Day 1: Tirana – Berat – Ohrid
Begin your journey towards Berat, known as the town of 1001 windows, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through the narrowed stone streets and admire the medieval old houses. The city’s life began in the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C, it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Uniquely today, residents still live inside the castle walls.
Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all over the Balkans. Continue your tour and visit the Gorica area then drive towards Ohrid, North Macedonia. Overnight in Ohrid.
Day 2: Ohrid – Skopje
Continue your city tour of Ohrid, indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980.
Visit the famous viewpoint of the church of St. John, the church of St. Nicolas and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. Today the city is famous for its architecture, churches, the castle, amphitheatre and the beautiful view of the lake surrounded by mountains.
Continue towards Skopje, the capital of N. Macedonia, where the Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, combining the modern way of living with centuries of history. Overnight in Skopje.
Day 3: Skopje – Pristina – Prizren
Continue towards Pristina, the capital city of Kosovo. Visit the Newborn monument, a symbol of the independence and walk towards the main boulevard in the capital, Sheshi Nena Tereza, where you can enjoy a coffee at one of the many local cafes.
Continue towards Prizren, considered as the cultural capital of Kosovo, mixing its rich history, incredible nature, religious tolerance, and gastronomic delights. The river flows through the heart of the old town and under the many bridges that criss-cross the city.
Filigree artisanal techniques for precious metals are Prizren’s joy and pride. If you have to choose just one mosque to visit then visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, rich in arabesque colour and pattern. The view from the fortress on the hill above the town offers a great panorama of this astonishing town. Free afternoon in Prizren. Overnight in Prizren.
Day 4: Prizren – Kruja – Tirana
Your last destination for this tour is Kruja, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire during the 15th century. Walking through the narrow streets and the wooden houses of Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar gives you a sense of a passage through history.
This is the best place to shop for souvenirs in Albania, from typical to more unique and handmade souvenirs such as carpets, jewellers, and more. The castle of Kruja (built during the 5th century A.D.) is strategically placed on the top of a rocky hill, making it difficult for the enemies to attack.
Enjoy free time then drive back to Tirana, marking the end of this experience through history and culture.
