Highlights
- Dip into North Macedonia to stay a night at the UNESCO-listed City of Ohrid
- Drive from Korçë to Përmet, with incredible views across the Pindus Mountains
- Enjoy a night relaxing on the Albanian Riviera
- Visit the famous archaeological parks of Butrint, Antigonea, and Apollonia
- Soak in the mineral hot springs in Benjë
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tirana, Guided Walking Tour, Transfer to Ohrid (North Macedonia) | Ohrid |
| Day 2 | Morning Guided Tour, Transfer Over the Galičica Pass to Korçë (Albania) | Korçë |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Përmet & Soak in Benjë Hot Springs | Përmet |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Gjirokastra via the Ancient Remains of Antigonea | Gjirokastra |
| Day 5 | Explore the UNESCO Hillside Town of Gjirokastra | Gjirokastra |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Qeparo via Butrint Ruins, the Albanian Riviera & Sarandë | Qeparo |
| Day 7 | Cross the Scenic Llogora Pass to Berat & Visit Ancient City of Apollonia | Berat |
| Day 8 | Return to Tirana, Experience an Innovative Traditional Meal | Tirana |
| Day 9 | Depart Tirana |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Tirana, Guided Walking Tour, Transfer to Ohrid (North Macedonia)
Welcome to Albania! Your guide will meet you for a walking tour of Albania's buzzy capital city, Tirana. You'll begin around Skanderbeg Square and the city center, where you'll see popular sites like the 18th-century Tanner's Bridge and Rinia Park. Enjoy a quick lunch before leaving the city, stopping at the bizarre and impressive secret nuclear bunker on the outskirts of town, Bunk'Art.
Next, your driver will take you to the picturesque lakeside town of Ohrid in North Macedonia, following scenic roads and stopping for coffee along the way. In Ohrid, you'll stay at a small hotel in the charming Old Town. Settle into your accommodation and meet your guide for a welcome meal in the evening. If time allows, you can take a boat trip at sunset, which is the best time to see the city from the lake.
Day 2: Morning Guided Tour, Transfer Over the Galičica Pass to Korçë (Albania)
In the morning, spend some time exploring the charming UNESCO World Heritage City of Ohrid with a local North Macedonian guide. You'll particularly enjoy the famous views of St. John Church on the lake's shores. You can also see Samuel's Fortress and the Ancient Theater of Ohrid, a Greek amphitheater dating back to 200 BCE.
You'll then meet your driver to make your way over the stunning Galičica Pass between lakes Ohrid and Prespa. As you continue your route, you'll stop for lunch. With full stomachs, you'll enjoy the rural countryside as you twist and turn toward the small city of Korçë back in Albania. Expect cobbled streets, crumbling pre-war villas, and a lively bazaar. Korçë is also home to the National Museum of Medieval Arts, which features some truly beautiful works by the renowned 16th-century artist Onufri.
Day 3: Transfer to Përmet & Soak in Benjë Hot Springs
After breakfast, spend some time exploring the picturesque city of Korçë. Before lunch, you'll travel to Përmet, a sleepy town in Southern Albania. The route follows an incredibly curvy and scenic roadway, one of the most beautiful in Albania. Although bumpy in places, the scenery is breathtaking, offering views across the Pindus Mountains into Greece.
Before reaching Përmet, you'll stop for lunch and to soak in the warm sulfur springs in Benjë. After settling into your accommodation and freshening up, you can meet your guide to sip raki on the main square. Përmet is famous for the quality of its rakis, a sweetened alcoholic drink often used as an aperitif in the Balkan countries. The evening is yours to enjoy a dinner in Përmet's center and to stroll its quiet streets along the Vjosë River.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Transfer to Gjirokastra via the Ancient Remains of Antigonea
Enjoy your breakfast in the morning before meeting your guide and preparing for today's drive. You'll continue west, conquering the scenic Këlcyrë Pass and joining the main highway running south to Greece. Before reaching Gjirokastra, you'll have time to visit the ancient remains of Antigonea, built by King Pyrrhus and then destroyed by the Romans.
After arriving in Gjirokastra, you'll settle into your hotel in the Old Town near the main bazaar. Your guide can lead you on a tour through the city. Be prepared for some steep climbs, particularly to reach the brooding castle built by Ali Pasha of Lord Byron back in the late 1700s. In the evening, join your guide for a sunset drink in the main square. Then head to dinner at a local's favorite, Kujtimi, which seemingly hasn't changed since the fall of Communism.
Day 5: Explore the UNESCO Hillside Town of Gjirokastra
After a leisurely breakfast, relax at your hotel before meeting your guide to explore the charming streets of Gjirokastra. Today is yours to meander through the hilly UNESCO town at your own pace. Stop in the Gjirokaster Museum or the Ethnographic Museum to learn more about the region's history. Then see it first hand at sites like The Cold War Tunnel or the many historic houses, like the Skenduli House and the Zekate House.
End your day with sunset views at the Castle of Gjirokastra. You'll also enjoy views of the town and its many Ottoman houses, as well as the surrounding mountain range. Freshen up before heading to dinner in the old town. Consider the traditional restaurant Odaja, popular with both tourists and locals.
Day 6: Transfer to Qeparo via Butrint Ruins, the Albanian Riviera & Sarandë
Today you'll enjoy a change of scenery. You'll start by crossing the mountains that separate inland Albania from the coast. After a coffee stop at the famous Blue Eye Spring, you'll emerge on the Albanian Riviera south of the popular beachside city of Sarandë.
The first stop of the drive is the UNESCO-protected archaeological park of Butrint, where you'll have about two hours to explore the ruins. After breaking for lunch in Sarandë, your guide will head north along the spectacular seaside road to the peaceful village of Qeparo, just south of Porto Palermo and Himarë.
Day 7: Cross the Scenic Llogora Pass to Berat & Visit Ancient City of Apollonia
Wake early to grab breakfast and spend your final hours in Qeparo at the beach. Your drive today will take you north over the dramatic 3,300-foot (1,000 m) Llogora Pass, which descends down into the scenic Bay of Vlorë. You won't stop in Vlorë itself, but rather, you'll make your way to the archaeological park at Apollonia, where you can spend some time exploring the ruins.
From here, your guide will drive you to the third and final UNESCO World Heritage City of the trip, Berat. After settling into your hotel, enjoy a stroll through the main pedestrian boulevard to catch the buzz of Berat's promenade, where locals convene each evening. For dinner, head up to the citadel to eat at Koço's, a popular restaurant serving excellent traditional Albanian food. Koço himself is a bit of a local legend, as are his wife and daughter.
Day 8: Return to Tirana, Experience an Innovative Traditional Meal
After breakfast, enjoy the morning exploring the streets of Berat before your departure. Your guide will meet you for the drive back to Tirana. After settling into your final accommodation of the trip, enjoy the rest of the day strolling about Tirana's busy streets. In the evening, you'll meet your guide for a farewell meal at Restaurant Mullixhiu. Chef Bledar Kola, the mastermind behind Mullixhiu's menu, is internationally renowned for his innovative take on traditional Albanian cuisine. After dinner, meander through Skanderbeg Square and absorb the Albanian charm one last time.
Day 9: Depart Tirana
It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Albania. Enjoy one last breakfast at your hotel before leaving for the airport. Your driver will take you in time to catch your flight home or to your next destination.
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