Albania: North to South Tour - 8 Days

Airport pick-up service available throughout the day (included).

Welcome to Albania!
Transfer to Tirana and settle in to your hotel. For those of you not too tired, there is a guided walking tour of the city center, including Skanderbeg Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, the Pyramid and the Blloku area.

Then, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

En route to Shkodra, a small city situated at the foot of the Albania Alps, stop and visit the hilltop Rozafa Castle.

Enjoy its amazing views and the fortress’s fascinating history.
Head for lunch in the picturesque lake town of Shiroke for a fish-based lunch in a local restaurant facing Shkodra Lake.

Experience the Old Town, St. Stephen’s Catholic Cathedral and the Ebu Bekr Mosque on a guided tour before transferring to Theth, where on route you will stop in the mountain village of Boge and Thore Pass surrounded by mountains.

Get settled in the guesthouse in Theth and have a relaxing afternoon and a walking guide of the village where a four-century old tower used as reconciliation tower and the 100 – year – old, well-preserved church are the highlights, before a rustic dinner with a glass or two of Raki.

Spend a day exploring Theth National Park on a leasure hike.

Marvel at the view and sound of Grunas waterfall and Canyon.
Enjoy a refreshing bath and lunch at the Natural pools of Nderlysa.
Be amazed at the Blue Eye of Theth, after hiking through stunning scenery.
Return via local transportation in the guesthouse.

Leave the northern village of Theth and head for the city of Kruja.

Set off on a guided tour of Dollma Bektashi Teqe, the surroundings and the Castle itself and the Skanderbeg Museum.
Head for lunch in a local restaurant in Kruja, with a tremendous view of the city and valley of Kruja.
Enjoy free time to wander around the Old Bazaar, with beautiful cobblestone alleys and lovely old architecture.

Leave the Old Capital in the afternoon and transfer to the seaside city of Durres.

Transfer to Gjirokaster to discover the city of “a thousand steps”, driving through small villages.

Step into Skenduli house, the nicest Ottoman tower house and listen to its history and details from the 10th generation of Skenduli family.
Soak up to the rich history of the castle and enjoy the view of the “city of stone” from above.
Pass by the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden houses and visit Gjirokastra Obelisk dedicated to the first school of Gjirokastra and enjoy the 360º view from there.
Head out for lunch in a small, local restaurant for a taste of the city’s authentic dishes.
Travel to Saranda in the late afternoon.

In the morning we travel to the Blue Eye and marvel at the spring’s shades of blue and nature around it.

Transfer to Butrint for a guided tour of the UNESCO recognized archaeological site where a local guided explains 2500 years of history embedded in the Amphitheater, the Castle, the Churches and the Lion’s Gate.
Set off for a beach day at Ksamil Islands where you will have them to explore, swim, sunbathe and enjoy food and drinks at small cafés and restaurants on the Islands.
Spend your afternoon in Ksamil and on the way back to Saranda visit the Lekursi Castle overseeing the city.

Head to Porto Palermo and explore the Ali Pasha Castle with your Tour Director.

Marvel at the architecture and listen to entertaining legends about the man who build it, Ali Pashe Tepelena.
Stop for lunch at a rustic local restaurant along Shushica river.
Get settled in the hotel in Vlore, hometown to the National Independence movement.

Visit the Flag Square with its Independence Monument right in the center, the Muradie Mosque and Vlore Lungomare.

Transfer to Berat passing through suggestive hills full of olive trees.

Set out for a guided tour admiring the citadel / castle of Berat with the Red Mosque, recognized by its solitary minaret. The White Mosque, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the arched bridge of Gorica, built in 1780 are the other attractions that await you after the Castle.
Step inside a local home inside the castle of Berat for a coffee, raki and dessert break.
Enjoy lunch with the city as the view and free time to wander in the two main districts of Mangalem and Gorica.

Transfer to Tirana in the late afternoon.

Please note that the airport drop off is not included on tour. If you want to include this service, you can book it during your reservation.