Private Balkan Tours

The colors, the landscapes, the people… and the food!

A private Balkan tour by Balkan Tales will overwhelm you with unforgettable natural wonders, cultural attractions, ancient temples and recent past monuments – along the coastlines, or up in the mountains.

Here are some example tours I  organize:

The Balkan tours are available for small and big groups during the whole year. I provide full organization of the trip, from planning the itinerary up to the transportation, accommodation booking and guiding.

Why should you get a Balkan private tour with me?

  • All tours are private
  • Flexible itineraries
  • Fair prices
  • Licensed local tour guide

With my experience as a tour guide and private Balkan tours designer, I’ll be able to plan the perfect, customized Balkan private tour to suit your interests. I’ll take care of all the organization, and let you pick the destinations that appeal most! We can stay in one country or we can visit two, three, five… whatever you like.

You can choose from the following countries to visit in 1 tour:

Bulgaria – Macedonia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Kosovo – Croatia – Montenegro – Albania – Serbia – Romania – Greece

Alternatively you could enjoy a local Balkan tour, and get to know one area better – with my Balkans private tour that dives head first into rich history, mind-blowing natural landscapes and some of the best food on the planet.

No matter where we go together, you’re going to find that the local people are warm, friendly and hospitable… eager to make your stay a memorable one.

And the best thing about booking with an authentic Balkans tour guide and private tour in the Balkans? I know the people, I know the culture, I know the customs and I know the history. The insights that I share with you are going to offer a rich and immersive experience that you just wouldn’t get on your own.

For me, the Balkans are simply the most fascinating place you could ever hope to travel… and I don’t just say that because I’m a local! Join me on a multi-country Balkan private tour, and you’ll get to see the colorful differences between these countries, as well as spotting similarities in terms of language, cuisine and customs.

Talk to me now about planning your own exclusive private Balkan tour

We can start and finish at any country, and it’ll be easy to fit a Balkan tour around your flight plans. Keep reading to find out more about the exciting countries I’d like to introduce you to!

GET A QUOTE

Here is More info about the countries you can visit during the tour around the Balkans

BULGARIA

Bulgaria is a Balkan country featuring a history of over one millennium, and being at the crossroads of major routes led to the establishment of settlements and building of fortresses in antiquity. Nowadays people can travel on Balkan private tour, visiting the Thracian tombs in Sveshtari and Kazanlak, UNESCO Heritage sites, see remnants of Roman fortresses everywhere in the country, and delight in seven UNESCO World Heritage sites from medieval periods: the Madara Rider, a rock relief, the Boyana Church, nearby Sofia, the Rila Monastery huddled in the Rila Mountain lower folds. I suggest to visit Bulgaria as least for 4 days during your Balkan tour. And I promise what you will fall in love with it!

More about Bulgaria

Two other UNESCO sites, the rock hewn churches near the village of Ivanovo, in the Rousse region, and the ancient buildings in the old part of Nessebar, a town by the Black Sea, show the skills and strife of people to excel in diverse areas. Bulgaria is great choice for a private Balkan tour, because it boasts a host of nature spots which range from seaside beaches inviting with soft sand and soaked in sunshine, fringed by verdant forests, to majestic mountains which comprise verdure, plenty of water features, lakes, streams, a raft of trails to take to explore the Bulgarian mountains. Pirin is the most visited mountain owing to its stern and rugged beauty, and Rila is the combination of forests, mountain peaks, and lots of streams and lakes – the Seven Rila Lakes locality is world famed.

SERBIA

Serbia borders Bulgaria, Romania, and several other Balkan countries. It is landlocked, and lies on the major routes in Europe. The state was formed in the beginning of the nineteenth century, following the Serbian revolution. After, a century later, it entered Yugoslavia, a merger of several countries, which later divided into separate countries again. Since 2006 Serbia has been independent.

More about Serbia

The country comprises part of the Balkan Peninsula, the Panonian Plain, and the Wallachian Plain in the easternmost part. The territory is overall hilly, and is traversed by rivers, the Drina and the Ibar.

The wealth of hills and water features create auspicious settings for animal breeding, and bird species are numerous too. Especially, outstanding is the Tara mountain in the west, where bears roam in freedom. Not only the mountains but also Serbia’s spas are attractive for tourists who are coming for private tour around the Balkans. Belgrade is a favorite choice for foreigners during their Balkan tour, on account of magnificent city break opportunities. The mountain resorts which enjoy the most fame are Kopaonik, Zlatibor, Stara Planina. Among the spas, it suffices to mention Vrnjačka Banja, Banja Koviljača, Soko Banja. Orthodox monasteries abound, and river cruising on the Danube is another must for tourists to explore during their tour to the Balkans.

