Self-Launched Balkans: 12 Days of Mountains, Lakes & Coastline
12 days · Balkans (Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo & Montenegro)
Go as Local charges £1,350
No-markup version: ~£600 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A independently-planned, self-launched version of Go as Local's 12-day Balkan circuit — Tirana, Berat, the Albanian Riviera, Gjirokastër, Korçë, Lake Ohrid, Skopje, Prizren, Kotor and the Budva coast. You'll cover the same towns and landscapes using intercity buses, shared fardas (minibuses) and the odd taxi, staying in hostels and family guesthouses rather than 3-4 star hotels, and booking the handful of genuinely worth-it guided bits (Ohrid walking tour, Matka Canyon boat, Kotor walls) à la carte. Expect long but scenic travel days across four countries and three currencies — this is a fast-paced loop best suited to backpackers comfortable with early buses and rough timetables.
Day-by-day
Arrive Tirana — old town on foot
Tirana, Albania
Land at Tirana Nënë Tereza airport and take the Rinas Express airport bus to the city centre (roughly 400 lek / £3.50, 30-40 mins). Check into a hostel or guesthouse near Blloku or the centre, then do your own walking loop: Skanderbeg Square, Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Pyramid, Bunk'Art 2 and the colourful houses along Rruga Sali Shijaku. Free walking tours (tip-based, ~£5-8 tip) leave from Skanderbeg Square daily — a good swap for the tour's included guided walk. Dinner of tavë kosi or byrek for £5-7.
🚌Airport bus Rinas Express ~£3.50; everything else on foot
🛏Hostel dorm or private guesthouse room, central Tirana (~£16/night)
- →Free/tip-based Tirana walking tour
- →Bunk'Art 2 museum (~£4)
- →Skanderbeg Square & Et'hem Bey Mosque
- →Blloku café strip in the evening
Durrës ruins, then bus to Berat
Durrës & Berat, Albania
Morning bus or furgon from Tirana to Durrës (~45 mins, ~£1.50). Walk the seafront, see the Roman Amphitheatre (small entry fee) and the Venetian Tower inside the city walls. Then take a bus back through Tirana or a direct furgon to Berat (~2.5-3 hrs, ~£4-5). Arrive late afternoon, check into a family guesthouse in the Mangalem or Gorica quarter — many are restored Ottoman houses with superb views. Evening wander across the Gorica Bridge and eat at a local grill house (£7-9).
🚌Tirana–Durrës bus ~£1.50; Durrës–Berat ~£4-5
🛏Guesthouse in Mangalem/Gorica quarter, Berat (~£17/night)
- →Roman Amphitheatre, Durrës
- →Venetian Tower & city walls
- →Sunset walk over Gorica Bridge
Berat old town, then the Albanian Riviera to Sarandë
Berat → Vlorë → Sarandë, Albania
Climb to Berat Castle early (free to enter, small fee for the icon museum) before the heat, then catch the morning bus to Vlorë (~2 hrs, ~£3.50). Lunch on the Vlorë promenade, then continue south — the coastal road to Sarandë is the Albanian Riviera highlight, with the Llogara Pass and Himarë en route. Buses run several times daily in summer (~3 hrs, ~£5); in shoulder season confirm times at the Vlorë bus station the day before. Sleep in Sarandë near the seafront and eat fresh seafood or grilled fish (£8-10).
🚌Berat–Vlorë ~£3.50; Vlorë–Sarandë ~£5
🛏Hostel or budget seafront hotel, Sarandë (~£18/night)
- →Berat Castle & icon museum
- →Vlorë promenade
- →Llogara Pass / Albanian Riviera views
- →Sarandë seafront evening
Butrint option, then Gjirokastër's stone town
Sarandë & Gjirokastër, Albania
If you want the Riviera's best ruins, do a half-day trip to Butrint UNESCO site by local bus from Sarandë (~£2 each way, entry ~£8) before heading north. Otherwise take a late-morning furgon/bus to Gjirokastër (~1.5 hrs, ~£3). Once there, explore the old bazaar, the Ethnographic Museum in Enver Hoxha's birth house, and Gjirokastër Castle (entry ~£2-3) with its captured artillery and Cold War tunnel. Stone-alley wandering and a byrek-and-qofte dinner (£6-8).
