Day 1: Arriving in Tirana.

It is around 5 PM when we are landing in Tirana. We went straight to our car-renting company to collect our travel partner for the next seven days and our renting company was very close to the Airport. Renting a car was one of the crucial decisions we took to make our travel itinerary successful. we collected our car and it took less than an hour to complete the renting process.

Here is everything you need to know before renting a car in Albania.

On day 1, we did not plan to visit any attractions since our landing in the evening. so our target was to arrive on 1st day staying location, which is Vlore.

We left Tirana around 6:30 PM and arrived in Vlore around 9:30 PM. We booked an apartment through Airbnb, and it was amazing. It provided us with a relaxed and comfortable first-night stay after a long and busy day.

Tirana to Vlore

• Around 150KM
• Approximate traveling time 2-3 hours

Day 2: Vlore to Ksamil

Our real Albania Itinerary exploration started from day 2 onwards. today we planned to arrive in Sarande. after having a simple breakfast we left the apartment around 8:30 AM.

Our first site visit was to Zvernec Island (M) and St. Mary’s Monastery. This place was 20-30 minutes away from our apartment. We spent around one hour there and then started our road trip to Sarande.

Our next stop was Llogara Pass. This was one of the unforgettable places where we visited.

Pro Tip: There are two spots around here, one is Panorama Llogara which is quite busy and that is the one we skipped, and the other one is Llogara Pass less busy and you will have enough time to complement yourself with the view. If you want to follow our plan, try Llogara Pass on Google Maps and it will direct you to the correct place.

Our next stop is Gjipe Beach. Although there is a bit of walking involved, around 1.5-2 km, this place is definitely worth visiting. Plan to spend a few hours there. We left Gjipe Beach around 2:00 PM and arrived at Ksamil around 4:30 PM. Since we went to Gjipe beach, we didn’t have enough energy to visit any other place that evening. This means we missed the Butrint National Park walk, but we made up for it by having a wonderful dinner on the coast.

Places to Visit in Vlore to Ksamil

• Zvernec Island (M) and St. Mary’s Monastery.
• Llogara Pass
• Gjipe Beach
• Butrint National Park
• Ksamil

Trip detail

• Vlore to Ksamil: 211 Km
• Journey time 4-5 hours

Vlore to Ksamil via Himare, Dherami is one of the most scenic routes in Albania.

Day 3: Ksamil to Berat

Our plan for day 3 was to travel to Berat via The Blue Eye and Gjirokaster before arriving in Berat. We left the apartment and made our first stop at The Blue Eye. To reach this amazing natural pond, you need to walk around 1.5 to 2 kilometres.

We then travelled to Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its unique Ottoman architecture. The old town of Gjirokaster consists of a labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets flanked by traditional Ottoman houses.

In the evening, around 5:30 PM, we arrived at our hotel in Berat. Yes, it was quite a long drive, but all the tiredness washed away when we saw the beauty of the old architectural city of Berat, also known as the “City of a Thousand Windows.”

Berat City scene from our hotel window did not allow us to relax at the hotel. After cooling down, we thought it would be good to explore the Berat city streets and have dinner.

Tip: There is a road suggestion when travelling from Gjirokaster to Berat that is only suitable for 4WD vehicles. If you are driving a vehicle that is not off-road compatible, make sure to avoid that route. The correct road to take is via Levan. The road to avoid is SH75, and the alternative option is via Piskov.

Places to Visit from Ksamil to Berat

• Butrint National Park
• The Blue Eye
• Gjirokaster
• Berat

Trip detail

• Ksamil to Berat: 216 Km
• Journey time 4-5hours

Day 4: Berat to Durres

Today was another exciting day as we started a bit early. Our hotel, conveniently located near Berat Castle, allowed us to enter its ancient gates at 7 AM. The lack of crowds gave us the freedom to wander its cobbled paths, tracing the footsteps of generations past. If you ever find yourself in Berat, visiting the castle is an absolute must. We recommend visiting early in the morning to make the most of your experience.

After visiting the castle, we returned to our hotel for breakfast and then drove for two hours to Osumi Canyon. The journey was as breathtaking as the destination itself. The canyon, carved by the Osumi River, revealed its rugged beauty, leaving an indelible mark on our Albanian adventure.

As the day waned, we retraced our steps back to Berat. Lunch awaited us at the castle, where we were satisfied with traditional Albanian cuisine.

We finally made it to Durrës in the evening around 3:30 PM and decided to take it easy, as we needed to recharge for the big challenge waiting for us on day 5. Yes, Yes, of course, we did not miss tasting another Albanian cousin close by the beach.

