Start your road trip adventure from Athens and head towards Tirana, the vibrant capital city of Albania nestled between the Dajti Mountain and the Adriatic Sea. Stroll around the Skanderbeg Square, enjoy the views from the top of the Clock Tower of Tirana, and visit the National History Museum. Take a break and have lunch at the Komiteti Kafe Muzeum and indulge in some traditional Albanian cuisine.
After breakfast, drive to Pristina, the capital and largest city of Kosovo. Visit the Gračanica Monastery, admire the stunning interior of the Ethnographic Museum, and take a selfie with the famous “Newborn” monument. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the Pishat Restaurant, where you can try some local delicacies.
Today, drive to Novi Sad, the second-largest city in Serbia. Visit the Petrovaradin Fortress on the banks of the Danube River, stroll around the pedestrian zone of Zmaj Jovina Street, and discover the hidden gem of the city, the Synagogue of Novi Sad. End your day with some traditional Serbian cuisine and a glass of fine wine at the Project 72 Wine & Deli Bar.
After breakfast, head to Belgrade, the capital and largest city of Serbia. Visit the Kalemegdan Fortress, stroll around the beautiful Tašmajdan Park, and discover the charm of the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija. Enjoy a traditional Serbian lunch at the famous Ćevabdžinica 5, which serves the best ćevapi in town.
Drive to Skopje, the capital city of North Macedonia, adorned with beautiful bridges, eclectic architecture, and rich history. Visit the magnificent stone-carved complex of the Matka Canyon, admire the statues at the Macedonian Square, and take a stroll around the Old Bazaar. Enjoy dinner and some live music at the Gino Italian Restaurant.
After breakfast, drive to the tranquil and historic city of Ohrid, famous for its gorgeous lake, ancient castle, and numerous churches. Visit the Church of St. John at Kaneo, enjoy the scenic view of the Ohrid Lake from the Church of St. Sophia, and take a dip in the clear and turquoise waters of the Gradiste Beach. End your day with a lovely dinner at the Dr. Falafel Food & Bar.
Today, drive to Sarajevo, the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Savour the magnificent view from the Yellow Fortress, walk across the Festina Lente Bridge, and wander through the cobbled streets of Baščaršija, the Ottoman-era bazaar. Treat yourself with some delicious Bosnian cuisine at the Kibe Mahala Restaurant.
Drive to Mostar, a charming city in Herzegovina that showcases Ottoman and medieval architecture. Visit the iconic Stari Most bridge, take a tour of the medieval fortress of Počitelj, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Brankovac Public Beach. Have dinner at the Sadrvan Restaurant, which offers exquisite Bosnian cuisine in a serene setting.
Today, drive to the historic and delightful city of Dubrovnik, famous for its ancient walls, fortified citadel and stunning vistas of the Adriatic coast. Visit the Dubrovnik Cathedral, tour the Rector's Palace, and capture the view from the top of Mount Srđ. Unwind at the Buza Bar, perched on the rocks overlooking the azure sea.
On your way back, take a detour to the magical city of Kotor, perched on the shores of the Bay of Kotor, nestled between towering cliffs and a crystal-clear sea. Walk the walls of the Kotor Castle, visit the Church of Saint Luke, and discover the charm of the old town. Drive back to Athens after lunch and end your memorable Balkan road trip.
To travel between the cities in the Balkans, a rental car would be the most convenient option for families to explore the region independently. While there are public transportation options available, they may not be a viable option for individuals traveling with kids. The estimated travel time and distance between each destination is approximately given in the list. The gas fee for the whole journey is estimated to be around $200-250.
If you have more time, you can explore other nearby cities such as Budva and Sveti Stefan in Montenegro, or Thessaloniki and Plovdiv in Greece and Bulgaria respectively. Those with lesser time can shorten the itinerary by skipping a few destinations.
The main airport in Athens is the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH). The other important airports in the Balkans are Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) in Albania, Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari (PRN) in Kosovo, Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) in Serbia, Skopje Alexander the Great Airport (SKP) in North Macedonia, Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) in Croatia, and Tivat Airport (TIV) in Montenegro.