Albania & Kosovo Combined Itinerary: 8 Nights, 9 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 8-night, 9-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 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 3
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 4
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 5
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 6
After breakfast, we head straight to the Albania-Kosovo border area, a trip of around three hours to reach the city of Prizren for our first sightseeing there. After checking in at the hotel and dropping off our things, we take some time to rest, then have a free tour of the city. Afterwards we head to a restaurant for a Kosovar-style lunch, then back to the hotel to rest for the night.
Day 7
After breakfast, at 10am we head to Rugova Gorge, on the road toward the Rugova Valley, stopping along the way to see the Patriarchate of Peć (a UNESCO heritage site), then continuing into the Rugova Valley.
The 25km-long, 1,000m-deep Rugova Valley is one of the most beautiful small valleys in Europe, cut through by the striking waters of the Bistrica River. The valley tour begins from the town of Peja, the key starting point for exploring the valley and surrounding mountains.
Afterwards we head to a restaurant for lunch, then back to Prizren and the hotel for the night.
Day 8
After breakfast, we head straight back to the Albania-Kosovo border area, crossing back into Albania toward the capital Tirana, a trip of around three hours. Afterwards we head to the hotel to rest.
Evening: a shopping trip to TEG Mall, Albania’s largest mall, then dinner – return to the hotel – overnight.
Day 9
Transfer to Tirana International Airport.