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Between the Balkans and the Adriatic Sea

Albania in 11 Days, 9 Nights in Destination

Up to $500 reward

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-25%

From

$2,689

$1,999

/person

Natalie, Travel Expert

Natalie
Travel crafter

A well-rounded tour of Albania! Explore the history of this fascinating Balkan country, a true melting pot of Ottoman and Soviet-era successful survival stories that define a now thriving free nation.

Trip Highlights

  1. map-pin-check-icon
    Berat
  2. map-pin-check-icon
    Butrint
  3. map-pin-check-icon
    Durres
  4. map-pin-check-icon
    Elbasan
  5. map-pin-check-icon
    Gjirokastër
  6. map-pin-check-icon
    Korca
  7. map-pin-check-icon
    Kruja
  8. map-pin-check-icon
    Shkodra
  9. map-pin-check-icon
    Tirana
  10. map-pin-check-icon
    Vlora

Included

  1. All flights

  2. Accommodation

  3. All transfers

  4. Activities

  5. Breakfast only

Availability

  1. Departures available until October 2024

  2. Available Group tours

  3. Solo travelers from + $630

  4. Add up to 4 nights to your stay

  5. WHAT'S THIS?

Categories available

  1. charm included

  2. WHAT'S THIS?

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March 2024
April 2024
May 2024
June 2024

Categories Available:

charm

From $1,999

Selected

  • Accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels.
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Accommodation: 9 Nights

Itinerary

Begin in Tirana, visit castles in Lezhe and landscapes in Shkodra. Continue to Kruja, the home Skanderbeg and medieval Durres. Discover the ancient city of Berat, Ardenica Monastery, Apollonia with its Roman remains and the coastal city of Vlora. Head to resort town Saranda and onto the ruins of Butrint. Visit stone city Gjirokaster, Tepelena Castle and cultural Korca. Finally, discover Elbasan.

1st Day: US - Night on board
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Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight* to Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Night on board.

* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

2nd Day: Tirana
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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.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Freddy's Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

293 Reviews

See our full selection
3rd Day: Tirana - Lezhe - Shkodra - Tirana
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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.

Note: Estimated transfer distance 224km.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Freddy's Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

293 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
City Tour of Shkodra

Moderate

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included
Visit the Castle and Skanderbeg Mausoleum in Lezha

Moderate

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4th Day: Tirana - Kruja - Durres - Tirana
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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.

Note: Estimated transfer distance 120km.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Freddy's Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

293 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
City Tour of Kruja

Moderate

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included
City Tour of Durres

Light

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5th Day: Tirana - Berat
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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. Overnight stay in Berat.

Note: Estimated transfer distance 100km.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Republika Berat or similar
tripadvisor rating

13 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
City Tour of Berat (UNESCO)

Moderate

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included
Visit to the City of Elbasan and Belsh Lake

Light

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6th Day: Berat - Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia - Vlora
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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.

Note: Estimated transfer distance 120km.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Partner or similar
tripadvisor rating

152 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Ruins of Apollonia

Moderate

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included
Ardenica Monastery

Light

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included
City Tour of Vlora

Light

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7th Day: Vlora - Himare - Saranda - Butrint
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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.

Note: Estimated transfer distance 158km.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Brilant Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

372 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Stopover at the Llogara National Park

Light

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included
Visit to Butrint (UNESCO)

Moderate

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8th Day: Saranda - Mesopotam - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster
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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.

Note: Estimated transfer distance 64km.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Argjiro Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

106 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Visit to Gjirokastër (UNESCO)

Moderate

See more
included
Blue Eye National Park

Moderate

See more
included
Visit the Hilltop Settlement of Finiq

Moderate

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9th Day: Gjirokaster - Tepelena - Voskopoja - Korca
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Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, continue to Voskopoja, via Vjosa River valley, to enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding area*. 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.
 
*Please note: The route for this day covers a distance of approximately 245 km. In addition, part of this road is currently undergoing construction which may extend the duration of the trip.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Hotel Triart or similar
tripadvisor rating

6 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Visit to Tepelena Castle and Voskopoja

Moderate

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10th Day: Korca - Pogradec - Lin - Elbasan - Tirana
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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.

