Day tour of Stari Bar and Ulcinj, Montenegro from Tirana

Starting from Tirana at 8:00 we will head toward the North of Albania, toward the Montenegrin border. We will drive toward Shkoder, the biggest city in the Albanian North, as the border is located just before the city. While on the road we will see various castles situated on the top of hills, and testimonials of many wars, revolts, and troubles in history. 

Stopping by the Buna river with a stunning view of “Rozafa Castle” and the fascinating, almost brutal legend about the old devotions and sacrification. Short break. 

Going through the Montenegrin Border, we will drive for one more hour on a wandy road before we reach Stari Bar. Different from the other coastal fortress-style cities, the old town is situated on a hill near the base of Mt. Rumija. Making your way through the suburbs of Bar, you’ll eventually get your first glimpse of Stari Bar’s haunting ruins in the distance. With the mountains in the background, this is arguably one of Montenegro’s most striking locations. The base of the fortress is lined with numerous restaurants and souvenir shops where you will spot Olive Oil, Pomegranate Suruph, and plenty of delights and sweets, all masterly prepared by local artisans. Even though now all in ruins the fortress of Bar and the city inside it, consisted in 240 buildings where in between you could find Clock towers, mosques, churches, cathedrals, residences, and more. Wandering around the ruins you will dive into history when each stone has a story to tell. 

After Stari Bar, the next stop will be the coastal city of Ulcinj. Situated just at the border with Albania, this city is one of the biggest and the most important in the economy and tourism of the country. During the tour of Ulcinj, we will visit both the Old Town and the lower part next to the coast. Even though damaged by an earthquake in 1979 the Old Town still has remarkable values in architecture and culture. In addition, exploring the Old Town, you’ll pass by numerous cafes, restaurants, and scenic vantage points of the Adriatic. It’s also around here that you’ll encounter two noteworthy statues.

One of them depicts the legendary Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, who, according to legend, was once a slave in Ulcinj. And the character of Dulcinea from the novel Don Quixote is believed by some to be based on a local woman.

On our way back we will drive in the same direction to return back again to Tirana. Drop-off elsewhere will be available on request.