Albania 12-Day Nature, Culture & Sea Road Trip

Points of Interest : Tirana
Upon arrival at Mother Teresa International Airport in Tirana, a staff member from the local agency welcomes you and accompanies you to your hotel in the city. Depending on your arrival time, you can take a first stroll through the capital’s streets or simply relax after the journey.

• Meals included : None
• Accommodation : Hotel Comfort, Tirana

Points of Interest : Shkodër
You leave Tirana and drive north towards Shkodër. Inhabited since antiquity, this city is today known for its harmonious coexistence of religions, with mosques, Catholic and Orthodox churches standing side by side. As the capital of northern Albania, Shkodër has long played a key role in the country’s history. You can explore its legends, diverse architectural styles, museums and artisan workshops that give the city its special character.
Approximate driving time: Tirana – Shkodër 2 h 18 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Colosseo, Shkodër

Points of Interest : Valbonë, Koman
Early in the morning (around 5:30 a.m.) you set off towards the Albanian Alps and the Valbona Valley. First you drive to the Koman dam, where you board the ferry across Lake Koman. The crossing takes around two and a half to three hours and reveals breathtaking scenery often compared to Scandinavian fjords. After arriving in Fierza, you continue by road to Valbona. In the valley you explore the surrounding area on short walks and meet local villagers, with whom you will share dinner and spend the night. The day includes gentle elevation changes of about +150 m / -150 m, suitable for most travelers.
Approximate travel times: Shkodër – Koman 1 h 41 min; ferry Koman – Fierza 2 h 30 min; Fierza – Valbona 1 h 30 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation : Guesthouse “Kole Gjoni”, Valbona

Points of Interest : Kruja District
Today you leave Valbona and drive through Kosovo towards the historic town of Prizren, an important place in Albanian national history. In 1878 the League of Prizren met here, gathering 300 Albanian representatives who opposed almost four centuries of Ottoman rule. The city’s architecture is unique, shaped by Byzantine, Serbian and Ottoman influences.
You then continue to Kruja, a town close to the Albanian capital. In the 15th century it was the scene of many battles between the Ottomans and Albanian forces led by Skanderbeg, the country’s national hero, who resisted Ottoman advances for 25 years. A visit to the town, its castle and museum allows you to learn more about this emblematic figure. Don’t miss the old bazaar with its traditional shops.
Approximate driving times: Valbona – Prizren 2 h 7 min; Prizren – Kruja 2 h 31 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Panorama, Kruja

Points of Interest : Berat
You drive south to Berat, one of Albania’s two UNESCO World Heritage towns together with Gjirokastër. Known as the “city of a thousand windows”, Berat charms visitors with its white Ottoman houses, stacked on the hillsides, their many windows and stone roofs overlooking the river. Steep, cobbled lanes wind through the historic districts of Mangalem and Gorica, which you explore on foot. The town’s unique architecture and fortress create a particularly atmospheric setting.
Approximate driving time: Kruja – Berat 2 h 32 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Mangalemi, Berat

Points of Interest : Gjirokastër
Your journey continues to Gjirokastër, one of Albania’s most fascinating towns, often called the “stone city” because of its slate roofs and cobbled streets. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005, Gjirokastër is the birthplace of Albania’s most famous writer, Ismail Kadare, and also of former communist dictator Enver Hoxha. The town has preserved the picturesque architecture of old Albanian tower houses, with stone walls, wooden balconies and dramatic views over the valley. You can stroll through its typical quarters, shaded terraces and historic bazaar.
Approximate driving time: Berat – Gjirokastër 2 h 37 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Argjiro, Gjirokastër

Points of Interest : Saranda
You head towards the Ionian Sea, where you first visit the archaeological site of Butrint, close to the Greek border. This ancient city, inhabited since antiquity, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Its vast archaeological park, set amid lagoons and greenery, is one of Albania’s cultural highlights, with remains from Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian periods.
In the afternoon you continue to the coastal town of Saranda, where you can enjoy local seafood right by the sea and spend some time on the beach.
Approximate driving times: Gjirokastër – Butrint 1 h 23 min; Butrint – Saranda 30 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Iliria, Saranda

Points of Interest : Himarë
Today you drive along one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the Adriatic and Ionian region: the Albanian Riviera. Passing several coastal villages, you reach Porto Palermo, where you visit the fortress of Ali Pasha, dramatically set on a small peninsula with lush Mediterranean vegetation. Along the way you discover beaches with crystal-clear waters and scenic coves, ideal for swimming and relaxing. You spend the night on the Riviera, close to the sea.
Approximate driving time: Saranda – Albanian Riviera (Himara area) 1 h 20 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Chimaera, Albanian Riviera (Himara area)

Points of Interest : Himarë
You spend another day on the Albanian Riviera, focusing on the charming coastal town of Himara. With its beautiful beaches and strong Greek influence, Himara combines historical sites, relaxed seaside atmosphere and delicious Mediterranean cuisine. The surrounding area offers small villages and the impressive Ceraunian Mountains as a backdrop. The day is free to enjoy the beach, try water activities, explore nearby bays or simply unwind at your accommodation.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Chimaera, Albanian Riviera (Himara area)

Points of Interest : Vlora
You continue north along the coast and reach Llogara National Park, which covers around 1,000 hectares and is dominated by dense conifer forests that contrast with the surrounding Mediterranean landscape. Here you can hike on marked trails and observe the spectacular transition from the Karaburun Peninsula mountains down to the sea. From the Llogara Pass, on clear days, you enjoy sweeping views of the Ionian coast and its crystal-clear waters. According to tradition, Julius Caesar once marched across this pass with his troops.
Afterwards you descend towards Vlora, the city where Albania’s independence was proclaimed in 1912. You can visit the Independence Museum to learn more about this historic event, and spend the rest of the afternoon at the beach for a refreshing swim.
Approximate driving time: around 1 h 38 min (Himara – Llogara – Vlora).

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Vlora International, Vlora

Points of Interest : Tirana
You leave Vlora and drive towards Fier to reach the ancient site of Apollonia, once a large and influential city in antiquity. Today it is the country’s largest archaeological park. Among the preserved remains are the Odeon, the library where Emperor Octavian Augustus is said to have studied, the nymphaeum, a restored ancient theatre and the 13th-century Church of St. Mary. On the surrounding olive-covered hillsides, bunkers from the communist era highlight the striking historical contrasts of Albania.
You then continue to Tirana, the country’s capital since 1920 and its main cultural hub. Founded in 1614, Tirana is known for its colorful buildings and the peaceful coexistence of different religions. During your visit you can explore Skanderbeg Square and the National History Museum, which traces Albania’s long history. On the square you also find the Et’hem Bey Mosque, preserved even during communist times thanks to its historical value, as well as the Opera, the Clock Tower, the Palace of Culture and both the Orthodox and Catholic cathedrals. A visit to the Pyramid, formerly a museum dedicated to dictator Enver Hoxha, reveals more about the country’s recent past. If the weather is good, you can end the day with a walk in the Grand Park by Tirana’s artificial lake.
Approximate driving times: Vlora – Apollonia 33 min; Apollonia – Tirana 1 h 45 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel Comfort, Tirana

Points of Interest : Tirana Airport
According to your flight schedule, a staff member from the local agency accompanies you from your hotel to Tirana International Airport for your departure. If time allows, you may enjoy a final stroll in the city before heading to the airport.
Approximate driving time: Tirana – airport 31 min.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Transfer to Tirana International Airport