Balkan Cultural Odyssey Bucharest to Athens
Set off from Bucharest and finish in Athens on a 13–day journey through the Balkans and Greece. You’ll explore Transylvania’s castles – Peles, Bran and fairytale Hunedoara – and wander medieval Sighisoara and elegant Sibiu. Cross to lively Belgrade and Roman Sirmium, then follow a historic trail through Sarajevo’s bazaars and Mostar’s iconic bridge. Expect to see Dubrovnik’s city walls and Franciscan Monastery, with time on Lokrum, before skirting the Bay of Kotor to Budva and on to Tirana. Continue to UNESCO–listed Ohrid, then Greece’s Meteora monasteries, Delphi’s ruins and Hosios Loukas. Conclude in Athens with a city tour – the Acropolis and Plaka await.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
13 daysHotel Rating
4-5 star hotelsStarts
BucharestEnds
AthensMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Romania that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Countries
Romania, Serbia, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, GreecePassengers
$2,924.00
$400.00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
Bucharest
Sinaia
Bran
Sighisoara
Biertan
Sibiu
Hunedoara
Timisoara
Belgrade
Sremska Mitrovica
Zvornik
Sarajevo
Mostar
Kravica
Dubrovnik
Kotor
Budva
Tirana
Struga
Ohrid
Bitola
Kalambaka
Delphi
Athens
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Bucharest
Welcome to Bucharest. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel, with free time to settle in, and we’ll provide details about the start of your tour. At 15:00 – after lunch – we’ll set off on a panoramic city tour, taking in the historic quarter and the Palace of the Parliament. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore at your own pace. Dinner is included.
Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Bucharest - Sinaia - Bran - Sighisoara
We leave Bucharest for Transylvania, crossing the Carpathian Mountains through lush forest scenery. In Sinaia, we’ll enjoy a relaxed walk through the gardens of Peles and Pelisor Castles. We then continue to the 14th century Bran Fortress – tickets are included – widely known as Dracula’s Castle. You’ll have time for lunch before we carry on to Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved walled medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, we’ll sit down to a special dinner at Count Dracula’s restaurant, located in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born.
Day 3 - Sighisoara - Biertan - Sibiu - Hunedoara - Timisoara
We journey through Transylvania to Biertan to visit its fortified church – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with tickets included. We then continue to Sibiu, an important cultural and economic centre that once served as the capital of Transylvania, where you have time to stroll the narrow streets and lively squares and to have lunch. In the afternoon we visit the impressive Hunedoara Castle – tickets included – considered the most beautiful castle in Romania, before continuing to Timisoara, where you can explore the city’s elegant central squares.
Day 4 - Timisoara - Belgrade
We depart Timisoara for Serbia, crossing the border and driving around three hours to Belgrade – a lively capital at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava. On arrival, we take a panoramic tour, exploring the city centre, viewing the parliament and strolling through Kalemegdan Fortress. We also visit the Museum of Yugoslavia, home to Tito’s Mausoleum. The afternoon is free for you to continue discovering the city at your own pace.
Day 5 - Belgrade - Sremska Mitrovica - REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA - Sarajevo
We depart Belgrade for Vojvodina, pausing in Sremska Mitrovica – a riverside city with a charming historic centre on the Sava that was once among the most important in the Roman Empire and capital of the province of Pannonia. Admission to the Imperial Palace of Sirmium is included, offering insight into this period. We then continue towards Bosnia, stopping en route for lunch. Our route crosses Republika Srpska – the Serb Republic within Bosnia – through beautiful landscapes to Sarajevo. We arrive in the late afternoon, with time to explore the historic centre, where you can wander the bazaar, the old Ottoman market known for its architecture, distinctive atmosphere and traditional shops. Dinner included.
