Visit Albania and Kosovo

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
TIRANA AIRPORT - TIRANA (17 KM)
1 stop
1
Tirana
Meet at airport and transfer to Tirane. We will start to Skanderbeg Square. Once you’ve been there, you’ll understand why; this main square, named after an Albanian national hero, is the heart of the city. A statue of Skanderbeg sits in the middle of the square. It’s an iconic place, which has recently been renewed, and is a must-see for everyone who visits Albania. With an opera house, the National History Museum, the Et’Hem Bey Mosque along the sides, this huge square is perfect for a stroll. Then we will visit BunkArt and BunkArt2, two museums built inside two coveted anti-nuclear buildings. Then, we will visit Enver Hoxha Pyramid. Was designed as a museum by the late Albanian communist leader’s daughter, and opened in 1988 to show his power and to maintain his legacy. Ish-Blloku was reserved for high-ranking communist officials; even the leader of Albania, Enver Hoxha, lived here. Nowadays this most expensive area is full of trendy bars, cafés, restaurants, and nightclubs.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
TIRANA - KRUJA - PRIZREN (200 KM)
2 stops
2
Kruje
After breakfast we will drive to Prizren. On the way we stop to Kruja, the center of Albanian resistance against the Ottomans under our national hero Scanderbeg who defeated them in 22 battles including one of the most warriors like sultans Mehmet the Conqueror and resisted the Ottoman occupation for 25 years. We visit the Castle with two great Museums and the Old Ottoman style bazaar.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
3
Prizren
Proceed to Prizren. Imbibe the heritage of this open museum city, where you can see many 15th and 16th century mosques, 14th and 15th century Orthodox churches, a 19th century Catholic cathedral, the old city center, the stone bridge & fountains and a beautiful fortress from where you can see the spectacular city skyline. Although not the oldest mosque of Prizren, undoubtedly it is the most beautiful mosque inside and around the city. It was built on 1615 by Sinan Pasha, who had different roles in the Ottoman administration. Our Lady of Ljevish Church is the main official Diocesan church of Prizren Orthodox Serbian Bishops and is considered by Orthodox Serbs as a pride of the Royal Medieval city of Prizren. The Gazi Mehmed Pasha’s public bath, it was built from 1563 until 1574. The Albanian League of Prizren Museum is a complex of four buildings which has seen plenty of change of the past decades. Prizren’s castle in itself contains a very important part of the old history of the city.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
PRIZREN - GRACANICA MONASTERY - PRISHTINA - DECAN MONASTERY - PEJA (200 KM)
4 stops
4
Gracanica Monastery
After breakfast we will departure to Peje and first stop in Prishtina for a short city tour. First wisit, Gracanica Monastery. Southeast of Pristina in the Serbian town of Gračanica is the ancient Gračanica Monastery, completed in 1321 by Serbian king Milutin. The monastery, which is set on large, grassy grounds, is one of the most attractive in Kosovo. You will first enter the monastery chapel through the main doors. The medieval-era paintings here are impressive enough but the real treat is saved for the smaller side, chapel, which is an enchanted cavern of vivid, lifelike murals. Visitors must dress respectably (that means no shorts or sleeveless tops for anyone, and headscarves for women) and photos are forbidden inside the building.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
5
Decan
Afterwards drive towards Peja through the magnificent the Rugova Gorge to the Decani Monastery near it. This monastery complex is a wonderful example of the Orthodox religious architecture and art part of UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must for anyone visiting Kosovo. Overnight in Peja.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
6
Pristina
Pristina is the youngest capital in Europe and one of the least visited towns in the Balkan Peninsula. It does not have the charm of other destinations of Eastern Europe, like Budapest or Sarajevo, but it is a cool city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. We will visit the boulevard and stroll through town until you reach the National Library of Kosovo. This is maybe the quirkiest monument in the Balkan Peninsula. It has been criticized by many people, but it has its charm. The library was built with iron and glass and was topped with 99 different-sized domes. Then, head to the old town of Pristina, home to a labyrinth of narrow streets, mosques, old shops, ancient houses and one of the best ethnographic museums in the country. Then we will visit the symbol of Pristina, the Newborn monument, erected in 2008 after the declaration of independence from Serbia. Pristina is a lively town with cool places for having a fun night out. Then we drive to Peja.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
