Kosovo Great Balkans Tour with Pegasus Including Extra Tours and Evening Meals
Tour Detail
Day 1: Istanbul - Tirana – Ohrid
Meeting in front of the airline counter at the departure terminal of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Departure to Tirana, the capital of Albania, at 11:15 on Pegasus Airlines flight PC285. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, we arrive at 11:00 local time and, after passport control, continue to Ohrid with our private vehicle waiting at the airport. Breathtaking scenery will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, which was one of the important bases of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are: the Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, important structures such as the Church of Hagia Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll through Çınar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the Turkish Bazaar dating back to the old Ottoman period. Here you can visit the Halveti Tekke and feel the city’s cultural fabric up close. Then, by visiting the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market, you will witness the daily life of the local people. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and its enchanting view will accompany our tour. After our tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight stay and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the silence of the night, take a short walk along the lake shore, or retreat to your rooms to rest.
Tirana – Ohrid : 145 km
Day 2 : Ohrid – Resne – Manastir - Skopje
After breakfast, we depart for our Resne and Manastır (Bitola) tour, famous for its magnificent nature and historical richness. Our first stop is Resne, where we panoramically view the Palace of Niyazi Bey of Resne, an important figure who left his mark on Balkan history. Resne offers a fascinating atmosphere with both its nature and Ottoman traces. After a short break here, we head to Manastır, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s most important cultural and trade centers. Upon arrival in Manastır, we visit the Military High School where the Great Leader Atatürk studied and the Atatürk Museum from the outside. In this magical city, we will also explore Ottoman-era historical monuments such as the Turkish Bazaar, Bedesten, İshak Paşa Mosque, and the New Mosque. While feeling Manastır’s historical texture, you will have the chance to take a pleasant walk through the city’s nostalgic streets. After our visit, we continue on to Skopje amid lush green mountains. Breathtaking Macedonian scenery will accompany us along the way. Upon arrival in Skopje, our first stop is Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. Then we visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is especially notable for its Ottoman-era decorations and architecture. Continuing our tour, we will see Kapan Han and Sulu Han located in the heart of Skopje. These structures, fine examples of Ottoman-era inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and traded. We then visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. This bridge was built in the 15th century and connects the two banks of the Vardar River. Walking from the Stone Bridge, we will continue our tour by seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along the banks of the Vardar River. During our riverside walk, we pass through Macedonia Square. This square is Skopje’s largest and most central point and is surrounded by modern buildings. Here we will encounter the statue of Alexander the Great and other monuments. Then we view the Ottoman Bridge from the outside, dating back to the 15th century, and visit Davut Pasha Bath to once again feel the splendor of the Ottoman period. We continue exploring the city by walking toward Skopje’s Turkish Bazaar. Before reaching the bazaar, we see the Clock Tower, built in the 16th century and one of Skopje’s symbolic structures. Here, we will visit Sultan Murat Mosque and Isa Bey Mosque, which are among the early mosques of the Ottoman Empire. The mosques are an important part of the city’s Islamic heritage and stand out with their architecture. Finally, we provide free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After your pleasant time in the bazaar, transfer to Restaurant Gardenia for the Balkan Night. Afterwards, transfer to our hotel and then we retreat to our rooms. Overnight in Skopje at our hotel.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner awaits you accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances. While experiencing Skopje’s fun and cultural side with this special Balkan night, you will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most exclusive venues. With the best music and folklore of the Balkans performed live, and with performances by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers, delivered without playback, we will turn this night into an authentic experience. We will be pleased to host you at our own establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Resne Tour INCLUDED! | Manastir (Bitola) Tour INCLUDED! | Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Resne: 34 km | Resne – Manastır: 31 km | Manastır – Skopje: 70 km
Total distance to be covered: 134 km
Day 3 : Skopje - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. After our journey, upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour where we will explore the modern and historical sides of Kosovo. During our tour, we will also visit many valuable Ottoman-era structures. We will see the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this tour through the city’s historical heritage, we will have the opportunity to commemorate the important historical event and its place in Ottoman history by visiting the Tomb of Sultan Murad I Hudavendigar, who was killed on the Kosovo Field as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo. After our tour in Pristina, we head to Prizren, known as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, whose architecture resembles Anatolian Ottoman cities and whose shop signs are filled with Turkish inscriptions. In the city, we will visit Sinan Pasha Mosque, one of the most important examples of Ottoman architecture. In addition, the Halveti Tekke, Bayrakli Mosque, and Mehmet Pasha Bath are among the other important Ottoman monuments to be seen. After free time in Prizren, we begin our return journey to Skopje in the evening. Upon arrival, we are transferred to our hotel and after dinner we retreat to our rooms. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Pristina Tour INCLUDED! | Prizren Tour INCLUDED!
