Tour Of Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo & N. Macedonia In 14 Days

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirana (Albania) – Kruja

Stop At: Choose Balkans - Albania Tour Operator, Rruga Reshit Çollaku, Tirana, Albania
Our professional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tirana at 9:00 am to start our journey towards Northern Albania.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjeter), Rruga Albanopolis, Kruje 1501 Albania
Our first destination is the historic town of Kruja. Kruja is a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The city is situated in central Albania on a rocky mountainous terrain about 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sarisalltik Mountain. Walking through Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar (one of the biggest and oldest in Balkans) gives you a sense of a passage through the history. You will be surrounded by crafts and local products carefully designed by local artisans and housewives of the Kruja area.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Kruja Castle, Near Tirana, Kruje 1501 Albania
We will also visit the Castle of Kruja. At around 12:30, you will get some free time on all of the days during this tour to have some delicious lunch and to wander around by yourself till 14:00 pm. After lunch, our local guide will take you through some hidden paths, used by the locals to leave the castle without being noticed, during periods when the enemies surrounded the castle.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kruja.

Day 2: Kruja – Podgorica (Montenegro)

Stop At: Waterfall Niagara, Cijevna River, Podgorica, Podgorica Municipality Montenegro
On our way to Montenegro, we will pass by Shkodra’s lake glistening in the sunshine. Within 1 hour, we will arrive in Podgorica, capital city of Montenegro, where we explore the city’s most important attractions. We will make a stop at the Niagara waterfalls of Montenegro, near the capital. The water is coming from the Prokletije mountains, located near the border with Albania. The snow on top of these mountains melts during the spring and makes these beautiful waterfalls possible.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dajbabe Monastery, Dajbabe bb, Podgorica, Podgorica Municipality Montenegro
Another one of the attractions is the old neighbourhood of Podgorica, which has 400 years of history, being the former centre of an Ottoman Turkish town. We will also visit the Dajbabe Monastery, which is remarkable for having a church inside a cave. Not to be missed, after 20 years of construction, we will be able to visit the Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection. This is an impressive Serbian Orthodox cathedral with white stone towers and golden crosses on top.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Podgorica (Montenegro).

Day 3: Podgorica – Shkodra (Albania)

Stop At: Shkoder, Shkoder, Shkoder County
Today we will head back to Albania, specifically the city of Shkodra. Shkodra is situated in the north-western part of Albania, giving its name to the biggest lake in the Balkans. The oldest wall of the Shkodra castle dates from the 1st millennium B.C. The Roman historian Livy cited the town as the capital of the Illyrian king Gent, who fought the Romans in 168 B.C.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Rozafa Castle, Rozafa, Shkoder Albania
We will visit Rozafa castle offering tremendous scenery of the lake and the three rivers melting all together in the Adriatic Sea. The city’s architecture is highly influenced by the Venetian style, which is noticeable when walking through the pedestrian street ‘’pedonale’’.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Shkodra.

Day 4: Shkodra – Peja (Kosovo)

Stop At: Decan, Decan
Our journey continues towards Peja in Kosovo. On our way, we will pass the Monastery of Decan. This one stands out for its white colour, but even more remarkable is the fact that Orthodox monks still inhabit the monastery and make fresh organic food there, such as cheeses. The monastery became part of UNESCO in 2004 because of its frescoes, which portray people’s lives during the 14th century as well as the Palaeologan renaissance in the Byzantine way of painting.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Pec, Pec
Peja itself also has one cultural UNESCO heritage site, the Patriarchate of Peja, located near the entrance of the Rugova Valley. This medieval Orthodox Monastery was built in the 13th century, having four churches in a beautiful red colour. We will also wander through the characteristic Old Bazaar of the city.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Peja.

Day 5: Peja – Prizren

Stop At: Kalaja Fortress, Kalaja, Prizren 20000 Kosovo
Our next destination in Kosovo is Prizren. Prizren is considered as the cultural capital of Kosovo, mixing its rich history, incredible nature, religious tolerance and gastronomic delights. Prizren has played an important role in the region as an Illyrian settlement and a crossroads for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, contributing to the unique architecture of the city. The river flows through the heart of the old town and under the many bridges that crisscross the city. The best way to explore the town is by wandering through the streets passing by elegant medieval houses that fight for your attention.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Prizren.

Day 6: Prizren – Tirana (Albania)

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Tirana, the capital of Albania will be our destination for the fifth day, where we have a full day city tour. Colourful, lively, vibrant, dynamic, 24/7 and crazy nightlife - these are some of the words that better describe this city where the communist and capitalist-era buildings battle on a daily basis. Tirana offers a great combination of very interesting museums, historic sites, national parks, mountains and Ottoman, Italian and communist style architecture all clashing with each other, but offering a great pleasure to wander through. Not to be missed is Tirana’s delicious food varieties, from the tasty and cheap street food to the finest gourmet options.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tirana.

