I dont feel any need to return to Montenegro. These ferries run once to several times per day, depending on your destination. We spent over an hour waiting while the bus driver and tour guide spoke with the border guards and bribing them to get them to let us cross the border. We will be tested to get into Croatia, but after that, can we drive through the border crossings with no problem between the countries? We had the penthouse suite, a three bedroom, three bathroom apartment with kitchen and living room. Most people just hang around the enchanting famous Old Bridge (Stari Grad), where the two sides of the town connect over the river. Day 4: Croatian Island, drive to Dubrovnik, Day 6: Dubrovnik, plus an optional day trip, Day 11: Fly home (or extend your travels), Walking through the Beautiful Town of Trogir, Photographing the Famous View of Lake Skadar: Pavlova Strana, 2 Days in Montenegro: The Bay of Kotor and Beyond, Rovinj, Our Favorite Town on the Istrian Peninsula, Rakotzbrcke: A Fairytale Bridge in Saxony, Germany, 10 Day Egypt Itinerary: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel, Capturing the Action: How to Take Great Photos while Traveling, How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Lake Como, 10 Epic Days on the Balkan Peninsula: Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina: How to Plan the Perfect Visit. Located in the Old Town just 5 minutes from the Old Bridge, this three-star hotel gets its name because it sits right next to the Crooked Bridge. We chose Brac because we wanted to hike Vidova Gora, the highest point in the Adriatic Sea. About us.. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Begin your travels home. We did this trip in 2017. During our visit, this border crossing was quick and painless, but it was also 7 pm.

Your email address will not be published. Its time to say goodbye to Croatia. If you still have energy, find a way up the hillside on the mainland for an even better birds eye view of Sveti Stefan. Here you will notice a bronze statue of a ballet dancer gazing out to sea. Dont be shy and comment below if you have any concerns regarding a vacation to the Balkans. Or, for those with more time, continue on to your next destination. This place is a great value for the moneyclean, quiet, spacious, and modern. From Herceg Novi, drive clockwise around the Bay of Kotor. A visit here lasts about an hour. Wed also suggest climbing the Bell Tower of St. Domnius Cathedral for unparalleled views of the city and the fifty shades of blue in the Adriatic Sea. At the border crossing, we were waved through without even showing our passports when they learned we were American. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Better towns are waiting to be explored in Montenegro.

You can join if you dare (the bridge is about 60 feet high). You can rent paddleboards or kayaks and cover more of the pristine waters surrounding the area that way. Did you have much of a problem parking the rental car near to your hotels? Not to waste more breath, here is our suggested two week Balkans Itinerary: Like mentioned, you can start anywhere in the Balkans, and there is always another nearby city within driving distance worth visiting. Though tourism has soared in the past decade along the coast of Croatia, Dubrovnik is well-deserved of its attention and still a must-see on your Balkan road trip. If you look on Google Maps, there is an alternative route. It helps to see these two sites now while you are still conveniently in your rental car. This Balkan Peninsula itinerary is designed as a road trip.

Check out the National Historical Museum and the famous statue of Albanias #1 hero and the squares namesake, Skanderbeg. The journey by ferry takes approximately 2 hours. Hey, I am SJ Begonja. You can hike the hills but watch out for undetonated landmines. After Dubrovnik, whether you decide to spend a night in the city or not, you have the option to drive to your next destination over in Bosnia and Herzegovina a much quieter destination for a good night of sleep in a tiny valley village called Mostar. It will be chilly and could be rainy in London and Paris in March too. At Jablanica, in Bosnia & Herzegovina, you can take a series of smaller roads on a more northern route to Split. Depending upon where you are arriving from, you may have limited time and energy today. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Cheers, Julie. Mount Lovcen is one of the highest peaks in Montenegro and the views from up here are breathtaking. I fear that I will be stopped at Bosnia border if I go to Croatia because of past dealings. With more time, add in Plitvice Lakes, Zagreb, and the Istrian Peninsula in Croatia. After a series of tight switchbacks you will have a stunning view over the Bay of Kotor. The most notable tourist attraction and historical significance is the amphitheater of the Roman Emperor Hadrian the second largest amphitheater in the Balkans. The drive to Mostar is on mainly winding, mountainous roads in a very rural area. We did this exact itinerary in April when Tyler and Kara had off of school for Spring Break. Before driving into Split, there are two optional destinations to consider. Where We Stayed in Mostar:We stayed at Hotel-Restaurant Kriva-Cuprija. Here, let us help you with this list of the best beaches in Croatia for 2022.

