Kosovo Great Balkan Tour with AJet including Extra Tours and Dinner SKP-SKP
Day 1: Istanbul - Skopje
Meeting in front of the airline check-in counter at the departures terminal of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Departure to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, at 12:50 on AJet flight VF263. Following a comfortable flight, arrival at 14:20 local time and, after completing entry procedures, we begin our panoramic city tour with our private vehicle waiting in the area. Skopje is one of the important cultural centers of the Balkans, with its Ottoman-era heritage and modern structures. We begin our tour with the historical sites of Skopje, the birthplace of the famous Turkish poet Yahya Kemal Beyatlı. Our first stop is Mustafa Pasha Mosque, one of the city’s largest and most magnificent mosques, built in 1492. We then visit Murat Pasha Mosque, built in the 15th century. This mosque is particularly 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, beautiful examples of Ottoman inns, were once important centers where merchants stayed and conducted trade. We then visit the Stone Bridge, which has become a symbol of Skopje. Built in the 15th century, this bridge connects the two banks of the Vardar River. We will continue our tour on foot from the Stone Bridge, seeing the Turkish and Jewish neighborhoods along 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. Afterwards, we view the Ottoman Bridge from the outside, dating from the 15th century, and visit Davut Pasha Hammam, once again experiencing the grandeur 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, among the early-period mosques of the Ottoman Empire. The mosques are an important part of the city’s Islamic heritage and attract attention with their architecture. Finally, we have free time in the Turkish Bazaar. In this bazaar, you can find many products ranging from traditional handicrafts to souvenirs. After enjoying your time in the bazaar, we return to our hotel in the evening.
Dinner: An unforgettable dinner accompanied by traditional Balkan music and local dance performances awaits you. You will experience Skopje’s entertaining and cultural side during this special Balkan night and will be hosted at Restaurant Gardenia, one of the region’s most distinguished venues. With live performances of the finest Balkan music and folklore by our artists, all of whom are conservatory students and teachers and perform without playback, we will turn this evening into an authentic experience. We will be delighted to host you at our own establishment, Restaurant Gardenia Skopje. Overnight at our hotel in Skopje.
Balkan Night INCLUDED!
Day 2: Skopje - Pristina - Prizren - Skopje
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Upon arrival in Pristina, we begin our panoramic city tour, during which we will discover the modern and historical aspects of Kosovo. During our tour, we will also visit many valuable structures from the Ottoman period. We will see the Fatih Sultan Mehmed Mosque and the 18th-century Yaşar Pasha Mosque. During this journey through the city’s historical heritage, we will visit the mausoleum of Ottoman Sultan Murad I Hüdavendigâr, who was killed on the Kosovo Plain as a result of the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, giving us the opportunity to commemorate this important historical event and its place in Ottoman history. After our tour of Pristina, we depart for Prizren, known as Kosovo’s cultural capital. Upon arrival, we begin exploring the narrow streets of Prizren, whose architecture recalls an Anatolian Ottoman town 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. Halveti Tekke, Bayraklı Mosque and Mehmet Pasha Hammam are also among the other important Ottoman works we will see. After our 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, retire 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 3: Skopje – Belgrade
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and begin a pleasant journey toward Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Throughout history, Belgrade has been one of the Balkans’ most important cultural and strategic centers, and today it continues to attract attention with its liveliness, energy and historical texture. In this fascinating city, we will have the opportunity to discover the meeting point of Ottoman and European cultures. Upon our arrival in Belgrade, a panoramic city tour begins, during which we will discover the city’s full splendor. Here, you can feel the historical atmosphere and explore Belgrade’s character, which brings together its past and present. We then go to the point where the Sava River meets the Danube, one of the city’s most impressive locations. It will be a great pleasure to explore this unique area, which has been the focal point of many conquests and victories throughout history. As we continue discovering this ancient city, for whose conquest Fatih Sultan Mehmed was wounded but which was ultimately conquered by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, you will encounter Belgrade Fortress, used as a supply center by the Ottoman navy. While following the traces of history in this fortress, we will see important points such as the Fortress Square and Stone Square. During our tour, we will visit the mausoleum of Şehit Ali Pasha, an important figure of the Ottoman period. During these visits, you will explore Belgrade’s rich history in depth and learn about the city’s cultural heritage from the Ottoman period. At the end of our tour, we leave the city’s history and lively atmosphere behind and proceed to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Skopje – Belgrade: 430 km
Day 4: Belgrade – Sarajevo
