North & South Albania: A 5 Day Tour, Tirana

About this activity

This tour is unique because it offers you the most efficient way to visit all of Albania. You will visit the best tourist destinations in Albania without wasting time at less important sites. You will have enough time to fully immerse yourself in the destinations, ensuring a comprehensive experience all within a remarkably time-efficient 5-day journey. According to our statistics, this duration strikes the perfect balance, offering you the most effective way to discover the diverse beauty of Albania.

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At a glance

Duration: 5 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Albania Inbound

Ages: Infants (0–1 years) · Children (2–10 years) · Adults (11–90 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Wine Tasting x1
Included: Accommodation x4 (4-Star Hotels, City Center Location)
Included: Admission fees: Tickets & Activities included in the price: -Shkodra Castle Ticket -Reconciliation Tower in Theth -Wine Tasting in Peshtan Village / PUPA Winery -Gjirokastra Castle -Butrinti Archeological Park
Included: Comfortable transportation with all necessary amenities
Included: Guided tours to all visited sites
Included: Breakfast x 4
Included: Full time English speaking Tour Leader

Not included

Not included: Everything not mentioned at the "Included" list

Itinerary

Day 1 · Visit Kruja and Shkodra

Kruja Bazaar

30 min

Begin your exploration with a visit to the remarkable Kruja Bazaar, a 500-year-old market established

during Skanderbeg's time and still bustling with activity today. Wander through the market, we will reach the entrance to the castle...
Kruja Castle

one hour Admission not included

Embark on a walking tour within the castle’s wall. Visit various sites, including the watchtower, the Olive Tree of Skanderbeg, underground secret tunnels, and the remnants of religious places like Teqes, Sultan Mehmet Mosque, and much more. The castle's pinnacle offers the

most breathtaking view of the city.
Rozafa Castle

one hour Admission included

Continue your journey to Shkodra. You will first visit the castle of Rozafa, where the 2000 year old history of the city is hidden in the walls of the castle. Enjoy the walking tour of the castle and the museum.
Shkodra Lake

one hour

Enjoy a traditional lunch in Shiroka neighborhood by the lake of Shkodra.
Shkoder

one hour

Explore the cities boulevard before heading to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Hotel IKONA, Shkoder or similar 4 star hotel.

Day 2 · Explore Theth Village and the Albanian Alps

Theth

one hour

Start your drive towards the Albanian Alps and enjoy a breathtaking ride towards Theth village. You will take several panoramic stops with exellent views of the mountains.

Reach Theth Village. Visit the Church of Theth and the Reconciliation Tower while enjoying our walk around the village.
Grunasi Waterfall

one hour

Find the beautiful Grunas waterfall, hidden in the mountains that surround the village. A 30 minutes hike is necessary to reach the waterfall. ***Reaching Grunas Waterfall requires an additional hike (The main one is the hike to the Blue Eye). This is an optional activity and is recommended only for participants who have the energy and wish to continue hiking after the main excursion.***
Blue Eye of Theth

3 hours

Follow the river and take a 45 minutes hike through the jungle to reach the Blue Eye of Theth. Throughout the hike, you'll have the chance to pause and enjoy numerous stunning natural spots along the way
Boge

20 min

Returning to Tirana, during the road by the Alps, you will have a few stops in locations with excellent panoramic views.

Overnight stay in Theatro Hotel, Tirana or similar 4 star hotel.

Day 3 · Berat: The City of 1001 Windos and Wine Tasting in Peshtan Village

Belsh

30 min

Today your journey commences in Tirana. In Belsh town you'll pause for a brief coffee beside the largest of the towns 84 lakes.
Berat Castle

3 hours

Ascend the castle hill for a visit to the castle itself. On the walking tour of the castle we will learn the history of this ancient city while visiting several sites. Enjoy a traditional Albanian lunch with a local family residing within the castle.
Berat

30 min

Descend to the city center and explore the renowned Mangalemi neighborhood.

Explore significant landmarks such as: The city gate and former Pasha's residence, The Sultan's Mosque, Berat's bustling boulevard, and more.
Gorica Bridge

30 min

Pass by the famous Gorica Bridge and explore the old Gorica neighborhood.
Pupa Winery & Guesthouse

one hour Admission included

Take some time to relax in the hotel to prepare for an exceptional Wine Tasting Tour at one of the local wineries in Berat.

Overnight stay in Onufri Hotel, Berat or similar 4 star hotel.

Day 4 · Discover Gjirokastra and Saranda

Gjirokastra Bazaar

one hour

Your first stop upon arriving in Gjirokastra will be the bustling Gjirokastra Bazaar, a vibrant marketplace where local crafts, textiles, and traditional Albanian products beckon visitors.
Gjirokaster Castle

2 hours Admission included

Ascend the winding road leading to the magnificent Gjirokastra Castle, a true architectural marvel.

Within its walls, you'll discover the castle's museum and the castle's notorious old prison.

Continuing you journey within the castle, you'll make our way to its highest point, where the iconic clock tower is located.
Zekate House

30 min Admission not included

A last stop is made in the Zekate House, a local fortress house where you can learn how the rich families used to live back in the day. ***This is an OPTIONAL acitivty, not included in the price. Cost: 3 EUR per person***
The Blue Eye

one hour Admission included

A mere 30 kilometers from Gjirokaster, a hidden gem awaits you within the heart of the forest. Explore the awe-inspiring natural wonder of the Blue Eye.
Stop 5

20 min

Ascend to the highest hill in Saranda and visit the Lekursi Castle, overlooking the city. From the castle you will experience one of the best views of the Albanian Riviera.
Saranda

one hour

Free time in the afternoon to enjoy the cities atmosphere.

Overnight stay in Iliria Hotel, Sarande or similar 4 star hotel.

Day 5 · Explore Ksamil Islands and the Albanian Riviera

Ksamil

1 h 30 min

Very close to Saranda you will come across Ksamil Village. Experience the breathtaking shoreline of the village, encompassing three islands situated just 100 meters from the coast. Enjoy your time in the sea. ***Visiting the islands themselves is not part of the itinerary. However, you are welcome to explore them independently during your free beach time. If you choose, you can swim to the first island or take a boat to visit the others.***
Butrint National Park

one hour

Discover the ancient Greek Colony and Roman city of Butrinti, a UNESCO protected site.
Porto Palermo

45 min

As you journey back to Tirana, your route will take you through the enchanting Albanian Riviera. Revel in the awe-inspiring landscapes where hills meet the shoreline. Take a break at various beaches, including Porto Palermo.
Dhermi

45 min

Stop by Dhermi beach, the most popular beach in Albania and enjoy its lively atmosphere with music and people relaxing in the sun and having fun.

***Please note that there are numerous beaches along the Albanian Riviera. Depending on factors such as traffic, crowd levels, weather conditions, and overall logistics, your guide will choose the most suitable beaches to visit on the day of the tour. We generally recommend visiting two beaches to ensure you have enough time to relax and enjoy the experience, as the Albanian Riviera is home to more than 50 beautiful beaches and bays.***

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Vh Eurostar Tirana Hotel Congress & Spa
Marea Hotel
Blerina Farm House
Best Western Premier Ark Hotel
Te Stela Resort & SPA
Metamorfoza
Belux Hotel
Fjoard Hotel
Hotel Elior
Hotel Mondial
Ambasador Hotel
Hotel Lotus

and 210 more pickup points

We will pick up our travelers from the hotel they are staying or any other preferred location.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.