Best of the Balkans

Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia

Best of the Balkans

Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia

Build your package

Select from the options below to build out your trip.

Select Date

10 Day Self-Guided Tour

Select Rider Type

Select Accommodation Type

Rider 1 Preferred Motorcycle

Rental
price
£ N/A
for 8 days rental.

Rider 2 Preferred Motorcycle

Rental
price
£ N/A
for 8 days rental.

Select Preferred Motorcycle

Rental
price
£ N/A
for 8 days rental.
Tour
price
£ {{ price }}
Total
price
£ -
deposit
price
£ {{ deposit }}
{{ priceBasedOnText }}

Self Guided Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia: Best of the Balkans|10|8|5595|4995|3995

View Pricing table
Fly into Slovenia, pick up your rental bike, and embark on an unforgettable journey through Central Europe, beginning in Ljubljana and visiting iconic destinations like Sarajevo and Dubrovnik.
Few regions offer the surprising diversity and beauty of the Balkan states. This really is motorcycling at its best, with vast mountain ranges, shimmering coastlines, and a melting pot of cultures defined by periods of incredible historic significance. Of course, all of this happens under the unmistakable sparkle of the Mediterranean sunshine.
  • Self Guided Tour
  • 10 Days
  • 1000 miles
  • Ljubljana, Slovenia.
  • HIRE BIKE AVAILABLE
BEST TIME TO GO

May to October

Flying into Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, you’ll step into a city that's perfectly positioned at the crossroads of Central Europe and the Balkans. With time to wander its streets, you’ll notice its old-world feel, its emerald river winding through terracotta buildings and cobbled streets, all sitting below the watchful gaze of a medieval castle. It’s the perfect entry point for your trip, and the riverside cafes, bakeries and restaurants are a great place to relax and take in the mix of Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture.

Leaving Ljubljana behind, you’ll head south towards the spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of Croatia’s most iconic natural wonders. Along the way, the route takes you past two of Slovenia’s most intriguing landmarks: the Postojna Cave system and Predjama Castle. Postojna’s labyrinth of underground caverns, illuminated by soft golden light, offers a surreal glimpse into the region’s geological history, while Predjama Castle, dramatically nestled into a cliff face, seems plucked straight from the pages of a medieval legend.

The following day is a rest day, with the opportunity to explore the Plitvice Lakes National Park–a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll, or something more adventurous, you’ll marvel at the 16 crystal-clear lakes cascading into one another, connected by gushing waterfalls, framed by verdant forests and teaming with wildlife from darting fish to colourful dragonflies.

Heading towards the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, the terrain shifts from Croatia’s coastal vistas to the dramatic contours of the Dinaric Alps. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich history is reflected in its diverse cultural influences. The region showcases a blend of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic heritages, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. As you traverse this landscape, you’ll encounter minarets standing alongside Orthodox and Catholic churches.

Arriving in Sarajevo, you’ll find a city that epitomizes this confluence of cultures. Its historic neighbourhoods, bustling bazaars, and diverse culinary scenes are all on offer. You'll begin the day with a guided walking tour led by a local Bosniak, who will share personal and poignant experiences from the Siege of Sarajevo. As you navigate the city’s streets, you’ll encounter landmarks that have borne witness to significant historical events, from the Ottoman era to the Austro-Hungarian period, and the more recent Yugoslav era. With a boundless supply of Museums, beer halls, markets and live music, there’s plenty to dig into here!

Departing Sarajevo, your journey leads to Mostar, a city renowned for its stunning Ottoman-era architecture and the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge). Blending Eastern and Western influences, its minarets and traditional stone houses create a beautiful backdrop along the Naretva River. Continuing your ride, you’ll traverse Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sole stretch of Adriatic coastline where you’ll see the impressive Pelješac Bridge, a 2.4-kilometer structure that connects the Croatian mainland with the Pelješac Peninsula. As you approach Dubrovnik, the scenery transforms into a Mediterranean paradise, with the azure waters of the Adriatic contrasting against the rugged coastline. The route offers glimpses of Montenegro’s mountainous terrain, reminiscent of northern Greece’s dramatic vistas.

