Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
Your driver meets you at Tirana International Airport and takes you to your hotel. Once you've settled in, there's a guided walk through Skanderbeg Square and the National History Museum. You'll stop at the Et'hem Bey Mosque, then head over to Mother Teresa Square and check out the Blloku district with its cafes and boutiques. After lunch at a local spot, you have free time to wander around on your own. Your guide goes over what's coming up during the next 12 days, and then you'll have a traditional Albanian dinner before turning in for the night.
- Start point
- Tirana, Albania (Enjoy Travel & Apartments Office, 08:00 - 08:30)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Albanian dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Tirana
- Visit Skanderbeg Square
- Explore National History Museum
- Visit Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Visit Mother Teresa Square
- Explore Blloku district
Optional Activities
- Visit Historical Museum
- Visit Gallery of Arts
- Visit Pyramid of Tirana
- Explore the Bunker
Landmarks Skanderbeg Square National History Museum Et'hem Bey Mosque Mother Teresa Square Blloku district Pyramid of Tirana The Bunker Gallery of Arts - Day 2
Tirana to Shkodra
Breakfast at your hotel gets things started, then you're driving north to Shkodra with your guide talking about Albanian history along the way. Rozafa Castle is first on the agenda, where you can see the legendary history and get good views of the city and Shkodra Lake. The city center tour includes the Pedestal and Mosque of Kings, which blend Ottoman and Venetian styles. After a traditional lunch, you'll have free time for local shops and cafes. Late afternoon means heading to Shkodra Lake, the Balkans' largest, with mountains and greenery all around. Dinner is traditional Albanian food before your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional meal at a local restaurant with authentic Albanian cuisine), Dinner (Traditional Albanian dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Rozafa Castle
- Explore Shkodra city center
- Visit Pedestal and Mosque of Kings
- Visit Shkodra Lake
Landmarks Rozafa Castle Shkodra Lake Mosque of Kings Pedestal - Day 3
Shkodra to Theth
After breakfast, you'll drive through the Albanian Alps toward Theth National Park on mountain roads, which takes about 2 to 2.5 hours by 4x4 vehicle. Once you arrive, there's time to walk around the traditional alpine village and check out the Church of Theth and the Blood Feud Tower. From there, you'll head to Nderlysa for a 1.5-hour hike each way to the Blue Eye natural spring. After getting back, dinner is a hearty mountain meal before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hearty mountain dinner featuring trout, polenta, and local cheese)
Included Activities
- Explore Theth Village
- Visit Church of Theth
- Visit Blood Feud Tower (Kulla e Ngujimit)
- Hike to Blue Eye of Theth (Syri i Kaltër) - 1.5 hours each way
Optional Activities
- Short hike to Grunas Waterfall near Theth village (30-40 minutes)
Landmarks Theth Village Church of Theth Blood Feud Tower (Kulla e Ngujimit) Blue Eye of Theth (Syri i Kaltër) Grunas Waterfall Qafa e Thores Mountain Pass - Day 4
Theth to Kruja
You'll start with breakfast and then descend from the mountains toward Kruja, passing through scenic valleys and plains over about 4 to 5 hours. Once in Kruja, explore the castle, which was the historic stronghold of the national hero Skanderbeg, and visit the Skanderbeg Museum to learn about his 25-year resistance against the Ottoman Empire. The Ethnographic Museum is housed in a traditional Ottoman house, and you can wander through the Old Bazaar where local craftspeople sell handmade carpets and pottery. Evening brings a traditional Albanian dinner and an overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Kruja restaurant with Albanian specialties)
Included Activities
- Explore Kruja Castle
- Visit Skanderbeg Museum
- Visit Ethnographic Museum
- Explore Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjetër)
Landmarks Kruja Castle Skanderbeg Museum Ethnographic Museum Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjetër) - Day 5
Kruja - Elbasan - Pogradec
