Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
You'll arrive at Mother Teresa airport and your tour guide meets you there. Depending on when you land, there's time to explore Tirana's main sights like Skanderbeg Square, the Pyramid of Tirana, Tirana Castle, and the Et'hem Beu Mosque from the 18th century. The Bloku district is worth checking out too if you have energy left. If it's a tight landing, no worries since you'll have another day to catch the sights you missed.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Brilant Antik Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Boka oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Tirana (4 hours)
- Visit Skanderbeg Square
- Visit Pyramid of Tirana
- Walk along main boulevard
- View Tirana Castle
- Visit Et'hem Beu Mosque
- Explore Bloku bourgeois quarter
Landmarks Skanderbeg Square Pyramid of Tirana Tirana Castle Et'hem Beu Mosque 
- Day 2
Shkodra
You're heading to Kruja, a medieval town where you'll visit the castle and see the Scanderbeg Museum dedicated to the national hero who fought Ottoman forces. The historic bazaar has wooden shops with souvenirs and local crafts. After lunch, the route continues to Shkodra in northern Albania. There you'll go up to Rozafa Castle for views out over the area, then walk through the restored pedestrian zone with Italian-influenced architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tradita Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Colosseo Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Kruja Castle
- Visit Scanderbeg Museum
- Visit Ethnographic Museum
- Explore Kruja Bazaar
- Guided tour of Shkodra (2 hours)
- Visit Rozafa Castle
- Stroll through Shkodra's pedestrian zone
Landmarks Kruja Castle Scanderbeg Museum Rozafa Castle 
- Day 3
Budva - Shkodra
Today crosses into Montenegro along the coast. You'll reach Sveti Stefan, a small island connected by a causeway where panoramic views of the island and its church are on display. From there, Budva's historic old town sits on a peninsula with narrow streets, squares, and churches like Sveti Trojica and Sveti Ivan. The afternoon takes you back to Shkodra, so it's a full day of coastal exploration before heading inland again.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Tradita Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Colosseo Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Budva (full day)
- View Sveti Stefan island
- Explore Budva's old town
- Visit church of Sveti Trojica
- Visit churches of Sveti Ivan and Sveti Sava
Landmarks Sveti Stefan Budva Old Town Church of Sveti Trojica - Day 4
Durres
After spending the morning at Lake Skadar, you'll drive toward the coast and reach Durres, Albania's main seaport and an ancient city. The largest amphitheater on the Balkan Peninsula is here with rare 2nd-century wall mosaics inside. You'll have the afternoon free to relax at seaside cafes along the beach promenade, since Durres has become a modern resort town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Epidamn Boutique Hotel & Spa oder ähnlich), (Brais Boutique Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Durres (2 hours)
- Visit amphitheater on Balkan Peninsula
Optional Activities
- Boat trip on Lake Skadar
- Visit Archaeological Museum in Durres
Landmarks Durres Amphitheater - Day 5
Berat
You're heading to Berat, known as the 'city of a thousand windows' and it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Albania's largest castle sits 260 meters above sea level on a rocky hill with churches still standing inside its stone walls. In the lower town, there are two UNESCO-protected areas called Mangalem and Gorica to explore, plus the King's Mosque and Helveti Bektashi Tekke. By evening you'll visit a local winery to learn how they make wine and taste local varieties including raki.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Osumi Hotel oder ähnlich), (Castle Hotel Berat oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Berat (2-3 hours)
- Visit Berat Castle
- View Onufri museum
- Visit Lead Mosque
- Visit Bachelor Mosque
- Visit Gorica Bridge
- Explore Mangalem district
- Explore Gorica district
- Visit King's Mosque
- Visit Helveti Bektashi Tekke
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting at Cobo winery
Landmarks Berat Castle Onufri Museum Gorica Bridge - Day 6
Elbasan - Pogradec
The route follows the ancient Via Egnatia trade route that once connected Rome to Constantinople. You'll see Elbasan and ancient Pelion with its royal tombs, the Cathedral of St. Mary, and excavations of a 4th-6th century church. Later you reach Lake Ohrid, stopping at the village of Lin to see its basilica and lake views. The day ends in Pogradec, the main town on Lake Ohrid, which is one of the oldest lakes in the world.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Pogradeci Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Perla oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit ancient Pelion
- Explore Cathedral of St. Mary in Elbasan
- Visit royal mosque in Elbasan
- Visit Bezistan church excavations
- Walk in village of Lin
- Visit basilica in Lin
Landmarks Lake Ohrid Galicica National Park - Day 7
Ohrid - Pogradec
You're crossing into North Macedonia to see Ohrid, called the 'Jerusalem of the Balkans' because it has 365 Christian Orthodox churches. The old town features Hagia Sophia church from the 11th century and an ancient Hellenistic theater. There's also the ruins of St. Clement's old university where the creator of Cyrillic Slavic script studied. A boat tour takes you out to see the 10th-century St. Naum Monastery before visiting it in person. You'll return to Albania that evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Pogradeci Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Perla oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ohrid (full day)
- Visit Hagia Sophia church
- View ancient Hellenistic theater
