4 UNESCO sites: Tour of Albania and N- Macedonia in seven days

4 UNESCO sites: Tour of Albania and N- Macedonia in seven days

This seven-day tour program offers a combination of deservedly famed historical UNESCO sites such as Ohrid, Berat, Gjirokastra and Butrint with traditions, local culture and culinary wonders. This tour of Albania & North Macedonia takes us through some of the best national parks of these two Balkan countries. During these 7 days, you will be able to visit some medieval splendour cities, UNESCO protected lake Ohrid and spectacular land and seascapes of Albania and Macedonia.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirana (Albania) Ohrid (N. Macedonia)

Pass By: Choose Balkans - Albania Tour Operator, Rruga Reshit Çollaku, Tirana, Albania
Our professional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tirana at 9:00 am to start our journey towards Ohrid (N. Macedonia).

Stop At: Lake Ohrid, Ohrid Republic of North Macedonia
This city is one of the most seductive destinations in Macedonia, indicated also as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings were inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. The city became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. At around 12:30, you will get some free time on all of the days during this tour to have some delicious lunch and to wander around by yourself till 14:00 pm. After lunch, we will continue our visit of Ohrid. The houses were built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Halveti Hayati Tekke, St Clement of Ohrid, Ohrid 6000 Republic of North Macedonia
We will visit the Mosque Halveti Hayati.
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 2: Ohrid Korça (Albania) Pogradec

Stop At: Korce, Korce, Korce County
We continue our journey towards Korça in the southeastern region of Albania, one of the most beautiful and important cities in the country. Because of its beauty, French-style villas and coffee culture, Korça is also called the little Paris of Albania. We will take a city tour of this lovely enchanting town.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjeter), Rruga Albanopolis, Kruje 1501 Albania
Not to be missed is Pazari i Vjetër, the most charming neighborhood in Korça and an area that looks like it was pulled straight from a fairy tale; narrow streets, colored buildings, nice cafés and small boutiques can be found everywhere you look.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Driloni National Park, Rruga e Drilonit, Pogradec 7301 Albania
Late in the afternoon, we will head to Pogradec. Located next to Pogradec is Drilon National Park. This park was the favorite place of dictator Enver Hoxha, who used to come here to relax. Today Drilon is an attractive summer destination, thanks to its beauty, sandy beaches and delicious cuisine.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Pogradec.

Day 3: Pogradec - Berat

Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
Our next destination is Berat, also known as the city of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: National Iconographic Museum Onufri, Located in the Inner Part of Saint Mary Church in Berat Castel, Berat Albania
Onufri museum OR Ethnographic museum
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Berat.

Day 4: Berat - Gjirokastra

Stop At: Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster County
Our next destination is Gjirokastra, also known as The Stone City, part of UNESCO world heritage. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century AD, and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Gjirokastra Bazaar, Old town, Gjirokaster Albania
Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra you will have to pass by the medieval bazaar. The atmospheric old town cascades down in graceful hill crammed full of beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you will be amazed by the wide variety of handmade crafts from local artisans and producers.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
We will visit the castle of Gjirokaster.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjirokastra.

Day 5: Gjirokastra Blue Eye Butrint Porto Polermo - Llogara National Park

Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore 9706 Albania
From Gjirokastra, we will move towards Butrint, but not before making a stop at the natural wonder of the Blue Eye. You will not be able to keep your eyes off the mesmerizing crystal-clear blue water. Dont forget to bring your swimsuits, because you might want to take a dive in it.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
Our tour continues to the National Park of Butrint. Part of the UNESCO world heritage, Butrint is the most important archaeological site in Albania. It was the first site in Albania that became part of the UNESCO list. The ruins combined with the stunning natural surroundings make it worth a visit.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Porto Palermo, Porto Palermo, Vlore County
We drive along the coastline known as the Albanian Riviera. Our next stop will be the beautiful castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo. While driving by the Albanian Riviera, we will pass by some of the most beautiful beaches of Albania; Borsh, Llamani and Dhermi beaches. We will pass the small villages one by one clinging to rock faces by the seaside, all tumbledown stone walls and narrow pathways, overhung with vines full of grapes, and trees heavy with figs and walnuts.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Llogara.

Day 6: Llogara National Park Tirana

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
After breakfast we head back to Tirana, which is our final destination for this tour. On our way to Tirana, we will visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia, the Odeon Theatre, the Church of Saint Mary, the ancient statues of Illyrian times and the mosaic. Colourful, lively, vibrant, dynamic, 24/7 and crazy nightlife - these are some of the words that better describe Tirana where the communist and capitalist-era buildings battle on a daily basis. Not to be missed is Tiranas delicious food varieties, from the tasty and cheap street food to the finest gourmet options.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tirana.

Day 7: Tirana

Stop At: Bunk'Art 1, Rruga Fadil Deliu, Tirana 1001 Albania
After breakfast we see more of Tirana; a great combination of very interesting museums, historic sites, national parks and mountains, ottoman, Italian and communist style architecture all clashing between each other, offering however a great pleasure to wander around. We will also visit BunkArt (one of the most interesting attractions in Tirana). Built during the cold war by the communist regime, this huge nuclear bunker was unknown to the general public until 2015. Nowadays it serves as history museum of Albania during the 19-20th century. This marks the end of this amazing experience through history and adventure.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.