After breakfast, we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, we discover a city that was the cultural capital of the Balkans for centuries and went down in history as the place where World War I broke out after Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated by Serbs in 1914. During the 1992 war, it suffered extensive damage as a result of the destructive fighting between Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks, but Sarajevo managed to preserve much of 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 was assassinated in 1914, the Old Library and the Western-style buildings constructed during the city’s 40-year Austro-Hungarian administration. After our tour, transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Belgrade - Sarajevo: 294 km
Day 5: Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj - Počitelj - Medjugorje
After breakfast, we depart from Sarajevo. Our first stop is Mostar, famous for its historical and cultural richness. Here, we will see Mostar Bridge, built in 1557 by architect Hayruddin and regarded as one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architecture. The bridge was destroyed in 1992 but was rebuilt in 2004 with the contribution of the Republic of Türkiye. After discovering Mostar’s captivating atmosphere, we will visit Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque. We then depart for Blagaj. Blagaj was established at the source of the Buna River, one of the most powerful springs in Europe. After a short period of free time here, we continue to Počitelj. Visiting Počitelj, preserved with its historical character and known as a Turkish Village, we will see the works built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. Finally, we depart for Medjugorje. Medjugorje is a peaceful place famous for its religious visitors. Upon arrival at our hotel, we retire 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 - Medjugorje: 20 km
Total distance to be covered: 192 km
Day 6: Medjugorje – Kotor – Budva – Sv. Stefan – Shkoder
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for captivating Kotor. You will enjoy magnificent views during our journey. Upon arriving in Kotor, during our walking tour of this medieval town famous for the fjords of the Balkans, you will feel the historical atmosphere of the narrow streets and old town and discover the heart of Kotor. With its unique architecture and sea views, 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! Following our panoramic city tour, we depart for Sv. Stefan, famous for its rich history and breathtaking views. We will admire the magnificent view of this islet from above. With every corner resembling a postcard, this area is an ideal place for photography. After all these discoveries, we continue to Shkoder, one of Albania’s beautiful cities. After dinner at our hotel, we retire to our rooms to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
Kotor Tour INCLUDED! | Budva Tour INCLUDED!
Medjugorje - Kotor: 191 km | Kotor - Budva: 22 km | Budva - Sv. Stefan: 15 km | Sv. Stefan - Shkoder: 85 km
Total distance to be covered: 313 km
Day 7: Shkoder – Tirana - Ohrid
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off for Tirana, the capital of Albania. In this beautiful city, rich in historical and cultural terms, an impressive tour awaits us as we discover Tirana, regarded as the center of Bektashism in Europe. Upon arriving in Tirana, we visit Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the city’s most important landmarks. Construction of this building began in 1789 and was completed in 1923; it is one of Albania’s cultural heritage sites. We take a short break in Skanderbeg Square and see the Skanderbeg Statue rising proudly in the center of the square. The Clock Tower, a symbol of Tirana commissioned by Ethem Bey in 1821, is another highlight of our tour. During this tour, Tirana’s modern face and historical past come together to help you create unforgettable memories. After free time, we continue toward Ohrid. Breathtaking views will accompany us along the way. Upon arriving in Ohrid, we will take a tour introducing the historic city of Ohrid, once one of the Ottoman Empire’s important bases in the Balkans. Among the places we will see during our tour are important structures such as the monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, 9th-century Byzantine monks believed to have developed the Cyrillic alphabet, and the Church of Hagia Sophia. We will also have the opportunity to stroll through Činar Square, the heart of the city, and visit the old Turkish Bazaar dating from the Ottoman period. Here, you can visit the Halveti Tekke and experience the city’s cultural character up close. Afterwards, you will witness the daily life of the local people as we explore the New Bazaar and Ohrid Market. Finally, Ohrid’s famous lake and its enchanting views will accompany our tour. After our tour, free time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight and dinner at our hotel. After dinner, you can enjoy Ohrid’s enchanting atmosphere in the quiet of the night, take a short walk along the lakeside or retire to your rooms to rest.
Tirana Tour INCLUDED!
Shkoder – Tirana: 100 km | Tirana – Ohrid: 135 km
Total distance to be covered: 235 km
Day 8: Ohrid – Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Skopje – Istanbul
After breakfast, we leave our hotel and set off to discover North Macedonia’s unique nature and cultural treasures. Our first stop is Tetovo (Kalkandelen), one of North Macedonia’s striking towns. Here, we will visit the Painted Mosque, one of the most colorful and impressive mosques in the Balkans. Built in the 15th century, this mosque will enchant you with the vivid colors and detailed decorations on its exterior. As we discover this rare example of Ottoman architecture, we will embark on a journey into the depths of history. Following our visit to Tetovo, we set off toward Skopje Airport. After arriving at the airport and completing the boarding procedures, we will fly to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 14:20 on AJet Airlines’ scheduled flight VF264. Following a comfortable flight, arrival in Istanbul at 16:50 and the end of our tour. We bid you farewell, wishing to see you again on your next journey.
Tetovo (Kalkandelen) Tour INCLUDED!
