1. Is this tour available for all ages?

Yes, this tour is perfectly suited for all ages. The walking is generally easy and relaxed, mainly through historic city centers and castles.

2. Can this tour be self-guided?

No, this multiday cross-border trip requires our professional driver/guide to manage border crossings smoothly, navigate the coastal and mountain roads, and provide in-depth historical context.

3. Can I book at any date?

Yes, this tour is available year-round. However, the coastal areas of Montenegro are most vibrant (and warmest) between May and October.

4. How to choose the appropriate package?

The standard package covers your transport, guide services, accommodation with breakfast, and specified entrance fees. If you want to upgrade your hotel category (e.g., from 3-star to 4-star or 5-star) or add the optional Ada Bojana boat trip in advance, please let us know during booking.

8-Day Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

This beautifully paced 8-day Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit Tour, cross-border journey effortlessly connects the serene, ancient lakes of North Macedonia with the monumental stone cities of Albania. We begin by leaving Tirana for the poetry-infused town of Struga and the 3-million-year-old shores of Lake Ohrid. The journey heads north through the breathtaking landscapes of Mavrovo into the grand capital of Skopje, before looping south to the historic Roman ruins of Bitola.

Crossing back into Albania via the tranquil shores of Lake Prespa, we explore the romantic “City of Serenades,” Korçë. The adventure then descends into the wild Vjosa River valley to soak in the thermal baths of Përmet, before dedicating our final days to deep explorations of the UNESCO-listed stone cities of Gjirokastër and Berat. The grand finale awaits in Tirana with the premier, interactive Albanian Night Show.

Check more trips in HERE.

Package Includes

Included

• Professional Guide
• Private Transport
• Accommodation and Breakfast for 7 Nights
Activities & Experiences:
• Përmet Thermal Baths Visit
• Albanian Night Show
Entrance fees of:
1. Heraclea Lyncestis Ruins (Bitola)
2. Iconographic Museum (Korçë)
3. Gjirokastër Castle & Skenduli House
4. Berat Castle & Onufri Museum
Activities:
1. Albanian Night Show
2. Benjë Thermal Baths Visit

Excluded

Flight Tickets
Personal Health Insurance
Tips and Personal Expenses
Lunches and Dinners
What is not mentioned in the program

Accomodation
3-4 Stars Hotel
Meals
Breakfast Included
Transportation
Private
Guide
Tour will be guided
Distance in KM
1435
Difficulty
Easy

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Map

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Map

Why Go?

Experience a masterfully designed, stress-free Balkan loop. This route minimizes long drives and maximizes relaxation, allowing you to seamlessly float from pristine ancient lakes to soothing thermal baths and monumental UNESCO castles.

Highlights

Stroll across the famous Bridge of Poetry in the town of Struga.
Relax by the shores of the 3-million-year-old ancient Lake Ohrid.
Take in the breathtaking forested landscapes of Mavrovo National Park.
Walk across the iconic Stone Bridge in the grand capital of Skopje.
Explore the well-preserved Roman mosaics at Bitola's Heraclea Lyncestis ruins.
Enjoy tranquil panoramic views over the beautiful Lake Prespa.
Soak in the wild, healing sulfur waters of the Përmet Thermal Baths.
Discover the imposing hilltop Gjirokastër Castle in the "Stone City".
Marvel at the "City of a Thousand Windows" and the Onufri Museum in the UNESCO heritage site of Berat.
Celebrate at the premier, interactive Albanian Night Show.

Day 01 :

Route: Tirana – Struga – Ohrid

Distance ~179 KM | Visiting 3.30 Hours | Driving 2.30 Hours |

We depart from Tirana and take a scenic drive east toward the North Macedonian border, passing through Elbasan. The drive to the border town of Struga takes just under two and a half hours. Here, we stretch our legs at the famous Bridge of Poetry where the Black Drin River flows. A short drive then brings us to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Ohrid, known historically as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans". We spend the afternoon exploring its ancient hillside churches, understanding the legacy of Saint Clement, and enjoying a relaxing evening by an ancient tectonic lake that is over 3 million years old.

Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

Day 02 :

Route: Ohrid – Mavrovo – Skopje

Distance ~239 KM | Visiting 3.30 Hours | Driving 3.00 Hours |

Leaving the lake behind, we drive north through the magnificent, forested landscapes of Mavrovo National Park. After taking in the serene mountain views, we continue to the grand capital of North Macedonia, Skopje, a journey that takes roughly 3 hours. We dedicate the afternoon to walking across the iconic Stone Bridge, marveling at the towering neoclassical statues of the "Skopje 2014" project in Macedonia Square, and wandering the atmospheric alleys of the Old Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest marketplaces in the Balkans.

Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

Day 03 :

Route: Skopje – Bitola – Prespa Lake – Korçë

Distance ~363 KM | Visiting 4.00 Hours | Driving 4.30 Hours |

We leave the capital and drive south toward the historic city of Bitola. We stroll down the elegant Shirok Sokak pedestrian street and explore the well-preserved ancient Roman mosaics at the Heraclea Lyncestis ruins, deeply rooted in the history of the ancient Kingdom of Macedon. We then take a deeply scenic route crossing back into Albania via the tranquil shores of Lake Prespa. We eventually arrive in the "City of Serenades," Korçë, to spend a relaxing evening in its beautifully restored Old Bazaar, an area steeped in 19th-century merchant history.

Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

Day 04 :

Route: Korçë – Përmet

Distance ~182 KM | Visiting 4.00 Hours | Driving 3.00 Hours |

We embark on a spectacular, rugged drive through the southeastern highlands from Korçë to Përmet. We descend into the stunning Vjosa River valley to arrive in Përmet, affectionately known as the "City of Flowers". The entire afternoon is dedicated to deep relaxation at the famous Benjë Thermal Baths, where you can soak in the warm, sulphur-rich natural waters against the backdrop of the spectacular Kadiu Ottoman bridge and the surrounding canyons.

Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

Day 05 :

Route: Përmet – Gjirokastër

Distance ~83 KM | Visiting 4.00 Hours | Driving 1.15 Hours |

Following a slow, relaxing morning in Përmet, we take a short, beautiful drive through the Kelcyra Gorge. We arrive in the UNESCO "Stone City" of Gjirokastër before midday. We spend the afternoon exploring the imposing hilltop Gjirokastër Castle, the old weapons museum, and wandering through the steep, cobblestone streets lined with unique 19th-century Ottoman-era merchant houses like the noble house of Skenduli, which has a fascinating history to tell.

Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

Day 06 :

Route: Gjirokastër – Berat

Distance ~221 KM | Visiting 4.00 Hours | Driving 3.00 Hours |

After a leisurely morning in the stone city, we drive north through the scenic river valleys to our next UNESCO World Heritage site: Berat. By dedicating this day entirely to Berat, we can take our time exploring the still-inhabited Berat Castle and walking its ancient cobblestone alleys. You will admire the brilliant Byzantine colors preserved inside the Onufri Museum before resting in the historic Mangalem neighborhood, famed for the overlapping windows that gave the city its iconic nickname.

Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

Day 07 :

Route: Berat – Tirana (Albanian Night Show)

Distance ~138 KM | Visiting 3.00 Hours | Driving 2.00 Hours |

We enjoy a final morning stroll in Berat before taking a relaxed drive back to central Albania, arriving in the vibrant capital city of Tirana. We will explore Tirana doing the walking tour, as we will leave time for selfl-explore also. The afternoon is yours to relax at the coffe shops around Skanderbeg Square. In the evening, we celebrate the end of our grand cross-border journey with the spectacular Albanian Night Show featuring live Iso-polyphony music, traditional folk dances, and an authentic cultural feast.

Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

Day 08 :

Route: Tirana – Departure

Distance ~28 KM | Visiting 1.00 Hours | Driving 0.40 Hours |

Enjoy a final, relaxed breakfast at your hotel in Tirana. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or a relaxing coffee in the city center before your private transfer takes you to Tirana International Airport for your departure.

Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit

The Great Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit: Albania & North Macedonia (8 Days)

Duration

Group Size

Tour Type

The Great Balkan Lake and Stone Circuit: Albania & North Macedonia (8 Days)