How to Spend a Perfect 2 Weeks Road Tripping Around the Balkans
- Bec Luck-Baker
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
If you’re dreaming of a road trip that’s packed with epic mountain views, lakeside sunsets, charming old towns, and a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, look no further than the Balkans.
We spent two unforgettable weeks road tripping around the Balkans (Albania, Montenegro, and Croatia), with a cheeky day trip to Bosnia thrown in. Here's exactly how we did it and how you can too…
✈️ Start: Fly into Tirana, Albania
Pick up your rental car from Green Motion at the airport. Tip: take out the full insurance cover and make sure the car is an automatic. It’s a bit pricier upfront but absolutely worth it for peace of mind—especially on those winding mountain roads!
Stay: 1 night at Theranda Boutique HotelSpend the afternoon exploring:
Climb the Pyramid of Tirana
Discover Albania’s history at Bunk’Art 2
Ride the Dajti Express Cable Car for sweeping city views
🚗 Tirana → Pogradec (2.5–3 hrs)
Take the scenic route to Pogradec, a peaceful lakeside town with the Macedonian mountains as your backdrop.
Stay: Hotel Victoria – right on Lake Ohrid. Soak up the tranquillity, walk along the waterfront, and enjoy some seriously stunning sunsets.
🚗 Pogradec → Vlore (via Berat) (4–5 hrs total)
Break up the journey with a stop in Berat, the UNESCO-listed “town of a thousand windows.” Stroll the cobbled streets, grab lunch with a castle view, and continue on to the Albanian coast.
Stay: 2 nights at Sea & Sand Hotel, Vlore
Relax on the beach, wander the town, and unwind—you’ve earned it.
🚗 Vlore → Kruje (3 hrs)
Next stop: Kruje, perched on a hilltop with panoramic views and Ottoman charm.
Stay: Hotel Deal
Explore the Kruje Castle, browse local crafts in the bazaar, and watch the sunset over the valley.
🚗 Kruje → Theth (4 hrs)
Time for some adventure. The drive to Theth is wild—hairpin bends, dramatic drop-offs, but oh so worth it. Go slow and enjoy the views.
Stay: 1–2 nights at Guesthouse Marashi
Hike to the Theth Waterfall
Visit the picture-perfect Church on the green
Take in some of the best alpine views in the Balkans
Theth - Stopping for a swing on the way to the waterfall
🚗 Theth → Montenegro (via Shkoder, 4–5 hrs)
Cross the border (you can read more on that here) and choose a base in Montenegro for the next 5 nights—we stayed in a peaceful Airbnb in Kotor.
Day trip suggestions:
Wander the historic streets of Kotor Old Town
Visit Budva and the iconic Sveti Stefan
Drive to Piva Lake and Ostrog Monastery
Chill by the sea in Perast or Herceg Novi
Drive around the bay
Stunning Piva Lake, Montenegro
Drop your car off in Tivat before continuing to your final stop.
🚌 Tivat → Dubrovnik, Croatia (1.5 hrs by bus)
Hop on the bus to Dubrovnik (you can book that via Omio) for your last few days - we stayed in the Old Town in a beautiful Airbnb. It’s a big change in pace (and price!) but totally worth it.
Good to know:
Albania was the most budget-friendly
Montenegro was mid-range
Dubrovnik was by far the most expensive—so plan accordingly!
Top things to do in Dubrovnik:
Join a walking tour to learn the city’s rich history
Take a speedboat tour to the Blue Lagoon and nearby islands
Book a day trip to Bosnia – we visited Mostar and it was a highlight!
All of these were easily booked via GetYourGuide.
Final Thoughts
This 2-week Balkan road trip gave us everything—culture, nature, beaches, mountains, and even a taste of four different countries. If you're after a trip with variety, breathtaking scenery, and a dash of adventure (without breaking the bank), this is the one.
If you laughed, learned, or just love a good family adventure—feel free to Buy Us an Ice Cream. It keeps the blog posts coming and the sugar levels dangerously high. Cheers!
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