Tirana, the capital of Albania and the biggest city of the country, has much to offer as a day trip. Meet the local guide at the hotel and have the sightseeing, starting from the Skanderbeg square. Visit in the National History Museum, E`them Bey Mosque, Clock Tower etc. The walking tour can continue then to the main boulevard, the Pyramid building, the Block area etc. Then transfer in the outskirts of the city, to enjoy beautiful views with cableway to Dajti mountain.
Afternoon visit BunkArt1, which used to be a cold war bunker turned recently into a big museum which gives a detailed background of Albania during the communist time. It was built in the 1970’s for the political elite and it covers an area of around 3000 square meters, spread over different floors. It shows perfectly the hysteria of the communist leaders to protect themselves in case of a possible attack or war. The rooms are used to tell the history of the dictator’s times through photographs, documents and items.
Tour duration: 6-7 hours
In the morning departure to Kruja medieval town with the local guide. This is one of the most visted places in Albania because its history is closely related with the national hero Skanderbeg, who succesfully fought against the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century. Visit in the castle housing the national Historical museum and the Ethnographic museum to get more info about the history and the traditions of the area. After that, some free time at the typical bazaar where you can find unique handicrafted items, silver jewelry, loomed carpets etc.
Around noon transfer back to Tirana. Visit the capital of Albania with its diverse faces testifying the past and present of the country. The tour usually includes the main square, called Skanderbeg, where you can see from outside a combination of buildings from the Ottoman period, Fascist influence from the Monarchy and the typical communist style buildings. Continue the tour on the main boulevard where can be seen the Pyramid, the Prime minister’s building, the Presidential palace etc. End the tour at the Block area, famous for its numerous caffes, restaurants and night life.
Tour duration: 7–8 hours
Meet the local guide at the hotel. Travel towards Berat, located 120 km from the capital. Berat is one of the most famous towns in the Western Balkans, Unesco protected. First stop will be in the castle built on top of the hill at a strategic position. Inside the castle visit “Onufri” museum, located in the cathedral “Dormition of St. Mary”. Enjoy a very well-preserved iconostasis and a dedicated area with Icons from Onufri and other icon-painters. Then descent in the lower part of the town. Pass the stone bridge of Gorica built in the 18th century, which connects the two historical neighborhoods of Berat, Gorica which was traditionally a Christian quarter and Mangalem where the Muslim population of the city lived. Take a stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and chat with some locals.
The second part of the day will be dedicated to visit one of the wineries of the region (for example “Cobo Winery”/ or “Nurellari”) for wine-tasting. These places are family run, located in very nice landscapes. Learn here about the long traditions of the region for making wine. Back in Tirana in the evening.
Tour duration: 8 hours
In the morning departure to Kruja medieval town with the local guide. This is one of the most visted places in Albania because its history is closely related with the national hero Skanderbeg, who succesfully fought against the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century. Visit in the castle housing the national Historical museum and the Ethnographic museum to get more info about the history and the traditions of the area. After that, some free time at the typical bazaar where you can find unique handicrafted items, silver jewelry, loomed carpets etc.
Around noon transfer in Fishta, north of Albania to eat a slow food lunch in an agrotourism farm „Mrizi Zanave“. You will find here hospitality at its best blended with a perfect relaxed setting. Enjoy the food, followed by a visit of the farm. Late afternoon transfer back in Tirana.
Tour duration: 8 hours
Meet the local guide at the hotel and travel towards Durres, located only 40 km away from Tirana. Durres has an impressive long history dating back from the 7th century BC. Due its strategic position on the Adriatic Sea, it has been continuously inhabited and is rich in many old ruins. First stop will be in the Roman amphitheatre from the 2nd century, built during the rule of the Roman Emperor Trajan. It is one of the biggest discovered, with a capacity of around 20 000 seats. You can enter in the arena, where at one time gladiator fights and other activities were displayed for the public. When gladiators’ fights were prohibited, this was turned into a Christian site where a cemetery and a church were built. During Middle Ages it was completely abandoned and buried in to be only rediscovered in the 20th century. Possibility to visit also the archeological museum of the city and take a stroll on the promenade along the sea.
Around noon departure to Kruja medieval town. This is one of the most visted places in Albania because its history is closely related with the national hero Skanderbeg, who succesfully fought against the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century. Visit in the castle housing the national Historical museum and the Ethnographic museum to get more info about the history and the traditions of the area. After that, some free time at the typical bazaar where you can find unique handicrafted items, silver jewelry, loomed carpets etc. Back in Tirana in the evening.
Tour duration: 7 - 8 hours
Meet with the guide in the morning and travel towards Shkodra, the biggest and most important city in the north of Albania. First stop will be in Shkodra castle, known as Rozafa connected with a sad legend circulating in the area from a long time ago. This castle was one of the most important Illyrian centers in the country, founded somewhere in the 5th century BC. First thing you notice are the cyclopean walls, typical construction from the Illyrian period, which were huge stones put together without mortar. Divided into three yards, there are still several objects of archeological value within its walls like the water cistern, St. Stephen’s church, the Garrison building etc.
Next visit will be in the Venice Art Mask Factory. It is a family run enterprise where Venetian masks are all crafted by hand. They combine traditional techniques with new contemporary decoration. The masks are exported all over the world and sold in six shops in Venice. End the tour by strolling in the pedestrian area or have a relaxing stop by Shkodra lake, the biggest lake in the Balkan peninsula. Back in Tirana in the evening.
Tour duration: 8 - 9 hours
Meet the driver at the hotel. Travel towards Ohrid, the most important tourist city in North Macedonia. Around 30 km from the border is located Ohrid, Unesco site, enriched with a long history. Nestled between high mountains and Lake Ohrid, it is not only a place of historic importance but also of outstanding natural beauty. Among the sights to be visited are the Holy Sofia Church, the ancient theater of the Hellenistic period, the archaeological area of Plaošnik with the Ohrid Monastery of St. Pantaleimon and the fortress of Tsar Samuel.
In the second part of the day, you can have a short boat trip on the waters of Ohrid lake. Then on the way back to Tirana, stop in Sveti Naum to visit the monastery and the complex. Set amidst lush verdure where the River Crn Drim tumbles into the lake, the monastery of St. Naum is a refuge of tranquility at the very southwestern corner of North Macedonia. Situated 29 km from the town of Ohrid and only 1 kilometer from the Albanian border, the area is rich in flowers and peacocks. Boat trip to the springs. Travel back to Albania. Late arrival.
Tour duration: 9 - 10 hours
After breakfast depart toward Prizren, rep. of Kosovo. Prizren is a beautiful medieval city situated in the southern part of Kosovo. Due to its favorable geographical position, it has been knows since antiquity for the economical and cultural importance. Inhabited since the time of the Illyrians, Prizren was one of the main stations in the famous “Via de Zenta” road which connected the Adriatic with the hinterland. Visit the old bazaar, the central mosque, catholic cathedral and the orthodox church “Our lady of Ljevis”. Visit the house where the League of Prizren was held in 1878, which proved to me a milestone in the development of the Albanian renaissance.
Then spend some free time in Shadervan area, where there are numerous cafes and restaurants. Sip the Turkish coffee served in most of the cafes and enjoy the easy-going lifestyle of the locals. The ancient water fountain there is a cultural monument and according to the legend if you drink from it, it is sure you will go back. Back in Tirana late evening.
Tour duration: 8 – 9 hours