7-Day Albania Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Albania tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaAlbania travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Albania, incl. Tirana and Saranda

  An immersive 7-day Albanian tour connects 15 cities, from Tirana to remote Nivice village. The route includes UNESCO sites Butrint and Berat, Llogara National Park, and Korçë's Medieval Art Museum. Includes daily breakfast, 3-star hotels, and expert guides for approx. $180 per day.

  

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  • Day 1

    Tirana to Berat

    Start in Tirana and drive to Karavasta Lagoon (1.5 hours). This is Albania's largest lagoon and perfect for birdwatching. Drive another hour to UNESCO-listed Berat. Visit Berat Castle in the afternoon for the best photo lighting. A recent visitor notes: "The cobblestone streets of Berat's castle district are steep and can be slippery - wear sturdy shoes and take your time exploring the historic churches and mosques."

    
  • Day 2

    Berat to Vlore

    Visit the ancient ruins of Apollonia in the morning (2-hour drive) before the day gets too hot. Drive to Vlore and stop at Independence Square, the site of Albania's 1912 independence declaration. Check out Narta Lagoon for flamingo watching. Local tip: visit between 4-6 PM when the birds are most active. Bring binoculars if you have them.

    
  • Day 3

    Albanian Riviera

    Drive through Llogara National Park after 10 AM when the morning fog clears. Stop at Dhermi Beach on your way to Porto Palermo Castle. A visitor shares: "The winding coastal road offers incredible views but can be challenging - take motion sickness pills if you're sensitive and sit on the mountain side of the vehicle for the best photos."

    
  • Day 4

    Saranda and Butrint

    Get to Butrint National Park early (30 minutes from Saranda) to beat the crowds. Pack water and good walking shoes for exploring the ancient ruins. Spend your afternoon at Ksamil Beach with views of Corfu. Drive to Gjirokaster (1.5 hours) to see its Ottoman architecture and stone houses.

    
  • Day 5

    Rural Albania

    Travel to Nivice village through historic Tepelene. Visit Peshtura Waterfall (check conditions as paths get muddy after rain). End your day in Permet, known for its thermal baths. One traveler suggests: "The thermal pools at Benje are natural and rustic - bring water shoes as the rocks can be sharp."

    
  • Day 6

    Mountain Villages

    Take a 3-hour drive through Vjosa River valley to Voskopoje. Visit the medieval Orthodox churches that open at 9 AM with a local guide. Continue to Korça, called "Little Paris" for its French architecture. Plan to see the National Museum of Medieval Art before it closes at 4 PM.

    
  • Day 7

    Korça to Tirana

    Browse Korça's bazaar in the morning. Have lunch at Lake Ohrid before returning to Tirana (3.5 hours) for a city walking tour. A helpful tip from a traveler: "Traffic in Tirana can be chaotic - if you're catching an evening flight, leave at least 3 hours for the journey from Korça and airport transfer."

    

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• 7 Days in Albania, incl. Tirana and Berat

  A focused 7-day tour explores 3 major cities: Tirana, Vlorë, and Berat. Highlights include 6 breakfasts, shepherd visit in Tragjas, UNESCO site Butrint, and Ali Pasha Castle. The route covers key landmarks like Durrës amphitheater and Gjirokastër's historic center.

  

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  • Day 1

    Tirana

    Begin your week in Albania's capital city. Explore Tirana's Soviet-era architecture in the late afternoon when sunlight perfectly illuminates the colorful buildings. Take a walk by the Lana River to the Blloku district, which was once off-limits to everyone except communist party leaders but now stands as Tirana's most modern area. For getting around, use the Moovit app to navigate the local bus system.

    
  • Day 2

    Tirana to Vlorë

    Start early with a 2-hour drive to the Roman city of Durrës. Visit the impressive 20,000-seat amphitheater before the midday sun gets too strong. Drive on to coastal Vlorë and visit the Muradie Mosque for beautiful sunset views. Remember to bring water shoes since most Albanian beaches are covered in pebbles instead of sand.

    
  • Day 3

    Vlorë Mountains

    Set out on a shepherd outpost hike from Tragjas village. You'll need proper hiking boots for the moderately steep and sometimes loose trails. The 4-5 hour round trip includes a traditional shepherd's lunch with local cheese and lamb. Start your hike early to avoid peak afternoon temperatures, especially during summer months.

