5 Days Albanian Country Side UNESCO Lake and old Towns Tour

Day 1 Tirana - Elbasan - Korca

1. 1

   Skanderbeg Square

   2 hours

   In Tirana, you will start your visit from the Skanderbeg square which is also the biggest square in Tirana, around this square you will see, the Palace of Culture, the old et hem bey mosque, and the national museum. You will spend around 15 minutes in the square to get all the information from the guide

2. 2

   Elbasan

   1 hour

   In Elbasan, you will visit the castle of Elbasan which was very important in Roman times and which also has a view of Via Egnatia, which was the "road" between the old city of Rome and Kostandinopoja. You will also see a fortress of Elbasan, Saint Mary's Church and the king Mosque inside the fortress.
   After sightseeing you will have your free time in the castle

3. 3

   Pogradec

   1 hour

   Once you arrive in Pogradec you will enjoy Lake Ohrid, which utterly dominates the small town of Pogradec. This ancient tectonic lake is one of the oldest and deepest (up to 288m) lakes in Europe. The lake is divided between Albania and North Macedonia. The Macedonian side, which centers on the dreamy town of Ohrid, was declared an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and there is talk of that distinction being extended to the Albanian half. For the moment, though, tourism in and around Pogradec is minimal and on the surface, this is perhaps understandable. Pogradec itself is a fairly drab small town with few physical attractions, and rubbish is a serious eye-sore along the lake-shore. That being said, for an off-beat adventure and the opportunity to stroll quietly around the lake, without the masses of tourists who define its Macedonian side, Pogradec ticks all the right boxes.

4. 4

   Enver Hoxha Pyramid

   1 hour

   Designed by Enver Hoxha's daughter and son-in-law and completed in 1988, this monstrously unattractive building was formerly the Enver Hoxha Museum and more recently a convention centre and nightclub. Today, covered in graffiti and surrounded by the encampments of Tirana's homeless, its once-white marble walls are now crumbling, but no decision on whether to demolish or restore it has yet been reached.
   The pyramid is during our sightseeing and we will stop 10 minutes for explanation

5. 5

   Bunk'Art 1

   1 hour

   This is a small bunker located on the way to our sightseeing in Tirana.

6. 6

   Blloku

   1 hour

   Blloku is an upmarket area in Tirana, Albania. It is widely known as an entertainment destination with its boutiques, shops, restaurants, trendy bars, pubs, and cafes. The area is part of the neighborhood of Tirana e Re in southwestern Tirana. During the peak summer months, its trendy bars transfer along the Albanian Riviera.
   It became very attractive after the fall of Communism in Albania because during the communist period it was a restricted residential area for the members of the Albanian politburo, ordinary Albanians would not be allowed in. On most maps it was unmarked. Blloku you can still find the residence of Albania’s communist leader Enver Hoxha.
   In blloku neighborhood, you will spend your free time for lunch or for Caffe

7. 7

   National Gallery of Art

   1 hour

   Tracing the relatively brief history of Albanian painting from the early 19th century to the present day, this beautiful space also holds temporary exhibitions. The interesting collection includes 19th-century paintings depicting scenes from daily Albanian life and others with a far more political dimension, including some truly fabulous examples of Albanian socialist realism. The entrance of the gallery is not always open, so if there are any exhibitions at the time of your visit you can enter inside the gallery

8. 8

   Lake Ohrid

   2 hours

   Some cities are undeniably special. As soon as you take your first steps in them, inhale the first breath of fresh air, the first smell of a nearby body of water, and the first sight of its beauty, you know that these places must have inspired great poetry! Pogradec, the city of artists, resting on the shores of Lake Ohrid, is certainly one of these. It’s an ideal place for the romantic soul, who seeks and relishes nature’s peace and tranquillity.
   You will overnight near this lake in Pogradec

Day 2 Korca – Voskopoja - Permet

1. 1

   3 hours

   Voskopoja is a place where nature meets history, making it a favorite destination for tourists. The town of Voskopoja has been known as a cultural center since 1330 and, over the centuries,
   more than 24 churches have been built there. The city hosted the first printing press outside of Istanbul alongside other important institutions, such as the New Academy. Unfortunately, fire,
   war, robbery, and earthquakes ultimately destroyed many of these buildings.
   You will visit Saint Athanase, Saint Ilie, and Saint Marie churches.
   In Vosopoja there is a Possibility of light hiking in the forest.

2. 2

   Korce

   1 hour

   Arrive in Korca and have a sightseeing tour of the most important places in this city. The Cathedral, the Ottoman Bazaar, Andon Zako Cajupi theatre, and the Hani I Pazarit. The city of Korca is known for its vivid life and traditional music.
   You will have a nice walk in the main pedestrian area in Korca

3. 3

   Tushemisht

   1 hour

   Tushemisht is the last village on the Albanian side of Ohrid Lake, before the Macedonian border. Tushemisht is a lovely relaxing place, surrounded by mountains, gorgeous beaches, and great restaurants that offer authentic fish cuisine.