7
Peje
Unspoiled, welcoming and extremely beautiful: Peja and the Rugova Valley are on the list of top destinations for travelers who want to explore underrated places without breaking the bank. While Peja has an extraordinary history, Rugova Canyon boasts great natural beauty and is the best destination in Kosovo for enthusiasts of outdoor activities. In Peja we will visit, The old bazaar is near the old mosque of Peja. Then, leave the city center of Peja and head into the Rugova Valley, one of the most spectacular natural areas in Kosovo and the Balkan Peninsula. Rugova is home to lovely mountain villages, breathtaking peaks and a gorgeous canyon that offers some of the best views in the country. Then we will visit, visiting the Patriarchate of Peja, one of the main cultural and historical landmarks in Kosovo.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
PEJA – GJAKOVA – KOMAN LAKE (Ferry 2.30 hours) – SHKODRA (145 KM)
3 stops
8
Gjakova
After breakfast we drive to Gjakova for a visit of this town which has one of the oldest bazaars built in the 17th century which has survived till today. This ancient shopping center has many stores and stalls where you can buy all sorts of handicrafts. Aside from shopping, the Gjakova Old Bazaar also has a 15th century mosque which is one of the major attractions at the site.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
9
Komani Lake By Wild Tour Albania
Afterwards departure to Fierze where we take the Koman Lake ferry. A spectacular boat trip through the artificial lake created by the hydro power stations built on Drin River. The depth of the lake has given it an opal green color while the surrounding mountains have created the magnificent effect of a fjord.
3 hours • Admission ticket not included
10
Shkoder
After arrival in Koman we will drive to Shkodra the most important town in Albania and the Illyrian capital, in the 3rd century BC.The city center is surrounded with beautiful buildings. Some of them are so colorful that light up the whole atmosphere. Small bars with different kinds of designs make you fall in love with the place.After, you drive to Rozafa Castle. It represents the main sightseeing in Shkoder. It raises on a rocky hill 130 meters above sea level. The castle was built during antiquity and endures the Roman and Ottoman Empires. It has three main courtyards. There you can see the Illyrian Wall, Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque which was the Church of St. Stephen once and some medieval ruins. Rivers Kir, Buna and Drin join in the third courtyard.Your next destination will be Shiroka. While walking beside the lake you can do some birdwatching. Shiroka has a lot of bird species like pelicans, whistles and many more. Then we will visit the Venetian carnival masks and Mesi Bridge.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
SHKODRA - DURRES - BERAT (UNESCO) (200 KM)
2 stops
11
Durres
After breakfast we depart for Durres. Explore the city’s 1930’s architecture as you walk along the boulevard. Next, you will visit the Roman Amphitheater from the 2nd century AD, built during the reign of the Emperor Trajan as one of the biggest amphitheaters in Balkans.The Roman Amphitheater and the city of Durres are unusual for their extraordinary degree of preservation, particularly for its large stretches of undisturbed stratigraphy. About a third of the amphitheater was not set on manmade supports, but on natural ones, utilizing a precipitous hillside to support its northern seating, or cavea. On the way to the archaeological museum you can admire the Byzantine Wall, an engineering masterpiece, built during the reign of Emperor Anastasius ( VI cent AD ) whose origin was from Durres, and the seaside promenade enjoying the view of the largest bay in Albania. The Byzantine Chapel is your next stop, then the Archaeological Museum, if you’re interested.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
12
Berat
After we proceed to Berat, Albania’s second museum town, called “the city of a thousand windows” and one of the most attractive Albanian towns. We will see the Fortress, Onufri Museum and several Churches and Mosque. In the downtown we visit the Leaden Mosque, the King Mosque, the Bachelor Mosque and Alveti Tekke. Overnight in Berat.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
BERAT (UNESCO) - GJIROKASTRA (UNESCO) - BLUE EYE - BUTRINT - SARANDA (220 KM)
4 stops
13
Gjirokaster
After breakfast, proceed to Gjirokastra. In Gjirokaster we will discover this "city of a thousand steps” whilst driving through small villages. Once arrived, settle into your hotel before soaking up the rich history of the castle and enjoying the view of the “city of stone” from above. Explore the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden house before stopping for lunch in a small local restaurant for a taste of the city’s authentic dishes.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
