Private Tour of Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo – The Land & the People

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Overview

Available languages

English

240 hours

Mobile ticket

Travel in Balkans with this Private Tour to explore more about the People, Culture and Nature of Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo. This tour is based on the “must” visits and the most interesting places for each of the countries. As a Private Tour, you will have the chance to customize it or add activities in different activities.

The experience is built on the main idea of offering the best in every country. We will start from the best of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia history and archeologic sites. In addition, the Balkans experience will be mixed with some Urban Life and unique architecture. Living among the locals in Balkans means understanding better the unique culture and especially the warm welcome!

Another strong and interesting point of this Balkans Tour is community tolerance. In addition, we will discover and experience how Albanians, Macedonians, Aromuns and more are living at the same place for years with their tolerance and problems at the same time.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Day 1

Tirana - Durres - Berat

Accommodations

Overnight in Berat

1

Tirana

Be ready for leaving Tirana at 09:00 and driving toward Durres. Named also as an “Open Book of History”, it is living proof of the last 25 centuries and many civilizations. Founded as Greek Colony, the city had passed glorious points in History,

Admission Not Applicable
2

Durres

City tour of Durres with a visit at the “Roman Amphitheater”, Medieval Market and more. We will leave Durres behind to head toward another city with great importance for Albanian History, Culture and Heritage. Being part of UNESCO World Heritage, Berat is known as a typical Ottoman Style City with a local blend of styles in architecture, With more than 20 centuries of history, it is a mosaic city of different cultures and influences.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
3

Durres Amphitheatre

Visit at the Roman Amphitheater, one of the biggest in Balkans with 20000 seats.

15 minutes • Admission Included
4

Berat

We will leave Durres behind to head toward another city with great importance for Albanian History, Culture and Heritage. Being part of UNESCO World Heritage, Berat is known as a typical Ottoman Style City with a local blend of styles in architecture, With more than 20 centuries of history, it is a mosaic city of different cultures and influences. City Tour of Berat into its 3 typical neighborhoods “Kala”, “Mangalem” and “Gorica”.

12 hours • Admission Not Applicable
5

National Iconographic Museum Onufri

Visit at the Orthodox Monastery, “Dormitory of Saint Mary” and “Onufri” museum of Iconography.

35 minutes • Admission Included
6

Berat Castle

Guided tour in the castle.

1 hour • Admission Included
Day 2

Berat - Zverneci Monastery - Vlora - Albanian Riveira

Accommodations

Overnight in Saranda or Typical Villages along the Albanian Coast.

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

St. Mary's Monastery

After leaving Berat, the next stop will be the Zverneci Monastery, This Byzantine Style Monastery is located on an island and surrounded by salty water by Narta Lagoon. To reach the monastery, you follow the charming bridge that, stretching over the water, connect the island with the land.

1 hour • Admission Included
2

Vlore

Visit the city of Vlora, known as the City of Albanian Independence. Short city tour of Vlora and Drive along the amazing Albanian Riviera. Some free time along the coast of Riviera and visits in typical villages and local restaurants to get introduced better with the local culture and heritage. Overnight in Saranda or Typical Villages along the Albanian Coast.

6 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 3

Saranda - Archaeological Site of Butrint - Gjirokastra

Accommodations

Overnight in Gjirokastra

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

Butrint National Park

Part of the UNESCO heritage, Butrint is also the most important Archeologic site in Albania. The ancient Greek and later Roman city and bishopric in Epirus inhabited since prehistoric times. Visit in Butrint and the pretty Island of Ksamil.

3 hours • Admission Included
2

Gjirokaster

After experiencing the golden Antiquity, we will go deeper in the Medieval times in stone, a mystic city like Gjirokastra. As Ismail Kadare (Albanian Writer) describes it, it is not a city like the rest. Under the solid, grey stone tiles and stones swarm the soft and vital flesh of life. City Tour of Gjirokastra along the typical cobblestone paths connecting the typical fortress style houses. Overnight in the City.

4 hours • Admission Not Applicable
3

Gjirokaster Castle

Guided tour inside the castle to explore the un numerous stories and legends.

1 hour • Admission Included
Day 4

Gjirokastra - Permet - Voskopoja

Accommodations

Overnight in Voskopoja

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

Permet

We leave the city to drive deeper into the East and to explore more. A short stop at Permet by the Vjosa River. Vjosa is still one of the very few wild rivers in Europe. On the other hand, Permet is the center of Albanian Slow Food and local gastronomy, In addition, we will take a windy, bumpy road toward the village of Voskopoja.

4 hours • Admission Not Applicable
2

Voskopoja has been a glorious settlement in the 18th Century, a center of Aromanians in Balkans. Furthermore, the second Book Press in the Ottoman Empire was located there. Different from today, Voskopoja is believed to had a population of nearly 15000 inhabitants where different ethnicities were living in harmony.

5 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 5

Voskopoja - Korca - Pustec - Bitola

Accommodations

Overnight in Bitola

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

Korce

After an introduction to the culture of the of Aromanians in the main church of Voskopoja, we will head toward the city of Korca. The biggest city in the Albanian South – East and furthermore a cultural center with the first Albanian School. Visit at the renovated Bazaar in Korca.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable
2

The South-East of Albania is the region with the most ethnicities in Albania and the next destination will be the Macedonian community along the Prespa Lake. In addition, Pustec is a small municipally but surrounded by gorgeous nature and unique culinary. Furthermore, the place is not very touristy yet and either commercial.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
3

Bitola

In addition, the last destination for the day will be the historical city of Bitola. The unique Architecture, Wide pedestrian boulevard, and historic buildings make an interesting attraction to visit while in North Macedonia. City tour of Bitola.

