Balkans Best Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Northern Greece in 20 Days
A 20-day journey from Croatia to Greece, rich in coastlines, heritage and flavors, ending in Thessaloniki.
Explore the heart of the Balkans in 14 days, from Albania to Greece, discovering UNESCO treasures, hidden gems and stunning landscapes with authentic local experiences.
Four Countries, One Journey: Discover Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Greece in one seamless trip, from Meteora’s cliff-top monasteries to Valbona Valley’s alpine beauty and Prizren’s Ottoman bazaars.
Icons & Hidden Gems: Cruise Koman Lake, explore UNESCO sites like Ohrid, Butrint, and Gjirokastra. Explore natural sights and uncover hidden wonders such as Tetovo’s Painted Mosque and Metsovo’s mountain charm.
Authentic Encounters Across Borders: Share coffee and raki in local homes, meet artisans and carpet weavers, savor traditional feasts, and experience living traditions in every country.
Activities
Description:
Your journey begins with a warm welcome at Tirana International Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Once settled, take time to absorb the lively spirit of Albania’s capital. Wander through Skanderbeg Square, framed by colorful buildings and landmarks that reflect the country’s Ottoman, Italian and communist past. Perhaps stop at a local café for your first taste of strong Albanian coffee while watching city life unfold. As the sun sets, the streets come alive, offering a first glimpse into the warm hospitality that will define your trip.
Accommodation in Tirana Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Begin the day in Durres, one of Albania’s oldest cities, where ancient history blends with coastal charm. Walk through the impressive Roman Amphitheater, the largest in the Balkans and imagine the crowds who once filled its seats. Continue inland to Berat, the “City of a Thousand Windows,” where white Ottoman houses cling to the hillsides. Step inside a traditional home for a warm welcome and a taste of coffee and raki, before exploring Berat Castle with your guide. Within its ancient walls, visit the Onufri Museum, home to vibrant Byzantine icons that showcase centuries of artistic devotion.
Accommodation in Berat Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Head to the peaceful hills where Ardenica Monastery stands, famed for its colorful frescoes and as the site of Skanderbeg’s 15th-century wedding. The air here is filled with the scent of wild herbs, adding to the monastery’s serene charm. Continue to Vlora, where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea and explore the Independence Museum, marking Albania’s declaration of independence in 1912. End the day at the elegant Muradie Mosque, designed by the Ottoman Empire’s master architect, whose work still stands as a symbol of cultural fusion.
Accommodation in Vlora Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Today’s drive is one of Europe’s most stunning, winding through the mountains and along the turquoise coastline of the Albanian Riviera. Pause in Llogara National Park for fresh yogurt drizzled with honey and crunchy nuts, a local treat. Visit the well-preserved Porto Palermo Fortress, once an Ottoman stronghold and later used during Albania’s communist era. Continue to Butrint, a UNESCO archaeological site where Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian layers of history emerge amid lush wetlands. In the evening, arrive in Gjirokastra, the “Stone City,” with its slate-roofed houses and dramatic hilltop setting.
Accommodation in Gjirokastra Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Begin in Gjirokastra with a guided tour of its imposing castle, offering sweeping views of the Drino Valley. Stroll the old bazaar, where cobbled lanes lead past artisan workshops and traditional stone houses. Cross into Greece and arrive in Ioannina, a city of silver artisans and lakeside charm. Explore Ottoman-era landmarks before taking a boat across Lake Pamvotida to the small island where Ali Pasha’s dramatic life came to an end. The lake’s still waters and mountain backdrop create a setting of timeless beauty.
Accommodation in Ioannina Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Travel to Meteora, where monasteries seem to float atop massive rock pillars. With your guide, visit several of these UNESCO treasures, learning how monks built their sanctuaries in near-impossible locations. Walk along ancient trails linking the sites, surrounded by wildflowers and breathtaking vistas. As the day ends, take in a stunning sunset from one of the best viewpoints, the golden light casting magical shadows across the rocks.
Accommodation in Meteora Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Cross into North Macedonia and visit Heraclea Lyncestis, founded by Philip II of Macedon over 2,300 years ago. Wander through its mosaicked basilicas and remnants of the Roman theater. Continue to Ohrid, a lakeside jewel steeped in history and legend. If time allows, enjoy a boat ride on the crystal-clear waters, where the old town’s terracotta rooftops reflect in the lake’s mirror-like surface.
Accommodation in Ohrid Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Journey to Saint Naum Monastery, perched beside bubbling springs that feed Lake Ohrid. The monastery’s vibrant frescoes and peaceful gardens make it a place of reflection. Return to Ohrid for a walking tour that takes you through the Old Bazaar, past medieval churches, the ancient theater and up to Samuil’s Fortress. End at the postcard-perfect Church of St. John at Kaneo, perched on a cliff above the water.
