Itineraries
Albania Itinerary: 7–10 Days (The Recommended Route)
This is the route we recommend for a first visit to Albania. Seven to ten days is enough to taste every side of the country — a lively capital, an Ottoman stone city, a dramatic coast road, and turquoise beaches in the south — without rushing. The route runs north to south in a single line, so you never repeat the same road, and it ends with the most beautiful part: the Riviera and Sarandë.
Day by day
Day 1 — Tirana. Arrive and settle around Skanderbeg Square or the Blloku district. A walking loop of the city, the Bunk’Art 2 bunker museum, and an evening in the cafés. Day 2 — Tirana → Berat (about two hours). The “city of a thousand windows”, the Ottoman Mangalem quarter and the living castle on the hill. Overnight in Berat. Day 3 — Berat → the Riviera via Vlorë and the Llogara Pass (about 3 hours), with its spectacular descent to the coast; overnight in Himarë or Dhërmi.
Day 4 — the Albanian Riviera. A beach day: Gjipe, Livadhi and Jale. In summer an all-day boat trip along the Riviera reaches the hidden coves. Day 5 — the Riviera → Sarandë and Ksamil — the little islets and shallow turquoise water, a perfect beach for a lazy day. Day 6 — Butrint and the Blue Eye spring: a morning at the World Heritage site, an afternoon at the blue spring. Day 7 — back to Tirana (about 4 hours) and your flight, or a final night in the capital.
Stretching it to 10 days
With three extra days you can slow down rather than cram: another day on the Riviera beaches, a visit to Gjirokastër (the stone city, about an hour from Sarandë) on the way back, and a rest day in Tirana before flying. Travellers who prefer fewer transfers can base in just two “hubs” — Himarë for the south-west and Sarandë for the south — and run day trips from there.
Where to stay along the way
Three bases cover the whole route: Berat for one night, Himarë for the Riviera, and Sarandë for the south. Compare in advance stays in Sarandë and stays in Himarë; in summer (July–August) booking ahead is essential. In Tirana, base around Blloku.
Want to add the mountainous north? See the 14-day itinerary. For a coast-only trip — a week in the south. For the full picture: the Albania guide and the itineraries guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Albania for a first visit?
7–10 days is the sweet spot. A week covers Tirana, Berat, the Riviera and the south around Sarandë at a comfortable pace. Ten days adds breathing room — an extra beach day, a stop in Gjirokastër, or a rest day.
Do you need a car for this route?
Not essential, but recommended for the coastal stretch. Between the cities (Tirana–Berat–Sarandë) there are cheap furgons and buses, but the Riviera and the hidden beaches really open up only with a car. You can mix the two: bus to the cities, rental for the beach days.
Where does the route start?
From Tirana — the main airport (TIA) is 20 minutes from the centre, with direct flights from Tel Aviv (about 3 hours). From there you head south. At the end you return to Tirana to fly out, or fly via neighbouring Corfu.