1Belgrade Fortress (Kalemegdan)
A fortress and park at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube. The route starts here: climb the walls for views of the rivers and the modern city.
DURATION
9 daysDISTANCE
≈ 1350 kmSEASON
May–OctoberDIFFICULTY
ModerateCOUNTRIES
Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, MontenegroRoute on the map
Open in Google Maps ↗The line shows the approximate driving route and the return to Belgrade. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1Day 1Belgrade → Višegrad → Sarajevo
The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad (UNESCO) and a first night in Sarajevo.
- 2Day 2Sarajevo
Baščaršija, the Latin Bridge and the old town.
- 3Day 3Sarajevo → Mostar
Lake Jablanica on the way, then the Old Bridge in Mostar (UNESCO).
- 4Day 4Mostar → Počitelj → Kravice waterfalls
The old fortified village of Počitelj and a swim at the waterfalls.
- 5Day 5Mostar → Trebinje → Kotor
Across Trebinje into Montenegro and on to the Bay of Kotor.
- 6Day 6Kotor → Perast → Budva
Kotor's old town and the coast.
- 7Day 7Kotor → Žabljak
Mountain roads to Durmitor National Park.
- 8Day 8Durmitor
Black Lake and the Tara river canyon. Overnight in Žabljak.
- 9Day 9Žabljak → Zlatibor → Belgrade
The drive back via Zlatibor.
What to see along the way
The stops in order: the numbers match the markers on the map.
1
2Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge (Višegrad)
A 16th-century stone bridge over the Drina, immortalised by Ivo Andrić in “The Bridge on the Drina”. A UNESCO site.
3Baščaršija (Sarajevo)
The historic heart of Sarajevo with an Ottoman bazaar, the Sebilj fountain, coffee houses and coppersmiths' workshops.
4Lake Jablanica
A turquoise reservoir on the Neretva on the road from Sarajevo to Mostar. There are places to stop for photos and coffee by the water.
5Old Bridge (Mostar)
A 16th-century arch bridge over the Neretva, destroyed in 1993 and rebuilt in 2004. A UNESCO site where divers jump into the river.
6Počitelj
An old fortified town on the Neretva with an Ottoman mosque and a fortress on the rock. Perfect for photos.
7Kravice waterfalls
A cascade of waterfalls up to 25 m high on the Trebižat river. In summer you can swim and have a picnic.
8Trebinje
A small town in Herzegovina with a stone old town, plane trees and vineyards. A good stop before the border.
9Kotor
An old town within fortress walls on the Bay of Kotor (UNESCO). The climb up the stairs to St. John's Fortress takes about an hour.
10Perast
A baroque town with a waterfront and bell tower. Boats leave from here for the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks with its church.
11Budva
A resort town with a walled old town and long beaches. A good place for a break from the road.
12Black Lake (Durmitor)
A glacial lake at about 1,400 m near Žabljak, surrounded by conifer forest and the peaks of Durmitor. An easy trail circles it.
13Đurđevića Tara Bridge
A 1940 arch bridge about 365 m long, rising roughly 170 m above the Tara river canyon. There is a viewpoint and zipline attractions.
14Lake Ribnica (Zlatibor)
A mountain resort with rolling meadows and lakes. A convenient place to stop, with many walking trails and cafés serving local food.
Photos of the places: Wikimedia Commons, free licences. The author and licence of every photo are listed on the page «Photo credits».
Suitable vehicles
These vehicles suit this route.
Sedan / estateCross-border allowed
Škoda Octavia Combi
5 seatsAutomaticdiesel300 km/day
from €34
per day for rentals of 7+ days
Sedan / estateCross-border allowed
Škoda Superb
5 seatsAutomaticdiesel300 km/day
from €42
per day for rentals of 7+ days
Crossover / SUVCross-border allowed
Škoda Karoq
5 seatsAutomaticpetrol300 km/day
from €38
per day for rentals of 7+ days
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