8-Day Jewels of Albania Tour with Optional Sightseeings

This full-day tour is included in the main package price. 

Arrival in Tirana
Upon arrival at Tirana International Airport, you will meet your guide, who will brief you on the day’s program and assist with your transfer.

Travel to Durrës

Begin your journey with a short 40-minute drive to Durrës, Albania’s second-largest city and one of the oldest ports on the Adriatic.

Durrës Sightseeing (Included)

City Walls

Explore the ancient City Walls, originally constructed in the 4th century A.D. under Emperor Anastasius I. Once rising 18 meters high, they protected the city for centuries. Emperor Justinian later reinforced them with additional lookout towers.

Durrës Amphitheater

Visit the impressive Roman Amphitheater of Durrës, one of the largest in the Balkans and built in the 2nd century A.D. Admire its remarkable design and historical significance.

Seaside Walk

Enjoy a pleasant stroll through the city and along the lively seaside promenade, taking in coastal views and the relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

Free Time for Lunch in Durrës

Delight in a traditional Albanian lunch at a local restaurant, featuring fresh seafood and regional specialties.

Return to Tirana

Visit to BUNK’ART 1

Back in Tirana, explore BUNK’ART 1, a unique museum inside a five-story underground bunker.
Discover Albania’s communist-era history, the isolationist policies of Enver Hoxha, and Cold War events. The bunker, once designed as an anti-nuclear shelter, now blends historical exhibits with contemporary art installations.

Tirana City Center Tour

Continue with a guided tour through the heart of the capital, including stops at:

• Skanderbeg Square

• National Historical Museum

• Et’hem Bey Mosque

• Clock Tower

• Opera House

• Town Hall & Government Buildings

Experience the vibrancy, culture, and energy of modern Tirana.

Evening in Tirana

Settle into your hotel for the night. Enjoy a relaxing evening or take a leisurely walk to discover Tirana’s cafés and nightlife.

Overnight In Tirana Hotel

This is an optional excursion. Guests may join this tour for an additional cost of 39€ per person. 

Pick-Up and Drive to Bovilla Lake

Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation for a scenic drive toward Bovilla Lake, located northeast of Tirana.

Drive Overview:
The 21-kilometer journey includes partially off-road sections, offering beautiful landscapes, views of Tirana’s outskirts, and insight into the everyday life of local residents.

Hike to Gamti Mountain

Arrival at the Dam:
Once you reach the lake’s dam, your hiking adventure begins.

Hike Overview:

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

• Duration: Approx. 40 minutes to the top

• Highlights: Spectacular panoramas of Bovilla Lake, dramatic cliffs, and rolling green hills.

Break at the Summit:
At the top, take time to rest, enjoy the stunning views, and relax in the shade of a nearby cave. This is the perfect moment for photos and a light snack.

Descent:
After your break, return to the starting point by the same trail.

After the hike, drive back to Tirana and continue with a city sightseeing experience.

Evening in Tirana

Free Time:
Relax for the rest of the day at your leisure—enjoy a café, shop for souvenirs, or take an evening walk.

Overnight in Tirana:
Return to your hotel and rest for the next day’s adventures.

This is an optional full-day excursion. Guests may join this tour for an additional cost of 90€ per person, including lunch at the famous agritourism restaurant Mrizi i Zanave. 

Morning – Travel to Shkodra

After breakfast, depart for Shkodra, the cultural capital of northern Albania. Nestled on a wide plain overlooking Lake Shkodra—the largest lake in the Balkans—and framed by the dramatic Albanian Alps, Shkodra offers stunning natural scenery and deep historical roots.

Walking Tour of Shkodra

Gjuhadol District

Begin with a stroll through the charming Gjuhadol District, a beautifully renovated pedestrian area influenced by Italian and Austrian architecture. This area reflects Shkodra’s long-standing cultural connections with Central Europe.

Optional: Marubi National Museum of Photography

Guests may choose to visit the Marubi Museum, which houses the legacy of renowned photographer Pjetër Marubi, who captured the first photograph in the Balkans in 1856.
The museum guards over 500,000 glass negatives, offering a unique window into Albania’s past.

Visit Rozafa Castle

Explore the legendary Rozafa Castle, dating back to the Illyrian period. Its elevated position provides breathtaking 360° views over Shkodra, Lake Shkodra, and the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Feel the strategic power this fortress offered its ancient inhabitants.

Lunch at Mrizi i Zanave (Included in the Optional Tour Price)

After visiting the castle, head to Mrizi i Zanave, one of Albania’s most famous agritourism restaurants, located between Shkodra and Lezha.

Enjoy an authentic farm-to-table culinary experience, featuring:

• Regional pickles

• Fresh local cheeses

• Organic olive oil

• Stone-baked bread

• The restaurant’s specialty: young goat meat prepared in the traditional style

This unforgettable meal is included in the 90€ optional tour price.

