8 Days Exploring Undiscovered Balkans

Day 1 – Travel to Croatia

Leave Dublin airport today for our direct flight from Dublin to Split, Croatia. Upon arrival, we will be welcomed by our Sunway tour leader and local guide and travel to our hotel in Makarska. Located on the glittering blue waters of the Adriatic.

Day 2 – Free Day

Today we have a free day in Markarska.

Day 3 – Kravice Waterfalls and Sarajevo

Today, we embark on our journey across the border from Croatia into Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the way we will stop to admire one of the most beautiful scenic areas in southern Bosnia at Kravice Waterfalls, a natural wonder where 25-metre cascades spill into emerald pools, all surrounded by lush forests. We will then continue to Jablanica, where you will have free time for lunch. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Sarajevo, Bosnia’s capital. Settle into our hotel and explore some of the local restaurants for dinner at your leisure.

Day 4 – Sarajevo city tour

Today, we will immerse ourselves in a full-day city tour of Sarajevo, where East meets West in a captivating blend of cultures. This vibrant capital is a mosaic of architectural styles, where the ornate Austro-Hungarian buildings stand side by side with Ottoman-era domes and minarets. Our first stop will be Butmir and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum, also known as the Tunnel of Hope. This historic tunnel, used to smuggle supplies during the siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian War, offers a powerful insight into the city's perseverance during its darkest days. We then continue our journey, with a guided walking tour through Sarajevo’s historic streets through Bascarsija, the city’s old bazaar. Marvel at the mosques, bazaars and cathedrals, and stand on the historic Latin Bridge, famously known for its connection to World War I. You will have the rest of the afternoon free.

Day 5 – Ilidza and Mostar

Today, we leave Sarajevo and head towards the charming town of Mostar. We will drive through Bosnia and Herzegovina's breathtaking landscapes, featuring rolling hills, mountains, and rivers. In the afternoon, we will arrive to Mostar and have a guided walking tour, visiting its major sights. The crown jewel of Mostar is the Stari Most, a stunning stone bridge built in the 16th century by the Ottomans. This UNESCO World Heritage site arches gracefully over the turquoise waters of the Neretva River. The bridge is not only an architectural marvel but also a symbol of the city’s history and resilience, having been destroyed during the Bosnian War and later reconstructed. We will then check into our hotel in Mostar, which will be our base for the next two nights.

Day 6 – Pocitelj and Blagaj

Today, we will explore the breathtaking landscapes of Bosnia’s Herzegovina region. First, we will visit the town of Pocitelj, dramatically perched on a hillside overlooking the Neretva River. Walk through Pocitelj’s narrow, winding, stone-paved streets and admire the town's architecture, a stunning mix of medieval and Ottoman influences, with stone houses and fortifications blending harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. Next, we will visit Blagaj and the source of the Buna River, one of Europe’s largest and most beautiful springs. Here, nestled against the base of a towering cliff, stands the Blagaj Tekija, a Dervish monastery dating back to around 1520. This serene retreat, with its blend of Ottoman and Mediterranean architecture, boasts whitewashed walls and wooden balconies that seem to float above the crystal-clear waters of the river. We will then return to Mostar.

Day 7 – Travel to Makarska & Medjugorje

This morning, we will travel to Medjugorje,e a world-renowned pilgrimage site since 1981, when local children claimed to have seen visions of the Virgin Mary, where we get to explore this spiritual town. Afterwards, we will travel back over the border to Croatia and our hotel in Makarska. Here we will have the afternoon at leisure to unwind beside the beach after a busy few days.

Day 8 – Split and fly home. 

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel. We’ll explore one of the jewels of the Dalmatian Coast with a visit to Split, Croatia’s second-largest city. Our local tour guide will bring us on a walking tour of the Old Town, centred around the grand Diocletian’s Palace. This ancient complex, once the retirement villa of the Roman emperor Diocletian, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will then have some time at leisure to explore the shops, bars and restaurants built in the arches of these ruins before returning to our hotel. It’s time to say goodbye to our time discovering the hidden gems of the Balkans as we travel to Split airport for our flight back to Dublin.

Please note that this is our planned itinerary, but sometimes, due to circumstances outside our control, we may have to alter it slightly.

Please note all of our tours include some level of walking activity and may include ascending/descending steps. They are not suitable for people with walking difficulties and/or limited mobility.