Skopje – Pristina: 90 km | Pristina – Prizren: 85 km | Prizren – Skopje: 165 km
Total distance to be covered: 340 km
Day 4 : Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade, which has been one of the most important cultural and strategic centers of the Balkans throughout history, also stands out today with its vitality, dynamism, and historical fabric. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the intersection of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, where we will explore the city’s full splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and discover the texture of Belgrade that brings together the past and present. Then we head to one of the city’s most impressive points, where the Sava River meets the Danube River. In this unique view, it will be a great pleasure to explore this area, which has been the focus of conquest and victory many times throughout history. As we continue discovering this ancient city, where Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror was wounded for the sake of which, but whose conquest was achieved by Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, which was used as a supply center for the Ottoman navy. While tracing history in this fortress, we will see important points such as Castle Square and Stone Square. During our tour, we will visit the Tomb of Şehit Ali Pasha, one of the important figures of the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will deeply explore Belgrade’s rich history and gain knowledge about the city’s Ottoman-era cultural heritage. At the end of our tour, we leave behind the city’s history and lively atmosphere and head to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Skopje – Belgrade : 430 km
Day 5 : Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we head to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, it has been known for centuries as the cultural capital of the Balkans and has gone down in history as the place where World War I broke out after the assassination of Austrian-Hungarian Crown Prince Archduke Franz Ferdinand by the Serbs in 1914. In the 1992 war, it suffered major destruction as a result of the devastating conflicts among Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, yet Sarajevo managed to largely preserve its beauty. During our panoramic city tour, we will see the famous Baščaršija, the historic Ottoman inn Morica Han, the Catholic Cathedral reflecting the city’s religious cosmopolitanism, the Synagogue, Gazi Husrev Bey and Ferhadija Mosques, the Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand’s assassination took place in 1914, the Old Library, and the western-style buildings formed during the city’s 40 years of Austro-Hungarian rule. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 6 : Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj - Počitelj - Medugorje
After breakfast, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first stop is Mostar, famous for its historical and cultural richness. Here, we will see the Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by Architect Hayreddin and one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture. This bridge was destroyed in 1992, but was rebuilt in 2004 with the contribution of the Republic of Turkey. After exploring Mostar’s enchanting atmosphere, we will visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. Then we depart for Blagaj. Blagaj is built at the source of the Buna River, the strongest water source in Europe. After a short free time here, we move on to Počitelj. By visiting Počitelj, preserved with its historical texture and known as the Turkish Village, we will see works made by the Ottomans in the 16th century. Finally, we head to Medugorje. Medugorje is a peaceful place famous for its religious visitors. After arrival at our hotel, we retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Mostar Tour INCLUDED! | Blagaj Tour INCLUDED! | Počitelj Tour INCLUDED!
Sarajevo - Mostar: 130 km | Mostar - Blagaj: 12 km | Blagaj - Počitelj: 30 km | Počitelj - Medugorje: 20 km
Total distance to be covered: 192 km
Day 7 : Medugorje – Kotor – Budva – Sv.Stefan – Shkodra
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head toward enchanting Kotor. You will enjoy magnificent scenery during the journey. When we arrive in Kotor, on our walking tour of this medieval town famous for its fjords in the Balkans, you will feel the historical atmosphere of the narrow streets and the old town and discover the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea view, this small town will take you on a journey through time. Afterwards, our next stop is Budva, one of the Balkans’ most popular holiday destinations! After our panoramic city tour, we head to Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and dazzling view. From above, we will admire the magnificent view of this islet. This area, which looks like a postcard at every corner, is an ideal spot for photography. After all these discoveries, we move on to Shkodra, the beautiful city of Albania. After the dinner we will have at our hotel, we retreat to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Kotor Tour INCLUDED! | Budva Tour INCLUDED!