This is also the Game of Thrones filming location for Meereen. Split is the second-largest city in the country and the largest of the region of Dalmatia. Cheers, Julie, Hi Julie, How important is it to stay within the city walls of Dubrovnik? If you rent a car and drive in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, or several other countries in Europe, you will need to have a green card. Thank you Julie. Spend the evening walking the streets of Diocletians Palace and have dinner in town. You will likely fly to the Balkans unless you are traveling from somewhere nearby, where you can come with your own vehicle. It is also nice to take a break from driving and from getting on and off the ferry.

It was easy to plan and filled with awesome sights and they loved it. There are so many things to see as far as sites go; however, our favorite part of the city is probably its most popular. Sift through our many guides and itineraries and use the information to put together your dream trip according to your desires. Hi Julie, wanted to know, is it worth visiting the balkans in early march? LEARN MORE: 2 Days in Montenegro: The Bay of Kotor and Beyond. If you want to make a quick stop along the way, check out the beautiful bridge in the town center of Konjic. We are currently in Croatia, and are always exploring the region. As far as doing this in 2021 or 2022, you will have to check the restrictions for each country as well as the requirements to return to the USA. This might be a bit intimidating, so if youd like, you can stay in town and witness its history on the walls literally. Between the top-notch ski runs at an affordable price, the Adriatics immaculate beaches, the unspoiled hiking trails among dozens of national parks, and the dashing water activities of the Black Sea, there is fun for all seasons in the Balkans. Croatia Digital Nomad Visa Does that have a phone number that is US or is it that you have to go through those countries to get it? We are looking to go to Europe or the middle east. From Split, you have the option to cruise to one of several islands on the Adriatic Sea. Make sure you traverse the narrow lanes of its fortified Old Town and take in the excellent architecture, which obviously drew the attention of the monster series, G.O.T.

We took E73 almost all of the way to Croatia, driving past Mostar. You dont have to use this itinerary as an end-all-be-all for your trip. Speaking of capital cities in Europe with a lot of green space, Ljubljana has set a precedent in that category, making it one of the prettiest urban cities in Europe and it is hard to dispute that once you see it. The city is known to be suffering through an identity crisis after a long history of controlling empires, which gives it a tremendous unpronounced feel. To get from Split to these islands you will take a ferry. You may need to arrive early at a few of the more popular spots especially during the busy season and be ready to witness magic in the sky as the colors change all sorts of vibrant colors. Then you will cross the border into the Republic of Srpska, an autonomous, legal entity within the country of Bosnia & Herzegovina. The Albanian Riviera in the south is one of the most overlooked areas of the Balkans and Europe. There are numerous museums and historical sites worth visiting within walking distance of the old town. Todays road trip ends in Kotor. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; LEARN MORE: Photographing the Famous View of Lake Skadar: Pavlova Strana. Even if you book a specific time slot, it is still first in line, first on the ferry. Lastly, on your third and final day, you can travel to the coast to Durres for a true beach escape. amzn_assoc_linkid = "75fca3115dee9c5085f8f0e98fe4e7b6";

Buy the Guide: Your email address will not be published. I have been to Montenegro and entered with a tour group out of Croatia. Also, since you have a rental car, make sure you choose a ferry that allows cars. Tirana is filled with lovely people, just as all of Albania is, and prices are exceptionally affordable for things like checking out the local cuisine and bar scene. I am concerned this could be a problem for myself. LEARN MORE: Walking through the Beautiful Town of Trogir. Macedonia, Romania, Russia, and Serbia. It probably still feels like you just got here. We ate an early lunch at Portofino, located in the main square of the old town. Do you think we will get more of the full experience if we go then? We end our itinerary a little under two hours northwest of Zagreb in a new country in the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. I know, its sad. This is a strenuous 6 to 8 mile hike with a stunning view over the Bay of Kotor. The Old Town and its maze of narrow streets and cafes are worth getting lost in.

You could try contacting the embassy in either Croatia or Bosnia. There are a lot of islands to explore in Croatia. There is no reason not to keep coming back as there is a journey to be had at all times in the year. About four hours north of Tirana along the Adriatic coast is the exciting Montenegrin city of Budva. But the thing you must do while you are here is to climb the city walls. I recommend you check visa/passport requirements and if you have any questions or concerns, you could inquire at your embassy.

To see timetables and book your tickets, visit the Croatia Ferries website. Palace Judita is located on Narodni Trg, the main square in the Old Town. I think the end of March is a bit early for the Croatia.

