Itinerary
- Day 1
Shkoder
You'll start in Kruje, heading straight to the 500-year-old Ottoman bazaar to get a feel for the place and pick up some local goods. From there, walk through Kruje Castle checking out historic sites including Scanderbeg's Tree, the secret tunnel, and the watch tower. After grabbing lunch at a traditional agritourism restaurant with farm-fresh food, you'll drive to Shkoder and visit Rozafa Castle. Spend some time on the city's famous promenade before settling into your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch at Mrizi i Zanave - Restorant Agroturizëm, farm-fresh food from on-site farm and animal stall)
Included Activities
- Visit Kruja Bazaar (500-year-old Ottoman market)
- Kruje Castle walking tour including Scanderbeg's Tree, secret tunnel, old residences, Mosque of Sultan Mehmet, watch tower, and castle top
- Rozafa Castle walking tour and museum
- Traditional lunch at Mrizi i Zanave - Restorant Agroturizëm with farm visit
Optional Activities
- Beer/coffee at Shkoder's famous promenade
Landmarks/POIs Kruja Bazaar Kruje Castle Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Rozafa Castle - Day 2
Theth - Blue Eye of Theth
After leaving Shkoder early, you'll stop for coffee and take photos in the Albanian Alps with mountain views around you. Then head to Theth village to check out the Catholic church and Reconciliation Tower. You'll find the hidden Grunas waterfall tucked away in the area. Following a northern traditional lunch in the village, you'll hike for 45 minutes through jungle terrain along the river with a few scenic stops before reaching the Blue Eye of Theth, an icy-cold natural spring. The drive back to your Shkoder hotel takes a couple hours depending on conditions.
- Meals
- Lunch (Northern traditional lunch in Theth)
Included Activities
- Coffee break and mountain photography at Qafe Thore, Boge
- Theth Village Catholic Church visit
- Reconciliation Tower visit
- Grunas Waterfall exploration
- 45-minute jungle hike to Blue Eye of Theth with river stops
- Northern traditional lunch in Theth
Optional Activities
- Swimming/dipping in Blue Eye of Theth cold waters
Landmarks/POIs Qafe Thore (Mountain Pass) Theth Village Grunas Waterfall Blue Eye of Theth - Day 3
Shala River - Zgiboze - Tirana
You're leaving Shkoder for a 90-minute boat tour through the Albanian Fjords via Shala River, which offers nice views of the surrounding landscape. From there, head to Zgiboze by Komani Lake, known locally as the Thailand of Albania. You'll spend roughly 5 hours exploring the wild nature, swimming in clear waters, and eating lunch at a traditional local tavern. After returning to port, you'll drive back to Tirana in the afternoon, getting there by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Meal at traditional local tavern)
Included Activities
- 90-minute boat tour through Albanian Fjords via Shala River
- Approximately 5 hours exploring Zgiboze wilderness
- Swimming in Komani Lake waters
- Lunch at traditional local tavern in Zgiboze
Landmarks/POIs Shala River Zgiboze Komani Lake - Day 4
Tirana
Starting in Tirana's city center, you'll do an e-bike tour after getting your bike adjusted properly. Then you'll pedal past the Pyramid of Tirana, climb stairs for upper city views, and ride through the Bloc area, a former communist leadership neighborhood. Next comes an artificial lake park with surrounding hills. You'll stop for a picnic at Farka Lake before heading back to the center for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll visit BunkArt1, a 5-story communist bunker built into a hill, for a 2-hour guided tour learning about Albania's communist history.
Included Activities
- E-bike tour of Tirana with bike adjustment and guidance
- Pyramid of Tirana visit with stair climb for city views
- Bloc area exploration
- Artificial lake park and surrounding hills ride
- Picnic at Farka Lake
- BunkArt1 communist bunker 2-hour tour
Landmarks/POIs Pyramid of Tirana Farka Lake BunkArt1 - Day 5
Berat
Traveling from Tirana toward Berat, you'll have a brief coffee stop in Belsh town by one of its 84 lakes. Once in Berat, known as the City of a Thousand Windows, you'll head up to the castle hill for a walking tour visiting Saint Mary of Blachernae Church (the oldest in Berat), Church of the Holy Trinity, water cisterns, Red Mosque, and Constantine the Great Garden. Lunch happens with a local family inside the castle, featuring traditional Albanian food, local alcohol, and music. Later you'll descend to Mangalemi neighborhood for a walking tour of Ottoman-era sites like the city gate, Sultan's Mosque, Bachelors' Mosque, and Hanging Bridge. In the afternoon, you'll visit a local winery to learn about Berat wine production and do some tasting.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Albanian lunch with local family in castle, including local alcohol, food, desserts, and music)
Included Activities
- Coffee break in Belsh town
- Berat Castle walking tour including Saint Mary of Blachernae Church, Church of the Holy Trinity, water cisterns, Red Mosque, Constantine the Great Garden
- Traditional Albanian lunch with local family in castle with local alcohol, food, desserts, and music
- Mangalemi neighborhood walking tour
- City landmarks tour: city gate, former Pasha's residence, Sultan's Mosque, Bachelors' Mosque, Hanging Bridge, boulevard, Gorica Bridge
