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If you’ve stumbled across this article, you must be planning to go to Albania, and that makes me so happy! Albania is one of my favourite places in the world.
Tucked away on the outskirts of Europe, Albania is often overlooked in favour of its shining neighbours. However, over the summer period, these neighbours will set you back an arm and a leg to visit. (yep, I’m looking at you, Greece, Italy, and Croatia).
So, my friends, I introduce you to Albania! A place that is just as beautiful as the rest of Europe, but doesn’t seem to be on everyone’s radar – yet. It’s the perfect blend of mind-blowing landscapes, incredibly rich (and recent) history, delicious food, and culture.
Of course, you could head here solo… but it’s always better when you’ve got a few mates by your side, right?
If you’ve not managed to convince anyone to come with you, don’t worry. There are some EPIC companies running tours in Albania that seem to attract a bunch of cool folk.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Best Albania Tours
There is something special about travelling to more off-the-beaten-path places (like Albania) with a bunch of other cool people. Whether that’s sharing a traditional Albanian meal or marvelling at its mind-blowing landscapes, travelling Albania is often better in good company <3
Although there aren’t a ton of multi-day Albania tours around, especially compared to other hot spots in Europe, don’t worry, I’ve found some goodies. Below, I’ve listed a hand-picked selection of the best tours in Albania.
So, let’s dive in!
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1. Overall Best Tour: Albania Discovery, G Adventures Tour
- Length: 7 days
- Price: $1499 USD
- Group Size: Max 16, Average 12
- Fitness Required: Light-Moderate
- Accommodation Type: Standard (Hotels)
- Service Level: Standard
- Included Meals: 6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
G-Adventures has put together an absolutely stellar itinerary for their Albania Discovery tour. I’d say overall, this trip caters to the history and culture buffs over the adventure lovers. So, if you’re up for a bit more thrill in your life… keep scrolling!
Anyway, back to the Albania Discovery tour. This 7-day trip takes place along Albania’s stunning coastline and rugged mountain backdrop. You’ll explore the 3000-year-old Roman remains in Durrës, see the white Ottoman houses in Berat, hike to a shepherd’s outpost, visit the Ali Pasha Castle (yep, the one from The Count of Monte Cristo!), and so much more. You’ll be hitting many of the top places to visit in Albania.
One of the most unique experiences you’ll have on this trip is the hike to the shepherd outpost in the mountains. On this trip, you’ll be joined by local shepherds who will share more about traditional life here. There will be a lovely lunch spread here before hiking back down to Vlore. Pretty cool, eh?
The tour is listed as a standard tour with G-Adventures, which essentially means you’re not roughing it, but it’s not luxury. These guys never exceed 16 people on the tours, so you know it’ll be a relatively small group.
Discover Albania Tour Highlights:
- Explore the 3000-year-old Roman remains of Durrës
- Be immersed in Albanian culture on a hike to a shepherd outpost
- Drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera and visit the Ali Pasha Castle
- Have dinner at a local winery with traditional Albanian polyphonic singing
- Explore the castle of Berat and see the typical white Ottoman houses
2. Most Unique Tour: Albania Adventure, Intrepid Travel
- Length: 9 days
- Price: $1680 USD
- Group Size: Max 12
- Fitness Required: Moderate
- Accommodation Type: Standard (Hotels and Guesthouses)
- Service Level: Standard
- Included Meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners
Intrepid’s Albania Adventure tour is a bit spicier than your typical trip, but it’s still manageable for your average Joe. If you want a splash of adventure, but still have an overall pretty relaxing holiday in Albania, this one is for you. It’s got a few additional activities as part of the tour that are pretty unique compared to others on the market. So, let’s look into it a bit more…
This 9-day tour will start and finish in Tirana. In between this, you’ll do everything from boating and hiking in the Shala River, to enjoying a farm-to-table dinner at Mrizi I Zanave, and exploring the Castle in Berat.
A very unique aspect of this trip is the visit to Karavasta Lagoon in Divjake- Karavasta National Park. With the support of the non-profit ecotourism organisation MEET, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about conservation efforts that take place at the National Park. The tour stays overnight here at a locally-owned beach eco-lodge, where you can wake for a sunrise breakfast at the top of a birdwatching tower – talk about a trip highlight!
As you can tell, this tour is a bit different from your average. If you want to find out more about it, you can click the “check it out” button below 🙂
Albania Adventure Tour Highlights:
- Explore Komani Lake and Shala River by Boat.
