Grand Tour Albania

Spend 13 days exploring Albania. The true question in Albania is “Where not to go?”. The country is bursting with history, culture and beauty, making the travel possiblitities endless. On this extensive tour of Albania, you’ll explore cities like Durres, Bajram Curri Gjirokastra, or yet the iconic sites such as Apollonia and Butrint.

Overview

Day 01: Mother Teresa Airport – Durres

Day 02: Durres – Kruja – Shkodra

Day 03: Shkodra – Bajram Curri

Day 04: Bajram Curri - Valbone - Bajram Curri

Day 05: Bajram Curri - Tirana

Day 06: Tirana - Elbasan - Pogradec - Korca

Day 07: Korca - Permet - Gjirokastra

Day 08: Gjirokastra - Blue Eye - Saranda

Day 09: Saranda – Butrint – Saranda

Day 10: Saranda - Vlora

Day 11: Vlore - Berat

Day 12: Berat - Tirana

Day 13: Tirana - Mother Teresa Airport

Day 01: Airport – Durres (32 km, 40 min driving time)

Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel in Durres, one of the oldest cities (founded in 627 B.C.) the country’s main port, which lies on a small peninsula on the coast of Adriatic Sea, an important city which linked West Europe with East. After the accommodation we can visit the remains of the amphitheater which is one of the biggest and most exquisite monuments that has survived from the ancient city, and the Archeological Museum, a treasure trove of artifacts. Overnight in Durres.

Day 02: Durres – Kruja –Shkodra (127 km, 2 hours driving time)

After an early breakfast, we drive towards Kruja, the center of the Albanian resistance against the Turks, under the leadership of our national hero Scanderbeg.
To visit:

• Scanderbeg museum
• Ethnographic museum
• Old Bazaar of Kruja

We then proceed to Shkodra, a diamond shaped city which lies between Rozafa Citadel, the magnificent Albanian Alps, Lake of Shkodra and the serene River of Buna. We will also visit the Marubi Photographic Museum, with almost half a million photographic plates and film negatives collected over 157 year.  Next to the museum is the Rozafa restaurant, which is worth a visit for its terrace with views across the floodplains and the Ottomans-style room. Overnight in Shkoder.
Day 03: Shkodra –Bajram Curri (164 km, 3.5 hours driving time)

On this day we will drive to take the Koman Lake Ferry. A spectacular boat trip through the artificial lake created by the hydropower stations built on Drin River. After the trip ends we drive towards Bajram Curri, a town in Northern Albania, on the border with Kosovo.
To visit:

• Statue of Bajram Curri
• The Historical Museum
• Mosque of the City
• Tower of Mic Sokoli

Overnight in Bajram Curri.
Day 04: Bajram Curri-Valbone-Bajram Curri (39 km, 1 hour driving time)

Following breakfast, we drive to the Lake Koman ferry, which goes through the spectacular canyon of River Drin. The transfer will continue along the beautiful Valley of Valbona River. The National Park of Valbona valley is situated 30 km north-west of the town of Bajram Curri, and is considered a field of pearls, and the miracle of the Albanian Alps, which features impressive scenery comprised of high alpine ridges and Valbona valley. It offers an amazing diversity in shapes, forms, colours and fauna. The other attractive things near the park are the beautiful alcoves, Zhapore trail, Valbona pass, and cave of the wind and snow cave. The things that make it an amazing place to visit are its flowers, forests, hydrology, dwelling characteristics and the hospitality of its people. Upon our return to Bajram Curri lunch is served. Overnight in Bajram Curri.

Day 05: Bajram Curri-Tirana (234 km, 5 hours driving time)

An early morning departure to take the Koman Lake ferry, a boat trip that has been described as one of the most great boat rides, passing through magnificent and rugged fjord-like mountain scenery.  We make our way through the truly breathtaking scenery on a 3 hour boat ride and afterwards we drive towards the Capital and the biggest city of Albania Tirana, which could be described as a cross between Istanbul and Naples with a pinch of Minsk.
To visit:

• National Historical Museum
• Scanderbeg Square
• Et’hem Bey Mosque
• Tabak Brudge

We will also visit the famous “Blloku” area, Tirana’s most vibrant area, filled with cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, a must visit place, where one can find fashionably dresses locals stepping out in their fashionable best. Overnight in Tirana.
Day 06: Tirana-Elbasan-Pogradec-Korca (169 km, 2.5 hours driving time)

