Dubrovnik to Athens: Beachfronts & Fortresses — Self-Launched
9 days · Balkans & Greece (Dubrovnik to Athens)
G Adventures charges £1,249
No-markup version: ~£475 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of G Adventures' 18-to-Thirtysomethings run from Dubrovnik down the Adriatic through Montenegro, Albania and Corfu to Athens. You'll handle your own border crossings, buses, ferries and hostels — all easily bookable same-day or a few days ahead — for roughly a third of the group-tour price. Ideal for solo travellers who want the same walled towns, beaches and ancient ruins on a backpacker budget.
Day-by-day
Arrive Dubrovnik — Old Town & City Walls
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Fly or bus into Dubrovnik and check into a hostel in or near the Old Town (Old Town Hostel, Hostel Angelina, or similar). In the afternoon walk the full circuit of the city walls (buy the ticket direct at the Pile or Ploče gate, ~£30, includes Fort Lovrijenac) — start early or late to dodge crowds and heat. Evening: sunset drinks on the Buža cliff bar steps, then dinner of black risotto or peka in a konoba off Stradun.
🚌Arrive by flight to Dubrovnik (DBV) or bus from Split (~£12, 4.5h); airport shuttle bus to Old Town ~£8
🛏Hostel dorm in Dubrovnik Old Town (~£25-35)
- →Walk the Dubrovnik City Walls
- →Fort Lovrijenac
- →Buža cliff bar sunset
- →Old Town evening stroll
Dubrovnik to Kotor via Herceg Novi
Kotor, Montenegro
Cross into Montenegro by public bus. Direct Dubrovnik–Kotor services run several times daily (~£18-22, 3-4h including border stop at Karasovići); a cheaper split via Herceg Novi also works. Afternoon in Kotor: wander the UNESCO old town and its cats, then evening drinks by the harbour. If you're energetic, save the fortress climb for tomorrow.
🚌Public bus Dubrovnik → Kotor ~£18-22; local buses within Montenegro cheap (~£1-3)
🛏Hostel dorm in Kotor Old Town (~£18-25)
- →Kotor Old Town walking
- →Maritime Museum (optional)
- →Harbour sunset
Kotor — Fortress Climb & Perast / Lake Skadar Options
Kotor, Montenegro
Free day. Top pick: hike the Ladder of Kotor up to San Giovanni fortress for panoramic bay views (free, ~1.5h up, bring water). Alternative: local bus to Perast (~£1.50) and a small boat out to Our Lady of the Rocks island (~£5), or a day tour to Lake Skadar for birdwatching and boat trips. Cheap evening out in Kotor's old town.
🚌Local buses to Perast ~£1.50; boats to Our Lady of the Rocks ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm in Kotor (~£18-25)
- →San Giovanni fortress hike
- →Perast & Our Lady of the Rocks
- →Lake Skadar day trip (optional)
Kotor to Tirana (via border)
Tirana, Albania
Travel day into Albania. Buses run Kotor → Tirana (~£15-20, 6-7h) with a border crossing at Sukobin/Muriqan; some services route via Ulcinj or Shkodër — check same-day schedules at the bus station. Arrive Tirana, check into a hostel near Skanderbeg Square, then do your own orientation walk: Skanderbeg Square, the colourful Bunk'Art 2 and the lively Blloku district for dinner and bars.
🚌Cross-border bus Kotor → Tirana ~£15-20; local city buses/taxis in Tirana ~£0.50-3
🛏Hostel dorm in Tirana (~£10-16)
- →Skanderbeg Square walk
- →Bunk'Art 2 (optional)
- →Blloku nightlife
Tirana to Saranda via Gjirokastër
Saranda, Albania
Take the bus south toward the coast, breaking the journey in Gjirokastër (UNESCO stone town) for lunch and an optional climb to the hilltop fortress and its Cold War tunnel (~£3). Continue to Saranda by local bus/furgon. Arrive in time for a swim in the Ionian Sea and dinner of fresh seafood on the promenade. Furgons (shared minibuses) are the standard, cheap local option.
🚌Long-distance bus Tirana → Gjirokastër ~£8-10; furgon Gjirokastër → Saranda ~£3-4
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Saranda (~£10-16)
- →Gjirokastër old town
- →Gjirokastër Fortress
- →Saranda seafront swim
Saranda to Corfu by Ferry
Corfu Town, Greece
Morning swim or a coffee in Saranda, then catch an afternoon passenger ferry from Saranda to Corfu (~£10-15, 30-90min depending on vessel; book via Direct Ferries or at the port). On arrival in Corfu Town, walk the UNESCO-listed old town (Liston, Spianada, the two Venetian fortresses), then hit the beach clubs or bars in the evening.
🚌Saranda → Corfu passenger ferry ~£10-15; local buses on Corfu ~£1.5-3
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Corfu Town (~£20-30)
- →Saranda morning swim
- →Corfu Old Town orientation walk
- →Old & New Fortress
- →Evening beach/bars
Corfu Free Day — Beaches & Island
Corfu, Greece
Full free day on the island. Chill at Glyfada, Paleokastritsa or Canal d'Amour beaches, rent a scooter or ATV (~£25/day) to explore hidden coves, or join a self-booked boat trip (Klook/GetYourGuide) to Paxos and Antipaxos (~£35) for turquoise caves. Horse riding along the beach is a popular option (~£30-40). Evening back in Corfu Town.
🚌KTEL Corfu local buses to beaches ~£2-4; scooter/ATV rental ~£25/day
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Corfu (~£20-30)
- →Paleokastritsa & canal beaches
- →Boat trip to Paxos/Antipaxos (optional)
- →Beach horse riding (optional)
- →Scooter exploration
Corfu to Athens — Acropolis Day
Athens, Greece
Morning ferry or a budget flight (Ryanair/Volotea often ~£30) from Corfu to Athens. Check in, then tick off the big sights independently: timed-entry Acropolis ticket (~£15-20, book on the official e-ticket site to skip queues) covering the Parthenon, and the Acropolis Museum (~£10). Spend the evening in Plaka and Monastiraki for rooftop views of the lit-up Acropolis, dinner and street food.
🚌Corfu → Athens budget flight ~£30-50 or overnight ferry ~£45-75; Athens metro ~£1.20
🛏Hostel dorm in Athens (Plaka/Monastiraki) (~£18-28)
- →Acropolis & Parthenon
- →Acropolis Museum
- →Plaka & Monastiraki
- →Rooftop Acropolis views
Athens — Departure or Extra Exploration
Athens, Greece
Final day. If time allows before your flight, do the free Athens walking tour (tip-based, ~£5 tip), explore the Ancient Agora, Filopappou Hill for the classic Acropolis viewpoint, or the buzzing Exarchia neighbourhood. Hop the metro to the airport (~£8, 40min) for departure.
🚌Athens metro to airport ~£8 (40min); otherwise tram/bus
🛏Check out of Athens hostel
- →Free Athens walking tour
- →Ancient Agora (optional)
- →Filopappou Hill viewpoint
- →Exarchia district
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£475 | £1,249 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £774 per person (62%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£475
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Dubrovnik to Athens: Beachfronts & Fortresses — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £475 per person for 9 days in Balkans & Greece (Dubrovnik to Athens). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,249 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £475 — a saving of roughly £774 (62%) per person.
How long is the Balkans & Greece (Dubrovnik to Athens) trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Balkans & Greece (Dubrovnik to Athens).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a budget, backpacker, beaches trip through Balkans & Greece (Dubrovnik to Athens), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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