Taste of the Balkans: Sarajevo, Mostar, Split, Dubrovnik & Kotor - 14 Days

Highlights

• Discover regional cuisine with food tours in Sarajevo and Split
• Learn about Bosnia and Herzegovina's food with two traditional cooking classes
• Go wine tasting on the island of Korcula and meet an oyster farmer in Ston
• Visit the incredible Kravica Waterfalls, hidden in a lush forest
• Meet Croatian families at their farms for authentic cooking experiences

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Food & Culture Tour

Welcome to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina! Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, this interesting city has a beautiful setting and a rich and complex history that reflects the cultural diversity of its people. Sarajevo bears the scars of the Bosnian War in the 1990s, evident in the rebuilt structures alongside reminders of the conflict. On arrival at the airport, a private driver will meet you for a short transfer to your hotel. Drop your bags, refresh, and set out to meet your local food guide.

You'll join a food and culture tour this afternoon to glimpse another side of Sarajevo. Along with a local foodie, you'll navigate historic streets to taste delicious traditional specialties, both sweet and sour. Learn more about the city's history as you fresh baked goods and local produce at the market, and fall in love with the diversity of Sarajevo and its food. After the 2.5-hour food tour, use the rest of the day to stroll along the Miljacka River or keep exploring history at the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum. For a panoramic sunset view, take a stroll to the Yellow Fortress.

Day 2: Free Morning in Sarajevo, Bosnian Pie Workshop

Sarajevo is often called the "Jerusalem of Europe" as this city is a place where Jews, Christians, and Muslims coexist, creating a unique cultural and religious life with links back to the Ottoman Empire. Use your morning to explore the Old Town, then visit the historic bazaar, Baršćaršija, to enjoy a traditional Bosnian lunch and taste delicious sweets inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine at local pastry shops.

This afternoon, you'll learn how to make Bosnian pie—known as burek—which is well known and loved all around the Balkan region and Europe. Join a local pie-making expert and discover how to create this delicious dish the traditional Bosnian way. Your host will share stories about life in Sarajevo and the region as you make your pie together from scratch. When the dish is finished, sit down to enjoy a traditional meal made by your own hands.

Day 3: Transfer to Mostar, Explore the Old Town

Today, a private driver will take you 2.5 hours from Sarajevo to Mostar, a small city known for its old Turkish-style houses and its iconic Stari Most bridge. Check into your hotel, then set out to find lunch and explore the small city. Most of the attractions are conveniently located within walking distance of each other, so exploring on foot is the easiest way. For lunch, you could try ćevapi, a dish of grilled minced meat that's usually served with a bread called lepina. It's delicious, cheap, and filling.

As you wander through Mostar, you'll feel as if time has stood still. Be sure to walk across the famous Stari Most, which, together with the surrounding Old Town, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Visit the Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque and climb its minaret for unparalleled views of the city. Then, explore the Old Bazaar, a colorful place that's full of life. Here, you can stop for Bosnian coffee, shop for souvenirs, and take in the local culture.

Day 4: Walking Tour of Mostar, Traditional Cooking Class

Mostar is where culture and religion collide, and the town is often described as a place where "East Meets West." This morning, meet a local guide who will share its rich history as you explore the town's highlights. Spanning a deep valley of the Neretva River, Mostar developed in the 15th and 16th centuries as an Ottoman frontier town. You'll visit the UNESCO-listed Stari Most and wander between the Franciscan Monastery, Kajtaz House, and the shops and restaurants along Kujundžiluk Street. You'll also stop for a taste of true Bosnian coffee.

Day 5: Transfer to Split (Croatia) via Kravica Waterfalls

This morning, skip south to the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. Partway along the 2.5-hour transfer, you'll pause at the beautiful Kravica Waterfalls, close to the border. Because of their towering height of 82 feet (25 m), these waterfalls have gained the nickname "Small Niagara," and they're a popular destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Soak in the vivid blue and green color of the Trebižat River and its waterfalls hidden by lush trees and greenery. After, continue to Split, the second-largest city in Croatia.

