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.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • 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."

    

  View itinerary

• 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.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • 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.

    

  View itinerary

• 7 Days in Albania, incl. Tirana and Berat

  A rich 7-day route spans 8 destinations across Albania, from Tirana to Saranda. Take in three UNESCO sites including Butrint and Gjirokaster, savor traditional meals at Mrizi i Zanave and Alpeta Winery, and admire the stunning Blue Eye Spring and Albanian Riviera.

  

  View itineraryCompare 7 days itineraries
  • Day 1

    Tirana

    Plan to arrive in the capital mid-morning to avoid rush hour traffic from the airport. Start at Skanderbeg Square, which serves as an excellent starting point to get your bearings. "The vibrant city center shows how quickly Albania is modernizing, but still keeps its character," according to one traveler. Spend your afternoon exploring the Blloku area, a former communist elite neighborhood that's now home to some of the city's best cafes and restaurants.

    
  • Day 2

    Kruja & Fishte

    Drive 45 minutes to Kruja to visit Albania's most significant castle. Get to the Skanderbeg Museum early before tour groups arrive. Visit the Old Bazaar for traditional crafts before it gets crowded at 11 AM. Take the afternoon to visit Mrizi i Zanave agritourism in Fishte village. A visitor recently shared: "The day with a local family was just great and they were so welcoming. We learned so much about Albanian cooking traditions."

    
  • Day 3

    Gjirokaster & Saranda

    Take the 3.5-hour drive south to Gjirokaster, nicknamed the "City of a Thousand Steps." Pack sturdy shoes for the steep, sometimes slippery cobblestone streets. Visit the Skenduli House before lunch when natural lighting is best for photos. Continue on to Saranda (2 hours). One traveler noted: "The drive along the Albanian Riviera is spectacular, but the mountain roads require careful navigation."

    
  • Day 4

    Butrint & Blue Eye Spring

    Visit Blue Eye Spring first thing to avoid crowds. Bring water shoes for the slippery rocks. Move on to Butrint archaeological park before lunch. A visitor suggests: "The site is quite exposed. Bring sun protection and water. The morning crowds thin out by 2 PM." End your day swimming at Ksamil Beach's crystal-clear waters.

    
  • Day 5

    Albanian Riviera to Berat

    Drive north along the coast, stopping at Ali Pasha Castle. The road has many turns, so motion-sensitive travelers should sit up front. You'll reach Berat by late afternoon. One visitor remarked: "Berat's 'City of a Thousand Windows' nickname makes sense when you first see those white Ottoman houses cascading down the hillside."

    
  • Day 6

    Berat

    Start with Berat Castle. The walk up takes about 20 minutes. Visit Holy Trinity Church in the morning before it gets hot. Visit Alpeta Winery in the afternoon. A recent guest shared: "The winery visit was a highlight. The passion for preserving local grape varieties really shows through in their wines."

    
  • Day 7

    Return to Tirana

    The 2-hour drive back to Tirana is best started by 9 AM to avoid midday traffic. If you have an evening flight, you'll have time to revisit the Blloku area or shop at the New Bazaar.

    

  View itinerary