Why Book Your Balkan Holiday with Baltic Travel Company?
Baltic Travel Company specialises in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, with long-standing experience in designing holidays across the Balkans. Our team works closely with trusted local partners and draws on first-hand knowledge to create itineraries that are practical, well-balanced and rewarding.
We focus on getting the details right, from sensible routing and realistic travel times to choosing accommodation and experiences that add real value to the journey. Our aim is to combine the region’s best-known highlights with quieter locations and local experiences that give a better sense of place.
When booking with us, you’ll benefit from expert advice, flexible travel options and full financial protection through ATOL and ABTOT. You’ll also have access to 24-hour support while travelling, both through our on-the-ground partners and our emergency helpline, so you can explore the Balkans with confidence and ease.
Explore Our Most Popular Balkan Travel Packages
Balkan tour packages vary widely depending on the countries you’ve chosen to visit and the travel theme or style that suits you, which is why it’s so difficult to pick just one or two holidays we’d recommend to every guest!
We’ve chosen a handful of our most requested tours to give you an idea of the possibilities, including multi-country Balkan itineraries if you’d like to see as much as possible during your visit.
Balkan Cities and Coast
This nine-day experience takes you to the historic Serbian region of Šumadija, the architecture of New Belgrade and the astonishing Šargan Eight railway – one of the most famous rail and road journeys through the Balkans.
You’ll wander around UNESCO-listed historic towns like Kotor, enjoy boat trips around the gorgeous bay and have a chance to sample homemade produce, cheeses and meats at the wonderful local market in Trebinje before finishing in Dubrovnik on Croatia’s Adriatic coastline.
Learn More About Our Balkan Cities and Coast Package
Highlights of Albania
Albania is a country of sharp contrasts between past and present. If you adore heritage and history tours, this eight-day experience is ideal, as a guided tour where you’ll immerse yourself in the lively ambience of the capital, Tirana, and travel leisurely along the Albanian Riviera through tiny villages, fortresses, and castles.
From stop-offs at Blue Eye, a breathtaking natural spring, the ancient city of Butrint, another UNESCO site, and opportunities to swim in the Butrint Lagoon and the Ionian Sea, this is a real mix of indulgence and culture.
Discover All Inclusions in the Highlights of Albania
Croatia Express Guided Tour
A guided tour is an excellent way to soak in all the sights and sounds of Croatia and Slovenia. Our seven-night package never disappoints, with visits to the historically important buildings in Zagreb, time to explore the magnificent streets of Ljubljana on a walking tour of the old city, and photo opportunities at the Alpine Lakes of Bled.
Towards the end of your stay, you’ll head to the lower lakes and on to Split, seeing UNESCO sites like Diocletian’s Palace, Jupiter’s Temple, and opulent Renaissance structures before finishing your day on the Island of Hvar – a luxurious location that is a favourite of the jet set.
Explore the Croatia Express Guided Tour Holiday
Croatia Coastal Cruise
Sailing onboard the MS Splendid, this eight-day, seven-night Croatia Coastline Cruise is the ultimate in high-end Balkan travel. The ship itself is an experience, with comfy cabins, an onboard restaurant, sumptuous fittings and even a rooftop jacuzzi where you can unwind while watching sunsets reflecting off the waves.
The cruise stops in a dizzying array of equally fascinating places, including the beaches and ancient town of Omiš, the pristine Zlatni Rat beach on Bol and the Blue Cave at Biševo Island. This is coupled with swim stops at Korcula Island, the birthplace of Marco Polo, and a final day in Dubrovnik with a guided tour of the UNESCO-recognised Old Town.
Find Out All the Inclusions in the Croatia Coastal Cruise
Highlights of Slovenia Escorted
A week in Slovenia, accompanied by an English-speaking guide, ensures you’ll get to see the best of the country’s capital city, lakes, caves and coastlines, travelling through all of the world-famous areas, from Ljubljana to Piran, Lake Bled to the Soca Valley and the Alpine beauty of Lake Bohinj.
Take the cable car to Ljubljana Castle, try Slovenian wine tasting, sample the locally produced prosciutto, and explore the Postojna Cave aboard a miniature electric train. There is ample time to enjoy fine dining at local restaurants in Dobrovo, wander along the lake shores, and enjoy the majesty of Bled Castle balanced on the clifftop high above the waters below.
