Istanbul Dynamic Head-to-Head Balkan Tour 8 Countries (All Day Tours, Dinner and Balkan Nights Included)

8 November 2026 – 13 November 2026 | 5 Nights, 7 Days
Tour details
                                                                                                                                                                                                    BALKANS TOUR FROM A TO Z 8 COUNTRIES
                                                                                                                                                                                            2026 
ALL DAY TOURS AND DINNERS INCLUDED
VRELO BOSNA NATIONAL PARK – POČITELJ TOUR – SVETI NAUM TOUR – MATKA CANYON TOUR – BLAGAJ TOUR SARAJEVO BOŞNAK MEATBALLS AND LOCAL RESTAURANTS WITH REAL MACEDONIAN PROGRAMS INCLUDED DIFFERENTLY

 
The Journey to the Heart of the Balkans,
Where Civilizations, Cultures, and Faiths Meet
A Meeting Point of History and Civilizations.

     Bulgaria – Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatia
     Montenegro – Albania – Macedonia - Greece


Sofia – Belgrade – Sarajevo – Konjic - Mostar – Blagay - Počitelj – Trebinje – Dubrovnik – Herceg Novi - Kotor – Budva – Shkodra – Tirana – Ohrid – Struga – Tetovo – Skopje – Thessaloniki

 
Tour Departure Dates :
April 19 / April 26 / May 17 / May 24 / May 31 / June 7 / June 14 / June 21 / June 28 / July 5 / July 12 / July 19 / July 26 / August 2 / August 9 / August 16 / August 23 / August 30 / September 13 / September 27 / October 11 / October 25 / November 8
 
 
Special Days :
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day: April 19
May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk Youth and Sports Day: May 17
Eid al-Adha:  May 24
July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day: July 12
Republic Day : October 25
November Semester: November 8

 
Day 1 Istanbul - Sofia
On the first day of our tour, we depart at 21:00 from Kadıköy Marriage Office, at 21:30 from Mecidiyeköy Oto Ekspertiz front, and at 22:00 from İncirli Ömür Plaza front, 22:30 from Beylikdüzü Marmara Park Front, heading to Kapıkule border gate. After customs, passport, and border crossing procedures, we are heading towards Sofia.
 
Day 2 Sofia – Belgrade
In the early morning hours, we arrive in Sofia and start our panoramic city tour. We will see St. Nedelya Church, the Russian Church, Rotunda Church, Hagia Sophia Church, the Parliament, the National Library, the Old Royal Palace, Sofia University, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Presidency, the Prime Ministry, and Banya Bashi Mosque among the sights. We will also have the opportunity to see the military house where our great leader M. Kemal Atatürk wore a Janissary outfit to attend a ball. After the tour and some free time, we will head to the capital of Serbia, Belgrade.
Upon arrival, our panoramic city tour in Belgrade will begin; we start from Knez Mihailova street, which is the most elegant street of the city, a symbol of liveliness and motion, one of Europe’s oldest cities. Then we move to the Belgrade Fortress, where Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded for, but the conquest was granted to Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. Inside the fortress, we will see the Key Keeper Monument, the French statue, the Istanbul Gate, the Military Museum, the tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, Sokullu Fountain, and end our tour at the terrace area where we see the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, the most beautiful view of the city. Guests can join a boat activity on the Danube and Sava rivers (20 EUR) organized by our guide if they wish. After the tour, we will have leisure time before heading to our hotel in Belgrade.
Breakfast: It will be taken at a rest area as an extra.
Lunch: At a Turkish restaurant determined by the guide in Sofia, during the free time.
Dinner: Will be served at our hotel or restaurant, which is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Abba etc. – Belgrade
Currencies : Bulgaria – Lev ( Average Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 Lev )
Route: Istanbul-Sofia (551 km), Sofia – Belgrade (392 km)
Total Distance Covered: 943 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated based on customs processing time: 19:00
 
 
Day 3 Belgrade – Sarajevo – Vrelo Bosna
After breakfast, we head towards Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After arriving, we will perform a panoramic city tour of Sarajevo, which has served as the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries, known for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by Serbs in 1914, which led to World War I, and was greatly damaged during the war among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks in 1992, but still retains a great deal of its beauty. During the tour, we will visit the Baščaršija, which is Europe’s most unique bazaar. The tour starts at the famous Sebilj Fountain, which symbolizes the bazaar, followed by the Morica Han, and then we visit Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, a relative of Kanuni Sultan Süleyman. During our tour, we will see the Clock Tower and the famous “Eternal Flame” monument. After the tour and free time, we will transfer to our hotel.Afterwards, lunch included, we will have Bosnian Meatball at a local restaurant.
Breakfast: It will be served at the hotel as a buffet and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: During the free time, at a rest area determined by the guide while traveling from Belgrade to Sarajevo.
Dinner: At a local restaurant, which is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Homestory etc. – Sarajevo
Currencies: Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Marka (Average Rate 1 Euro: 1.95 KM), Serbia – Dinar (Average Rate 1 Euro: 115 Dinar)
Route: Belgrade-Sarajevo (294 km)
Total Distance Covered: 294 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated based on customs processing time 19:00

