This eight-day tour flies from Istanbul to Skopje and covers six countries over seven nights: North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo. Lake Ohrid, Kotor, Mostar Bridge, Sarajevo and Belgrade Castle are among the main stops. Accommodation is half board in hotels, and cross-border transfers and Turkish-speaking guiding are included. The tour ends with a flight from Pristina to Istanbul.
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Experience the rich tapestry of the Balkans on this 7-night tour, which takes you through six countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Departing from Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, you will visit cities such as Belgrade, Budva, Kotor, Mostar, Ohrid, Pristina, Sarajevo, and Shkodër.
This journey includes a diverse itinerary that showcases the cultural and historical significance of each destination.
01
Lake Ohrid and St. Naum
A break beside Lake Ohrid, then a visit to St. Naum Monastery and Church.
02
Budva and Kotor
The Old Town Centre of Budva and a walking tour through Kotor's Stari Grad.
03
Mostar and Sarajevo
Mostar Bridge, the Latin Bridge and Bascarsija fall on the same day's route.
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Planning your budgetDeparture tax, excursions not specified in the programme, museum and archaeological site entrance fees, lunches and personal expenses are not included. City taxes and guide and driver gratuities (100 EUR) are collected by your guide on the first day. See details →
During our panoramic walking tour of Ohrid, we will see Tsar Samuel's Castle, which crowns the old city and overlooks it, Saint Sophia Church, the Ancient Theatre, the only surviving Hellenistic theatre in North Macedonia, and many churches and monasteries from the Byzantine Period.
The line shows the order of overnight stops; it is not the actual road or flight path. Map: Natural Earth, GeoNames.
01Istanbul - Skopje - Matka Canyon - Tetovo - Bitola - OhridMatka Canyon, Tetovo, Bitola and a city tour of Ohrid.
Ohrid · night 1
From Skopje to Ohrid
Meet in front of the Turkish Airlines counter in the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport 3 hours before the flight. After baggage, ticket and passport procedures, depart for Skopje at 08.55 on Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK 1003. Following our arrival at 08:25 local time, we set off for Matka Canyon in the vehicle waiting for us at the airport. The canyon is famous for its prehistoric caves and numerous medieval monasteries. After a photo stop at Matka Canyon, one of Macedonia's most popular outdoor destinations and natural attractions, we depart for Tetovo. In Tetovo, we will visit Alaca Mosque, an architectural masterpiece built in 1438 and restored to its present form in 1833, which, unlike other Ottoman mosques typically decorated with ceramic tiles, features vivid floral paintings. After our visit, we depart for Bitola. During our Bitola city tour, the sights we will see include the Historic Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, Ishakiye Mosque, Yeni Mosque, one of the most distinctive elements of the city skyline, the Bitola Military High School, from which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk graduated and where you will experience emotional moments during our visit, and the Atatürk Museum. You can have lunch during the free time provided in the area. After our break, we depart for Ohrid, the final stop of the day. Situated between high mountains and Lake Ohrid, this city continues to impress visitors with its natural beauty as much as its history. During our panoramic walking tour of Ohrid, we will see Tsar Samuel's Castle, which crowns the old city and overlooks it, Saint Sophia Church, the Ancient Theatre, the only surviving Hellenistic theatre in North Macedonia, and many churches and monasteries from the Byzantine Period. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
02Ohrid - St. Naum - OhridA break by the lake, then St. Naum Monastery and Church.
Ohrid · night 2
Lake Ohrid and St. Naum
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we depart from our hotel by private coach for the Lake Ohrid & St. Naum tour. The first stop on our tour is Lake Ohrid. Lake Ohrid is one of North Macedonia's largest and most important natural treasures and is located in the southwest of the country. Considered one of the world's oldest and deepest lakes, Lake Ohrid is famous for its wonderfully clear waters, the surrounding natural beauty, its unique aquatic ecosystem of worldwide significance containing more than 200 endemic species, and its rich biodiversity. During our break by the lake, you will have the opportunity to take unique photographs. After our tour, we arrive at St. Naum following a journey of approximately 45 minutes accompanied by exceptional scenery. After our arrival, we visit St. Naum Monastery and Church, dedicated to one of the region's most important saints. The historic church, frescoes and other religious structures within the monastery reflect the artistic and architectural outlook of the Middle Ages. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
03Ohrid - Tirana - ShkoderEthem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, Rozafa Castle and the Five Heroes Monument.
