The ULTIMATE 5 & 7 Day Albania Itinerary

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The best time of year to visit Albania is over the summer (June-August). It falls within the same season as the rest of Europe. However, this also means it follows the same trends as Europe. Over these three peak months, the weather is at its finest, and it often aligns with school holidays, meaning it is the busiest time of year to visit.

With higher demand comes high prices, so you’ll notice a relatively large spike in prices compared to other months of the year. My favourite time to visit Albania is during the shoulder seasons, May and September. You beat the crowds and can score yourself some pretty good deals. Plus, the weather is overall pretty decent!

Depending on whether you want to go hiking in the Albanian Alps or chill in the sun along the Riviera, I’ve got you covered with a couple of itinerary options below:

5-Day Albania Itinerary (Albanian Alps)

• Day 1 in Komani Lake: The Komani Lake Ferry, Shala River
• Day 2 in Valbona: Komani Lake, Valbona Valley
• Day 3 in Theth: Hiking The Valbona Pass, Exploring Theth
• Day 4 in Theth: Visit Kisha e Thethit, Theth/ Grunas Waterfall, The Blue Eye
• Day 5 in Shkoder: Explore Rozafa Castle Ruins, Old Streets of Shkoder

7-Day Albania Itinerary (Albanian Riviera)

• Day 1 in Berat: Mangalem and the City of a Thousand Windows, Berat Castle
• Day 2 in Vlore: Visit the Old Town, Explore Vlore’s Coastline
• Day 3 in Himare: Beach Hopping, Explore Himarë Castle & Old Town
• Day 4 in Sarande: Butrint National Park, Beach Hopping, Lekuresi Castle
• Day 5 in Ksamil: Beach Hopping, Boat Trip to the Ksamil Islands, Catch the Sunset
• Day 6 in Blue Eye and Gjirokastër: The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), Gjirokastër Castle and the Bazaar Markets
• Day 7 in Tirana: Bunk’Art 1 & 2, Grand Park & Artificial Lake

If you have 5 days in Albania and are keen to experience the country’s incredible alpine range, I’ve put together the ultimate itinerary for you to follow. This itinerary starts from Shkoder, which is just a couple of hours north of Tirana, which is where you’ll likely fly into. Day 0 of this itinerary is to get yo’ self to Shkoder. Oh, and whilst you’re at it, get an Albanian eSim too so you can use maps.

The first day of this 5-day itinerary for the Albanian Alps starts in the small city of Shkoder, in the north of Albania. The city itself is pretty funky, so if you have any extra time up your sleeve, I’d recommend spending a day or an evening exploring it.

However, you don’t have time for this on the first day of this itinerary, as you’ll be getting picked up by a minivan at 6.30 am to head to the Komani Lake Ferry!

But hoooold up, let’s roll this back a minute. What’s the go with this minivan? Well, day one of this itinerary is to make your way to Komani Lake from Shkoder. The best way to organise this is to book it online or to ask your hotel/ hostel to organise it for you. Be sure to ask to go to Koman/Shala River – not all the way to Fierze.

Stop 1: The Komani Lake Ferry

The reason why you have to get outta bed so early on day one is because the ferry leaves at 9 am sharp(ish) from the Komani Lake Port, and you’re a good 1.5-hour drive via a bumpy ass road away.

However, once you get onto the ferry, it’s bloody incredible! The views along Komani Lake are mesmerising. The ferry will have you cruising down the Drin River, surrounded by blue waters and towering cliffs – there’s a reason why they call this place the Thailand of Europe.

Stop 2: Shala River

After an hour or so of cruising, you’ll pull up to Koman, near the Shala River. From here, you can check into your accommodation (there are only a few guest houses available here!) before heading out on a kayak tour along Komani Lake or a boat tour to Shala River.

Yep, you’ve got a few options on day one! So book the tour that tickles your fancy the most 🙂 If it were me, I’d be heading to Shala River on a boat for an afternoon of swimming and relaxing by the crystal blue water.