Day 4 Sarajevo – Blagay - Mostar – Trebinje (Dubrovnik)
After breakfast, we head towards Mostar. Before that, we will visit Blagay and reach Mostar. (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!) After arriving in Mostar, we will walk and do a city tour, first seeing the Mostar Bridge (built by Architect Hayreddin in 1557, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture). The bridge was destroyed by Croatian artillery in 1992 but was reopened in 2004 with significant contributions from the Republic of Turkey. We will explore the old town bazaar and enjoy free time to shop at the local markets in Mostar. The visit to the Osmanlı village of Počitelj, which has been preserved since the 16th century filled with Ottoman structures, will be next. (INCLUDED IN THE PRICE!!!) After our tour of this authentic village, where even the playing children speak Turkish, we will head towards Trebinje. Accommodation may be in Trebinje or surrounding cities depending on regional capacity. Overnight at our hotel. Guests can join an evening tour of Dubrovnik (45 EUR) if they wish.
During the Dubrovnik panoramic tour, we will walk around the old town square, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Towers, magnificent walls, the Franciscan Monastery from the 14th century, which also hosts the oldest pharmacy in the world, Rector's Palace, city gates, towers, and other significant structures will be included. After the tour, we will transfer back to our hotel.
Breakfast: It will be served at the hotel as a buffet and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: It will be taken during free time in Mostar city center as extra.- You can taste all the local delicacies. Guide Recommendation: Bosnian Pie, Onion Stuffed, Meatballs, Bosnian Coffee.
Dinner: Dinner will be served at our hotel or restaurant, which is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Leotar etc. – Trebinje or surroundings
Currencies Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Marka ( Average Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM )
Route: Sarajevo – Mostar (126 km), Mostar – Trebinje (116 km)
Total Distance Covered: 242 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Estimated based on road conditions: 18:00
 
 
Day 5 Trebinje – Kotor – Budva – Tirana – Ohrid
After breakfast, we cross into Montenegro, one of the world's youngest states. Our first stop is Kotor, an important history and nature heaven and a tourist attraction. Here, we will walk in Stari Grad (Old Town-Castle) and get to know this charming town. After the Kotor tour, we will head to Budva, where we will see the stunning St. Stefan from a panoramic view after a stop to admire the island's beauty, which was once a fishing village and has now been transformed with renovations for tourism. After passing through Albania Tirana, we arrive at Ohrid. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast: It will be served at the hotel as a buffet and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: It will be taken during free time in Kotor city center.- You can taste all the local delicacies. Guide Recommendation: Seafood, Appetizers, Grills, Local Beverages.
Dinner: Will be served at a rest area along the way, which is included in the tour price.
Accommodation: Hotel Village etc., Ohrid
Currencies : Bosnia and Herzegovina – Convertible Marka (Average Rate 1 Euro : 1.95 KM), Montenegro – Euro, Macedonia – Denar (Average Rate 1 Euro : 60 Denar)
Route: Trebinje-Kotor (81 KM), Kotor-Budva (22 KM), Budva – Tirana (180 KM), Tirana – Ohrid (134 KM)
Total Distance Covered: 417 km
Hotel Check-in Time: Based on customs processing time: 23:30
 
