In the heart of the Balkans: Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo

Arrival in Tirana, Albania, where your vehicle awaits. Drive to Berat and stay two nights in the heart of the historic Mangalem district, at the start of the old road to the castle. Your hotel stands on the remains of manor houses that once belonged to the Pasha of Berat, Ahmet Kurt Pasha, who governed this semi-autonomous area within the Ottoman Empire. The soothing white bedrooms have a refined simplicity, while the restaurant celebrates traditional Albanian flavours and dishes.

Already included - private tour of Old Berat. The Old Town transports you back in time as you venture into the winding alleys of Mangalem. The medieval Kala (castle) stands majestically over the “city of a thousand windows”, a sobriquet that needs no explanation. Must-sees included Shën Mëri Vllahernës (St. Mary of Blachernae) Church, dating from the 13th century and decorated with 16th-century frescoes, and a slender minaret marking the Xhamia e Mbretit (King Mosque), built in the 15th century by Bayezid II. The richly decorated Halveti Tekke (Sufi lodge) takes you straight back to the 18th century. And the proximity of the supposed tomb of the Jewish “messiah” Sabbatai Zevi (1626-1676) adds a mystical dimension to the walk. However, it is the remarkable cohesion of the entire vernacular ensemble that dazzles most. The 18th and 19th-century houses blend in well with the needs of the city.

Don’t miss along the way - Ardenica Monastery is an Orthodox monastery built in the 13th century, decorated with superb 18th-century frescoes. In 1451, it hosted the wedding of Gjergj Kastrioti (or “Skanderbeg”), the Albanian national hero who resisted the Ottomans in the 15th century. Another must-see is Byllis Archaeological Park - the remains of an ancient Illyrian city perched on the hills of the Mallakaster district.
Arrive in Gjirokaster, to stay two nights in a beautiful house in the Old Town. The hotel conversion has scrupulously preserved the spirit of the place and its original materials. In the rooms, long benches echo the Ottoman style. You will find all the comforts you could wish for here. A sense of moderation prevails, striking a fine balance between modern amenities and old Balkan charm. From the window, look out over the thick slate roofs of the kullas (Albanian-Turkish fortified houses). Built in the 17th and 18th centuries, they are a lasting reminder of a time when merchants ruled the city.

Already on your itinerary - Gjirokastër in private. Stroll through the cobbled streets, from the citadel (12th century) to the bazaar (17th-19th centuries) dominated by Xhamia e Pazarit, the bazaar’s mosque (18th century), and pass by the birthplace of writer Ismail Kadare, whose work, Chronicle in Stone, is brought to life beneath your feet. This walk reveals all the reasons why Gjirokastër has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its magnificent architecture, preserved in a remarkably coherent whole, is on a par with Berat. It is a testament to a world with its constraints and compromises, carrying a sense of historical depth and a certain poetry.

Don’t miss along the way - Benja Thermal Pools are natural sulfur-rich hot springs that flow into a series of pools. Here, you can also admire a beautiful single-arch bridge - a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.
Stay two nights in a large house built in traditional style. The buildings surround a charming cobblestone courtyard, with galleries and geraniums. In the evening, the atmosphere is especially enjoyable. The interiors feature stone walls, brick vaults, exposed beams and carefully maintained floors. A discreet modernity, with carpets, embroidery, wood panelling, and matching furniture. The overall design is balanced and contemporary, with a touch of subtle elegance. The rooms, in keeping with this harmonious decor, offer refined comfort. The restaurant serves international cuisine with Albanian accents.

Already on your itinerary - Korçë and Voskopoja in private. During the First World War, the French occupation left its mark on Korçë. On 2 October 1916, the 1st Regiment of African Chasseurs took control of the city, which was administered by Paris until 1920. This political and military intervention have left behind a military cemetery, a French lycée, and a distinctive atmosphere, which has earned Korçë the nickname “Little Paris” of Albania. But that's not its only attraction. At the National Museum of Medieval Art, don’t miss the masterful work entitled The Resurrection of Lazarus by archpriest and renowned 16th-century religious painter Onouphrios of Neokastro. Meanwhile Saint Athanasius Church in Voskopojë has been described by one enthusiastic historian as the “Sistine Chapel of the Balkans”. It’s surely worthwhile checking out! This village, which was a town in the 18th century, also has beautiful old houses lining its cobbled streets.

