15 days in The Balkans Itinerary

Experience an authentic Adriatic lifestyle in Split, the largest city along the sea's coast.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Fri): appreciate the history behind Cathedral of Saint Domnius.

To see ratings, photos, more things to do, and tourist information, read Split driving holiday planner.

Amsterdam, Holland to Split is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or do a combination of car and train. In July, Split is somewhat warmer than Amsterdam - with highs of 36°C and lows of 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can go by car to Hvar.

The Croatian island of Hvar serves as a picturesque location for a Mediterranean holiday, with a range of offerings from quiet coves to a lively medieval town.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Sun): get great views at Spanjola, then admire the striking features of Franciscan Monastery, and then kick back and relax at Dubovica. Here are some ideas for day two: step off the mainland to explore Pakleni Otoci.

For reviews, more things to do, photos, and more tourist information, read our Hvar day trip planning site .

You can drive from Split to Hvar in 1.5 hours. In July, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Korcula Town.

Korcula Town perches on the edge of the island's eastern coastline.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Tue): see what you can catch with a fishing tour, then make a trip to Korcula Old City, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Mark's Cathedral, and finally examine the collection at House of Marco Polo. Keep things going the next day: get some thrills out on the water with a waterskiing or jet-skiing adventure, contemplate the long history of Korcula Town Walls, and then kick back and relax at Vela Przina Beach.

To find maps, ratings, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Korcula Town vacation planner.

Drive from Hvar to Korcula Town in 5 hours. In July, plan for daily highs up to 36°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 8th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Dubrovnik.

Along the Dalmation Coast, the city of Dubrovnik has become famous for its pedestrian-only Old Town surrounded by fortress walls, and its historical heft has earned it World Heritage Site status.

On the 9th (Thu), wander the streets of Old Town and then appreciate the extensive heritage of Dubrovnik City Walls. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: examine the collection at War Photo Limited, then step off the mainland to explore Island of Lokrum, and then take an in-depth tour of Rector's Palace.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read Dubrovnik trip itinerary builder tool .

Getting from Korcula Town to Dubrovnik by car takes about 3 hours. In July, daily temperatures in Dubrovnik can reach 34°C, while at night they dip to 24°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can travel to Athens.

One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.

Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sat): delve into the distant past at Acropolis of Athens, then pause for some photo ops at Erechtheion, then appreciate the history behind Temple of Olympian Zeus, and finally take an in-depth tour of Acropolis Museum. Keep things going the next day: admire the masterpieces at National Archaeological Museum, then explore the world behind art at Benaki Museum, and then take a stroll through Plaka.

To see more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Athens road trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Dubrovnik to Athens takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and flight; or drive. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Dubrovnik to Athens due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Dubrovnik in July, things will get somewhat warmer in Athens: highs are around 38°C and lows about 28°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 12th (Sun) so you can travel to Heraklion.

Crete's largest city, Heraklion remains best known for its proximity to a sprawling Bronze Age archaeological site, once the center of a vanished Minoan civilization.

Kick off your visit on the 13th (Mon): get engrossed in the history at Heraklion Archaeological Museum, steep yourself in history at The Palace of Knossos, and then admire nature's wide array of creatures at Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos.

To see more things to do, reviews, photos, and tourist information, read Heraklion driving holiday planner.

Traveling by combination of subway and flight from Athens to Heraklion takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry; or take a bus. Expect slightly colder weather when traveling from Athens in July: highs in Heraklion hover around 34°C, while lows dip to 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Mon) early enough to ride a ferry to Akrotiri.

Located on Santorini's southwestern coastline, the small village of Akrotiri sits just a short walk from one of Europe's most significant Bronze Age archaeological sites.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Tue): learn about winemaking at Boutari, J., & Son Wineries S.A., then ride a horse along Santo Horse Riding, then enjoy the sand and surf at Red Beach, and finally explore the ancient world of Akrotiri.

To see reviews, maps, more things to do, and other tourist information, refer to the Akrotiri trip planner.

You can ride a ferry from Heraklion to Akrotiri in 2 hours. In July, daytime highs in Akrotiri are 35°C, while nighttime lows are 27°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Tue) to allow enough time to travel to Istanbul.

A physical and cultural bridge between Europe and Asia, the transcontinental city of Istanbul serves as a living reminder of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.

Istanbul is known for museums, historic sites, shopping, nature, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: get engrossed in the history at Hagia Sophia Museum / Church (Ayasofya), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sultan Ahmed Mosque, admire the landmark architecture of Dolmabahce Palace, and explore the ancient world of Basilica Cistern.

To find other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, use the Istanbul trip planning website .

You can fly from Akrotiri to Istanbul in 7.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry and bus. You'll lose 1 hour traveling from Akrotiri to Istanbul due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Akrotiri in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Istanbul, with lows of 23°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Fri) to allow enough time to travel back home.