We Love —
- From ancient ruins, to glorious national parks, and dazzling beaches, discover the best of Albania during a seven-night tour.
- Explore stone fortress town Gjirokastra, take in breathtaking natural landscapes from canyons to mountains, and get a chance to try everything from taking a dip in thermal baths to spotting rare birds with an expert.
- Stay in a selection of 3* and 4* hotels, all with an included breakfast, and the chance to spend an evening dining in a traditional Albanian household!
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Your Itinerary In Brief —
This tour combines the dreamy beaches of a seaside getaway with cultural highlights for an unforgettable trip. Visit world heritage sites like Berat, a 2,400-year-old museum city, and Gjirokastër, a stone fortress city with cobblestone streets leading towards the Mosque of Bazaar.
Walk along canyons, dip your toes into the hot springs at Benja, and soak up the sunshine in the prettiest village in the Albanian Riviera. From hiking through national parks, to relaxing in picturesque cities, this tour has it all!
Our Offers:
Offer 1: Seven-night/eight-day tour of Albania for two to three people
Offer 2: Seven-night/eight-day tour of Albania for four people
Day 1: Arrival in Tirana
Day 2: Berat
Day 3: Gjirokastër
Day 4: Benja & Përmet
Day 5: Butrint & Albanian Riviera
Day 6: Llogara National Park
Day 7: Divjakë-Karavasta National Park
Day 8: Departure from Tirana
Your Itinerary In Detail —
Day 1 to 2: Tirana & Berat
Day 1: Tirana
Tirana Airport to Tirana: 30-minute transfer.
Arrival at Tirana International Airport. Welcome by transfer operator, and transfer to hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel Colosseo 4* in Tirana, or similar.
Day 2: Berat
Tirana to Berat: 110 km / 2 hours 20 minutes.
Pick up your rental car at the hotel. Set off to discover the town of Berat, a 2,400-year-old city under the protection of UNESCO. It's known as the 'city of floating windows' because of the way the traditional arch windows of each house, built on a steep hill, appear from a distance.
Wander the winding streets in the Kala area, and visit the musuem dedicated to the works of Onufri, a famous sixteenth-century Albanian painter.
Day 3 to 5: Gjirokastër, Përmet, Butrint & Qeparo
Day 3: Gjirokastër
Berat to Gjirokastër: 110km / 2 hours 20 minutes.
After a nourishing breakfast, head in the direction of the 'Stone City', Gjirokastër. A manifestation of Southern Albanian tradition and folklore, Gjirokastër looks as thought it came straight from the pages of a fairytale, with its charming stone houses, cobbled streets and fortress.
Its castle is the biggest in Albania and well worth seeing, along with the Ethnographic Museum, located in the house where the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha was born.
Overnight in Hotel Kalemi 3* or similar.
Day 4: Benja & Përmet
Gjirokastër to Përmet: 1 hour.
Leave for the hot springs in Benja, and the Langarica Canyon in Përmet. The road to Përmet passes through areas of great natural beauty. Marvel at valleys, dramatic mountains and one of Europe's last living wild rivers, Vjosa.
Discover the magnificent Langarica Canyon, take a dip in the Benja hot springs and take photos of the old Ottoman bridge.
After your stop in Benja, continue towards Përmet, where you can sample traditional Albanian cuisine, and experience local traditions that continue to flourish today. Përmet is known for its fine white wines, a fruit brandy known as 'raki', and a fruit compote called 'gliko', a true gastronomic treasure.
Option: Dine at the home of a family in Përmet for a taste of traditional cuisine, and to experience life in Albania from a local's perspective.
Return to Gjirokastër in the afternoon.
Overnight in Hotel Kalemi 3* or similar.
Day 5: Butrint and Albanian Riviera
Gjiorkaster to Butrint: 55 km / 1 hour 10 minutes.
Butrint to Qeparo 55km / 1 hour 30 minutes.
After breakfast, visit the archaeological site of Butrint, protected by UNESCO. One of the 1001 wonders of the world, Butrint is home to Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian ruins. The romantic surroundings, with a wealth of different plant species and plenty of wildlife, render Butrint idyllic.
Leave for Qeparo, the most beautiful village in the Albanian Riviera. Before your arrival, stop to admire the incredible seaside views and purchase local products (honey, herbal teas and seasonal fruits) sold by market stalls along the roads. Explore one of the oldest areas in this mountain village.
Overnight at Hotel Valta 4* or similar.
Option 1: Soak up the sunshine by the Ionian Sea, and explore the oldest part of the village in Qeparo, which offers breathtaking views over the Ionian Sea. (1h30 walk, 400m vertical drop)
Option 2: Stretch out on the soft sands of Albanian Riviera. The best beaches in the area can be found at the bays in Himara, Jala, Gjipe, Dhërmi, Drimadhes and Livadh.
