The Balkans Tours & Trip Packages

The Balkans Tours & Trips

163 The Balkans trips. Tours from 91 tour companies. 743 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

163 Trips match your criteria (101 - 120 shown)

Best of Eastern Europe in 16 Days Tour
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4.2/5 Great
23 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Croatia, Jewish Krakow

Highlights

  • Experience the rich diversity of Eastern Europe
  • Explore the energetic cities of Kraków and Budapest to tradition-rich "back door" towns and villages across the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, and Slovenia

Themes

Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

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Venice to Athens (Piraeus)
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Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Athens, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Piraeus, Santorini, Venice

Highlights

  • Discover Italy
  • Explore Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik
  • Discover ancient Durres with its modern new resort coastline
  • Visit the great Minoan ruins of the Palace of Knossos
  • Discover Greece
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Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

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The Danube from Romania to Budapest
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Guided sightseeing to Baba Vida fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress
  • Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

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Balkan Discovery with 2 Nights in Transylvania
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania, Transylvania

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided tour in Pécs, visit the underground tombs, or sightseeing in Mohács, visit St. Nicolas watermill or walk with your Adventure Host
  • Ilok guided tour; choice of Novi Sad guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; on board lecture
  • Choice of visit to Golubač fortress or visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
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The Danube from Germany to Romania
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Passau, Prague, Romania, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided walk or hike with your Adventure Host; Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising
  • Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column
  • Choice of guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk or guided tour in Ybbs with Artstetten Castle visit; cruise through the Wachau Valley or biking with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk or hike up to the castle ruins in Dürnstein
  • Choice of guided sightseeing, or Künsthistorisches Museum visit, or bike with your Adventure Host
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
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The Danube from Germany to Romania with 2 Nights in Prague, 1 Night in Bucharest & 2 Nights in Transylvania
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Passau, Prague, Pretoria , Romania, Transylvania, Vienna

Highlights

  • Welcome to Prague
  • Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit Hradcany Castle grounds
  • Travel by motorcoach to Regensburg, guided sightseeing; transfer to Vilshofen; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of guided walk or hike with your Adventure Host; Schlögen Oxbow scenic cruising
  • Guided sightseeing, see Hauptplatz and the Trinity Column
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

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The Danube from Romania to Budapest with 1 Night in Bucharest and 1 Night in Budapest
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania, Transylvania

Highlights

  • Welcome to Bucharest
  • Guided sightseeing in Bucharest; onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Guided sightseeing to Baba Vida fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
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Iconic Rivers of Europe - the Rhine, Main & Danube
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Romania, Rudesheim, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Canal cruise
  • Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; choice of visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim
  • Guided walk
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"A company's character is not determined by how it handles day to day operations, but how it handles a crisis. This company fails miserably when Acts of God happen! We are on what was supposed to be a Danube River Cruise from Prague to Budapest...we never sailed at all, even though Viking sailed for the last 3 days. Avalon chose to bus us everywhere. They didn't communicate well at all. Information was withheld and our cruise director, Helmut, would turn and walk away from guests if he didn't want to answer questions. This was my 3rd Globus/Avalon trip but it will be the last. They excel in bus trips but not river trips. They don't know how to handle weather issues."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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The Balkans Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
743  Reviews
See all The Balkans tour reviews
Excellent
566
Great
163
Average
24
Disappointing
2
Terrible
4
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Cycling the Dalmation Coast

The Croatia coast line is an excellent place for cycling from the Istria peninsula up north all the way to the southern city of Dubrovnik. While this trip only cov...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Wonderful trip

What a fab trip. Great weather, wonderful company, and the gorgeous Dalmatian coast. The ride exceeded our expectations, it was a little tougher than we expected, ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Wonderful way to see a beautiful country

This Croatian trip was a wonderful mix of unspoilt countryside, sparkling clear seas and historical walled towns and cities. It was also a good mix of fairly chall...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Highly recommended!