MACEDONIA

Macedonia has ancient history dating to the kingdom of Panonia which was a Thracian one. Later Alexander the Great conquered it and it joined his empire. The Romans, too, left their traces on the country which became their province. By the last years of the sixth century the Slavs settled in the Balkan area. Later the Byzantine rule governed the country. The next to rule the territory were the Ottoman Turks.

More about Macedonia

After belonging to Yugoslavia, Macedonia became an independent republic.

Now it appeals with the Vardar river valley and with its mountain ranges framing the valley, the Sar and Osogovo. The principal lakes are large – Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran, they are shared with Albania and Greece. The mountains also comprise the Osogovo-Belasica and the Dinaric Range. During your private tour Balkan it is a must to visit the three national parks, Mavrovo, Galičica and Pelister. The country has one heritage site under UNESCO, the Ohrid region which is of natural and cultural importance alike. If you want to Visit the Balkans I suggest to visit Ohrid in Macedonia, which is located on the namesake lake, and is famed for having 365 churches in the past, i.e. one church for each day in the year. The architecture and monuments, together with the lake, make Ohrid universally appealing. The town of Ohrid is located near the border between Macedonia and Albania, so let’s continue our Balkans private tour there.

ALBANIA

Albania borders few other Balkan countries – Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Greece. Ancient Romans, Ottomans, Italians who invaded it in 1939, and other rulers helped to write the country’s history, until in 1991 the Republic of Albania was formed. It has outlet on two seas, the Adriatic, and the Ionian. The Otranto Strait links the two seas. The highest mountain, Korab, rises to 2,764 m.

More about Albania

The Mediterranean climate, welcoming with mild winters and caressing with sun soaked summers, invites together with the country’s landmarks and nature. Among them, Albania boasts the three largest lakes on the Balkans, Shkoder, shared with Montenegro, Ohrid, shared with Macedonia, and Butrinti, in the Butrint National Park.

The beaches along the coast of this Balkan country are both pristine and captivating, replete with coves, lagoons, capes, etc. Rugged mountain beauty is guaranteed in the Albanian Alps. The Tomorr, Theth, Dajti, Valbona Valley National Parks, the lakes, and the beaches form a palette of spots worth visiting. UNESCO has added two Albanian gems to its list, which you can visit during your Balkans private tour – Berat and Gjirokastër. Berat is called the town having 1,001 windows, as its boasts a plethora of buildings featuring architectural and historical significance. Gjirokastër is a former Ottoman town dating from medieval times.

MONTENEGRO

On the Balkans, Montenegro is becoming increasingly appealing for tourists. It boasts an outlet on the Adriatic Sea, and also a mountainous region. As for its history, it is also rich in memories of glorious Roman times, then the Slavs conquered it, and the country became a principality in the Byzantine empire in the tenth century. Following a brief Serbian empire period, the area subdued to Ottoman rule.

More about Montenegro

Following a string of tumultuous period, Montenegro gained independence thanks to the Berlin Treaty in 1878, was a kingdom, then part of Yugoslavia, and became an independent country in 2006.

If you choose to include Montenegro in your private tour Balkans list the diversity of high peaks, bear the borders with Serbia and with Albania, and a coastal plain, the Zeta river valley, etc. promise a plethora of opportunities for great time. The mountain peaks rise to an average 2,000 metres, e.g. Bobotov Kuk, 2,522 high, in the Durmitor mountains, which are a national park. Zla Kolata is the highest peak in Montenegro and one of the highest in the Balkans, 2,534 m, and among the lakes, the largest is Skadar. Visiting the national parks immerses in nature’s beauty, as people visit Durmitor, Lovcen, Biogradska Gora, etc. UNESCO’s heritage comprises Durmitor, also the canyon of the Tara River, the deepest European and second deepest worldwide, and, too – the Kotor city. Kotor, on the Kotor Gulf, boasts fortifications constructed in the Venetian period. The entire region belongs with the UNESCO nature and culture treasure lists. Reaching any point in Montenegro is easy from its two international airports, in the capital Podgorica and in Tivat where you can even start with your round Balkan private tour.

KOSOVO

Kosovo has existed as an independent state since 2008. It is a landlocked Balkan country, which belonged to Serbia in the medieval period, to the Ottoman Empire, and to Yugoslavia. The country’s terrain is predominantly mountainous. Deravica is the highest peak, at 2.656 m. The country can offer variety of nature sights for your private Balkan tour – rivers, White Drin, South Moravia, Ibar, and lakes: Gazivoda, Radonjic, Batlava, Badovac.