Cross into North Macedonia, then drive to Ohrid. Stay two nights overlooking the lake of the same name, just steps from the Kej Makedonija promenade and the cobbled streets of the historic centre. Your room is spacious and cleverly arranged for modern comfort. Bathed in natural light, a large window offers a soothing view of the shimmering shores of the lake.

Included - Ohrid, a timeless Macedonian city. Accompanied by a guide, explore the old town at the foot of Samuel’s Fortress (10th century), known for its crenellated walls and square towers. The medieval layout of the streets and the harmonious group of houses (17th-19th centuries) effuse a picturesque charm. Among the notable edifices are the ancient theatre (1st century); the Cathedral of Saint Sophia (with its unforgettable frescoes, 11th-14th centuries); Robevi House, a splendid urban residence from the 1860s; the Church of Saint John at Kaneo (13th century), a small marvel of Byzantine architecture reached only on foot; and the Church of the Holy Mother of God Perivleptos (13th century), with more astonishing frescoes - the painters Michael and Eftychios Astrapas worked here as worthy sons of Saint Luke. The day continues with a visit to the Bay of Bones - a reconstructed prehistoric settlement by the lake, dating from 1200 to 700 BCE that has been developed from discoveries made at a site further north. Although it offers little detailed information, the site provides a unique opportunity to “walk” on the lake’s waters and enjoy new perspectives on its scenery. And finally, there is the Byzantine monastery of Saint Naum (10th century) and its free-roaming peacocks.

Drive to the North Macedonian capital, Skopje.
Don’t miss along the way - The Painted Mosque of Tetovo, built in 1438 and rebuilt in 1833, is unique for its vivid floral decoration. Inside and out, it is entirely painted in an unusual Islamic rococo style. The Arabati Baba Tekke, built in the 16th century, was home to Bektashi dervishes until the Second World War. Today unoccupied, it remains an iconic monument and a fine example of Ottoman carpentry.
Arrive in Skopje and stay two nights in the city centre. From the terrace of your hotel, you can see Macedonia Square. The decor is resolutely international while the design embraces a certain modern classicism. White and grey dominate, enlivened by touches of plum, russet and crimson. The bedrooms offer a good overall level of amenities. Breakfast is served in a neat, functional dining room.

Skopje is the Balkans as we love them: diverse, colourful, lively and welcoming to visitors. A medieval fortress overlooks the city. A little further down, the narrow alleys of the old bazaar still lead to notable Ottoman landmarks, such as the 15th-century Mustafa Pasha Mosque; Daout Pasha Hammam, also from the 15th century, which now houses the National Gallery of Macedonia; the 16th-century Clock Tower, and also Christian sites, like the 19th-century Church of Saint Saviour. But that's not all - you also have the Art Nouveau and modernist buildings in the new town.
Included - Skopje Old Town and its surroundings. Stroll through the heart of the historic districts with a private guide. The tour also takes you up to the monumental Millennium Cross, erected on Mount Vodno to commemorate the country’s conversion to Christianity. A few kilometres from Skopje, in Gorno Nerezi, the 12th-century Church of Saint Panteleimon preserves remarkable frescoes. The striking realism of the depictions reveals a humanist vein within the Byzantine hieratic style. Matka Canyon (and its lake fed by the Treska River) is a magnificent natural site where you can go boating, swimming, visit the caves - Vrelo with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites - and explore the monasteries. Saint Andrew’s Monastery (14th century) and Saint Nicolas (pre-17th century), for example, both include historical frescoes that depict enduring themes.

