24 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,840pp
Escorted tour
Dubrovnik to Athens: Balkans Overland via Albania & Ohrid – 15 Days
Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Greece overland, in a small group of up to 12.
15 days
From £2,775
Tour overview
This 15-day small-group trip travels overland through five countries of the southern Balkans, from the walled city of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic to Athens, the cradle of ancient Greece. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You travel by private transfer, public bus and train, and stay fourteen nights: ten in hotels, two in a guesthouse below Mount Olympus, one in a homestay-style farm stay and one in a hostel with private bathroom in Dubrovnik. Fourteen breakfasts are included, along with a lunch at a beekeeper's farm in the village of Dihovo.
After time to walk Dubrovnik's city walls, a private transfer takes you along the coast to Kotor, a medieval town at the head of a fjord-like bay in Montenegro. Crossing into Albania, you spend two nights in the colourful capital Tirana, with a half-day trip to Kruja, the mountain stronghold of the national hero Skanderbeg, then travel by public bus to Berat, the town of a thousand windows and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read more
Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes, shared between Albania and North Macedonia, offers two nights among churches, monasteries and a lakeside old town. In Skopje, North Macedonia's lively capital, you explore its old bazaar and statues and take a trip to Matka Canyon, a deep ravine cut by the Treska River. Near Bitola, close to Pelister National Park, you visit a beekeeper's farm in Dihovo for a home-cooked lunch.
Crossing into Greece, you explore the ancient site of Heraclea Lyncestis on the way to Kastoria, a lakeside town of Byzantine churches and old mansions. Two nights in Litochoro at the foot of Mount Olympus, Greece's highest mountain and first national park, give you time to walk its gorges and trails. A train then carries you south to Athens, where the trip ends.
The physical rating is medium, with public transport, walking and some carrying of luggage. This trip suits curious travellers who want to discover the lesser-known corners of the Balkans on the way to Greece. Pack light, as you carry your own bags on public buses, and allow time to explore Athens after the trip.
Trip highlights
-
The Bay of Kotor (Day 2)
-
Kruja and Tirana (Day 4)
-
Berat, the town of a thousand windows (Day 5)
-
Two nights on Lake Ohrid (Days 6–7)
-
Matka Canyon near Skopje (Day 9)
-
Mount Olympus (Day 13)
Your route
14 stops from Dubrovnik to Athens
- Dubrovnik Day 1
- Kotor Day 2
- Shkoder Day 3
- Tirana Days 3–4
- Kruja Day 4
- Berat Day 5
- Ohrid Days 6–7
- Sveti Naum Monastery Day 7
- Skopje Days 8–9
- Bitola Day 10
- Heraclea Lyncestis Day 11
- Kastoria Day 11
- Litochoro Days 12–13
- Athens Days 14–15
Why choose this tour
Five countries overland, including the lesser-visited Albania and North Macedonia. Great value, with small groups and local transport.
Best suited to
- Curious, independent-minded travellers
- Return visitors to Europe
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
- Travellers on a budget
Day-by-day itinerary
15 days from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Athens, Greece
-
Day 1 · Dubrovnik Arrive in Dubrovnik
A welcome meeting in the walled city.
- Hotel
- Hostel
-
Day 2 · Kotor Kotor
A transfer along the coast to Montenegro.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Tirana Tirana
Cross into Albania.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 4 · Kruja, Tirana Kruja
A half-day trip to the mountain stronghold.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Berat Berat
A public bus to the town of a thousand windows.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Ohrid Ohrid
Travel to North Macedonia's lake town.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Lake Ohrid Lake Ohrid
Explore the lake and its churches.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Skopje Skopje
A public bus to the capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Matka Canyon Matka Canyon
A trip to the river canyon.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Dihovo, Bitola Bitola
Lunch at a beekeeper's farm.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Lunch
-
Day 11 · Heraclea Lyncestis, Kastoria Kastoria
Ancient ruins, then into Greece.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 12 · Kastoria, Litochoro Litochoro
A free morning, then to Mount Olympus.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Mount Olympus Mount Olympus
Walk in Greece's first national park.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Athens Athens
A train to the Greek capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 15 · Athens Trip ends
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Dubrovnik (1 night) Hostel with private bathroom
- Kotor (1 night) Hotel
- Tirana (2 nights) Hotel
- Berat (1 night) Hotel
- Ohrid (2 nights) Hotel
- Skopje (2 nights) Hotel
- Bitola (1 night) Hotel
- Kastoria (1 night) Hotel
- Litochoro (2 nights) Guesthouse
- Athens (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 14 nights in hotels, guesthouses and a hostel
- Meals 13 breakfasts and 1 lunch
- Private transfers, public buses and a train to Athens
- Kruja half-day trip
- Matka Canyon visit
- Beekeeper farm visit and lunch in Dihovo
- Heraclea Lyncestis archaeological site
- Leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 1 breakfast, 12 lunches and 14 dinners
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want luggage handled for you — you carry bags on public transport
- You want luxury — accommodation is simple
- You want many meals included
- You want a beach holiday
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–9 and 11–15 · Lunch: Day 10 · Dinner: none included
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,775 per person, twin share, tour only. 50 upcoming departures.
28 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,790pp
01 May 2027
Twin share
£2,860pp
08 May 2027
Twin share
£2,940pp
15 May 2027
Twin share
£3,090pp
22 May 2027
Twin share
£2,860pp
05 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,860pp
12 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,780pp
26 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
03 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,860pp
17 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
31 Jul 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
14 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
21 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,860pp
28 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,860pp
04 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,940pp
11 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,940pp
15 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,995pp
18 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,995pp
22 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,995pp
25 Sept 2027
Twin share
£2,940pp
02 Oct 2027
Twin share
£2,860pp
09 Oct 2027
Twin share
£2,775pp
15 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
22 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
26 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
29 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
06 May 2028
Twin share
£3,005pp
13 May 2028
Twin share
£3,085pp
20 May 2028
Twin share
£3,145pp
27 May 2028
Twin share
£3,085pp
03 Jun 2028
Twin share
£3,005pp
10 Jun 2028
Twin share
£3,005pp
17 Jun 2028
Twin share
£3,005pp
24 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
01 Jul 2028
Twin share
£3,005pp
15 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
29 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
05 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
12 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
19 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,915pp
26 Aug 2028
Twin share
£3,005pp
02 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,085pp
09 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,085pp
13 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,145pp
16 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,145pp
20 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,145pp
23 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,085pp
30 Sept 2028
Twin share
£3,085pp
07 Oct 2028
Twin share
£3,005pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Which countries do we visit?
Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Greece.
How do we travel?
By private transfer, public bus and a train to Athens.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors do not usually need visas for short stays in these countries. Check before you travel.
Are rooms shared?
Rooms are twin-share, with solo travellers paired by gender.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 15.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 travellers, with a leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary