Live Itinerary: Romania & the Balkans, Autumn 2025
Below you'll find the evolving itinerary for our upcoming trip through Romania and the Balkans, including planned stops in Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia
Welcome to our living travel page, where we'll document every stage of our upcoming adventure through Romania and the Balkan Peninsula. This page will evolve as our plans take shape, offering a real-time glimpse into our decisions, challenges, and discoveries as we put together an unforgettable itinerary.
Our trip centers around exploring historical sites, scenic landscapes, and authentic local experiences in some of Europe's most captivating regions—Romania, Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. Whether you're planning a similar adventure yourself or just here for inspiration, you'll find practical tips, resources, and insights we've uncovered along the way.
Mapping Out Potential Stops
As we refine our travel plans, we've started by mapping out every potential stop—from major cities to remote historical sites—to help visualize our route. This map includes destinations across Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, ensuring we can compare different travel paths before finalizing our itinerary.
The map reflects this early-stage planning process, where we begin with a broad set of locations before narrowing them down based on logistics, accommodations, and travel time between destinations. As we move through the booking phase, we'll remove any unnecessary stops and refine the best route for our trip.
Breaking Down Each Destination
With a working map in place, we can now focus on breaking down our itinerary, starting with Romania—where our journey begins.
Romania
A mix of historic castles, medieval towns, and vibrant city life, starting in Bucharest and exploring Transylvania’s legendary sites.
Our Romanian leg will begin in Bucharest, where we'll explore the vibrant capital city. From there, we're weighing options for visiting iconic castles like Corvin Castle near Hunedoara, the beautiful Peleș Castle in Sinaia, and perhaps Bran Castle near Brașov.
Logistically, we're deciding whether it makes sense to set up multiple base locations within Romania or opt for day trips from a central location like Bucharest or Brașov.
Albania
From the lively streets of Tirana to the pristine beaches of the Riviera, Albania offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and coastline.
High on our priority list, Albania offers the perfect mix of coastal beauty, charming towns, and historical treasures.
Tirana will likely serve as our main entry point, and from there we'll venture to must-see places such as Berat, Gjirokastër, and the stunning beaches along the Albanian Riviera.
Montenegro
Dramatic coastal views, medieval towns, and scenic mountain landscapes make Montenegro an unmissable stop on our route.
Montenegro is an essential part of our Balkans itinerary, particularly its breathtaking coastline around Kotor and Budva, as well as scenic natural spots like Lake Skadar.
We’re still finalizing logistics for getting there—possibly via the scenic Belgrade-to-Bar train from Serbia, if feasible.
North Macedonia
Ohrid’s stunning lakeside setting, ancient ruins, and charming old town make it one of the highlights of our trip.
Lake Ohrid is a confirmed highlight, thanks to its historical ruins and charming Airbnbs that we’ve already booked.
Ohrid will be one of our anchor destinations, influencing how we structure our travel around it.
Kosovo
A cultural gem in the Balkans, Kosovo is on our list for its rich history, Ottoman-era towns, and scenic countryside.
We hope to include Kosovo, even briefly, primarily to experience the rich culture and history of Prizren.
Travel logistics here are still in the research phase, as we determine the easiest and most efficient connections to neighboring Albania and North Macedonia.
Regional Planning Details
Let's get into how we're structuring our time in each country, balancing major sights, travel logistics, and key experiences.
Romania (Transylvania & Bucharest): Overview
Romania offers incredible medieval history, and we're exploring options to optimize our itinerary. Day trips from Bucharest seem lengthy, especially for sites like Bran Castle. We're contemplating splitting our time, perhaps staying briefly in Bucharest and then relocating closer to Brașov or Sinaia, facilitating easier day trips to Peleș and Bran Castles, and a separate stay near Hunedoara for Corvin Castle.
Balkans: Overview
Balkans Route Planning
We're evaluating two primary routes:
- Option A: Bucharest → Belgrade → Scenic train to Bar, Montenegro → Albania → Kosovo → Ohrid
- Option B: Direct flight Bucharest → Tirana → Albania → Montenegro → Kosovo → Ohrid
The scenic train experience through Serbia remains very appealing despite logistical uncertainties about ticket booking.
High-Priority Destination: Ohrid, North Macedonia
Ohrid is confirmed thanks to the irresistible appeal of its Airbnbs and remarkable historical sites. We've secured accommodation here and are planning activities around Lake Ohrid, historical churches, and local cuisine.
Albania & Montenegrin Coast
Albania’s coastal towns—Himare, Dhermi, Saranda—and historical cities like Berat and Gjirokaster are priorities. In Montenegro, we'll focus on exploring the picturesque coastal areas of Kotor, Budva, and Lake Skadar.
Kosovo & Serbia Considerations
Kosovo’s culturally rich town of Prizren is planned as a brief, enriching stop. Serbia's inclusion hinges mainly on experiencing the iconic Belgrade-to-Bar train route, with contingency plans ready if ticket booking proves challenging.
Balkan Self-Drive Itinerary & Return Planning
We've decided to embrace a self-drive adventure for our Balkan exploration, blending scenic train travel with the flexibility and freedom of a rental car. Here’s our current plan, based on extensive research and expert recommendations.