Option 3: Try out different activities including jet-skiing, diving, kayaking and paragliding. Visit the Ali Pacha fortress in Porto Palermo Bay.
Day 6 to 8: Llogora, Vlorë & Tirana
Day 6: Llogora National Park
Qeparo to Llogora: 60 km / 1 hour 10 minutes.
Logara to Berat: 110 km / 2 hours 20 minutes.
After breakfast, take the road towards the Llogora National Park in Dukati valley. Take a picnic with you, and go for a hike in the forest of pine and fir trees, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding Mediterranean countryside.
Discover incredible landscapes stretching out before the sea and framed by mountain scenery. From the ridge, take in a magnificent view dropping down towards the turquoise sea and Karaburun peninsula.
Next up is the city of Vlorë. Not only is Vlorë home to one of the country's main ports, but it's also of great historical. It was in this very town that the Assembly gathered in 1912 to declare Albanian independence, and set up the first national government, led by Ismail Qemali.
In the afternoon, walk along the promenade.
Overnight in Hotel Bologna 4* or similar.
Day 7: Divjakë-Karavasta National Park
Qeparo to Llgora: 60 km / 1 hour 10 minutes.
Llogara to Berat: 110 km / 2 hour 20 minutes.
After breakfast in the hotel, set off for Divjakë-Karavasta National Park, one of the country's best spots for biodiversity. Thanks to its lagoons, pine forests and humid zones, the park is home to incredible flora and fauna.
The park been recognised by the international Ramsar convention since the '90s, and continues to draw in great numbers of visitors each year.
The park provides the ideal habitat for over 200 different species of bird, including endangered species like the Dalmatian Pelican.
Summer is a particularly excellent time to go bird-watching, enjoy the sunshine, and make the most of the temperate Albanian climate.
Option 1: Rent bikes and explore the park on two wheels.
Option 2: Choose to visit the park in the company of a bird-watching expert.
Return to the capital for the last day of your trip.
Return your car at the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Colosseo 4* or similar.
Day 8: Departure from Tirana
Tirana to Tirana International Airport: 30 minutes.
Take your transfer to Tirana Airport for your return flight.
Your Hotels —
HAND-PICKED JUST FOR YOU
Stay in the following 3* and 4* hotels, or similar, during your stay:
Hotel Colosseo 4*, Tirana
Hotel Onufri 3*, Berat
Hotel Kalemi 3*, Gjirokastër
Hotel Valta 4*, Qeparo
Hotel Bologna 4*, Vlorë
Your Board Basis
During your tour, start each day with an included breakfast. Take time to visit traditional restaurants, and even choose to have dinner with a local family during your stay for an authentic Albanian experience!
Your Optional Excursions —
Local Guide in Berat
Get to know Berat from a local's perspective with the help of an English-speaking guide.
Day 4: Meal at host family's house in Bual
For a truly authentic experience, choose to dine with a local host on Day 4 of your trip. You'll be warmly welcomed into a typical Albanian home, where you'll be served a traditional meal.
Day 7: Bike Rental
Explore the Divjakë-Karavasta National Park on two wheels by renting bicycles on site.
Day 7: Bird-watching with expert
Choose to be accompanied by an ornithologist (bird expert) during your visit to Divjakë-Karavasta National Park for a chance to spot rare birds. Learn more about the hundreds of bird species living there, including the endangered Dalmatian Pelican.
Your Optional Extras —
Individual room fee for third guest
Choose to add an individual room for the third guest in your party.
Your Journey —
Flights:
It may be possible to choose from a selection of flight options at the next stage of the booking process. The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers:
Return transfers are included for flight-inclusive offers. For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
Your Destinations —
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.
Saranda
Nestled on the Albanian Riviera where the rolling hills meet the Ionian Sea, lies the city of Saranda. Boasting a rich history spanning 4000 years, alongside stunning vistas and crystal clear waters, this destination is perfect for curious travellers looking for sun and culture in equal measures. With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, this Ionian dream is only 14km east of Corfu island and has an abundance of secluded swimming spots and pretty beaches closeby.
This small but lively city sprawls around a curved bay, where visitors can dine overlooking anchored yachts and take evening strolls along the promenade. Visit the archaeological remains of a 5th-century synagogue, which was later converted to an early Christian basilica. End your day seeking out a cocktail at Jericho, one of the oldest bars in the town, offering dazzling views of the Ionian Sea and well worth a sundown visit.
Adventuring a little further afield will reward you with the natural wonders of Blue Eye, a brilliant spring in a National Park by the same name. Pulëbardha Beach is only a 15-minute drive and is one of the most popular beaches in Albania with its vivid turquoise hues. For a further dose of history and culture, the 15th-century fortress of Lekuresi Castle is worth a visit and within an hour visitors can roam the phenomenal historic centres of Berat and Gjirokastra UNESCO World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value.
