UPDATED FEB 2020. If you want to experience a quintessential European summer without the steep price tag of the more popular destinations, this is for you. Here is a 2 week Balkans road trip itinerary that I’m confident will be a great resource to help you plan your trip. It’s got tips for planning it as well as where to stop along the way. This is based on a slower travel style, but you can adjust it to your schedule and travel style.
All The Details To Plan An EPIC 2 Week Balkans Road Trip Itinerary
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Where is the Balkans?
The Balkans is a region in Europe including the countries:
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- Albania
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Macedonia
- Romania
- Slovenia
- Serbia
- Greece
- a portion of Turkey
Tips for planning a 2 week Balkans road trip
Where to rent a camper van for a Balkans road trip
We used our own car for this trip, but it would make an excellent camper van road trip.
This way you can combine cooking, sleeping, and driving all in one!
If that sounds like your style, check out Balkan Campers. They are conveniently based in Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro and have 15 legendary old school VW buses and 6 newer models available for rent.
They allow travel to every European country and some outside of the EU – not all rental companies allow this. You’ll also get a ‘green card’ for insurance which is required for some border crossings.
Basically, you have everything you would need for a stress free epic road trip!
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What documents do you need for border crossings?
If you are doing a Balkans road trip, you will be going through quite a few border crossings. At many of them, they will want to see your car documents or ‘auto documents’, specifically your registration and insurance.
Bring the original documents with you and keep them somewhere you’ll have quick access to.
You’ll also need your passport for border crossings.
If you rent a car, it’s important that you let them know which countries you plan to take the car to so they can provide you with the documents you need for each crossing.
What car insurance do you need for a Balkans road trip?
Many insurance companies don’t cover car insurance for Albania. Call and check if yours does and, if not, add on the coverage for your trip.
Some car rental companies don’t allow driving to Albania from another country as well, so best to check that if you are renting.
You can also buy coverage in the form of a ‘green card’ at the Albanian border if need be.
Dhermi Beach, Albania
Download Google Maps in offline mode
Download the areas you will be traveling to in the offline maps section of Google Maps.
You just need your location on when you’re driving instead of data. Here are the instructions to download the offline maps.
Another option is to use an app like Maps.me.
Get cash out
Many of the places were cash-based, especially for places where you’re spending a smaller amount like cafes. A few spots even had steep fees for using a card.
I recommend getting at least a little cash out in each place you visit to cover the smaller expenses and check with your accommodation if will need to pay in cash or card before you check out.
Take a day off between drives
One thing I really loved about my Balkans road trip itinerary was having a slow day of no driving every second day.
It allows a chance to get out and actually experience the place instead of just driving through. This way we could walk the street, feel the energy, try lots of food, and talk to people which is my favorite part of traveling.
I recommend having at least one day between drives, so two nights in each spot, to allow yourself time to experience the holiday.
2 week Balkans road trip itinerary
There’s a lot to choose from and you can create a Balkans road trip itinerary that suits you. Here is my 2-week itinerary to save you some time with trip planning.
1. Okrug Gornji, Croatia
Currency: Croatian Kuna
Where to stay: Camp Labadusa
I stayed at the beachside Camp Labadusa. The campsite is laid out with a clear structure, the facilities are clean, the staff are friendly and, of course, I loved being by the beach.
I also loved that there was a supermarket nearby to top up on things like water and snacks. There is also a restaurant on-site that serves great seafood and an amazing mixed grill.
If your car can fit in your site it can stay with you and if not they have a free parking area across the road.
The beach at Camp Labadusa
What to do:
The beach is rocky and has gorgeous, clear water for swimming and snorkeling. You can also explore the towns nearby.
Tips:
Since Croatia is more expensive than some of the other stops, I stuck to snacks that I had packed with me to save money and went out for a nice dinner each night.
It is easy to save money with daytime activities because you can hang out on the beautiful beaches.
Snorkeling at Camp Labadusa
2. Budva, Montenegro
Currency: Euro
Where to stay: Hotel Garni Fineso
Hotel Garni Fineso is a great place to stay that’s nothing fancy but has everything you need.
I especially liked that it had a parking area so you don’t have to find street parking in the narrow streets.
A delicious meal in Budva
What to do:
There’s a lot within walking distance of the hotel. 10 minutes away is the strip full of street vendor places to eat as well as restaurants.
There’s also a lot of souvenir stands and knock-off brand shopping for clothes and accessories – think Louis Vuitton weekend bags for €25.
