Albania Adventure 9 Day Tour from Mountains to Riviera

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Tirana – Capital Culture & Welcome Drinks
2 stops
1
Skanderbeg Square
the city’s main square, named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. It's surrounded by key landmarks and a great spot for orientation.
1 hour • Admission ticket not included
2
Tirana
Arrival at Tirana International Airport. You’ll be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Begin your exploration with a walking tour of central Tirana: Skanderbeg Square – the city’s main square, named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. It's surrounded by key landmarks and a great spot for orientation. Et’hem Bey Mosque – one of the few religious sites to survive communist rule, this beautifully frescoed mosque dates back to the 18th century. Visit Bunk’Art 2, a Cold War-era nuclear bunker turned museum. It offers a chilling but fascinating look into Albania’s recent past—especially during Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship and secret police regime. Evening: Enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where you’ll taste traditional Albanian dishes like tavë kosi (baked lamb with yogurt), fërgesë, and local wines or raki
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Tirana – Elbasan – Pogradec – Voskopoja
3 stops
3
Elbasan
After breakfast, drive southeast to Elbasan (approx. 1.5 hrs). Elbasan Castle – originally built by Romans, expanded by Ottomans, the castle walls enclose part of the old town with cobbled streets and old houses. Quick stop for coffee or a pastry from a local bakery.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
4
Pogradec
Continue to Pogradec, a peaceful lakeside town on Lake Ohrid – one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes (shared with North Macedonia and protected by UNESCO). Free time to stroll along the promenade or enjoy lunch with lake fish (koran is a local delicacy). Optional: Visit the Drilon National Park area nearby – a scenic park with springs, traditional wooden boats, and lush trees.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
5
Afternoon drive to Voskopoja, a quiet village nestled in the mountains. Once a thriving 18th-century cultural hub of the Balkans, it’s now a peaceful spot with a rich history. Visit St. Nicholas Church, one of several beautifully frescoed Orthodox churches in the area. Learn about Voskopoja’s role as a center for education, printing, and religion during Ottoman times
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Voskopoja – Korçë – Përmet
2 stops
6
Korce
Morning: Enjoy the fresh mountain air and explore more of Voskopoja if not done the day before. Then depart for Korçë (approx. 30 mins). Korçë is known for its intellectual and artistic history—home to Albania’s first school and newspaper. Walk through the charming Old Bazaar: recently restored, it’s full of local artisan shops and cafes. Visit the grand Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection, the largest of its kind in Albania. Optional: Visit the Museum of Medieval Art, showcasing over 7,000 pieces of Byzantine art including rare icons and wooden sculptures. Try local food in Korçë: don’t miss lakror (savory pie), or try Korça Beer, Albania’s most famous brew
3 hours • Admission ticket free
7
Permet
Afternoon scenic drive to Përmet (approx. 3 to 4 hrs), winding through the Vjosa River Valley, considered Europe’s last wild river and a hotspot for eco-tourism. Arrival in Përmet, known for its friendly locals, flower-lined streets, and traditional slow food. Free time to walk the riverside or explore the town center.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Përmet – Benjë Thermal Baths – Lengarica Canyon
1 stop
8
Permet
After breakfast, drive just outside Përmet to the famous Benjë Thermal Baths, a series of natural hot springs surrounded by untouched nature. These warm sulfur-rich waters are believed to have healing properties for the skin and joints. Walk across the striking Ottoman stone bridge to enter Lengarica Canyon, where you can hike a short trail or relax in the pools carved into the canyon walls. For adventure-seekers, an optional white-water rafting excursion on the Vjosa River is available (seasonal, moderate level). The Vjosa is one of Europe’s last free-flowing rivers and offers both scenic beauty and thrilling rapids. Afternoon: Return to Përmet for free time to explore or unwind. You may wish to visit a local jam or raki workshop, where families produce famous Përmet fruit preserves and homemade brandy.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Gjirokastër (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
1 stop
9
Gjirokaster
Drive to Gjirokastër (approx. 2.5 hrs), a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "City of Stone." Begin with a guided visit to Gjirokastër Castle, perched on a hill with panoramic views of the Drino Valley. Inside, discover old artillery, prison cells, and even a captured American spy plane from the Cold War era! Stroll through the Old Bazaar, with cobblestone streets lined with artisan shops selling handcrafted rugs, silverwork, and ceramics. Visit a traditional Ottoman home: Skendulaj House: A magnificent 3-story tower house from the 1800s, featuring frescoes, wood carvings, and insight into family life during the Ottoman era. Optional: Ethnographic Museum , built on the site of dictator Enver Hoxha’s birth home, gives a broader view of Albanian traditions.
3 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Gjirokastër – Blue Eye Spring – Sarandë – Optional Butrint
1 stop
10
Saranda
Depart Gjirokastër and drive toward the coast (approx. 2 hrs), stopping at Syri i Kaltër (Blue Eye), a mesmerizing natural spring where crystal-clear blue water bubbles up from a depth of over 50 meters. The surrounding forest offers shade and scenic walking trails—perfect for photos or a cool drink. Continue to Sarandë, a popular coastal town known for its turquoise waters and relaxed Mediterranean vibe. Afternoon options: Relax on the beach or stroll along the lively promenade. Visit Butrint National Park (UNESCO), one of Albania’s most important archaeological sites. Explore ancient Greek and Roman ruins, an amphitheater, and a baptistery with mosaic floors—all set within a lush lagoon ecosystem.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Sarandë – Albanian Riviera – Porto Palermo – Vlora
1 stop
11
Vlore
Set out for one of Albania’s most scenic routes: the Albanian Riviera. Wind along dramatic coastal cliffs, passing the villages of Borsh, Qeparo, and Himarë. Stop at Porto Palermo, a hidden bay guarded by the Porto Palermo Castle, once used by the infamous Ali Pasha of Tepelena. Visit the castle and enjoy views of the Ionian coastline. Several opportunities for photo stops, coffee breaks, or a dip in the sea at a beautiful beach such as Jalë or Llaman (time-permitting). Arrive in Vlora, the city where Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912. Optional evening walk along the Lungomare—a vibrant beachfront promenade filled with cafes and restaurants.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 8
Vlora – Berat (UNESCO City of a Thousand Windows)
1 stop
12
Berat
Drive inland to the enchanting city of Berat (approx. 2.5 hrs), another UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its unique Ottoman-era architecture and white hillside houses with large windows—earning it the nickname “City of a Thousand Windows.” Visit Berat Castle, one of the few still-inhabited castles in Europe. Inside, explore: Onufri Iconography Museum, housed in the Church of the Dormition of St. Mary, featuring works of Albania’s greatest icon painter. Panoramic views over the Osum River. Explore the charming neighborhoods of Mangalem and Gorica, connected by the Gorica Bridge. Optional wine tasting at a nearby winery known for indigenous varieties like Puls and Shesh i Bardhë.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Berat – Durrës – Krujë – Tirana
2 stops
13
Durres
Depart Berat and head to Durrës (approx. 1.5 hrs), Albania’s main port city and one of its oldest settlements. Visit the impressive Roman Amphitheater, partially buried beneath the modern city—once holding over 15,000 spectators. Enjoy a coffee along the seaside promenade.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
14
Kruje
. Continue to Krujë, a hilltop town with deep historical and national significance. Visit Krujë Castle, home to the Skanderbeg Museum, dedicated to Albania’s national hero who led resistance against the Ottomans in the 15th century. Explore the atmospheric Old Bazaar, known for traditional crafts, carpets, antiques, and handmade souvenirs. Return to Tirana (or transfer directly to Tirana International Airport, depending on departure time).
2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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