 
Day 6 Ohrid – St.Naum - Tetova (Kalkandelen) – Skopje
After breakfast at the hotel, we continue over the Mavrovo mountains for a tour of Ohrid, a Mediterranean town in the Balkans. We start our tour in Ohrid at the Harbor Square, where we will talk about the statues we see and walk through the historical neighborhood where scenes from the series Elveda Rumeli were filmed, viewing the historic Ottoman houses, the church of St. Sophia, and concluding our tour with the presentation of the famous Ohrid pearl, the most significant symbol of Ohrid. Guests can join a boat activity on Lake Ohrid organized by our guide (15 EUR). After this, we will proceed to visit the site of St. Naum, which has monumental views. Next, we will start our journey toward the capital, Skopje. Along the way, we will visit Tetova (Kalkandelen), the third largest city in the country and the one with the highest Albanian population. We will visit the Alaca Mosque and its Imaret. We will start our city tour from the Macedonian side, where there are many massive statues, and the prominent Grand Alexander statue will be among the first we see followed by the historic Skopje Stone Bridge where we will witness how cultures change so abruptly crossing the Vardar river, heading towards the Old Turkish Bazaar of Skopje, which is one of the most important structures of Ottoman bazaar organizations consisting of Davut Pasha bath, Kapan Han, and Murat Pasha Mosque which survived despite the earthquakes. After our visit, we will have one hour for shopping in Turkish Bazaar. Options include bulgarian peppers, ustrumca, and various items. After this tour, we will transfer to our hotel and check-in. Finally, we will have a Makedonian Night with local meals and music at a location determined by the guide which is included! Overnight at our hotel.
Breakfast: It will be served at the hotel as a buffet and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: It will be taken during free time in Ohrid city center as extra.- You can taste all local flavors. Guide Recommendation: Ohrid Trout, Meatballs, and Baked Beans.
Dinner: At a local place with Makedonian Night, which is included!
Accommodation: Hotel Gold etc. – Skopje
Currencies : Macedonia – Denar ( Average Rate 1 Euro : 60 Denar)
Route: Ohrid-Tetova(Kalkandelen) (133 KM), Tetova - Skopje (45 KM)
Total Distance Covered: 178 km
Hotel Check-in Time: 19:00
 
 
 

Day 7 Skopje – Matka Canyon - Thessaloniki - Istanbul
After breakfast, we visit the Matka Canyon, known for its stunning beauty (INCLUDED IN PRICE!!!). Afterwards, we head to Thessaloniki. Upon arrival, we will commence our Thessaloniki city tour. We will see the Promenade, White Tower, Rotunda, Exhibition Square, Ottoman and Byzantine monuments, Greece's largest cathedral Aya Dimitros, the statue of Alexander the Great, Hamza Bey Mosque, E. Venizelos-P. Konstantinos Statues, Vardar, Macedonia, Aristotle, Eleftherios squares are among the places to visit. We conclude our Thessaloniki tour by visiting the house where our great leader M. Kemal Atatürk was born, and with a bus ride, we will head towards the border crossing at Ipsala passing through İskeçe, Dedeağaç. After completing customary passport and customs procedures, we will be heading towards Istanbul via Tekirdağ.
Breakfast: It will be served at the hotel as a buffet and is included in the tour price.
Lunch: A free extra during Thessaloniki city center.
Dinner: It will be taken at a rest area on the way to İstanbul.
Currencies Greece - Euro
Route: Skopje – Thessaloniki (234 km), Thessaloniki – Kavala (153 KM), Kavala – Istanbul (443 KM)
Total Distance Covered: 830 km
Estimated Arrival Time in Istanbul: Depending on customs processing time: around 02:00.
 
