The Complete Balkan Travel Guide (2026)

The Balkans are one of Europe’s last great travel bargains — dramatic coastlines, medieval old towns, jaw-dropping mountain roads, and prices that make Western Europe look absurd. But planning a trip across multiple countries with different currencies, border crossings, and limited public transport can feel overwhelming.

This guide strips away the confusion. Whether you’re spending three days or three weeks, here’s everything you need to know.

Where exactly are “The Balkans”?

For most travelers, the Balkans means the western stretch: Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro. These three countries sit side by side along the Adriatic coast and share history, food, and some of the most scenic roads in Europe.

Croatia draws the biggest crowds — Dubrovnik, Split, and the islands. But the smart travelers are crossing borders. A day trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar costs a fraction of a Dubrovnik restaurant bill, and you’ll see a completely different world: Ottoman bridges, minarets beside church bells, and waterfalls hidden in the hills.

Montenegro is compact but spectacular. The Bay of Kotor alone justifies the trip — imagine a Norwegian fjord with Mediterranean weather.

The best Balkan itineraries

One week: The classic triangle Dubrovnik → Mostar (2.5 hrs) → Sarajevo (2.5 hrs) → back to Dubrovnik via Kotor (5 hrs with stops). This covers two countries and three UNESCO sites without rushing.

Two weeks: Coast to capital Split → Mostar → Sarajevo → Jajce → back to Split (inland loop), then Dubrovnik → Kotor → Budva → Dubrovnik. You see everything without backtracking.

Three days: Dubrovnik add-on If you’re already in Dubrovnik, don’t just stay there. Dubrovnik → Mostar day trip with Kravica Waterfalls and Pocitelj. You cross an international border, swim under a waterfall, explore a medieval Ottoman town, and watch the sunset from Stari Most.

How do I get around the Balkans?

Public buses exist but schedules are limited, stops are fixed, and border crossings add unpredictable delays. The Dubrovnik–Mostar bus takes 4+ hours with a transfer in Capljina. A private transfer does it in 2.5 hours, door-to-door.

Rental cars work for Croatia and Montenegro but get complicated in Bosnia. Insurance coverage changes at borders, roads in Herzegovina are narrow and poorly signed, and parking in Mostar’s old town doesn’t exist.

Private transfers are how most travelers actually move between cities. Your driver handles the border paperwork, knows which lanes are fastest, stops at viewpoints you’d never find on Google Maps, and drops you at your hotel door. For groups of 2-4 people, the per-person cost is often comparable to a bus ticket.

Trains are scenic between Sarajevo and Mostar (the Neretva valley line is beautiful) but slow, infrequent, and don’t connect to Croatia or Montenegro.

Border crossings

Crossing from Croatia into Bosnia involves a passport check. EU citizens pass in seconds. Non-EU travelers should have their passport ready — not buried in a suitcase. The Neum corridor crossing (on the coastal road between Dubrovnik and Split) is the busiest in summer; wait times can hit 30-60 minutes in August.

The Croatia–Montenegro border at Karasovici is usually quick. Bosnia–Montenegro at Hum or Sitnica is almost always empty.

Pro tip: travel early morning or late afternoon. The midday rush (10am–2pm) is when tour buses clog every crossing.

For detailed border advice, read our border crossing guide.

When is the best time to visit the Balkans?

May–June: Perfect. Warm but not hot, everything’s open, no crowds. Kravica Waterfalls are at their fullest from spring rain.

July–August: Hot (35°C+), crowded in Dubrovnik and Split, but Bosnia stays quieter. Booking transfers early is essential.

September–October: Arguably the best time. Still warm, shoulder-season prices, golden light for photos. October can be rainy.

November–April: Cold in the mountains, many restaurants close in smaller towns. Sarajevo gets snow. Mostar and the coast are mild but quiet.

Read our full seasonal breakdown: best time to visit the Balkans.

How much does a Balkan trip cost?

The Balkans are affordable but costs vary dramatically by country:

Bosnia & Herzegovina is the bargain. A cevapi lunch costs around €8. A good hotel room in Mostar runs €50–80. Coffee is around €1.50.

Croatia is the most expensive of the three, especially on the coast. Dubrovnik restaurant meals start at €15–20. Hotels in summer are €120+.

Montenegro sits in between. Kotor is cheaper than Dubrovnik but pricier than Mostar. Budget €80–120/day for comfortable mid-range travel.

Transfer costs between cities range from €80–200 per vehicle depending on distance and vehicle type. Split between 2-4 people, it’s extremely reasonable compared to taxis or organized tours.

Country guides

Each country deserves its own deep dive:

• Bosnia & Herzegovina Travel Guide — Mostar, Sarajevo, waterfalls, Ottoman history, and the best food in the Balkans
• Croatia Travel Guide — Dubrovnik, Split, islands, national parks, and coastal driving
• Montenegro Travel Guide — Kotor, the bay, Budva, Durmitor, and the most dramatic coastline in Europe

Safety

All three countries are safe for tourists. Petty theft is rare outside of crowded tourist spots (Dubrovnik walls, Split Riva). Bosnia has occasional landmine warnings in remote rural areas — stick to paved roads and marked paths and you’ll never encounter one. We cover this in detail in our Bosnia safety guide.

Currency and payments

Croatia adopted the Euro (€) in 2023. Montenegro also uses the Euro (unofficially). Bosnia uses the Convertible Mark (KM/BAM), pegged to the Euro at roughly 2:1. ATMs are everywhere. Cards are widely accepted in Croatia and Montenegro; Bosnia is more cash-dependent, especially in smaller towns.

Language

Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin are essentially the same language with minor differences (think British vs. American English). English is widely spoken in tourist areas, especially by younger people. Your driver will speak English — it’s a job requirement.

What to eat

The Balkans are a food lover’s secret. Start with cevapi (grilled meat fingers in flatbread) — the national obsession of Bosnia. Try burek for breakfast (flaky pastry with meat or cheese). In Croatia, go for fresh seafood and peka (meat slow-cooked under a bell). Montenegro serves similar food to both, plus excellent lamb and lake fish from Skadar.

For the full experience, join a Burek Masterclass in Mostar or Sarajevo and learn to make it yourself.

Start planning

The hardest part of a Balkan trip is choosing where to go first. The easiest part is getting there — book a transfer and your driver handles everything from the airport pickup to the border crossing to the scenic stops you didn’t know existed.

Ready to go? Book your transfer or explore our routes.