Day 7: Tirana – Ohrid (N. Macedonia)

Stop At: Lake Ohrid, Ohrid Republic of North Macedonia
Ohrid is one of the most seductive destinations in N. Macedonia, indicated also as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings were inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ohrid, Ohrid, Southwestern Region
The city became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. The houses were built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 8: Ohrid – Korça (Albania) – Pogradec

Stop At: Korce, Korce, Korce County
We continue our journey towards Korça in the southeastern region of Albania, one of the most beautiful and important cities in the country. Because of its beauty, French-style villas and coffee culture, Korça is also called the ‘little Paris of Albania’. We will take a city tour of this lovely enchanting town.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Korca Old Bazaar, Rrugica Piro Lena, Korce 7001 Albania
Not to be missed is “Pazari i Vjetër”, the most charming neighborhood in Korça and an area that looks like it was pulled straight from a fairy tale; narrow streets, colored buildings, nice cafés and small boutiques can be found everywhere you look.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Pogradec, Pogradec, Korce County
Late in the afternoon we head to Pogradec on the Albanian side of the Ohrid lake.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Driloni National Park, Rruga e Drilonit, Pogradec 7301 Albania
Located next to Pogradec is Drilon National Park. This park was the favorite place of dictator Enver Hoxha, who used to come here to relax. Today Drilon is an attractive summer destination, thanks to its beauty, sandy beaches and delicious cuisine.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Pogradec.

Day 9: Pogradec – Berat

Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
Our next destination is Berat, also known as the city of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Berat Castle, Rruga Mihal Komnena, Berat 5001 Albania
Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Berat.

Day 10: Berat – Vlora - Llogara

Stop At: Zvernec Monastery, Zvernec Island, Vlore Albania
On our way to Vlora, we will visit the Narta Lagoon, the island of Zvërnec and its ancient Monastery of Saint Mary (XIII century). Our tour continues towards Vlora where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Vlore, Vlore, Vlore County
Vlora is known as the ‘’City of the Flag’’ where on the 28th of November 1912 the independence of Albania was declared. We will visit the Flag Square where you can see the Independence Monument. Besides this, we will visit the historic center of Vlora and have a free afternoon by the seaside.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Llogara National Park, Llogara National Park, Vlore County
Our next destination is Llogara National Park.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Llogara.

Day 11: Llogara – Himara - Albanian Riviera

Stop At: Palase Beach, Palase Albania
We will drive along the coastline known as the Albanian Riviera. We will shortly stop at Llogara National Park offering a spectacular view of Palasa Beach.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Porto Palermo Castle, Himare Albania
Our next stop will be the beautiful castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Himare, Himare, Vlore County
After this, Himara will be our final destination for this day. Himara town is located next to imposing mountain peaks covered in deep green forests, crystal-clear seas fringed by long white beaches and sparkling springs inviting you to dive in.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight near the Albanian Riviera.

Day 12: Albanian Riviera – Butrint – Blue Eye - Gjirokastra

Pass By: Dhermi Beach, Dhermi Albania
Today we will have a drive along the beautiful coastline as well. While along the Albanian Riviera, we will pass some of the most beautiful beaches of Albania; Borsh, Llamani and Dhermi beaches. We will also pass some small villages one by one, clinging to rock faces by the seaside, all tumbledown stone walls and narrow pathways, overhung with vines full of grapes, and trees heavy with figs and walnuts.

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
Our tour continues to the National Park of Butrint. Part of the UNESCO world heritage, Butrint is the most important archaeological site in Albania. It was the first site in Albania that became part of the UNESCO list. The ruins combined with the stunning natural surroundings make it worth a visit.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore 9706 Albania
From Butrint, we will move towards Gjirokastra, but not before making a stop at the natural wonder of the Blue Eye. You will not be able to keep your eyes off the mesmerizing crystal-clear blue water. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuits, because you might want to take a dive in it.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjirokaster.

Day 13: Gjirokastër - Permet

Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
Our day begins with a city tour. Gjirokastra is also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century AD, and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gjirokastra Bazaar, Old town, Gjirokaster Albania
Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra, you will have to pass by the medieval bazaar. The atmospheric old town cascades down in graceful hill crammed full of beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you will be amazed by the wide variety of handmade crafts from local artisans and producers.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Permet, Permet, Gjirokaster County
Përmet, our next destination, is the greenest and the cleanest town in Albania, also known as the "city of roses." The small town of Përmet is famous for its folk music, literature personalities, and the good cooking, especially sweets, the so-called 'gliko'. The area is also famous for good wine and strong Raki.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Benja Thermal Baths, Near The Stonebridge, Permet Albania
Very near to Përmet is Bënja, a natural hot thermal spring with a spectacular mountainous view.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Përmet.

Day 14: Permet - Apollonia - Tirana

Stop At: Apollonia Archaeological Park, Pojan Albania
After breakfast, we head back to Tirana, our final destination for this tour. On our way to Tirana, we will visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia, the Odeon Theatre, the Church of Saint Mary, the ancient statues of Illyrian times and the mosaic. This marks the end of this amazing experience through history and culture.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.