Drive to Pejë in Kosovo, the third country on your itinerary at the heart of the Balkans.
Don’t miss along the way - Pristina, the capital and largest city in Kosovo. The Çarshi Mosque is the oldest building in the city. It was built from 1389 to celebrate the Turkish victory at the Battle of Kosovo Polje against a coalition led by Serbian King Lazar Hrebeljanovic. The beautiful imperial mosque was commissioned by Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror in 1460, in the Bursa style, which was very popular in the Balkans. The main hammam dates from the same era. The Kosovo Museum is housed in an Austro-Hungarian building constructed in 1889; the ethnographic museum gives a vivid insight into life during the Ottoman period.
Arrive in Pejë and stay one night in an authentic, 19th-century kulla. This very stylish tower house with dressed stone walls, fireplace and garden terrace offers bedrooms in a traditional style, with distinctly modern comfort. In the restaurant, you can enjoy typical Albanian dishes and specialities by the fireplace or under the arbour.

Don’t miss along the way - The Visoki Decani Orthodox Christian Monastery is a symbol of Serbia’s religious heritage in Kosovo, reflecting a tumultuous history and ongoing tensions.
Next, head south to Prizren. Stay one night in the heart of the small town, just a few steps from the Sinan Pasha Mosque. Its oriental-style decor - red carpet and dark wood furniture - is a little dated, but still functional.

Return to Albania for the final stop of your trip.
Don’t miss along the way - medieval Krujë, famous as Skanderbeg’s birthplace. A museum dedicated to Albania’s national hero stands within the walls of the 5th-century castle.
Finally, continue to Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania. Return your hire vehicle and stay two nights just steps from Skanderbeg Square (him again!) and the national opera house. In this lively neighbourhood, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, museums, churches and mosques all meld. The classic hotel is elegantly decorated, while the rooms combine comfort and sophistication. The atmosphere is delightfully retro, with antique wooden furniture and Persian rugs. This gives you an ideal base camp for exploring every corner of the city.

On your itinerary - private tour of Tirana, a city literally bursting with colour, where many building facades have been repainted in bright colours at the initiative of a former mayor in the early 2000s. These vivid, energetic colours signal to visitors that Tirana is determined not to be forgotten and aspires to a prominent place among the Balkan capitals. The urban landscape is shaped by eclectic monuments that reflect Soviet aesthetics and the rationalism of Mussolini’s Italy, an example being the vast esplanade of Skanderbeg Square. However, nearby stand the Xhamia e Et’hem Beut - the Et’hem Bey Mosque - and the Clock Tower, magnificent Ottoman landmarks from the early 19th century (the latter helped people arrive on time for the former). The tour also takes in 18th-century Tabakkane Bridge (Tanner’s Bridge), on the north bank of the Lana River. Then continue to the National Historical Museum, which celebrates the richness of Albanian culture since the Palaeolithic period.
Not to be missed - Blloku (Block) district is a true symbol of post-communist Tirana with a vibrant atmosphere. Once reserved exclusively for the regime’s elite between 1961 and 1991, Blloku has since become a lively, sought-after area where ministries, restaurants, bars and boutiques mix.

Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo Road trip in the heart of the Balkans

Balkan exploration

Itinerary highlights

Your journey

Itinerary

À la carte

North Macedonia and Kosovo with a private chauffeur

With a few extra days: Montenegro

Why visit Albania with Voyageurs du monde?

A few of the advantages of travelling with us to Albania

Why visit Macedonia with Voyageurs du monde?

A few of the advantages of travelling with us to Macedonia

Why visit Kosovo with Voyageurs du monde?

A few of the advantages of travelling with us to Kosovo

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From Skopje to Lake Ohrid - North Macedonia from a new perspective

Estimated budget

Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo Road trip in the heart of the Balkans

Balkan exploration

Itinerary highlights

Your journey

Itinerary

Day 1 Flight to Tirana - Berat

Day 2 Berat

Day 3 Berat - Gjirokastër

Day 4 Gjirokastër

Day 5 Gjirokastër - Korçë

Day 6 Korçë

Day 7 Korçë - Ohrid

Day 8 Ohrid

Day 9 Ohrid - Skopje

Day 10 Skopje

Day 11 Skopje - Pejë

Day 12 Pejë - Prizren

Day 13 Prizren - Tirana

Day 14 Tirana

Day 15 Tirana - Return flight