Short answer: with 7 days, fly into Tirana for two nights, spend a night in the Ottoman town of Berat, then three nights on the Albanian Riviera in Himarë, with a day at Butrint and the Blue Eye spring, before driving back to Tirana. With 10 days, make it a southern loop that adds Gjirokastër’s stone old town and splits the coast between Ksamil and Himarë. With 14 days, start in the north with Shkodër, the Komani Lake ferry and the Theth–Valbona hike in the Albanian Alps, then head south through Tirana, Berat and Gjirokastër to the Ionian beaches. Mountain roads are slow, so a hire car and one move every two or three days work best.
This guide turns the sample trips on our Albania travel guide into day-by-day plans, with travel times between stops and the best area to sleep each night. June and September are the best months for the coast, May and October for Tirana, Berat and Gjirokastër, and mid-June to September for hiking in the Alps; July and August are the hottest and busiest months on the Riviera. Our best time to visit Albania guide goes month by month, and our top 10 places to visit in Albania explains each stop. For a plan built around your dates and interests, use our AI trip planner. Everything here was checked as of October 2026.
The three routes at a glance
| Route | Days | Stops | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tirana, Berat and the Riviera | 7 | Tirana (2 nights), Berat (1 night), Himarë (3 nights) | First trip, old towns plus beaches |
| The southern loop | 10 | Tirana (2), Berat (2), Gjirokastër (1), Ksamil or Sarandë (2), Himarë (1), Durrës (1) | Ruins, castles and the whole Ionian coast |
| From the Alps to the Ionian | 14 | Shkodër (2), Albanian Alps (3), Tirana (1), Berat (2), Gjirokastër (1), Riviera (4) | Hikers and road-trippers, mid-June to September |
Almost all flights land at Tirana International Airport, 17 km from the capital, with an hourly airport bus around the clock and official taxis. In summer, many travelers arrive or leave by the fast ferry between Corfu and Sarandë instead, which turns these routes into one-way trips: start in Tirana and finish in Corfu, or the other way around.
Travel times between the main stops
These are the legs used in the plans below. Public transport is by bus and furgon, a shared minibus that leaves when it is full; departures thin out in the afternoon, and there are no published national timetables, so most times below are approximate. There are no passenger trains as of October 2026.
| Leg | How | Time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tirana airport – central Tirana | Airport bus, every hour, 24 hours | about 30–40 min | Tirana International Airport |
| Tirana – Durrës | Bus or car | about 1 h (approximate) | General reference |
| Tirana – Berat | Bus from the South and North Bus Terminal | about 2 h 30 by bus, about 2 h by car (approximate) | General reference |
| Berat – Gjirokastër | Bus or car | about 3 h (approximate) | General reference |
| Gjirokastër – Sarandë | Bus or car, via the Blue Eye | about 1 h–1 h 15 (approximate) | General reference |
| Sarandë – Ksamil – Butrint | Local bus | about 30 min to Butrint (approximate) | General reference |
| Sarandë – Himarë | Bus or car along the coast | about 1 h 30 (approximate) | General reference |
| Tirana airport – Himarë | Car, via the Llogara Pass or tunnel | about 4–5 h (approximate) | General reference |
| Tirana – Shkodër | Bus or car | about 2 h (approximate) | General reference |
| Shkodër – Komani (ferry pier) | Minibus, early morning | about 1 h 30 (approximate) | General reference |
| Komani – Fierzë (for Valbona) | Komani Lake ferry | about 2–3 h | Ferry operators via booking sites |
| Valbona – Theth | On foot over the Valbona Pass | about 6–8 h | Our Albania guide |
| Sarandë – Corfu | Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways fast ferry | about 30 min | Finikas Lines |
Remember that Corfu is one hour ahead of Albania. The 6 km Llogara Tunnel, opened in 2024, saves the hairpins of the Llogara Pass for a toll; the old road stays open and has the views.
7 days: Tirana, Berat and the Riviera
The classic first week: the colorful capital, Albania’s most beautiful old town and three nights on the Ionian Sea. Fly in and out of Tirana, and hire a car for days 3 to 7.
- Day 1, Tirana: Airport bus or taxi into town. Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, the Pyramid of Tirana and an evening in the cafés and bars of the Blloku district. Sleep: central Tirana near Skanderbeg Square or Blloku (2 nights).
- Day 2, Tirana and Kruja or Durrës: Morning at Bunk’Art, a Cold War bunker turned museum, or the Dajti Ekspres cable car above the city; afternoon at Kruja’s castle and old bazaar, or at Durrës’s Roman amphitheater and beach.
- Day 3, to Berat: Drive south (about 2 hours). Walk up to the castle quarter, where people still live inside the walls, then down through Mangalem and across the bridge to Gorica for the view of the “town of a thousand windows” at dusk. Sleep: a guesthouse in Mangalem or Gorica (1 night).
