Tour Introduction

Grand Balkans Tour

DAY 1: ISTANBUL – PRISTINA – PRIZREN – SKOPJE

We meet at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal. After baggage and passport procedures, we depart on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo.

✈️ Istanbul – Pristina flight (652 km, approx. 1 hour 40 minutes)

Upon arrival, we board our private coach and begin our visits in Kosovo.

🚌 Pristina – Mazgit (22 km, approx. 20 minutes)

Our first stop is the tomb of Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, who was martyred on these lands. After approximately 30 minutes, we arrive at Meşhed-i Hüdavendigâr. Following our visit, we also explore the guesthouse commissioned by Sultan Abdulhamid II, now serving as a museum-gallery. We then continue towards Prizren, one of the most distinguished Ottoman cities in the Balkans.

🚌 Pristina – Prizren (88 km, approx. 1 hour 10 minutes)

Nestled at the foothills of the Shar Mountains, Prizren welcomes us with its breathtaking beauty. Our first visit is the historic Namazgah, built during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and regarded as one of the most important symbols of the conquest.

🍽️ Breakfast – Prizren

After breakfast, we continue through the city. Mehmed Pasha Hammam, considered one of the three most magnificent baths in the Balkans, impresses us with its elegance. The Stone Bridge spanning the White Drin River stands before us like a poem carved in stone. We also visit the Halveti Tekke and the majestic Sinan Pasha Mosque, whose elegant silhouette dominates the skyline of Prizren.

Following our city tour, we enjoy a coffee break and photo stop before departing for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.

🚌 Prizren – Skopje (160 km, approx. 2 hours)

Upon arrival in Skopje, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before checking into our hotel.

🍽️ Dinner | 🏨 Overnight: Skopje

DAY 2: SKOPJE – MATKA CANYON – TETOVO – OHRID

🍽️ Breakfast at the hotel

After breakfast, we begin discovering Skopje, a magnificent city divided by the Vardar River where the Ottoman Empire ruled for over five centuries.

🚩 Walking Tour & Free Time

We start at the modest but meaningful tomb of Pasha Yiğit Bey, conqueror of Skopje, located in the heart of the Old Bazaar. We then visit the historic caravanserais of Kurşunlu Han, Sulu Han, and Kapan Han, each reflecting the city’s rich trading heritage.

Our journey continues with the Murat Pasha Mosque and Mustafa Pasha Mosque, followed by Isa Bey Hammam and Davut Pasha Hammam. From Skopje Fortress, we admire panoramic views over both sides of the Vardar River.

The Stone Bridge built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror stands not only as an architectural masterpiece but also as a historical symbol uniting cultures and civilizations.

After our guided exploration of Skopje, we continue to one of the Balkans’ greatest natural wonders: Matka Canyon.

🚌 Skopje Center – Matka Canyon (15 km, approx. 30 minutes)

We take a short guided walk through the canyon. Guests may also enjoy an optional 20-minute boat tour or simply relax and admire the scenery.

Later, we depart for Tetovo, home to North Macedonia’s most colorful mosque.

🚌 Skopje – Tetovo (43 km, approx. 42 minutes)

We visit the magnificent Painted Mosque (Alaca Mosque), dating back to 1495, before continuing to Ohrid.

🚌 Tetovo – Ohrid (140 km, approx. 2 hours 30 minutes)

Upon arrival in Ohrid, we enjoy dinner by the peaceful shores of Lake Ohrid before checking into our hotel.

🍽️ Dinner | 🏨 Overnight: Ohrid

DAY 3: OHRID

🍽️ Breakfast

After breakfast, we begin discovering Ohrid and its magnificent lake, known as the pearl of the Balkans.

Stretching between North Macedonia and Albania, Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes, with crystal-clear waters and breathtaking mountain scenery. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is renowned for both its beauty and unique ecosystem.

🚌 Ohrid – Saint Naum (50 km, approx. 1 hour)

Our first stop is the lake’s spring source, where we witness the clear waters feeding Lake Ohrid.

Returning to the city center, we stroll through Ohrid Bazaar, filled with handmade crafts, pearl jewelry, and local delicacies.

🚌 Saint Naum – Historic Ohrid (30 km, approx. 40 minutes)

🚩 Walking Tour & Free Time

Historic Ohrid welcomes us with Ottoman-style houses reminiscent of Safranbolu. We begin at the Historic Plane Tree Square before visiting the Halveti Tekke and Ali Pasha Mosque.

Passing through the old city walls, we reach the fortress area for panoramic lake views. Hagia Sophia Mosque and the traditional Paper Workshop are among the highlights of our visit.

After free time for photography and shopping, we enjoy dinner before returning to our hotel.

🍽️ Dinner | 🏨 Overnight: Ohrid

DAY 4: OHRID – STRUGA – ELBASAN – TIRANA – SHKODRA – PODGORICA

🍽️ Breakfast

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Ohrid and continue toward Albania.

