Albania Explorer

Day 1 – Arrival in Tirana (Distance: 20 km / approximately 30 minutes’ drive)

On arrival at Tirana International Airport, you will be met and transferred privately to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey. You may wish to take a stroll through the lively Blloku district, once reserved for communist leaders and now filled with cafés, bars and restaurants. Overnight at Hotel Austria or similar (B)

Tirana

Located on a plain on the site of an old Byzantine fortress, Tirana has been the capital of Albania since 1920, although it was founded much earlier. A mixture of architectural styles it has rather an Italian feel to it – many Italian architects were involved in the modernisation of the city in the early 20th century – and is blessed with many public parks and green spaces where people gather to walk, play board games and share conversations. Tirana has been home to an unusual experiment in which many buildings have been painted in rather bright colours, giving parts of the town a very unique look. Many of the older buildings of the city were demolished during the Communist period but quite a few still remain, notably the Ethem Bey Mosque and the Clock Tower, both of which date back to the early 19th century, and you can still find excellent examples of Ottoman architecture in Tirana’s streets.

Day 2 – Tirana and Kruja (Distance: 80 km round trip / approximately 2 hours’ drive)

After breakfast, drive north to the historic mountain town of Kruja, the stronghold of Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum, Kruja Castle, and the Ottoman bazaar, where artisans still craft traditional souvenirs. Meet local women at a wool-working cooperative, learning about the country’s rich hand-weaving traditions. Enjoy lunch in Kruja before returning to Tirana for a guided city tour. Highlights include Skanderbeg Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the New Bazaar, followed by a visit to Bunk’Art 2, an underground Cold War bunker converted into a fascinating museum. Overnight Hotel Austria or similar (B, L)

Kruja and Skanderbeg

Kruja occupies a special place in the heart of Albanians – it is the home town of the national hero Skanderbeg from which the Ottoman invasion was resisted for almost 35 years in the 15th century.  Skanderbeg was sent as a young boy into the Ottoman army, along with three of his brothers but returned to Albania to spearhead the resistance against the Sultan’s forces who were continuing to make devastating inroads into the region. Uniting Albanian forces and building an army he was able to withstand the Ottoman onslaught and inflicted crushing defeats on them until his death in 1468. The army at Kruja managed to hold on for another ten years before finally succumbing to the Sultan and being formally incorporated into the empire

Day 3 – Tirana to Durrës and Berat (Distance: 130 km / approximately 3 hours’ drive)

Depart after breakfast for Durrës, Albania’s main port city. Explore the impressive Roman Amphitheatre, dating from the 2nd century AD, and walk along the Byzantine city walls. Continue to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site often called the “City of a Thousand Windows.” Visit Berat Castle and the picturesque old quarters of Mangalem and Gorica, then enjoy coffee and conversation in a traditional local home. This evening, experience a wine tasting and dinner at a local winery surrounded by vineyards. Overnight Hotel Onufri or similar (BD)

Day 4 – Berat to Ardenica, Apollonia, Vlorë and Llogara (Distance: 170 km / approximately 4 hours’ drive)

After breakfast, travel south through central Albania. Stop at Ardenica Monastery, a peaceful hilltop retreat offering panoramic countryside views, before continuing to the ancient city of Apollonia, once a thriving Greek and later Roman settlement. Make a brief stop in Vlorë, where Albania declared its independence in 1912, then ascend the scenic mountain road into Llogara National Park, surrounded by pine forests and overlooking the Ionian coast. Overnight Hotel Alpin or similar. (B)

Day 5 – Llogara to the Albanian Riviera, Ksamil, Butrint and Sarandë (Distance: 190 km / approximately 5 hours’ drive)

Enjoy one of Europe’s most breathtaking coastal routes, travelling through Himarë, Borsh, and Qeparo, where the turquoise sea meets rugged mountains. Stop in Ksamil for lunch beside its white sandy beach, then continue to the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Butrint, a fascinating open-air museum reflecting Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilisations. Arrive in Sarandë in the evening. Overnight Hotel Vola or similar (BL)

Butrint

The site of Butrint has been occupied since at least the 8th century BC, although myths associated with its origins speak of the city’s foundation by Trojan exiles. By the 4th century BC, a walled settlement was established and the city became a successful cult site, dedicated to Asclepius. Augustus founded a colony at Butrint and the town seems to have remained a relatively small Roman port until the 6th century AD. Little is known of the site between the 7th and 9th centuries. Its later medieval history was turbulent as the town was involved firstly in the power struggles between Byzantium and successive Norman, Angevin and Venetian states and secondly in the conflict between Venice and the Ottoman Turks. By the early 19th century it had dwindled to a small fishing village clustered around a Venetian castle.

Day 6 – Sarandë to Gjirokastër and Përmet (Distance: 110 km / approximately 3 hours’ drive)

Depart for Gjirokastër, known as the “Stone City.” Visit Gjirokastër Castle, which dominates the skyline and offers superb views across the Drino Valley. Enjoy lunch at a local agrotourism farm, sampling regional dishes prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Continue to Përmet, a welcoming town celebrated for its produce and thermal springs. Visit a local cheese producer to learn about traditional techniques and enjoy a tasting. Overnight Hotel Alvero or similar. (BL)

Day 7 – Përmet to Ersekë and Korçë (Distance: 120 km / approximately 3.5 hours’ drive)

Journey through the scenic highlands of southern Albania, passing through Ersekë, the country’s highest town. Stop at a local farm for a traditional home-cooked lunch. Arrive in Korçë, a charming cultural centre with fine architecture and a lively old bazaar. Take a walking tour visiting the Cathedral, Bazaar, and the Museum of Medieval Art. Time permitting, enjoy a short beer tasting at a local brewery before dinner. Overnight Hotel Cathedral or similar (BLD)

Day 8 – Korçë to Pogradec and Tirana (Distance: 165 km / approximately 4 hours’ drive)

After breakfast, depart for Pogradec, stopping to admire panoramic views of Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe. Continue via Elbasan to Tirana. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local agrotourism venue, where you can savour seasonal, farm-to-table dishes in a relaxed countryside setting. Overnight Hotel Austria or similar (BD)

Day 9 – Departure (Distance: 20 km / approximately 30 minutes’ drive)

After breakfast, transfer to Tirana International Airport for your return flight (B)