- Day 4, to the Riviera: Drive via Vlorë and over the Llogara Pass, stopping at the top for the view down the coast, then on to Dhërmi and Himarë. Sleep: Himarë (3 nights).
- Day 5, coves of the Riviera: Walk down to Gjipe beach at the mouth of a canyon (20–30 minutes on foot) or take a boat, then a swim at Jale or Livadhi beach.
- Day 6, Butrint and the Blue Eye: Drive south past Porto Palermo’s fortress and Borsh to Butrint National Park, a UNESCO site with 2,500 years of ruins on a lagoon, and the Blue Eye spring inland from Sarandë. Back to Himarë in the evening.
- Day 7, home: The long drive back to Tirana airport (about 4–5 hours); allow plenty of time.
Swap it: to avoid the long drive back, fly into Tirana and leave from Sarandë by ferry to Corfu, with flights home from there. More detail is in our Tirana, Berat and Albanian Riviera guides.
10 days: the southern loop
Two UNESCO-listed Ottoman towns, Greek and Roman ruins and the full Ionian coast, by car or by bus and furgon. Best in June and September, when the sea is warm and the coast is calmer.
- Days 1–2, Tirana: As in the 7-day plan. Sleep: central Tirana (2 nights).
- Day 3, to Berat: Bus (about 2 h 30) or car. The castle quarter and Mangalem. Sleep: Mangalem or Gorica (2 nights).
- Day 4, around Berat: A day trip to the Osumi canyon, a winery visit, or the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia near Fier.
- Day 5, to Gjirokastër: About 3 hours south. The hilltop castle and the stone-roofed Ottoman houses of the old bazaar. Sleep: the old town (1 night).
- Day 6, the Blue Eye and Ksamil: Stop at the Blue Eye spring on the way to the coast. Sleep: Ksamil or Sarandë (2 nights).
- Day 7, Butrint and the islands: Early at Butrint before the heat, then an afternoon swimming from the little islands off Ksamil.
- Day 8, up the Riviera: Along the coast road past Lukovë, Borsh and Porto Palermo to Himarë. Sleep: Himarë (1 night).
- Day 9, Llogara and Vlorë or Durrës: A last swim at Dhërmi, then over the Llogara Pass toward the airport. Sleep: Durrës, close to the airport (1 night).
- Day 10, home: Morning at Durrës’s amphitheater, then the airport (about 40 minutes).
Swap it: want Greece too? End in Sarandë and take the ferry to Corfu, about 30 minutes on the fast boats. Details: Durrës.
14 days: from the Alps to the Ionian
North to south: a lake city, a fjord-like ferry and one of the best-known hikes in the Balkans, then old towns and beaches. This route works only from mid-June to September, when the mountain trails and guesthouses are open. Travel without a car in the north (you cannot drive the Valbona–Theth hike), and hire one in Tirana for the south.
- Days 1–2, Shkodër: Fly into Tirana and go straight north to Shkodër (about 2 hours). Rozafa Castle above the lakes, the pedestrian old town and a bike ride along Lake Shkodër. Sleep: central Shkodër (2 nights).
- Day 3, Komani Lake to Valbona: An early minibus to Komani and the ferry through the narrow gorge of Komani Lake (about 2–3 hours), then on to the Valbona valley. Sleep: a guesthouse in Valbona (1 night).
- Day 4, the Valbona Pass to Theth: The classic hike over the pass (about 6–8 hours, with a local guide or a well-marked trail and good weather). Sleep: a guesthouse in Theth (2 nights).
- Day 5, Theth: The walk to Theth’s own Blue Eye pool and the Grunas waterfall and the village’s old stone church.
- Day 6, back to Tirana: Shared 4×4 or minibus down to Shkodër and on to Tirana. Evening in Blloku. Sleep: central Tirana (1 night).
- Days 7–8, Berat: Pick up a hire car and drive south. The castle quarter, Mangalem and a day trip to the Osumi canyon or Apollonia. Sleep: Mangalem or Gorica (2 nights).
- Day 9, Gjirokastër: The castle and the old bazaar. Sleep: the old town (1 night).
- Day 10, the Blue Eye to Ksamil: The spring, then the coast. Sleep: Ksamil (2 nights).
- Day 11, Butrint: The ruins in the morning, beaches in the afternoon.
- Day 12, to Himarë: Up the coast road. Sleep: Himarë (2 nights).
- Day 13, the Riviera: Gjipe, Jale and Dhërmi.
- Day 14, home: Over the Llogara Pass or through the tunnel to Tirana airport (about 4–5 hours).
Swap it: outside the hiking season, replace the Alps with an extra night each in Tirana and Berat and a night in Korçë in the south-east. Details: Tirana.