More about Kosovo

Forests cover approximately one third of Kosovo. The Sar Mountains are the country’s only national park, with alpine and glacial lakes dotting the area, and the park boasts Brezovica, a welcoming ski resort. Another famed feature in Kosovo is the Nerodimka, Europe’s only river which is divided and its two parts flow into different seas. The proximity of the Balkan Peace Park, by the border between Kosovo and Montenegro, enables enthusiasts to plan more hours and days in the open. The capital, Pristina, is worth visiting, too.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Missing visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina would mean not visiting another essential Balkan area. The capital, Sarajevo, can be the starting point for exploring the country during your Balkan tour; for beach goers, there is the small Adriatic coastline, where Neum is the city to visit. Like the other Balkan countries, it experienced the impact of different periods in history, starting from Celtic civilizations, Slavic peoples, Ottoman rule, Austro-Hungarian rule, Yugoslavian belonging following World War II; then, after Yugoslavia dissolved, the country emerged as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

More about Bosnia and Herzegovina

The attractiveness of the country for tourists is due to its beautiful nature, cultural heritage, cuisine, and especially winter sports. The capital Sarajevo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1984. The Bosnian Alps offer one of the best conditions for skiing and hiking in the Balkans. White water rafting is a national sport, thanks to the rivers, especially the Tara with its canyon. Međugorje, a religious center, draws Christian pilgrims from far and wide. In Višegrad, the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge is a UNESCO heritage site. Sutjeska National Park comprises ancient forests and draws with the canyon of the Sutjeska river.

CROATIA

Enumerating the Balkan countries featuring strings of places of interest would be incomplete if Croatia was omitted. The Balkan tour can start from its capital Zagreb. Its coast on the Adriatic Sea is characteristic with the numerous islands totaling over 1,000. The country’s history is rich, starting from the seventh century when Croats arrived there.

More about Croatia

Passing through periods of Sovereignty union with Hungary, being constituent of Yugoslavia, etc., nowadays Croatia is a republic, and it is a European Union member.

On the Adriatic coast, Opatija, a health resort, enjoys fame. Nautical tourism thrives along with cultural tourism which comprises touring the medieval cities by the coast. The country boasts 118 beaches flying the Blue Flag. For aficionados of Mediterranean cuisine, in Dalmatia and Istria dishes abound in seafood, vegetables and pasta. Influences of scrumptious Hungarian and Turkish cuisine also attract gourmets. Wine lovers will also be pampered by red wines, in Mediterranean style: wine is among the country’s staple drinks.

ROMANIA

Romania is further North, also offering natural diversity, with mountains and towering peaks – twelve peaks which rise to over 2,500 meters. The picturesqueness of the Carpathian Mountains, with the Moldoveanu peak, the tallest one, 2,544 meters high, should be seen during your private tour Balkan. There is the string of towns along the Danube, which flows through Europe and empties into the Black Sea, spreading in the Danube Delta, a UNESCO Heritage site and the ground for unique species, together with opportunities for riverside and aquatic recreation.

More about Romania

This Balkan country preserves remains of the ancient Roman period when it was the Dacia province, and Romanians have the statue of the she-wolf feeding Romul and Rem in each of their towns, to remind of their origin. Romania was formed by the merging of two principalities, Moldavia and Wallachia, and after being in the Ottoman Empire, it gained independence in 1877. The Kingdom of Romania united with the regions of Bessarabia, Transylvania and Bukovina. Romania became a republic, shortly after WWII, but the opulent palaces in actions of Peleș have remained and are open for visits. Transylvania is the most picturesque region you can see in Romania during your private Balkan tour, with the famed castle of Dracula in Bran, and the Parliament building, in mid Bucharest, Romania’s capital, is the second largest building worldwide, after the Pentagon.

NORTHERN GREECE

Greece is the farthest south, a Balkan country steeped in history, rightly considered the cradle of culture. Ancient Greece can be experienced by touring the country’s monuments which comprise 17 heritage sites under UNESCO’s aegis. Ancient times witnessed the conquests of Alexander the Great, the thriving of the Roman empire and subsequently the Byzantine empire. Another milestone along Greece’s history is the origination of the Olympic Games. Visiting Greece on Balkan private tour is getting acquainted with a mountainous country with a very indented coastline.

More about Greece

The Orthodox Church of Greece transmitted its traditions around the entire Orthodox world. The modern Greek state was founded in 1830, after a war aimed at gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire.