Places to Visit from Berat to Durres

• Berat Castle
• Osumi Canyon
• Abaia Winery & Vineyard (pre-booking required)

Trip detail

• Berat to Osumi Canyon – 55 Km
• Journey Time – 1.5 – 2 hours
• Osumi Canyon to Durres via Berat – 145 Km
• Journey Time: 3 hours

Day 5: Durres to Shkoder

Northern Albania exploration starts from day 5 onwards.

Today, our plan is to take a ferry ride on Lake Koman. To catch the Lake Koman ferry, we had the option of going to Koman to catch the 9:00 AM ferry or going to Fierza to catch the 13:00 ferry. Since we were staying in Durrës, it would have been challenging to arrive in Koman to catch the 9:00 AM ferry as it would have taken around 3-4 hours. Therefore, we chose to go to Fierza to catch the 13:00 ferry, which took us 4-5 hours.

I think it was a good decision we have taken. Otherwise, we will not be able to make that. So we left our hotel a bit early around 7:00 AM because we wanted to experience the beauty of the driveway. The drive is amazing. No words to explain that. That is why we said our day 5 was a challenging one.

We arrived at Fierza around 11:30 AM and we had enough time to have our lunch there. The ferry was on time and we and our rented car boarded. We were so amazed at the experience of the Koman Lake ferry ride and we believe this should not be missed during your Albanian trip.

Then we headed to our day 5 lodging which is located in Shkodër.

Travel Tips

• We used SH30 and SH22 to reach Fierza
• Journey time 4-5 hours
• Narrow roads but breathtaking view
• Koman to Shkodër – around 20 km road is not good. But drivable with a small car as well

Places to Visit in Durres and Shkoder

• Komani Lake Tour

Trip detail

• Durres to Fierze
  • 211 KM
  • Journey Time 4.5-5h
• Fierza to Koman
  • 2hours (by ferry)
• Koman to Shkoder
  • 53.2Km
  • Journey Time: 1:5-2h

Day 6: Shkoder to Theth

I would say that today was the day we had been eagerly anticipating to explore the Albanian Alps. We began our day around 9 AM from the apartment we booked through Airbnb.com and arrived in Theth around 11:30 AM. The roads are narrow but the views are amazing, so it’s likely you will make several stops before reaching Theth.

Upon our arrival, we visited the Theth Blue Eye. Unlike the Sarande Blue Eye, you can swim here, but you have to be brave enough to dip into the freezing water.

There are two options to visit the Theth Blue Eye. You can enjoy a full hike by starting from Theth Village, or you can drive to Nderlysaj, park your vehicle, and then begin the hike. We chose the latter option and found it to be an interesting and challenging hike. It was definitely doable, as even our 8-year-old son Yuwin completed the hike without any complaints.

Evening we went to see Theth village church (Kisha e Thethit) and stayed a couple of hours seeing sunsetting his last shine over the Thethi mountains.

Places to Visit in Shkoder and Theth

• Theth Village
• Kisha e Thethit
• Thethi Blue Eye
• Theth Zipline

Trip detail

• Durres to Fierze
  • 78 KM
  • Journey Time 2-2.5h

Day 7: Theth to Tirana

We are headed to Tirana and feeling a bit emotional about leaving Theth because of its beauty and ethereal vibe. We didn’t plan anything for today as we wanted to relax after visiting most of the attractions in Albania. After having breakfast, we went to experience the Theth Zipline, and I must say, it was worth spending a couple of euros for the experience. Later, we slowly made our way to Tirana, stopping at a few sightseeing places before arriving at our next two-night accommodation.

To be honest, we didn’t plan anything for day 7. We spent our time reminiscing about how this beautiful country has treated us. We are filled with every sense.

Day 8: At Tirana

In the morning, around 10 AM, we left the apartment to visit Lake Bovilla. The journey to Bovilla Lake was pleasant, but after seeing more beautiful places throughout the past 7 days, it didn’t leave a strong impression. Nevertheless, the place is worth visiting. The road to Bovilla Lake is not in the best condition, so it’s advisable to allow some extra time for your journey.

In the evening, we handed over our beloved travel companion to the car rental agency.

To Bovila Lake:

• around 20 KM
• Journey time 1-2hours

The following day we headed back home full of unforgettable memories.

A few Tips for your Albania Travel Itinerary.

• Renting a car or owning a car is crucial for the success of the above-mentioned Albania travel itinerary.
• Try to find an apartment/ or Hotel close to your planned places.
• Do some research about the road conditions well in advance.

See our Tips for Planning Epic Family Travel Itinerary