Today we drive to Elbasan, the site of the ancient city of Scampa (founded in the 1st century AD).
To visit:

• Castle of Elbasan
• Turkish Bath
• Saint Mary Orthodox Church
• the Ethnographic Museum

We then head to Pogradec, a town of modest pretensions, which enjoys a wonderful setting on     the shore of magnificent Lake Ohrid. We proceed to Korca, one of the Albania’s most prominent cities, and certainly the largest in the south-west of the country. Visit the archeological Museum, which houses many treasures dating back to Neolithic times. Korca’s own has a splendid collection of tools, weapons, ceramics and other artifacts; some of them date back to the Illyrian period, the ancestors of the modern Albanian culture. Overnight in Korca.
Day 07: Korca-Permet-Gjirokastra (193 km, 4 hours driving time)

After breakfast, we drive to Gjirokaster. As we travel, we will stop to Permet, the greenest town in Albania, also known as the “city of roses”. The small town of Permet is famous for its folk music, literature personalities, the good cooking and the surrounding area a real beauty. We proceed to Gjirokastra, a historic city known as “the city of thousand steps”. The traces of an Illyrian settlement date urbanization in the 1st century BC. Visit the castle, which overlooks the strategic area between the Ionian Sea, it was built in the 4th century BC. Overnight in Gjirokastra.

Day 08:  Gjirokastra-Blue Eye-Saranda (57 km, 1 hour driving time)

After breakfast, we will take a city tour and visit the castle of Gjirokaster, the Mosque, the bazaar and the lovely courtyards. We proceed to the famous Blue Eye (Syri I Kalter) a picturesque natural phenomenon of the 18 water springs coming out of the carstic bottom of the earth that form a rare beauty.. A characteristic of the Blue Eye’s water is the very dark blue color and outstanding transparency of its oval shaped water basins. Next to a picturesque waterfall opposite the Blue Eye, there are few traditional restaurants serving delicious Albanian food and famous Albanian drink “Raki”. After this lovely experience, we head to Saranda, for the night.

Day 09: Saranda –Butrint –Saranda (37 km, 1 hour driving time)

Today, we head to the ancient city Butrint,-a UNESCO as a World Heritage site in1997. According to a legend, the Butrint city was founded in the 12the century BC by fleeing Trojans, after the victorious Greeks had burned their town of Troy. Upon the hill of Butrint lies the Castle of Ali Pasha, an oddment of the Ottoman Empire and from this position climbing up the hill, you will be able to take pictures and enjoy the stunning view of the ancient city, the lake and the vast plains, a magnificent breathtaking sight. Upon our return to Saranda lunch is served. Overnight in Saranda.

Day 10: Saranda- Vlora (124 km, 2 hour driving time)

After early breakfast, we depart to Vlore, the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 1912, the city was for a short time the capital of Albania. Founded as an ancient Greek colony in the 6th century BC by the name of Aulon and continuously inhabited for about 26 centuries.
To visit:
• Flag Square
• Independence Monument
• The  Ethnographic Museum
• The Mosque of Muradie
After the visits, we well have a lovely dinner by the seaside to enjoy the specialties of Vlore. Overnight in Vlora.
Day 11: Vlore-Berat (97 km, 2hours driving time)

After the breakfast, we drive to Berat, known as “the city of one-thousand windows”. The stunning museum town of Berat, below majestic Mount Tomorri. It has everything you require; a beautiful medieval castle district complete with ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge and a great museum.  We have a lovely walk in Mangalem neighborhood, and the National Museum Onufri. After all, the very best thing to do is to join the evening stroll along the Boulevard Republica. Accommodation in the hotel, the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Berat.

Day 12: Berat-Tirana (103 km, 2 hours driving time)

After early breakfast, we drive to the capital of Albania, Tirana a beautiful charming city with a lively night life.
To visit:

• National Historical Museum
• National Art Gallery of Albania
• Scanderbeg Square
• Et’hem Bey Mosque
• Tabak Bridge

The we head to trendy “Blloku” has become Tirana’s hippest most vibrant place, where one can find trendy bars and night clubs, wish fashionable dresses nouvelle bourgeoisie hanging out, while city’s grand boulevards are lined with fascinating relics of its Ottoman, Italian and communist past. Overnight in Tirana.
Day 13: Tirana-Airport (18 km, 30 min driving time)

After breakfast, transfer to Mother Teresa Airport.

Km traveled: 1394