Međugorje - Kotor: 191 km | Kotor - Budva: 22 km | Budva - Sv. Stefan: 15 km | Sv. Stefan - Shkodra: 85 km
Total distance to be covered: 313 km
Day 8 : Shkodra – Tirana - Istanbul
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city, rich in historical and cultural terms, an impressive tour awaits us where we will explore Tirana, considered the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arrival in Tirana, we visit the Et’hem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important symbols. This structure, whose construction began in 1789 and was completed in 1923, is one of Albania’s cultural heritages. We take a short break at Skanderbeg Square and see the Statue of Skanderbeg standing proudly in the middle of the square. The Clock Tower, built by Et’hem Bey in 1821 and a symbol of Tirana, is also one of the highlights of our tour. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together to create unforgettable memories. After free time, transfer to the airport. After arrival at the airport and boarding procedures, we will take Pegasus Airlines scheduled flight PC282 at 19:00 to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. After a comfortable and pleasant flight, arrival in Istanbul at 22:40 and the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, hoping to see you again on your next trip
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Shkodra – Tirana: 100 km
*Balkan Special Cancellation Guarantee Package : 50 Euro*
(With the Cancellation Guarantee package application, we offer our guests the right to cancel their reservations without penalty under any circumstances. With this application, it is possible to cancel your reservation up to 9 days before the tour departure date. In case of reservation cancellation, the full tour fee is refunded, while the cancellation guarantee package fee and any additional service fees (Visa, insurance, etc.) are not refunded.)
**The specified cancellation guarantee package is not valid for group reservations.**
**There is a limited number of seats available for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A broad travel program covering important cities and tourist spots in the Balkans is offered. Many important cities such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritages from the Ottoman period are visited, offering an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: Structures belonging to different religions (mosques, churches, synagogues) are visited, allowing the region’s cultural diversity to be explored.
• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural beauties such as the Kotor fjords and Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: Includes destinations that do not require a visa, which reduces extra paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: With a guide, detailed information about cities and historical places is provided.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants experience a gastronomic journey with dinners full of traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine, and local delicacies.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and extra tours in the program are included in the tour price, so participants can visit all important points without paying additional costs.
• Dinner Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, which prevents participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need to Spend: The tour is ideal for guests who do not want to spend money. Apart from lunch, and if they wish, tips and souvenirs for loved ones, no extra money will come out of your pocket.
Situations to Consider
• Busy Program: Traveling to a different city every day makes the tour extremely rich and full. However, this intense pace may be tiring for those who want to explore more.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances (for example, between Skopje and Belgrade) are traveled amid beautiful scenery throughout the tour, but there may be days spent a long time on the bus. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured with breaks given along the way.
• Limited Free Time: Since the tour program is comprehensive, free time may be limited. However, there is the opportunity to visit all important points with a guide.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: In some periods, weather conditions in the Balkans may be variable. Therefore, it is possible to make this comfortable by choosing appropriate clothing.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour are carefully selected from among options reflecting the region’s character and local culture, hotels in some small towns may not offer as many facilities as luxury hotels in Turkey. However, attention is paid to comfort and cleanliness in these hotels.
• Food and Cuisine Experience: Throughout the tour, there is an opportunity to try the region’s distinctive local flavors. Balkan cuisine is full of rich and delicious dishes, but some tastes may be unfamiliar to some participants. This is a great opportunity to get to know the local culture and cuisine closely, but it may be useful to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkodra 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Medugorje 4* Sole etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel
Skopje 4* Vlaho Hotel etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
With Pegasus Airlines
Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Tirana 11:15 09:35
Tirana Istanbul 19:00 22:40
What's Included
Not Included
Services Not Included:
• International Departure Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and Hotel taxes: (City tax, checkpoint fees, local service charges, handling fees, bus entry fees, and operational service expenses are covered by the mandatory payment of 20 Euros per person, which the guide will collect in cash on the first day of the tour)