A Balkans road trip packs an outsized amount of coastline, mountain scenery and history into a relatively small stretch of road, and the border crossings here are part of the adventure rather than an inconvenience. This route covers roughly 700km from Split, Croatia to the Albanian Riviera, with stops in Montenegro along the way.
Split to Dubrovnik
Split is a natural starting point for a Balkans road trip, with Diocletian’s Palace forming the living centre of the old town. From there, the coastal road south toward Dubrovnik is one of the most scenic drives in Europe, threading between the Adriatic and the karst mountains. Ston, roughly halfway, is worth a stop for its oyster beds and its own set of ancient defensive walls.
Dubrovnik gets crowded fast, so an early walk of the city walls before the cruise-ship crowds arrive is worth setting an alarm for.
Into Montenegro
The border crossing into Montenegro at Karasovici is usually quick outside peak summer. Kotor Bay looks like a fjord carved into the Adriatic, and the old town beneath the fortress walls is one of the best-preserved in the region.
South of Kotor, Budva’s old town is smaller and quieter than Dubrovnik’s, and Lake Skadar is a good detour for anyone interested in birdwatching, with pelicans and herons common around its reed beds.
Crossing into Albania
The Albanian border can take longer than the Montenegrin one, so it’s worth keeping vehicle documents easily accessible. Once across, the Albanian Riviera around Himare and Dhermi has beaches that rival anywhere in Croatia, at a fraction of the price and the crowds.
Practical Notes
- Budget roughly 10 days for the full route, with extra time built in for border queues in July and August.
- Free overnight parking is easy to find along the Montenegrin coast outside the main resort towns.
- Carry small-denomination euros; Albania uses the lek but euros are widely accepted along the coast.
Our 10-day Balkans border loop guide has the full day-by-day route with specific camp spots, and the destinations page covers the other regions on our route so far. For current entry requirements, check the official Croatian National Tourist Board.
