Albania and Kosovo Selfdrive Tour Program

Day 1 Arrival Tirana 

After arriving at Tirana International Airport you will be met by an English-speaking guide. This guide will take you to the car rental where he/she will help you rent the rental car you will use for this trip.
Then you drive to your hotel in the center of the Albanian capital.

Rest of the day to  explore Tirana. Tirana used to be dull and grayish, but after the communist era it has experienced an international boom and has become a lively, colorful metropolis with a unique atmosphere. Tirana is fascinating and represents both the past and future of Albania. Stroll through the trendy residential area of ​​Blloku, where you will find the old house of Enver Hoxha, but also many cozy restaurants and cafes. This used to be the living quarters of the country's communist leaders, now the hip and trendy district of the city. Not far from here leads the central Skanderberg square, a typical large square in socialist architectural style. It is very nice to visit the Bunk'Art museum, an immense underground city, from where Enver Hoxha controlled the country. It gives a good picture of the paranoia that Albania was burdened with for decades. Nearby you can take a cable car to Mt. Djati for a beautiful view of the surroundings.

Day 2 Tirana - Prizren

After breakfast you get in the car towards Kosovo. You can drive to Prizren, the cultural and historical capital of Kosovo, in about 3 hours. Visit the old Ottoman center of the city here, which is surrounded by mountain landscapes. The cobbled alleys and atmospheric tea houses in the old bazaar give Prizren a unique Ottoman charm. In Prizren every religion is respected and today you can visit the Mosque of Sinan Pasha, St. George's Orthodox Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. In the afternoon, visit the Prizren Fortress with beautiful views over the city.

Day 3 Prizren - Gracanica via Pristina

You continue to the capital of Kosovo; Pristina. Pristina's city center won't win any beauty prizes, but it has plenty of sights and many more nice restaurants and cafes. The NEWBORN war memorial, made of 20,000 military medals, is a special form of street art and recalls the Yugoslav war of the 1990s, after which Pristina was reborn. The letters have a different appearance every year.

From Pristina it is a half-hour drive to the ancient Gracanica Monastery, completed in 1321 by the Serbian king Milutin. The monastery, which sits on a large, grassy site, is one of the most attractive in Kosovo. You first enter the monastery chapel through the main entrance. The paintings from the Middle Ages are impressive enough here, but the real treat is saved for the smaller side, the chapel, an enchanted cave with vibrant, lifelike murals. Visitors must dress modestly - that means no shorts or sleeveless tops and a headscarf for the women. Photos are prohibited in the building.

Day 4 Gracanica - Peja - Rugova

A beautiful tour takes you past some of the highlights of Kosovo. The first stop is Gjakova. Gjakova is a charming town that used to serve as a trading center on the route between Shkodra and Constantinople. At that time, Gjakova was even the most developed trade center in the entire Balkans. You will find all kinds of craft stalls where you can get acquainted with old crafts that no longer exist in Western Europe, such as tailors specialized in the “Plis” (a traditional Albanian hat) and furniture makers who make “Diep” (wooden cradles). The old bazaar of Gjakova is now home to numerous coffee shops, restaurants and cafes and has a cozy, artistic atmosphere.

Next stop is the Vican Decani Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries in the Balkans. The monastery is beautifully situated in the woods with mountains in the background. The monastery is heavily guarded by an international force, after all, the monasteries are Serbian. There is a serene tranquility in the monastery itself and when you enter the main church, you will be amazed. The entire church is covered with 14th century frescoes, inspired by the Byzantine period.

Then you continue to Peja. Near Peja you will make a stop at the Monastery of the Patriarch of Peja, also a Serbian shrine, and also covered with beautiful frescoes. This monastery is located at the beginning of the Rugova canyon, a beautiful nature reserve.

Then a beautiful trip to the Rugova valley and the impressive gorge and you drive straight through one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the country. The guesthouse where you will spend the night is located in the mountain village of Reka e Allages and the local villagers will receive you with a warm welcome.

Day 5 Rugova valley

The Rugova Valley is a ski area in winter and a fantastic area for outdoor enthusiasts in summer. There are countless options here for mountain climbing and hiking along high mountain walls, mysterious caves and beautiful waterfalls. Together with your host you can choose a walk through the valley to take today. You can also drive to Kuqishte and from there walk to some beautiful mountain lakes (a 4-hour walk back and forth from the restaurant).