Reserve Your Spot on the Highlights of Slovenia Escorted Tour
Scenic Montenegro Fly-Drive
Self-drive holidays in Montenegro are great for couples and families who want to explore UNESCO heritage at their own pace, with pre-planned routes, accommodation, maps, GPS navigation, stop-off points, and recommendations for the best sites and heritage attractions along the way.
This package is filled to the brim with active adventures, traversing the lakes of Budva and the shores of Kotor Bay. There are options to schedule river rafting, ziplining, canyoning, paragliding, hiking and canoeing – or to simply travel around the national parks of Durmitor and Biogradska Gora to make the most of the jaw-dropping panoramic views.
Pick Your Departure Dates for the Scenic Montenegro Fly-Drive Experience
Montenegro Active Holiday
If your dream Balkan getaway is adrenaline-fuelled thrills and remote scenic views, this small group holiday will tick all the boxes. You’ll spend eight days sampling the most exhilarating activities in Montenegro, starting with a kayak safari in the sensational Bay of Kotor.
Try snorkelling in the sparkling waters of the Adriatic Sea, hiking around Durmitor National Park, and white water rafting along the Tara River. Hike up Mount Lovcen, tour Zabljak town, enjoy relaxed picnic lunches and keep an eye out for bears, wild cats, Balkan lynx, golden eagles, wolves and chamois near Snake Lake and Black Lake.
Browse the Montenegro Active Holiday Itinerary
Lake Ohrid Escape
Travellers looking for a short break in North Macedonia will find the tranquillity of Lake Ohrid hard to beat. Guests spend five days and four nights surrounded by natural beauty and cultural attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ohrid Old Town, the Bay of Bones Museum and the Bigorski Monastery.
Be as active or laid back as you wish, with walking tours of the mountain villages, afternoons on the lakeside beaches, kayaking, beach barbecues, jeep safaris around the nearby Pelister National Park, wine tasting, and quad biking to see Galicica National Park.
Read More About the Lake Ohrid Escape
Bucharest and Transylvania City Break
This short break to Romania is an introduction to the Ottoman and medieval history of the country, with excursions to Peles Castle, originally built as a royal summer residence, the city of Bran, the inspiration behind Dracula, and, of course, Bran Castle, constructed in 1377 as an important structure along the trading routes connecting with Transylvania.
With stop-offs along the Oltului Valley, Romania’s most enchanting river valley, Sibiu, named the EU Region of Gastronomy in 2019, the incredibly beautiful medieval town of Sighisoara with its Saxon Citadel, and free time to roam around Bucharest after a walking tour of the historic city centre, this is a must-try break for history and culture lovers.
Review Available Departure Dates for the Bucharest and Transylvania City Break
Balkan Holiday Packages by Travel Style
The breadth of fantastic cities, alluring landscapes, stunning beaches and ancient buildings and ruins can make it tricky to pick Balkan travel packages. If you have a particular type of holiday you most enjoy, you can either narrow down the options or task our dedicated team with creating tailor-made Balkan travel packages that fulfil all your requirements.
Escorted Balkan Tours
Guided Balkan discovery tours ensure every guest benefits from recommendations, advice, and access to secret gems. Experienced guides will share their favourite beauty spots, tastiest local dishes, and the untold stories behind iconic structures, landscapes, and buildings, providing authentic insight into each destination.
Balkans escorted tours are a brilliant way to curate your holiday based on your interests and tastes, seeing multiple countries in one holiday, and taking in all the highlights with safety and convenience, from cities like Belgrade to the remote shores of the Plitvice Lakes.
Self-Drive and Independent Balkan Holidays
Travellers who want to go at their own speed often prefer fly/drive or independent travel packages. They have zero pressure to rush from one location to the next, or to spend more time than they’d like along their route, heading from mountainous valleys to Adriatic coastlines, rural villages to bustling city centres.
All self-drive holidays from the Baltic Travel Company are complete with detailed itineraries for pre-planned convenience. This provides freedom for families with smaller children who want to maximise time outdoors in nature, foodies who want to sample as many authentic local dishes as possible, or nature lovers who prioritise time in the clean, fresh air of the Balkan beaches.
City Breaks and Cultural Escapes
Balkan city breaks can be short getaways to celebrate special occasions, long weekends, or extended trips for historic city sightseeing around the largest and most vibrant cities in the Balkans. They might include coastal gems like Dubrovnik and Kotor, Belgrade, charming Ljubljana and the complex history of Sarajevo with its eclectic blend of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture.