What's included
* All transportation services throughout the program
* Local professional Turkish guiding services
* Accommodation for 1 night in Belgrade, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Trebinje or surroundings, 1 night in Ohrid, 1 night in Skopje at 3 or 4* hotels with breakfast included.
* Local Restaurant's Macedonian Night (Balkan Night)
* Local Restaurant's Bosnian Meatballs
* Three dinners taken at hotels or restaurants in Belgrade, Trebinje, and Ohrid
* Vrelo Bosna National Park Tour
* Blagay Tour
* Počitelj Tour
* Sveti Naum Tour
* Matka Canyon Tour
* Thessaloniki Tour
* Mandatory local guiding services in some cities
* All highway check-point and parking fees
* Customs Taxes
* Panoramic city tours specified in the program.
* Limited water service inside the vehicle
Not included
*Museum and archaeological site entrances*
* Tours organized by the guide
* All personal expenses 
* City Taxes (20 EUR per person, paid to the guide during the tour)
* Lunches
* Drinks taken during meals
* Tips for the driver and guide
* MULTI SCHENGEN VISA OR MULTIPLE ENTRY BULGARIAN VISA (HOLDERS OF GREEN PASSPORTS ARE EXEMPT FROM VISA). 
* Exit tax from abroad
* International travel health insurance
Need to Know
INFORMATION,
- All participating guests must hold a valid Multi-Entry Schengen visa or a multi-entry Bulgarian visa for the entire duration of the tour. (Green passport holders are exempt from this requirement.)
- To enable shopping and spending in all countries included in the program during the tour, it is sufficient to carry Euros. In regions where local currency is used, the guide will assist with currency exchange.
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers should be worn during the trip. It is advisable to bring a sweater or similar clothing for the evening.
- On our tours, seat rotation is applied daily; therefore, no guarantee is given for a fixed seat or front seats. Seat changes are organized by the vehicle guide.
- When entering Turkey from abroad, a minimum stay of 3 days is required to bring goods (alcohol, tobacco, etc.).
- Duty-free shopping limits when entering Turkey from abroad: Cigarettes: 3 cartons; Alcoholic beverages: 1 liter of spirits (excluding spirits with more than 22% alcohol, wine, and champagne); Alcoholic beverages: 2 liters of spirits (including spirits with less than 22% alcohol, wine, and champagne); Perfume: 600 ml; Makeup or skincare products: 5 items; Chocolate and confectionery: 2 kg; Coffee: 1 kg; Tea: 1 kg
- During the tour, guides may modify the itinerary due to weather and road conditions, while ensuring that all locations specified in the program are visited.
- Guests who register for the tour have the right to cancel free of charge up to 30 days before the tour date. If cancellation occurs less than 30 days before the tour date, a 30% penalty applies; if less than 20 days remain, a 100% penalty applies. Documents such as hospital reports or work permission letters obtained from Turkish authorities submitted with a participant's cancellation request are unfortunately not accepted for cancellations of hotels and services booked outside Turkey.
- Our tour programs are organized subject to a minimum participation of 25 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notification date is 20 days before the tour departure. Tours cancelled due to insufficient participation will be notified by Holitera Turizm.
- In cases where the tour program provides only category information without specifying names and/or offers options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be announced by Holitera Turizm 2 days prior to the tour departure.
- During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be located at distances greater than those specified. In such cases, information will be provided by Holitera Turizm 15 days before the tour departure date.
- Triple rooms are subject to hotel availability. In these rooms, the third bed is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of one large bed plus one additional bed. Since additional beds are foldable or coach-style beds, participants booking triple rooms for a third person and/or children are deemed to have accepted potential crowding and the type of bed in the room. Child discounts apply only to one child per two adults within the specified age group.
- Breakfasts included in the tour package are served according to the local breakfast culture of the country visited, typically as a limited continental menu consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea, or coffee. For groups, breakfast may be served in a separate hall allocated specifically for the group.
- Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are short tours (maximum 2–3 hours) designed for general city introduction, conducted from the vehicle with guide commentary, and do not include entry to museums or historical sites. Holitera Turizm is not responsible for the inability to conduct these panoramic tours if they coincide with other scheduled tours, or if access is denied by local authorities on the day and time of the tour, or if roads are closed due to any event, or if weather conditions make the tour impossible. Some tours may be conducted via public transport or on foot where vehicle access is restricted.
- At border crossings by road during travel, waiting times may exceed standard limits. Holitera Turizm cannot be held liable for any negative consequences arising from such waiting times.
- Extra tours are organized by the local Holitera Turizm partner with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient numbers are not met, the excursions may not take place, or extra tour prices, content, and vehicles used may vary based on the number of participants. Additionally, the days and times of tours may be changed by the guide depending on whether museums and historical sites are open or closed, and weather conditions.
- Extra tours are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who choose not to participate in extra tours organized during the trip are deemed to have agreed to wait at a suitable rest facility along the route. These passengers will be dropped off at the roadside rest area before the extra tour begins and picked up from the same location after the main tour is completed.
- Check-in and boarding procedures for flights are personal responsibilities. Guests must complete these procedures either at airline counters at the airport before departure or online via the airline's website.
- Holitera Turizm is not responsible for flight failures resulting from guests failing to arrive at the designated airport at the reported time, failing to complete check-in and boarding procedures on time, or completing them on time but failing to board the aircraft. All costs associated with new round-trip flight tickets and transfers in the destination region for passengers who miss their flight are borne by the passengers themselves.
- Holitera Turizm acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the airline and is subject to the Hague Protocol of September 28, 1955. There may be risks of delays on scheduled and special flights, or flight times may change prior to the current tour and flight. Holitera Turizm is obligated to notify passengers of such changes as soon as possible. By purchasing the tour, the passenger accepts the risk of schedule changes. Children aged 0–2 years are exempt from paying airport taxes and airport service fees.
- The types of vehicles used in our tours are classified according to the number of passengers as follows. The specific vehicle type for each tour is determined based on the number of participants:
Buses: (Used for groups of 25–46 people) *Mercedes Travego/Tourismo *NEOPLAN Cityliner/Tourliner *Temsa Safir/Maraton *Man Fortuna
Midibuses: (Used for groups of 17–24 people) *Isuzu Turkuaz, *Otokar Mega
Minibuses: (Used for groups up to 16 people) *VW Volt, *Mercedes Sprinter
- All guests are deemed to have accepted the above terms upon completing the tour purchase.