Day 6 - Sarajevo - Mostar - HERZEGOVINA - Dubrovnik
In the morning, we include a guided tour of Sarajevo, a city known for the coexistence of different faiths – its mosques, churches and synagogues stand close together. In the Ottoman‑influenced old town we see a mosque dating back more than 500 years and the beautiful fountain. After the visit, we travel through beautiful landscapes to Mostar in Herzegovina to explore its historic centre and admire the iconic stone bridge that links the Orthodox, Muslim and Catholic communities. You will have free time for lunch and to wander at your own pace. We then continue into Croatia – border formalities can be lengthy – arriving in Dubrovnik at the end of the day. Dinner is included.
Day 7 - Dubrovnik
In the morning we take a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide, discovering a city set on a clifftop, encircled by walls and lapped by the Adriatic. We’ll pause at a scenic viewpoint along the road for outstanding views. Admission is included to the Franciscan Monastery – home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe – and the Assumption Cathedral. We then take a short 15–minute boat ride to Lokrum, a small island with the ruins of an 11th–century Benedictine monastery – a popular Game of Thrones setting. Afterwards you’ll have free time to explore before we return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner is included. From November to March there is no boat service to Lokrum – we will not visit the island during these months. On some departures accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik.
Day 8 - Dubrovnik - Kotor - Budva - Tirana
We set off early for Montenegro – after border formalities we follow the coastal road along the Bay of Kotor, taking the ferry across the bay to reach Kotor. You’ll have free time to explore this beautiful walled town with its strong Venetian influence. We then continue to Budva, a charming walled village surrounded by the sea, for lunch. In the afternoon we travel on to Albania – after customs procedures we continue to Tirana, the capital, where dinner is included.
Day 9 - Tirana - Struga - Ohrid
Morning in Tirana – we take a panoramic tour of Albania’s capital, visiting its mosques, the Clock Tower and the ministries. Around midday we head inland through mountain landscapes and small villages towards Lake Ohrid, which marks the border with North Macedonia. We continue into North Macedonia – border procedures – and stop for lunch in Struga on the lakeshore. We then proceed to Ohrid, a city with strong Ottoman influence and a World Heritage Site. You’ll have time to explore Plaosnik Monastery or the ancient university founded in the ninth century. Dinner included.
Day 10 - Ohrid - Bitola - Kalambaka
We travel through Macedonia into Greece, stopping in Bitola – a city noted for its Ottoman and neoclassical architecture – where you can stroll along Širok Sokak with its cafés, restaurants and shops. After border formalities we continue into northern Greece, a region shaped by Slavic and Ottoman influences and marked by rugged scenery, then on to the Meteora area. Just outside Kalabaka we pause in Kastraki – a picturesque village with valley views – where you’ll have time for lunch at leisure before we head into the UNESCO-listed Meteora Valley. We’ll drive through the entire valley and include admission to one of the renowned cliffside monasteries. Arrival in Kalabaka – dinner included.
Day 11 - Kalambaka - Delphi - Athens
Leaving Kalambaka, we travel south through Thessaly’s changing landscapes to Delphi. We explore the archaeological site overlooking the Gulf of Corinth – a striking setting with wide–ranging views – and you’ll have time for lunch.We then continue to the Hosios Loukas Monastery, a World Heritage Site known for its magnificent eleventh–century mosaics. From here we journey on to Athens, arriving in the evening.
Day 12 - Athens
We begin with a guided city tour of Athens, taking in the Presidential Mansion, the Panathenaic Stadium – site of the first modern Olympic Games – the National Library and the lively central squares. We also drive through the newer neighbourhoods developed after the 2004 Olympic Games. The tour ends at the Acropolis – admission is not included – where you can choose to visit at your own pace. In the evening, we provide a transfer to the historical neighbourhood of Plaka, known for its inviting Greek tavernas and opportunities to experience the country’s folklore.
Day 13 - Athens
After breakfast, we bring our journey to a close in Athens. You’re free to make your own onward arrangements – we hope you leave with wonderful memories of your trip.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Athens
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Bucharest
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard. Click here to see more information about the ships used on this and similar Tour.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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