This ancient coastal city was founded 1,700 years ago by the Roman emperor Diocletian, whose fourth-century Roman palace complex, Diocletian's Palace, forms the medieval streets that wind through Split's pedestrian-only center. Check into your hotel, then set out to explore the unique Old Town with its galleries, boutiques, cafés, and bars. In the evening, the UNESCO-listed site comes alive with restaurant terraces spilling out across marble squares and along the seafront Riva. Find a spot to watch the sunset, then take your pick of restaurants for dinner with a view.

Day 6: Split Culture & Food Walking Tour

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Split today on a private food tour. You'll snack your way through the city's historic streets while visiting street markets, modest bakeries, and old bars while hunting for sweet and savory local delicacies. Meet your guide in the morning and meander over to Pazar, a lively outdoor fruit and vegetable market. See how the locals shop and sample prosciutto and cheese together with rakija, a typical fruit brandy of the region. Then, explore the palace's underground cellars and end with a savory soparnik—a type of Swiss-chard-filled pie.

Spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful city on your own. Visit the Iron Gate and popular Voćni trg (Fruit Square). Here, you can enjoy Renaissance architecture from Split's Venetian era. Visit the famous Bačvice Beach, walk to Marjan Park, and climb to Telegrin—the highest peak of Marjan with panoramic city views. In the evening, stroll along Split's seafront Riva to admire the views over the Adriatic before finding the offbeat Konoba Dioklecijan restaurant just to the left of the Bronze Gate. Its outdoor terrace is built into the walls of the famed Diocletian's Palace.

Day 7: Ferry to Korčula, Explore the Island

Pop into Split's Green Market (Pazar Market) just east of Diocletian's Palace on your way to the ferry. This is a great place to pick up some fruit and snacks for your 2.5 to 3.5-hour ride to Korčula. Upon arrival, settle into this idyllic Adriatic island, whose main town is a maze of gray stone houses, alleys, churches, and squares filled with restaurants, taverns, shops, and bars. Check into your hotel, then use the afternoon to explore Korčula as you wish.

Visit the 14th-century Land Gate on top of an elegant staircase before heading to St. Mark's Cathedral to admire its strange sculptures of beasts and people. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bishop's Treasury next door to view works from Carpaccio, Bassano, and Tiepolo. Nearby lies the house thought to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. Afterward, grab a bite to eat and pair it with the local dry white wine known as grk, made from a grape indigenous to the island and nowhere else.

Day 8: Lumbarda Wine Tour & Konoba Lunch, Afternoon Beach Time

Today, you'll embark on a private half-day wine-tasting tour across Lumbarda, an area on Korčula's southeastern tip. Meet your guide and set off, passing through fields, villages, and wineries with sweeping views toward the sea and the Pelješac peninsula. Beyond beautiful beaches and centuries-old winemaking traditions, Lumbarda is home to grk, a top Croatian white grape variety. Visit a family-run estate to learn about the indigenous grape, which thrives in the region's sandy soil, as well as plavac male, a red grape grown across southern Dalmatia that acts as a pollinator for grk vines.

Following the tasting, enjoy lunch at a local konoba (tavern) with a view of the sea, then return to Korčula Town, where the rest of the day is free to enjoy. Why not spend it lazing about at a local beach? For something a little farther afield, grab your towel and swimwear and take a water taxi from the port at Korčula to the nearby islands of Badija or Vrnik. Badija has a 14th-century Franciscan monastery, while Vrnik is a small island with only a few families. 

Day 9: Transfer to Dubrovnik via Ston Oysters Experience & Wine Tasting

Start the morning early with a short boat ride to the 15th-century maritime town of Orebić on the Pelješac peninsula. In Orebić, a private transfer will be waiting to take you to Dubrovnik. En route, you'll stop at the other end of the Pelješac peninsula in the medieval city of Ston to explore one of the longest defensive stone walls in Europe and discover the importance this area held in the 14th century. Discover beautiful views over Ston and its glittering salt pans—one of the oldest still active in the Mediterranean—from a parapet walkway on Ston's 3,937-foot (1,200 m) wall.

The Pelješac peninsula is home to Croatia's finest red wines, tastiest oysters, and some of the best beaches in the country. You'll meet a local oyster farmer to learn about the history of oyster farming in the area, then taste some day's freshest catch, accompanied by a glass of white or the local dingač red wine. After, continue to Dubrovnik and check into your hotel. Use the afternoon to hike or take the cable car up Mount Srđ for panoramic views over the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and its surrounding islands. Book a seat at Panorama Restaurant for a memorable sunset dinner. 