4 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 6

Bitola - Ohrid

Accommodations

Overnight in Ohrid

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

The day starts with a visit to an archeologic site, the city of Heraklea Lynkesist. An ancient city founded in the 4th century BC by Philipe II, the father of Alexander the Great.

2 hours • Admission Included
2

Ohrid

we will head toward Ohrid. Probably the most picturesque city of North Macedonia, Ohrid is a harmonic blend of History, Culture, and Religion. It has been called the Jerusalem of the Balkans. City tour of Ohrid. Visit at the Samuil Fortress, St Sofia Church and Old Greek Theater located in the old neighborhood. Exploration of the local market and the city center in the lower part of the city. Overnight in Ohrid.

5 hours • Admission Not Applicable
3

Tsar Samuel's Fortress

Visit at the Fortress of Ohrid for a panoramic view of the city.

20 minutes • Admission Included
4

St. Jovan Kaneo

.

Admission Not Applicable
5

Saint Climent of Ohrid

.

Admission Not Applicable
Day 7

Ohrid - Skopje

Accommodations

Overnight in Skopje

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

Skopje

Leaving the Ohrid we will head toward the Capital of Skopje. It is a city where you can clearly notice the North Macedonian Pride for their culture and heritage. City tour of Skopje and overnight at the Capital.

5 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 8

Skopje - Matka Canyon - Pristina

Accommodations

Overnight in Pristina

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

Matka Canyon

Leaving the Capital to head toward the Grand Park of Matka Lake. It is a wonderful, complex park of not just nature. Famous for its canyons, this park has been the homeplace of some medieval orthodox monasteries in centuries. Free time in the Matka canyons.

4 hours • Admission Included
2

Pristina

Leaving the park we will cross the border and head toward the newest country on the Europe, Kosovo. The next destination will be its capital, Pristina. Visits in the capital, a city with strong former Yugoslavian style and architecture. We will find an interesting blend among the typical Ottoman Style building of the 18th century, Cold Brutalism and Modernity.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 9

Pristina - Gracanica Monastery - Decan Monastery - Prizren

Accommodations

Overnight in Prizren

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

Gracanica Monastery

This day is dedicated to the Orthodox Heritage in Kosovo and 2 remarkable Monasteries, part of UNESCO Heritage. Few kilometers from Pristina, in the Serbian Komunity of Gracanica is located the monastery with the same name.

1 hour • Admission Included
2

Decan

The next visit will be in the Monastery of Decan, both part of the UNESCO Heritage and build by the same dynasty of Serbian rulers and the same school of architecture. .

1 hour • Admission Not Applicable
3

Gjakova

Short visit to the city of Gjakova.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
Day 10

Prizren - Kruja - Tirana

Food and Drinks

BREAKFAST

Breakfast

1

Prizren

Prizren is called also the Cultural Capital of Kosovo. Lied on both sides of Bistrica River, under the Prizren’s Castle this city has played a major role in Albanian History and Politics of the 19th Century. Visit at the House of the Prizren League. It is one of the most important buildings of the 19th century in Albanian History. Visit in the Fortress of Prizren and City Tour. In addition, visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the House of the League.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable
2

Kruje

In the return, a short visit to the Medieval city of Kruja. A medieval city and stronghold of 15th century in Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire led by Skenderbeu. Visit on the traditional bazaar in Kruja and the Historical Museum of Skenderbeu.

2 hours • Admission Not Applicable
3

Tirana

Our tour ends in Tirana

Admission Not Applicable
4

Albanian League of Prizren Museum [Muzeu Lidhja Shqiptare e Prizrenit]

Visit at one of the most important Political heritage of the 19th century for Albanian History.

20 minutes • Admission Included

Pickup points

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Private Tour of Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo – The Land & the People

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Reviews

5.00

1 review

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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  • The Best of the Southern Balkans

    TruthTraveler,,Oct 22, 2022

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    I found GoAsLocal on the internet and communicated with Andi about a private 8 day tour of Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo. He set everything up for a private tour at a reasonable price. Over the course of the next 8 days, I enjoyed an interesting cultural and historical tour of this part of the lower Balkans new to me. I would call this a "survey" trip through Tirana, Durres, Berat, Apollonia, Gjirokaster, Pogradec, Ohrid, Sklopje, Pristina, Pritren and places in between. You could easily spend a month in depth in this area. Andi was my initial guide but Skerdi was the Man for most of the trip and educated me about all of the nuances and issues in the various locations. All the accomodations were 4 star modern and conveniently located; Andi included a couple of guest houses with modern conveniences and the opportunity to speak with the hosts - and drink their raki. The food was excellent; the prices for everything were extremely modest by Western Europe standards ( won't last ) and the people friendly. Thanks to Andi, Skerdi and the GoAsLocal crew, this trip turned out to be everything and more than I could have anticipated. I will be back. I recommend these folks without reservation.

From €1,487.00

5.00
(1 review)