Albania: North to South Tour – 8 Days 

Uncover the beauty and variety of Albania’s national parks and coastal towns.

Discover breathtaking wildlife and geographic diversity as you make your way from the Northern Albanian Peaks to the Southern Coastal Saranda. Scenic drives, Mediterranean-style beaches, ancient ruins, snowy summits—this tour’s extraordinary landscapes and pretty towns are sure to leave you in awe.

Group size: Min 4 – Max 12 travelers

Day–by–day itinerary

Tirana   |   1 night
Day 1: Travel Day & Tirana

Included meals: Welcome Dinner

Airport pick-up service available throughout the day (included).

Welcome to Albania! Transfer to Tirana and settle into your hotel. For those of you not too tired, there is a guided walking tour of the city center, including Skanderbeg Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, the Pyramid and the Blloku area.

Then, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Theth   |   2 nights
Day 2: Theth via Shkoder

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included entrances: Rozafa Fortress

En route to Shkodra, a small city situated at the foot of the Albania Alps, stop and visit the hilltop Rozafa Castle.

• Enjoy its amazing views and the fortress’s fascinating history.

Head for lunch in the picturesque lake town of Shiroke for a fish-based lunch in a local restaurant facing Shkodra Lake.

Experience the Old Town, St. Stephen’s Catholic Cathedral and the Ebu Bekr Mosque on a guided tour before transferring to Theth, where on route you will stop in the mountain village of Boge and Thore Pass surrounded by mountains.

Get settled in the guesthouse in Theth and have a relaxing afternoon and a walking guide of the village where a four-century old tower used as reconciliation tower and the 100 – year – old, well-preserved church are the highlights, before a rustic dinner with a glass or two of Raki.

Day 3: The Blue Eye of Theth & Grunas Waterfall and Canyon
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend a day exploring Theth National Park on a leasure hike.

• Marvel at the view and sound of Grunas waterfall and Canyon.
• Enjoy a refreshing bath and lunch at the Natural pools of Nderlysa.
• Be amazed at the Blue Eye of Theth, after hiking through stunning scenery.

Return via local transportation in the guesthouse.

Durres   |   1 night
Day 4: Durres via Kruja

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included entrances: Skanderbeg Museum

Leave the northern village of Theth and head for the city of Kruja.

• Set off on a guided tour of Dollma Bektashi Teqe, the surroundings and the Castle itself and the Skanderbeg Museum.
• Head for lunch in a local restaurant in Kruja, with a tremendous view of the city and valley of Kruja.

Enjoy free time to wander around the Old Bazaar, with beautiful cobblestone alleys and lovely old architecture.

Leave the Old Capital in the afternoon and transfer to the seaside city of Durres.

Saranda   |   2 nights
Day 5: Saranda via Gjirokaster (UNESCO)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included entrances: Gjirokastra Fortress, Skenduli House, Blue Eye Spring

Transfer to Gjirokaster to discover the city of “a thousand steps”, driving through small villages.

• Step into Skenduli house, the nicest Ottoman tower house and listen to its history and details from the 10th generation of Skenduli family.
• Soak up to the rich history of the castle and enjoy the view of the “city of stone” from above.
• Pass by the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden houses and visit Gjirokastra Obelisk dedicated to the first school of Gjirokastra and enjoy the 360º view from there.
• Head out for lunch in a small, local restaurant for a taste of the city’s authentic dishes.

Travel to Saranda in the late afternoon.

Day 6: Butrint National Park (UNESCO) & Ksamil

Included meals: Breakfast
Included entrances: Blue Eye Spring, Butrint Archaeological Park — On-site expert guide

In the morning we travel to the Blue Eye and marvel at the spring’s shades of blue and nature around it.

• Transfer to Butrint for a guided tour of the UNESCO recognized archaeological site where a local guided explains 2500 years of history embedded in the Amphitheater, the Castle, the Churches and the Lion’s Gate.
• Set off for a beach day at Ksamil Islands where you will have them to explore, swim, sunbathe and enjoy food and drinks at small cafés and restaurants on the Islands.

Spend your afternoon in Ksamil and on the way back to Saranda visit the Lekursi Castle overseeing the city.

Vlore   |   1 night
Day 7: Vlore via Ali Pasha Castle & Riviera Road

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included entrances: Ali Pasha Castle

Head to Porto Palermo and explore the Ali Pasha Castle with your Tour Director.

• Marvel at the architecture and listen to entertaining legends about the man who build it, Ali Pashe Tepelena.
• Stop for lunch at a rustic local restaurant along Shushica river.

Get settled in the hotel in Vlore, hometown to the National Independence movement.

• Visit the Flag Square with its Independence Monument right in the center, the Muradie Mosque and Vlore Lungomare.

Tirana   |   1 night
Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Berat (UNESCO) & Tirana

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included entrances: Berat Castle

Transfer to Berat passing through suggestive hills full of olive trees.

• Set out for a guided tour admiring the citadel / castle of Berat with the Red Mosque, recognized by its solitary minaret. The White Mosque, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the arched bridge of Gorica, built in 1780 are the other attractions that await you after the Castle.
• Step inside a local home inside the castle of Berat for a coffee, raki and dessert break.

Enjoy lunch with the city as the view and free time to wander in the two main districts of Mangalem and Gorica.

Transfer to Tirana in the late afternoon.

Flight Home   |   0 nights
Day 9: Departure Day

Included meals: Breakfast

Please note that the airport drop off is not included on tour. If you want to include this service, you can book it during your reservation.