Budapest & the Balkans

10 Days | Old-world charm and enduring cultures, deep in the Balkans

4.9 out of 5 based on 24 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
EUR €1,325
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Veer off the usual route 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. Learn about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s war years in Sarajevo, stop by the famed Old Bridge of Mostar and finish things up in wonderful Dubrovnik. Melding the past with the present and the raw with the cultivated, this Balkans adventure gives you the power to see Central Europe your way, with a local leader on hand to steer you in the right direction.

Trip overview

Map of Budapest & The Balkans including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro and Serbia
Start
Budapest, Hungary
Finish
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
ZMRC
This trip generates 27.38 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Enjoy plenty of free time at your own pace to discover the communist past and progressive present of Budapest – the Pearl of the Danube.
  • Immerse yourself in the edgy street scene of Belgrade's Bohemian Quarter, then dance the night away in one of Europe’s nightlife hotspots with your crew of likeminded adventurers.
  • Visit Mostar’s famous Old Bridge and – if you’re lucky – witness a traditional bridge jumper hurl themselves into the icy waters below.
  • Admire the restored architecture of World Heritage-listed Kotor in Montenegro on a climb along the ancient city fortifications.
  • Wind up along Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline in the historic hotspot of Dubrovnik. With walls to scale and beaches to laze on, why not consider extending your stay a day or two here?

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local guide and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
  • As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, single travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it! Also, hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially compared to American or Australian standards, and in most cases bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite. Please note that a single supplement is not available on this trip.
  • Summer temperatures can be very high in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please keep in mind that many European hotel rooms are not equipped with air-conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Budapest & The Balkans including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro and Serbia

Inclusions

Meals

5 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Pension (2 nights), Hostel (1 night)

Activities
  • Sarajevo - Burek Snack in Bascarsija
  • Mostar - Stari Most
Add on activities
  • Budapest - Parliament Tour - HUF10000
  • Budapest - Szechenyi Thermal Baths (starting from) - HUF9400
  • Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF7000
  • Budapest - Transport and Entry to Statue Park - HUF5000
  • Budapest - House of Terror - HUF4000
  • Budapest - Hungarian National Museum - HUF2900
  • Budapest - Bike Ride - HUF6000
  • Budapest - Great Synagogue - HUF9000
  • Budapest - Central Market - Free
  • Belgrade - Ethnographic Museum - RSD300
  • Belgrade - Military Museum - RSD350
  • Belgrade - City Tour with Local Guide - EUR60
  • Belgrade - Sveti Sava Church - Free
  • Belgrade - Tito’s Mausoleum (House of Flowers) - RSD400
  • Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum - RSD800
  • Belgrade - Danube River Cruise - RSD800
  • Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - City Tour with Local Guide - BAM90
  • Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs - BAM15
  • Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
  • Sarajevo - Svrzo's House - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - Despica House - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
  • Mostar - War Photo Exhibition - BAM6
  • Mostar - Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque & Minaret - BAM15
  • Mostar - Old Bridge Museum - BAM10
  • Kotor - Cruise on Kotor Fjord - EUR40
  • Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral - EUR4
  • Budva - Day Trip (by public bus) - EUR6
  • Kotor - Fortress - EUR3
  • Kotor - Maritime Museum - EUR5
  • Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
  • Dubrovnik - Church of St. Blaise - Free
  • Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR99
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - EUR4
  • Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace - EUR13
  • Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum - EUR10
  • Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - EUR27
  • Dubrovnik - Franciscan Monastery - EUR4
  • Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport & entry to sites) - EUR35

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is NOT available on this trip.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 24 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Alex · Traveled September 2023
Budapest and the Balkans was a whirlwind tour of various cities within a fascinating region. I got a great basic overview of a lot of different peoples and places. The trip really helped deepen my knowledge and connect in reality with things I had only read about which was great!
Review submitted 29 Sep 2023

Steven · Traveled September 2023
Great overview of the Balkins. This trip took care of the travel and lodging part of the journey while still allowing time to explore places on you own. This area experienced war recently and it was enlightening to see some of the war damage as well as to hear first hand stories of the survivors.
Review submitted 08 Oct 2023

David · Traveled September 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!
Review submitted 25 Sep 2023

Gemma · Traveled September 2023
This was an amazing trip to a beautiful part of the world with fascinating history and culture. The highlight for me (although I loved every day) was Sarajevo. The Bay of Kotor and the old town were also brilliant. Petar was a fantastic leader. I learnt a lot and got to spend time with new friends but also had plenty of free time to do my own thing. Highly recommend this incredible trip.
Review submitted 09 Oct 2023

Katie · Traveled August 2023
I did not know what to expect with this trip considering the amount of free time we had at each destination and there is not a ton of information out there, so I was pleasantly surprised with the natural beauty of the Balkans, the hospitality of the locals, and the variety of activities in each location. This was an amazing trip and wonderful experience. Our leader, Dijana, was so much fun! She was very knowledgeable about all of the locations we visited and eager to tell us about her country. She really made the trip even more enjoyable with her stories, recommendations, and guidance. This was an amazing experience!!
Review submitted 20 Aug 2023
Budapest & the Balkans
From
EUR €1,325