Whether you’d like to check off the best-known cultural and religious landmarks, spend a weekend of shopping and fine dining, escape for a romantic experience in Sofia or Tirana, or mix ancient history and seaside relaxation, the Baltic Travel Company can suggest sophisticated city breaks with boutique hotels or rustic lodges you’ll never want to leave.
Coastal and Island Holidays
The Balkan coastlines, islands, and beaches are impressive, with unbeatable local cuisine and wine tasting along the Black Sea and Adriatic, and popular hotspots for summer sun seekers in Croatia’s Zlatni Rat, the Albanian Riviera, and the islands of Hvar and Korcula.
Affordable resorts offer beaches that resemble the Mediterranean but without the crowds or commercialisation, with activities around almost every coastal location that combine relaxing sunbathing, swimming and water sports with coastal mountain hikes, waterfalls, and harbour towns.
Active and Nature-Focused Holidays
Expansive landscapes, cycling trails, hiking routes, and untouched forests make the Balkans one of the world’s best scenic mountain and lake regions, with crystal-clear lakes, rare wildlife, including wolves and bears, and some of the few remaining truly wild landscapes, such as the Prokletije, or Accursed Mountains.
Guests looking for adventure are spoiled for choice, whether they want to organise rafting on the Tara Canyon, follow the tracks along the Peaks of the Balkans through Montenegro, Kosovo, and Slovenia, or go kayaking on the waters of Lake Skadar.
Seasonal Balkan Holidays
Balkan tours vary considerably by season, from summery small-group cultural holidays to wintery escapes to Christmas markets, traditional festive celebrations and snow-covered cities that embrace the magic of the season. If you have specific dates you can travel, school or work holidays you’d like to accommodate, or particular sites you’ve always wanted to see, we can advise on the most suitable Balkan escapes that fit into your plans.
Spring and Autumn Cultural Tours
The beauty of the spring and autumn is that these quieter periods are spectacular for coastal and countryside travel. The weather remains warm and comfortable, with numerous traditional music events to experience, but without the crowds that are more common in the hot, balmy summers and icy winters.
Marvellous for hiking tours away from intense heat, walking holidays around Lake Bled, and city getaways to Dubrovnik, spring and autumn Balkan travel is budget-friendly, with an endless choice of festivals, cultural events and wine tastings.
Summer Coastal and Countryside Holidays
As one of the fastest-growing summer destinations, the Balkan city-and-coast combination has attracted significant interest in recent years, as travellers recognise the charm of the Ionian and Adriatic coasts, with their rocky, dramatic cliffs, ancient cobblestoned old towns, and clear waters great for swimming and paddling.
Often seen as an affordable alternative to high-cost destinations on the Mediterranean, the Balkans offer something different, with quieter atmospheres, golden beaches, local wines, and slow travel.
Winter City Breaks in the Balkans
Balkan countries like Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia promise fairy-tale scenery, welcoming ski resorts and hearty local dishes for festive winter travellers, with ski resorts offering blankets of soft, white, powdery snow that are great for sledding, skiing and snowboarding at a fraction of the cost of Alpine resorts.
Cobbled city streets transform into winter wonderlands, with nightlife and Christmas markets in Zagreb, soaring mountains in Montenegro, pistes in Bansko, Bulgaria, and the historic winter celebrations in Sarajevo.
Balkan Holiday Packages – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the Baltic Travel Company offer both guided and tailor-made Balkan holidays?
We offer a curated collection of guided Balkan holidays with itineraries ready for you to pack and go, alongside customisable trips based on what a perfect escape looks like for you. Some travellers prefer tours that cover multiple countries with expert guides and seamless logistics, while others opt for tailor-made itineraries built around their interests and the pace at which they like to travel. Whether you’re planning a cultural journey, a coastal escape, or a multi-country adventure, our specialists can design a Balkan holiday to suit you.
2. Which countries are typically included in Balkan holidays?
Balkan holidays can span multiple countries, and you can task us with creating a bespoke tour that includes any specific places you’ve always wanted to see. That can include Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Many itineraries are designed to showcase the contrasts between the stunning, historic cities, breathtaking coastlines, mountain landscapes, and expanses of rural countryside, offering a varied and rewarding travel experience across the region.
3. Can I visit more than one Balkan country in a single trip?
Absolutely. Multi-country travel is one of the unique aspects of visiting the Balkan region, and many guests combine several Balkan countries in one seamless journey. Routes linking historic capitals with coastal scenery, such as the Balkan Cities and Coast itinerary, are particularly popular with travellers who want to experience both culture and coastline in one holiday.