The best places to stay are Roni’s Place or Captain’s House.

Today, you’ll be setting off on the scenic ferry to the remote, mountain town of Valbona. Again, you’ll need to arrange this transport – this can be done through your hotel.

Stop 1: Komani Lake

If you wake up early enough, you’ll be able to fit in a kayak or a small hike in Komani Lake in the morning before heading to Valbona. However, if you found day 1 sufficient in terms of exploring the area, you can lap up a couple more hours of sleep 🙂

Stop 2: Valbona Valley

Next up, you’ll need to jump back on the gorgeous ferry ride and set sail to Fierze Port. Lap up those remaining views along the Drin River! A minivan will be awaiting your arrival here to take you to your homestay in Valbona (I’d recommend Lazer Çardaku Guest House).

Once you arrive at your homestay, you can relax there or throw on your hiking shoes and explore the local area. It’s a pretty quiet place with no shops around (so be sure to stock up on snacks beforehand). But it makes for a lovely place for an evening stroll, soaking in those EPIC views of the towering Albanian Alps around you.

Day 3 is about making your way over to another mountain town called Theth. However, this will be done on foot… yes, you read that right, you’ll be hiking over the valleys via the Valbona Pass – bags and all! So pack light 😉

Stop 1: Hiking The Valbona Pass

The Valbona Pass has connected the valleys of Theth and Valbona for hundreds of years. It can only be accessed on foot and reaches 1795m at its peak. The 15 km+ hike from Valbona to Theth will take about 6 hours, and you’ll climb approximately 1000m in elevation. The alpine meadows, towering peaks, and rocky slopes make for a pretty spectacular view, and the challenge of the climb is well worth it. 

There are a couple of stops along the way where smaller shops have set up to sell cold drinks, byrek, or flija (traditional food made with layers of dough!). The main one is Bar Kafe Zef Rrgalla, which is just after the peak and into the descent to Theth.

Stop 2: Explore Theth

Once you’ve hiked your way over to Theth, you’ll make your way to your guest house – I’d recommend Guesthouse Flodisa. You can spend the evening napping after your big day of walking, OR you can pop out for a look around the small town. Again, there isn’t a lot here. But as this town is more accessible than Valbona, there is a bit more to do here. There is even a shop to buy snacks!

Theth is worth a day to explore in itself, it’s one of my favourite places to stay in Albania. There are a few places that you can explore! My suggestion is to do the following stops on foot (however, it’s a good few hours of hiking!) and then get the shuttle back from the Blue Eye.

Stop 1: Visit Kisha e Thethit

Not too far from Theth town, you can stroll through the streets to Kisha e Thethit, one of the most Instagram-famous spots in Albania, and for good reason. This place is VERY picturesque and easily tops my charts as the most beautifully located church I’ve seen, surrounded by the epic Alps.

Stop 2: Theth/ Grunas Waterfall

After the church, you can hike for about an hour to get to the Grunas waterfall. Although you can’t swim at this waterfall, it is a nice place to take some snacks and relax. From here, you can continue along the Grunas trail to the village of Nderlysaj and further on to the Blue Eye trail (another brilliant hiking trail in Albania).

Stop 3: The Blue Eye

This trek from Theth will take you through some seriously beautiful views of the Alps, and through a more forested path down to the Blue Eye. By the time you reach the Blue Eye, you might even be tempted to swim! It is possible to swim here, but be warned, it is COLD!

The trail down to the blue eye takes about 45 minutes from the car park. It costs about 50 Lek (€0.50). Once you get down, there is a fiercely blue pool of water that has been created by a natural spring! It is pretty damn incredible to see. There are also a few folks selling cold drinks, so you take a seat and enjoy the view.

On the final day of this 5-day Albanian Alps itinerary, you’ll be heading back to the town of Shkoder (or you can continue straight on to Tirana, if you need to catch a flight out!)

From Theth, you can talk to your hotel/homestay about organising your minivan back to Shkoder. These often leave about mid-morning and don’t usually get booked up.