- Spend the night on a sustainable farm, where you’ll enjoy dinner made from fresh ingredients.
- Learn about conservation efforts at the Karavasta Lagoon in Divjake- Karavasta National Park.
- Visit Babunje and learn about polyphonic singing, homemade raki, and Turkish coffee reading.
- Get to know Albania’s capital as you stay in Tirana.
3. Best Extended Tour: Montenegro & Albania Adventure, G Adventures Tour
- Length: 14 days
- Price: $3049 USD
- Group Size: Max 16, Average 12
- Fitness Required: Light-Moderate
- Accommodation Type: Standard (Hotels and Ecolodge)
- Service Level: Standard
- Included Meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Ok, you got me… this one isn’t just an Albania tour. However, travelling to Montenegro AND Albania is a no-brainer if you’re heading to this part of Europe. This trip is also a bit longer than the others mentioned, at 14 days long, so it gives you time to see it all!
This tour is the perfect mix between admiring the insane natural landscapes of the two countries, but with plenty of culture and history sprinkled throughout. Starting in Montenegro, you’ll enjoy cruising along the Bay of Kotor, marvelling at Budva’s Ostrog Monastery, and strolling through Zabljak’s Biogradska Gora National Park.
In Albania, the tour has a strong historical focus and will have you visiting some pretty impressive (and old!) structures. This includes the ancient Roman remains of Durrës, the Muradie Mosque, the castle of Ali Pasha, Girokastra Castle, and the city of Berat. Amongst all of these stops, you’ll be driving around the Albanian Riviera, so you’ll be exposed to some outstandingly beautiful beaches in Albania.
If you’ve got a bit more time up your sleeve and are interested in visiting these two more off-the-beaten-track spots in Europe, you’ll love this tour.
Montenegro and Albania Adventure Tour Highlights:
- Enjoy a boat tour of the Bay of Kotor and visit the old town of Perast
- Spend 2 nights at eco-lodges in the mountains of Montenegro and take a 4×4 excursion
- Marvel at the pristine natural scenery on an excursion to Biogradska Gora National Park
- Be immersed in Albanian culture on a hike to a shepherd outpost
- Drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera and visit the Ali Pasha Castle
Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….
These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.
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Get Yours Here Read Our ReviewBest Day Tours from Tirana
When it comes to day tours in Albania, you’ve got a few more options! Here are my top picks for day tours from Tirana:
1. Albanian Alps and Theth Village Day Tour
The Albanian Alps are without a second of a doubt my favourite place in Albania. The mountains in this region are seriously beautiful. The village of Theth is the most accessible and built-up town in this region, and I can’t recommend visiting this part of the country enough. This tour can actually leave from Tirana, Durres, or Shkoder. You’ll be able to do one of my favourite hikes in Albania, down to the Blue Eye.
Tour highlights:
- Explore the famous Church of Theth (Kisha e Thethit) and the 16th-century Reconciliation Tower
- Indulge in a delicious traditional lunch from North Albania
- Head out on an hour-long hike to the Blue Eye of Theth
- Take a dip in some of Albania’s coldest waters (if you dare)
2. Berat City UNESCO Heritage and Belshi Lake Tour
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Berat City (AKA the city with a thousand windows) is well worth a visit during your time in Albania. On this day tour, you’ll explore the historic neighbourhoods of Mangalemi & Goricz, visit Berat Castle & stop in at the Onufri Museum, and enjoy the Belshi Lake!
Tour highlights:
- Visit Breat, the most important UNESCO World Heritage site in Albania
- Walk in the old quarters of Mangalem and Gorica
- Discover the Berat Castle, one of the largest inhabited castles in Albania
- Enjoy the views at Belshi Lake
3. Bovilla Lake & Gamti Mountain Hiking Day Trip
Bovilla Lake & Gamti Mountain are super underrated places in Albania. They are absolutely beautiful and well worth a visit. On this day trip, you’ll be able to marvel at the lush landscapes and the impressive mountain peaks. The trip includes a guided hiking tour on the Gamti Mountain trail that looks over Lake Bovilla.