It is a cool spot to walk around and very lively in the evenings. Old Town is a charming place to walk around as well.
Mogren Beach is really cool but go early because it’s a popular and crowded spot. There are other beaches you will find as you walk around.
Most places have activities like parasailing or boat tours and rentals for kayaks or paddle boats so there is no shortage of outdoor activities.
Sparkling water in Montenegro
3. Dhermi, Albania
Currency: Albanian Lek
Where to stay: Augustus Hotel
I cannot say enough good things about Augustus Hotel.
The fresh and airy rooms are super comfortable, the staff couldn’t have been more kind, and it’s just a couple of minute’s walk from the beach.
They have breakfast there in the mornings which was very convenient and a bar which is perfect for an evening drink.
You can even get the suite on the top floor for a good price to add a little luxury to your trip (I found a deal for the big suite with a massive balcony and lounge chairs on Booking.Com for only 100 bucks a night!)
Dhermi Beach, Albania is a must-see destination for your Balkans road trip itinerary
What to do:
This is my favorite place on the itinerary.
It’s a relaxed beach town with stunning, clear water to swim in.
Of course, there are a lot of boat tours and rentals to keep you busy, but I loved just walking up and down the beach to find different spots to go snorkeling and swimming.
Dhermi, Albania
4. Ksamil, Albania
Currency: Albanian Lek
Where to stay: Nova Hotel
I stayed at Nova Hotel which is another basic hotel with everything you need.
It’s changed owners since I visited but it still looks like a great place to stay from what I can see in the reviews.
Snorkeling around the islands off Ksamil Beach
What to do:
Ksamil a great spot to experience the quiet, local scene of the Albanian coast.
I spent the time walking around the town, eating delicious seafood meals (Ksamil was a pretty cheap spot, so if you wanted to splurge on some nice food, this is the spot to do it!) and hitting the beach.
There are islands off the coast which you can either swim, paddle boat or take a boat trip to and the water around the islands is really pretty.
Beautiful views in Ksamil
5. Kalishta, Macedonia
Currency: Macedonian Denar
Where to stay: Camping Rino
I stayed at Camping Rino which was right on the lake.
They even welcome you with a coffee and shot of Raki so, I mean, what’s not to like?
Make sure you visit the restaurant on-site because it serves up a great dinner with a lake view.
Camping views in Macedonia
What to do:
The campsite offers bicycles and kayaks for rent if you want to explore the area and there’s a lot to see just a short drive away.
Struga is a nearby town with a lot of lakeside cafes, Ohrid is a bigger spot nearby where you can visit monasteries, and there is also the Galichica National Park which is awesome for clear, mountain views and hiking.
A great place for hiking
6. Buna, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Currency: Bosnia & Herzegovina Mark
Where to stay: River Camp – Half Island
The campground was just like any other when you think of the facilities – clean bathrooms, wifi, electricity.
What made it different was the owner, Gaga, who made you feel like you were a friend being welcomed to his house.
He was always open for a chat and one of my favorite memories was chatting with him and his friend one night and listening to their stories.
Camping in Bosnia and Herzegovina
What to do:
Mostar is only about 15 minutes drive away and it’s a must-see city. I think the must-sees are the Museum of War and Genocide Victims, Stari Most Bridge and walking through the market stall filled area.
Another of the must-do things is go chasing waterfalls. Kravica and Kocusa waterfalls make for a very cool, nature-filled day trip.
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7. Belgrade, Serbia
Currency: Serbian Dinar
Where to stay: Camp Alvala or Apartment Avala
My original plan was to stop at Belgrade before heading home, but I ended up changing my plans and adding extra time to Dhermi.
This is only because I love the beach and wanted to enjoy it as much as possible.
If you aren’t obsessed with the beach, then you could add Belgrade to your itinerary. The other option I had in mind was Kosovo.
Pula, Croatia
Currency: Croatian Kuna
On the drive home I stopped at Pula, Croatia for one last swim.
I stopped in at Beach Punta Veredula which was a family-friendly spot perfect for swimming in clear waters. They even had a giant inflatable playground on the water for kids.
Dhermi Beach, Albania
I hope to have helped to make your trip planning a little easier by sharing these tips for planning an extraordinary 2 week Balkans road trip itinerary.
Other guides to help you plan your trip
Southern Albania Itinerary And How To Plan An Epic Beach Getaway
Glamping In Slovenia – Where To Go And Why To Add It To Your List
11 Underrated European Destinations That Need To Be On Your Radar
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