Bus Trip to the Great Balkan 9 Country Tour Including Extra Tours, Dinner, and Balkan Night 2026

Day 1: Istanbul – Edirne

Meeting Points:

21:00 Kadıköy Nautilus AVM İspark Parking Lot

21:30 Mecidiyeköy Polat Holding Front

22:00 İncirli Ömür Plaza Front

We depart and follow the Tem highway towards Çorlu-Edirne direction, reaching Kapıkule Border Gate. After passport and customs procedures, we enter Bulgaria and continue our journey to Sofia.

Day 2: Plovdiv – Sofia – Belgrade

In the early morning hours, we pass through Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, arriving in Sofia and starting our panoramic city tour. Places to visit include St. Nedelya Church, Rotunda Church, Russian Church, Hagia Sophia Church, Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Prime Minister's Office, Parliament, Sofia University, NDK National Palace of Culture, and Ordu Evi where the famous balloon flight with Sultan Mehmed II (Atatürk in Janissary uniform) took place. Afterwards, we head to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, known for its old Yugoslav heritage and significant Ottoman monuments. Following our journey, during our Belgrade city tour – a symbol of liveliness and movement, one of Europe’s oldest cities – we will see the Old Palace with its magnificent carved Ottoman ceilings, the Millennium Monument, Belgrade Fortress (where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded but the conquest was completed by Kanuni Sultan Suleiman), the fortress served as a supply center for the Ottoman fleet at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Kale Square, Tašmajdan Park, Military Museum, Tomb of Ali Paša, Bayraklı Mosque, among others. After our tour, we proceed to our hotel, dinner, and overnight stay in Belgrade.

Morning Breakfast: Will be taken additionally in Sofia.

Lunch: Will be taken at a rest facility along the route determined by the guide.

Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Sumadija Hotel etc. – Belgrade

Currencies: Bulgaria – Lev, Serbia – Dinar (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro : 115 Dinar)

Route: Istanbul-Sofia (550 km), Sofia-Belgrade (390 km)

Total Distance Covered: 940 km

Day 3: Belgrade – Sarajevo

After breakfast, we depart for Sarajevo. We conduct our panoramic city tour in Sarajevo, which served as the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries, became the site where World War I began after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Serbs in 1914, and suffered major destruction during the 1992 war due to conflicts between Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet still largely retains its beauty. During our tour, we will visit the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman caravanserai Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city's religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, Hüsrev Bey and Ferhadiye Mosques, Latin Bridge where the assassination of Franz Ferdinand took place in 1914, the Old Library, and complete our tour before transferring to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel in Sarajevo.

Morning Breakfast: Buffet style at the hotel, included in the tour price.

Lunch: Free time at a rest facility between Belgrade and Sarajevo determined by the guide.

Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Hotel Terme Ilidža etc., Hotel Holiday etc. – Sarajevo

Currency: Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM)

Route: Belgrade – Sarajevo (309 km)

Total Distance Covered: 309 km

Day 4: Sarajevo – Mostar - Blagaj – Počitelj – Dubrovnik – Trebinje or surroundings

After breakfast, we visit Mostar, one of the most interesting places of the trip. The Mostar Bridge, built by architect Hayreddin in 1557, is a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery during the 1992 war but was reopened in 2004 with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey. After visiting the Mostar Bridge, we see the Koski Mehmed Paša Mosque. Then we visit Blagaj, located at the source of the Buna River, one of the strongest water sources in Europe. After our tour, we proceed to our next stop, Počitelj. We visit Počitelj, known as the Turkish Village, preserving its historical fabric, and see monuments built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel for room allocation, check-in, overnight stay, and dinner at our hotel. Note: Accommodations are made in one of the Trebinje, Mostar, or Međugorje regions depending on seasonality. In the evening, according to the time set by our guide, we depart for Dubrovnik, Croatia’s holiday paradise. We conduct a panoramic city tour of Dubrovnik. During the tour, we walk through the Old Town Square, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We will see towers, magnificent walls, the Franciscan Monastery dating back to the 14th century (also home to the world's oldest pharmacy), Rector's Palace, city gates, towers, and other important structures. After our tour, free time and return to our hotel.

Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! Počitelj Tour INCLUDED! Dubrovnik Tour INCLUDED!

Morning Breakfast: Buffet style at the hotel, included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken additionally during free time in Mostar city center. You can taste all local flavors. Guide Recommendation: Bosnian Burek, Stuffed Onions, Meatballs, Bosnian Coffee.

Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Hotel Bellevue etc., Hotel Kaktus etc. – Trebinje or Međugorje

Currencies: Croatia – Kuna (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro : 7 Kuna), Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM)

Route: Sarajevo-Mostar (129 km), Mostar – Blagaj (15 km), Blagaj-Počitelj (25 km), Počitelj – Trebinje (110 km), Dubrovnik-Trebinje (30 km)

Total Distance Covered: 358 km

Day 5: Trebinje – Kotor – Budva – Shkodër

After breakfast, we depart from our hotel with our private bus and enter Montenegro, one of the youngest countries in the world, the pearl of the Adriatic Sea. Our first stop in Montenegro is Kotor, a breathtaking medieval town famous for its fjords in the Balkans. Here, you will get to know this charming town during a walking tour in the Old City-Fortress. Next, we stop at Budva, one of the most famous holiday centers in the Balkans, known for its stunning beaches and colorful nightlife. After our panoramic city tour in Budva, we have some free time. Then, we make a stop from which we can see the magnificent St. Stefan from above, an island once inhabited by fishermen, later nationalized and sold to a Singaporean multi-billionaire, now a tourist attraction. We proceed to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel in Shkodër.

Morning Breakfast: Buffet style at the hotel, included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken additionally during free time in Budva city center. You can taste all local flavors. Guide Recommendation: Seafood, Meze, Grills, Local Drinks.

Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Hotel Holiday Koplik, Grand Hotel Europa etc. – Shkodër

Currencies: Montenegro – Euro, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Mark (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM)

Route: Trebinje – Kotor (95 km), Kotor – Budva (23 km), Budva – Shkodër (86 km)

Total Distance Covered: 200 km

Day 6: Shkodër – Prizren – Priština – Skopje

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and cross into the Republic of Kosovo, one of the youngest countries in the world. Our first stop is Prizren, which immediately gives the impression of an Anatolian Ottoman city with its architectural silhouette, call to prayer rising from five minarets, and Turkish inscriptions on road and shop signs. In Prizren, we will see Sinan Paša Mosque, Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque, and Mehmet Paša Hamam. After free time and lunch break, we proceed to the capital, Priština. During our panoramic city tour upon arrival, we will see the Clock Tower dating from the 19th century, Germia Park, Kosovo Museum, Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque built by the Ottomans in the 15th century, Yaşar Paša Mosque (18th century work known for its unique interior decorations), and the tomb of Ottoman Sultan I. Murad Hüdavendigâr, who was killed in the Battle of Kosovo Field in 1389. Then we move to North Macedonia and arrive in Skopje. Among the places to visit in Skopje are the Old Train Station, the monument and house of Mother Teresa (born in Skopje), Stone Bridge, Castle, Old Town from the Ottoman period, Bazaar, Mustafa Paša, Sultan Murad, and Gazi Isa Bey Mosques (among the finest architectural legacies of the Ottomans in the Balkans), Davud Paša Hamam, Kapan, Sulu, and Kurşunlu Inns. In the evening, we will experience an amazing Balkan night at one of Skopje’s traditional restaurants, featuring unique Balkan cuisine, music, and local folkloric dances. After our tour, we proceed to our hotel and spend the night there.

Kosovo Tour (Prizren – Priština) INCLUDED! / Meal-included BALKAN NIGHT Included!

