Hidden Gems: Albania and North Macedonia Tours

Lake Ohrid represents one of the most remarkable natural and cultural phenomena in Europe, straddling the border between North Macedonia and Albania as one of the continent’s deepest and oldest lakes. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 for its extraordinary natural values and extended in 1980 to include the historic city of Ohrid, this glacial lake encompasses approximately 94,729 hectares of extraordinary biodiversity and cultural significance.

The town of Ohrid, situated on the lake’s northern shore in North Macedonia, represents one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited settlements, with evidence of human occupation dating back thousands of years. Built primarily between the 7th and 19th centuries, Ohrid evolved into a crucial center for Slav Orthodox culture, spreading religious traditions and architectural innovations throughout eastern Europe.

The Church of Sveti Kliment i Pantelejmon, located atop Ohrid’s Old Town, showcases the region’s most impressive medieval religious architecture. This multidomed structure represents one of the oldest Slav monasteries, founded by Saint Clement of Ohrid in the 9th century. The church interior contains priceless Byzantine icons dating from the 11th to 14th centuries, with particularly renowned works by masters Michael and Eutychius.

The St. Bogorodica Perivlepta Church, featuring vivid biblical frescoes painted by the aforementioned Byzantine masters, provides spectacular lake and old town views from its terrace. Seven early Christian basilicas have been discovered through archaeological excavations in Ohrid’s historic center, with particularly impressive mosaic floors adorning several structures.

The Old Town itself preserves the best-preserved and most complete ensemble of ancient urban architecture in the Balkans, featuring traditional late-Ottoman residential buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. The narrow, winding streets facilitate intimate exploration, with hidden plazas, traditional restaurants, and artisan workshops offering glimpses into centuries-old Balkan life.

Summer months (July-August) bring crowded conditions but also warm, crystalline lake waters perfect for swimming from the Ohrid Boardwalk, where restored beaches and waterfront restaurants provide relaxation opportunities. The Ohrid Summer Festival (August) features cultural performances on lakeside stages. However, May-June and September-October offer ideal conditions with mild weather, fewer tourists, and comfortable hiking temperatures.

Perched on steep hillsides above the Osum River in central Albania, Berat enchants visitors with its architectural authenticity and atmospheric old town that seems frozen in the 18th century. Known locally as the “City of 1,000 Windows” for its distinctive stone houses stacked precariously on hillsides with numerous large windows overlooking the river valley, Berat earned UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2008 as a rare preserved example of Ottoman-era urban architecture.

The town divides into two distinct quarters: the Goritsa (Old Slavonic for “Little Village”) on the western bank featuring Christian architecture and traditional dwellings, and the Moré-Tchélépi Muslim quarter on the eastern bank. A magnificent 1780 Turkish bridge connects these quarters, creating visual and functional separation while facilitating cultural exchange.

The Kala Fortress dominates Berat’s skyline, accessible via a steep cobbled path ascending twenty minutes through the old town’s heart. Within fortress walls, whitewashed medieval churches and traditional stone houses create a sacred precinct that offers panoramic views encompassing the Osum River valley and surrounding mountains. The fortress contains approximately 40 preserved houses, representing continuous habitation from the 4th century BC through the Ottoman period to present day.

Berat’s importance in Albanian history extends beyond architecture-in 1944, the communist-controlled Anti-Fascist National Liberation Council proclaimed itself as provisional government within fortress walls, marking a pivotal moment in modern Albanian history. The town served as the southern capital during the late 19th-century Albanian nationalist movement, making it central to the nation’s independence struggle.

The old bazaar remains vibrant with traditional craftspeople producing handmade carpets, embroidered textiles, silver jewelry, and ceramics using techniques unchanged for centuries. Evening strolls along the river promenade reveal why Berat inspired countless artists and why UNESCO protectors consider it one of the Balkans’ most intact Ottoman ensembles.

Dramatic fortress towers rising above stone-roofed houses characterize Gjirokastër, known throughout the Balkans as the “Stone City” for its distinctive architecture and medieval atmosphere. Located in southern Albania approximately 140 kilometers south of Berat, Gjirokastër occupies a hillside overlooking the Drino Valley, creating visual drama that invites continuous exploration.

The majority of existing buildings in Gjirokastër date from the 17th and 18th centuries, representing a distinctive Balkan housing typology. Typical houses consist of tall stone block structures rising up to five stories, with external and internal staircases surrounding buildings. The lower stories contain cisterns and stables, while upper levels comprise guest rooms, family quarters with fireplaces, and additional rooms connected by internal stairs accommodating extended families.

The signature “City of Stone” nickname derives from distinctive flat dressed stone roofs-a design feature rare in southern Europe except in Greece’s Pelion district. This building style stems from fortified country houses typical of southern Albania, adapted to urban settings and creating the illusion that medieval architecture has been preserved unchanged for centuries.

The Gjirokastër Fortress dominates the town from a commanding plateau, visible from virtually every street corner. Originally built in the medieval period with additions during the 19th and 20th centuries by Ali Pasha of Ioannina and King Zog I of Albania, the fortress currently possesses five towers, a clock tower, church, water fountains, horse stables, and comprehensive military museum.

The historic old bazaar built in the 17th century contains over 500 preserved cultural monuments and over 500 preserved homes recognized officially as heritage sites. The Gjirokastër Mosque (built 1757) dominates the bazaar with Ottoman elegance. Traditional restaurants serve authentic Albanian specialties like qofte (meatballs) and byrek, providing culinary exploration alongside architectural discovery.

The Zekate House and Skenduli House preserve 18th-century traditional tower houses with meticulously maintained wooden ceilings, original furnishings, and unique blends of Albanian-Ottoman architectural influences. Guided tours through these preserved dwellings provide intimate insight into centuries-old lifestyle, domestic organization, and design principles.

For history enthusiasts, Ali Pasha’s Bridge-actually remnants of a larger medieval structure-offers a scenic hike with valley vistas, while the Obelisk viewpoint provides elevated perspectives encompassing the entire Drino Valley panorama.

Nestled in the Accursed Mountains (Malësi e Prokletit) in northern Albania, Theth National Park represents one of Europe’s most dramatic and least-explored mountain destinations. This remote valley village, home to fewer than 400 residents, has transformed from complete isolation into a trekking destination that rivals Alps experiences while maintaining authentic Balkan traditions.

Theth Valley sits surrounded by jagged alpine peaks exceeding 2,400 meters