Explore Albania in 12 Days

Overview

Day 01: Mother Teresa Airport - Tirana

Day 02: Tirana - Dajti Mountain - Tirana

Day 03: Tirana - Kruja - Durres

Day 04: Durres-Berat

Day 05: Berat-Vlore

Day 06: Vlore - Llogara - Dhermi - Saranda

Day 07: Saranda- Butrint - Saranda

Day 08: Saranda - Gjirokastra - Durres

Day 09: Durres - Lezhe - Shkoder

Day 10: Shkoder - Koman - Tropoja - Valbona

Day 11: Valbona - Bajram Curri

Day 12: Bajram Curri – Tirana- Airport

Day 01: Mother Teresa Airport-Tirana (18 Km, 30 min driving time)

Meet and greet with the guide at the airport. Depending on time of arrival we may do a short city tour before or after check in at the hotel. In the evening, we'll have dinner at a traditional restaurant and then explore the nightlife of Tirana, walking in the ex-block area known as "the forbidden town" where the villas of the communist’s leaders are still standing next to trendy boutiques, expensive jewelry shops and active local pubs. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 02:  Tirana - Dajti Mountain (24 Km, 45 min driving time)

Begin with a full day city tour. Tirana is located on the site of a Byzantine fortress and has been the capital of Albania since 1920.
To visit:

• Scanderbeg Square
• City's Clock Tower
• Et’hem Bey Mosque
• National Historical Museum
• Art Gallery

We then depart for Dajti Mountain by cable car, enjoying the beautiful scenery, climbing with the Cable Car for 15 min on the top of the mountain. The tour continues with a walking tour in green area of mountain with stops for breath taking. Lunch will be served in one of the popular restaurants. After lunch, will take some walking & hiking around there for few hours. Late afternoon return to Tirana for the night.

Day 03: Tirana - Kruja - Durres (74 Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

Today we will drive to Kruja–one of the biggest cities in Northern Albania is the “city of history” and the best known as hometown of Albanian’s National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Visit to the Castle, Skanderbeg Museum and Ethnographic Museum. After the visit of the castle, is free for you to explore Kruja’s old bazaar with authentic and antique shops. The route continues to Durres– the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Dyrrachium. Overnight in Durres.

Day 04: Durres - Berat (98 Km, 2 hours driving time)

After breakfast we will drive to Berat, also known as the “City of one Thousands Windows”. Ahead we will stop and visit the Cobo Winery, were we can try the best red and white wine in Albania. Before we visit the castle we will have lunch in a local restaurant inside castle. The town is composed of 3 parts; Gorica, situated on the far side of the river; Mangalem, situated on the fortress side of the river and the residential quarter within the fortress (known as Kalaja). The old part of the city has some religious buildings like mosque and Byzantine churches. Overnight in Hotel Magalemi Berat.

Day 05: Berat - Vlore (95 Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we proceed to the ancient Greek settlement of Apollonia – (founded in 588 BC).  After visiting to Apollonia we continue to Vlora, an historical and coastal city. Following with a sightseeing tour of Vlora, visit Independence House. Overnight in Vlora

Day 06: Vlore - Llogara - Dhermi - Saranda (126 Km, 2.5 hours driving time)

Today we head to Llogora National Park, an area of great natural beauty with mountains plunging sharply to the shimmering sea and one of the most unspoilt areas of the Adriatic. It provides great views of the Karburuni Peninsular and Sazani Island. After lunch, we drive up to Albanian Riviera. Continue climbing to 3,000 feet where you can enjoy the best views, as we drive through the fertile slopes and villages. Drive along Dhermi, one of the best Albanian beaches, continue to Himara coastline and stop for a special lunch, En route making a short visit to the bay of Porto Palermo where the castle of Ali Pasha is situated. Depart for Saranda the hillside town facing the sea, famous for its magnificent, “Butrinti” archeological site. Overnight in Saranda

Day 07: Saranda - Butrint - Saranda (89 Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

Today we experience an included excursion to Butrinti Archaeological Site.

To visit:
• Temple of Aesclepios
• The Theatre
• the Baptistery
• Nymph
• Lions Gate
• The Acropolis

Lunch will be at the Lekursi Castle restaurant (built on the ruins of an old castle) overlooking the beautiful Ksamil Island and the city of Saranda. Rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Saranda.

Day 08: Saranda- Gjirokastra - Durres (247 Km, 4 hours driving

After breakfast we will depart to Gjirokastra known as “Museum City”. On the way we will stop and visit, Visit the “Blue Eye” spring, a national and natural park, formed by underground springs. We then proceed to Gjirokastra, the highlights of the town include the castle, bazaar area.
To visit:

• Castle of Gjirokaster
• Museum of Weapons
• Ethnographic Museum (Enver Hoxha’s Birth House)
• Zekati House
After tour in Gjirokastra we drive towards one of the oldest cities (founded in 627 B.C.) the City of Durres. After checking into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore city on your own. Overnight in Durres.

Day 09: Durres - Lezhe - Shkoder (108 Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

We start our day driving towards the town of Lezha where we will be visiting the ruins of the ancient city of Lissus and the Monumental tomb of Skanderbeg, Albanian's national hero. After a coffee break we start our journey towards the town of Shkodra where after a visit to the castle we will have lunch by the lake of Shkodra. In the afternoon we visit the Mosque the Catholic Church and the traditional house. Overnight and dinner will be in a traditional house in Shkodra.

Day 10: Shkodra - Koman - Tropoja - Valbona (202 Km, 4 hours driving time)

Early breakfast and departure for the lake of Komani where we take the ferry bout which will sail us for about 2 hours within the narrow valley of Drini river towards Tropoja. After a short stop in the town of Tropoja we drive towards the National Park on Valbona. After lunch in a traditional restaurant we check in our accommodation and we have a walking tour in the Valbona river valley. Overnight and dinner will be in family-run guesthouse in Valbona Valley.

Day 11: Valbona - Bajram Curri (30 Km, 1 hours driving time)

Half day walking around Valbona Valley, afternoon return to Bajram Curri Town and stay overnight in Valbone.

Day 12: Bajram Curri – Tirana- Airport (223 Km, 4 hours driving time)
We'll have breakfast in our accommodation and we'll drive towards the Fierza Lake. Driving by the lake most of the time, through virgin nature and scenery we will arrive in the town of Kukesi where we will have a short break in the town. Lunch will be in a fish restaurant near Lezha. In the late afternoon return to hotel in Tirana. Check out and transfer to airport for your departure flight. End of our service.

Km traveled: 1285