Ohrid – Tetovo (Kalkandelen): 131 km | Tetovo (Kalkandelen) – Skopje: 47 km
Total distance to be covered: 178 km
*Balkan Special Cancellation Protection Package: 50 Euros*
(Through the Cancellation Protection Package, 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 the event of cancellation, the entire tour fee is refunded, while the cancellation protection package fee and any additional service fees, if applicable (visa, insurance, etc.), are non-refundable.)
**The specified cancellation protection package is not valid for group reservations.**
**There is limited availability for each tour.**
Positive Aspects of the Tour
• Comprehensive Visits: A broad travel program covering important cities and tourist attractions in the Balkans is offered. Many significant cities, such as Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor, Ohrid and Skopje, are visited.
• Ottoman History: Important structures and cultural heritage from the Ottoman period are visited, providing an enjoyable experience for those interested in history.
• Religious and Cultural Richness: The region’s cultural diversity is explored by visiting structures belonging to different religions, including mosques, churches and synagogues.
• Natural Beauty: Magnificent natural attractions such as the Kotor fjords and Lake Ohrid are experienced throughout the tour.
• Visa-Free Travel: The tour includes destinations that do not require visas, reducing additional paperwork and costs.
• Professional Guidance: Accompanied by a guide, participants have the opportunity to obtain detailed information about the cities and historical sites.
• Local Cuisine Experience: Participants enjoy a gastronomic experience through dinners filled with traditional Bosnian dishes, Balkan cuisine and local flavors.
• All Tours Included: All excursions and additional tours included in the program are included in the tour price, allowing participants to visit all major attractions without paying an additional cost.
• Dinners Included: Dinner is included in the program every day, preventing participants from incurring extra expenses while tasting local flavors.
• No Need for Spending: The tour is ideal for guests who do not wish to spend money. Apart from lunch, optional tips and souvenirs for loved ones, you will not need to spend any additional money.
Points to Consider
• Intensive Program: Traveling to a different city every day makes the tour extremely rich and full of experiences. However, this busy pace may be tiring for those who want to explore more extensively.
• Long Journeys: Intercity distances, such as the journey between Skopje and Belgrade, are covered amid beautiful scenery throughout the tour, but there may be days involving long periods on the bus. Nevertheless, comfortable travel is ensured through breaks along the way.
• Limited Free Time: As the tour program is comprehensive, free time may be limited. However, it offers the opportunity to visit all major attractions with a guide.
• Seasonal Weather Conditions: Weather conditions in the Balkans can be variable during certain periods. Therefore, choosing suitable clothing can make this situation more comfortable.
• Accommodation and Service Quality: Although the hotels included in the tour have been carefully selected from among options reflecting the character and local culture of the region, hotels in some smaller cities may not offer facilities as extensive as luxury hotels in Türkiye. However, comfort and cleanliness are given careful attention at these hotels.
• Food and Culinary Experience: Throughout the tour, you will have the opportunity to try the region’s distinctive local flavors. Balkan cuisine is rich and full of delicious dishes, but some flavors may be unfamiliar to certain participants. This is a wonderful opportunity to become closely acquainted with the local culture and cuisine, although it may be useful to keep in mind that you may encounter different flavors.
City Hotel Breakfast Dinner
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Restaurant Gardenia
Skopje 4* Vlaho etc. Hotel Hotel
Belgrade 4* Nobel etc. Hotel Hotel
Sarajevo 4* Holiday etc. Hotel Hotel
Medjugorje 4* Sole etc. Hotel Hotel
Shkoder 4* Holiday Koplik etc. Hotel Hotel
Ohrid 4* Beograd etc. Hotel Hotel
With AJet Airlines
Departure Point Arrival Point Departure Time Arrival Time
Istanbul Skopje 12:50 13:20
Skopje Istanbul 14:20 16:50
What's Included
Included Services:
• Round trip plane tickets with AJet Airlines from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen HL. / Skopje / Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen HL.
• Accommodation for a total of 7 nights: 2 nights in Skopje, 1 night in Shkodra, 1 night in Medugorje and surroundings, 1 night in Sarajevo, 1 night in Belgrade, and 1 night in Ohrid at a 4-star hotel.
• Breakfasts
• Dinners to be taken at the hotel
• A Balkan Night embellished with food, entertainment, and folk shows
• All transfers specified in the program
• City tours mentioned in the program
• Pristina and Prizren (Kosovo) Tour
• Tetova (Kalkandelen) Tour
• Tirana Tour
• Blagaj Extra Tour
• Počitelj Extra Tour
• Mostar Tour
• Budva Tour
• Kotor Tour
• Professional Turkish guiding services
• Mandatory Insurance (Professional Liability)
Not Included
Services Not Included:
• International Exit Fee Stamp
• Travel Insurance
• Lunches
• All hotel extras and personal expenses
• City and Hotel taxes: (City tax, checkpoint fees, local service fees, handling fees, bus entry fees, and operational service costs, which involve a mandatory payment of 20 Euros per person, will be collected in cash by the guide on the first day of the tour)