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Albania9 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

Albania Explorer

A 9-day small group journey through UNESCO-listed towns, ancient Roman ruins, and the scenic Albanian Riviera.

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The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

What to expect on this trip

For years Albania was a closed society, ruled by the iron fist of Communism, but since the end of the Cold War it has been showing curious travellers its many charms. Isolated from the rest of the world for so long, Albania is a country at the crossroads of east and west, with Ottoman bazaars and unique preserved old towns that grace the UNESCO Heritage list, all explored on this immersive Albania tour package. Tucked away in long forgotten corners lie the ancient cities of the Romans, while imposing fortresses bear witness to a history of resistance against foreign occupation. With dramatic coastal scenery, picturesque monasteries and a culture that is beginning to rediscover itself, Albania is blissfully free of foreign visitors but is just starting to open its doors to the outside world now. Travel here is not always easy – it is one of the least developed countries of Europe, but for those looking for something completely new, Albania’s rewards justify the visit.

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The journey

Albania Explorer

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
map

The highlights

  • Kruja Castle and Skanderbeg Museum

    Drive north to the mountain stronghold of Kruja, home of Albania's national hero Skanderbeg. Visit the castle, the Skanderbeg Museum, and the Ottoman bazaar where artisans still craft traditional souvenirs. Meet local women at a wool-working cooperative to learn about handweaving traditions.

  • Bunk'Art 2, Tirana

    Explore the Blloku district and key landmarks of the capital including Skanderbeg Square and Et'hem Bey Mosque. Descend into Bunk'Art 2, an underground Cold War bunker now converted into a museum tracing Albania's communist history.

  • Berat — City of a Thousand Windows

    Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring the castle and the old Ottoman quarters of Mangalem and Gorica. Enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at a local winery surrounded by vineyards.

  • Ardenica Monastery and Apollonia

    Stop at the peaceful hilltop Ardenica Monastery before continuing to Apollonia, once a thriving Greek and Roman settlement. Pass through Vlorë, where Albania declared independence in 1912.

  • Albanian Riviera and Butrint

    Travel one of Europe's most scenic coastal routes through Himarë, Borsh, and Qeparo, with turquoise sea meeting rugged mountains. Visit the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Butrint, reflecting Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilisations.

  • Gjirokastra Stone City

    Visit this UNESCO-listed town, dominated by a fortress offering views across the Drino Valley. Enjoy lunch at a local agrotourism farm sampling regional dishes, and visit a cheese producer in nearby Përmet.

Trip highlights for Albania Explorer

Full itinerary · 9 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

  • Departure
    11 Sept 202619 Sept 2026
    Sold out
    From
    £1,450 pp
    Single supp. +£150
    Closed
  • Departure
    3 Oct 202611 Oct 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,450 pp
    Single supp. +£150
    Contact for availability
  • Departure
    10 Jun 202718 Jun 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,450 pp
    Single supp. +£150
    Book now
  • Departure
    10 Sept 202718 Sept 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,450 pp
    Single supp. +£150
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Albania journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Albania Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Albania that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Albania Explorer. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

Albania was stunningly beautiful, Kosovo was fascinating and safe and Ohrid in North Macedonia and Albania was truly breathtaking.
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Linda Bell, Australia

Both guides - main tour and Montenegro extension were very good, as was the driver. Excellent company to book with. Complex tour delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives.
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Adam Choonara, UK

Ani was an EXCELLENT tour guide. Very knowledgeable and compassionate. He was energetic and flexible. I appreciated the way he took personal interest and care of those on the tour who had special needs.
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Janece Krahenbuhl, USA

I saw a lot and it was a very interresting tour, as usual, from this company.
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Eric Firkins, UK

We had two guides, Ardit for the just the first day and Dritan for the rest of the week. Both were incredibly knowledgeable, with excellent command of English so they could convey not only their knowledge but also their enthusiasm
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Lesley Lavene, UK

Both our leader Ardi and the driver Ardian were superb. Although Ardian the driver spoke little English, he was always helpful and friendly, and a fantastic driver. We always felt safe and secure. Ardi our leader was simply wonderful - so knowledgeable about every aspect of Albania, about which he is passionate. He looked after us so well and had a good sense of humour. Nothing was too much trouble and he was aware of the individual interests within the group. I recommend him for a pay rise!
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Kitty Corrigan, UK

Our guide Ardi was absolutely wonderful. He was extremely knowledgeable about the countries and sites we visited. He was extremely accommodating taking us places we wanted to go after the scheduled activities were over (e.g. the Prizren fortress).
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Traveller from Australia

The tour had the right balance of activities and down time.
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Catherine Challies, UK

London to Albania by train and ferry ws great. Hotel quality/service better than I was expecting! Trip delivered as advertised and my objectives were met.
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Margaret Dawson, USA

Ardi was a great guide and very knowledgeable. we thoroughly enjoyed his company, his knowledge, his enthusiasm and his stories. Perhaps on the more domestic side he was a little weaker but overall a great guy.
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Mark Brand, UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make Albania Explorer your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

Customise this tour
Ready when you are

Start planning your Albania adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Albania specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 3 October 2026; 10 June 2027; 10 September 2027. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Albania. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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