4. 4

   Driloni National Park

   2 hours

   One of the most enchanting hamlets of southeastern Albania is Drilon, a very small village located between Korça and Pogradec. During the Communist-era, Drilon was the favorite place of dictator Enver Hoxha, who used to come here to relax. Today Drilon is an attractive summer destination, thanks to its beauty, beaches, and a national park.

5. 5

   Museum of Medieval Art

   1 hour Admission ticket not included

   The National Museum of Medieval Art in Korça is one of those places where the modern and the old blend seamlessly together, creating an otherworldly, timeless space. It is an ultra-modern venue, though one which restores life to the Byzantine era. Originally built in 1980 and reconstructed in 2016, it is located on the main “Fan Noli” boulevard in the city. This, the newest museum in the country, preserves some artworks which have miraculously survived countless obstacles of the communist regime, to help them be where they are today.
   This attraction's not included in the program

6. 6

   Ngjallja e Krishtit Cathedral

   1 hour

   Cathedral of the Resurrection: built-in 1992 on the foundations of an old Orthodox church destroyed during the Communist era, it is now the largest and most important Orthodox church in Korça and Albania.

Day 3 Përmet – Gjirokastra

1. 1

   4 hours

   On this day you will explore one of the most natural and interesting landscapes of Albania. We will stop from time to time to enjoy the scenery.

2. 2

   Benja Thermal Baths

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   The Benja Thermal Pools are smooth and clear, and also contain a high content of sulfur. The stone baths are the most authentic, and as such, attract a large number of visitors all year-round. The winter, when the temperature in Përmet falls below 0 degrees Celsius, it is the best time to immerse yourself in these hot baths. Enjoy that satisfying contrast between the air and water! Remember though, 20-25 minutes in the pool usually suffices! More time in the highly sulfuric waters can be quite overwhelming, and not necessarily that good for you.
   You will spend in the thermal baths around 2 hours, there is a possibility for jumping in the natural pools and walking in the Langarica canyon

3. 3

   Permet

   1 hour

   In Permet, after visiting the city, we will visit one traditional house and meet the locals, we will experience the typical product of Permet, which is called Gliko. Gliko is an important element of the local cuisine in Përmet and is made from many different fruits and vegetables, all grown locally by many of the valley’s small-scale farmers. "Walnut husk" like, made from whole green walnuts, is the most common style and other popular variations include white cherry, eggplant, wild fig, plum, and apricot.
   Walking arownd the city and having some free time on your own

Day 4 Gjirokastra - Saranda - Gjirokastra

1. 1

   Gjirokaster

   2 hours

   There has been a settlement here for 2500 years, though these days it's the 600 'monumental' Ottoman-era houses in town that attract visitors. For Albanians, the town is also a synonym for former dictator Enver Hoxha, who was born here and ensured the town was relatively well preserved under his rule, though he is not memorialized in any way here today.
   After the sightseeing in the afternoon, you will have free time on your own for discovering the city

2. 2

   Skenduli House

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   The lovingly restored Ottoman-era Skenduli House has been in the hands of the same family for generations (apart from a few years during the communist period when the government took it over), and you'll most likely be shown around by a member of the family. Dating from the early 1700s, but partially rebuilt in 1827, the house has many fascinating features, including a room used only for wedding ceremonies and which has 15 windows, many with stained glass.

3. 3

   Gjirokastra Bazaar

   1 hour

   The historic site in Gjirokastra, the "Neck of the Bazaar", makes up the center of the Old Town but what were once artisanal workshops are today mainly tourist souvenir shops. There are a couple of stone carvers left at the top end of the bazaar.

4. 4

   Gjirokaster Castle

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   Gjirokastra's eerie hilltop castle is one of the biggest in the Balkans. There's been a fortress here since the 12th century, although much of what can be seen today dates to the early 19th century. The castle remains somewhat infamous due to its use as a prison under the communists. Inside, there's a collection of armory, two good museums, plenty of crumbling ruins to scramble around, and superb views over the valley.

5. 5

   Saranda

   2 hours

   AFter breakfast meet the guide and depart to the city of Saranda , which is near the ionian sea, in front
   of the Corfuz Island. You will enjoy the parnoramic view of the seaside and visit the archeological site of
   butrint. Village of Ksamil Known for the magical beach of 3 islands . have some free time
   for enjoying the beach Visit the the archeological site of Butrint (Butrint in Albanian) from ancient Greek
   was an ancient Greek city and later Roman and a bishopric in Epirus. Inhabited since prehistoric times,
   Buthrotum was a city of the Greek Chaonian tribe, later a Roman colony and a bishopric. It went into
   decline at the end of Antiquity, before being abandoned in the Middle Ages after a major earthquake
   flooded most of the city

Day 5 Gjirokastra – Berat – Tirana

1. 1

   Berat

   2 hours

   The Interior: Berati fortress, Onufri museum Berat is one of the most visited and characteristic cities of
   Albania under the protection of UNESCO as patronage of the humanity for its unique architectural
   character. In Berat,
   Particularly interesting because people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, just like their
   ancestors for centuries. The castle had more than 40 churches, of which 7 remain, including the SainteMarie church transformed into an Onufri museum. Onufri was a famous. You will have lunch inside the
   Fortress and after the free time you will visit the city center.