9-day South Of Albania Private Tour With Traditional Meals

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirana - Elbasan - Pogradec

Pass By: Skanderbeg Square, At the center of Tirana, Tirana Albania
In Tirana, you will start your visit from the Skanderbeg square which is also the biggest square in Tirana, around this square you will see, the Palace of Culture, the old et hem bey mosque, and the national museum. You will spend around 15 minutes in the square to get all the information from the guide

Stop At: Elbasan, Elbasan, Elbasan County
In Elbasan, you will visit the castle of Elbasan which was very important in Roman times and which also has a view of Via Egnatia, which was the "road" between the old city of Rome and Kostandinopoja. You will also see a fortress of Elbasan, Saint Mary's Church and the king Mosque inside the fortress.
After sightseeing you will have your free time in the castle
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Pogradec, Pogradec, Korce County
Once you arrive in Pogradec you will enjoy Lake Ohrid, which utterly dominates the small town of Pogradec. This ancient tectonic lake is one of the oldest and deepest (up to 288m) lakes in Europe. The lake is divided between Albania and North Macedonia. The Macedonian side, which centers on the dreamy town of Ohrid, was declared an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979 and there is talk of that distinction being extended to the Albanian half. For the moment, though, tourism in and around Pogradec is minimal and on the surface, this is perhaps understandable. Pogradec itself is a fairly drab small town with few physical attractions, and rubbish is a serious eye-sore along the lake-shore. That being said, for an off-beat adventure and the opportunity to stroll quietly around the lake, without the masses of tourists who define its Macedonian side, Pogradec ticks all the right boxes.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Enver Hoxha Pyramid, Boulevard Deshmoret e Kombit, Tirana Albania
Designed by Enver Hoxha's daughter and son-in-law and completed in 1988, this monstrously unattractive building was formerly the Enver Hoxha Museum and more recently a convention centre and nightclub. Today, covered in graffiti and surrounded by the encampments of Tirana's homeless, its once-white marble walls are now crumbling, but no decision on whether to demolish or restore it has yet been reached.

The pyramid is during our sightseeing and we will stop 10 minutes for explanation

Pass By: Bunk'Art 1, Rruga Fadil Deliu, Tirana 1001 Albania
This is a small bunker located on the way to our sightseeing in Tirana.

Stop At: Blloku, Tirana Albania
Blloku is an upmarket area in Tirana, Albania. It is widely known as an entertainment destination with its boutiques, shops, restaurants, trendy bars, pubs, and cafes. The area is part of the neighborhood of Tirana e Re in southwestern Tirana. During the peak summer months, its trendy bars transfer along the Albanian Riviera.

It became very attractive after the fall of Communism in Albania because during the communist period it was a restricted residential area for the members of the Albanian politburo, ordinary Albanians would not be allowed in. On most maps it was unmarked. Blloku you can still find the residence of Albania’s communist leader Enver Hoxha.

In blloku neighborhood, you will spend your free time for lunch or for Caffe
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: National Gallery of Art, Bulevardi Deshmoret e Kombit, Tirana 1001 Albania
Tracing the relatively brief history of Albanian painting from the early 19th century to the present day, this beautiful space also holds temporary exhibitions. The interesting collection includes 19th-century paintings depicting scenes from daily Albanian life and others with a far more political dimension, including some truly fabulous examples of Albanian socialist realism. The entrance of the gallery is not always open, so if there are any exhibitions at the time of your visit you can enter inside the gallery

Stop At: Lake Ohrid, Ohrid Republic of North Macedonia
Some cities are undeniably special. As soon as you take your first steps in them, inhale the first breath of fresh air, the first smell of a nearby body of water, and the first sight of its beauty, you know that these places must have inspired great poetry! Pogradec, the city of artists, resting on the shores of Lake Ohrid, is certainly one of these. It’s an ideal place for the romantic soul, who seeks and relishes nature’s peace and tranquillity.

