Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
You'll arrive in Tirana and meet up with your guide for a full day of exploring. After a 40-minute drive to Durrës, you'll walk through the ancient city walls and see the impressive Roman amphitheater. Lunch comes at a local restaurant before heading back to Tirana. In the afternoon, you'll check out BUNK'ART 1, an underground bunker museum, then tour the city center including Skanderbeg Square, the National Historical Museum, Et'hem Bey Mosque, the clock tower, opera house, and government buildings. By evening you'll settle into your hotel.
- Start point
- Tiranë, Tirana, Albania (Your Location, 08:20 - 09:00)
Included Activities
- Explore ancient City Walls of Durrës (originally constructed 4th century A.D.)
- Visit Roman Amphitheater of Durrës (2nd century A.D.)
- Seaside walk through Durrës promenade
- Visit BUNK'ART 1 museum - underground bunker with communist-era history and art installations
- Guided tour of Tirana city center including Skanderbeg Square
- Visit National Historical Museum
- Visit Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Visit Clock Tower
- Visit Opera House
- Tour Town Hall and Government Buildings
Optional Activities
- Traditional Albanian lunch at local restaurant in Durrës (free time for lunch arrangement)
Landmarks City Walls of Durrës Durrës Amphitheater BUNK'ART 1 Skanderbeg Square National Historical Museum Et'hem Bey Mosque Clock Tower Opera House 
- Day 2
Tirana
Your guide picks you up for this optional excursion and drives about 21 kilometers northeast to Bovilla Lake, with some sections on unpaved roads. The hike to Gamti Mountain takes roughly 40 minutes and has easy to moderate difficulty, offering views of the lake and surrounding cliffs. You'll rest at the summit near a cave and take photos before heading back down the same trail. After returning to Tirana, you'll have free time to walk around, visit cafés, or do some shopping before heading back to your hotel.
Optional Activities
- Pick-up from accommodation and scenic drive to Bovilla Lake (21-kilometer journey with off-road sections)
- Hike to Gamti Mountain summit (Easy to Moderate difficulty, approximately 40 minutes duration) with panoramic views of Bovilla Lake, cliffs, and hills
- City sightseeing in Tirana after returning from hike
- Free time to explore Tirana's cafés, shops, and neighborhoods
Landmarks Bovilla Lake Gamti Mountain - Day 3
Shkodra - Kruja
After breakfast you'll head toward Shkodra, Albania's cultural capital in the north near the Balkans' largest lake. You'll stroll through the Gjuhadol District to see Italian and Austrian-influenced architecture, then explore Rozafa Castle for views of the surrounding area. Lunch happens at Mrizi i Zanave agritourism restaurant where you can try regional specialties including traditional young goat meat. In the afternoon you'll travel to Kruja to see the Skanderbeg Museum inside Kruja Castle, visit an 18th-century Ottoman house, and wander through the Old Bazaar looking for handmade crafts.
- Meals
- Lunch (Mrizi i Zanave agritourism restaurant featuring regional pickles, fresh local cheeses, organic olive oil, stone-baked bread, and traditional young goat meat prepared in traditional style)
Optional Activities
- Walking tour through Gjuhadol District in Shkodra with Italian and Austrian architectural influences
- Visit Rozafa Castle with 360° panoramic views over Shkodra, Lake Shkodra, and surrounding valleys and mountains
- Lunch at Mrizi i Zanave agritourism restaurant with regional pickles, fresh local cheeses, organic olive oil, stone-baked bread, and traditional young goat meat
- Visit Skanderbeg Museum located within Kruja Castle
- Visit traditional 18th-century Ottoman museum house in Kruja
- Explore Old Bazaar of Kruja - one of Albania's oldest traditional markets for handmade crafts, rugs, and souvenirs
Landmarks Gjuhadol District Rozafa Castle Lake Shkodra Skanderbeg Museum Kruja Castle Old Bazaar of Kruja - Day 4
Durrës
You'll transfer to Durrës after breakfast and check into a seaside hotel facing the Adriatic. If you're taking the optional Apollonia tour, your guide leads you to the ancient Greek and Roman city along the historic Via Egnatia route, where you'll see the ancient theatre, Bouleterion, Church and Monastery of St. Mary, and city walls. From there you'll head to Vlora for lunch with fresh seafood, then have free time to explore the seaside promenade, Bay of Vlora, Independence Square, or the Muradie Mosque before returning to Durrës. Those relaxing stay at the beach and hotel facilities instead.
