10-Day Albania Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Albania tour itineraries

Compiled by

NinaAlbania travel expert at TourRadar

• 10 Days in Albania, incl. Tirana and Berat

  The grand tour encompasses 17 Albanian cities, from Tirana's bustling streets to UNESCO-listed Butrint. Visit ancient ruins, thermal springs, and savor traditional cuisine in Përmet, with comfortable stays at hotels like Hotel Europa and Hotel Alvero, all for approx. $210 per day.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Tirana & Pogradec

    Visit the New Bazaar in Tirana early to beat the crowds. "Watching locals haggle at the morning market gives you a real feel for daily Albanian life." Take a walking tour through Blloku neighborhood the next day. This area was once off-limits to everyone except Communist party elite but now it's Tirana's coolest district. The 2.5-hour drive to Pogradec offers great views. Make sure to stop at the 15th-century Elbasan Fortress on your way.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Korçë & Përmet

    Visit the artist village of Voskopojë and historic Korçë with its museums and local beer. The next day brings a scenic 5-hour drive to Përmet. Stop in Ersekë, Albania's highest town at 3,445 feet to break up the journey. Përmet is perfect for food lovers. Try the local gliko sweets and raki. "The homemade food and wine in Përmet was a highlight - just be prepared for relaxed service as everything is cooked fresh to order."

    
  • Days 5-6

    Gjirokastër & Butrint

    Explore UNESCO-listed Gjirokastër's medieval towers and winding cobbled streets. Visit the castle for amazing views but bring good shoes as the paths are steep and can be slippery. Drive to Butrint National Park, stopping at coastal villages. The ruins here span from 4th century BCE and show layers of Greek, Roman and medieval history.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Llogora & Berat

    Start with a morning walk in Llogora National Park then visit the Apollonia ruins where Augustus studied. Next is Berat, the "City of a Thousand Windows." Take a full day to explore its historic areas and castle. "Berat's architecture is stunning but pace yourself on the uphill climbs to the castle - the views are worth it but it's a workout."

    
  • Days 9-10

    Durrës & Krujë

    See the Balkans' largest Roman amphitheater in Durrës before visiting medieval Krujë where Skanderbeg fought off Ottoman invaders. Spend your final morning browsing authentic handicrafts at the bazaar. Book afternoon flights from Tirana to avoid morning traffic.

    

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• 10 Day Albania Itinerary, incl. Tirana and Berat

  A cultural odyssey spans 18 Albanian cities for approx. $160 per day. The route leads from Kruja's ancient bazaar to UNESCO-listed Butrint, including three traditional lunches and unique experiences like dining with locals in Berat Castle. Landscapes vary from mountains to Mediterranean coast.

  

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  • Day 1

    Kruje & Shkodra

    Start in Tirana and head to Kruje's 500-year-old Ottoman bazaar. Get there before 10 AM to avoid tour groups. The cobblestone market street leads straight to Kruje Castle. You'll need 2-3 hours to explore the fortress and Skanderbeg Museum. One traveler noted "The castle walls hold 1500 years of history - don't miss the secret tunnel and panoramic views from the watchtower." Stop for lunch at Mrizi i Zanave restaurant which serves traditional Albanian farm-to-table food. Then take the 1.5-hour drive to Shkodra for the night.

    
  • Day 2

    Albanian Alps & Theth

    Leave early for the mountain drive to Theth village. The journey takes about 3 hours on winding roads so bring motion sickness pills if needed. Make a photo stop at Qafe Thore pass to see the Albanian Alps. In Theth you can visit the stone church and "lock-in tower." Take a short 45-minute hike to Grunas waterfall. If you're up for it take a swim in the cold Blue Eye spring. Head back to Shkodra to sleep.

    
  • Day 3

    Komani Lake & Shala River

    Start your day early for the boat tour through Komani Lake known as the "Albanian fjords." The boat ride takes 90 minutes. You'll have 5 hours to explore Shala River's clear waters and hidden beaches at Zgiboze often called "Albania's Thailand." A recent visitor wrote: "The pristine turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs make this feel like a secret paradise." Return to Tirana in late afternoon.

    
  • Day 4

    Tirana

    Take a morning e-bike tour through central Tirana to avoid traffic and cover more ground. Visit the newly renovated Pyramid and bike through the Blloku district where communist leaders once lived. After lunch head to the BunkArt1 nuclear bunker. Book ahead since it often sells out. Plan for 2 hours to see all the Cold War exhibits across its 5 floors.

    
  • Day 5

    Berat

    It's a 2-hour drive to UNESCO-listed Berat. Start at the castle district on the hill. Wear good shoes as the cobblestones get slippery. See the red mosque and old churches then have lunch with a local family inside the castle. Spend your afternoon walking through the "City of 1000 Windows" to see Ottoman architecture. End your day tasting wine at the family-run Pupa Winery.

    

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• 10 Day Balkans Hiking Itinerary, incl. Albania and Kosovo

  The hiking circuit covers 122 km of trails through 7 major Albanian destinations. Highlights include Theth Valley, Valbona Pass (1050m ascent), and Blue Eye natural spring, with traditional guesthouse accommodations throughout.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Tirana to Albanian Alps

    Leave Tirana at 6 AM and head to the Albanian Alps through Shkoder to Tamarë where your hiking begins. You'll spend two days based in Lëpushë village known for its yellow spring flowers and local organic food. On day two take on a challenging 6-hour hike to Maja e Berizhdolit (1,977m) with a 900m climb. A recent traveler said: "The trail is full of beautiful flowers, waterfalls, rivers and mountains. It was hard to keep my eyes on the path!"

    
  • Days 3-4

    Montenegro and Theth

    Cross to Montenegro to climb Talijanka peak in Grbaje Valley. This tough climb takes 6 hours with 1,100m elevation gain. Stay in Vuthaj before moving to the Albanian village of Theth. In Theth you'll visit the historic Lock-in Tower and Old Church. You can have horses carry your luggage for an extra fee so pack light.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Valbona Valley Trek

    Take on the famous Theth to Valbona hike with a 1,050m climb over 6-8 hours. You'll get amazing views of the "Accursed Mountains" from Valbona Pass. One hiker shared: "The changing scenery, weather, flora and fauna mean you would need years to see and do all there is." The next day hike to Cerem's shepherd huts at 1,300m. There's no WiFi or power but the local hospitality is incredible.

    
  • Days 7-8

    Remote Mountain Villages

    Travel to Doberdol through pine forests where you can pick wild berries in season. You'll pass Albania's only National Reserve where brown bears and the last 40 Balkan lynx live. Sleep in basic shepherd's huts at 1,800m. Next day climb Kosovo's highest peak Gjeravica and swim in three alpine lakes including one shaped like a heart.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Kosovo to Tirana

    Visit Gjakova to see Kosovo's oldest bazaar which has been rebuilt after several wars. Stop at the 16th-century Hadum mosque to see early Balkan Islamic architecture. On the final day you'll return to Tirana. Make sure to bring good hiking boots as trails are challenging with 6-8 hours of hiking and significant climbs each day.

    

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