You will overnight near this lake in Pogradec
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: 3 course Traditional Lunch in a restaurant inside the Elbasan castle
• Dinner: 3-course Dinner in a restaurant near the Pogradeci lake
• Breakfast: In the Hotel
Accommodation included: Millennium Hotel near The Lake

Day 2: Pogradec - Voskopja - Korca

Stop At: Voskopoje, Voskopoje, Korce County
Voskopoja is a place where nature meets history, making it a favorite destination for tourists. The town of Voskopoja has been known as a cultural center since 1330 and, over the centuries,
more than 24 churches have been built there. The city hosted the first printing press outside of Istanbul alongside other important institutions, such as the New Academy. Unfortunately, fire,
war, robbery, and earthquakes ultimately destroyed many of these buildings.
You will visit Saint Athanase, Saint Ilie, and Saint Marie churches.
In Vosopoja there is a Possibility of light hiking in the forest.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Korce, Korce, Korce County
Arrive in Korca and have a sightseeing tour of the most important places in this city. The Cathedral, the Ottoman Bazaar, Andon Zako Cajupi theatre, and the Hani I Pazarit. The city of Korca is known for its vivid life and traditional music.

You will have a nice walk in the main pedestrian area in Korca
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tushemisht, Tushemisht, Korce County
Tushemisht is the last village on the Albanian side of Ohrid Lake, before the Macedonian border. Tushemisht is a lovely relaxing place, surrounded by mountains, gorgeous beaches, and great restaurants that offer authentic fish cuisine.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Driloni National Park, Rruga e Drilonit, Pogradec 7301 Albania
One of the most enchanting hamlets of southeastern Albania is Drilon, a very small village located between Korça and Pogradec. During the Communist-era, Drilon was the favorite place of dictator Enver Hoxha, who used to come here to relax. Today Drilon is an attractive summer destination, thanks to its beauty, beaches, and a national park.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: National Museum of Medieval Art, Rr. Sotir Peci No.2, Korce Albania
The National Museum of Medieval Art in Korça is one of those places where the modern and the old blend seamlessly together, creating an otherworldly, timeless space. It is an ultra-modern venue, though one which restores life to the Byzantine era. Originally built in 1980 and reconstructed in 2016, it is located on the main “Fan Noli” boulevard in the city. This, the newest museum in the country, preserves some artworks which have miraculously survived countless obstacles of the communist regime, to help them be where they are today.

This attraction's not included in the program
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Ngjallja e Krishtit Cathedral, Blv. Republika, Korce Albania
Cathedral of the Resurrection: built-in 1992 on the foundations of an old Orthodox church destroyed during the Communist era, it is now the largest and most important Orthodox church in Korça and Albania.

Meals included:
• Lunch: Traditional Village side menu for lunch in Voskopoja
• Dinner: Traditional Dinner with Folk show in Korca old town
• Breakfast: in the hotel
Accommodation included: 4-star Hotel in the center of Korca

Day 3: Korca - Germenj - Permet

Pass By: Ersekë, Albania
On this day you will explore one of the most natural and interesting landscapes of Albania. We will stop from time to time to enjoy the scenery.

Stop At: Benja Thermal Baths, Near The Stonebridge, Permet Albania
The Benja Thermal Pools are smooth and clear, and also contain a high content of sulfur. The stone baths are the most authentic, and as such, attract a large number of visitors all year-round. The winter, when the temperature in Përmet falls below 0 degrees Celsius, it is the best time to immerse yourself in these hot baths. Enjoy that satisfying contrast between the air and water! Remember though, 20-25 minutes in the pool usually suffices! More time in the highly sulfuric waters can be quite overwhelming, and not necessarily that good for you.

You will spend in the thermal baths around 2 hours, there is a possibility for jumping in the natural pools and walking in the Langarica canyon
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Permet, Permet, Gjirokaster County
In Permet, after visiting the city, we will visit one traditional house and meet the locals, we will experience the typical product of Permet, which is called Gliko. Gliko is an important element of the local cuisine in Përmet and is made from many different fruits and vegetables, all grown locally by many of the valley’s small-scale farmers. "Walnut husk" like, made from whole green walnuts, is the most common style and other popular variations include white cherry, eggplant, wild fig, plum, and apricot.

Walking arownd the city and having some free time on your own
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch in Farma Sotira Restaurant (Famous Traditional Restaurant in Albania)


• Dinner: 3course Traditional Dinner Menu in permet
• Breakfast: in the hotel
Accommodation included: Hotel in the center of Permet

Day 4: Permet - Gjirokastra

Stop At: Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster County
There has been a settlement here for 2500 years, though these days it's the 600 'monumental' Ottoman-era houses in town that attract visitors. For Albanians, the town is also a synonym for former dictator Enver Hoxha, who was born here and ensured the town was relatively well preserved under his rule, though he is not memorialized in any way here today.