Shkoder · night 3
From Tirana to Shkoder
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and checking out of the rooms, we depart for Tirana, the capital of Albania. During our panoramic Tirana city tour, the sights will include Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the Skanderbeg Monument and Square. After the free time provided, we depart for Shkoder at the time specified by our guide. During our city tour, the sights will include Abu Bakr Mosque, Rozafa Castle, Tito Square and the Five Heroes Monument. We then transfer to our hotel and have free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
04Shkoder - St. Stefan - Budva - Kotor - TrebinjeSt. Stefan, Budva Castle and the Old Town Centre of Kotor.
Trebinje · night 4
Montenegro's coastal towns
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and checking out of the rooms, we depart for Montenegro. Upon reaching the border and completing customs and passport procedures, we stop on a hill offering panoramic views of St. Stefan, once a fishing village and later transformed into a town that has remained unchanged through the years, as well as its turquoise shores. We then arrive in Budva, the centre of Montenegrin tourism, known for its Adriatic coastal setting, well-preserved medieval walled city, sandy beaches and lively nightlife. During our walking city tour, the sights will include the Old Town Centre (Stari Grad) and Budva Castle. After the free time provided for lunch, we depart for Kotor at the time specified by our guide. Located at the deepest part of the Bay of Kotor, the city is known for its beautiful architecture and natural setting. Here, we will explore Kotor on a walking city tour through Stari Grad, its Old Town Centre. After our visit to Kotor, we depart for the Bosnia and Herzegovina border and, following customs procedures, transfer to the hotel where we will stay in Trebinje or the surrounding area, our final destination. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
05Trebinje - Pocitelj - Blagaj - Mostar - SarajevoPocitelj, Blagaj Tekke, Mostar Bridge and a walk through Sarajevo.
Sarajevo · night 5
Bosnia's historic cities
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and checking out of the rooms, we set off to explore Bosnia's historic cities. First, we visit Pocitelj, located along our route, preserved with all its historic character and known as the Turkish Village, where we will see buildings constructed during the Ottoman Period in the 16th century and Pocitelj Castle. Our next stop will then be Blagaj. In this historic town, we will see Blagaj Tekke, situated on the banks of the Buna River, surrounded by high cliffs and built as a dervish lodge during the Ottoman Period. You can have lunch during the free time provided by the Buna River. After the break, we will arrive in Mostar following a short journey. During our walking tour of the city, which was established around the Neretva River, we will first see Mostar Bridge. A masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, the bridge is the symbol of the city. Although it was destroyed during the conflicts at the end of 1992, it was rebuilt in 2004 with major contributions from the Republic of Turkey. Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque will also be among the sights on our tour. After our tour, we depart for Sarajevo. Sarajevo, the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is also a highly important centre within the Balkans. The city is a meeting point for Roman Catholic peoples in the west, Eastern Orthodox peoples in the east and Ottoman peoples in the south. While it has been an example of the clash of civilisations throughout history, its multiculturalism and tolerance also make it a beacon of hope for peace. In the city, which is also known for its religious diversity, Muslims, Christians of different denominations and Jews have lived together for centuries. Reflecting its broad historical diversity in its architecture, some parts of the city resemble a Central European city, while just a few streets away it is possible to encounter Ottoman or Soviet-style socialist modernist influences. After arriving in the centre, our walking city tour will take us to Vijecnica (Central Library), built as a town hall during the Austro-Hungarian Empire and now used as the national library, Inat Kuca with its remarkable story, the Bosna River, the Latin Bridge preserved from the Ottoman Period, and the spot where the Austro-Hungarian archduke was shot, the moment that ignited the spark of World War 1. We then proceed to Bascarsija, Sarajevo's historic centre, famous for its narrow cobbled streets dating from the Ottoman Period, traditional bazaar and historic mosques. In this area, it is possible to hear the call to prayer while passing a church or synagogue. Bascarsija Sebil and Pigeon Square, the historic clock tower, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Morica Han, the only preserved Ottoman inn from the Ottoman Period, will be among the sights we see in the Bascarsija area. We will conclude our tour by seeing the Eternal Flame (Vjecna Vatra), dedicated to the military and civilian casualties who liberated Sarajevo in World War 2. The monument consists of tiles bearing inscriptions in the colours of the former Yugoslav flag (blue, white and red) and contains a wreath-shaped copper vessel of laurel leaves with an open flame that is always burning. After our tour, free time. Transfer to our hotel at the time specified by our guide. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
06Sarajevo - BelgradeA panoramic tour, Belgrade Castle and Knez Mihajlova Street.
