5 Days Across Albania: Heritage & Coastline Adventure

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We drive up the hill and arrive at the castle. Rozafa Castle, built on a hill overlooking the city, offers incredible views of Shkodra, Lake Shiroka, and the Buna River. You’ll learn the legend behind the castle’s construction and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Upon descending from Rozafa Castle, we head towards Lake Shkodra, also known as Shiroka. Shiroka is one of the largest lakes in the region, home to a wide variety of birds, and so expansive that it resembles a sea to the naked eye. We take a break for an aperitif, coffee, and some beautiful photos that are postcard-worthy.

Following our visit to Lake Shiroka, we return to Shkodra and head east towards Mesi Bridge. This medieval bridge was essential for the local population, connecting villages and deeper regions of the northeast.
After spending half the day exploring these attractions, we proceed to your hotel for check-in. After lunch and a few hours of rest, we invite you to take a free walk around the city and visit some of its attractions. This concludes the first day in Shkodra.

After several hours of travel from northern Albania (Shkodra), we head south to Berat, a city steeped in antiquity. We ascend to the castle and explore it on foot, visiting attractions like Constantine the Great’s square, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the White Mosque, the Red Mosque, the Onufri Museum, and the panoramic balcony offering mesmerizing views of the “City of a Thousand Windows” (a UNESCO cultural heritage site), the Osum River, Gorica Bridge, and many other elements.

Following the castle visit, it’s time for lunch, and it has become our tradition to take you to one of the local wineries. Here, you’ll enjoy a winery tour and wine tasting, a special experience offered by our company.
After the winery tour, we return to Berat city and take you to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, enjoy a free walk around the city.

Once breakfast is done at your hotel and several hours of travel towards the southwest, we arrive at the Stone City, Gjirokastra. We ascend the city’s hill to visit Gjirokastra Castle, one of the largest castles in the region, rich with diverse and fascinating history.

We descend from the castle along a narrow cobbled path and spend some time wandering through the streets of the bazaar with its characteristic buildings. Shops and restaurants make this place lively and appealing.

After the bazaar visit, we take a short walk to one of the streets where the renowned writer Ismail Kadare lived. We’ll visit the museum house dedicated to his life and works.

The next stop is the Skënduli House, an ethnographic museum dating back to the 18th century. This tower has withstood the test of time, offering insights into the region’s traditions and culture.
We spend the evening at the Gjirokastra Bazaar, enjoying local music. Afterward, we head to the hotel for accommodation.

As soon as we arrive we start exploring Gjirokastra and its rich history, we head to the Blue Eye, a natural oasis. This national park offers stunning nature that delights every visitor.

Following the Blue Eye adventure, we travel to Butrint, located 15 km from Saranda city. Butrint is a UNESCO-preserved cultural and historical heritage site and one of the most fortified castles of different ancient periods.

We return to Ksamil, a breathtaking oasis where you’ll marvel at the unique beaches and stunning views offered by this island. Spend your time sunbathing and relaxing.

After relaxing at Ksamil Beach, we visit Lëkurësi Castle, which provides a panoramic view of Saranda city. We descend to Saranda and head to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy a free evening strolling along Saranda’s promenade and savoring dinner.

On the final day of our tour, we continue with Himara. We drive along the stunning Riviera, flanked by olive-covered hills and the mesmerizing sea to our left. We arrive at Potam Beach in Himara, where we spend part of the day sunbathing.

We continue along the Riviera, stopping at Dhërmi village, known for its dozens of Orthodox churches, each with unique significance. We then head to Palasë, a zone now transformed into a construction site for luxurious villas, hotels, and facilities catering to beachgoers.

Moving on from Dhërmi, we ascend to Llogara National Park. During the climb, we pause at a panoramic balcony along the road for photos and videos. If you’re lucky, you might see paragliders launching from this strategic point for an adventurous experience.

The park, with altitudes ranging from 400 m to over 2000 m above sea level, is vital to the ecosystem of this area, offering diverse trees, wildlife like deer, wildcats, wolves, and red foxes, and a great attraction for nature-loving tourists.

After a relatively short stay in Llogara Park, we descend and arrive in Vlora, a city that connects Albania to Italy via nightly ferries from Vlora Port to Brindisi, Italy.

Once leaving Vlora, we drive through the Soda Forest and head to Zvërnec Island, located near the Narta Lagoon, offering a spectacular view. Every August 15th, the locals celebrate an important religious event here.
After this stop, our 5-day adventure concludes.

We will return to Tirana by around 6:30 PM, where the guide will drop you off at your reserved hotel.