VIA EGNATIA BALKAN TOUR
A Via Egnatia Balkan Tour offers an incredible journey through history, culture, and natural beauty, following the path of the ancient Roman road, the Via Egnatia. This road, built in the 2nd century BCE, connected Dyrrachium (modern-day Durrës, Albania) on the Adriatic Sea with Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) on the Bosporus. It passed through significant regions of what is now Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey.
Tips
The Via Egnatia route is long, and driving by car or coach is the most convenient option to explore each city in-depth.
Make sure to check visa requirements for Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey based on your nationality. Most of these countries are visa-free for EU
Make sure to check visa requirements for Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey based on your nationality. Most of these countries are visa-free for EU
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Durrës, Albania
Morning:
- Arrive in Durrës – The starting point of the Via Egnatia in Albania.
- Visit the Durrës Archaeological Museum – Explore Roman mosaics and ancient artifacts.
- Explore the Durrës Amphitheater – One of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the Balkans, and the Venetian Tower.
Afternoon:
- Lunch at a seafood restaurant – Enjoy fresh seafood by the beach.
- Visit the Byzantine Forum – Walk along remnants of the ancient Via Egnatia road visible in the city.
Evening:
- Dinner by the sea – Enjoy a relaxed evening in Durrës.
- Overnight stay in Durrës.
Morning:
- Arrive in Durrës – The starting point of the Via Egnatia in Albania.
- Visit the Durrës Archaeological Museum – Explore Roman mosaics and ancient artifacts.
- Explore the Durrës Amphitheater – One of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the Balkans, and the Venetian Tower.
Afternoon:
- Lunch at a seafood restaurant – Enjoy fresh seafood by the beach.
- Visit the Byzantine Forum – Walk along remnants of the ancient Via Egnatia road visible in the city.
Evening:
- Dinner by the sea – Enjoy a relaxed evening in Durrës.
- Overnight stay in Durrës.
Day 2: Durrës to Tirana to Shkodra
Morning:
- Drive to Tirana – About 1 hour from Durrës.
- Visit Skanderbeg Square – Explore Tirana’s National History Museum to understand Albania’s ancient history and its Roman Empire connections.
Afternoon:
- Lunch in Tirana – Enjoy traditional Albanian food.
- Drive to Shkodra – About 1.5 hours from Tirana.
- Visit Rozafa Castle – A historic site offering stunning views of the city and Lake Shkodra.
Evening:
- Dinner in Shkodra – Traditional dishes.
- Overnight stay in Shkodra.
Morning:
- Drive to Tirana – About 1 hour from Durrës.
- Visit Skanderbeg Square – Explore Tirana’s National History Museum to understand Albania’s ancient history and its Roman Empire connections.
Afternoon:
- Lunch in Tirana – Enjoy traditional Albanian food.
- Drive to Shkodra – About 1.5 hours from Tirana.
- Visit Rozafa Castle – A historic site offering stunning views of the city and Lake Shkodra.
Evening:
- Dinner in Shkodra – Traditional dishes.
- Overnight stay in Shkodra.
ADVENTURE TOUR FOR 7 DAYS
Day 3: Shkodra to Ohrid, North Macedonia
Morning:
- Drive to Ohrid – About 3 hours. Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits on Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest lakes.
Afternoon:
- Explore Ohrid Fortress – Visit the Church of Saint Sophia with impressive frescoes.
- Visit Saint John at Kaneo – A church offering panoramic views of Lake Ohrid.
Evening:
- Dinner in Ohrid – Traditional Macedonian cuisine.
- Overnight stay in Ohrid.
Morning:
- Drive to Ohrid – About 3 hours. Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits on Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest lakes.
Afternoon:
- Explore Ohrid Fortress – Visit the Church of Saint Sophia with impressive frescoes.
- Visit Saint John at Kaneo – A church offering panoramic views of Lake Ohrid.
Evening:
- Dinner in Ohrid – Traditional Macedonian cuisine.
- Overnight stay in Ohrid.
Day 4: Ohrid to Bitola to Skopje
Morning:
- Drive to Bitola – About 1 hour from Ohrid.
- Visit Heraclea Lyncestis ruins – Explore Roman Theatre, Basilicas, and Mosaics.
Afternoon:
- Lunch in Bitola.
- Drive to Skopje – About 2 hours from Bitola.
- Explore the Old Bazaar, Stone Bridge, and Macedonia Square – Discover Skopje’s Ottoman and Roman heritage.
