With cheap flights from London and other European cities to the only 1 International airport in Albania - Tirana - it is very much alike that your journey will start here! So welcome to Tirana and from now on you choose which itinerary to choose first:)
Winter tale + Sun&Sea: 3 days in Korca and 5 days in Saranda
To get from Tirana to Korce you need to drive 3 hours and 160 km, but the road is really worth that time: you will see Lumi Shkumbin Lake, lots of mountains and the last part of the journey will be along Lake Ohrid.
In Korca you can enjoy the Christmas market and stunning Albanian cuisine.
If you like winter fun like skiing or snowboarding, go to Dardhe - a small ski resort in just 30 min from Korce with 2 slopes and 2 lifts transport.
Another option is to There are several authentic mountain villages around Korce definitely worth visiting: Voskopoja (30 min drive), Boboshtica (10 min drive) and Vithkuqi (30 min from Korce).
If you stay in Korce for a week or so you should see the beautiful town of Pogradec as well. It is 45 min from Korce and it lays on the banks of Ohrid lake - the largest and oldest lake on the Balkans.
After 3 days in Korca, head to Saranda. It is 230 km away and around 5 hours driving. But on your way you can visit the cleanest city in Albania - Permet located on the banks of the stunningly beautiful Vjosa River and swim in the thermal waters of Benje
In Saranda you can stay in one of the high quality hotels or apartments, enjoy the sea view, sunbathe on the balcony in one of the 300 sunny days a year by temperature of +20 degrees even in December and enjoy the empty Saranda Albania beach:). In the evening walk through a beautiful promenade along the Ionian sea and taste seafood and traditional Albanian cuisine in restaurants and cafes. Attractions near Saranda include Butrint National Park and Ksamil (they are next to each other and only 30 minutes away), old Ottoman town of Gjirokaster in just 1 hour from Saranda, Blue Eye - picturesque natural water spring deep in the mountains.
Somebody can say that it is too much traveling around the country in 7 or 10 days. But think about how many travel emotions you will get: winter fairy tale in Korce, sea and sun in Saranda Ksamil, history in Butrint&Gjirokaster, local beauties around you throughout all movements between cities plus local hospitality and amazing cuisine! It is way much better than another week spent in a rainy and foggy London/Amsterdam/Copenhagen/etc.
Tirana + Ionian Sea: 3 days in Tirana and 5 days in Saranda
Your plan for 3-day stay in Tirana is the same: Durres or Kruje, Bovilla lake, Dajti Mountain, Blloku + BunkArt.
Then head to Saranda and take full advantage of this trip: drive through Llogara Pass and alongside Albanian Riviera (Palase, Dhermi, Himare, Porto Palermo, Qeparo, Lukove).
Plan for Saranda plus Ksamil in Albania you already know from the first tour:)
On your way back to Tirana we strongly recommend you to visit Telelene & Gjirocaster or Vlore & Apollonia Archaeological Park.
Tirana Birthday party or weekend city break for 3-4-5 days
Imagine you’re sitting home in Stockholm on Monday evening, the weather is around 0 degrees, it is windy and foggy and you are thinking what to do this coming weekend or how to celebrate your birthday which will be on Friday. And you suddenly find out that there is a Ryanair direct 3 hour flight from Stockholm Arlanda to Tirana airport at the price of 30 Euro round trip! And you decide to make a spontaneous trip to Albania.
So welcome to +16 degrees in Tirana in January 2024! Here you have lots of accommodation options with 9.5+ rating but preferably stay in Blloku district as it is the most modern one, full of perfectly designed cafes and restaurants and is close to the city’s main attractions and to a beautiful Park - Parku i Tiranës.
In the city itself visit Skanderbeg Square, Tirana Castle, Pyramid of Tirana and BunkArt - a museum of the Albanian Communist regime which ruled the country for 50+ years.
One day take a cable car ride and go up to Dajti Mountain to see the entire panorama of Tirana from above.
From Tirana you can take a day trip to Durres - the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Albania, located on the Adriatic sea. Take a walk along the promenade and get a taste of how local chefs cook fresh seafood in one of the restaurants.
One more attraction near Tirana is Kruje. It is just 1 hour drive, was the capital of Albania state in medieval times and here you should see Castle of Kruja and Skanderbeg Museum.
One more point of interest is Bovilla lake - a piece of untouched nature in just 1 hour drive north-east from Tirana.
Tirana + Historical Places + Ionian Sea: Tirana - Berat - Permet - Saranda
Your Tirana and Saranda itinerary are both described above this article:)
But this time from Tirana hit the road to a UNESCO Heritage city of Berat and spend 1 night there.
The next day go from Berat to Permet via Vlore & Apollonia Archaeological Park. This trip is 200 km and 4 hours drive. Stay 1 night in Permet - enjoy the city, the Vjosa river and local culinary masterpieces:)
- In the morning start to Gjirocaster and then head to Saranda to spend 3-4 days there - definitely visit Kalaja e Lëkurësit on top of the mountain with stunning view of Ionian sea and Corfu ferries heading to Albania.
The entire route Tirana - Berat - Permet - Saranda - Tirana is 650 km but you will see Albania castles, stunning nature and enjoy the European winter sun!
Albania North: 3 days in Tirana + 1 day in Shkoder + 1 night in Valbona Valley
You already know what to do for 3-4 days in Tirana and around the city. By the way, if you are a history fan, add House of Leaves - museum of secret police in Albania.
After local sightseeings, try renting a car in Albania and take a SUV car for 20 Euro/day in Tirana and hit the road to:
Shkoder (2 hours drive). On arrival enjoy local attractions like Rozafa Castle, Skadar lake, etc. and definitely spend 1 night here with a Albanian cuisine dinner.
From Shkoder, if the weather conditions are good, head to the village of Razem. In other cases, drive to Albanian Alps - Valbona Valley. It is a 190 km and almost 5 hours ride but you will get real travel emotions (the route goes through mountains, rivers and lakes) and the roads are really good. Definitely stay for 1 night in this pristine beauty.
On your way back to Tirana, visit Ulza Regional Nature Park and historical city of Kruje.
The whole journey during your winter in Albania Tirana - Shkoder - Razem - Valbona - Kruje - Tirana is only 660 km. You can easily make it in 3 days and give the car back after this trip.
P.S. Keep in mind that in Albania they have public holidays from January 1st to January 3rd, during which businesses may be closed.