14 Day Guided Motorcycle Tour in Five Balkan Countries

Overview

Sofia, Bulgaria; Bitola - Ohrid, North Macedonia; Valbona - Lezha - Vlora - Saranda, Albania; Zabljak - Ulcinj, Montenegro; Thessaloniki, Greece

Highlights

• Starts in Sofia and ends in Sofia / Thessaloniki
• Ride around the lakes of Prepasko and Ohrid
• Visit the Monastery of St. Naum and Bulgarian and Albanian villages
• Explore the ancient city of Ulcinj
• Ride alongside the coast of Montenegro
• Incredible landscapes along the route
• 13 nights accommodation

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Sofia

   Upon arrival in Sofia, the largest city and capital of Bulgaria, transfer from the airport to the hotel. During dinner, there will be a brief meeting to introduce the route and applicable rules of your tour.

2. Day 2: Sofia - Bitola (380 kilometers / 237 miles)

   Your adventure begins. The route goes through small towns and villages in Bulgaria, soft mountains, and beautiful sceneries. Then you cross the border and the road flows into Northern Macedonia and the town of Bitola.

3. Day 3: Bitola - Ohrid (100 kilometers / 63 miles)

   From Bitola, you will enjoy the ride around the lakes of Prepasko and Ohrid. The Ohrid Lake is the oldest freshwater lake in Europe and it lies flat and calm with its clearwaters. On the lake shores, you will visit the Monastery of St. Naum - a magnificently massive complex built in the year 904. Overnight you spent in a complex looking over the lake.

4. Day 4: Ohrid - Valbona (290 kilometers / 180 miles)

   In the morning, you set off to Northern Macedonia and Debar Lake. After crossing the border with Albania, you continue your route to the Korab Mountain and spend the night in the beautiful valley of Valbona in the Albanian Alps.

5. Day 5: Rest day in Valbona

   Time to enjoy the view of the mountains, go for a hike, relax, and unwind in the spa.

6. Day 6: Valbona - Lezha (180 kilometers / 112 miles)

   Time for the famous mountain roads of Albania. The region of Shkoder, the lakes of Drina and lza - the real riding experience along curly roads and views. Overnight rest in Lezha at the seaside.

7. Day 7: Lezha - Zabljak (250 kilometers / 156 miles)

   On this day, you pass by the lake of Shkoder and after checking at the border with Montenegro, you point towards the mountain of Dormitor. For the night, you stay in the resort of Zabljak.

8. Day 8: Zabljak - Ulcinj (250 kilometers / 156 miles)

   It is time to enjoy the beauty of the azure Adriatic seaside near the city of Ulcinj - called the little Dubrovnik, because of the citadelle and the beautiful coats. You can choose to explore the ancient city or simply relax by the seaside. It will be terribly difficult to leave such beauty so you stay for one more day.

9. Day 9: Ulcinj

   Rest day. You will enjoy the purity of the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.

10. Day 10: Ulcinj - Vlora (260 kilometers / 162 miles)

    Today, your ride will take you alongside the coast of Montenegro and after that Albania - through the city of Durres towards Vlora - panoramic view over the sea and warm weather along. Your final destination for the day is the city of Vlora, where you will stay in a fantastic place looking over the coast.

11. Day 11: Vlora - Saranda (200 kilometers / 125 miles)

    In the morning, you will alongside the coast again and then immerge through the mountain road of the mountain of Girocaster, where the Roman Bridge, small Albanian villages, and beautiful views are waiting for you. For the night, you stay again in Saranda - the Albanian Riviera. It has some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. Albania’s Ionian coast has calm and crystal clear, turquoise waters and lots of green unspoiled areas. Some beaches are busy and full of entertainment, but there are also many quiet, and more secluded beaches.

12. Day 12: Saranda - Thessaloniki (380 kilometers / 237 miles)

    You say farewell to Albania and head towards Greece and its mountains - Pindos National Park and Kozani. You will also pass by the dominating rock massif, Mount Olympus. It stretches skyward in the Greek azure, higher than any other mountain in the country. It is a paradigm of the uppermost respect the people bore for all things glorious. The mountain is known as the home of the Ancient Greek Gods.

13. Day 13: Thessaloniki

    Rest day for shopping and walking through the city. The metropolis of Thessaloniki has a population of over a million and is the biggest city in the northern part of Greece. It is famous for its bouzouki places (live music) and cozy cafeterias, where people sit, have good coffee, chat, and watch others passing by. You can also have nice beach time as your hotel borders the sea coast or visit the spa center in Khalkidhiki. As this is the last day before departure, you will have a final dinner and share impressions and photos of the trip.

14. Day 14: Departure day

    This is the last day of your amazing motorcycle trip around the Balkans. You will head back to Sofia or fly from Thessaloniki directly. Your Balkan adventures end here, and it is time to fly back home.

Ride Details

Terrain

Mountains, panoramic roads, and sea coast

Bike

personal or rental bike (BMW F 850 GS, BMW R 1250 GS, BMW R 1250 GS Adventure)

Mileage

2400 kilometers / 1491 miles

Daily rides

100 - 380 kilometers / 63 - 237 miles

Riding gear

It is obligatory to wear a helmet in Bulgaria

Meals

Breakfast and dinner at the hotels, lunches while driving

Accommodation

You will stay in first-class four- or five-star hotels.

Food

You will be served daily breakfast and dinner as well as lunches while driving included in the price.

Getting There

This tour will take you to five countries: Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, and Greece. Highlights of the tour include Sofia, Bitola, Ohrid, Valbona, Lezha, Vlora, Saranda, Zabljak, Ulcinj, and Thessaloniki. [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/khlmototravel/14-day-guided-balkanika-adventure-motorcycle-tour-in-5-countries# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/khlmototravel/14-day-guide