Evening:
- Dinner in Skopje – Try dishes like tavče gravče (bean stew).
- Overnight stay in Skopje.
Morning:
- Drive to Bitola – About 1 hour from Ohrid.
- Visit Heraclea Lyncestis ruins – Explore Roman Theatre, Basilicas, and Mosaics.
Afternoon:
- Lunch in Bitola.
- Drive to Skopje – About 2 hours from Bitola.
- Explore the Old Bazaar, Stone Bridge, and Macedonia Square – Discover Skopje’s Ottoman and Roman heritage.
Evening:
- Dinner in Skopje – Try dishes like tavče gravče (bean stew).
- Overnight stay in Skopje.
Day 5: Skopje to Thessaloniki, Greece
Morning:
- Drive to Thessaloniki – About 3.5 hours. Thessaloniki was a key Roman city on the Via Egnatia.
Afternoon:
- Visit Arch of Galerius and Roman Forum – Remnants of Roman influence.
- Explore White Tower, Rotunda, and Byzantine Walls – A blend of Roman and Byzantine history.
Evening:
- Dinner in Thessaloniki – Traditional Greek dishes like souvlaki and moussaka.
- Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.
Morning:
- Drive to Thessaloniki – About 3.5 hours. Thessaloniki was a key Roman city on the Via Egnatia.
Afternoon:
- Visit Arch of Galerius and Roman Forum – Remnants of Roman influence.
- Explore White Tower, Rotunda, and Byzantine Walls – A blend of Roman and Byzantine history.
Evening:
- Dinner in Thessaloniki – Traditional Greek dishes like souvlaki and moussaka.
- Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.
ADVENTURE TOUR FOR 7 DAYS
Day 6: Thessaloniki to Kavala and Philippi
Morning:
- Drive to Kavala – About 1 hour. Kavala boasts ancient Roman ruins.
- Visit Roman Aqueduct and Kavala Castle.
Afternoon:
- Drive to Philippi – About 30 minutes. Explore the Philippi Archaeological Site, a UNESCO site with Roman Forum, Basilicas, Theatre, and Prison of Saint Paul.
Evening:
- Return to Kavala – Enjoy a relaxed dinner by the sea.
- Overnight stay in Kavala.
Morning:
- Drive to Kavala – About 1 hour. Kavala boasts ancient Roman ruins.
- Visit Roman Aqueduct and Kavala Castle.
Afternoon:
- Drive to Philippi – About 30 minutes. Explore the Philippi Archaeological Site, a UNESCO site with Roman Forum, Basilicas, Theatre, and Prison of Saint Paul.
Evening:
- Return to Kavala – Enjoy a relaxed dinner by the sea.
- Overnight stay in Kavala.
Day 7: Kavala to Istanbul, Turkey
Morning:
- Drive to Istanbul – About 5 hours. Istanbul was the eastern terminus of the Via Egnatia and holds immense historical significance.
Afternoon:
- Explore Istanbul’s Old City – Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, remnants of Byzantine and Ottoman rule.
- Walk along the Basilica Cistern and Hippodrome, site of ancient Roman chariot races.
Evening:
- Dinner in Istanbul – Try classic Turkish dishes like kebabs and baklava.
- Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Morning:
- Drive to Istanbul – About 5 hours. Istanbul was the eastern terminus of the Via Egnatia and holds immense historical significance.
Afternoon:
- Explore Istanbul’s Old City – Visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, remnants of Byzantine and Ottoman rule.
- Walk along the Basilica Cistern and Hippodrome, site of ancient Roman chariot races.
Evening:
- Dinner in Istanbul – Try classic Turkish dishes like kebabs and baklava.
- Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 8: Istanbul, Turkey
Morning:
- Visit the Roman Forum – Explore the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.
- Walk around Beyazit Square – See remnants of the Via Egnatia.
Afternoon:
- Cruise on the Bosphorus – Enjoy views of the city that straddles Europe and Asia.
- Visit the Chora Church – Famous for its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
Evening:
- Farewell dinner – Enjoy a traditional Turkish tea and dinner before departure.
Morning:
- Visit the Roman Forum – Explore the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.
- Walk around Beyazit Square – See remnants of the Via Egnatia.
Afternoon:
- Cruise on the Bosphorus – Enjoy views of the city that straddles Europe and Asia.
- Visit the Chora Church – Famous for its Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.
Evening:
- Farewell dinner – Enjoy a traditional Turkish tea and dinner before departure.