Balkans Travel Plan

Travelling From North Macedonia to Kosvo and Albania By Bus

Starting from the Rafina Port of Athens, we took the airport bus near the port, which cost around EUR 3.5 per person. We then boarded an Aegean Airlines flight to Skopje. The flights from Athens to Skopje are usually available only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, please check the schedule via Skycanner for travel plan.

We took Aegean Airlines which provided one of the best flying experiences we had during our two-week vacation. Their seats were comfortable, and they also included free meal for all passengers. The budget level exceeded our expectations, especially for a budget airline on a short-haul flight.

3 Days in Skopje

We began second part of our two week vacation in Skopje North Macedonia. It’s an incredible place that offers a blend of city arts and opportunities for short trips into nature. It is a very special city with statues of various kinds, thanks to the government’s initiative called “Skopje 2014.” While the plan was controversial, it has at least created several tourists spots for photo.

Near the city center, we explored the Mother Teresa Memorial House, Old Bazaar, and the Skopje Fortress. These attractions are all within walking distance suitable for short-term visit, even for day trip.

The Millennium Cross & Matka Canyon

There are also two other famous spots namely: the Millennium Cross and Matka Canyon. We discovered these only during the morning free walking tour on day 2.

Despite the short time, we still managed to visit Matka Canyon and took a boat ride to Verlo Cave. Blessed with luck, we were able to take the last boat for the cave visit at around 5 PM. On day 3, before departing for Kosovo, we made use of the morning on day 3 to visit the Millennium Cross.

It surprised us that the buses in Skopje are free of charge on Saturdays. Furthermore, there are a couple of hidden gems worth exploring in Skopje. The City Trade Center near Macedonian Square is a nostalgic shopping complex with local supermarkets and food.

Shopping Center Vero near the Central Bus Station was also a great place for a short stay before departing Skopje. This mall features a fantastic food court on the second floor and a large Vero supermarket on the first floor. It’s a great place to spend your remaining Macedonian Denar. We had lunch there before we headed to Pristina.

Please find the to do list below.

Balkans Travel Plan – Recommended To Do List For 3-day Trip Planning In Skopje

3 Days in Pristina

We took a two-hour bus ride from Skopje Central Bus Station to Pristina Bus Station. The bus ticket cost 1500 dinar (~ 8 EUR) per person. The Pristina bus station is quite far from the city center, so we purchased the bus ticket to Albania for EUR 15.5 per person on Day 1. As it was our first time in Pristina, we opted to take a taxi for 20 EUR to the hostel. Given it was already after 8 PM, we chose to have our dinner at KFC while walking around the city.

Note: Later we discovered the bus routes for Pristina are readily available on Google Maps, costing only EUR 0.5 per person.

Pristina as one of the youngest countries in the world was an intriguing destination for us. It was also a personal achievement for me to complete first loop for all Balkan Countries. The icons in Pristina may not be as historical as other Balkan Countries. However, the city gave us a unique feeling as the locals were extremely welcoming and friendly. As a tourist, it is impossible for you not to receive any greeting there.

The Hidden Gems In Pristina

Apart from the NEWBORN and other icons, we discovered two interesting facts about the country:

1. Kosovo & Albania Flag: We noticed a prevalence of Albanian flags (red background with a black double-headed eagle in the center) in Pristina, sometimes even more than Kosovo flags (blue background with the map of Kosovo and six stars). After conducting some research, we learned that this is because around 90% of the Kosovo population is Albanian.

2. Goddess on the Throne: The Goddess on the Throne is a significant symbol in Pristina, and we encountered numerous statues of it in the Kosovo Museum. Although we couldn’t find the specific story behind the idol, we were informed that it is one of the oldest artifacts found in the area and was chosen as the symbol of the city.

After a two-night stay in Pristina, we took the bus to our final destination of Balkan hopping – Tirana. You may find our to-do list for below.

Balkans Travel Plan – Recommended To Do List For 3-day Trip Planning In Pristina

3 Days in Tirana

It is my second time in Tirana (the first time for my fiancée and my friend) since 2019. The bus station was conveniently located within a 20-minute walking distance to Skanderbeg Square. Since my last visit, Albania has undergone significant changes. Unfortunately, the Pyramid of Tirana, which had served as a museum and NATO base has been demolished. A new structure shall replace that but locals say it may take years for completion.

However, many of the must-visit landmarks in Tirana are still intact. Skanderbeg Square and its surroundings offer plenty of attractions worth exploring. The must-visits includeBunk’Art 2 (entrance fee of 1500 lek per person), the National Historical Museum, The Cloud, I Love Tirana, Et’hem Bej Mosque, and Tirana Castle. I felt very grateful for visiting them again, especially with my fiancée and best adventure friend.

Among these attractions, Bunk’Art 2, a museum housed in a bunker, is a must-visit place for travelers to Tirana. While Bunk’Art 1 is also worth visiting, it is relatively far.

To reach Bunk’Art 1, we needed to take an approximately 30-minute bus ride from Skanderbeg Square. The bus station is at the opposite the Friendship Monument. We embarked on our visit in the morning and completed it around 1 PM. Bunk’Art is perhaps one of the largest bunker museums in the world.

After the 3 day visits, we ended flied back to Athens for the final part of our two-week vacation.

Balkans Travel Plan – Recommended To Do List For 3-day Trip Planning In Tirana