Albania Itinerary: 11 Nights, 12 Days

About this Itinerary

We hope you have an unforgettable trip full of fun and excitement, and a chance to discover new sights and unique experiences. This 11-night, 12-day programme is a great opportunity to explore the finest tourist attractions, experience new cultures, and enjoy delicious local dishes that add real flavour to your trip. This journey opens the door to adventure and discovery in a world full of charm and beauty.

Itinerary

Day 1

Head to the hotel to check in, then some time to rest before our first tour: Skanderbeg Square – the monument – the Clock Tower – the Tirana Palace of Culture – the National Theatre (Opera House) – the National History Museum – the Ethem Bey Mosque – a walk through the famous Tirana tunnels – lunch – return to the hotel.

Evening tour: Grand Park – Tirana’s artificial lake – dinner – overnight.

Day 2

After breakfast, at 10am we head to Dajti Mountain, around 30 minutes from Tirana at an elevation of 1,613m, for the longest cable-car ride in the Balkans (15 minutes) up to Dajti park and mountain, with striking mountain views, lakes, and several restaurants serving Albanian specialities — a great destination for families. Then back to the hotel to rest.

Evening tour: the other side of Skanderbeg Square with its restaurants and cafés, then on to TEG Mall – dinner – return to the hotel – overnight.

Day 3

After breakfast, at 10am we leave the capital Tirana for the town of Berat, known as the “City of a Thousand Windows”, to visit Berat Castle, then walk along the river and take photos.

Afterwards we continue on to the coastal city of Vlora – check in at the hotel – overnight.

Day 4

After breakfast, at 10am we start the day heading to Llogara village, specifically Llogara National Park, home to herds of deer, rabbits, wild goats and tall trees, then on to the town of Dhërmi with its beautiful crystal-clear beaches for a relaxing stop, plus a photo stop at the panorama point overlooking Vlora’s stunning coastline. Afterwards, back to the hotel.

Evening: free time on Vlora’s port boulevard, a lively area full of visitors from around the world with many restaurants serving seafood, Italian and Albanian cuisine, and cafés, then back to the hotel for the night.

Day 5

After breakfast, at 7:30am we head straight to the departure point for a boat trip to Haxhi Ali cave, one of the most beautiful boat trips in Albania. The trip lasts 8 hours, amid calm, idyllic surroundings and turquoise water, with the Haxhi Ali cave and beach on the far side, and several restaurants around the cave. Afterwards we have lunch on the beach, then transfer to the hotel in Vlora to rest for the night.

Day 6

After breakfast, we set off for one of Albania’s most beautiful cities, the coastal town of Saranda, near the Greek islands. On arrival we head to a restaurant for lunch, then check in at the hotel and rest.

Evening: a walk along the boulevard to see Saranda’s main beach, sitting at a seafront restaurant or café, then dinner and back to the hotel for the night.

Day 7

After breakfast, we head straight to the famous town of Butrint, 30km from Saranda, which combines shared Greek-Albanian heritage with several freshwater natural lakes. Butrint covers 10,000 hectares, split between the Greek Vrina Plain area and Albanian Butrint.

Afterwards we head to an Albanian restaurant for lunch, then to the hotel to rest.

Evening: free time along the boulevard beach, with many cafés and restaurants right on the seafront, then dinner at one of them and back to the hotel for the night.

Day 8

After breakfast, we head to the historic town of Gjirokastër, the most important town in southern Albania, sitting in a valley between the Gjerë mountains and the Drino river, at 300m above sea level, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Gjirokastër we’ll visit several notable sites, including: the Wax Museum – Gjirokastër Castle – the Gjirokastër Mosque – Ismail Kadare’s house – as well as rural activities such as horse riding in dedicated areas.

Afterwards we head to a restaurant for lunch, then continue our trip to stay overnight at the hotel in Tirana.

Day 9

After breakfast, at 10am we head to northern Albania, specifically the city of Shkodër, on the border between Albania and Montenegro. Check in at the hotel, some time to rest, then we visit: Rozafa Castle – Shkodër Museum – Lake Shkodër – then back to the hotel.

Day 10

After breakfast, at 10am we head to the village of Theth, a two-hour trip through dramatic scenery of towering mountains and valleys. In Theth we visit: Theth National Park – the Kulla lock-in tower of Theth – Theth village. Afterwards we return to the hotel in Shkodër for the night.

Day 11

After breakfast, at 10am we leave Shkodër for the coastal town of Lezhë, around a 40-minute trip, to enjoy the sea and the cafés and restaurants right on the beachfront. Afterwards, back to the hotel in Tirana to check in and rest.

Evening: a shopping trip to TEG Mall, Albania’s largest mall, then dinner – return to the hotel – overnight.

Day 12

Transfer to Tirana International Airport.