Two weeks spent traveling in the Balkans will let you travel through the streets of the Ottoman Empire, through the mountains, and around the lakes and medieval cities near the sea. It is possible to visit several countries at lower rates compared to Western Europe, but you should not overcomplicate the route.
A decent itinerary includes visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia. You can begin the tour in Sarajevo and finish it in Skopje. You can travel one way, avoiding retracing your steps, and have some history, food, the coastline, nightlife, and nature.
If you are planning a backpacker tour, you should plan to spend between €750 and €950. These sums include staying in the hostels’ dorms, transportation by bus, local inexpensive food, free paths for walking, and several paid visits to sights. The summer months in Kotor can be rather expensive, which is why it is better to go in May, June, September, and early October.
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Selecting a Route That Does Not Require a Car
First of all, the greatest mistake would be trying to visit all Balkan countries in a fortnight period of time. Although distances may seem close on the map, border crossings, mountain roads, traffic jams, and bus schedules will convert your journey into an exhausting traveling day.
In addition, while students plan their traveling in the middle of a busy school semester, they may find it necessary to combine their work on researching the route with writing essays and preparing for the exams. EssayPro is a company that provides essay writing service to students in order to give them more time for researching bus schedules, entry requirements and looking for the cheapest hostels.
Adam Jason, a travel expert associated with EssayPro’s essay writing service, advises basing the trip on the neighboring cities rather than countries, spending two days in each city.
Use this 14-day itinerary:
Days 1-3: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Start with three days in Sarajevo. Explore Baščaršija, visit the area around Latin Bridge, taste ćevapi and find out the rich history of the city. Everything here is within walking distance of the city center.
Days 4-5: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Travel to Mostar by bus or train. Visit the Old Bridge on an early morning to avoid crowds from organized day trips. Use your second day to see Blagaj or take a slow walk outside the old town.
Days 6-7: Kotor, Montenegro
Head to Kotor further down south and spend two days there. Look around the old town and take a hike towards the fortress viewpoint. It is better to start early since the trail will be too crowded during late afternoon hours.
Day 8: Shkodër, Albania
Stay overnight in Shkodër on your way to Tirana to split the journey into two. Walk around the center and explore Rozafa Castle if you have some extra time. The prices for food and lodging are lower in Albania.
Days 9-10: Tirana, Albania
Move on to Tirana for two nights. See Skanderbeg Square, Blloku district, market stalls, and one of Tirana’s history museums. The Albanian capital city is known for its hostels and cheap bakeries.
Days 11-12: Ohrid, North Macedonia
Head to Ohrid for two nights by the lake. Wander among the ancient churches, go swimming in good weather, and see the sunset in the higher part of the city.
Days 13-14: Skopje, North Macedonia
End your trip in Skopje. Visit the Old Bazaar, cross the Stone Bridge, and make a cheap day-trip to Matka Canyon if your departure time permits.
This itinerary includes seven places to stay, but only six travel days. You’ll still have full days without having to pack or sit on buses.
Create a Realistic Budget for the Day
Your expenses will be different depending on the city. Generally, Sarajevo and Tirana are less expensive for a backpacker compared to Kotor, particularly during the summer.
Based on recently updated cost-of-travel statistics, daily expenses for budget travelers are approximately $39 in Sarajevo, $44 in Albania, and $63 in Kotor. This includes accommodation, meals, transport, and cheap entertainment.
Considering all the above numbers and the proposed itinerary, it is wise to set a goal like this for two weeks:
- Hostels: €220 – €320
- Intercity buses and trains: €110 – €160
- Food and drinks: €250 – €320
- Local transport and sights: €70 – €100
- Emergencies reserve: €100
It means that your budget will amount to about €750 – €1,000 without taking into account plane tickets and travel insurance.
How to Save Money on Your Accommodation, Food, and Transportation Expenses
Hostels will be your easiest option if you are traveling alone. Try to find hostels with kitchens, free lockers, good locations, and positive reviews. Sometimes, a low-cost accommodation far away from the city center might turn out to be much more expensive when you include costs related to daily public transportation use.
Make reservations in advance if you travel to Kotor and Ohrid during the summer months. Sarajevo, Tirana, and Skopje offer travelers more choice of hostels, but even the popular ones can book up quickly during weekends.
Food will be among the most straightforward categories where you can save money. You don’t have to prepare each meal yourself. It might be cheaper to eat at bakeries, grills, markets, and modest cafes.
Burek and sirnica in Bosnia, grilled food and salads in Montenegro, byrek in Albania, and tavče gravče in North Macedonia could be your best choices. Eat breakfast in the bakery, have lunch in the restaurant, and make a hostel dinner when prices are high.
Non-EU tourists traveling to participating Schengen countries are able to register using the EU’s Entry/Exit System. More information about the recording of short-term entries and exits can be found on the official website of the European Commission EES.
Make sure you have met the passport requirements before making any plans. The border policies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and North Macedonia are different from one another, despite the close proximity of these countries.
Light Packing and Money Saving
A backpack of 35-45 liters will be sufficient for two weeks of traveling. Pack clothes that dry fast, a waterproof jacket, comfortable hiking shoes, swimming gear, sunscreen, and a water bottle that can be refilled. It is possible to wash your clothes after a week.
Take a padlock to secure the lockers in hostels, and keep a spare bank card in a separate place from the main one. Store digital copies of your passport, insurance information, tickets, and reservations.
Avoid booking a flight right after a long bus ride through the international border. Make sure you spend the last night in the city where you leave from. Border delays happen often enough to make any tight connection pointless.
Concluding Remarks
An excellent Balkan adventure of two weeks depends on a good route, sufficient rest, and an honest budget plan. Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Shkodër, Tirana, Ohrid, and Skopje connect nicely without any need for renting a car and flying from one place to another in a costly way.
You will see four countries, several very different cities, and some beautiful landscapes without racing across the whole region. That is a far better trip than collecting passport stamps and remembering only bus stations!