🚌 Struga – Elbasan (145 km, approx. 2 hours 30 minutes)

In Tirana, we visit Et’hem Bey Mosque, the only surviving Ottoman mosque in the city, admired for its colorful decorations and elegant craftsmanship. Nearby stand the Historic Clock Tower and Skanderbeg Square.

After free time, we continue north toward Shkodra.

🚌 Tirana – Shkodra (94 km, approx. 1 hour 30 minutes)

Along the way, we enjoy views of the Drin and Buna Rivers. Upon arrival, we admire Rozafa Castle panoramically and learn about Hasan Rıza Pasha’s heroic defense of Shkodra during 1912–1913.

Following dinner, we check into our hotel.

🍽️ Dinner | 🏨 Overnight: Shkodra

DAY 5: PODGORICA – BUDVA – KOTOR – MOSTAR

🍽️ Breakfast

After breakfast, we depart toward Kotor, often called the cultural capital of Montenegro.

Along the route, we admire panoramic views of Sveti Stefan Island and the medieval town of Budva with its red-tiled roofs and Adriatic scenery.

🚌 Shkodra – Kotor (130 km, approx. 3 hours)

Upon arrival, we explore Kotor’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, surrounded by magnificent Venetian walls.

Walking through the Sea Gate, we discover narrow stone streets, charming squares, and centuries-old architecture. Highlights include Arms Square, Flour Square, and Maritime Square.

After free time in Kotor, we continue toward Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

🚌 Kotor – Mostar (174 km, approx. 4 hours)

Dinner and overnight stay in Mostar.

🍽️ Dinner | 🏨 Overnight: Mostar

DAY 6: MOSTAR – POČITELJ – BLAGAJ – SARAJEVO

🍽️ Breakfast

In the calm morning atmosphere, we begin discovering Mostar, one of the Balkans’ most remarkable cultural centers.

🚩 Walking Tour & Free Time

We visit Karagöz Bey Mosque and Sinan Pasha Mosque before arriving at the iconic Mostar Bridge (Stari Most), built in 1566 by Architect Hayreddin.

Destroyed during the war and later rebuilt, the bridge now stands as a symbol of rebirth and unity.

We also visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, Tabhane Square, and the historic Old Bazaar before enjoying free time.

🚌 Mostar – Blagaj (12 km, approx. 20 minutes)

We visit the 550-year-old Blagaj Tekke, beautifully located beside the Buna River spring beneath dramatic cliffs.

🚌 Blagaj – Počitelj (18 km, approx. 25 minutes)

In the Ottoman village of Počitelj, we explore stone houses, narrow streets, Haji Alija Mosque, Šišman Ibrahim Pasha Madrasa, caravanserai, hammam, and fortress.

After our visit, we continue toward Sarajevo.

🚌 Počitelj – Sarajevo (130 km, approx. 2 hours 30 minutes)

Dinner en route and overnight stay in Sarajevo.

🍽️ Dinner | 🏨 Overnight: Sarajevo

DAY 7: SARAJEVO – ISTANBUL

🍽️ Breakfast

After breakfast, we discover Sarajevo, the cultural heart of the Balkans.

We first visit the Tunnel of Hope, the city’s vital lifeline during the Bosnian War, followed by the peaceful Vrelo Bosne Nature Park.

🚩 Walking Tour & Free Time

In Baščaršija, Sarajevo’s historic bazaar, we walk through Ottoman-era streets and admire the Neo-Moorish City Hall (Vijećnica), Inat House, Hadžijska Mosque, Hoca Durak Mosque, Sarajevo Roses, Brusa Bezistan, Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque, and Kuršunlu Madrasa.

We also visit the martyrs’ cemetery and the Eternal Flame memorial.

After free time in the bazaar, we head to Sarajevo Airport for our return flight.

✈️ Sarajevo – Istanbul flight (896 km, approx. 1 hour 50 minutes)

After completing passport and baggage procedures, we depart Sarajevo and return to Istanbul.

✅ Included Services

• ✈️ Turkish Airlines economy class flight tickets

  
  

  Istanbul – Pristina / Sarajevo – Istanbul

• 🏨 6 nights accommodation in 4 and 5-star hotels

• 🍽️ 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners

• 🚌 7 days of comfortable transportation and driver services

• 👨‍🏫 7 days professional regional and local guiding services

• 🤝 Tour assistant accompanying the group throughout the tour

• 🎫 Entrance fees included in the itinerary

  
  

  (Blagaj Tekke, Tunnel of Hope, Vrelo Bosne)

• 🎧 Wireless tour guide headset system

• 🎁 Hisar Tourism gifts

  
  

  (backpack and prayer mat)

• 🚑 Comprehensive travel health insurance

❌ Excluded Services

• ✈️ Domestic flights

• 🚫 Tours and visits not clearly specified in the itinerary

• 💳 Hotel extras and personal expenses

• 🍴 Lunches

• 🥤 Extra drinks and additional food orders during meals