Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
Your guide meets you at Mother Teresa Airport or you'll pick up a rental car depending on your tour type. If you arrive with enough time, you'll check out Skanderbeg Square, the Pyramid of Tirana, and Tirana Castle. The Et'hem Beu Mosque from the 18th century is worth seeing, and the Bloku quarter has interesting streets to walk through. If your flight lands late, you can explore these spots tomorrow instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Brilant Antik Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Boka oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Tirana (depending on arrival time)
- Visit Skanderbeg Square
- Visit Pyramid of Tirana
- Walk along main boulevard
- Visit Tirana Castle
- Visit Et'hem Beu Mosque
- Explore Bloku quarter
Landmarks Skanderbeg Square Pyramid of Tirana Tirana Castle Et'hem Beu Mosque 
- Day 2
Shkodra
Head to Kruja to see the medieval castle and museums there, then browse the bazaar with its cobblestone streets and wooden shops selling local crafts. After lunch, continue to Shkodra on Lake Skadar's Albanian side. You'll tour Rozafa Castle for great views, and later walk through the restored pedestrian zone with Italian-influenced architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Tradita Hotel oder ähnlich), (Colosseo Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Kruja Castle
- Visit Scanderberg Museum
- Visit Ethnographic Museum
- Browse Kruja Bazaar
- Visit Rozafa Castle
- Stroll through Shkodra pedestrian zone
Landmarks Kruja Castle Rozafa Castle Lake Skadar 
- Day 3
Montenegro - Shkodra
Cross into Montenegro for a coastal trip. You'll see Sveti Stefan, an island connected by causeway (viewable from outside if you're not staying there). Then explore Budva's historic center on its small peninsula, wandering narrow streets and checking out churches like Sveti Trojica, Sveti Ivan, and Sveti Sava. You'll head back to Shkodra by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Tradita Hotel oder ähnlich), (Colosseo Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Sveti Stefan (panoramic view)
- Explore Budva historic center
- Visit church of Sveti Trojica
- Visit church of Sveti Ivan
- Visit church of Sveti Sava
Landmarks Sveti Stefan Budva Old Town Church of Sveti Trojica Church of Sveti Ivan Church of Sveti Sava - Day 4
Durres
Spend the morning at Lake Skadar relaxing and exploring the area. Later you'll travel toward the coast to reach Durres, Albania's main seaport. The Balkan Peninsula's largest amphitheater is here, featuring a rare wall mosaic from the 2nd century A.D. You can visit the Archaeological Museum or spend time at waterfront cafes along the beach promenade instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Epidamn Boutique Hotel & Spa oder ähnlich), (Brais Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Durres Amphitheater
Optional Activities
- Boat trip on Lake Skadar
- Visit Archaeological Museum in Durres
- Relax at beach cafés on the promenade
Landmarks Lake Skadar Durres Amphitheater - Day 5
Berat
After breakfast, travel to Berat, the UNESCO site known as the 'city of a thousand windows.' You'll tour the castle perched 260 meters above sea level, see churches with carved iconostasis, and visit the Onufri museum. The lead and bachelor mosques are interesting, and the 18th-19th century buildings reflect the area's history. Walk down to Mangalem and Gorica districts to see the King's Mosque and Helveti Bektashi Tekke. In the evening, visit a local winery for wine and raki tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Osumi Hotel oder ähnlich), (Castle Hotel Berat oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Berat Castle
- Visit church with wood-carved iconostasis
- Visit Onufri Museum
- Visit lead mosque
- Visit bachelor mosque
- Visit Gorica Bridge
- Explore residential buildings from 18th-19th centuries
- Visit King's Mosque
- Visit Helveti Bektashi Tekke
- Wine tasting at local winery
Landmarks Berat Castle Onufri Museum Gorica Bridge King's Mosque Helveti Bektashi Tekke - Day 6
Lake Ohrid - Pogradec
Travel along the ancient Via Egnatia trade route through Elbasan toward Lake Ohrid. You'll visit Pelion to see royal tombs, then explore Elbasan's Old Town with its cathedral, mosque, and 4th-6th century church excavations. Continue to Lake Ohrid, stopping in Lin village to see the basilica with lake views. By evening you'll arrive in Pogradec, the main town on one of the world's oldest and largest lakes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Pogradeci Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Perla oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit ancient Pelion
- Visit Cathedral of St. Mary in Elbasan
- Visit royal mosque in Elbasan
- Visit Bezistan church excavations
- Visit basilica in Lin
- Explore Pogradec
Landmarks Ancient Pelion Cathedral of St. Mary Lake Ohrid Basilica in Lin Galičica National Park - Day 7
Ohrid, North Macedonia
Day trip to Ohrid, North Macedonia, called the Jerusalem of the Balkans for its 365 Orthodox churches. Check out the Old Town with its 11th-century Hagia Sophia Church, ancient theater, and the ruins of St. Clement's university where Cyrillic script was created. Take a boat tour to see the 10th-century St. Naum Monastery from the water, then visit it in person. You'll return to Albania by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Pogradeci Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Perla oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Ohrid
- Visit Hagia Sophia Church
- Visit ancient theater