Accommodation in Ohrid Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Stop in Tetovo to see the Painted Mosque, adorned with colorful floral and geometric designs. Continue to Matka Canyon, a natural haven of cliffs, caves and turquoise waters, where you can take a short boat trip or simply enjoy the views. In Skopje, explore the Ottoman Bazaar, Macedonia Square and monumental statues that tell the country’s complex history.
Accommodation in Skopje Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Cross into Kosovo and visit Gračanica Monastery, a masterpiece of medieval Serbian architecture covered in vivid frescoes. Continue to Prizren, a charming riverside town where minarets, church spires and Ottoman bridges shape the skyline. Wander the bazaar, meet local artisans and savor specialties like leqenik cornbread and homemade rakia.
Accommodation in Prizren Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Begin in Gjakova, home to the Balkans’ largest bazaar, where merchants still sell handcrafted goods much as they have for centuries. Then journey into Valbona Valley National Park, where rugged peaks and alpine meadows unfold before you. Settle into a mountain lodge and breathe the fresh air of Albania’s most spectacular highland landscapes.
Accommodation in Valbona Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Cruise across Koman Lake, where emerald waters cut through steep, forested cliffs, a sight often compared to Norway’s fjords. Arriving in Shkodra, climb Rozafa Castle for sweeping views of rivers, lakes, and mountains. Then stroll through the Old Town, where colorful façades, lively cafés and artisan shops reveal the city’s vibrant cultural mix.
Accommodation in Shkodra Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
In Kruja, walk the cobblestone streets of the bazaar and meet carpet weavers keeping age-old traditions alive. Visit the fortress and Skanderbeg Museum, dedicated to Albania’s national hero. Return to Tirana for a guided city tour, from Ottoman mosques to Italian boulevards and communist-era landmarks, ending at the thought-provoking Bunk’Art 2 museum.
Accommodation in Tirana Option 1 (Can be change upon request)
Activities
Description:
Spend your last morning at leisure, perhaps browsing the New Bazaar or enjoying a final espresso in one of Tirana’s bustling cafés. Reflect on the memories you’ve made, from mountain valleys to monastery courtyards, before your private transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Daily breakfast is included, plus selected lunches and dinners with local specialties
Experienced local guides for sightseeing and tours
Entrance fees to listed attractions, monuments and museums
Transportation by private vehicle/coach throughout the itinerary
Boat trips: Lake Pamvotida (Ioannina), Koman Lake ferry
Private airport transfers in Albania
24/7 in-country support
International flights to/from Tirana
Lunches and dinners (unless otherwise specified)
Optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, tips or laundry
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Visa fees (if applicable)
Start Location: Tirana, Albania
End Location: Tirana, Albania
Group Size: Small group (max 12–16 travelers)
Tour Type: Guided / Active / Cultural Immersion
Accommodation:
Boutique hotels & authentic mountain guesthouses
Best Season: May – October
Transportation:
Private air-conditioned vehicles
Boat trip to Lake Pamvotida (Ioannina), Koman Lake ferry
Meals Included:
Daily breakfast
Selected lunches and dinners (see Inclusions)
Ideal for travelers who want a rich yet relaxed cultural and scenic journey, enjoying both famous landmarks and authentic local life.
Perfect for couples, families and small groups seeking memorable stories, diverse flavors and inspiring landscapes, without the rush of typical tours.
Tirana (Albania) – Skanderbeg Square, Ottoman, Italian, and communist heritage.
Durrës (Albania) – Roman Amphitheater, ancient walls.
Berat (UNESCO, Albania) – Castle, Onufri Museum, Ottoman architecture.
Ardenica Monastery (Albania) – Historic monastery with frescoes.
Vlora (Albania) – Independence Museum, Muradie Mosque.
Llogara National Park (Albania) – Mountain pass with coastal views.
Porto Palermo Fortress (Albania) – Ottoman and communist history.
Butrint (UNESCO, Albania) – Ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins.
Gjirokastër (UNESCO, Albania) – Castle, old bazaar, stone houses.
Ioannina (Greece) – Ottoman landmarks, Lake Pamvotida island.
Meteora (UNESCO, Greece) – Cliff-top monasteries.
Heraclea Lyncestis (North Macedonia) – Ancient ruins, mosaics, Roman theater.
Ohrid (UNESCO, North Macedonia) – Medieval churches, Old Bazaar, Samuil’s Fortress, St. John at Kaneo.
Saint Naum Monastery (North Macedonia) – Lakeside monastery and springs.
Tetovo (North Macedonia) – Painted Mosque.
Matka Canyon (North Macedonia) – Cliffs, caves, and boat rides.
Book now pay when you want , use Klarna to get monthly low payments starting from 70 euro per month
A 20-day journey from Croatia to Greece, rich in coastlines, heritage and flavors, ending in Thessaloniki.
The Balkans, a magical journey through history, nature and the true spirit of Southeast Europe.
Explore the heart of the Balkans in 14 days, from Albania to Greece, discovering UNESCO treasures, hidden gems and stunning