Tour highlights:
- Hike up a rugged mountain terrain to reach the viewpoint over Bovilla Lake
- Get away from the hustle and bustle of Tirana and experience Albania’s fresh mountain air
- Enjoy a stop at a local cafe for a rest along the journey
Best Day Tours from Vlore
Vlore is a cool place to visit itself and is an awesome base if you want to explore from it. Here are my top picks for the best day trips from Vlore:
1. Sazan Island, Haxhi Ali Cave, and Karaburun Boat Day Tour
Did you really go to the Albanian Riviera, if you didn’t do a boat trip? There are so many boat tours out there, but this one is a goodie. Sazan Island, Haxhi Ali Cave, and Karaburun are all absolutely beautiful, wild locations to explore by speedboat. Go snorkelling at Haxhi Ali Cave and relax by the crystal clear waters of the Karaburun Peninsula. The tour is approximately 5 hours long.
Tour highlights:
- Explore Sazan Island and discover its history and local wildlife
- Snorkel inside Haxhi Ali Cave and learn about the legendary pirate Haxhi Ali
- Swim and relax in the clear waters of the Karaburun Peninsula
- Enjoy whizzing across the sea on a speedboat
2. Blue Cave and Grama Bay Adventures
Whaaat? Another boat tour! Yep, these are easily some of the best day trips to do from Vlore. This one is to the Blue Cave and Grama Bay – two more insanely cool places to visit. There is a small crossover with the last tour as they both go to Haxhi Ali Cave; however, this tour has a PACKED agenda. It’s also an all-day adventure, at about 8 hours long. It’s a brilliant way to spend a day in Vlore.
Tour highlights:
- Snorkel at Haxhi Ali Cave
- Relax and take in the views at Dafina Bay & snorkel in the cave
- Stop in at multiple beaches along the way, including Grama Bay, Sant Andreas Bay, and more.
- Enjoy a day out on the boat from Vlore.
Best Day Tours from Sarande
The city of Sarande is in an ideal location to base yourself to explore the south of Albania! Here is my favourite day tour from Sarande:
1. Southern Albania – Highlights Tour
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
The south of Albania has some gems that you will not want to miss off your itinerary. Luckily, this tour hits the best of them. The tour goes from Saranda to Lekursi and takes you through the Blue Eye Spring, the Mesopotam Monastery, and the Ottoman Bridge. Enjoy a traditional lunch (this is an additional cost) in the UNESCO-listed city of Gjirokastra. The tour is limited to 8 people, so you know it’ll be a relatively small group trip.
Tour highlights:
- Explore the Ottoman Bridge and Bunkers that remain from Albania’s communist era.
- Learn about the history of Gjirokaster and the Mesopotam Monastery.
- Marvel at the beauty of the Lekuresi Castle and Blue Eye.
- Enjoy the luxury of travelling in a New Luxury Mercedes Vito Tourer minivan.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on OspreyQuick Guide to Visiting Albania
Now that you know the best tours that you can join to explore this magical country, here are a few extra tips, tricks, and bits of advice I want to leave you with:
Best Time to Visit Albania
Albania’s seasons align with what you’d expect from the rest of Europe. The country is in full summer swing between June and August. The sun is shining, the beaches are PACKED, and as with everywhere else in Europe, the prices are also peaking.
My favourite times to visit Albania are during the shoulder seasons – May and September. The temperature is a little cooler, the crowds are fewer, and the prices are often a lot nicer to the wallet.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Travel Insurance for your Albania Trip
I know you’ve probably heard this a million times, but it’s always a good idea to pick up some good travel insurance before travelling to Albania (or anywhere, for that matter). Even with an organised tour, shit can still happen that you you’ll be gutted if you’re not covered for.
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.
What to Pack for Albania
Wondering what to pack for Albania? On every adventure, there are six things I never go travelling without:
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.
Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!
Buy on REIFinal Thoughts on the Best Albania Tours
As you can tell, there is a HEAP of cool stuff to do in Albania. From scaling mountains and cruising along the Riviera to sampling delicious local food and experiencing the Albanain culture.
My favourite multi-day tour is the Albania Adventure by Intrepid Travel, which includes a few extra experiences that make for a truly unique trip. In terms of the day trips, my top pick is the Albanian Alps and Theth Village Day Tour from Tirana.
Yes, you could totally explore Albania solo – it’s a safe country to visit. But isn’t it so much more fun to do it with a group of other travellers?
Whichever tour you choose, I hope you have the best time exploring the wonders of Albania! If I’ve missed any goodie, please let me know in the comments below 🙂
Photo: @harveypike_
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Albania for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Albania before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
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You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