After the sightseeing in the afternoon, you will have free time on your own for discovering the city
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Skenduli House, Rruga Sokaku i Te Mareve, Gjirokaster Albania
The lovingly restored Ottoman-era Skenduli House has been in the hands of the same family for generations (apart from a few years during the communist period when the government took it over), and you'll most likely be shown around by a member of the family. Dating from the early 1700s, but partially rebuilt in 1827, the house has many fascinating features, including a room used only for wedding ceremonies and which has 15 windows, many with stained glass.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Gjirokastra Bazaar, Old town, Gjirokaster Albania
The historic site in Gjirokastra, the "Neck of the Bazaar", makes up the center of the Old Town but what were once artisanal workshops are today mainly tourist souvenir shops. There are a couple of stone carvers left at the top end of the bazaar.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
Gjirokastra's eerie hilltop castle is one of the biggest in the Balkans. There's been a fortress here since the 12th century, although much of what can be seen today dates to the early 19th century. The castle remains somewhat infamous due to its use as a prison under the communists. Inside, there's a collection of armory, two good museums, plenty of crumbling ruins to scramble around, and superb views over the valley.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: 3 course traditional menu from Gjirokastra
• Dinner: Traditional Menu in Gjirokastra
• Breakfast: in the hotel
Accommodation included: Hotel inside the old town

Day 5: Gjirokastra - Blue eye - Saranda

Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore 9706 Albania
The "Blue Eye" is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near the village of Muzinë in Finiq municipality, southern Albania. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a depth of more than fifty metres.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Saranda, Saranda, Vlore County
Sarandë is a resort on the Albanian Riviera, in southern Albania. Sandwiched between the Ionian Sea and hills of olive groves, the town is on a horseshoe-shaped bay, edged by beaches and a promenade. In the center are the archaeological remains of a 5th-century synagogue, later an early Christian basilica. Intricate floor mosaics are still evident. The 16th-century Lëkurësi Castle is on a hilltop above the town.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ksamil Beach, Ksamil, Saranda Albania
There are a total of four spectacular islands in Ksamil. The most famous ones are the Twin Islands, which are connected to one another via a narrow sand belt. However, they have their own specific beauty and charm and are all definitely worth visiting and all are easily reachable from shore! The perfect tranquility and dense greenery of these islands resemble a tropical paradise which you won’t want to leave! Here, you can go canoeing, diving, or book a boat trip. The delicious seafood dishes served in the numerous restaurants of Ksamil, and the tasty cocktails, which can be enjoyed under the sun, are some more reasons why you will thoroughly enjoy your time here.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
Early in the morning, before the tourist crowds arrive and when the rocks are still tinged in the yellow dawn light, you might just imagine that the ancient walls of Butrint are whispering secrets to you of long-past lives. Easily the most romantic and beautiful – not to mention largest – of Albania's ancient sites, Butrint, 18km south of Saranda, is worth travelling a long way to see
The ruins, which are in a fantastic natural setting and are part of a 29-sq-km national park, are from a variety of periods, spanning 2500 years. Set aside at least two hours to explore.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Traditional Seafood menu near the seaside
• Dinner: Dinner in lekursi Castle
• Breakfast: in the hotel
Accommodation included: 3 or 4-star Hotel near Berati center