🚌Local bus Sarandë–Butrint ~£2 (optional); Sarandë–Gjirokastër ~£3
🛏Stone-house guesthouse in Gjirokastër old town (~£16/night)
- →Butrint archaeological park (optional, ~£8)
- →Gjirokastër Castle (~£3)
- →Old bazaar & Ethnographic Museum
- →Cold War tunnel
Permet thermal springs & the long road to Korçë
Permet & Korçë, Albania
Take an early furgon from Gjirokastër to Përmet (~1.5 hrs, ~£2.50), dropping at the Benja thermal springs for a soak in the warm sulphur pools ($1-2 entry) — bring a towel and old swimwear. Back into Përmet town for lunch by the Vjosa River, then continue to Korçë via Ersekë and the mountain pass (several hours, ~£6-8, changing or catching a through minibus — check schedules at the Përmet bus stop). Korçë is a lively student town with a beautiful pedestrian boulevard; evening stroll and dinner (£7-9).
🚌Furgons Gjirokastër–Përmet ~£2.50; Përmet–Korçë ~£6-8
🛏Hostel or guesthouse near Korçë centre (~£15/night)
- →Benja thermal springs
- →Vjosa River viewpoint
- →Korçë pedestrian boulevard & cathedral
- →Korçë old town cafés
Lake Prespa & Pogradec on Lake Ohrid
Korçë → Prespa → Pogradec, Albania
Rent a bike or grab a shared taxi/furgon toward the Prespa lakes region for the morning — the twin lakes have a small island church (Mali i Gradës) and birdlife; a bike hire is around £8-10/day. Then take a bus from Korçë to Pogradec on the Albanian shore of Lake Ohrid (~1.5 hrs, ~£2.50). Pogradec is a low-key resort town with a good promenade and Drilon springs nearby. Swim if it's summer, then relax with a lakeside dinner of koran fish (£8-10).
🚌Bike hire ~£9; bus Korçë–Pogradec ~£2.50
🛏Budget hotel or guesthouse in Pogradec (~£15/night)
- →Lake Prespa lakeshore cycling/walking
- →Pogradec promenade
- →Drilon springs (optional)
- →Lake Ohrid swim
Across the border: St. Naum, Ohrid & Vevčani to Skopje
Pogradec → St. Naum → Ohrid → Skopje, North Macedonia
Take an early boat or bus across to St. Naum Monastery on the Macedonian side (boats from Pogradec run in high season ~£10; otherwise cross at Qafë Thanë by bus/taxi and take a local bus to St. Naum). See the monastery and the springs, then local bus to Ohrid (~£1.50). Join a tip-based or GetYourGuide old-town walking tour (~£10-15) covering the Church of St. Sophia, the amphitheatre and the fortress. Optional detour to Vevčani village (shared taxi/taxi ~£10 return). Evening bus Ohrid–Skopje (~3 hrs, ~£7-9) and check in near the old bazaar.
🚌Cross-border boat/bus ~£6-10; St. Naum–Ohrid bus ~£1.50; Ohrid–Skopje bus ~£8
🛏Hostel in Skopje old bazaar/centre (~£14/night)
- →St. Naum Monastery & springs
- →Ohrid old town walking tour (~£12)
- →Samuel's Fortress & ancient theatre
- →Vevčani village (optional)
Matka Canyon & Tetovo's Painted Mosque
Skopje, Matka & Tetovo, North Macedonia
Local bus #60 from Skopje to Matka Canyon (~40 mins, ~£1). Hike one of the marked canyon trails (free) and take the small boat to St. Andrew's Monastery cave church (~£8-10 return, bookable at the dock or via GetYourGuide). Afternoon: bus to Tetovo (~1 hr, ~£2.50) for the extraordinary Painted Mosque (Šarena Džamija) and the Arabati Baba Teḱe. Return to Skopje for dinner at a kafana in the old bazaar (~£8-10) and an evening along the Vardar.
🚌Bus #60 to Matka ~£1; Skopje–Tetovo return ~£5
🛏Hostel in Skopje (~£14/night)
- →Matka Canyon hike
- →St. Andrew's Monastery boat (~£9)
- →Painted Mosque, Tetovo
- →Skopje old bazaar kafana dinner
Into Kosovo: Pristina & Prizren
Skopje → Pristina → Prizren, Kosovo
Morning bus from Skopje to Pristina (~2 hrs, ~£6-7). Drop bags, see the Newborn monument, Mother Teresa Cathedral and the bazaar, then continue by bus to Prizren (~1.5 hrs, ~£3). In Prizren, walk the old town, the Sinan Pasha Mosque, the stone bridge and climb to Prizren Fortress for sunset (free). If you want the White Drin waterfall and Prekaz memorial, they need a car — either hire one for a day (~£35-45) or skip; the tour squeezes them in, self-launchers usually don't. Dinner of flija or grilled meats (£7-9).
