10 Unforgettable Days Touring the Balkan Peninsula
This holiday is one of our favourites - ever. We personally did this trip in 7 days and for us it was not enough time in each country, so we have carefully crafted this epic 10-day experience for you.
Language: Croatian, Montenegrin, Bosnian
Population: 3.86 million (Croatia), 617,000 (Montenegro), 3.16 million (Bosnia)
Currency: Euro € (Croatia & Montenegro), Marks (Bosnia)
Average price of a coffee: €3 (Croatia), €2 (Montenegro), €1,50 (Bosnia)
ITINERARY
Day 1: Trogir & Split, Croatia
Day 2: Split + Island, Croatia
Day 3: Split + optional island, Croatia
Day 4: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 5: Herceg Novi & Kotor, Montenegro
Day 6: Kotor, Montenegro
Day 7: Budva, Montenegro
Day 8: Trebinje & Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Day 9: Split, Croatia
Day 10: Fly home
HOW TO USE THE MAP
Tap the icons on the map to learn more about each point of interest. To save this map for later, click the star next to its title to add it to your Google account. Then, open the Google Maps app, go to ‘Saved’, and select ‘Maps’. You’ll now see this map listed under its title.
Visiting three countries can sound like a lot of moving around in ten days but the stunning scenery and viewpoints meant we didn’t even notice we were driving at times. We also only recommend that you do this trip in April, May or late September or October. This is a very popular holiday choice and many tourists will spoil the experience for you.
Your trip starts at Split airport, Croatia. Pick up your rental car quickly as your first stop is in 10 minutes time!
Day 1 - Trogir & Split
From Split airport, take the 10-15 minute drive into Trogir. Trogir is a quaint little town with some tourists and is a perfect place to get a taste for Croatia before heading into Split. We grabbed some lunch here on the harbour and had a walk around before driving 30 minutes into Split to find our AirBnB.
Settle into your hotel/AirBnB and take a walk around the old town of Split. There are many tourists so there is a lot going on. Check out our food and drink guide for our recommendations.
Day 2 - Split & Island
Visit an island of your choice.
We booked a ferry onto the island of Brač which is conveniently one of the closest islands to Split. You can ferry over to Vis (where Mamma Mia 2 was filmed) or any other island of your choice. The booking process is quite confusing and not easy to find but the company you need to book with is Jadrolinija and you should be able to add your car on. Book in at least a week in advance to avoid disappointment.
We decided to go to Brač as we wanted to hike up Vidova Gora, the highest mountain in the Adriatic sea. We ended up driving up by mistake and we were quite pleased about it in the end - it was a hot day!
BRAČ, CROATIA
VIDOVA GORA, BRAČ
Day 3 - Split
You can visit another island on this day from Split or relax and enjoy the beaches and sunny weather. If you’re keen to explore more of Split, then we suggest you visit: Old Town, Diocletian's Palace, Fortress Klis, and the markets.
Day 4 - Dubrovnik
Take the 3.5 hour journey down to Dubrovnik. Driving down to Dubrovnik is mostly motorway and you will need some coins to pay the toll. The toll cost us almost €7 in May 2024, so have some change handy! Payments via card are not possible.
Once you’re in Dubrovnik, it is a must to climb the walls (this price has skyrocketed to €35 pp but is still worth it) and explore the old town. You can also buy a Croatia Pass which allows you entry into another attraction, so explore that option too to save some euros.
DUBROVNIK WALLS, CROATIA
Day 5 - Montenegro
This is the best day - you’re driving into Montenegro! In order to pass the border you must have a passport and a VISA (if applicable) and a green card for your car which your airport rental company should provide you. Not to put you off but there have been some issues reported on Google reviews of police insisting for money when crossing. As of May 2024, it does not cost to cross this border but to make everything easy for yourself by making sure you are adequately clothed (not topless) and the car is in good condition. There is no reason for them to deny you entry if you follow the rules. We had absolutely zero problems crossing, the only thing was that the Montenegrin police only dealt with West and not Emmy even though she was driving.
Set your satnav to Herceg Novi, the first stop of the day. You can explore the walls which is an awesome experience and the fortress which was discounted if you bought a wall ticket. The price as of May 2024 was less than €10 each for both attractions.
After the day here, head to Kotor and stay the night. The drive here is absolutely stunning and you will pass Our Lady the Rocks, so be prepared to stop many times for some photos.
OUR LADY THE ROCKS, MONTENEGRO
Day 6 - Kotor
In Kotor, there is lots to do. You can explore the walls and hike up the ladder, go up to Lovcen national park in the cable car (weather dependent) and stroll through Kotor's Old Town and hike the Kotor Steps.
Today is your oyster, you can explore more of Kotor or take a boat trip out to see Our Lady the Rocks (a church on the water) and admire the scenery. If the weather is nice, you can detour up in the car to Lovcen National Park and do some hiking. We wished we had the opportunity to do this but unfortunately we had rented quite a small car and there was no way the one-litre was chugging up all the inclines.
KOTOR, MONTENEGRO
Day 7 - Sveti Stefan & Budva
On your last full day in Montenegro, you can either stay in Kotor for another night if you’re not so keen on constantly changing locations and sleeping beds but a trip to Budva is a must. We stayed the night in Budva and didn’t regret it but you can adventure here for the day as it is a thirty minute drive which will save you thirty minutes tomorrow on your commute to Bosnia.
Start the day by driving out to Sveti Stefan. It is a small man-made island that used to host a five star hotel (which is now closed due to local outcry) and take some great pictures. Right next to it there are some beaches which if you’re blessed with a hot day are totally worth chilling out for the rest of the afternoon. Milocer beach is a mere 10 minute walk away and just round the corner you have an even quieter beach named Queen's beach. For us, it was overcast so we headed straight into Budva.
SVETI STEFAN, MONTENEGRO
In Budva, you can go and see the famous Dancing Girl statue and explore the old town. It is a great place for some dinner and drinks on the beach promenade as well as a nightclub visit.
BUDVA, MONTENEGRO
Day 8 - Bosnia & Herzegovina
If you’re anything like us, you’re heartbroken that it is now time to say goodbye to the beautiful Montenegro. You’re headed to Tribenje in the Srpska region of Bosnia and Herzegovina about a 1 hour and 50 minute drive from Kotor. You can cross the Kamenari-Lepetane ferry near Budva to shave off a good few minutes for €5. You will want to pass through Sitnica border crossing.
Explore Trebinje, have some lunch and then set your Satnavs to Mostar, part of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here you can browse the old town and of course Mostar Bridge as well as some of the local museums about the Yugoslav war. Bosnia is a really interesting place, the history is long and complex and over half of the population follow the Islamic faith. In Mostar. multiple times per day you can hear the call to prayer from both sides of the bridge.
Day 9 - Back to Croatia
Today you’re headed back to Croatia for the day before it’s time to go home. You can pit stop back in Split and spend the day headed off to another island or spend the day in Trogir or another town near the airport. Enjoy your last day in Croatia.
Day 10 - Home time
Time to go home! For those with more time, head off to your next stop.
To note:
Check your home country’s rules as to whether you need an International Driver's Permit or not. Some countries you don’t need them and some you do. Remember you are driving across borders so check each and every country law.
Let us know how you found this trip!