- Visit ruins of St. Clement's old university
- Boat tour to St. Naum Monastery
Optional Activities
- Visit St. Naum Monastery (not included in self-drive tour, can be booked on site)
Landmarks Hagia Sophia Church Ancient Theater of Ohrid St. Naum Monastery - Day 8
Korce - Voskopoja
You're leaving Pogradec for Korça, Albania's cultural heart. Here you'll find the remains of the 15th-century Iliaz Bey Mirahori Mosque, a famous bazaar, Orthodox cathedral, and Museum of Medieval Art. Then you'll head up to Voskopoja, a mountain village at 1,200 meters with unspoiled landscape. Once a 17th-century economic and cultural center with a renowned academy, it still has beautifully decorated churches and shows traditional rural life.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Bujtina Shkodrani oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Korce (2 hours)
- Visit Iliaz Bey Mirahori Mosque
- Explore Korce Bazaar
- Visit Orthodox Cathedral in Korce
- Visit Museum of Medieval Art
- Walk through Voskopoja village
- Visit decorated churches in Voskopoja
Landmarks Iliaz Bey Mirahori Mosque Korce Bazaar - Day 9
Permet - Gjirokaster
A scenic drive takes you to Gjirokaster with a quick stop in the small town of Permet along the way. Gjirokaster, the 'city of a thousand steps', sits on a mountainside near the Greek border. The fortress has foundations dating back to the 3rd century BC with a distinctive bell tower visible everywhere. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and cultural center of southern Albania has lots to explore. Dinner and wine in the historic center wraps up your day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Gjirokastra Hotel oder ähnlich), (Rose Garden Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Gjirokaster (2 hours)
- Visit Gjirokaster Fortress
- Explore the city of a thousand steps
Optional Activities
- Visit Independence Museum
Landmarks Gjirokaster Fortress 
- Day 10
Blue Eye Spring - Ksamil
After breakfast you'll visit the Skenduli House, one of Gjirokaster's most famous medieval buildings. Then you're traveling to the Delvina region to see the Blue Eye Spring, one of the country's largest springs with crystal-clear water creating beautiful blue-green lakes perfect for photos. From there you continue to Ksamil, a coastal resort with white sandy beaches. You'll have the afternoon free to relax on those beaches.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Hotel Nebo oder ähnlich), (King Hotel Ksamil oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Skenduli House
- Visit Blue Eye Spring
- Explore Ksamil beaches
Landmarks Blue Eye Spring Ksamil Beach 
- Day 11
Ksamil
This day is completely free with no guided tour or tour guide services. You can spend it however you like on the beaches at Ksamil, whether that's swimming, reading, exploring nearby spots on your own, or just relaxing by the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Hotel Nebo oder ähnlich), (King Hotel Ksamil oder ähnlich)
- Day 12
Butrint - Ksamil
You're traveling along a scenic coastal road to reach Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with significant archaeology. The Temple of Asclepius, Baptistery, Nymphaeum, theater, and the legendary Lion Gate are all here to explore. You'll also see an ancient amphitheater, a baptistery with colorful mosaics, old city walls, and a small museum in an old fortress. Eucalyptus trees and a peaceful atmosphere make this one of the nicest day trips. The return to Ksamil leaves the afternoon open.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Hotel Nebo oder ähnlich), (King Hotel Ksamil oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Butrint (2-3 hours)
- Visit Temple of Asclepius
- Visit Baptistery
- Visit Nymphaeum
- Visit ancient theater
- View Lion Gate
- Visit amphitheater
- View city walls
Landmarks Butrint Archaeological Park Temple of Asclepius Lion Gate - Day 13
Llogara Pass - Vlora
You're heading north on one of the Mediterranean's most scenic roads. The fortress in Porto Palermo offers fantastic views of the Albanian Riviera. The drive continues through dramatic gorges known as the legendary 'Gorges of the Balkans' before reaching the Llogara Pass at 1,027 meters. A short walk in the national park breaks up the drive. Then you continue to Vlora on the Ionian Sea coast, also called the city of independence. There you can explore the harbor and the historic Muradie Mosque built in 1542.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Palace Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- View Porto Palermo Fortress
- Walk in Llogara National Park
- Sightseeing tour of Vlora
- Visit Muradie Mosque
Optional Activities
- Visit Independence Museum
Landmarks Porto Palermo Fortress Llogara National Park Muradie Mosque - Day 14
Apollonia - Tirana
The drive takes you to Apollonia, a ruined site near Fier founded in 588 BC as a Doric colony from Corfu. It was an important city for nearly 1,000 years and named after the god Apollo. You'll visit excavations, the city wall, portico, theater, and the monastery's inner courtyard with its Byzantine-style church. Returning to Tirana leaves time to visit the National Museum of History, check out the old market which is now a trendy meeting spot, or sit in one of the city's cafes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Brilant Antik Hotel oder ähnlich), (Hotel Boka oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit Apollonia archaeological site
- Visit excavations at Apollonia
- View city wall and portico
- Visit theater
- Visit monastery inner courtyard
- Visit Byzantine-style church
Optional Activities
- Visit National Museum of History
Landmarks Apollonia Archaeological Site - Day 15
Tirana
Your last day depends on departure timing. You'll head to Mother Teresa airport for your return flight. If you're doing a self-drive tour, you'll drop the rental car at the airport before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
