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This is a suggested independent itinerary that you customize. Please select the best flights, hotels, trains, activities, transportation and number of nights in each destination to fit your needs.
Albania is a hidden gem among the Balkan countries , sometimes overlooked in favor of Greece or Croatia, but it is no less beautiful or charming. Visit popular cities throughout the country, including several UNESCO World Heritage sites, and discover the culture, food, history, glorious beaches, and friendly nature of its citizens!. We promise you will want to return time and again!. This is a flexible vacation package. Select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities.
This 12 night sample itinerary includes:
Hotel for 3 nights in Tirana
Transfer from Hotel in Tirana to Hotel in Shkoder via Lezhe and Kruja Castle
Hotel for 2 nights in Shkoder
Transfer from Hotel in Shkoder to Hotel in Durres via The Mes Bridge
Hotel for 2 nights in Durres
Transfer from Hotel in Durres to Hotel in Sarande via Vlore
Hotel for 2 nights in Sarande
Transfer from Hotel in Sarande to Hotel in Gjirokaster
Hotel for 1 night in Gjirokaster
Transfer from Hotel Gjirokaster to Hotel in Berat via the Museum of Apollonia
Hotel for 1 night in Berat
Transfer from Hotel in Berat to Hotel in Tirana via Elbasan
Tirana, located in the center of Albania, is the country's capital and home to one-sixth of Albania's population. Tirana is Albania's most important city with regard to politics, commerce, and culture. It is located on a plain next to Mount Dajt, and due to its geographical position it is among the sunniest places in the country. Multiple points of interest are located on or around Skanderbeg Square, the largest main square not just in Albania but in the entire Balkan region.
Visit and explore the Skanderbeg Square, National Museum of History, Mount Dajt, Et'hem Bey Mosque, Pyramid of Tirana, Grand Park of Tirana, National Museum of Fine Arts, Fortress of Justinian, Resurrection Cathedral, and so much more.
2 nights in Shkoder
Shkoder is one of the oldest cities in the country. Located on the bank of Skadar lake, the culture capital of Albania has a lively atmosphere and one of the most picturesque city centers you`ll encounter. The city remains the traditional market center for the northern Albania mountain area, where grains, tobacco, potatoes, fruits, and grapes are grown. The town is the main access point to the Albanian Alps and acts as a base for exploring Albania's mountains. The Accursed Mountains are both spectacular and almost impenetrable except for a series of high passes that link the small number of farmsteads and homes in the valleys below to the outside world during the summer months. If you`re planning a journey to Theth or Valbona National Park, Shkoder is your unavoidable stop and you will not regret it.
Visit and explore the Rozafa Castle, Marubi National Museum of Photography, Xhamia e Madhe - Ebu Bekr mosque, Shkoder History Museum, Site of Witness and Memory, and so much more.
2 nights in Durres
Durres is the second-largest city in Albania and one of the country's oldest cities, founded in the seventh century BCE. Located on the Adriatic Sea, it has been a trading hub for over two millennia. Once home to a large Roman settlement called Dyrrachium, archaeological sites from this settlement feature prominently throughout the city. The amphitheatre, which is the largest of its kind in the Balkans, sits in the center of town, and is currently under consideration to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit and explore the Amphitheatre of Durres, Durres Beach, Durres Archaeological Museum, Port of Durres, Cape of Rodon, Durres Castle, Venetian Tower, Byzantine Market, Royal Villa of Durres, Great Mosque of Durres, and so much more.
2 nights in Sarande
The unique Saranda is not only within a stone's throw of the Greek island of Corfu, but it's surrounded by some of the best attractions, beaches, and nature that Southern Albania has to offer. It's no surprise that it’s grown from a once-sleepy fishing village into a thriving city, a bustling summer vacation destination. Saranda's recorded history goes back to Ancient Epirus, a Greek state between roughly the 4th and 2nd centuries B.C. In antiquity, the town was known as Onchesmus (or Onchesmos).