Belgrade · night 6
From Sarajevo to Belgrade
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and checking out of the rooms, we set off for Belgrade. Upon our arrival in Belgrade, we begin our panoramic city tour. During our panoramic city tour, we see the city's daily life, important buildings and the Ministry of the Interior building bombed by NATO, which has deliberately been left standing in the middle of the city. Continuing our tour, we leave our coach for a walking tour during which the sights will include Bajrakli Mosque, Belgrade Castle, the Tomb of Damat Ali Pasha, the Clock Tower, Sokollu Mehmed Pasha Fountain, the Military Museum, Istanbul Gate, Dungeon Gate, Leopold Gate, the Stefan Lazarevic Monument, Nebojsa Tower, Castle Square, Saborna Church, Republic Square, Terazije Square and Tasmajdan. We complete our city tour with a walk along Knez Mihajlova Street, considered the heart of the city. During the free time provided here until the meeting time announced by our guide, you can shop and enjoy the cafes along the street. Transfer to our hotel at the time specified by our guide. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
07Belgrade - SkopjeMustafa Pasha Mosque, the Turkish Bazaar, Stone Bridge and Macedonia Square.
Skopje · night 7
Skopje on the Vardar
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and checking out of the rooms, we depart for Skopje. Situated on the banks of the Vardar River, this city is home to many historic mosques, bazaars and inns due to the influence of the Ottoman Empire. During our Skopje city tour upon arrival, the sights will include Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Isa Bey Mosque, Kapan Han, the Turkish Bazaar, Skopje City Park, the Stone Bridge over the Vardar River, which is the symbol of the city, and Macedonia Square. Free time in Macedonia Square until the time specified by our guide. We then depart for our hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
08Skopje - Prizren - Pristina - IstanbulSinan Pasha Mosque, Sadervan, Pristina and the flight to Istanbul.
Kosovo and the way home
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning and checking out of the rooms, we set off for the Republic of Kosovo. Following customs and passport procedures, we arrive in Prizren. During our tour of the city, which clings to the slopes of the lush green Sar Mountains and is divided by the Lumbardh River, the sights will include Sinan Pasha Mosque, Sadervan, the city's main square, Prizren Hamam, Bajrakli Mosque and Halveti Tekke. After our tour, we depart for Pristina, Europe's youngest capital. Germia Park, the National Museum of Kosovo, Yasar Pasha Mosque, the historic Clock Tower and the Tomb of Murad 1, who died in the 1st Battle of Kosovo, will be among the sights we see. After our tour, transfer to the airport at the time specified by our guide. Following baggage, ticket and passport procedures, depart for Istanbul at 20.35 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 1020. Arrival in Istanbul at 23.55 local time and the end of our tour.
OUTBOUND & RETURN
Flight details
Outbound
Istanbul08:55
TK 1003
Skopje
Return
Priştine20:35
TK 1020
Istanbul
Times are local, taken from the programme. Baggage allowance is given in your booking documents.