You're exploring Kruja Castle and the Skanderbeg Museum after breakfast, then shopping for handicrafts at the traditional bazaar. From there, you drive to Elbasan to see the historic fortress, Saint Mary's Church, and King Mosque while learning about the Roman road Via Egnatia. Lunch happens inside the fortress. Later, you head to Pogradec on Lake Ohrid's shores, one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes shared with North Macedonia. The small village of Tushemisht is nearby to visit, and then you have free time to relax by the tranquil water before settling in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional meal inside the fortress)
Included Activities
- Explore Kruja Castle
- Visit Skanderbeg Museum
- Browse Kruja Bazaar
- Visit Elbasan Fortress
- Visit Saint Mary's Church
- Visit King Mosque
- Visit Tushemisht village
Landmarks Kruja Castle Skanderbeg Museum Kruja Bazaar Elbasan Fortress Saint Mary's Church King Mosque Lake Ohrid Tushemisht village - Day 6
Pogradec to Voskopoja - Korça
After breakfast, you're checking out the historic village of Voskopoja, a cultural hub since the 14th century. Three churches are on the tour: Saint Athanase, Saint Ilie, and Saint Marie, all with impressive frescoes and architecture. There's optional light hiking in the surrounding forests if you're interested. In the afternoon, you head to Koça, known as the 'City of Serenades' for its traditional music and cultural heritage. A guided tour covers the Cathedral, the Ottoman Bazaar from the 19th century, and the Andon Zako Cajupi Theatre. You'll explore the pedestrian zone and try traditional food at Hani i Pazarit before your peaceful overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Tour Saint Athanase Church
- Tour Saint Ilie Church
- Tour Saint Marie Church
- Visit Cathedral in Korça
- Explore Ottoman Bazaar
- Visit Andon Zako Cajupi Theatre
Optional Activities
- Light hiking in Voskopoja forest
- Meal at Hani i Pazarit
Landmarks Voskopoja Saint Athanase Church Saint Ilie Church Saint Marie Church Korça Cathedral Ottoman Bazaar Andon Zako Cajupi Theatre - Day 7
Korça to Benja Thermal Waters - Gjirokastra
After breakfast, you're driving through scenic landscapes toward the natural thermal waters at Benja. About 1 hour goes to relaxing in the warm pools, where water stays between 84-86°F year-round. A peaceful walk through Langarica Canyon happens before lunch. Then it's on to Gjirokastra, the UNESCO-listed city known for unique architecture. The 'Neck of the Bazaar' is the heart of Old Town, and your guide shows you Gjirokastra Castle with panoramic views, Skendulaj Fortress, the Gjirokastra House Museum from the communist period, and the 300-year-old Ethnographic Museum. Traditional Albanian dinner and overnight stay finish the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Relax in Benja Llixha thermal waters
- Walk through Langarica Canyon
- Explore Gjirokastra Old Town bazaar
- Visit Gjirokastra Castle
- Visit Skendulaj Fortress
- Visit Gjirokastra House Museum
- Visit Ethnographic Museum
Landmarks Benja Llixha thermal waters Langarica Canyon Gjirokastra Castle Skendulaj Fortress Gjirokastra House Ethnographic Museum 
- Day 8
Gjirokastra to Blue Eye - Butrint - Saranda
You're heading south toward Saranda on the Albanian Riviera after breakfast. The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) is your first stop, a natural spring with crystal-clear turquoise water forming a deep pool where you can take photos and enjoy the peaceful setting. After lunch with fresh regional ingredients, there's the archaeological site of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage location with prehistoric roots. Greek temples, Roman baths, Byzantine churches, and an impressive theater show its importance as a cultural crossroads. You arrive in Saranda, the Riviera's informal capital, with free time to relax by the sea and then enjoy a seafront dinner and overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with fresh ingredients including grilled fish from the Ionian Sea), Dinner (Dinner at a seafront restaurant with fresh seafood and local specialties)
Included Activities
- Visit Blue Eye natural monument
- Explore Butrint archaeological site
- Visit Greek temples at Butrint
- Visit Roman baths at Butrint
- Visit Byzantine churches at Butrint
- Explore theater at Butrint
Landmarks Blue Eye Butrint 
- Day 9
Saranda to Himara - Llogara National Park
