Grand Tour of Albania in 10 days is an exhaustive experience covering the best of modern capital, old towns, past and recent history, culture and traditions, culinary, religion, plenty of nature, and a small part of Kosovo, the old town of Prizren. You will visit 3 UNESCO Worl Heritage sites and many castles or fortresses packed everywhere you step in Albania. The history of communism with its bunkers and other atrocities is still visible nowadays. Our team of locals is very proud to show our country and the region, giving their family and everyday living insights.
Pick up and drop off all travelers at their hotel
10 Days / 9 Nights
English, Italian and Greek
These 10 days you will travel around Albania and Kosovo with extensive sightseeing and visit all the cities, historical and archaeological sites as per the detailed itinerary.
The tour is an easy walk and drive, with many visits to natural and historical sites, making it suitable for everyone. Transportation will be done with an air-conditioned, comfortable vehicle. Accommodation will be in 3 stars hotels or local guesthouses, twin shared rooms, breakfast is included. Single room supplement is not included in the price. A certified local tour guide will be with you all the time. The weather most of the time is very nice and pleasant, only during July and August you should bring your hat, sunscreen, and water.
Today you will arrive in Tirana, Albania and our staff will meet you at the airport.
Depending on your arrival time we might do the presentation meeting with your guide and a short walking tour of Tirana.
Overnight in Tirana
Day 2 Tirana and Shkodra
Early in the morning, we will start a walking tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania. We will have a chance to visit:
After a traditional lunch, we will head north and drive about 1 hour to arrive in Shkodra in the early afternoon. Here we will visit:
Evening at leisure on your own to explore the rest of Shkodra.
Overnight in Shkodra
Very early morning, after a good breakfast we will drive towards Komani damn and will board a ferry sailing through Drini river, one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Albania. The trip will last about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Our trip will continue to Valbona where we will have our lunch and spend a few hours discovering this gorgeous valley. Valbona valley is surrounded by some of the highest peaks of Albania giving her a dramatic panorama, very appreciated by visitors.
Late afternoon we will check into our hotel in Prizren in the historical part of the town.
Overnight in the old town of Prizren.
Our visit in Prizren will start by exploring both sides of the Lumbardhi river, where the old historical part of the town is located. We will continue by visiting the fortress of Prizren which has a beautiful view of the whole town.
Second part of the day we will drive towards Kruja, home of our national hero Scanderbeg. Here we will visit:
o The XIV century fortress;
o The Scanderbeg and Ethnographic museums;
o The old bazaar of Kruja, well known for the handmade wool carpets
Evening at leisure to explore the rest of Kruja.
Overnight in Kruja.
Today we will start visiting the town of Durres, our main port and beach on the Adriatic sea. Durres has significant importance on our history, as one of the oldest Greek and Roman colonies since the VII century BC. Here we will have a chance to visit:
o The archeological museum;
o The amphitheater of II century AD, the biggest in Balkan;
o The town center
The second part of the day we will travel towards the town of Berat, known for its unique architecture and part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Here we will visit:
● Visit the IV century BC fortress of Berat.
● Visit at the old XVIII century Christian Orthodox Cathedral of Berat.
● Visit the Onufri Byzantine Icon’s Gallery.
Evening at leisure to explore the town of Berat on your own.
Overnight in the old town of Berat.
Our day will start by visiting the Archeological Park of Apollonia, which started as a Greek colony in the VII century BC and the Museum of Apollonia.
After Apollonia Park, we will start driving along the Ionian coast towards Saranda. This whole trip goes along one of the most beautiful parts of Albania where the sea and mountains come together to shape this amazing landscape.
We will make a short stop at Llogara pass, 1000 m above sea level, to enjoy the panorama and take pictures. Further down on our way will make a visit to Ali Pasha’s XIX century fortress, a real jewel well preserved until nowadays.
On the way, we will cross through the beautiful villages of Dhermi, Ilias, Vuno, Himara, Borsh, Qeparo, etc. At one of them, we will have a lunch stop. Late afternoon we will arrive in Saranda.
Overnight in Saranda
Today we will visit the biggest Archeological Park in Albania, Butrinti Park, which started as a Greek colony in the VII century BC, later became a Roman colony and since 1995 is an UNESCO World Heritage listed site.
We will continue with a short stop at Ksamil Beach, where we will have our lunch. Our day continues with the visit to Blue Eye natural water spring park.
In the afternoon we will arrive in Gjirokastra and you will have time on your own to explore this beautiful old town.
Overnight in Gjirokaster
After a wonderful traditional breakfast, we will explore the old town of Gjirokastra, part of UNESCO World Heritage. We will visit:
In the second part of the day we will drive towards the town of Korca and on our way will pass along Vjosa river, known as the last wild river of Europe, Permet town, and Germenji park. The whole area is untouched by mankind’s impact.
Afternoon we will be in Korca and you will have all evening to explore this beautiful town, known for its culture and history. Our tip is to not miss trying the local beer and their meatballs in one of the many beer gardens in town.
Overnight in Korca
In the first part of the day we will explore the town of Korca, known also as the little Paris, and will visit:
After lunch we will drive to Pogradec town, located on the shore of Ohrid lake, the oldest lake in Balkan, shared between Albania and North Macedonia. We will visit Drilon water springs, Enver Hoxha’s preferred vacation place.
Late afternoon we will drive back to Tirana.
Overnight in Tirana
Our staff will send you at Tirana International Airport, wishing you a safe flight back home.