Kruja and Durres are both within an hours drive from the capital city and well-worth your time during your visit. Fear not, if our itinerary doesnt cover an area of the Balkans you are eager to see, we have loads of other Balkan travel guides that may suit your fancy on the site. Thanks for sharing! My question is who should I call at the embassy? This is a beautiful town to visit, but the best thing to do here is to hire a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks. If you are visiting during the summer months, make your dinner reservations in advance. Not looking for any trouble. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "earttrek03-20"; Continue the drive to Lovcen National Park. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you are here early enough in the day (and want to go hiking), consider hiking the Ladder of Kotor. Just outside of Split is Klis Fortress. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. If you are staying in the old town of Split, getting into and out of this area by car is almost impossible and a big hassle. Although the Balkans region is not necessarily defined, generally, these are the countries that are referred to as part of the Balkans. Where We Stayed in Dubrovnik:We stayed at theVilla Ani Apartments,just a 5 minute walk from Pile Gate. This Balkan Peninsula itinerary is perfect for those who want to explore this gorgeous corner of Europe.

Starting from any of these destinations is suitable, though; we have mapped out this specific itinerary to spare you time in back-tracking and distances between cities. This is a gorgeous, tiny town to visit. Just six miles to the east is Sveti Stefan, which is a must-visit. Its a beautiful hotel with an awesome location. If you still have time left in your vacation, you MUST visit Lake Bled, which is the countrys biggest attraction but not to be missed. After a full day in Split, you will need to be well-rested for your longest drive of the road trip, but dont worry, the time is well worth it, and the ride is beautiful.

No worry, there are plenty of things to do in Zagreb too. However, if you do want to explore more, Korcula makes an excellent day trip from Dubrovnik. Once we finally got down to the harbor we were not impressed, not after Dubrovnik and Brac Island. I recommend checking with the tourism boards for each country for up-to-date information. Or, you can drive from Dubrovnik to Orebic (2 hours) and take a ferry from Orebic to Korcula (15 minutes, multiple ferries per day). You may have seen a few places in Dubrovnik on HBO already as it has gained some fame being host to many scenes from the popular series Game of Thrones. For Kotor, we stayed a few kilometers outside of the city center and had to drive into to town. It is due north about 2.5 hours from Dubrovnik and has a great nighttime ambiance that you will appreciate. It is a tell-tale sign of a violent history, but do not fret, Mostar is such a peaceful place today. Or will hotels and restaurants not be operating. From Dubrovnik it takes 45 minutes to drive to the Montenegro border. While in Croatia, you should take the time to visit at least one island. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; This cute town is worth at least an hour or two of your time. Places where adding more time would be beneficial are Kotor, Split, Dubrovnik, or Sarajevo.

Croatia is a joy to explore, Montenegro is full of surprises, and Bosnia & Herzegovina is a beautiful country with a story to tell. It is the most ancient city in the whole country and owns the biggest port in Albania. Once you leave the Bay of Kotor, you will be driving on deserted, rural roads. There is plenty to do in Dubrovnik to justify spending a second day here.

You will need your passport and green card (for the rental car) to cross the border. We did this in April and some hotels and restaurants on the coast were just opening up for the season. You can walk along the river and be entertained for hours. Once in Montenegro, it is a short drive to Herceg Novi. Cheers, Julie. hi, are there any covid restrictions ( testing, vaccination cards) required to travel between countries by car? Required fields are marked *. We blog about the best travel destinations in Croatia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, Nth. And yes, it is precisely what it sounds like. Not to mention, it seems budget airlines have figured out people want to travel to the Balkans and have added many affordable routes throughout the region, with many more in the works. I think you are fine with what you already have picked out in Kotor. This is a great Marriott property. The peninsula is trapped in between the Adriatic Sea to the West, the Black Sea to the east, and the Mediterranean in the south and is one of the best regions for nature escapes in Europe. If you plan to do this, it makes more sense to start in Zagreb, see the Istrian Peninsula and Plitvice Lakes, and then drive south to Dubrovnik and Montenegro. This Balkan Peninsula Itinerary is good for: Split and a Croatian Island of Your Choice, More Time on the Island and then Drive to Dubrovnik, If you rent a car, you will need a Green Card. Going to the Balkan Peninsula? Your email address will not be published. I have concerns about past dealings that could be issue at border. During the summer months, these two cities are linked by a ferry several days of the week (click here to see the timetables). Tirana is the capital and largest city in Albania but by no means the only place to be in Albania. Those are all great trips for different reasons.