4. Are Balkan holidays suitable for first-time visitors to the region?
The Balkans are an excellent choice for first-time visitors, especially for those travelling on well-structured or guided itineraries where they’ll be sure not to miss any iconic attractions, historic sites or astonishing natural landscapes. Escorted tours bring the region’s complex history and diverse cultures to life while ensuring a comfortable pace and smooth travel between countries, with the help of experienced, friendly local guides.
5. What are the must-see highlights on a Balkan holiday?
Highlights vary depending on the countries you visit, and whether you love active sports, art and museums or relaxing by the sea. Balkan visitors often want to enjoy Slovenia’s alpine scenery, Albania’s historic towns, Croatia’s coastal cities, and Montenegro’s dramatic landscapes. Cultural journeys such as Highlights of Slovenia Escorted or country-focused itineraries like Highlights of Albania offer an excellent introduction to the region’s diversity if you’d like to experience a little of everything.
6. Do you offer Balkan holidays that focus on coastlines and scenic travel?
Coastal travel is a major draw in the Balkans, particularly along the Adriatic Sea with its golden beaches, clear waters and beautiful islands. Many guests enjoy exploring historic ports and island habitats at a relaxed pace, travelling by sea on experiences such as the Croatia Coastal Cruise, which offers a unique perspective of the coastline.
7. Are there self-drive or independent Balkan holidays available?
We’re delighted to offer a range of packages that enable you to manage your own flights, if you prefer, or include reliable rental cars and pre-planned routes for you to follow. Self-drive holidays are great for travellers who prize the flexibility and independence to head onward in their own time. The Balkans' scenic routes and relatively short travel distances make countries such as Montenegro ideal for this style of travel, as featured within itineraries like the Scenic Montenegro fly-drive.
8. When is the best time to visit the Balkans?
There’s no one perfect time to travel to the Balkans, but we often suggest the spring and autumn, when temperatures are warm and comfortable for sightseeing and cultural exploration, and queues and crowds are minimal. Summer is ideal for sun-soaked coastal holidays and island-hopping travel, while winter suits city breaks and cultural escapes with Christmas markets, festive traditions and a sprinkling of snow in some places.
9. What type of accommodation is included in Balkan holiday packages?
Each package sets out exactly what accommodation is included, which may depend on the length of your trip and the number of stop-offs on a multi-country Balkan route. We pick hotels, lodges and guest houses with great care, including modern, centrally located hotels in the heart of historic cities, charming countryside properties, and luxurious coastal hotels.
10. Are Balkan holidays suitable for couples, families, or groups?
Balkan holidays are a great getaway for visitors of any age, with a mix of beautiful scenery, amazing culture, and heritage sites that cater to all interests. We organise Balkan tours for families with small ones, couples looking for romantic escapes, solo visitors and small groups and can always recommend itineraries that align with the activities you’d most love to try.
11. What kind of experiences are included in Balkan travel packages?
Experiences depend on the duration and type of Balkan holiday you choose, whether an extended rail tour of the region or a short break to soak in the sights of the capitals. They can include guided city tours, visits to UNESCO-listed heritage sites, trips to historic landmarks, and leisurely scenic drives, with time set aside for you to explore independently. We aim to balance each journey with plenty of sightseeing, while ensuring you have the freedom to try local cuisine, learn about everyday life, and experience Balkan culture firsthand.
12. What kind of support can I expect during my Balkan holiday?
We offer support and assistance at every stage, starting with a step-by-step itinerary and quotation. Once you arrive in your chosen Balkan destination, you’ll be able to rely on our selected on-the-ground partners for any questions or requests, and you can also access our 24/7 helpline if you need any help.
13. Will I receive a quote and itinerary before booking?
Of course, we’ll send you a complete quotation and schedule within a day or two of receiving your booking, so you can review them and decide whether you’d like to make any changes. We ensure every guest has clarity before they confirm their bookings and know exactly what is included.
14. Are Balkan holiday packages financially protected?
All packages and Balkan holidays provided by the Baltic Travel Company team include comprehensive, verified financial coverage in case anything goes wrong. That includes ATOL cover for flight-inclusive escapes and ABTOT protection for packages with independent travel.
15. Why book a Balkan holiday with the Baltic Travel Company?
With decades of experience designing unforgettable holidays across Central and Eastern Europe, we specialise in curating well-planned Balkan itineraries that highlight the region’s cultural history, diverse scenery, and unique culture. Our guests know they can trust our expertise, personalised service, and advice on combining multiple countries into one seamless, memorable journey.