Discover 40+ tour packages in Balkans by Explore, ranging from 5 to 16 days. These trips are backed by 710+ customer reviews and offer savings of up to 9% on select departures.
Physical Rating
Departures
Countries
Accommodations
Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
Duration
5 days16 days
Activities
Destinations
Price
USD 840USD 4,440
Start & End Location
Showing 1 - 14 of 40 results
40 Trips offered by Explore in Balkans with 719 Reviews
Excellent tour. Guide Elena was outstanding and driver Zoki was excellent. Learned so much about the region and history of Ancient Macedonia.
The hotel in Skopje, Hotel Centar, was ok but its location was in the middle of several construction sites which was not great.
There were several long drives during the tour but due to the distances covered understandable. Was disappointed with Kratovo although the pipes, herb making and lunch were good.
All in all a great trip
Active and outdoor
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Sofia, Skopje, Thessaloniki, Kav
Sofia, Skopje, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Thassos, Bansko, Kratovo, Matka Canyon, Lake Ohrid, Albanian Riviera, Pelister National Park, Vergina
Lazr so knowledgeable about all seven countries he should be teaching upper level university courses. He’s dedicated and streetwise, particularly to your benefit when it comes to getting low prices for tour expenses. He should be given an immediate raise and be considered for future promotion.
Train tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Sleeper Train
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ljubljana, Pristina, Belgrade, N
Ljubljana, Pristina, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Skopje, Lake Ohrid, Mavrovo National Park, Bled, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Sarajevo, Mostar, Tivat
We highly recommend Highlights of Albania. The trips were highly organised and our guide Geri was very knowledgeable and looked after us well. It was our first trip with Explore.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Kruje, Kruja, Lake Ohrid
Tirana, Kruje, Kruja, Lake Ohrid, Korça, Gjirokaster, Butrint, Llogora National Park, Berat
I would have liked fewer 1 night stays and more 2 night stays, with a little less driving time. the hotels and meals were great and the boat on the Danube Delta was especially relaxing and enjoyable.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Greek Island Wanderer was just as described in the itinerary. Every day was fun packed and busy. The hikes we did were amazing but there was always an alternative if you didn't feel like hiking. The extra trips were fun
Our leader Christos, was amazing. He was knowledgeable and very helpful with any problem that arose.
This is a great way to explore the Greek Islands and I would highly recommend .
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The experience of cycling in Albania was very interesting as far as seeing different parts of the country, interacting with Albanian people, learning about the culture and history and cycling through forests and fields and down to the beaches.
The cycling itself was quite hard in terms of the hills, but because of the bikes/gears it was very attainable. We were able to stop and rest, as necessary and always had support and encouragement from our guide and the van.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Bungalow
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Korça, Germenj, Gjirokas
Tirana, Korça, Germenj, Gjirokaster, Saranda, Himara, Berat
I had done one trip previously – Amalfi coast hiking, fall 2023 – with EXPLORE. I was so impressed I asked my excellent guide, Pete, what else he would recommend knowing my abilities and interests. He immediately recommended the Slovenia trip, and it actually was on my list of places to visit. He had apparently set the trip up about seven years ago and was very familiar with it.
I have been in 50 countries to date - some several times- and Slovenia is now in my top five and I am already planning my return for next May.
We had a lovely small group, being the first of these hikes of the season, hailing from Canada, Spain, Australia, and the UK.
The accommodation, staff, management, and food at Art Hotel Kristal were A+ – and I especially loved and took advantage of the options of the sauna and cold plunge, Ayurvedic massages with the wonderful Bhatri, chocolate tasting with the owner, Alenka, and a fantastic wine tasting with her son, Jan. I went home with a lovely assortment of chocolates and also a wonderful bottle of wine that I will try to hold onto for a few years until it is optimal to drink.
The hikes were not difficult at all, but I found that I did feel like I got a good amount of exercise by the end of the day. I spent my free day doing a mountain bike ride. The whole area around Lake Bohinj is stunning and there are so many activities that one can partake in, as well as really yummy local restaurants close by the hotel. I loved that the hotel offered a pre-fixe three course menu for hotel guests for only €25 on the nights that were not included with the hike. An incredible bargain given the quality of the food, as with almost all of the food we had in Slovenia, it was locally sourced and delicious. I am not typically a meat eater, but I had the venison twice – locally sourced, and wild – and it was by far the best I have ever had.
I would definitely stay at this hotel when I return to the area. I would strongly encourage others to spend some time in Ljubljana – either before or after the trip. A beautiful city a two hour bus ride awaythat is just the right size and full of so much to offer. Next time I am going to see a lot more of this country – it is half the size of Switzerland, but the variety of the terrain and ecosystems is quite impressive. Also, to be noted is that English is widely spoken and children start in grade 3, learning this second language. The Slovenians couldn’t have been nicer and more helpful everywhere I went. What can I say?? Get yourself to Slovenia before it is overrun: safe, clean, and green – a beautiful country of farmers, foragers, wine makers, and beekeepers. Also note that they have some fantastic fly fishing there as well as mountain and road biking – very cycling friendly. After all, it is the country of Pogacar.
Trekking and HikingWaterfalls
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj Lake, Sa
Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj Lake, Savica Waterfall, Lake Bled, Brod, Julian Alps
A great trip. A lot of ground covered. Tour notes had explained clearly that early starts were common and how much travel time was involved. Our modern, generously sized, coach and regular stops made it very comfortable. Our guide, Alcan Sisli, and driver, Attila, were of the high quality I expect from Explore! trips. Alcan was passionate about his country and extremely knowledgeable about all our points of interest. He took great care to include everyones wishes and needs when making plans and quickly knew us as individuals. He was unfailingly cheerful and looked after us all very competently, even when we perhaps did our own thing! We all got our turn to sit near the front of the coach to ask all those odd questions you might hesitate to ask in the whole group, though as usual the group, 12 in all, was such an interesting mix of backgrounds and personalities that it very soon felt as if we were just one big family. I miss them all now I'm home again! The accommodation was an eclectic mix of small city rooms to surprisingly luxurious bigger ones. All clean and with amazing buffet breakfasts. Food was varied - if sometimes a little solidly based on traditional Turkish meals. Fabulous fresh fish. Interesting 'greasy spoon' cafes with amazing dishes and the chance to try great local specialities. The attractions were as described - but even more spectacular in reality. The Mosques, Cotton Castle terraces, Rock formations and cave dwellings, Greco Romano remains etc were all fantastic and the final visit to Gallipoli was powerfully atmospheric. Our only disappointment was the unusually cold and wet weather during our particular trip dates but it didn't dampen our spirits and the only thing we couldn't do was the optional balloon flight. Another year perhaps. Now just got to sort out the 100s of photos and eat the Turkish Delight.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Pamukkale, Selçuk, Eph
Istanbul, Pamukkale, Selçuk, Ephesus, Canakkale, Ankara, Goreme, Cappadocia, Antalya, Kas, Xanthos, Iztuzu Beach
This is quite a challenging trek and the distances were slightly more than the trip notes. Plenty of steep ups and downs and poles definitely needed. Having said that the scenery is stunning and the trip balanced well. The hut accommodation is pretty comfortable and warm and more of a hostel really with outdoor loos. The huts also provide crocs so no real need to carry spare footwear if you want to save weight and space in your day rucksack.
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
