Albania & Kosovo in 9 Days

Price

800

Duration

9 days

Max People

8

Min Age

12

Tour Type

Overview

Visit two countries and one nation. Get onboard a journey to familiarize yourself with the rich history of one of the oldest nations in the region. Beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures, unique cities, and friendly people will be part of your trip through Albania and Kosovo.

Highlights:

  • Sail in Komani lake
  • Explore Valbone National Park
  • Visit 3 UNESCO monasteries in Kosovo
  • Admire Mirusha waterfalls and Marble Cave in Kosovo
  • Drive through Albanian Riviera
  • Visit 3 UNESCO sites in Albania (Butrint, Berat, Gjirokaster)

Included/Excluded

  • Professional tour guide/driver
  • Transportation as per itinerary
  • Fuel, parking, road taxes
  • Komani Lake – Fierze ferry ticket
  • Entrance fees Monastery Visoki Decan
  • Entrance fees Gracanica monastery
  • Entrance fees Marble Cave
  • Entrance fees Albanian league of Prizren
  • Entrance fees Amphitheater of Durres
  • Entrance fees Onufri Museum
  • Entrance fees Porto Palermo castle
  • Entrance fees Butrint archeological site
  • Entrance fees Gjirokaster castle and Weapons Museum
  • Entrance fees Blue Eye
  • Entrance fee Apollonia archeological park
  • Entrance fee BunkArt
  • Accommodation in double/twin rooms with breakfast
  • Meals
  • Tips
  • Personal Expenses

Tour Plan

Day 1. Tirane – Komani lake – Valbone (180 km)

We depart this trip early to get on the 9 a.m. ferry in Komani Lake. The route that you will follow through the Drin River is considered one of the most beautiful sailings in Southern Europe. During all the time you will be surrounded by the high Albanian Alps and green nature. After disembarking the ferry, the tour heads towards Valbone National Park. In the afternoon we walk to explore the beautiful nature and learn about rural life in the Albanian mountains. Accommodation in guesthouse.

Day 2. Valbone - Gjakovo – Peje (105 km)

In the morning we enjoy a delicious local breakfast and get ready to drive to Kosovo. Our first destination is the Gjakovo city. Here we visit the medieval Grand Bazaar, and Hadum mosque, and enjoy the delicious suxhuk (a local spicy sausage). The tour continues to the monastery Visoki Decan. This UNESCO World Heritage includes a wonderful church painted with rich frescos. Transfer to Peja for overnight.

Day 3. Peje – Mirusha waterfall – Prishtine (100 km)

In the morning we take a city tour of Peja together with the guide. The city is located on the foot of the Accursed mountains, where is founded Peja Patriarchate. This is another medieval Orthodox monastery protected by UNESCO. After the visit, we continue driving to the Mirusha waterfalls. The river passing through Mirusha Park in central Kosovo has magically created several lakes and waterfalls. You will walk together with your guide inside the park and admire the green nature. The journey continues to the capital of Kosovo, Prishtina. Overnight in Prishtina.

Day 4. Gracanice – Marble cave – Prizren (105 km)

After breakfast, we continued with the city tour of the capital to sites like the Newborn Monument, Skanderbeg Square, the National Library, and Mother Theresa Cathedral. Next, we drive to Gracanica monastery, another orthodox site protected by UNESCO. A short drive further south is located in the Marble Cave. This amazing limestone cave with corridors is carved with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The next destination is the city of Prizren.

Day 5. Prizren – Durres (200 km)

We wake up in the morning in a great old town. Prizren is the historic capital of Kosovo and attracts lots of tourists from around the world. We will take a walking city tour through Sadervan Square, Stone Bridge, Old Town, and Sinan Pasha mosque. The city has an Ottoman influence which you will feel it while walking up to the fortress of Prizren. After a delicious local meal, we head back to Albania. Today we drive all the way to the Adriatic coast to the city of Durres. Being the oldest port in Albania, Durres offers a rich history from the ancient Illyrian period to the present day. The walking tour around Durres includes a visit to the Roman amphitheater, ruins of the Byzantine market and Roman baths, Venetian tower, and Vollga promenade. Accommodation in Durres.

Day 6. Durres – Berat – Vlore (202 km)

Today we continue our journey to Berat, the white city with authentic architecture. The city of thousands of windows hosts the largest habited castle in the country. While walking around the castle, you will enjoy the views of local houses, medieval churches, and mosques. The guided city tour of Berat includes the visit of Mangalem quarter, where are beautifully located King's mosque and the Bachelor's mosque. Crossing through an old bridge we get to the Gorica neighborhood, which is unique with its houses. After lunch, we drive to the city of Vlore on the coast. It is well-known as the city of Independence and an amazing summer attraction. We will also visit the old town and Muradie mosque. Accommodation in Vlore.

Day 7. Vlore – Sarande (125 km)

This day we drive along the Albanian Riviera down south to Saranda. We will pass and visit places like Dhermi, Qeparo, and Himara. Porto Palermo Bay hosts a well-protected medieval fortress with a rich history. We will have lunch facing the warm sea and delicious fish. In the afternoon we reach Sarande to enjoy the buzzy nightlife or catch sunsets by the sea. Accommodation in Sarande.

Day 8. Butrint – Gjirokaster (90 km)

In the morning we drive more south to the archeological site of Butrint. Butrint has been inhabited since prehistoric times by different colonies and it’s been listed under UNESCO World Heritage since 1992. The guided tour takes approximately 2 hours walking through the speechless ruins and beautiful nature. Later we stop for a refreshment at the springs of Blue Eye to enjoy nature and a coffee. The next destination is another World Heritage Site, the city of Gjirokaster. It is recognized as the Stone City for its medieval fortress and characteristic houses. The old Bazar of Gjirokaster is certainly a gem to be explored. Accommodation in Gjirokaster.

Day 9. Gjirokaster - Apollonia – Tirane (240 km)

After a delicious breakfast, we head to our first destination Apollonia, a Greek colony with a strong Illyrian component, is a magical place. Its special atmosphere is created by a combination of unique monuments, archaeology, and landscapes, difficult to find anywhere in the Mediterranean. The ancient city of Apollonia is one of the best-known and important classical cities in the country.

The capital of Albania is well-known for its vibrant lifestyle and high number of museums. The city tour of Tirana offers you different periods of history. Since the foundation of the capital, there has been the characteristic Ottoman Mosque of Et’hem Bey, and the symbol of Tirana Clock Tower.

After Tirana was elected the capital of Albania in 1920, started construction of the center city from Italian architects with the complex of Ministry buildings that is still today. It expanded with the main boulevard until Mother Theresa Square, where stands the University of Tirana. During the communist era, in the city erected other important buildings such as The History Museum, the National Opera, the National Art Gallery, The Pyramid of Tirana, the Palace of Congress, and more.

The walking tour takes you to the Block area and BunkArt, an underground bunker dedicated to the Minister of Internal Affairs in the communist regime. Accommodation in Tirana.

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See Trips was created with the only mission to make Memories for tourists visiting the southeast Europe region. We like to create unique experiences by combining local culture, nature, and fun. Our team has understood from past background in tourism that travelers have changed nowadays and they love to involve with local communities.

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