Discover the Balkans in 7 Days: Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia & Kosovo
Discover the Balkans through a carefully designed 7-day journey across Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo.
The route begins on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast with Kotor and Budva, before continuing into Albania for historic Kruja and two nights in Tirana. From there, the journey crosses into North Macedonia for the UNESCO-listed city of Ohrid and the capital, Skopje, before a final day trip into Kosovo to explore atmospheric Prizren.
Along the way, travellers experience Venetian and Ottoman heritage, Albania’s national and communist history, Orthodox traditions, historic bazaars, local cuisine and the contemporary life of four neighbouring Balkan countries.
Designed for tour operators, private groups and tailor-made departures, the programme combines guided sightseeing with independent time and keeps hotel changes to a minimum.
RakiYa Travel manages the complete cross-border operation, including transportation, accommodation, guides and local coordination, giving partners one regional DMC for the entire journey.
Activities
Day 1 | Arrival in Montenegro: Kotor & Budva
Arrive at Tivat International Airport and transfer to Kotor, one of the Adriatic’s best-preserved historic towns.
Meet your local guide for a walking tour of Kotor Old Town, part of the UNESCO-listed Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor. Explore its narrow stone streets, historic squares and medieval architecture while learning about the town’s maritime history and centuries of Venetian influence.
After lunch in Kotor, continue along the coast to Budva. Enjoy a short orientation of the historic old town before checking in at the hotel and taking some time to relax.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional Montenegrin cuisine.
Overnight in Budva.
Day 2 | Montenegro to Albania: Kruja & Tirana
After breakfast, travel south from Budva and cross the border into Albania.
Continue directly to Kruja, one of Albania’s most historically important towns. Enjoy lunch featuring traditional Albanian cuisine before exploring the castle complex, the legacy of Albania’s national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg and the historic Old Bazaar.
Later in the afternoon, continue to Tirana.
After hotel check-in, enjoy some time to rest before dinner.
Overnight in Tirana.
Day 3 | Tirana: History, Communism & Contemporary Albania
After breakfast, meet your local guide for an in-depth exploration of Tirana.
Discover Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, the main boulevard, the Pyramid of Tirana and the former Blloku district while learning how the city evolved from an Ottoman settlement into the centre of communist Albania and, later, a rapidly changing European capital.
Enjoy a traditional Albanian lunch before continuing the cultural exploration of the city.
Visit Bunk’Art 1, a former Cold War bunker transformed into a museum exploring Albania’s communist period and political history.
Later in the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore Tirana independently.
Dinner is at leisure.
Overnight in Tirana.
Day 4 | Albania to North Macedonia: Ohrid
After breakfast, leave Tirana and travel east towards North Macedonia.
Cross the border and continue to Ohrid, set on the shores of one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes.
After lunch, meet your local guide for an exploration of Ohrid’s historic old town, part of the UNESCO-listed Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region. Discover the Ancient Theatre, traditional architecture, historic churches and the lakeside Church of St. John at Kaneo while learning about Ohrid’s importance as a centre of Orthodox Christianity and medieval Balkan culture.
After the tour, check in at the hotel.
The evening is free to enjoy Ohrid independently.
Overnight in Ohrid.
Day 5 | Ohrid to Skopje
After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Ohrid or take an optional lakeside walk.
Later in the morning, travel to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.
After lunch, meet your local guide and begin exploring the city around Macedonia Square and the historic Stone Bridge. Continue into the Old Bazaar, one of the largest surviving Ottoman-era market districts in the Balkans, and discover Skopje’s religious, cultural and architectural heritage.
The tour also introduces the city’s modern identity, including its connection with Mother Teresa and the transformations that followed the 1963 earthquake.
After hotel check-in, the evening is free.
Dinner is at leisure.
Overnight in Skopje.
Day 6 | Kosovo: Historic Prizren
After breakfast, leave Skopje and cross into Kosovo for a full-day excursion to Prizren.
Meet your local guide for a walking tour of one of Kosovo’s most atmospheric historic cities. Explore Shadervan Square, the Stone Bridge, the Bistrica riverfront and the area surrounding the Sinan Pasha Mosque while learning about Prizren’s Ottoman, Orthodox and Albanian heritage.
Enjoy lunch featuring traditional Kosovo cuisine.
After lunch, enjoy free time or an additional cultural visit before returning to Skopje.
In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner.
Overnight in Skopje.
Day 7 | Departure from Skopje
After breakfast, check out from the hotel.
Transfer to Skopje International Airport according to the group’s flight schedule.
End of services.