A day off in Dubrovnik offers the perfect opportunity to explore this Adriatic jewel. Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, where marble-paved streets and baroque architecture are encircled by ancient walls offering panoramic views of terracotta rooftops and the sparkling sea. Take the cable car up Mount Srđ, which rises high above the city, unwind at the serene beaches, like Banje or Sveti Jakov, or visit the Indian Motorcycle Museum. History buffs and ‘Game of Thrones’ fans alike can dive into the city’s rich past or explore iconic filming locations.

Heading North from Dubrovnik, you journey along the Dalmatian coast, with the azure Adriatic sea accompanying you on one side. With Islands dotting the horizon, the route meanders through charming villages and towns. A notable stop is Split, home to the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, a remarkable relic of Roman architecture.

Your overnight stop in Zadar is another melting pot of old and new, combining Roman and medieval architecture with modern installations such as the ‘Sea Organ’ and ‘Sun Salutation’, that interact with the natural elements creating a unique sensory experience. From here, we head back north, along a local bikers route towards your finishing point in Ljubljana, where you enjoy a final night of great food before flying home with lasting memories the following day.

Dreaming of the Balkans? We've picked the best hotels and roads just for you. Book today.

Contact me about this tour

Tour highlights

Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, is vibrant blend of old-world charm and modern energy, where cobblestone streets lead to picturesque riverside cafés and colourful architecture. Known as one of Europe’s greenest capitals, it’s the perfect place to begin your adventure, with its welcoming atmosphere and stunning hilltop castle views.

The dramatic Postojna cave system and the castle at Predjama: This fascinating system of caverns span 22km underground and is 24,120 metres in length. The castle at Predjama built into the cave mouth is equally beautiful and a real treat to visit.

Sarajevo: Famous for its role in the Yugoslav civil war of the 1990’s, here we stay in the heart of the old town to soak up the culture and history of this interesting city. Take a walking tour, visit the tunnel museum or get lost in the kasbah.

Dubrovnik: The city of Dubrovnik, right on the water in Croatia allows some time to relax on the beach or explore the famous city by boat or cable car. Dubrovnik’s old town is a mass of limestone buildings surrounded by high city walls and has featured in a wide range of films and TV series over the years.

'Where to start… scenery? Check. Friendly locals? Check. Good food? Check. Great hotels? Check. Trip of a lifetime? Without a doubt. What an incredibly country, the scenery literally takes your breath away, food of every description, comfortable clean hotels at the end of a satisfying day’s ride and all on well-maintained roads. Don’t worry about being out of your depth, its easily manageable for anyone with some riding experience and a suitable bike. Go for it.'
Florian S

Mostar bridge: Mostar is a city built in the 15th century as an Ottoman Frontier town. We pass through it on our way to Dubrovnik, to see the old bridge ‘Stari Most’ which was recently rebuilt by UNESCO and the old Turkish houses.

Stunning riding up the Dalmatian Coast past Split: Our ride up the coast has some of the most beautiful scenery on offer on any of our tours. We sweep along the coast past 1200 islands scattered in the bright blue Adriatic sea on one side, lush green fields on the other and steep rugged cliffs in the distance.

Hootvox
99.7 % Overall
100 % Would recommend

Speak to a tour specialist to start planning your holiday….

Speak to a tour specialist to start planning your holiday….

Tour Map / Itinerary

Full Itinerary

Day 1 0 Miles

Fly into Ljubljana, the perfect gateway to the Balkans and the vibrant capital of Slovenia.

Day 2 167 Miles

Collect your motorcycle and ride to the dramatic Postojna cave system, check out the castle at Predjama before a short ride in the afternoon to our hotel near the Plitvice Lakes. National Park world heritage site.

Day 3 Explore Day

Day off the bikes today to explore the UNESCO world heritage site in Plitvice.

Day 4 207 Miles

Our destination today is the Bosnian city of Sarajevo, we stay in the heart of the old town for two nights allowing us to soak up everything on offer.

Day 5 Explore day

Day off to relax and explore the town, take a walking tour or visit one of the many churches and galleries a short stroll from our hotel.

