Tour of Albania North to South – Nature & Culture on a 4 Days Trip

Starting in Tirana, we will head towards the North of Albania with the Castle of Rozafa as the first stop. Built over the top of a hill, the castle has played a crucial role in Albanian History dating from the Antiquity and the Illyrian–Roman Wars. Its building history is also connected with one of the most fascinating legends. 

After our visit of the castle, we will head down to the city of Shkoder. Famous for its typical architecture, sense of humor, and warm welcome, it has been one of the most important centers of Albania. Shkodra is also a city with high religious tolerance. At a short distance from each other, we can find a Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, and Muslim Mosque. 

On a Walking tour through Shkoder, we will see some of the most interesting parts of the city and the famous “Pedonale”. 

Diving through the history and culture of Shkoder we will enjoy some picturesque views of Lake Skadar and Shiroke. Situated by the Skadar lake, this part of the city is often visited for its special cuisine and “Karp” fish specialties.

Theth

The tour heads then to Theth National Park with its glamorous mountain terrain decorated with waterfalls and natural springs, where we will have a short hike to explore the untouched nature of Theth.

Overnight in Theth in a local guesthouse

Durres

Be ready to leave Theth at 09:00 and drive toward Durres. Durres is a seaside city where we can enjoy some lovely seafood and swim if the water is warm or we are brave enough. We’ll have a walk aside the sea on the main promenade and visit the ancient Roman amphitheater.

Berat 

Next, we’ll head toward another city of great importance to Albanian History, Culture, and Heritage. Being part of UNESCO World Heritage, Berat is known as a typical Ottoman-style city. It is a mosaic city of different cultures and influences. During our city tour of Berat, we’ll explore its three typical neighborhoods “Kala”, “Mangalem” and “Gorica”. 

Also included is a visit to the Orthodox Monastery, “Dormitory of Saint Mary” and the Onufri Museum of Iconography.

Overnight in Berat

Get ready to drive through Llogara Pass which is simply put – amazing. First, you can enjoy nature full of green trees and very calming, and later on, you can look at the amazing seashore from above. The scenic drive continues along the coastal villages of Dhermi, Qeparo, and Vuno where the typical stone architecture is fanatically preserved.

Llogara to Dhermi

After going past Llogara, a small village by the name of Dhermi is our next stop. During the last decade, the coastal area has seen a boom in the construction of accommodation facilities, such as wooden villa complexes or bars and cafes where people can relax. Dhermi is considered a popular tourist destination, especially due to its well-known beaches and at times riotous nightclub-based nightlife.

Visiting Himara & Himara Castle

As we say goodbye to Dhermi, we make our way to Himara, a municipality situated between the Ceraunian Mountains and the Albanian Ionian Sea Coast. Here, we will be able to look at the beach along with its promenade and tavernas but also stroll around the old town of Himara. 

The old town lies on a hill and was built around a Castle, with its ancient walls dating back to the 5th-4th centuries BC. Also, many churches were built inside or close to the castle. The fascinating history of its old town is one of the reasons why Dhermi is one of Albania’s top attractions.

From Himara to Porto Palermo

Porto Palermo is a bay a few kilometers south of Himarë along the Albanian Riviera. It is the most well-preserved garrison erected by Ali Pasha in the region. Here, you can also find the Porto Palermo Castle, known as the Ali Pasha Castle, built around the 19th century. 

Along the beautiful beach in the bay, you can find the Porto Palermo Tunnel, a submarine base that is no longer in use by the military. It was built in 1969 by Enver Hoxha as a home base for Fast Attack Crafts.

After visiting the small bay of Porto Palermo, we’ll continue our drive to Sarande. Maybe the most well-known city in the South. Saranda is a top tourist attraction city because of its beautiful beach, Albanian-Greek mixed cuisine, and the variety of modern resorts and bars you can find there. 

Overnight in Saranda

The Blue Eye

After our stay in Sarande, we will head off to one of Albania’s most amazing natural phenomena. Located in a village near Finiq, the Blue Eye or Syri i Kaltër is a water spring that perfectly describes Albania’s natural beauty – breathtaking. Full of water so clear you can see all the way to the bottom and the sunlight makes it a magical place, especially to take some neat photos or have a quick swim. The spring is an easy hike away from the parking area and you can refresh in a cafe nerby.

Gjirokaster

Our next stop will be Gjirokaster. Once we get into the city you will realize that Gjirokaster is not like any other city, as described by the famous Albanian Writer Ismail Kadare i. Under the solid, grey stone tiles and stones swarm the soft and vital flesh of life.

During our City Tour of Gjirokastra along the typical cobblestone paths connecting the typical fortress-style houses, we will visit the city’s heart, the Bazaar, the impressive castle, and one of the typical houses of Gjirokastra.

Leaving the “Stone City”, we will head back to Tirana for the end of our tour.