Note: Estimated transfer distance 165km.

Accommodation

ONE OF OUR SELECTED HOTELS
Freddy's Hotel or similar
tripadvisor rating

293 Reviews

See our full selection

Activities

included
Visit to Pogradec

Light

See more
included
City Tour of Elbasan

Light

See more
11th Day: Tirana - US
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Breakfast at the hotel.* It’s time to bid farewell to the historical nation of Albania. At the indicated time, take your transfer to Tirana Airport for your departure and return to the US.**

* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

** Dependant on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US the next day.

Included activities

Included

City Tour of Shkodra

Included activity for day 3 in Shkodra

Visit the most emblematic attractions of the city of Shkodra including the Old Bazaar, the Centrum, the Cathedral and Mosque, the Castle of Rozafa among other stops.

Duration 02:00h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

Physical rating:

Moderate

more information
Included

Visit the Castle and Skanderbeg Mausoleum in Lezha

Included activity for day 3 in Lezhe

Visit the City Castle, first built in the Illyrian era, and the Mausoleum of Skanderbeg, an Albanian feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire considered an Albanian National Hero.

Duration 01:00h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

Physical rating:

Moderate

more information
Included

City Tour of Kruja

Included activity for day 4 in Kruja

Visit the most emblematic attractions of Kruja including the Skanderbeg Museum, the castle and the old bazaar.

Duration 02:00h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

Physical rating:

Moderate

more information
Included

City Tour of Durres

Included activity for day 4 in Durres

Known in medieval times as the most important ancient central mediterranean metropol until the 15th century, visit the Archeological Museum, Ancient City Castle Wall, Bizatine Bazaar and Roman Public Baths.

Duration 01:30h Approx. Pick up time: info at destination

Physical rating:

Light

more information

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The price includes

  • Included in all our trips. more information
  • Departures from main US airports.
  • International flights: US - Tirana - US.
  • 9 nights hotel accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels.
    See hotels included
  • 9 breakfasts.
  • All transfers
  • Visits as indicated in the itinerary with an English-speaking guide.
    See itinerary
  • All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
  • English speaking guide during all tour itinerary, and local guides.
  • Escorted tour.
*The cancellation policy applicable is according to the Terms and Conditions available and agreed at the time of your purchase

Not included

Drinks, entrance fees,* city taxes and tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.

This is a fast-paced itinerary that includes an extensive number of sights and activities in order to give you the most complete experience of Albania. You can expect several early morning departures and many driving miles throughout the trip.

Please keep in mind that some roads may be in poor condition. For this reason, we cannot predict the volume of traffic ahead of time.

• We recommend taking cash in the local currency with you on this trip, as withdrawing cash at ATMs is not always possible or easy in Albania. City taxes must be paid in cash directly to the hotels.

• Hotel ratings in Albania are not governed by the same standards as those in the US.

• Due to the nature of the destination the terrain can be uneven at times, it may require you to walk on a rocky path, and up and down hills.

• For wheelchair users this trip is upon request, please contact us for further information.

  • Entry requirements

    Passport with a minimum of 3 months validity required.

  • Visa

    No visa is required to enter the country.

  • Currency

    Lek.

  • Language

    Albanian.

  • Electricity

    Albania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.

  • Health

    There are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers.

  • Time zone

    UTC + 01:00.

  • Other useful information

    A partir de 2024 Kenia suprimirá los visados para la entrada de viajeros de todos los países. En su lugar, los visitantes tendrán que contar con una ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation in Advance). Si ya tienes visado, este documento seguirá siendo válid

  • Tourist Office website

    https://albania.al/

Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.

Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.

In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.

If you have reduced mobility, require the use of a wheelchair, or you would prefer this tour to be a private experience for you and your group, you must contact our Experts at +1 888-488-0592 before booking to ensure that your needs can be met.

While on the road, it is highly unlikely that the vehicle will be equipped with wifi or bathroom facilities, though rest stops will be made for long trips. We recommend purchasing a new SIM card at the airport or placing an e-SIM before travel to guarantee internet connection.

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Pay only 20% today to reserve your trip.

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