Day 6 Rugova - Velika Hova

Today you drive to Velika Hoca, a Serbian enclave in the heart of Kosovo. You will spend the night here with a local family that has been producing wine here since the 13th century. They will give you a warm welcome and will be happy to take you on a tour of their vineyards. In the meantime, they are happy to tell you about this small village with no fewer than 12 Orthodox churches and about the history of this place. They show you what their life in Velika Hoca is like and if you like, they will also tell you with love about the production of their local wines. During dinner, a tasting with homemade wines and rakias should not be missed. Cheers!

Day 7 Velika Hova - Berat

You cross the border and begin further exploration of Albania. You continue to Berat, a unique Albanian city with typical Ottoman architecture. Along the way you can stop at a family vineyard where you can pleasantly get acquainted with Albania's wine heritage during a small tasting. What makes the city of Berat special is that different religious and cultural communities have lived side by side for centuries. In the afternoon you can explore the city on your own. For example, visit the Kala Fortress, built in the 18th century and included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Day 8 Berat - Himare via Ardenica, Apollonia and Vlora

In the morning you drive towards the Ardenica Monastery. This monastery built in the 13th century is one of the most beautiful Orthodox monuments in Albania. Here you will also visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia. This city was founded in 588 BC by Greek settlers from Corfu and by the Corinthians.

You continue your journey via the Albanian Riviera towards the city of Vlora where Albanian independence began. Visit the Zvërnec Monastery here, which is located on a small island and is only accessible via a small wooden pontoon.

In the afternoon you will drive to Himare, a small and picturesque Albanian seaside resort. Along the way you can make a stop in the lush mountain landscape of the Llogora National Park.

Day 9 Himare

Himare is one of the warmest places in Albania and the sun shines there about 300 days a year. It is therefore a wonderful place for beach and nature lovers. You can lie on the beach here, take a nice walk from Himare to Gjippe Canyon, or take a longer nature walk to Llogora National Park. You can spot griffon vultures and golden eagles (if you are lucky!), but wolves, chamois and otters can also be found here. There are also all kinds of fun water sports activities available from Himare, such as diving or jet skiing. Take a look at our excursions for the possibilities!

Day 10 Himare - Ksamil

Today you drive further to the south of Albania and you can make a stop at the Ali Pasha castle and Kakomë beach, one of the most pristine beaches in the country. You pass Saranda, the largest seaside resort in Albania and continue to Ksamil.
15 minutes from Ksamil you can visit the Butrint National Park in the far south of Albania. It is a small park with great archaeological value and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city was occupied by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Venetians and you will find ruins here that reflect the different periods: for example an amphitheater, remains of a viaduct but also several basilicas.
Your hotel tonight is a mussel farmer restaurant on the edge of Lake Butrint. Here you will spend the night in a beautiful wooden hut on the edge of the lake.

Day 11 Ksamil - Gjirokastra via 'Blue Eye'

On the way to one of the nicest towns in Albania, Gjirokastra. On the route you can stop at Syri i Kaltër ('the blue eye' because of the deep blue color of the water): a special karst phenomenon and the most water-rich source in Albania. The cooling water and shady forests make this place a favorite picnic spot for locals. In the afternoon you can explore Gjirokastra with its impressive architectural style typical of the Ottoman period. The old town of Gjirokastra is known as a well-preserved town with authentic architecture and the fortress that overlooks the entire town. The old houses with slate roofs and beautiful old wooden facades lean against the slopes of the hills. It is a magical city on a hill beautifully described by Albania's most famous writer, Ismail Kadare. For Albanians, the city is also synonymous with former dictator Enver Hoxha, who was born here and ensured that the city was relatively well preserved under his rule. There is plenty to see, not only in this special city, but in the entire region. 

Day 12 Gjirokastra - Permet

From the city of Gjirokastra, the city known for its impressive architectural style typical of the Ottoman period, you travel today to Permët. In Permët you will find many ecological farms known for their regional products such as rakia, honey and cheese. You can also dine here at a cheese factory called Cheese Factory Bunker where you will meet the family who run the farm and learn about the wide variety of cheeses, wines and rakias from this area. Of course also by tasting it yourself

Day 13 Permet - Kruje
You drive to Kruje, one of the oldest cities in Europe and one of the cultural-historical highlights of Albania. You can visit the old bazaar and the medieval fortress of Skanderbeg. Skanderbeg is a true hero in the Balkans because he was the first to unite the Albanians and resist the invasion of the Ottoman Empire.