Visit and explore the Pulebardha Beach, Lekuresi Castle, Mango Beach, Monastery of 40 Saints, Saranda Beach, Sanduza Beach and much more.
1 nights in Gjirokaster
The enchanting UNESCO-listed old town, Gjirokastër stretches upwards on sloping cobblestoned streets with unique stone houses, which kind of look like small fortresses. For that reason, the town is known as "The City of Stone". Standing guard across the valley, the imposing Gjirokastër Fortress dominates the skyline amidst a sea of slate grey rooftops that hide a veritable labyrinth of cobbled alleyways and hidden staircases simply made for wandering. A place to put away a map and get truly lost.
Visit and explore the Castle of Gjirokastra, Bazar Mosque, Zekate House, Ethnographic Museum, Gjirokastra Bazaar, Ali Pasha Bridge, and so much more!
1 nights in Berat
Berat is a settlement that we can trace back to the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. It was originally a castle city known as Antipatrea that expanded afterwards and uniquely today, residents still live inside of the castle walls. With its houses built along the steep hill, the view of Mangalemi is the reason that another name for Berat is the City of the Floating Windows. The arched bridge of Gorica, the ensemble of the Byzantine churches and the Cathedral of Shen Meria are some of the most visited sites. You also can visit the Monastery of Shen Spiridhoni, the monuments to the Islamic faith, and the Halveti Tekke or Tariqa in the medieval center. Other interesting spots include the Ethnographic Museum and the Edward Lear Gallery of Art and Berat is also well known for its traditional gastronomy.
Explore and discover the amazing Berat Castle, Ethnographic Museum, Gorica Bridge, Muzeu Kombetar Ikonografik Onufri, Old Town, Lead Mosque Berat, St. Theodore's Church, The Gate of the Pasha, Holy Trinity Church, and so much more.
1 nights in Tirana
Tirana, located in the center of Albania, is the country's capital and home to one-sixth of Albania's population. Tirana is Albania's most important city with regard to politics, commerce, and culture. It is located on a plain next to Mount Dajt, and due to its geographical position it is among the sunniest places in the country. Multiple points of interest are located on or around Skanderbeg Square, the largest main square not just in Albania but in the entire Balkan region.
Visit and explore the Skanderbeg Square, National Museum of History, Mount Dajt, Et'hem Bey Mosque, Pyramid of Tirana, Grand Park of Tirana, National Museum of Fine Arts, Fortress of Justinian, Resurrection Cathedral, and so much more.
<b>Albania</b> is well-known for its contributions to culture, which stretches back over two millennia. You can see artifacts and works of art created by the people who call Albania home in the country`s many museums, of which the Durrës Archaeological Museum and the National Art Gallery are two not to be missed. Albania`s beaches are very popular, ranging from the untouched and pristine to flashy and touristy. Finally, it can`t be ignored that Albania`s Communist-era history and relics set it apart even from other former Communist nations in Eastern Europe.
The Best of Albania (Tirana - Shkoder - Durres - Sarande - Gjirokaster - Berat)
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Tirana
Tirana, located in the center of Albania, is the country's capital and home to one-sixth of Albania's population. Tirana is Albania's most important city with regard to politics, commerce, and culture. It is located on a plain next to Mount Dajt, and due to its geographical position it is among the sunniest places in the country. Multiple points of interest are located on or around Skanderbeg Square, the largest main square not just in Albania but in the entire Balkan region.
Visit and explore the Skanderbeg Square, National Museum of History, Mount Dajt, Et'hem Bey Mosque, Pyramid of Tirana, Grand Park of Tirana, National Museum of Fine Arts, Fortress of Justinian, Resurrection Cathedral, and so much more.
Shkoder is one of the oldest cities in the country. Located on the bank of Skadar lake, the culture capital of Albania has a lively atmosphere and one of the most picturesque city centers you`ll encounter. The city remains the traditional market center for the northern Albania mountain area, where grains, tobacco, potatoes, fruits, and grapes are grown. The town is the main access point to the Albanian Alps and acts as a base for exploring Albania's mountains. The Accursed Mountains are both spectacular and almost impenetrable except for a series of high passes that link the small number of farmsteads and homes in the valleys below to the outside world during the summer months. If you`re planning a journey to Theth or Valbona National Park, Shkoder is your unavoidable stop and you will not regret it.
