Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo 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.

Dag 2 Tirana - Berat

After breakfast you will drive to Berat, a unique Albanian city with typical Ottoman architecture. What makes the city of Berat special is that different religious and cultural communities have lived side by side for centuries. During your stop in Berat, be sure to visit the Kala Fortress, built in the 18th century and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Day 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 Ksamil - Gjirokastra - Permët 

Your destination today is Permët. 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 spring in Albania. The cooling water and shady forests make this place a favorite picnic spot for locals. You will also make a stop in the city of Gjirokastra with its impressive architectural style typical of the Ottoman period. You end in Permët, where there are 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 7 Permet - Korca - Ohrid

Today you drive south through beautiful Albanian plains and mountain landscapes. First make a stop at the Permët thermal hot springs (also known as 'Benja'), known for their healing properties, and admire the ancient Kadiut stone bridge above the baths. You can enjoy swimming here from early spring.

Today you will stop at a small farm in the middle of the mountains for a traditional lunch before continuing to Korça. Korça is an attractive city where you can stroll through the alleys on your own and visit sights such as the largest Orthodox cathedral in the country and the beautiful old bazaar. Then you cross the border into North Macedonia and drive past the impressive Lake Ohrid before arriving in the city of the same name.

Day 8 Ohrid

Today you have the whole day to explore Ohrid and its surroundings. You can visit the Monastery of Saint Naum, located amidst lush greenery and built in the 10th century AD. It is an oasis of peace on the border between Albania and Macedonia. Be sure to make a photo stop at the Bay of Bones Museum, a reconstruction of a prehistoric stilt village that must once have been located here. The city of Ohrid is located high on the shore of Lake Ohrid and is one of the oldest European settlements. The historic city center is characterized by colorful architecture, centuries-old houses and monuments and countless churches and monasteries, and it is therefore not surprising that the city is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Lake Ohrid southwest of the city is surrounded by green mountains and impressive cliffs. Due to this sublime combination of historical heritage and fantastic nature reserve, a visit to this region is, according to many, the highlight of a tour through North Macedonia.

Day 9 Ohrid - Mavrovo National park

Today you drive north towards the Mavrovo National Park where you can enjoy lush landscapes such as the Radika Gorge and Mavrovo Lake. You can have lunch in the village restaurant of the small village of Janche and then visit the Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery high at the top of the gorge, one of the most beautiful monasteries in North Macedonia.

In Tetovo you should not miss the 15th century mosque of Sarena Dzamija, beautifully painted inside and out.

Day 10 Mavrovo - Makta canyon - Skopje 

From Mavrovo towards Skopje you should definitely not miss the paradisiacal Canyon Matka. This nature reserve on the Treska River is located about 15 kilometers before the city. You can take a boat trip to the Vrelo Caves, which are considered the deepest sea caves in the world. In Skopje there are plenty of options for a nice lunch in the center before exploring the earthquake-ravaged city on your own. In any case, the Grand Bazaar is definitely worth a visit, and you should not miss the stone bridge over the Vardar River, a well-known historical building in Skopje. You can visit Kale Fort, built on the highest point of the city. Skopje is also the birthplace of Mother Teresa and several monuments have been erected in her memory.

As the cultural center of North Macedonia, Skopje is also the city where many fun festivals take place every year, such as the famous Jazz Festival and the Skopje Cultural Summer Festival.

Day 11 Skopje - Prizren 

After breakfast you get in the car towards Kosovo. You drive through the beautiful Sharr Mountains to Prizren, the cultural and historical capital of Kosovo. 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.