Day 6: Saranda - Riviera - Vlora

Stop At: Qeparo Beach, Qeparo Albania
Setting off from Himara, the road is only 13 km long and full of the beautiful Mediterranean views for which the Ionian Coast is so famous for. The locals say that Qeparo’s name comes from the cypress tree, which are so common in this area. Unlike the many rocky beaches of the south, Qeparo Beach has fine sand, and the sea is shallow for the first few meters, making it different from the immediate depths of Dhërmi and Jali. It’s for this reason that Qeparo is such a family favorite. There’s also a very quaint old pier which has been built on the large rocks that lay there.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Porto Palermo, Porto Palermo, Vlore County
On the way to Himara near the Ionian sea, in a picturesque bay just south of Himara, this 19th-century fortress, also known as the Castle of Ali Pasha, makes for an interesting stop-off along the coastal road. The fortress itself is eerily dark inside, but it's well worth paying to wander around and explore the battlements, which have superb sea views.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Himare, Himare, Vlore County
Himara, the largest village on the Southern Riviera, is an absolute must-see! Because of its strategic position along the Ionian Coast, the village has had a long history of steady growth, however, in the last couple of decades, it has grown exponentially. Of all the villages along the coastline, Himara offers the most inclusive summer experience. It’s no wonder then that nearly all travel guides recommend it without hesitation!
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Llogara National Park, Llogara National Park, Vlore County
Where the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas meet, begins the journey towards the Llogara National Park. The lush forests of pines and oaks are only the beginning of this “mountain of panoramas,” which is beautifully surrounded by numerous mountain ranges and the majestic Ionian Sea. Located only 40 km southeast of Vlora, the Llogara National Park is one of the most visited natural parks in Albania, home to a rich flora and fauna and some of the most exceptional food in the country. Though the park stays open throughout the year, it is most visited during the summer, as a cooling-off stop and a literal rite of passage to the southern Albanian Riviera.

You will pass by the national park and you can have a nice walk or short hike.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Lunch: Traditional Lunch in the National Park
• Dinner: Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Vlora
• Breakfast: in the Hotel
Accommodation included: Hotel in the center of Tirana

Day 7: Vlora - Berat

Stop At: National Ethnographic Museum Berat, Lagja 13 Shtatori Mangalem, Berat Albania
After Arrival in Berat visit, the National Ethnographic Museum of Berat, situated within a striking, typical 18th century two-story Berat residence, is a pleasant immersion into the lifestyle traditions of this fascinating town. The museum’s pavilions are nicely organized within the two stories of the former residence. The nice journey along the pavilions reveals an accurate panorama of the traditions and daily conditions of the lives of Berat’s prominent families.

You will spend in this museum around 1 hour and the admission fee it's not included in the price
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
Transfer to the fortress of Berat and visit The Interior. Berati fortress, Onufri museum Berat is one of the most visited and characteristic cities of Albania under the protection of UNESCO as
the patronage of the humanity for its unique architectural character. In Berat, we visit the castle and the Onufri museum. Berat Castle is particularly interesting because people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, just like their ancestors for centuries. The castle had more than 40 churches, of which 7 remain, including the Sainte-Marie church, transformed into an Onufri museum. Onufri was a famous 16th-century Albanian icon painter who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece, using a special red color.
The visit, you will have free time in the old town.
You will spend around 2 hours in the castle depending on your request.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: National Iconographic Museum Onufri, Located in the Inner Part of Saint Mary Church in Berat Castel, Berat Albania
Built-in 1797, this museum was a cathedral and is situated at the highest altitude of the Berat Castle, though it can be a little difficult to find. While the Ottomans were Muslim, they allowed Christians to continue practicing their faith and build churches, though not very visibly.

Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Lunch: Traditional Lunch in Berat
• Dinner: Traditional Dinner in Berat
• Breakfast: breakfast in the Hotel
Accommodation included: overnight in 3 or 4 stars hotel in Berat

Day 8: Berat - Apollonia - Durres - Tirana

Stop At: Apollonia Archaeological Park, Pojan Albania
In the morning time you will depart for the Apollonia archeological site. If we could choose the one place where you will have your most memorable encounter with history in Albania, it would have to be the ancient city of Apollonia, founded in the sixth century B.C. Situated in southwestern Albania, about 13 miles from the city of Fier, this city was built by Greek colonizers on the lands of the Taulantii Illyrian tribe. It was considered to be one of the most prominent cities at the time, selected from over twenty other cities throughout the Mediterranean, to receive the glorious name of Apollo, the god of music and poetry.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Laguna e Karavastase, Karavasta Lagoon, Divjake-Karavasta National Park, Divjake Albania
Divjakë-Karavasta National Park is a beautiful experience for any nature lover and a must-see for birdwatchers! The park gathers some fifty thousand birds among the wonderful natural monuments it houses inside. As such, it provides the extraordinary opportunity to become part of another world. Getting a peek at these birds’ natural habitat as well as their behaviors is a rare treat, indeed.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Fish Menu in the national Park
• Dinner: Traditional Albanian Menu in Tirana
• Breakfast: Breakfast in Hotel
Accommodation included: Overnight in 3 or 4 stars hotel

Day 9: Tirana - Airport

Pass By: Tirana County, Tirana County
Transfer the group to the airport

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.