🚌Skopje–Pristina ~£6.50; Pristina–Prizren ~£3
🛏Guesthouse in Prizren old town (~£15/night)
- →Pristina Newborn monument & bazaar
- →Prizren old town & Sinan Pasha Mosque
- →Prizren Fortress sunset walk
- →Optional hired-car day to White Drin waterfall (~£40)
Shkodër & the Budva coast
Prizren → Shkodër → Budva, Montenegro
Long travel day. Bus Prizren–Prizren/Shkodër via Prizren–Kukës or via Tirana depending on schedules (~5-6 hrs total, ~£12-15) — an early start is essential. Break the journey in Shkodër to see the Rozafa Castle and the pedestrian centre (bus station is a short walk/taxi from town). Then continue Shkodër–Budva by bus via Bar/Hransa crossing (~2.5 hrs, ~£5-6). Check into a hostel or sobe (private rooms) in Budva old town or Slovenska Beach. Evening swim and a seafood dinner (£9-11).
🚌Prizren–Shkodër ~£13; Shkodër–Budva ~£5.50
🛏Hostel or sobe private room, Budva (~£20/night)
- →Shkodër Rozafa Castle
- →Shkodër pedestrian centre
- →Budva old town & citadel at dusk
- →Slovenska Beach swim
Kotor's walls & Cetinje's royal history
Budva → Kotor → Cetinje → Budva, Montenegro
Local bus Budva–Kotor (~40 mins, ~£2) then climb the Kotor city walls to San Giovanni fortress — 1,350 steps, ~£8 entry, best done early before the heat and cruise crowds. Wander Kotor's old town and cathedral, then take the scenic Lovćen road bus or a shared taxi to Cetinje (~1 hr, ~£4) for the Cetinje Monastery, King Nikola's Museum and the former royal palaces (combined tickets ~£5). Return to Budva for a swim, promenade stroll and dinner (£9-11).
🚌Budva–Kotor ~£2; Kotor–Cetinje ~£4; Cetinje–Budva ~£4
🛏Hostel or sobe private room, Budva (~£20/night)
- →Kotor city walls / San Giovanni fortress (~£8)
- →Kotor old town & St. Tryphon Cathedral
- →Cetinje Monastery & royal museums (~£5)
- →Bay of Kotor viewpoint
Stari Bar, Ulcinj & back to Tirana
Stari Bar → Ulcinj → Tirana, Albania
Morning bus from Budva to Bar (~50 mins, ~£2), then a local bus or taxi up to Stari Bar's ruined fortress town (~£1.50-4, entry ~£2) — atmospheric stone ruins and an old aqueduct. Continue to Ulcinj (~40 mins, ~£2.50) for the old town walls, the Mala Plaža beach and a final seaside lunch. Cross back into Albania via the Sukobin–Murriqan border by bus (~2 hrs to Shkodër, ~£4) and onward to Tirana (~2 hrs, ~£5) — if you're flying out of Podgorica or Tivat instead, just head back north from Ulcinj, which is often cheaper.
🚌Budva–Bar ~£2; Bar–Stari Bar ~£2; Ulcinj–Shkodër ~£4; Shkodër–Tirana ~£5
🛏Optional final night in Tirana hostel (~£16) if not flying out same day
- →Stari Bar fortress ruins
- →Ulcinj old town & Mala Plaža beach
- →Final seafood lunch by the Adriatic
Self-launched vs. Go as Local
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Go as Local | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£600 | £1,350 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £750 per person (56%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Go as Local-style trips? Check them out here.~£600
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Balkans: 12 Days of Mountains, Lakes & Coastline cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £600 per person for 12 days in Balkans (Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo & Montenegro). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Go as Local?+
Yes — Go as Local charges around £1,350 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £600 — a saving of roughly £750 (56%) per person.
How long is the Balkans (Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo & Montenegro) trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Balkans (Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo & Montenegro).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Balkans (Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo & Montenegro), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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