The largest city, the capital Athens, and the second largest one, Thessaloniki, are the most visited spots. Thessaloniki has been ranked as one of the most auspicious towns for partying. One attractive feature of the country that goes without saying is its cuisine. Local dishes are scrumptious and unique, with moussaka and feta cheese, olives and olive oil in abundance. Among the historical sites, the Acropolis located in Athens, dating to the fifth century, stands out. Other sites comprise the ancient sanctuary of Delphi, in central Greece, the site of Olympia in Ellis where the Olympics originated, and many more.

Please contact me directly with your requirements and you will receive a free, non obligatory price estimate by email.
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    31 Responses

    1. joseph mccaffrey

      have an interest in a trip through romania, bulgaria, serbia, and bosnia/herzegovinia need some kind of itinerary recommendations, logistics, and costs for early august

    2. savio

      we are 2 adults and 3 children age 16,15,11 years old and looking to do the grand balkan tour,on the 1may 2017 request you to send me the itenery along with pricing.

      1. Mona Al Ahdab

        I will be in Belgrade on the 1st of August is there a group I can join to visit Montenegro &/ or Albenia for 4 to 5 days

        1. Adriana

          Hello Mona, All the tours we organize around the Balkans are private. I just send you an email with more information about the Balkan tours we organize.

    3. Felipe

      Need multi countries tour for 3 persons Bulgaria,Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania,Croatia, Kosovo, Bosnia- Herzegovina,Romania.After May 20, or 21 2017.Itinerary Logistics,hotels cost, etc. Any suggestions.We are from USA. Thanks.

    4. vasantha

      Hi I need a private tour for 2person staring fr 24//6 for 10 days to Balkan fr London.
      Can you quote me with itenary.
      Thank you

    5. Reena Singh

      Hi Adriana….We are 2 couples who want to tour the Balkan states, end May or mid June…12 to 15 days. Thanks Reena

      1. Adriana

        Hello, good to hear from you. Please check your email, I send you some more information about the booking there. Regards

    6. Kristi

      Hi! My family of three (two adults and one child who is 9) would love to tour Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovinia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo in late March or Early April 2017. If not, then late May into June. Thank you!

    7. Patty

      Hi Adriana, We are planning a trip to the Balkans for 2 adults and a 9 y.o. in Mid April. Thank you!

      1. Adriana

        Hi Patty, thank you for your inquiry. Please, check your mail for more information about the Balkan tours we organize

    8. Felipe

      We don’t to share with other couples if going the same Balkan countries. Start around May 20, 2017. Living in Miami, Florida

      1. Adriana

        Hi Felipe, thank you for your Balkan Tour. Please, check your mail for more information about the Balkan tours we organize

    9. Toby

      Hi Adriana, I’m interested in doing the Peaks of the Balkans starting late May or early June. I’m a solo traveler now but I’m talking to friends that are interested in joining me. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

      1. Adriana

        Dear Toby, We would love to organize your tour around the Balkans as we are specialized in hiking around Balkans. The best option is to start from Romania and finishing in Croatia, because this way you will make a full circle and won’t need to go back at the first point. The Balkan countries you can visit are Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia, Albania, Serbia and Slovenia. Depending on you free time I will be happy to build a week Balkan itinerary for you group.

    10. Fiza

      Hi!

      We are a family of 2 adults and 2 children aged 4 and 1 yrs old. We will be arriving sofia from london in mid sept. Am interested on the balkan tour, esp montenegro. Could you let me have the possible itineraries and the pricing as well? Thank you!

    11. Cecille

      Hello,
      We are planning to visit Balkans, last week of June 2018. We are a family of 4 (59, 54, 24 and 18). A family friend, 40, might be joining us. Please send me an itinerary and rate please. We already visited Greece 2 years ago, please don’t include Greece in the itinerary. We would like to visit Medjugorje (as we are Catholics) and also Slovenia. Thank you!

    12. Dizer

      hi,

      im planning to explore balkan this september 2018 (10/9 till 17/9).. could you please quote for me for 1 person..thanks

      1. Adriana

        Below you can see an example 7day Balkan tour including a visit to Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia. The program is only an example and if you want I can include a visit to the other Balkan countries as Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro.

