We Love —
- Visiting the vibrant capital of Tirana before exploring the seaside tranquillity of Saranda.
- Strolling through the ancient ruins scattered along the route, then take the Llogara mountain road for spectacular views.
- Stopping off along the Albanian Riviera and taking a dip in the azure waters.
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Itinerary In Brief —
Our offer:
7-Night Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Tirana
Day 2: Tirana - Kruja - Durres
Day 3: Durres - Berat
Day 4: Berat - Gjirokaster
Day 5: Gjirokaster - Saranda
Day 6: Saranda - Llogara
Day 7: Llogara - Tirana
Day 8: Departure
Your Itinerary in Detail —
Day 1-3
Day 1: Upon arrival, you will be met by an agent and transferred to Tirana.
The city of Tirana has undergone a major transformation in recent years, from a dull, grey, post-communist city to a colourful, vibrant and dynamic one. Skanderbeg Square, in the centre of the city, is a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike.
Tirana also boasts many historical and cultural sites, such as the National History Museum, the Palace of Culture, the National Art Museum and Bunk'Art .
The city is also surrounded by picturesque mountains and natural parks, offering opportunities for hiking and nature exploration.
All in all, Tirana is a dynamic and growing city with a rich history and culture, as well as many attractions for visitors.
Day 2: Set off for the town of Kruja, a historic town in central Albania, known for its medieval castle, traditional market and museum dedicated to the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. Here are some suggestions for visiting Kruja: Kruja Castle, Kruja Bazaar, Skanderbeg National Museum.
You then head off to Durres. This is Albania's second-largest city and serves as the country's major economic and cultural centre. Durres is a vibrant city with a lively nightlife, popular beaches, historic sites such as the Roman amphitheatre and the Durres fortress, and cultural festivals throughout the year. The town is also known for its delicious cuisine, including fresh seafood and fish.
Day 3: Time to discover the museum town of Berat.
It is often nicknamed the "city of a thousand windows" because of its traditional architecture, characterised by white stone houses with numerous windows overlooking the river and surrounding mountains. Berat is an ancient town, dating back to Illyrian times, and has been continuously inhabited for over 2,400 years.
It was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008 for its architectural richness and historical significance.
Among Berat's most popular sights is the Berat Fortress, which sits on a hill and offers a breathtaking view of the city and its surroundings. Inside is the Onufri Museum, which houses a collection of paintings and icons.
Take a stroll through the historic district of Mangalem, with its narrow streets and traditional stone houses. Berat is also known for its production of quality wine and olive oil, as well as its traditional Albanian cuisine.
Day 4-5
Day 4: After breakfast, head to the "stone city" of Gjirokastër, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The town is perched on a rocky hill and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the Drinos river valley.
It is often referred to as the 'Stone City', as many of the buildings were constructed from stone and wood in a traditional Ottoman architectural style.
Places to visit in Gjirokaster include Gjirokaster Castle, which was built in the 13th century and now houses a historical museum. The town's bazaar is also a popular attraction, with its narrow cobbled streets, craft shops and open-air cafés.
Day 5: This morning, set off to discover one of Albania's most outstanding archaeological sites, the ancient Bouthrotum, which was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1992.
The archaeological site includes several interesting ruins and historical monuments, such as the Roman theatre, the temple of Asclepius, the city walls, the early Christian basilica, the amphitheatre, the baptistery and the Roman baths.
The site is also known for its beautiful nature, with wooded hills, lakes, rivers and rich flora and fauna.
After the visit, you can have lunch at Ksamil on the Ionian coast.
Weather and temperature permitting, you can take advantage of the beautiful beaches and turquoise blue water for a swim. For sunset, we invite you to visit Lekuresi Castle: a medieval castle built in the 16th century, situated on a hill overlooking the town of Saranda. It offers breathtaking views over the town and the Ionian Sea.
Day 6-8
Day 6: Take the road to the magnificent Albanian Riviera. Throughout your journey, you'll face the Ionian Sea and an impressive panorama.
Today, you'll have the chance to discover and explore the small villages, the fortress of Ali Pacha on the edge of the splendid bay of Palermo, and the famous bays of the Riviera such as Gjipe, Livadh and Dhërmi, where you can stop to refresh yourself.
Your itinerary continues towards the Llogara National Park. Before arriving in Llogara, you can admire the seaside scenery or shop for local produce (honey, scented herbal teas and other seasonal fruits) sold in roadside "stalls".
After arriving at the Llogara park, we suggest you take a 1-hour walk up to the César pass to watch the sunset over the bay of Vlora and the Karaburun peninsula.
Day 7: This morning you will head for Tirana. But first, you'll drive through the seaside town of Vlora, before heading to the archaeological site of Apollonia. This is an important archaeological site in Albania, dating back to Greek and Roman times. The site is best known for its agora, theatre, odeon, bouleuterion and temple dedicated to Apollo.
In the afternoon you will take the road to Tirana. You can take the opportunity to visit the sights of Tirana that you missed on the first day.
Day 8: Your tour has come to an end, it's time to head back to the airport for your return flight!
Your Hotels —
HAND-PICKED JUST FOR YOU
Maximum room capacity
Throughout your tour, you’ll stay in Standard Rooms in the following hotels (or similar):
- Tirana: Oxford Hotel 4*
- Durres: Arvi Hotel 4*
- Berat: Hotel Portik 4*
- Gjirokaster: Hotel Kalemei
- Saranda: Hotel Stora 4*
- Llogara: Hotel Sofo 3*
Your dining choices
This offer is based on a Bed and Breakfast stay.
Your Journey —
Flights:
You will be able to choose your airline and flight times when you make your booking. This flight may include one or more stopovers. The stopover may be technical (without a change of aircraft) or transit (with a change of aircraft).
Luggage information
Baggage, meals and other services on board certain flights may be subject to a charge. You will find out whether your airfare includes baggage when you choose your airline and timetable. If your fare does not include baggage, please go to the airline's website before your departure with your travel file reference to find out the exact fare and purchase your extra baggage. If you choose a low-cost airline, you will be able to add your baggage during the booking process. For domestic flights, airlines do not always offer the option of reserving baggage, so you will have to pay for it at the airport counter. You will receive all the information you need to check in for your flights after you have made your reservation.
Your Destination —
Tirana
The capital city of Albania, Tirana, has been completely transformed since its Communist days, Now, colourful buildings line the streets, with pedestrianised squares dotted across the city, which has a decidedly festive feel.
Hang out drinking raki and rubbing shoulders with the locals in a trendy bar, walk along boulevards featuring relics from Albania's Ottoman, Italian, and communist past, and pop into one of the local museums to truly get a taste for Albania's chaotic historical past.