- Wine production and tasting tour at local winery
Landmarks/POIs Berat Castle Saint Mary of Blachernae Church Church of the Holy Trinity Red Mosque Sultan's Mosque Bachelors' Mosque Gorica Bridge Pupa Winery - Day 6
Apollonia - Tepelene - Gjirokastra
Departing Berat, you'll head to Apollonia, an ancient educational and philosophical center from Greek and Roman times. Walk through the archaeological park visiting the Temple of Apollonia, Amphitheatre, Triumph Arch, and museum. You'll take a short break at the Cold Water of Tepelena where clean mountain water flows. Then it's lunch at Taverna Tradicionale Kardhashi with home-cooked traditional food and local drinks. After eating, you'll visit Zekate House to see how wealthy families lived historically, then explore the bustling Gjirokastra Bazaar with local crafts and textiles. Finally, you'll climb to Gjirokastra Castle for a museum tour of guns, weaponry, and the old prison, finishing at the clock tower with panoramic city views.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Taverna Tradicionale Kardhashi with home-cooked traditional food and traditional alcoholic drinks and desserts made in Gjirokastra)
Included Activities
- Apollonia Archaeological Park exploration including Temple of Apollonia, Amphitheatre, Triumph Arch, and museum
- Cold Water of Tepelena visit
- Lunch at Taverna Tradicionale Kardhashi with traditional food and drinks
- Zekate House visit
- Gjirokastra Bazaar exploration
- Gjirokastra Castle tour including museum, weaponry, fortifications, old prison, and clock tower with panoramic views
Landmarks/POIs Apollonia Archaeological Park Temple of Apollonia Amphitheatre of Apollonia Cold Water of Tepelena Zekate House Gjirokastra Bazaar Gjirokastra Castle - Day 7
Permet - Benja
You'll drive to the rafting center near Permet, arriving around 09:30. The team will fit you with safety gear for about 30 minutes, then walk through roughly 40 minutes of detailed rafting instruction. Your 2-hour rafting adventure on the Vjosa River includes refreshing stops for swimming and rock jumps. You'll celebrate with cold beers and juice provided by the team. After that, you'll drive to Benja to explore the hidden hot springs, where natural 28°C/82°F sulfur springs fed by deep tectonic cracks offer scenic mountain views all around.
Included Activities
- Professional rafting gear outfit and safety preparation
- Rafting instruction session
- 2-hour Vjosa River rafting experience with swimming and rock jump stops
- Cold beers and juice refreshment
- Benja Thermal Baths exploration with natural 28°C sulfur springs
Landmarks/POIs Vjosa River Thermal Baths of Benja - Day 8
Blue Eye - Saranda
You'll travel 30 kilometers from Gjirokastra to reach the Blue Eye, a hidden natural wonder sitting in the forest. Then you'll head to Lekursi Castle perched on the highest hill in Saranda for city views. After descending, you'll spend time at Saranda's vibrant beach and can do water activities in the area if you'd like.
Included Activities
- Blue Eye natural wonder exploration
- Lekursi Castle visit with panoramic city views
Optional Activities
- Water activities around Saranda beach
Landmarks/POIs Blue Eye Lekursi Castle - Day 9
Ksamil - Butrint - Himare
You'll start by spending 2 hours at Ksamil beach with its 3 islands visible just 100 meters from shore, swimming in the water and relaxing. Then head to Butrint, a 2500-year-old ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site with rich history. You'll check out the Roman forum, ancient theatre, Baptistery and Basilica, Venetian fortress, and defensive walls. Return to Saranda for the evening. The next day, you'll journey back toward Tirana through the Albanian Riviera, stopping at beaches including Porto Palermo, Dhermi, Jale, and Qeparo. You'll visit Himare, a beautiful village with crystal clear waters and local atmosphere, and stay overnight there.
Included Activities
- Ksamil beach stay with swimming and 3-island views
- Butrint National Park ancient city exploration including Roman forum, ancient theatre, Baptistery and Basilica, Venetian fortress, defensive walls
- Albanian Riviera journey with beach stops at Porto Palermo, Dhermi, Jale, Qeparo
- Himare village visit
Landmarks/POIs Ksamil Beach Butrint National Park Porto Palermo Dhermi Jale Beach Qeparo Himare - Day 10
Vlore - Durres - Tirana
Departing Himare, you'll make a brief stop in Vlora, the port city, to enjoy its vibrant atmosphere and famous Lungomare promenade. From there, head to the Lagoon of Karavasta for a 2-hour private boat ride observing wild animals and diverse bird species like swans, flamingos, and pelicans. Finally, you'll reach Durres and explore the largest Roman amphitheatre ever built in the Balkans with 20,000-person capacity, the abandoned King's Villa (vacation home of Albania's first and last ruler), and the waterfront boulevard. Then it's the drive back to Tirana to complete your trip.
Included Activities
- Vlora visit with Lungomare promenade exploration
- Lagoon of Karavasta private boat ride with wildlife and bird observation
- Durres Amphitheatre visit (largest Roman amphitheatre in Balkans)
- King's Villa exploration
- Durres boulevard waterfront walk
Landmarks/POIs Vlora Port Lagoon of Karavasta Durres Amphitheatre King's Villa