Day 6 165 Miles

Today we leave Sarajevo to make our way to Dubrovnik via the world-famous town of Mostar.

Day 7 Explore Day

Day off to immerse yourself in this magnificent walled city.

Day 8 208 Miles

We spend the day winding up the Dalmatian coast via Split to our stop in the little coastal town of Zadar.

Day 9 200 Miles

We ride back up into Slovenia today to Ljubljana and drop off your rental bikes.

Day 10 0 Miles

Fly back home.

What's included
If you select motorcycle rental, insurance and breakdown cover is included.
Nine nights’ accommodation in high-quality hotels.
Excellent breakfast each morning.
Full use of all hotels’ leisure facilities.
Detailed route plans and maps.
GPS routes (Garmin / Tom Tom).
Detailed daily itinerary including sights and suggested coffee / lunch stops.
What's not
Fuel.
Toll charges.
Admission charges.
Occasional hotel parking charges.
Meals and drinks.
Travel and medical insurance.
Flights.

Full Pricing

Bike Option Single Rider Price
(Total for 1 rider, 1 bike)
Rider & Passenger
(Total for 2 riders, 1 bike)
Two Bikes, Shared Room
(Total for 2 riders, 2 bikes)
Own Bike £5595 £7990 £9990
BMW R1300GSA £7435 £9830 £13670
BMW R1300GS £7355 £9750 £13510
BMW R1250GS £7195 £9590 £13190
BMW R1200GSA £7035 £9430 £12870
BMW R1200GS £7035 £9430 £12870

Rental prices calculated based on 8 rental days (minimum required for this tour). All prices are total.
For this table, the "Two Bikes, Shared Room" prices assume rental of two of the same model, which isn't required and in some cases may not be possible.
All bikes come with luggage included. Top boxes and GPS can be rented, subject to availability, for an additional charge.

Back to Build Your Package

Common questions about this trip

Where should I fly into?

The closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU), which offers a straightforward transfer to your hotel.

Do I need to bring my own bike gear?

Yes, please bring your own motorcycle gear for the tour.

When is the best time of year to do this trip?

The Balkans are at their best for motorcycling from late spring to early autumn, offering incredible riding conditions and breathtaking scenery throughout the season. In spring, the weather is mild, the landscapes are lush and vibrant, and the roads are delightfully quiet. Summer brings warm, sunny days that are ideal for riding along the Adriatic coastline, with its crystal-clear waters and stunning vistas. Early autumn brings softer temperatures and the stunning golden hues of the changing season.

Will my Satnav cover the areas we go through on this tour?

We recommend bringing your own SatNav unit, preloaded with Balkan maps. Alternatively, you can use your smartphone with any of the popular offline navigation apps. If you bring your own SatNav, please ensure you have the appropriate mount and a USB cable to connect to the bike’s power socket.

Will I find this tour too tiring?

You shouldn’t do no, we design all of our trips to be accessible to riders of all abilities and include plenty of days off the bike as part of this. These longer trips are no exception, we could easily make them 3 or 4 days shorter as others do but we choose to add multiple rest days and avoid the motorways as much as possible so you can enjoy the ride and arrive at the hotels in the evening in good time to relax before dinner.

More information
For general information on planning and preparing for motorcycle trips including what to pack please see our Prepare for your trip section.
Magellan Hub
Want to ask one of the team a question, or a get a previous tourer’s take on a trip?

Other similar trips

18 days STARTS Folkestone, UK
BEST TIME TO GO: May to September

Explore stunning mediterranean islands and all the finest roads that France has to offer on one unique tour.

  • SELF GUIDED
  • HIRE BIKE AVAILABLE
MORE INFO

23 days STARTS Folkestone, UK
BEST TIME TO GO: May to September

Cross five European countries in 23 days to explore the wonders of the ancient world.

  • SELF GUIDED
  • HIRE BIKE AVAILABLE
MORE INFO

23 days STARTS Folkestone, UK
BEST TIME TO GO: July to October

Nine European countries in 23 days on this epic Magellan tour through Central and Eastern Europe.

  • SELF GUIDED
  • HIRE BIKE AVAILABLE
MORE INFO