Morning Breakfast: Buffet style at the hotel, included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Prizren.

Dinner: Will be taken at a local restaurant and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Victoria Hotel etc., Belle Vue etc., New Star Hotel etc. – Skopje

Currencies: North Macedonia – Denar (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro : 60 Denar), Kosovo – Euro

Route: Shkodër-Prizren (185 km), Prizren – Priština (85 km), Priština – Skopje (90 km)

Total Distance Covered: 360 km

Day 7: Skopje – Matka Canyon – Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Ohrid

After breakfast, we conduct our tour of Matka Canyon, which captivates visitors with its breathtaking views and nature. Then we proceed to Ohrid. Along the way, we stop in Tetovo (Kalkandelen) and visit Alaca Mosque. Then we move to Ohrid. Upon arrival, we will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was once one of the important bases of the Ottomans in the Balkans. During our tour, we will see the Monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius (9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet), Hagia Sophia Church, Ancient Theater from the Roman period, Samoil Fortress, St. Clement Monastery and St. Pantelejmon Church, Tomb of Sinan Çelebi, Çınar Square, Turkish Bazaar, Halveti Tekke, Yeni Çarşı, Ohrid Market, and Ohrid Lake, among other places. Then we proceed to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

Matka Canyon INCLUDED!

Morning Breakfast: Buffet style at the hotel, included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken additionally during free time in Ohrid city center. You can taste all local flavors. Guide Recommendation: Ohrid Trout, Meatballs, Beans in Pot.

Dinner: Will be taken at our hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Hotel Prestige, Aqualina etc. – Ohrid

Currency: North Macedonia – Denar (Average Exchange Rate 1 Euro : 60 Denar)

Route: Skopje-Matka (19 km), Matka – Tetovo (61 km), Tetovo – Ohrid (135 km)

Total Distance Covered: 215 km

Day 8: Ohrid – Resne – Bitola – Thessaloniki – Istanbul

After breakfast, we head to Resne. After seeing the palace of Niazi of Resne, one of the three most famous figures of the Committee of Union and Progress and renowned for his contributions during the Turkish-Greek War, and the city of Resne panoramically, we proceed to Bitola. During our Bitola city tour, we visit the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishak Mosque, Yeni Mosque, Haydar Kadı Mosque, and the Military High School where Atatürk graduated and the Atatürk Museum (from outside), moments that will touch your heart deeply. After our Bitola tour, we move to the Greek border gate. After customs procedures, we head to Thessaloniki. Places to visit include the waterfront (Kordon), White Tower, Rotunda, Exhibition Square, Ottoman and Byzantine monuments, Ay Dimitrios Cathedral (the largest cathedral in Greece), statue of Alexander the Great, Hamza Bey Mosque, statues of E. Venizelos and P. Konstantinos, Vardar, Macedonia, Aristotle, Eleftherios squares. Our Thessaloniki tour concludes with a visit to the house of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. After a short break, we reach Ipsala border gate via Kavala, Xanthi, and Komotini. After entering our country, we arrive in Istanbul via Keşan and Tekirdağ, concluding our tour. We bid farewell to our valued guests, wishing to meet again on your next journey.

Resne Tour INCLUDED! Bitola Tour INCLUDED!

Morning Breakfast: Buffet style at the hotel, included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken freely in Thessaloniki.

Dinner: Will be taken freely along the route.

Currency: Greece – Euro

Route: Ohrid – Bitola (69 km), Bitola – Thessaloniki (220 km), Thessaloniki-Istanbul (590 km)

Total Distance Covered: 875 km

About Visa Return Guarantee;

• Visa documents must be sent to our office completely one month in advance. Otherwise, it will not be considered under the visa return guarantee.

• This applies when visas and travel health insurance are purchased from Wtatil. It is not valid for individual applications.

• In case the visa is not issued, the visa and insurance fees will be deducted, and the full tour amount will be refunded.