Pearls Of Albania Tour In Eight Days (3 Unesco Sites)

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirana – Shkodra

Pass By: Choose Balkans - Albania Tour Operator, Rruga Reshit Çollaku, Tirana, Albania
Our professional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tirana at 9:00 am to start our journey towards Shkodra.

Stop At: Shkoder, Shkoder, Shkoder County
The city is situated in the north-western part of Albania, giving its name to the biggest lake in the Balkans. The oldest wall of the Shkodra castle dates from the 1st millennium BCE. The Roman historian Livy cited the town as the capital of the Illyrian king Gent, who fought the Romans in 168 B.C.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Rozafa Castle, Rozafa, Shkoder Albania
We will visit Rozafa castle offering tremendous scenery of the lake and the three rivers melting all together in the Adriatic Sea. The city’s architecture is highly influenced by the Venetian style, and if you are lucky enough to join the tour of Shkodra in February you might experience the carnival festival. Most of the guests are surprised to learn that most of the Venetian masks are handmade and produced in Shkodra. At around 12:30, you will get some free time on all seven days on the tour to have some delicious lunch and to wander around by yourself till 14:00 pm The city’s favourable geographic position has always been an important trading tie through the centuries, making it possible for different civilisations to encounter.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Shkodra.

Day 2: Shkodra - Berat

Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
Our next destination is Berat, also known as the city of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Berat Castle, Rruga Mihal Komnena, Berat 5001 Albania
Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Berat.

Day 3: Berat - Gjirokastra

Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
Our next destination is Gjirokastra, also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century AD, and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Gjirokastra Bazaar, Old town, Gjirokaster Albania
Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra, you will have to pass by the medieval bazar. The atmospheric old town cascades down in graceful hill crammed full of beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you will be amazed by the wide variety of handmade crafts from local artisans and producers.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjirokastra.

Day 4: Gjirokastra – Blue Eye – Butrint – Albanian Riviera

Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore 9706 Albania
From Gjirokastra, we will move towards Butrint, but not before making a stop at the natural wonder of the Blue Eye. You will not be able to keep your eyes off the mesmerizing crystal-clear blue water. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuits, because you might want to take a dive in it.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
Our tour continues to the National Park of Butrint. Part of the UNESCO world heritage, Butrint is the most important archaeological site in Albania. It was the first site in Albania that became part of the UNESCO list. The ruins combined with the stunning natural surroundings make it worth a visit.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Porto Palermo Castle, Himare Albania
We will drive along the coastline known as Albanian Riviera. Our next stop will be the beautiful castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Borsh Beach, Rruga Plazhit, Borsh Albania
We will drive along the coastline known as Albanian Riviera. Our next stop will be the beautiful castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo. While along the Albanian Riviera, we will pass some of the most beautiful beaches of Albania; Borsh and Llamani. Overnight near the Albanian Riviera.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight near the Albanian Riviera.

Day 5: Albanian Riviera – Himare – Llogara National Park

Stop At: Himare, Himare, Vlore County
Today we will go towards Llogara National Park. We will pass some small villages one by one, clinging to rock faces by the seaside, all tumbledown stone walls and narrow pathways, overhung with vines full of grapes, and trees heavy with figs and walnuts. We will make a short stop at Himara village. Himara is located next to imposing mountain peaks covered in deep green forests, crystal-clear seas fringed by long white beaches and sparkling springs inviting you to dive in.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Llogara National Park, Llogara National Park, Vlore County
Our last destination for today is Llogara, Albania’s largest national park with impressive mountains and beautiful nature.
Duration: 3 hours

Pass By: Dhermi Beach, Dhermi Albania
On our way, we will pass by Dhermi and Palasa beach, two stunning Albanian beaches.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Llogara National Park.

Day 6: Llogara National Park – Apollonia - Tirana

Stop At: Apollonia Archaeological Park, Pojan Albania
After breakfast we head back to Tirana. On our way to Tirana, we will visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia, the Odeon Theatre, the Church of Saint Mary, the ancient statues of Illyrian times and the mosaic.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Colourful, lively, vibrant, dynamic, 24/7 and crazy nightlife - these are some of the words that better describe Tirana where the communist and capitalist-era buildings battle on a daily basis. Not to be missed is Tirana’s delicious food varieties, from the tasty and cheap street food to the finest gourmet options.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tirana.

Day 7: Tirana – Kruja – Tirana

Stop At: Old Bazaar (Pazari i Vjeter), Rruga Albanopolis, Kruje 1501 Albania
After breakfast, we will drive towards Kruja, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. Kruja is situated in central Albania on a rocky mountainous terrain about 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sarisalltik Mountain. Walking through Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar (one of the biggest and oldest in Balkans) gives you a sense of a passage through the history. You will be surrounded by crafts and local products carefully designed by local artisans and housewives of the Kruja area.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Kruja Castle, Near Tirana, Kruje 1501 Albania
The castle of Kruja (built during the 5th century AD) is strategically placed on the top of a rocky hill, making it difficult for the enemies to attack. Our local guide will take you through some hidden paths, used by the locals to leave the castle without being noticed during periods when the enemies surrounded the castle.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tirana.

Day 8: Tirana – Durrës – Tirana

Stop At: Durres Amphitheatre, Rruga Kalase, Durres Albania
Today we will head to the ancient town of Durres to explore the amphitheatre, the Roman ruins and the Venetian Tower. Founded as Epidamnos in the ancient region of Illyria in 627 BC by ancient Greeks, Durrës has been one of the most important cities in the history of Albania. Known also as the centre of Archaeology in Albania, it has the largest Ancient Roman style Amphitheatre.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Durres, Durres, Durres County
The geographic position located in the shores of Adriatic Sea, turns Durrës into the main port and the second largest city of Albania as well. In the late afternoon, we will go back to Tirana and this is where our tour will come to an end.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.