Original
Explorer
Dubrovnik to Athens
15 days • 4.9
5
Excellent
76 reviews
15 days
Start
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Finish
Athens, Greece
Trip Code
ZMSM
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
14 breakfasts
Transport
Public bus, Private vehicle, Taxi, Boat, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hostel with ensuite facilities (1 night)
From £2,169(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Admire the World Heritage-listed architecture of Dubrovnik and Montenegro’s Kotor, climbing along their ancient city walls.
Loose yourself in Tirana, Albania's colourful capital, and partake in the local's favourite pastime: drinking coffee and people-watching.
Sail across the blue waters of Lake Ohrid – one of Europe's oldest lakes. No wonder North Macedonia and Albania share this beautiful attraction; nobody would want to let it go!
Hike the slopes of Mt Olympus, the ancient seat of the 12 Greek gods. According to mythology Zeus unleashed his thunderbolts from one of Olympus' peaks.
Is this trip right for you?
The Balkan peninsula is very hilly and mountainous, so many steps are a feature of the landscape. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines, so packing light is recommended. Also, stone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find the Balkan's topography very demanding.
Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable, especially as many of the transport options and accommodations we use will not have air-conditioning. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. Please also note that in some cases bathroom facilities will be shared rather than en-suite, and many accommodations in this part of the world do not have air-conditioning.
On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
If you have more time to explore the region you may want to check out our trip ‘Dubrovnik to Santorini’ (trip code ZMSEC). This trip continues on to explore the beautiful Cycladic Islands, ending on stunning Santorini. Most departure dates are designed to create this perfect combination trip.
Itinerary
Experience the seaside charm and Balkan countryside, from Dubrovnik to Athens.
This European adventure combines the must-sees of the Balkan region and the lesser-known glories of North Macedonia and Albania – creating the perfect balance between old and new. Hang out in Dubrovnik's Old Town, cruise around Lake Ohrid, hike the foot hills of Mt Olympus and in Pelister National Park, and sample some regional specialties in Greece's capital. You’ll experience the Adriatic coastline and the Balkans interior on a 15-day regional wrap from Dubrovnik to Athens. With a curated selection of inclusions and plenty of free time, this slice of Europe is all yours to explore.
Inclusions
Meals
14 breakfasts
Transport
Public bus, Private vehicle, Taxi, Boat, Train
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hostel with ensuite facilities (1 night)
Included activities
Shkoder - Rozafa Castle
Kruja - Day Trip
Kruja - Skanderbeg Museum
Kruja - Fortress Visit
Berat - Walking tour with a local guide
Berat - Castle Visit
Ohrid - Lake Ohrid Boat Cruise
Skopje - Matka Canyon visit and Boat Ride
Pelister National Park - Hike in Pelister National Park
Mt Olympus National Park - Orlias Waterfall Hike
Optional activities
Dubrovnik - Church of St. Blaise - Free
Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR69
Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum - EUR10
Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace - EUR13
Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - EUR4
Dubrovnik - Franciscan Monastery - EUR4
Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - EUR30
Kotor - Cruise on Kotor Fjord - EUR40
Kotor - Fortress - EUR3
Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral - EUR4
Kotor - Maritime Museum - EUR5
Tirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
Tirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
Tirana - National History Museum - ALL700
Tirana - Bunk'Art Gallery - ALL500
Tirana - Dajti Mountain Cable Car - ALL1000
Ohrid - Robev Family House National Museum - MKD150
Ohrid - St Jovan Church - MKD150
Ohrid: Old bazaar street - Free
Skopje - Museum of the City of Skopje - Free
Skopje - Kale Fortress - Free
Skopje - Mount Vodno Cable Car to Millennium Cross - MKD120
Skopje - Daut Pasha Hammam - MKD60
Bitola Museum - MKD100
Kastoria - Open Museum - EUR5
Litochoro - Agios Dionysios Monastery - Free
Litochoro - Plaka Beach - Free
Athens - Numismatic Museum - EUR15
Athens - National Archaeological Museum - EUR15
Athens - Lycabettus Hill - Free
Athens - Acropolis Pass for 5 Sites - EUR30
Athens - Dora Stratou - EUR20
Athens - Taste of Athens Urban Adventure - EUR139
Athens - Markets, Ruins & Ancient Athens Urban Adventure - EUR139
Athens - Twilight Athens Urban Adventure - EUR99
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip. Availability is limited due to small property we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. There is not much time in Dubrovnik on this trip, so you may want to consider arriving a few days earlier to make sure you are not missing out on everything that this beautiful city has to offer.
Reviews (76)
5 stars
68
4 stars
6
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
David
May 16, 2025
We did a 10 day Intrepid tour of the Balkans. When we finished we not only had a great holiday but learnt so much. Felt like we were actually living the history, culture, tragedy of this amazing place 'first hand'.
Glenda
May 16, 2025
The trip through the Balkans has so much interesting and sad history. Beautiful scenery and friendly people. so glad to have been there.
Jennifer
May 11, 2025
Amazing journey through Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece! The scenery, culture, and experiences were unforgettable. Bashkim’s expert guidance and passion made it even better. Highly recommend this adventurous, immersive trip—truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that exceeded all expectations
Amalia
May 08, 2025
This tour from Dubrovnik to Athens revealed the completely underrated beauty of the Balkans to us! The depth of history and culture in this area of the world made for an incredibly fulfilling experience.
Lynne
Oct 09, 2024
An excellent trip with a perfect balance of organized activities and free time. The small group and excellent guide made for a very enjoyable and enriching few weeks.
Kathryn
Oct 04, 2024
This was a great trip to a region with a complicated political history that I actually knew little about. George, our leader, not only was extremely organised but his knowledge of the region helped us to understand more. The scenery and the food were an added bonus.
Edward
Oct 03, 2024
Great way to see Balkan area that was mostly unknown to me. New appreciation for the history and struggles of the peoples.
Catherine
Sep 27, 2024
Great tour leader Tihana with so much knowledge of all the Balkans. We travelled through some amazing places and beautiful hikes. September was a fantastic time to travel,not to hot,not to cold. I would highly recommend this trip and pack lightly.
Alison
Sep 27, 2024
Excellent trip made better by our awesome guide Tihana and our fellow travellers. So much fun and the countries we visited were a revelation.
Sian
Sep 24, 2024
Excellent trip with plenty of interesting and varied places to explore. Be aware that everywhere has stairs or steep hills so light bags are a must
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