Stop 1: Explore Rozafa Castle Ruins

If you don’t have to rush back to Tirana for your flight out, you can spend the afternoon exploring Shkoder. Visiting the Rozada Castle Ruins is a great way to pass the afternoon.

The ruins are about 4000 years old and are perched up on a hill overlooking the blue waters of Shkoder Lake, with an EPIC view of the Drin and Buna rivers snaking their way around it. I’d recommend getting a bike to visit the ruins; otherwise, it’ll be about 45 minutes on foot, which in the heat can be rather tiring!

Stop 2: Old Streets of Shkoder

The town of Shkoder is bustling! Especially in the evenings over the summer. You’ll find the bars and restaurants spill out into the cobble streets in the centre of town (much like in the rest of Europe!) I’d recommend going for a walk, grabbing a bite to eat, and soaking in your final day in Albania.

Want to explore some of the most breathtaking mountains on Earth, without the stress of planning it all yourself? Join Elsewheria on this 8-day Albanian Alps Adventure Tour. Accommodation, guides, local homestays, food and transport are all sorted. You just need to get here!

The adventure tour company, Elsewheria – a project by The Broke Backpacker’s founder, Will Hatton – has teamed up with local experts to create an experience that’s immersive, authentic, and full of soul.

From hiking from one mountain village to the next, kayaking across glassy lakes, sharing meals in family-run guesthouses, and making new friends who love adventure as much as you do. This trip might be just what you’ve been looking for…

If you’ve got a week to spend exploring the Albanian Riviera, this is my suggested itinerary (assuming you’re starting from Tirana):

For the first day of this week-long journey along the Albanian Riviera, you’ll make your way from Tirana to Berat (also known as the City of a Thousand Windows).

I’m going to dive deeper into how to get around Albania further down in the article. But essentially, you can either hire a car and drive yourself, or jump on a bus! It’s about 1hr 45min to drive or 2hr 45min on the bus.

Stop 1: Mangalem and the City of a Thousand Windows

Mangalem is the historic quarter of Berat and is, without a doubt, one of the most picturesque spots in Berat. The area is known for its fascinating white Ottoman houses that protrude out from the hillside. Also known as the “City of a Thousand Windows”, it’s one of Albania’s most popular photo stops!

Stop 2: Berat Castle

Sitting pretty at the top of the hill in Berat, you’ll find Berat Castle. Not only does it offer amazing views, but it’s also brimming with local history and culture. The castle is actually still inhabited by local residents, which gives the place a bustling hum. It kind of feels like a second old town in Berat filled with houses, mosques, churches, shops, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and more!

On day two, I’d recommend making your way down to the beach town of Vlore. This takes about 2 hours on the bus. You can choose to come straight here and visit Berat on Day 1, or stay in Berat and head over in the morning.

Stop 1: Visit the Old Town

Nestled into the centre of the city, the Old Town in Vlore is home to beautiful pastel-coloured buildings filled with restaurants and cafes. The Old Town is also home to landmarks like the Muradie Mosque and the Independence Museum, where Albania’s Declaration of Independence was signed

Stop 2: Explore Vlore’s Coastline

Vlore is a city by the sea, and there is a lot of gorgeous coastline to see! Whether that’s a stroll along the promenade or venturing to the bays further along, like Vega Beach or Bora Bora. Along the waterfront, there are LOADS of restaurants and cafes that you can stop at and watch the world go by. It feels quite European here, especially along the more southern end of the strip.

Ahh, Himare. Himare is without a doubt my favourite beach town in Albania. This is because there are fewer big beach resorts and endless beach clubs, but instead more low-key and small-town vibes, which I really enjoyed 🙂 Heading to Himare from Vlore takes about 2hr 30min on the bus and about 1hr 30min to drive, and it’s a VERY scenic drive through the Illorga Pass.

Stop 1: Beach Hopping

Himare is home to some of my favourite beaches in Albania! From the long, scenic Livadhi Beach to Aquarium Beach for a secluded swim! Spile Beach, which is right in Himare town, is ideal for a quick dip and a sunset stroll.

