Albania in 11 Days • 9 Nights in Destination

Arrive in Tirana, the capital of Albania, known for its colorful combination of architectural styles, pastel buildings that surround the city's focal point, Skanderbeg Square, which is named for its equestrian statue of a national hero. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is at your leisure to start exploring the city. After centuries of wars and invasions, Tirana is a fast developing city full of historically interesting places to visit, as well as a plethora of beautiful churches and lush parks. Check out the museums to learn more about its history, enjoy grabbing a bite to eat in the clock-tower square while you watch the world go by, or a hot beverage in one of the many cafes. Overnight stay in Tirana.

After breakfast, you start your journey toward the city of Lezhe, which in ancient times was called Lissus. Visit the City Castle, first built in the Illyrian era, it was rebuilt by the Venetians in the 1440s and the Ottomans in 1522, and the Mausoleum of Skanderbeg, an Albanian feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire therefore considered an Albanian National Hero. Continue to Shkodra, a city and municipality in the northwest of Albania known for its stunning landscapes. Discover this contrasting area with a city tour, in the center you’ll visit the Old Bazaar, the Cathedral and Mosque. Next journey up to the 4000 year old Rozafa Castle, located between two rivers, with views of the city of Shkodra, the impressive mountains and Lake Skadar. After the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Tirana.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head to one of Albania’s most important towns, Kruja, because of the part it played in the resistance against the Ottomans, and for being the home of Albania's national hero Skanderbeg. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum, the Castle perched above the city, as well as the Old Bazaar. Next, head to the port city of Durres. Known in medieval times as the most important ancient central mediterranean metropol until the 15th century when it was occupied by Ottomans, until 1912 when Albania proclaimed its independence, and Durres became its capital until 1920. This city has the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkan region and dates back to the beginning of the 2nd century. During your tour of Durres, visit the Archeological Museum, Ancient City Castle Wall, Bizatine Bazaar and Roman Public Baths. After the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Tirana.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, continue with your Albanian discovery toward the city of Berat, known for its white Ottoman houses. On-route, enjoy a quick visit to Elbasan, the fourth most populated city in the country, and then to Belsh Lake which is part of the Dumrea group of carstic lakes in central Albania, also known as little-Toscana. Continue to your destination, Berat, more than 2400 years of age it’s one of the oldest inhabited regions of Albania with special status from UNESCO. Visit Berat Castle, Berat Mosque and the Old Bridge of Gorica, discover the Onufri Museum alongside several more churches and mosques. Onufri was an Albanian master painter from the 16th Century, many of his wonderful paintings still remain at the museum while others can be found in Albanian and Greek churches where he worked. Lunch at a traditional restaurant. After today’s tour, return to Tirana. Overnight stay in Tirana.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, travel by land to Ardenica Monastery, erected by the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 in honor of his victory over the Kingdom of Sicily. This 13th century Byzantine site is locally famed for hosting the renowned Skanderbeg’s wedding. Continuing from here to the ruins of Apollonia, an atmospheric set of Roman remains on a remote hillside and once an important city in the region. Next, depart to the coastal city of Vlora, surrounded by the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains along the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea. Discover the most important landmarks in the city, including the Museum, where Albanian independence from the Ottomans was proclaimed on November 28th, 1912. Overnight stay in Vlora.

After breakfast, continue your journey to the south of Albania. Stop on-route at Llogara National Park where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of large alpine meadows, vertical rock faces, precipices and dense forests in the midst of mountains and the Albanian Riviera. Continue via some picturesque seaside villages to Saranda, a resort on the Albanian Riviera sandwiched between the Ionian Sea and hills of olive groves. Continue onto the ruins of Butrint, Albania's most important archaeological UNESCO site. Butrint dates from the 7th century BC, later becoming a Roman colony, then falling under the sway of the Venetians and Turks. Explore numerous historically important buildings including the acropolis, basilica and palace. The location of the site itself is also very attractive, surrounded by beautiful trees and water. After today’s tour, return to Saranda. Overnight stay in Saranda.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning continue on your journey to Gjirokaster, also known as the Stone City. En-route stop at the hilltop settlement of Finiq, first established in the 5th century by the Chaones, a Pelasgian Kingdom in ancient Epirus, but wasn’t inhabited until the Byzantine era. Its 12-feet-thick stone walls were built to protect the ancient residents against Illyrian attacks. The ruins today include a small temple, a theater, remains of houses and Roman cisterns. Next, travel to Blue Eye National Park, a water spring and stunning natural phenomenon, before reaching the UNESCO listed town of Gjirokaster. Known for the intensive use of stone in the building of the houses, which look like small fortresses and its quaint cobblestone streets, which all lead to the Bazaar. Once you arrive, enjoy free time to explore this less-known city that has been tagged ‘Albania’s best kept secret’. Overnight stay in Gjirokaster.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, stop at Tepelena Castle, once an important residence of Ali Pasha Tepelena, a local ethnic Albanian and powerful Ottoman ruler of the Pashalik of Yanina. Next, continue to Voskopoja, once the center of economic, cultural and artistic development, it’s actually believed to have been one of biggest commerce and trade towns not only in Albania, but in the Balkans. Discover the traditional way of life and some outstanding examples of Orthodox Christian Churches which escaped the destruction of the communist regime and visit the 18th century church and 16th century Monastery. Finally, head to Korca, a historic city with rich cultural traditions and some interesting buildings from the Ottoman period, including one of the most important mosques in Albania. Arrive in Korca and spend the remainder of your day discovering one of Albania’s most beautiful cities and the unofficial capital of culture. Overnight stay in Korca.

After breakfast, travel to Pogradec, a city located on a narrow plain between two mountain chains along the southwestern banks of the Lake of Ohrid. Its climate is profoundly influenced by seasonal Mediterranean and Continental climates. On the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec, visit an ancient Illyrian fortress known as Encheleana, which suffered damages during wars and invasions but is now preserved as a cultural monument. Next, continue to Elbasan, a very important city in ancient Illyrian times, famous for the intersection of historical ruins from both the Roman and the Ottoman periods. Enjoy a city tour where you’ll visit Elbasan Castle, dating back to 4th Century BC, The Clock, The Ethnographic Museum, the main Church and the Old Mosque. Finally, as your tour draws to a close, head back to Tirana. Once you arrive and check-in to your hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore. Overnight stay in Tirana.