Visit and explore the Rozafa Castle, Marubi National Museum of Photography, Xhamia e Madhe - Ebu Bekr mosque, Shkoder History Museum, Site of Witness and Memory, and so much more.
Durres is the second-largest city in Albania and one of the country's oldest cities, founded in the seventh century BCE. Located on the Adriatic Sea, it has been a trading hub for over two millennia. Once home to a large Roman settlement called Dyrrachium, archaeological sites from this settlement feature prominently throughout the city. The amphitheatre, which is the largest of its kind in the Balkans, sits in the center of town, and is currently under consideration to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit and explore the Amphitheatre of Durres, Durres Beach, Durres Archaeological Museum, Port of Durres, Cape of Rodon, Durres Castle, Venetian Tower, Byzantine Market, Royal Villa of Durres, Great Mosque of Durres, and so much more.
The unique Saranda is not only within a stone's throw of the Greek island of Corfu, but it's surrounded by some of the best attractions, beaches, and nature that Southern Albania has to offer. It's no surprise that it’s grown from a once-sleepy fishing village into a thriving city, a bustling summer vacation destination. Saranda's recorded history goes back to Ancient Epirus, a Greek state between roughly the 4th and 2nd centuries B.C. In antiquity, the town was known as Onchesmus (or Onchesmos).
Visit and explore the Pulebardha Beach, Lekuresi Castle, Mango Beach, Monastery of 40 Saints, Saranda Beach, Sanduza Beach and much more.
The enchanting UNESCO-listed old town, Gjirokastër stretches upwards on sloping cobblestoned streets with unique stone houses, which kind of look like small fortresses. For that reason, the town is known as "The City of Stone". Standing guard across the valley, the imposing Gjirokastër Fortress dominates the skyline amidst a sea of slate grey rooftops that hide a veritable labyrinth of cobbled alleyways and hidden staircases simply made for wandering. A place to put away a map and get truly lost.
Visit and explore the Castle of Gjirokastra, Bazar Mosque, Zekate House, Ethnographic Museum, Gjirokastra Bazaar, Ali Pasha Bridge, and so much more!
Berat is a settlement that we can trace back to the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. It was originally a castle city known as Antipatrea that expanded afterwards and uniquely today, residents still live inside of the castle walls. With its houses built along the steep hill, the view of Mangalemi is the reason that another name for Berat is the City of the Floating Windows. The arched bridge of Gorica, the ensemble of the Byzantine churches and the Cathedral of Shen Meria are some of the most visited sites. You also can visit the Monastery of Shen Spiridhoni, the monuments to the Islamic faith, and the Halveti Tekke or Tariqa in the medieval center. Other interesting spots include the Ethnographic Museum and the Edward Lear Gallery of Art and Berat is also well known for its traditional gastronomy.
Explore and discover the amazing Berat Castle, Ethnographic Museum, Gorica Bridge, Muzeu Kombetar Ikonografik Onufri, Old Town, Lead Mosque Berat, St. Theodore's Church, The Gate of the Pasha, Holy Trinity Church, and so much more.
Tirana, located in the center of Albania, is the country's capital and home to one-sixth of Albania's population. Tirana is Albania's most important city with regard to politics, commerce, and culture. It is located on a plain next to Mount Dajt, and due to its geographical position it is among the sunniest places in the country. Multiple points of interest are located on or around Skanderbeg Square, the largest main square not just in Albania but in the entire Balkan region.
Visit and explore the Skanderbeg Square, National Museum of History, Mount Dajt, Et'hem Bey Mosque, Pyramid of Tirana, Grand Park of Tirana, National Museum of Fine Arts, Fortress of Justinian, Resurrection Cathedral, and so much more.
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