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A cultural and natural maze? The Balkans! We start in Tirana, head to Lake Ohrid and Prizren, then navigate the canyons of Lake Koman. We finish with the turquoise sea of Budva and Kotor, because we deserve some (well-earned) relaxation.

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Itinerary

Nine days across the Balkans by minivan, a loop from Tirana through Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro. We cross to Ohrid for its crystalline lake, the Church of St. John at Kaneo and a walking tour, then to Skopje and over the Sharr mountains into Prizren, with a day out to Peje and its old bazaar. Back in Albania we sail Koman Lake, two hours of canyons and emerald water, on the most iconic ferry in the Balkans, then sleep in Shkodër. Montenegro closes it: two nights in Budva for beaches, the old town, optional Kotor and Our Lady of the Rocks. Culture and road time lead for five days, then the sea takes over, with a last night back in Tirana.

A gray-scale map showing a travel itinerary route that starts and ends in Tirana, marked with a red dot.
A bronze equestrian statue on a stone base in a grassy square, with a large Albanian flag and historic buildings in the background.

Check in: our journey starts in Tirana

Roundtrip flights or transportation to reach the destination are not included in the package, so you can decide from where and when you want to leave! This gives you complete freedom of choice to adjust your travel itinerary to your needs.

Flights land when they land, so the trip starts properly once everyone has finally checked in and found each other.

  • We dive straight into Tirana, the colourful city, walking it before anything else, which is the fastest way to work out where we have landed.

  • Dinner is our first Albanian meal, somewhere delightful, ideally Tavë Kosi, the lamb, egg and yogurt quiche that starts the food side of this trip.

 

A panoramic view of an old stone church on a cliffside overlooking a vast blue lake, with distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

In Ohrid

First border of the trip. Albania goes by the window, and by lunchtime we are on a lake shore in another country.

 

Elbasan and the lake

  • We stop in Elbasan for coffee in the heart of the old city, then carry on to Ohrid, where crystal clear water and green hills arrive all at once.

  • Lunch is on the lake shore, local cuisine with the view thrown in, which sets the register for the whole rest of the day here.

Old town and evening

  • A walking tour takes in the Church of St. John at Kaneo, the Roman Theatre, the Church of St. Sophia and alleys full of history and craftsmanship.

  • An optional boat ride closes the afternoon, then sunset, then a free evening somewhere under the stars, possibly with a glass of rakija in hand.

 

A journey between two countries!

Two countries in one day. Backpacks in, playlist on, and the road runs north through rolling hills and mountain passes.


Across North Macedonia

  • Skopje is the lively capital of North Macedonia, built around immense squares, picturesque bridges and the iconic giant statues that nothing else quite looks like.

  • Depending on the weather we pick the narrow streets of the ancient Old Bazaar, the Kale fortress for the panoramic view, or the Memorial House of Mother Teresa.

Into Kosovo

  • After a quick lunch in a local restaurant we cross into Kosovo through the mountain landscapes of the Sharr region, which is worth staying awake for.

  • Prizren lands as love at first sight: a fairytale historic centre, minarets against the sunset, cultures and architecture stacked together, and an evening out in it.

 

A stone arch bridge spans a river before a town with a mosque and minaret, with a misty green hill in the background.

Prizren and Peje between history and tradition

Nobody packs today. The hotel stays where it is, which after two days of border crossings feels like a small luxury.

  • The morning is Prizren on foot: mosques, churches and the bazaar, cobbled streets, and every corner with something to say about the city itself.

  • Then a drive through spectacular landscapes to Peje, whose old bazaar is all shops, local crafts and the smell of traditional cooking coming out of doorways.

  • Optional stops there are the Bazaar Mosque or the Ethnological Museum, and lunch is local, which is the fastest way into a place like this.

  • Back in Prizren we walk the bazaar again, the Sinan Pasha Mosque and the Stone Bridge over the river, and then the evening is ours.

 

A WeRoad group trip takes a selfie on a boat surrounded by steep, green mountains and blue water.

All nature

Early alarm and backpacks packed. We leave Kosovo for Albania, and today the landscape does more or less all the talking.

The Koman ferry

  • Rural roads and mountain scenery take us to Fierza, where we board the most iconic ferry in the Balkans for the crossing of the lake.

  • Two hours of sailing through narrow canyons, emerald water and rock walls reflected straight back at us on Koman Lake, which is the whole reason for today.

Evening in Shkodër

  • Landing at Koman we head north through more enchanting country to Shkodër, one of the fascinating cities of northern Albania, and check in with time to spare.

  • Free time on foot, then the Shkodër promenade in the evening: lively bars, an unhurried mood and possibly a dinner of traditional Albanian dishes.

 

A coastal town with red-tiled roofs and a stone bell tower on the edge of a turquoise bay, with mountains in the distance.

Budva: finally the sea

Another border today, and this one finally delivers the sea. From here the whole trip pretty much changes gear completely.

  • We leave Albania past the peaceful landscapes of Lake Scutari, stopping briefly there to enjoy the view before carrying on over the border into Montenegro.

  • Budva is the pearl of the Montenegrin Adriatic coast, and the afternoon is free for the crystalline sea, the beach or the narrow streets of the old town.

  • The evening goes on fresh fish, typical dishes and maybe a cocktail with a sea view, which is the point of a night like this one.

 

A panoramic view of a walled coastal city with terracotta roofs, surrounded by a calm blue sea and a harbor filled with boats.

A day of relaxation

A day with nothing scheduled in it at all, which after five days of driving is exactly what the group needs.

  • Breakfast comes with a view, then the beaches along the coast, crystal clear sea and a Mediterranean feel, at whatever pace each of us wants.

  • Anyone wanting more can reach Kotor, a fortified city over the bay, with ancient walls, romantic squares and a view that justifies the trip out.

  • A short boat trip goes to Our Lady of the Rocks, an islet with a sanctuary on it, and the afternoon ends on a postcard sunset.

 

A narrow cobblestone street lined with outdoor stalls selling colorful rugs and local crafts.

Back to Tirana: last evening together

One more border, and then the loop closes where it opened, with fuller backpacks than the ones we set out with.

  • A relaxing morning on the beaches of Montenegro, then the road back into Albania and a check-in in Tirana with time still left over.

  • We get lost in the capital's lively streets, unexpected corners, colourful buildings, street art and cafes that never seem to empty out at all.

  • Bunk Art 2 is there for anyone wanting the communist period underground, and the day closes on a final dinner with typical dishes, laughter and toasts. 

 

Check out and goodbyes

Time to go. We will miss the Balkans, and we will miss the people we crossed four countries with.

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Meals and drinks where not indicated

  • Visoki Dečani Monastery

  • St. Try phon's Cathedral, Kotor

  • The Maritime Museum, Kotor

  • The City Walls, Kotor

  • Visit Bunk'Art in Tirana

  • Tips

  • Gas/petrol, parking, toll fees 

  • Any extras you would like to bring back home with you :)

  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Church of St John at Kaneo and Church of St.Sophia - approx. USD 10

  • Boat Ride on lake Ohrid - approx. USD 18

  • Guided Tour Of Kotor - approx. USD 13

  • Guided tour of Perast - approx. USD 16

  • Perast Museum - approx. USD 10

  • Boat Ride to Lady of the Rocks - approx. USD 12

  • Visit Bunk'Art in Tirana - approx. USD 6

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Accommodation

    Typical local hotels and/or guesthouses.

  • Transport

    Rental cars and public transport

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalTirana (TIA)
ReturnTirana (TIA)
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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Albania

About Montenegro

About North Macedonia