14
The Blue Eye
Departure for Saranda and on the way we will stop at the beautiful Blue Eye. The Blue Eye is famous for its stunning beauty and clear turquoise water. The water is so clear that you can see al the way through to the bottom and observe the light blue bubbles rising to the surface. The area around the Blue Eye is a protected area which is considered a natural monument where you can enjoy the beauty of the forest with oak and sycamore trees.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
15
Butrint National Park
Then we visit the ancient city of Butrint a world heritage site. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of passing civilizations. It is situated in a beautiful peninsula among dense vegetation. Overnight in Saranda.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
16
Saranda
Free afternoon in Saranda. Overnight in Saranda.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 7
SARANDA - ALI PASHA CASTLE - LLOGARA NATIONAL PARK - VLORA (125 KM)
3 stops
17
Ali Pasha Castle
After breakfast drive on the spectacular Albanian Riviera towards Vlora. Breathtaking sceneries await us at the Llogara pass – 1000 m above sea level. Our next visit in Himara region will be in the water springs of Borshi before continuing towards Ali Pasha fortress in the bay of Porto Palermo which is a rare example of French military engineering, built in the first decade of the XIX century.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
18
Llogara National Park
We will stop at 1100 meters above sea level, through the forest of Llogara National Park, from where we can admire the whole coast line and the Greek islands in the Ionian sea. The Llogara National Park is a national park centered on the Ceraunian Mountains along the Albanian Riviera in Southwestern Albania, spanning an surface area of 1,010 ha. The park's terrain includes large alpine meadows, vertical rock faces, precipices and dense forests.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
19
Vlore
Arrival in Vlora. Vlora is the third largest city in the country and one of the most beautiful to visit. It is surrounded by some of the greatest beaches in Albania, ancient monasteries, castles and archaeological parks that are unforgettable. We will visit the Zvernec Monastery, one of the most beautiful churches in the south of Albania. One of the best place to dine in Vlora is the recently renewed Lungomare. This boulevard offers breathtaking views over the sea and the nearby Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island. The city of Vlore, which is the hometown to the National Independence Movement. There you can visit Flag Square, the Muradie Mosque.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
VLORA - APOLLONIA ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK - ARDENICA MONASTERY - TIRANA (165 KM)
3 stops
20
Apollonia Archaeological Park
After breakfast, we will visit Apollonia Archaeological Park which started in the 7th century BC as the ancient town of Apollonia, the second largest Greek colony in Albania. Founded in the VII century BC, Apollonia became one of the most important towns in the region in the IV century bc. Now days it is one of the biggest archaeological parks in Albania. Then we will visit the museum. The museum is housed in a 14th-century building which was previously the monastery of St. Mary. It is accessed via a double wooden door and a grand entrance on the west side. The museum has 7 pavilions, a gallery and 2 porticos. The bulk of the collection is housed in 6 rooms on the ground floor to the north and west of the complex.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
21
Ardenica Monastery
Next we will drive towards Ardenica Orthodox monastery. It was built by the Byzantine emperor Andronicus II Paleologist in 1282 after winning the siege of the city of Berat. The temple complex consists of the church of the Mother of God, the Holy Trinity Chapel as well as a bakery, stable and entrance gate. The monastery was added to the chapel, which stood alone in this place. According to accounts, the monastery replaced the pagan temple of the goddess Artemis. The name of the town Ardenica comes from her name. In 1451, Skanderbeg's wedding with Flower Pot Muzaka took place here. Skanderbeg was an Albanian leader and national hero. In the monastery, tourists can admire the frescoes of the Zografi brothers from Korcza, including the painting of the Seven Holy Husbands from 1744.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
22
Tirana
Free afternoon in Tirana. Overnight in Tirana.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 9
TIRANA - TIRANA AIRPORT (17 KM)
1 stop
23
Tirana
After breakfast, the tour ends with transfer to “Mother Teresa” Airport. Ends of our service.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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