    
  • Day 4

    Vlorë to Gjirokastër

    Take the scenic coastal route south. If you get motion sickness on winding roads pack some medication. Stop for a swim at Himarë beach. Visit Ali Pasha Castle but wear good shoes as the stone paths can be slippery. See the UNESCO site of Butrint but bring a hat and sunscreen since there's little shade. End your day in Gjirokastër.

    
  • Day 5

    Gjirokastër

    Walk through Gjirokastër's Ottoman old town in the morning before the crowds arrive. Climb up to the castle for stunning views of the area. In the afternoon visit a local winery where you can experience traditional polyphonic singing. Plan for a late dinner as locals typically eat after 8 PM.

    
  • Day 6

    Gjirokastër to Berat

    Take the three-hour drive to Berat "City of a Thousand Windows." The Ottoman houses in Mangalem and Gorica look best in photos when viewed from Berat Castle in late afternoon. Give yourself 2-3 hours to explore the large castle complex. Be careful on the ancient steps which are smooth from centuries of use.

    
  • Day 7

    Berat to Tirana

    Head back to Tirana for departure. Book flights after 2 PM to avoid morning traffic issues. You might have time to buy some Albanian mountain tea or raki at a local market just check your airline's rules about liquids.

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• 7 Days in Albania, incl. Tirana and Saranda

  A comprehensive 7-day route spans 7 cities in 394 miles, from Tirana's BunkArt 1 to UNESCO sites in Gjirokastra and Butrint. Features stays at 4-star hotels in Tirana and Saranda, plus visits to the Blue Eye spring and Llogara National Park.

  

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  • Day 1

    Tirana

    Arrive at Tirana International Airport and pick up your rental car. The Dacia Sandero Stepway is a good choice for mountain roads and fuel efficiency. The drive to central Tirana takes about 30 minutes but budget an hour during rush hour. Get your GPS and local SIM card set up for easier navigation.

    
  • Day 2

    Exploring Tirana

    Start your day at BunkArt 1, a museum inside a massive Cold War bunker. You'll need 2-3 hours to explore Albania's fascinating 20th-century history. Spend your afternoon walking around Skanderbeg Square to see the Et'hem Bey Mosque and Clock Tower. Just remember to dress modestly for the mosque with shoulders and knees covered.

    
  • Day 3

    Tirana to Gjirokaster

    Drive south to Apollonia Archaeological Park (2.5 hours). You can hire an archaeologist on site for a deeper understanding of the ruins. Continue another 2 hours to UNESCO-listed Gjirokaster. Start with the castle when you arrive for the best afternoon light photos. A previous visitor noted: "Build in extra time for driving - the suggested itinerary can be tight with mountain roads."

    
  • Day 4

    Gjirokaster to Saranda

    Visit the "Neck of the Bazaar" and Skenduli House in Gjirokaster's old town. Drive an hour to the Blue Eye natural spring. Bring water shoes since the viewing platforms can get slippery. You'll reach Saranda by late afternoon. Take your time on the coastal road's hairpin turns while enjoying the views.

    
  • Day 5

    Saranda and Butrint

    Get to Butrint National Park early (30 minutes away) before the tour buses arrive. Plan for at least 3 hours to see all the ancient ruins. Spend your afternoon at Ksamil Beach. Rent an umbrella for about $10 since there isn't much shade. Watch the sunset from Lekursi Castle overlooking Saranda. Bring cash as many beach vendors won't take cards.

    
  • Day 6

    Saranda to Berat

    A long but beautiful drive along the Albanian Riviera awaits. Stop at Ali Pasha's fortress in Porto Palermo (1 hour from Saranda). Have lunch at Llogara National Park where the road climbs to 1,000 meters. You'll reach Berat by late afternoon. Check out the castle area and Mangalem quarter. Stay in the old town for easy access to everything.

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Tirana

    It's about 2 hours back to Tirana airport. If you have a later flight visit Berat's Onufri Museum inside the citadel. It opens at 9 AM. Return your car at least 2 hours before your flight since the airport gets busy.

    

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