- Visit ruins of St. Clement's university
- Boat tour to St. Naum Monastery
Optional Activities
- Visit St. Naum Monastery (can be booked on site)
Landmarks Hagia Sophia Church Ancient Theater of Ohrid St. Clement's University Ruins St. Naum Monastery - Day 8
Voskopoja
Travel from Pogradec to Korça, Albania's cultural center, where you'll see the remains of the 15th-century Iliaz Bey Mirahori Mosque, the oldest in Albania, plus the bazaar, Orthodox cathedral, and Medieval Art Museum. Continue to Voskopoja, a mountain village at about 1,200 meters elevation popular with locals for its unspoiled landscape. This 17th-century economic hub has beautifully decorated churches and shows traditional rural Albanian life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Bujtina Shkodrani oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Iliaz Bey Mirahori Mosque
- Explore Korça Bazaar
- Visit Orthodox Cathedral in Korça
- Visit Museum of Medieval Art
- Walk through Voskopoja village
- Visit churches in Voskopoja
Landmarks Iliaz Bey Mirahori Mosque Korça Bazaar Orthodox Cathedral in Korça Museum of Medieval Art - Day 9
Gjirokaster
Drive to Gjirokaster with a brief stop in Permet for a short walk. Gjirokaster sits dramatically on a mountainside and goes by 'city of a thousand steps.' You'll tour the fortress with foundations from the 3rd century B.C. and its distinctive bell tower visible throughout town. This UNESCO museum town has connections to former dictator Enver Hoxha and author Ismail Kadare. End with an optional Albanian meal at your hotel in the historic center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Gjirokastra Hotel oder ähnlich), (Rose Garden Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Walk in Permet
- Visit Gjirokaster Fortress
Optional Activities
- Dinner with Albanian meal and wine
Landmarks Gjirokaster Fortress 
- Day 10
Ksamil
After breakfast, visit the Skenduli House, one of Gjirokaster's famous medieval residences. Drive to Delvina region to see the Blue Eye Spring, one of the country's largest springs with crystal-clear water flowing into small lakes with a blue-green shimmer. Continue to the coastal village of Ksamil with its pristine white sandy beach. The afternoon is free for you to relax on the beach.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Hotel Nebo oder ähnlich), (King Hotel Ksamil oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Skenduli House
- Visit Blue Eye Spring
Landmarks Skenduli House Blue Eye Spring 
- Day 11
Ksamil
This is a free day to relax and enjoy Ksamil's beaches at your own pace. No scheduled activities or guided tours today.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Hotel Nebo oder ähnlich), (King Hotel Ksamil oder ähnlich)
- Day 12
Butrint Archaeological Park
Visit Butrint, a UNESCO archaeological park near Ksamil and one of the Balkans' most important ancient sites. You'll explore the Temple of Asclepius, Baptistery with colorful mosaics, Nymphaeum, theater, the legendary Lion Gate, and the old amphitheater. Walk among eucalyptus trees and tour the old fortress with its small museum. The oldest wall remains date to the 7th century B.C., and the afternoon is free to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Hotel Nebo oder ähnlich), (King Hotel Ksamil oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Asclepius
- Visit Baptistery with colorful mosaics
- Visit Nymphaeum
- Visit theater
- Visit Lion Gate
- Visit old amphitheater
- Visit old fortress and small museum
Landmarks Butrint Archaeological Park Temple of Asclepius Baptistery Lion Gate - Day 13
Vlora
Head north along one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful panoramic roads. Stop at Porto Palermo's fortress for fantastic views of the Albanian Riviera. Wind through spectacular gorges called Karl May's legendary 'Gorges of the Balkans,' then climb to Llogara Pass at 1,027 meters. Take a short walk in the national park before continuing to Vlora on the Ionian Sea coast, known as the city of independence. See the harbor and the 1542 Muradie Mosque, one of few Ottoman mosques to survive wars and the 1851 earthquake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Palace Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit fortress in Porto Palermo
- Walk in Llogara National Park
- City tour of Vlora
- Visit harbor
- Visit Muradie Mosque
Optional Activities
- Visit Independence Museum
Landmarks Porto Palermo Fortress Llogara National Park Muradie Mosque - Day 14
Tirana
Drive to Apollonia, a ruined site near Fier founded in 588 B.C. as a Doric colony. For nearly 1,000 years it was an important urban center in the region. You'll explore excavations, city walls, and portico, then see the ancient theater and monastery courtyard with its Byzantine-style church. Return to Tirana where you can visit the National Museum of History or relax at cafes. The old market is now a trendy gathering spot for Tirana's young population.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Brilant Antik Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Boka oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Apollonia excavations
- Visit city wall
- Visit portico
- Visit theater
- Visit monastery courtyard
- Visit Byzantine-style church
Optional Activities
- Visit National Museum of History
- Explore old market
Landmarks Apollonia Archaeological Site Theater of Apollonia National Museum of History - Day 15
Departure
Depending on your flight time, transfer to Mother Teresa Airport for your departure. If you're on a self-drive tour, you'll drop off the rental car at the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