Afternoon – Travel to Kruja

After lunch, continue to Kruja, the historic center of Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire and the hometown of the national hero Skanderbeg.

Kruja Sightseeing

Skanderbeg Museum

Located within Kruja Castle, this museum presents the story of Skanderbeg and the long struggle for Albanian independence.

Optional: Ethnographic Museum

Visit this beautifully preserved 18th-century Ottoman house, filled with authentic household items and cultural artifacts that reveal traditional Albanian life.

Old Bazaar of Kruja

Wander through the charming Bazaar of Kruja, one of the oldest traditional markets in the country. Enjoy free time to explore the shops and purchase handmade crafts, rugs, and souvenirs.

Evening in Tirana

This excursion is optional. Guests may join the Apollonia Archaeological Site tour for an additional cost of 55€ per person or enjoy a relaxing beach day in Durrës. 

Morning – Transfer to Durrës Beach

After breakfast, the group will be transferred to Durrës, where you will check into your seaside hotel located directly in front of the beautiful Adriatic coastline.
Guests who choose not to join the optional tour can spend the day relaxing on the beach and enjoying the hotel facilities.

Optional Tour: Apollonia Archaeological Site (55€ per person)

Guests who opt for the excursion will depart from Durrës with their guide and driver.

Departure to Apollonia Archaeological Site

Begin your journey south toward Apollonia, one of Albania’s most important ancient cities, located along the historic Via Egnatia, the great Roman road connecting the Adriatic with Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul).

Visit to Apollonia Archaeological Site

Explore the remains of the ancient Greek and Roman city known as Apollonia Prima, dedicated to the god Apollo.
Highlights include:

• The ancient theatre

• The Bouleterion

• The Church and Monastery of St. Mary

• The impressive city walls and surrounding landscape

Learn about Apollonia’s key role as a cultural and educational hub during Roman times. Your guide will share fascinating stories about daily life in the ancient city.

Discover one of the most intriguing historical facts: Octavian Augustus, the future Roman Emperor, was sent by Julius Caesar to study oratory in Apollonia—proof of the city’s extraordinary intellectual reputation.

Lunch in Vlora

After exploring Apollonia, continue to Vlora, a vibrant coastal city where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet.
Enjoy a delicious traditional lunch at a local restaurant, featuring fresh seafood and regional specialties.

Afternoon Free Time in Vlora

Spend some relaxed free time exploring Vlora at your own pace.

Optional Highlights:

• Stroll along the seaside promenade

• Relax by the Bay of Vlora

• Visit Independence Square

• Explore the Muradie Mosque, an important Ottoman-era monument

• Enjoy cafés and local boutiques

Evening – Return to Durrës

At the end of the day, return to your hotel in Durrës for an overnight stay. Relax by the sea and prepare for the next day’s adventures.

This is an optional full-day excursion. Guests may join this tour for 80€ per person, including wine tasting. 

Morning – Departure to Berat

Breakfast & Meet the Guide:
After breakfast, meet your guide and driver and begin your journey toward Berat, one of Albania’s most picturesque and historically rich cities.

Drive to Berat:
Travel south toward this UNESCO-listed gem, continuously inhabited since the 6th–5th centuries B.C. Originally an Illyrian fortress named Antipatrea, Berat grew into a prominent castle city during the Byzantine and Ottoman eras.

Sightseeing in Berat Old Town

Upon arrival, visit Berat Castle, standing proudly atop the hill with origins dating back to the 4th century B.C.
Inside the castle walls, explore:

• Several beautifully preserved churches (some from the 13th century)

• Cobbled streets and traditional stone houses

• Local life, as many families still reside within the fortress today

Built in 1797, this cathedral offers:

• Impressive frescoes and icons

• Traces of an ancient calligraphy school

• Beautiful panoramic views over Berat’s historic quarters
  During Ottoman times, this church remained an important center for Christian worship.

Explore Berat’s Old Town Neighborhood

Mangalemi, Gorica & Kala:
Walk through Berat’s famous districts, known for their stacked white houses and distinctive windows. The architecture and atmosphere give Berat its name: “The City of a Thousand Windows.”

Enjoy plenty of photo opportunities and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of these ancient quarters.

Traditional Lunch & Wine Tasting

Enjoy a traditional Albanian lunch in Berat, sampling regional specialties such as:

• Fresh salads

• Homemade dishes typical to the region

• Local desserts

After lunch, experience a wine tasting session at a local winery, where you can enjoy some of the best wines produced in the Berat region. Learn about local winemaking traditions and taste carefully selected varieties.

Free Time in Berat

After the wine tasting, enjoy free time to:

• Continue exploring the old town

• Visit artisan shops

• Enjoy a coffee in a traditional café

• Take in the beautiful views from the castle walls

Return to Durrës

In the afternoon, return to Durrës and check into your seaside hotel.

Overnight in Durrës

Relax for the evening, enjoy a seaside stroll, or unwind at the hotel after a full day of exploration.