document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. However, for convenience in planning for this itinerary, we suggest starting in Albanias capital city. And in the other towns we booked hotels that offered parking, because it can be difficult in the smaller towns like Split. In the early afternoon, we took a ferry from Brac to Makarska on the mainland. Thanks! You can go in March but I think you will have a better experience if you wait until April or May. Which of these choices of weird accommodation in Croatia tickles your fancy? If you call the embassy, there might be someone there who can direct you to the correct person. Again, Montenegro is a beautiful country and definitely worth more time on your visit however for the sake of keeping to the itinerary, it may be better to visit again another time. For this Balkans road trip, we will set an itinerary for two weeks. We travel all over seeking out food, accommodation and the best things to do in the Balkans so youll save time travel planning & travel like a local. Many more ferries run during peak season, the summer months, than at other times of the year. Currently have a place there 3 miles from the city but with a nice private beach. This is an awesome experience, similar to walking the walls in Dubrovnik. The outdoor activities in Cappadocia plus the history and culture in Istanbul was a great combination. Cheers, Julie. Moving To Croatia

Dont miss walking the medieval walls, the view from the cable car, wandering the old town, and visiting Fort Lovrijenac. Summer is peak season, so expect large crowds of people and hot temperatures. This is the place to go for white water rafting, hiking, camping, and numerous other outdoor activities. Unless you are really curious about what Cavtat is all about, Id skip it. When the three days are over, you will likely be craving more of Albanias culture, and the good news is there is still plenty to see of this country, just not on this itinerary. In Mostar, spend the rest of the day enjoying the view of Stari Most, the old bridge, and wandering the old, cobblestoned lanes. Save it for another trip! From Dubrovnik, you can visit Mostar as a day trip. The museum is so well done and has become a top tourist attraction of Zagreb based off pure intrigue. Brac is also home to Zlatni Rat, a thin sliver of beach that is one of the icons of Croatia. We had a rental car, which we had to park just outside of the Old Town. Your tour of the Balkan Peninsula begins in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Crimes during war that was because of situation at the time. You may take a winter vacation to ski among the fantasized peaks of the Balkans range and decide you crave a summer vacation to its beaches after. Sveti Stefan is a medieval town built on a small island, connected to the mainland by an isthmus of sand. Cheers, Ben & Family, In both cities we stayed outside of the walls and didnt feel at all like we were missing out on something. What a wonderful post. The entire Old Town is located on an island. This hike ends with a walk down the Kotor city walls. This is the concern I have. Hello Jessica. Alternatively, if you want to run away from the crowds, consider traveling just a short half-hour down the coast to Omis, which is regarded as very similar to Split in architecture but half the price and size (and madness) of Split. If we were to go it would be from March 24-April 3. In March, some hotels and restaurants will be open, but you wont get the full experience. The ferry schedule between islands will be very limited. Hotel staff met us at our car, picking us up in a golf cart and driving the four of us and our luggage to the hotel. The next year we went to Turkey, and they loved this even more (they were 8 and 10). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We prefer 10-day itineraries, since 10 days is the perfect amount of time for a vacation without taking too much time off of work. Driving in Bosnia, between Sarajevo and Mostar. If you dont mind me saying so, Mostar is NE of Dubrovnik not due north. For one night we had had two rooms, with one of the rooms looking out over the main square. amzn_assoc_title = ""; Ive read all the sites I can and the information still seems unclear. There is a big parking garage in Dubrovnik. To drive from Sarajevo to Split, it takes between 4 and 4.5 hours. LEARN MORE: 9 Must-Have Experiences in Sarajevo. Cheers, Julie. You will have to do a Google search on how to contact the embassy. Most of today will be spent exploring Split. Greece Packing List Despite being the largest city, there is no need for concern. Its too much for us to keep up with COVID restrictions in each country, since it is constantly changing. Do you know if Croatia has issue with these crimes or will I get entry without issues? Same question with Kotor. During the summer months, you should haveyour car in line up to 2 to 3 hours before the ferry is scheduled to depart. In your time in these countries did you see issues at border for people with visa issues in past? It is the graceful symbol of Budva a town we would argue is just as graceful as the statue itself. Next, you have the option to take a detour out to Lake Skadar National Park.