Step-by-Step Balkan Road Trip Itinerary:
1. Bucharest → Belgrade (Flight)
We'll begin by flying from Bucharest to Belgrade, Serbia. Our time in Belgrade will be brief but enjoyable, focusing primarily on securing tickets for the scenic Belgrade-to-Bar train.
2. Belgrade → Bar, Montenegro (Scenic Train)
Next is the iconic and highly recommended Belgrade-to-Bar train ride—an unforgettable journey through dramatic landscapes, serving as a highlight of our trip.
3. Car Rental in Bar, Montenegro
Upon arrival in Bar, we'll pick up our rental car, likely through Local Rent for their competitive pricing and flexible terms. Arrangements for international border crossings will be confirmed ahead of time.
4. Exploring Montenegro (2-4 days)
We'll leisurely explore Montenegro’s stunning coastal towns such as Budva and Kotor, along with a tranquil visit to Lake Skadar.
5. Montenegro → Albania (2-4 days)
From Montenegro, we’ll cross into Albania, prioritizing exploration of historical Berat, the picturesque Albanian Riviera (Dhermi, Himare, Saranda), and culturally rich Gjirokaster.
6. Albania → Kosovo (1-2 days)
A short drive north takes us to Prizren, Kosovo, for a cultural immersion and historical exploration. We'll secure Kosovo-specific car insurance at the border.
7. Kosovo → Ohrid, North Macedonia (2-3 days)
We'll conclude the main road trip portion in Ohrid, North Macedonia, where our Airbnb stay is already confirmed. We'll spend time enjoying Lake Ohrid and exploring local historical sites.
8. Ohrid → Tirana, Albania (Final Stop)
Our final road trip leg returns to Albania, ending in Tirana. Tirana serves as a convenient final destination for returning our rental car and catching an affordable flight back to Bucharest.
Returning to Bucharest
Currently, we're considering two feasible return options:
- Primary Plan: Drop off our rental car in Tirana and fly directly back to Bucharest (preferred due to lower costs and flight availability).
- Alternative #1: Drop off in Podgorica, Montenegro, and fly back to Bucharest if the Tirana option proves challenging.
- Alternative #2: Fly into Tirana
We'll confirm international car drop-off viability and update accordingly. At present, Tirana is our preferred choice due to significantly lower flight costs, but we'll finalize this detail in our next update.
Emily Lush
Wonder-Lush's self-drive itineraries have been indispensable in our planing process.
Logistics
Current Flight Planning & Booking Status
We've identified two strong flight options to Bucharest: a cheaper, slightly longer option via Turkish Airlines, and a quicker Emirates flight at a slightly higher cost. We're closely monitoring availability and benefits via our preferred travel portals, Capital One and Chase, before finalizing our booking.
Our entry to the Balkans will either be through a direct flight to Tirana, Albania, or via Belgrade, Serbia, where we'd take the scenic Belgrade-to-Bar train to Montenegro. We're currently verifying train ticket availability to ensure peace of mind.
Transportation Decisions & Tips
We're strongly considering renting a car to maintain flexibility and fully experience the Balkan region. Recommended car rental services include Local Rent for affordability and ease, especially within Montenegro, and Discover Cars for broader Balkan coverage.
For border crossings, we've noted that a Green Card (insurance document) is mandatory and that Kosovo requires separate local insurance available at the border. Additionally, we're tracking necessary tolls and vignettes, particularly for Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia, to ensure smooth travels.
As planning continues, we'll regularly update this section with finalized decisions, accommodation bookings, and transport arrangements.
Accommodation Wishlist (Airbnb-centric)
We've confirmed our stay in Ohrid and are actively shortlisting attractive Airbnbs in other key destinations:
- Romania: Bucharest, Sinaia, Brașov, Hunedoara
- Montenegro: Bar, Kotor, Budva
- Albania: Tirana, Himare, Dhermi, Saranda
- Kosovo: Prizren
We'll finalize accommodation based on unique Airbnb finds, adjusting our itinerary as needed.
Immediate Next Steps
- Verify advanced booking options for the Belgrade-to-Bar scenic train.
- Reserve rental car through Local Rent, ensuring cross-border travel permissions.
- Confirm viability and costs associated with international car drop-off in Tirana.
- Begin booking priority Airbnbs along the Montenegro coast and the Albanian Riviera.
- Finalize and book the flight from Tirana or Podgorica back to Bucharest.
Budget Tracker
We're tracking estimates and expenditures across key categories:
- Flights
- Ground transportation (car rentals, trains)
- Accommodation (Airbnb stays)
- Meals and daily expenses
- Attractions and activities
We'll update this regularly to maintain transparency and keep our budgeting realistic.
Practical Resources & Useful Links
We're compiling helpful resources to streamline our planning:
- Car Rentals: Local Rent | Discover Cars
- Rail Travel: Seat61.com
- Road Trip Guides: Wander-Lush
- Visa and Entry Requirements: Regularly updated checklist for Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
- Accommodation: Airbnb shortlists for each major location.