After breakfast, you visit the Saranda Synagogue, an ancient site showing the region's cultural and religious history. The drive follows the spectacular Ionian Riviera coastline with panoramic sea views and towering cliffs. You pass through Qeparo, known for fine sandy beaches and cypress trees, and Borsh with its wide sandy beach and clear water. The 19th-century Castle of Ali Pasha offers incredible panoramic views of the coastline. You arrive in Himara for free afternoon beach time to swim or relax. Later, you transfer to Llogara National Park, a protected area with tall pine forests, dramatic cliffs, and mountain views. A traditional dinner surrounded by nature comes before your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional Albanian dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Saranda Synagogue
- Visit Castle of Ali Pasha
- Beach time in Himara
Landmarks Saranda Synagogue Qeparo village Borsh village Castle of Ali Pasha Himara Llogara National Park - Day 10
Llogara National Park - Vlora
You're leaving Llogara after breakfast and heading to Vlora through the Llogara Pass in the Ceraunian Mountains. Scenic viewpoints let you capture photos where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas meet. Inside Llogara National Park, you'll explore lush pine and oak forests with a leisurely walk or short hike to breathe fresh air and see the landscapes. Vlora is historically significant for Albania's Declaration of Independence. The Monument of Independence at Flag's Plaza marks the 1912 independence. About 13 km away is Zvërnec Island with tall pine forests and the 13th-century Byzantine Monastery of St. Mary. Dinner at a traditional restaurant and overnight stay in Vlora wrap things up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a traditional restaurant with local delicacies)
Included Activities
- Visit scenic viewpoints in Llogara Pass
- Nature walk in Llogara National Park
- Visit Monument of Independence
- Visit Zvërnec Island
- Explore Byzantine Monastery of St. Mary
Landmarks Llogara Pass Llogara National Park Monument of Independence Zvërnec Island Byzantine Monastery of St. Mary - Day 11
Vlora - Apollonia - Berat - Tirana
After breakfast, you're heading to Apollonia Archaeological Site, a significant Roman city along the historic Via Egnatia. The Temple of Apollo, Roman amphitheater, ancient city walls, and the on-site museum with artifacts are all explored. Julius Caesar sent Augustus Octavian here to study oratory. Traditional Albanian lunch happens at the park. Then you drive to Berat, the UNESCO World Heritage 'City of 1001 Windows,' famous for its Ottoman-era architecture. The Mangalemi District has narrow cobbled streets with traditional white stone houses and iconic windows. You'll visit the 16th-century Plumb Mosque and Byzantine Berat Cathedral. Back in Tirana, free time lets you revisit Day 1 spots, explore the Blloku District, or shop for souvenirs. A final traditional dinner and overnight stay conclude this day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Albanian lunch at a local restaurant in Apollonia park), Dinner (Final traditional dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Tour Apollonia Archaeological Site
- Visit Temple of Apollo
- Visit Roman amphitheater
- Visit Apollonia museum
- Explore Mangalemi District
- Visit Plumb Mosque
- Visit Berat Cathedral
Landmarks Apollonia Archaeological Site Temple of Apollo Roman amphitheater Apollonia museum Mangalemi District Plumb Mosque Berat Cathedral 
- Day 12
Tirana
You're driving from Berat to Tirana after breakfast, a scenic 2-hour trip through the Albanian countryside. Upon arrival, you have free time to explore however you like. That could mean revisiting favorite spots from Day 1, strolling through the Blloku District, shopping for souvenirs, relaxing in a local cafe, walking through city parks, or enjoying the Grand Park of Tirana by the artificial lake. If your flight leaves the next day, you'll spend a restful night and have a final dinner at a local restaurant to taste Albanian food one last time. If your flight departs later that day, your driver transfers you to Tirana International Airport (Nënë Tereza) with plenty of time for check-in.
- End point
- Tiranë, Tirana, Albania (Hotel booked)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Final dinner at a local restaurant or lounge)
Optional Activities
- Revisit Skanderbeg Square and nearby attractions
- Explore Blloku District
- Shop for souvenirs
- Visit Grand Park of Tirana
- Relax in local cafes
Landmarks Blloku district Grand Park of Tirana