With vaccinations, requirements could change, so what the restrictions are now could be different 4 to 6 months from now. I teach world history and geography, so I tend to pay attention to directions. This is a good spot for dinner and drinks and a night out on the town. We stopped at Cavtat, in Croatia, along the way, but did not have the best experience. You can tour Trogir in just an hour or two, if you move super fast, but a half-day or longer is ideal. From Kotor, head south out of town on P22 and turn left on P1 for a winding, climbing road that takes you high into the mountains behind Kotor. Where We Stayed in Kotor:We stayed in Kotor atResidence Portofino. Split has become one of the hottest destinations in the entire Balkan peninsula, and if you are road tripping during the summer, you may have to book accommodation in advance especially when arriving in the nighttime; you dont want to be left without a place to sleep. Have fun planning your trip and let us know if you have any other questions. I appreciate this article and it brings to mind an experience I have already had in this area. Learning Croatian From our windows we could look out over the Dubrovnik Walls and Lovrijenac Fortress. This four-star hotel is a bit of a spurge for us, but with its unbeatable location and fabulous customer service, it was worth it.

I remember the tour guide making a comment once back on the bus, that was cheaper this time and laughing. To avoid most of the tourists, late spring and early fall are your best bets. Trogir is a separate coastal city just 35 minutes away by car or bus and one hour by ferry.

The Balkan peninsula is a geographic region in the southeast of Europe, usually consisting of a dozen or so countries: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, and the European part of Turkey. Prices are higher and we will have a rental car. Why 11 days? If you get to the ferry too late, you may not get a spot, even if you have a ticket for that time slot. Today is filled with scenic drives, mountain views, and unique coastal towns. There are very few foreign tourists who make the day trip to Kruja; however, you will find a lot of Albanian weekend warriors visiting on days off of work. Cheers, Julie. Once in Croatia, we drove on E65, a wide highway, all of the way to Split.

London and Paris for 10 days was Tyler and Karas first international trip. We travel & write about food, accomm & the best things to do in the Balkans. LEARN MORE: 11 Must-Have Experiences in Dubrovnik. It will most likely be late by that time, so you can check into your hotel and get ready to witness the largest city in Herzegovina in the morning. Here is our 10 day itinerary for more info. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive south to Montenegro. Hoping to find some secret gems on your Balkans road trip or looking for the most stunning natural parts of the region? From there, you will need to rent a car to start your road trip. Or, set up shop on the river at a cafe and spend time watching life go by. Thank you! Four hours north of Split is Croatias stunning capital in the northern part of the country, Zagreb. If you think it will improve the experience, we will pay the higher prices and park outside the city walls.

Hvar is a popular pick, a glitzy destination known for its party-like atmosphere and scenic harbor. Is there a man at the embassy who would know about these things? We used this time to hike up Vidova Gora and visit Zlatni Rat. Dubrovnik is one of the best places in the Balkans for sunset magic.

Just before the Croatian border, we took M6 to A1 to the border. What To Pack For Albania Also, did you have to get tested to go back to the states. For the sake of this itinerary, we will assume it is the travel season, and you are road tripping during the summer months along the Adriatic Coast. From our balcony we had awesome views of the Bay of Kotor. The Balkans are a vastly underrated road trip destination in Europe. Where We Stayed: We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott in Sarajevo. Sometimes we had to pay to park but at least we didnt have to go hunting for a space. Despite that, the village has been able to remain wholly authentic and void of tourist traps. Tour three countries, visit coastal, medieval towns, cruise the Adriatic Sea, lounge on some of Europes most unique beaches, dine on fresh seafood, and climb the highest mountain in the Adriatic Sea, if you desire. Besides its picturesque natural appearance, Kruja also has very significant historical importance to Albania. You will need to rent a car to tour these countries. Seeing the Olympic Bobsleigh Track was our favorite experience in the city.

Plan on booking your ferry a few days to a few weeks in advance. This place is awesome, especially for families. What is the best way in Croatia for finding a way to get back into Bosnia if there has been issues at the border? One of the more entertaining things you can do in Zagreb is spend an hour or two in the Museum of Broken Relationships. If you have any questions, comment below! With advances to its intricate train network, bus lines and routes being added to connect popular tourist towns, and improvements in highway systems in almost every country, traveling around the Balkans has never been easier. Podgorica is the countrys capital and only about an hour away. You only need one day to see the sites in Split but will notice many people hanging around at the resorts and taking boat trips for an extended stay. After a long day on the beach, make sure you catch the sunset at one of the seaside, cliffside bars offering happy hour at golden hour. With so much to experience in the Balkans, Montenegro often is skipped in favor of more popular tourist countries; however, those who dont miss this place will be treated to an authentic experience like many more popular countries in the Balkans cannot provide. Explore Diocletians Palace, enjoy the view from the bell tower of St. Domnius Cathedral, stroll the Riva Promenade, and sample some Croatian food.