Where to sleep, by stop
| Stop | Best area for a short stay | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tirana | Around Skanderbeg Square or Blloku | Sights, cafés and the airport bus on foot |
| Durrës | The seafront near the old town | Amphitheater on foot; close to the airport and ferry port |
| Berat | Mangalem, Gorica or the castle quarter | Stone guesthouses with the classic view; expect steps |
| Gjirokastër | The old town near the bazaar | Castle and Ottoman houses on foot; quiet at night |
| Ksamil and Sarandë | Ksamil for beaches, Sarandë for buses and the Corfu ferry | Both are close to Butrint |
| Himarë | The seafront (Spile) or the castle village above | Central for Gjipe, Jale, Dhërmi and Porto Palermo |
| Shkodër | The pedestrian center | Restaurants, bikes and minibuses to Komani |
| Albanian Alps | Family guesthouses in Valbona and Theth | Most include dinner and breakfast; open roughly June to September |
Book Riviera rooms ahead for July and August; in June and September prices are lower and the beaches calmer. Cash in lek is still useful in guesthouses and small restaurants.
Alternatives by interest
Beach lovers
Give the Riviera six or seven nights, split between Himarë or Dhërmi in the north and Ksamil in the south, and come in June or September. The Ionian coves have deep, very clear water; the Adriatic beaches around Durrës are sandy and shallow, better for small children but more built-up.
Hikers
Make the 14-day route your plan and add a night or two in Theth or Valbona, from mid-June to September. The Llogara National Park above the Riviera has forest trails, and the Osumi canyon near Berat is good for walks and, in spring, rafting.
History lovers
Spend more time at Butrint, Apollonia, Berat and Gjirokastër (both UNESCO-listed old towns), add Durrës’s Roman amphitheater and Kruja’s castle, and in Tirana visit Bunk’Art and the National History Museum. Spring and autumn are cooler for sightseeing.
Food lovers
Albanian food is fresh, seasonal and good value: byrek pastries for breakfast, grilled meats and fërgesë (baked peppers and cheese) in Tirana, qifqi rice balls in Gjirokastër, seafood on the Riviera and local wines around Berat. Ask your guesthouse what is in season.
Families
Choose two or three bases with short drives: Tirana, Durrës’s sandy beaches and Ksamil’s shallow, calm water. Avoid the long mountain legs with small children, and travel in June or September to escape the midsummer heat.
Tips for planning your route
- Pick the season. June and September for the beaches; May and October for the old towns; mid-June to September for the Alps. July and August are hot and busy on the coast, with the highest prices.
- Hire a car for the south. It makes Butrint, the Blue Eye, Gjirokastër and the coves much easier. Drive on the right, allow more time than the map suggests, and avoid driving at night outside towns.
- Ask about buses the day before. Buses and furgons leave from terminals or street corners and run mostly in the morning; your host will know where and when.
- Carry cash. Euros are often accepted on the coast, but lek is the currency, and small places prefer cash.
- Allow for the time difference. Corfu and Greece are one hour ahead of Albania, which matters for ferry departures.
- Build in slack before your flight. The drive from the Riviera to Tirana airport takes most of a day.
Albania itinerary FAQ
Is 7 days enough for Albania?
Yes for Tirana, Berat and the Riviera with a day at Butrint. It is not enough to add the Alps or Gjirokastër without rushing; for that, plan 10 to 14 days.
Should I start in Tirana or Sarandë?
Tirana if you are flying in, as almost all flights land there. If you are coming from Corfu, start in Sarandë and drive north, flying home from Tirana.
How long is the drive from Tirana to the Riviera?
About four to five hours from Tirana airport to Himarë, and about five hours to Sarandë, on winding roads. The Llogara Tunnel shortens the descent to the coast.
Do I need a car in Albania?
Not strictly: buses and furgons reach every town in this guide. But a car makes the south much easier, especially for Butrint, the Blue Eye and the coves of the Riviera. In the Alps, you go on foot, by ferry and by shared 4×4.
When is the Theth to Valbona hike open?
Roughly mid-June to September, when the snow has gone from the pass and the guesthouses are open. Outside that window, trails can be snowbound and most guesthouses closed.
Can I combine Albania with Corfu?
Yes. Fast ferries link Sarandë and Corfu in about 30 minutes, several times a day in summer. Remember that Corfu is one hour ahead.
What is the best month for an Albania road trip?
June or September: warm sea, long days and fewer crowds than in July and August. May and October suit the old towns best.
Sources
Researched and last reviewed by TravelerCenter on 8 October 2026. Airport bus details come from Tirana International Airport; the Corfu–Sarandë ferry from Finikas Lines’ 2026 summer timetable; the railway status from Albanian Railways and press reports; UNESCO listings from UNESCO; the Llogara Tunnel from press reports; and seasons from our best-time guide, based on German Weather Service (DWD) climate data for Tirana and Hellenic National Meteorological Service data for Corfu. Bus, furgon and drive times, the Komani Lake ferry and the Valbona–Theth hike are approximate, from booking sites and general reference, because Albania has no published national bus timetable. Timetables, fares and rules change, so check locally before you travel.
Data: Wikidata (CC0)