Day 10: Dubrovnik Walking Tour, Konavle Region Culinary Experience

This morning, you'll set out to explore your surroundings on a private guided walking tour of Dubrovnik. Enter the medieval Old Town through the 16th-century Pile Gate to uncover centuries of the city's rich history as you listen to stories of local life and legends and learn about the importance Dubrovnik once held in the era of the Republic. This 90-minute walk includes highlights such as Onofrio's Fountain, the 15th-century Rector's Palace, Luza Square, the Church of St. Blaise (St. Vlaho), and the café-lined streets of Brsalje Street.

Treat yourself to a luxurious seafood lunch in the Old Town, then use the rest of the afternoon to relax. In the evening, you'll be whisked out to a family farmhouse in the countryside. Meet your hosts and learn about regional gastronomy and Croatian culture and history. You'll help pick fresh vegetables and prepare a four-course Croatian dinner. When it comes time to sit down and taste your efforts, you'll get to pair each dish with homemade wines. Živeli!

Day 11: Visit Lokrum Island, Family Farm Cooking Experience

Located just a short boat ride from Dubrovnik's Old Town, the car-free nature reserve of Lokrum makes a peaceful escape from the city. Take a 15-minute boat ride from the port out to the small island, which offers beautiful beaches, scenic lookouts, pine forests filled with peacocks, and an internal lagoon. This blue-green lagoon is super salty, making it easy to float!

This afternoon, you'll set off for another culinary adventure in the countryside. Visit a family farmhouse where you'll learn about Croatian cooking and food culture while preparing a special meal. Then, while the food is cooking, you'll zip off to beautiful Cavtat, a medieval coastal town nestled in a bay on the southernmost tip of Croatia. Wander the small, quaint streets, stroll along the beautiful waterfront promenade that spans the peninsula, then return to the farm to share the delicious meal you helped prepare.

Day 12: Transfer to Kotor (Montenegro), Explore Perast & Visit Our Lady of the Rocks

Today, you'll check another country off your travel bucket list when you cross the border to Montenegro. This tiny Balkan nation borders Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south and is known for the beautiful beaches and medieval villages along its Adriatic coastline. A private driver will collect you for a transfer to Kotor. Check into your hotel, then set out to explore the charming medieval coastal village.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is built on a sloping mountain and abounds with Venetian palaces and Romanesque churches. Among the highlights you'll see are the well-preserved Old Town and its city walls and the 12th-century Cathedral of Saint Tripun. You could also organize a scenic drive around the Bay of Kotor to the enchanting village of Perast, which feels like a little piece of Venice on the Adriatic. Learn about its history through local stories and legends, and don't miss taking a boat ride to Gospa od Skrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks), the Adriatic's only human-made island.

Day 13: Hike Up to St. John Fortress, Free Time in Kotor

One of the highlights of visiting Kotor is hiking up to the St. John Fortress for fantastic views over Kotor's Old Town, the Bay of Kotor, and the surrounding mountains. It's a challenging hike that takes around 45 minutes to complete as you climb 1,300 steps to reach the top. Worth it? Absolutely. From the top of the fortress, you'll be rewarded with surreal panoramic views that belong on a postcard.

After, the rest of the day is yours to relax. You could continue hiking with the Ladder of Kotor, a rugged hiking trail that connects Kotor with the Krstac Pass. This historic mule track has 70 switchbacks and takes around six hours. Alternatively, you could walk the Kotor city walls or follow your foodie heart and spend the afternoon enjoying the waterfront bars or people-watching in a historic square. It's your last night exploring the Balkans, so treat yourself to a special meal and a nice bottle of wine!

It's your final morning in the Balkans. Enjoy a leisurely morning soaking up the views over the Bay of Kotor before a private driver collects you for the short drive to Tivat Airport in time for your flight. Safe travels!

More Great Croatia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Croatia? Check out these other Croatia itineraries, explore different ways to spend two weeks in the Balkans, or discover the best time to visit Croatia.

A note on diacritical and retroflex markings: In order to support the best technical experience and search functions, diacritical markings have been omitted from this article.