        Day 1 – Zagreb, Croatia

        Arrive in Zagreb, Croatia
        City tour and free time in Zagreb, Croatia
        Visit the Old Town; The Zagreb Cathedral; St. Mark’s church (Monumental, medieval-style, Serbian Orthodox church); Dolac Market (Large market with many stands offering flowers, fruits, veggies & meats in an indoor/outdoor setup); The Lotrscak Tower; The Medieval Stone Gate; The Lenucijeva Potkova. Ban Josip Jelačić Square (The central square of Zagreb)

        Overnight in Zagreb

        Day 2 – Split, Croatia
        Transfer to Split, Croatia
        City tour of Split and free time
        Visit the old town, The Diocletian Palace; The Cathedral of Saint Domnius (Built in 4th century AD); The Riva (The central part of Split); The Old Jupiter’s Temple (build in 3rd century AD); The “Let me pass” street; The Golden Gate (4th-century Roman stone entryway to Diocletian’s Palace, with arches & ornate statues);
        Overnight in Split

        Day 3 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

        Transfer to Dubrovnik
        City tour and free time
        Visit the Old town, the Ancient city walls, the Dubrovnik “Saint Saviour” church (16th century church with Renaissance architecture); the Dubrovnik cathedral (Early 18th-century baroque cathedral); The Onofrije’s fountain, The Franciscan Monastery (Landmark monastery built in the 1300s, noted for its cloister, library & historic pharmacy displays); the Gates of Pile; the Old port; the Clock tower, the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace; the Fort Saint John; the Stradun (The main walking street in Dubrovnik old town);

        Overnight in Dubrovnik

        Day 4 – Mostar, Sarajevo, Bosnia

        Transfer to Mostar, Bosnia
        Short walk in the old town
        Visit the Old bridge, The Old city, The Old turkish bazar “Kujundziluk”, The Old turkish quarter, “Koskin – Mehmed pasha’s” mosque, Tito’s palace, “Mehmed Karadoz” Mosque.
        Visit Blagaj near Mostar
        Transfer to Sarajevo via Konjic
        Overnight in Sarajevo

        Day 5 – Sarajevo, Bosnia

        City tour of the old town in Sarajevo
        Visit the Bascarsija (The historical Turkish market); Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (Ottoman mosque from 16th century); The Latin Bridge/ The Assassination Bridge (Ottoman-era stone bridge near the site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s 1914 assassination); The Sebilj Monument (Famous 18th century wooden fountain); the “Sacred Heart” Cathedral (Gothic cathedral from the 19th century); The Sarajevo city hall, The Abandoned Bobsleigh Track (Built in 1984 for the Winter Olimpic games in Former Yugoslavia The country opened its doors to the international community to celebrate sport, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, during the long Sarajevo siege the bobsleigh track been used as a base for the artillery); The Tunnel of Hope (Military-history museum at the site of a storied Bosnian War–era underground tunnel);
        Free time in the afternoon

        Overnight in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

        Day 6 – Novi Sad Serbia
        Transfer to Novi Sad, Serbia
        Visit the old town and the Petrovadian fortress
        Overnight in Novi Sad

        Day 7 – Belgrade, Serbia
        Transfer to Belgrade
        City tour of Belgrade
        Visit the Belgrade fortress “Kalemegdan” (Enduring fortress built in 535 BCE) with a view to Sava and Danube rivers; The Pobednik Monument (Monument inside the Belgrade fortress); Church of the Holy Mother of God / Crkva Ruzica (Serbian Orthodox church located inside the Belgrade fortress); The “Knez Mihaylova” pedestrian street; t. Sava cathedralS (The biggest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans ); The House of Flowers (Josip Broz Tito mausoleum); History museum of Yugoslavia; The Republic square, The National Assembly, The bombed buildings,
        During your free time you can take a walk around the Belgrade waterfront or enter some of the museums in Belgrade: Nikola Tesla Museum; The History museum of Serbia; etc.
        Overnight in Belgrade
        End of the tour

      1. Adriana

        Hello, We organize tours around all balkan countries. Depends on your free time the tour can pass through all of them or those you prefer. The best time to visit the Balkans is in the Spring (April – May) or in the Autumn (September – October) Please, let me know in which countries you are interested in and I will create a customized program for your next Balkan tour.

    13. Krishna

      Hi i am intetested, balkan 9 countries,the price and itenary for month of nov dec 2019 with flight from kuala lumpur

      1. Adriana

        Dear Krishna, we will be more than happy to organize your winter Balkan tour. Depends on your free time, the tour can include a visit to all Balkan counties combined with variety of winter activities as skiing, snowboarding. Some of the best places for skiing in the Balkans are Bulgaria, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Serbia. Let me know if you are interested in that type of activities, how big is your group and the dates you would like to travel. Look forward to hearing from you soon.
        Adriana

    14. Siddhant

      Hi we are two bachelors planning a trip to Balkan countries in February next year. Will catch a flight from Delhi. Can you send the details including prices and itinerary? Thanks

      1. Adriana

        Hello, good to hear from you. I would love to organize your Balkan tour in February. Please, let me know how many days you would like to spend traveling around the Balkans and I will create an example Balkan itinerary for your group.

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