Optional Activities
- Transfer to Apollonia Archaeological Site (ancient Greek and Roman city)
- Explore Apollonia highlights: ancient theatre, Bouleterion, Church and Monastery of St. Mary, city walls
- Lunch in Vlora at local restaurant with fresh seafood and regional specialties
- Stroll along Vlora seaside promenade
- Relax by the Bay of Vlora
- Visit Independence Square in Vlora
- Explore Muradie Mosque (Ottoman-era monument) in Vlora
- Enjoy cafés and local boutiques in Vlora
- Relax on Durrës Beach
Landmarks Apollonia Archaeological Site Vlora Independence Square Muradie Mosque Bay of Vlora - Day 5
Berat
After breakfast your guide takes you to Berat, a UNESCO site with continuous habitation since the 6th-5th centuries B.C. You'll visit Berat Castle sitting on a hill with 13th-century churches, cobbled streets, and traditional stone houses where people actually live. The 1797 cathedral has impressive frescoes and panoramic views. You'll walk through the famous districts of Mangalemi, Gorica, and Kala, known for their distinctive stacked white houses. Traditional Albanian lunch includes regional specialties, followed by wine tasting at a local winery to learn about regional winemaking. Later you'll have free time to continue exploring, visit artisan shops, or relax in a café before returning to Durrës.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Albanian lunch with fresh salads, homemade regional dishes, and local desserts)
Optional Activities
- Visit Berat Castle (dating to 4th century B.C.)
- Explore preserved churches within castle walls (some from 13th century)
- Tour the 1797 cathedral with impressive frescoes, icons, and traces of ancient calligraphy school
- Walking tour through Mangalemi, Gorica, and Kala districts - famous for stacked white houses and distinctive windows
- Traditional Albanian lunch with fresh salads, homemade regional dishes, and local desserts
- Wine tasting session at local winery with regional wine varieties
- Explore artisan shops in the old town
- Visit traditional cafés in Berat
- Photography from castle walls
Landmarks Berat Castle Cathedral of Berat (1797) Mangalemi District Gorica District Kala District 
- Day 6
Durrës to Saranda
You'll drive along the Albanian Riviera and Ionian coast with photo stops at viewpoints overlooking turquoise waters, rugged cliffs, and villages. The drive takes you through Llogara National Park where you can try traditional yogurt with honey as a local treat. After reaching Himara you'll have beach time, then continue to Saranda. You'll explore Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins including a theatre, temples, baths, and city walls. There's a stop at Ksamil Village known for its beaches and three small islands where you can swim and relax. Back in Saranda you'll have dinner with fresh local seafood and Albanian specialties.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner featuring fresh local seafood and Albanian specialties)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive along Albanian Riviera and Ionian coastline with photo stops at viewpoints
- Drive through Llogara National Park with mountain scenery
- Traditional yogurt with honey at Llogara
- Beach time in Himara
- Visit Butrint Archaeological Site (UNESCO World Heritage) - explore Roman theatre, temples, ancient baths, city walls
- Free time at Ksamil Village with stunning beaches and island views
- Dinner at Saranda hotel featuring fresh local seafood and Albanian specialties
Landmarks Llogara National Park Himara Butrint Archaeological Site Ksamil Village 
- Day 7
Saranda or Gjirokastra
After breakfast your guide drives you to Gjirokastra, one of Albania's best-preserved Ottoman towns with distinctive stone architecture. You'll walk through cobbled streets lined with Ottoman-era houses and climb to Gjirokastra Castle on a hill, originally built in the 12th century but mostly rebuilt in the 19th century. The castle has impressive fortifications, exhibits from prison eras, armory collections, and panoramic views. You'll visit a traditional museum house showing Ottoman-era life with original furnishings and cultural artifacts. Free time lets you explore independently, visit artisan shops, or sit in a traditional café. Those preferring to skip can relax on Saranda's beaches or walk around town. Everyone meets back in Saranda for dinner at leisure and an overnight stay.
Optional Activities
- Old town walking tour through cobblestone streets with Ottoman-era houses
- Visit Gjirokastra Castle with fortifications, towers, prison-era exhibits, and armory
- Visit traditional museum house to learn about Ottoman-era daily life
- Panoramic views of town and valley from castle
- Free time to explore streets independently in Gjirokastra
- Visit artisan shops in Gjirokastra
- Relax in traditional cafés in Gjirokastra
- Spend day on Saranda beaches (alternative option)
- Swim in Ionian Sea (alternative option)
- Stroll through Saranda's lively streets (alternative option)
Landmarks Gjirokastra Old Town Gjirokastra Castle 
- Day 8
Divjaka-Karavasta Lagoon to Tirana
Your guide meets you after breakfast for the drive to Divjake Karavasta National Park, a coastal area with rich wildlife and varied landscapes. You'll explore the Karavasta Lagoon covering over 222 square kilometers with wetlands, floodplains, estuaries, woodlands, reed beds, and salt marshes. A guided nature walk takes you through quiet forests where you can watch for diverse birds including the famous Dalmatian pelican. You'll relax in tranquil coastal meadows before having traditional Albanian lunch with local specialties. Then it's the drive back to Tirana, marking the end of your 9-day Albanian adventure.
- End point
- Tirana, Albania (Depending on Guest request)
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Albanian lunch with local specialties)
Included Activities
- Explore Karavasta Lagoon (222+ square kilometers with diverse ecosystems)
- Guided nature walk through park forests
- Observe flora, fauna, and birdwatching opportunities (Dalmatian pelican)
- Relax in coastal meadows and pristine landscapes
- Traditional Albanian lunch at nearby restaurant
Landmarks Divjake-Karavasta National Park Karavasta Lagoon