Stop 2: Explore Himarë Castle & Old Town

Climb up to the ancient Himare castle for epic, panoramic views of the Ionian Sea. Not only are the views damn impressive, but the cobblestone streets of the old town are lined with stone houses and wildflowers. It can really feel like you’re stepping back in time.

Sarande is another big city by the sea and is very popular with foreign and local tourists alike. It’s just one hour to drive from Himare or 1.5-2 hours on the bus.

Stop 1: Butrint National Park

Stop 1 has to be at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint National Park, just south of Sarandë. This ancient city is home to Roman theatres, Venetian fortresses and Byzantine basilicas. The site is surrounded by lush wetlands and Lake Butrint.

Stop 2: Beach Hopping

Enjoy the afternoon swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Mirror Beach & Pulebardha Beach. These two beaches see fewer crowds than the main city beach and are great for snorkelling, cliff diving, or just soaking up some rays! You can also jump on a boat tour and explore beaches even further afield. Legit, one of the biggest tips for Albania is to make sure you hit the beaches.

Stop 3: Lekuresi Castle

There is no better way to end a day in Sarande than at Lekuresi Castle. Perched on a hill above the town, this 16th-century fortress offers EPIC, panoramic views of Sarandë, Ksamil, and even out to Corfu. It’s a perfect spot to watch the sunset and grab a drink. You can even enjoy a meal inside the castle too!

Ksamil is just a 20-to 30-minute bus ride or drive from Sarande, so you’ll be there in no time! Ksamil is all about the beaches. It can get crazy busy during the summer period, so if you want to avoid the crowds over July and August, I’d skip this day and spend an extra day in one of the other places listed.

Stop 1: Beach Hopping

Ksamil is famous for its picturesque beaches, particularly Three Islands Beach, Neasden Lane Beach, Pasqyra (Mirror) Beach, Lori Beach and Pulëbardha Beach. These are the ideal beaches to rent a sunbed, sip a cold drink, and soak in that Mediterranean sunshine.

Stop 2: Boat Trip to the Ksamil Islands

Just off the shore of Ksamil are four small, uninhabited islands with gorgeous, crystal-clear waters and hidden coves. You can swim, kayak, or jump on a boat tour to explore them!

Stop 3: Catch the Sunset Along the Promenade

The evenings in Ksamil are magical. Book a table at a waterfront restaurant or take a stroll along the promenade as the sky turns a pretty shade of pink.

If you can, stay in Ksamil for a few nights to fully experience the chill vibes here.

Day six of this seven-day Albanian Riviera itinerary is to visit the Blue Eye in the morning and head to Gjirokastër in the afternoon. It takes less than an hour to drive and a couple of hours by bus.

Stop 1: The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)

Syri i Kaltër (AKA The Blue Eye) is an incredible freshwater spring that is known for its deep blue colour and icy-cold water. From the car park, it’s just a short, scenic walk until you get to the spring. Technically, you can’t swim here, but people still seem to do it. There is a cafe/restaurant by the water if you want to chill out and have some lunch here.

Stop 2: Gjirokastër Castle and the Bazaar Markets

Gjirokastër is one of the coolest places to visit in Albania. Sure, it definitely feels like it’s set up for tourists, but I really enjoyed my time here. The shops in the Bazaar market are quirky and cool, plus there are plenty of places to get an espresso and byrek and watch the world go by.

The Gjirokastër Castle is a huge 12th-century fortress that offers panoramic views of the valley. Not only are the views epic from the castle, but it is also packed with history and houses a military museum, Cold War relics, and a historic prison.

Ahh, the final day of the Albanian Riviera itinerary. Today, you’ll make your way back to Tirana (assuming that is where you’ll be flying out of). It takes about 3.5 hours to get to the river and about 4 hours on the bus.

Depending on what time your flight is, you might have time to make a couple of stops in Tirana before you leave! Otherwise, you can head straight to the airport.