My husband and I have just returned from this cycle trip and we can highly recommend it to anyone thinking of doing the same. Alan, the tour leader, was outstandin...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Amazing scenery & lots of laughs

We have recently returned from our first cycling holiday with Exodus and whilst I don't usually do reviews this time I felt compelled to write to say how impressed...

Write a Review

The Balkans Tour Selection Trips

  • There are several ways to tour the Balkans – overland, river cruises, and small-ship coastal cruises
  • The Balkans is a large and varied region that warrants multiple tours to see in depth
  • Greece and Croatia have the most highly developed tourist facilities in the region
  • Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the lesser traveled Balkan states
  • English is not as commonly spoken in much of the Balkans as in other parts of Europe, arguing for taking guided tours with interpreters
  • Keep close watch on conditions in Istanbul, Turkey, an extraordinary destination recently beset by violence

Additional details

What Countries are Included in the Balkans

There is some disagreement over the exact countries that are included in the Balkans, but traditionally this region of Europe includes Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. Additionally, parts of northern Greece and southern Turkey are also typically included as part of the Balkans.

What is Balkan Weather Like?

It honestly depends on the country. The Balkans cover over 250,000 square miles of Southeastern Europe with each of the countries having their own distinct landscape that dictates the weather.

However, the countries on the Adriatic Sea coast (Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania) have a typical Mediterranean climate on the coast and a cooler climate in the mountains. These countries are warmer throughout the year than Slovenia or Bulgaria which are landlocked and have more temperate climates.

An important thing to remember is that the Balkans have some of the roughest terrain in all of Europe. The Dinaric Alps, Carpathian Mountains, Balkan Mountains and other ridges stretch across this region causing the central Balkan countries to have a four-season climate. These mountains are also why the Balkans are a perfect time to visit during winter since many of the mountains receive heavy snowfall.

Who Will Enjoy the Balkans

Those wishing to get off the beaten path in Europe will enjoy visiting the Balkans. Since much of this region was under Communist rule and going through rebuilding, most of these countries are new to travelers. However, lesser known cities such as Skopje and Mostar are growing in popularity because of their uniqueness and smaller tourist scene than Western Europe.

History lovers will enjoy visiting the Balkans because of the unique cultural makeup of this region. The Venetian, Roman, Ottoman, and Hungarian Empires have all left their distinct influences on this region’s food, architecture, and cultural makeup. There are plenty of castles and old towns for any history enthusiast to get lost in.

Professional and amateur photographers will not be able to get enough of the Balkans. With towering mountains, aquamarine waters, and stunning cliff sides, the Balkans have some of the best untouched landscapes just waiting to be photographed.

The Balkans are also the ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many Balkan tour itineraries specializing in hiking and biking through the mountains of the Balkans. Also, there are tours that combine both the landscape of the Balkans with the metropolitan areas, allowing you to see all sides of the Balkans.

Do I Need Different Currencies when Traveling the Balkans?

Yes, you will need different currencies for the Balkans. Each of the Balkan countries have their own national currency, except Montenegro and Slovenia who both use the Euro.

You can exchange money before you leave for each of the countries. However, all of the countries have ATMs that you can use, but be forewarned, your bank may charge an international fee. There are also offices in the major cities, train stations, and airports where you can exchange your money.

If you are looking to exchange money from countries that are not near each other, like Bulgaria and Croatia, you will not be able to change the currencies. Also there are a few currencies, like Albanian Lek, you won’t be able to exchange outside of the country.

What Languages are Spoken in the Balkans?

The people of the Balkans speak a few different languages. You will hear Greek, a version of the Romance languages, a combination of Russian and Polish, and Albanian. But, some of the countries do have a similar language.

If you are traveling through Serbia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Croatia you will find a common language. While some of the words may be different, the general language is very similar.

Balkan Tour Lengths

Most Balkan tours last between 8-18 days. The length of the tour depends on the theme and region of the Balkans you are visiting.

If you are focusing on just the food of the Balkans or the Western Balkans, than the tour will be around 10 days. If you wish to see all of the Balkans, you will need at least 15 days because the area is so large.

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