun, 27 Jun, 25 Jul, 8 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 2027: 8 May, 22 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct
Self-guided cycling Bosnia, Montenegro & Albania
From
€1270 to €1390
8 days
ex flights
Cycle the Balkans - Three country cycling adventure
Tailor made
Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia holiday
From
£2995
16 days
ex flights
Escape the crowds and explore hidden Europe
Small group2026: 30 Apr, 7 May, 3 Sep, 1 Oct, 2027: 29 Apr, 2 Sep
Albania to Montenegro cultural holiday
From
€1693 to €2027
12 days
ex flights
Cultural heritage of Balkan highlands
Tailor made
Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro holiday
From
€3710 to €5930
11 days
ex flights
Multicultural diversity of 2 South- European countries
Tailor made
Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia guided cycling holiday
From
€1450 to €1595
8 days
ex flights
Cycling in the Balkans: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia
Small group2026: 23 May, 20 Jun, 5 Sep
The Balkans holiday
From
£2095 to £2325
14 days
ex flights
Discover the history of Albania, Macedonia & Kosovo
Small group2026: 18 Apr, 9 May, 6 Jun, 20 Jun, 11 Jul, 12 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct
Balkan adventure holiday, 15 days
From
£2420 to £2810
15 days
ex flights
From Hungary through to Croatia
Small group2026: 11 Apr, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 1 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 26 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 23 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 2027: 10 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 15 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct
Balkans guided cycling holiday
From
£2469 to £2999
15 days
ex flights
Some of the most unexplored routes in the Balkans
Small group2026: 24 Apr, 8 May, 5 Jun, 19 Jun, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2027: 23 Apr, 7 May, 21 May, 4 Jun, 18 Jun, 20 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep
Contact Us
Call us for a chat about our holidays. We are happy to discuss your holiday and help in any way we can. No bots, queues or awful hold music.
01273 823 700
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Highlights of our Balkans holidays
Small group tours
The Balkans region lends itself perfectly to small group touring, given the proximity of the countries, and well-connected by road and rail. There are many interesting combinations available. A Western Balkans itinerary might take in highlights of Albania, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Meanwhile Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina offer an intriguing blend of European and west Asian influences as you roam Ottoman towns, Orthodox monasteries and highland villages. Other routes might throw Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia into the mix.
Whether going by road, rail or bike, you’ll usually travel between capital cities. But our small group holidays also take in lesser-visited parts of the Balkans, like Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia, which sees few tourists. Or the Sirogojno open-air museum, which opens a window onto 19th-century mountain life in Serbia through its carefully preserved traditional buildings.
On our small group tours you’ll regularly stay in village guest houses and hotels run by local people. This kind of accommodation not only gives you insights into rural Balkan culture, but also brings valuable financial benefits to these communities.
Whether going by road, rail or bike, you’ll usually travel between capital cities. But our small group holidays also take in lesser-visited parts of the Balkans, like Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia, which sees few tourists. Or the Sirogojno open-air museum, which opens a window onto 19th-century mountain life in Serbia through its carefully preserved traditional buildings.
On our small group tours you’ll regularly stay in village guest houses and hotels run by local people. This kind of accommodation not only gives you insights into rural Balkan culture, but also brings valuable financial benefits to these communities.
Cycling
Guided or self guided, our cycling tours offer fresh and exciting perspectives on the Balkan region, taking you through countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. Explore coasts, countryside and river canyons, plateaus bounded by mountains, and magnificent national parks, as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Bay of Kotor.
Mountains are the defining geographical feature of the Balkans – in fact the word Balkans means mountains, but our cycling holidays here aren’t designed to give you calves like bowling balls. There will be challenging sections, of course, but also plenty of languid scenic rides, and regular stops to enjoy the views, or share a coffee at a local roadside stand.
Our cycling trips connect the cities, but they also bring you into small communities like Berane and Njegusi in Montenegro, that don’t see many tourists. Berane, for instance, is one of the country’s poorest towns, so cyclists spending the night here and eating in local restaurants are immensely welcome.
Mountains are the defining geographical feature of the Balkans – in fact the word Balkans means mountains, but our cycling holidays here aren’t designed to give you calves like bowling balls. There will be challenging sections, of course, but also plenty of languid scenic rides, and regular stops to enjoy the views, or share a coffee at a local roadside stand.
Our cycling trips connect the cities, but they also bring you into small communities like Berane and Njegusi in Montenegro, that don’t see many tourists. Berane, for instance, is one of the country’s poorest towns, so cyclists spending the night here and eating in local restaurants are immensely welcome.
Rail journeys
Our rail tours through the Balkans are a relaxing and wonderfully scenic way to see several different countries in one trip. They also mean your holiday has a far smaller carbon footprint than flying or driving. There are many different routes you can take across the region, crossing country borders with ease, encompassing mountain viaducts and tunnels, coastal tracks and remote rural outposts. Across two weeks or so you’ll stay in a new city most nights, but we take care of all your accommodation, and your tickets, in advance, so that you can simply relax and enjoy the views from the window.
Typically a rail tour will feature a guided walking tour everywhere you stop, with half-day trips to national parks, and other points of interest such as to locally run vineyards – the Balkans were making wine before the Romans. All the way, you’ll stay in locally owned hotels and guest houses, and our guides are full of recommendations on local restaurants too. If you are happy to pack light and relish the thought of seeing a great deal in a short space of time, our rail holidays are a fantastic way to experience the Balkans.
Typically a rail tour will feature a guided walking tour everywhere you stop, with half-day trips to national parks, and other points of interest such as to locally run vineyards – the Balkans were making wine before the Romans. All the way, you’ll stay in locally owned hotels and guest houses, and our guides are full of recommendations on local restaurants too. If you are happy to pack light and relish the thought of seeing a great deal in a short space of time, our rail holidays are a fantastic way to experience the Balkans.
Our The Balkans holidays reviews
4.4
57The Balkans holidays reviews
Sandy Bagnall15 Oct 2025
I am still processing it. The operator always comes up trumps when it comes to finding the amazing mix of places to see and things to do. Thank you for suggesting them.read more
Margaret Seaby23 Sep 2025
Fascinating scenery, culture and recent and ongoing history.read more
Gareth Bicknell27 Jul 2025
Amazing holiday. Montenegro is a wonderful country with lots to see and
do. Drazen was very responsive and looked after us really well.read more
Alex Mason11 Jun 2025
10/10. From the beginning of the booking process, to the actual trip. The staff was very responsive and everything was on time. The people were AMAZING. I’ll be back for another one.read more