Stop 1: Bunk’Art 1 & 2

Bunk’Art 1 and Bunk’Art 2 are two very powerful museums in Tirana that transform Cold War-era bunkers into immersive art journeys through Albania’s communist past. There are, in fact, around 750,000 bunks across Albania; hence, there is fascinating history to learn about here.

Stop 2: Grand Park & Artificial Lake

Known by locals as the lungs of the city. The Grand Park and lake are the perfect place for a walk, jog, picnic, or paddleboat ride (or a place to chill before your flight out!).

If you’ve still got another night to spare, there are loads of cool places to stay in Tirana.

Alrighty, so now I’ve sold you on the ultimate 5 and 7-day itineraries in Albania, let’s dive into how you can actually get around the place! Much of Europe is famous for its top-tier rail transport, but this has not yet reached Albania. Instead, you’ll need to hire a car or use the bus system to get around.

Travelling By Bus in Albania

The buses in Albania are slightly chaotic, but they work. In fact, I’d say they work pretty well! If you arrive in Tirana, you can use the local bus network to get around the city. Using public transport in a city is a great way to experience the day-to-day life of locals – our experience on the bus within Tirana was about 5 pm on a work day – we were lucky to find a seat!

Travelling by Bus in the North

There are buses that run all over Albania, especially to all of the popular tourist spots. Most of them run from the “Tirana Parking – South and North Bus Terminal”.

We used the bus system to travel north, to Shkoder. We actually used the most recent Google Reviews to check the bus timetable from Tirana, as we couldn’t find it online! There is a sign outside the front of the bus station, so you could also pop by the day before to confirm times. I’ve also heard that you can download the app – Tirana Ime, which has an ugly user interface but will give you the most up-to-date times!

In terms of transport within the Albanian Alps, I’d highly recommend booking this with your accommodation. Most hotels in Albania will be able to help you book transport.

Travelling by Bus in the South

We actually hired a car for our southern Albanian travels, and it allowed us a lot of freedom to explore. However, it is also easy to travel by bus! There are TONS of buses that are readily available to get you all over the country.

There are a couple of different types of buses,

1. Furgons: Minibuses that run flexible lines. You can flag them down anywhere along their route and pay in cash when you jump off.
2. Larger Buses: Often used for longer routes and may even have air conditioning. Although they are more comfortable, they may not cost you much more.

Gjirafa Travel is the most reliable site for Albanian bus schedules. Maps.me is also great for locating bus stops and routes.

Car Rental in Albania

Car rental in Albania is only for the brave! The roads were pretty wild, especially in the big cities like Tirana. However, you get used to them pretty quickly and figure out that you just need to drive extra cautiously. The locals can drive super fast and pass on corners, not to mention the livestock that often roam the roads.

A few of the roads in Albania are SUPER rugged and aren’t made for our rental cars (unless you opt for a 4WD). Specifically, the road to Komani Lake and the road to Bovilla Lake (leave these for the pros and book yourself on organised transport).

We used SELECT Car Rental in Albania, and I can’t recommend them enough. If you want to toss up a few different companies, Booking.com car rentals are my go-to for sourcing, comparing and booking!

Contrary to popular belief (or just my mum’s belief), Albania is a safe place to travel. It’s had a rocky recent history, but Albania has come a long way from where it was in the 90s. However, as always with travel, you should be cautious and use your common sense. Don’t flash your cash or head down dodgy alleyways at night.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Albania

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Albania.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

And that’s a wrap, folks! I hope that these 5 and 7-day itineraries along the Albanian Riviera and up into the Alps help you to plan out your trip. If you have longer, you can mix and match your favourite parts of each into a 10 or 12-day itinerary for Albania.

We experienced it all, we went up into the Alps first (using public and organised group transport) and then hired a car and headed down the coast. I’d highly recommend doing both if you have time.

Whatever your itinerary ends up like, I hope you have an INCREDIBLE time exploring this beautifully charming and chaotic land! It has become one of my favourites <3