Ever thought about travelling from the Baltic States all the way to the beautiful beaches of the Balkans?
From medieval old towns and magnificent palaces to turquoise waters, spectacular mountains and beautiful coastal villages, this route takes you through some of Europe’s most incredible destinations!
Here’s my itinerary, starting in Estonia and finishing in Albania!
🇪🇪 1. Tallinn, Estonia
Start your adventure exploring Tallinn’s beautifully preserved medieval Old Town. Wander through cobbled streets, admire the colourful buildings and climb to the viewpoints for spectacular city views.
🇱🇻 2. Riga, Latvia
Explore Riga’s beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, wander through the historic Old Town and visit the famous House of the Black Heads.
🇱🇹 3. Vilnius, Lithuania
Discover the charming Old Town, climb Gediminas Hill and don’t miss the quirky Republic of Užupis, a neighbourhood with its own constitution!
🇵🇱 4. Warsaw, Poland
Explore Poland’s capital, including the reconstructed Old Town, Royal Castle and beautiful Łazienki Park.
🇵🇱 5. Wrocław, Poland
One of my favourite Polish cities! Discover the colourful Market Square, hunt for the famous little dwarfs and explore beautiful Ostrów Tumski.
🇵🇱 6. Kraków, Poland
Visit Wawel Castle, admire the enormous medieval Market Square and explore the historic Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz.
🇦🇹 7. Vienna, Austria
Discover imperial palaces, magnificent architecture and traditional Viennese coffee houses. Don’t miss Schönbrunn Palace and the beautiful Belvedere Gardens!
🇸🇰 8. Bratislava, Slovakia
A lovely compact capital! Wander through the colourful Old Town, visit Bratislava Castle and discover the beautiful Blue Church.
🇸🇮 9. Ljubljana, Slovenia
One of Europe’s prettiest little capitals! Explore the riverside cafés, admire the famous Dragon Bridge and visit Ljubljana Castle.
🇮🇹 10. Venice, Italy
Get lost in the beautiful canals and narrow streets of Venice! Visit St Mark’s Square, cross the Rialto Bridge and explore away from the busy tourist areas.
🇭🇷 11. Zadar, Croatia
Start your Croatian coastal adventure! Explore ancient Roman ruins, listen to the incredible Sea Organ and enjoy beautiful sunsets over the Adriatic.
🇭🇷 12. Split, Croatia
Discover the spectacular Diocletian’s Palace, wander through the historic streets and enjoy the lively waterfront promenade.
🇭🇷 13. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Explore the magnificent medieval city walls, admire the red rooftops and enjoy spectacular views over the Adriatic Sea.
🇲🇪 14. Kotor, Montenegro
One of the most beautiful locations in the Balkans! Wander through the fortified Old Town and hike up towards the fortress for breathtaking views over Kotor Bay.
🇲🇪 15. Budva, Montenegro
Enjoy beautiful beaches, turquoise waters and a lovely historic Old Town surrounded by medieval walls.
🇦🇱 16. Vlorë, Albania
Discover Albania’s beautiful coastline! Enjoy the lively seafront, relax on the beach and explore the colourful historic centre.
🇦🇱 17. Himarë, Albania
One of my favourite stops on the Albanian Riviera! Spend your days relaxing on beautiful beaches and take a boat trip along the coast to discover hidden coves and sea caves.
🇦🇱 18. Ksamil, Albania
Famous for its spectacular turquoise water and beautiful little islands! Explore the beaches and visit nearby Butrint National Park.
🇦🇱 19. Gjirokastër, Albania
Step back in time in this UNESCO-listed Ottoman town! Explore the beautiful stone streets, traditional houses and enormous hilltop castle.
🇦🇱 20. Tirana, Albania
Finish your adventure in Albania’s colourful capital! Explore Skanderbeg Square, discover the fascinating Bunk’Art museums and enjoy the city’s lively cafés and restaurants.
My top travel tips:
🚆 Use trains and long-distance buses to travel between destinations. There are plenty of opportunities to explore without hiring a car!
💰 Mix expensive destinations such as Vienna and Venice with more affordable stops in Poland, Montenegro and Albania.
⏰ Don’t rush! I’d allow around 6–8 weeks for this route if you want time to properly explore the cities and enjoy the beaches.
🚌 Check transport connections carefully, particularly along the Adriatic coast and in Albania, where journeys can take longer than expected.
From the historic streets of Tallinn to the turquoise beaches of Ksamil, this itinerary shows just how diverse Europe really is!
Would you travel from the Baltics to the Balkans?
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