Morning – Departure for the Albanian Riviera

Breakfast & Meet the Guide:
After breakfast, meet your guide and driver to begin the scenic journey along the Albanian Riviera, one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the Mediterranean.

Scenic Drive:
Travel along the Ionian coastline with photo stops at breathtaking viewpoints. Admire the crystal-clear turquoise waters, rugged cliffs, and picturesque villages that define southern Albania’s coast. The drive along the Adriatic and Ionian seas offers panoramic vistas at every turn.

Drive Through the Llogara Pass

Llogara National Park:
Ascend through the mountains via the Llogara Pass, where the lush greenery of the national park contrasts beautifully with the deep blue sea below. This is the perfect spot for a quick photo break.

Local Treat at Llogara:
Enjoy a traditional yogurt with honey, a refreshing local specialty, while taking in the spectacular surroundings.

Arrival in Himara – Beach Time

Continue south to Himara, a charming coastal town with pristine beaches. Guests can enjoy some free time to relax on the beach, swim in the Ionian Sea, or simply take in the serene atmosphere of this historic town.

Arrival in Saranda & Butrint Archaeological Site

Saranda:
After passing through Himara, arrive in Saranda, a vibrant seaside city and gateway to southern Albania.

Butrint Archaeological Site:
Explore Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins. Highlights include:

• Roman theater and temples

• Ancient baths and city walls

• Insights into the city’s history as a Greek colony, Roman settlement, and later bishopric of Epirus

Learn about Butrint’s rich history and its decline following natural disasters and earthquakes, which left much of the city submerged.

Visit Ksamil Village

After Butrint, stop at the village of Ksamil, famous for its stunning beaches and three small islands just off the shore. Guests can enjoy free time for swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing on the sand.

Dinner and Overnight in Saranda

Return to your hotel in Saranda for a delicious dinner, featuring fresh local seafood and Albanian specialties.

Overnight in Saranda:
Relax and enjoy the evening at your hotel, ready for the next day’s adventures along Albania’s southern coast.

Optional gjirokastra tour – 80€ per person

This is an optional full-day excursion. guests may join the gjirokastra tour for 80€ per person, or enjoy a relaxing day in saranda near the beach.

morning – departure for gjirokastra

breakfast & meet the guide:
after breakfast, meet your guide and driver for the scenic drive to gjirokastra, one of albania’s best-preserved ottoman towns, famous for its stone architecture and historic charm.

Sightseeing in gjirokastre

old town walking tour:
start your visit in the old town, wandering through cobblestone streets lined with ottoman-era houses. known as the “city of stone,” gjirokastra is famous for its traditional architecture, historic atmosphere, and panoramic views of the valley below.

gjirokastra castle:
ascend to gjirokastra castle, perched atop a hill. while originally built in the 12th century, much of the current structure dates back to the 19th century ottoman period. highlights include:

• impressive fortifications and towers

• exhibits on its use as a prison during the communist era

• a collection of armory and artifacts

• stunning panoramic views of the town and valley, perfect for photos

traditional museum house:
visit one of gjirokastra’s traditional museum houses to learn about local life during the ottoman period. see preserved furnishings, architecture, and daily artifacts that showcase albania’s rich cultural heritage.

free time in the old town:
after the guided tour, enjoy free time to:

• explore the streets independently

• visit artisan shops for local crafts

• relax in a traditional café

alternative option – relax in saranda

guests who prefer not to join the gjirokastra tour can spend the day enjoying saranda’s beaches, swimming in the ionian sea, or strolling through the town’s lively streets.

evening – return to saranda

the group reconvenes in saranda for an overnight stay at the hotel, with dinner at leisure and time to relax by the seaside.

morning – departure for divjake karavasta national park

breakfast & meet the guide:
after breakfast, meet your guide and driver for the journey to divjake karavasta national park, a coastal haven known for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity.

Arrival at the park

explore the karavasta lagoon, a vast coastal oasis covering over 222 square kilometers. the area includes diverse ecosystems such as wetlands, floodplains, estuaries, woodlands, reed beds, and salt marshes, making it a paradise for nature lovers.

Exploring the park

nature walk:
take a guided nature walk through the park, enjoying the peaceful forests and observing the rich variety of flora and fauna. the park is especially famous for birdwatching, including the dalmatian pelican, which migrates through the lagoon.

relax in nature:
enjoy the tranquility of the coastal meadows, lush surroundings, and pristine landscapes before departing the park.

lunch

savor a traditional albanian lunch at a nearby restaurant or within the park’s vicinity, sampling local specialties and flavors.

afternoon – return to tirana

after lunch, depart from divjake karavasta national park and begin the drive back to tirana.

arrival in tirana:
return to tirana, marking the conclusion of your 9-day albanian adventure.

end of service

the tour ends in tirana, with transport, accommodations, and included activities completed as part of the main package price.