Overlooking beautiful Lake Boville after navigating through some crazy roads to get here. The old city and its heritage retain a unique testimony of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman cultures and civilizations. And in case you have any questions on details we may have missed out, PLEASE drop us a comment under this article and we will see you there :), Also, do FOLLOW US on our Instagram page @roads.we.take for our video highlights of our Albania trip! Unfortunately, there is no option to stay up here so after visiting make your way back to the beach front and settle for the night. The host, Naira, is very friendly as well and helped us with a lot of recommendations within the city. The Accursed Mountains of Albania are enchanting, to say the least! Generally the Albanian Riviera is considered to be between the cities of Vlore and Sarande. We highly recommend staying around Skanderbeg Square, the public plaza in the city centre. Check out our full Tirana city guide for more recommendations. We went to Plazhi Pasqyrave (Mirror Beach) in Sarande, a stunning pebble beach with beautiful blue waters surrounded by white stone cliffs. We did manage to grab a bite at a local eatery serving Greek food. It was a long drive of about 290 kilometers to a city called Shkoder, and it took us about 5 hours.

Silver limestone cobbled streets with traditional colourful shops on either sides, sometimes with items spilling onto the streets, is such a wonderful sight to behold. The host at your guesthouse in Valbone can help arrange for a drop-off to the starting point of the hike. Detailed information about the Theth to Valbona hike in Albania. At the immigration check at Tirana International Airport, we were asked to present any one of our hotel bookings, and a proof of a return or onward ticket. Crystal clear waters and beautiful views await you on the shores of the Albanian coast. But we still recommend not skipping either of the cities! A similar experience in the Swiss Alps or Austria would cost yo. YES!

The water here is unreal! From museums in bunkers to cable car rides and rotating bars there are loads of interesting and fun things to do in Tirana. It is possible to reach Berat as a day trip from Tirana but it would be more relaxed to spend the night here. The castle is in ruins but in the 14th century when the Ottoman empire took over Albania, they built a mosque in the middle of the castle which still stands today. After our little adventure in Lake Boville, we drove back to Tirana and stayed at, Day 11 - Return the rental car, Fly back home, We then took a taxi to the airport, which is also where we did our, Tirana Airport has its own testing facility. tend to flout traffic rules. Listed below are our average expenses on our trip (we travelled during peak season), but your final budget would also depend on your travel style and preferences. On our first night we stepped out for dinner quite late when most restaurants were already shut (post 10 pm on weekends), although the bars and cafes were still open and buzzing!

TOP TIP: Wondering where to stay in Manhattan? The beach is phenomenal and the water is SO blue and clear. A day trip from Shkoder will take you to the gorgeous little mountain town of Theth. Apart from checking out Dhermi and relaxing near the seaside, you can also visit the nearby village of Vuno. When you get to Himare you can opt to stay by the beach or in the old village which sits on top of the mountain. and we were mostly staying in either hotels or guesthouses. THE BEST PART - quite a few of their traditional dishes are completely vegan, and that made our dining experiences so much more enjoyable and easier than in other countries we have visited. We had a very comfortable stay at Hotel Kristal. The entire trip cost us a mere 16 per person for the following : - Minivan pick-up from our hotel in Shkoder at 7 am, - 1.5 hour ride to the ferry station at Lake Koman, - 2 hour ferry ride along Lake Koman to Fierze, - Minivan transport from Fierze to Valbone (drop-off to your doorstep in Valbone). I recommend having a bite to eat at the restaurant Givat and then relaxing at one of the beaches. NOTE - We only carried the necessary items for the next two days in our backpacks (hiking gear + passports + other essentials)and left the rest of our luggage in our car, because you will have to hike with all your stuff from Valbone to Theth. Perfect Albania Itinerary: The Best Places to See in Albania in 1-2 Weeks, Awesome Things to Do in Mysore, Karnataka, Visiting the Maldives on a Budget: Backpacker Tips, Best Wildcamping Spots on the Albanian Coast, accommodation options for spending the night in Gjrokaster here, We had a very comfortable stay at Hotel Kristal, Hiking Theth to Valbona, Albania: Everything You Need to Know, Ultimate Balkan Road Trip Itinerary: Best Places to See in the Balkans, Vanlife Essentials: Equipment and Ideas for Van Travel. This park is one of Sarandas best-kept secrets. The rooms and service are amazing, plus their balconies have got the most picturesque aerial views of Kruje. This part of Tirana is my favourite part. Jale is a small developing beach stopover, but still worth including in your Albania itinerary. Both programs are affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Booking.com, Amazon.com and affiliated sites. We stopped here because it was on our way towards Macedonia but were pleasantly surprised by the things to do in Korce and the array of restaurants and cafes. However, watch out for some really crazy, dangerous drivers inside the major cities, like Shkoder and Tirana, where people (and pedestrians!) Did I miss anywhere worth visiting? Creating an Albania travel itinerary seems easy at first as there are only a few well-known places. If you reach here for the afternoon have a look at some accommodation options for spending the night in Gjrokaster here. The town is interesting to wander through and there are plenty of nice cafes and restaurants (although a little overpriced). The food was great, and the prices were extremely reasonable. You will find many people commuting on bicycles, which is nice, but they get into the car lanes which can get a little frustrating if you're driving. On Day 2 early in the morning, we checked out of our hotel in Tirana and set off on a hunt for our, By mid-day we set off to Berat, which is about 100 km from Tirana, a two-hour journey by road. We highly recommend staying at Hotel Panorama. Day 1 - Explore the capital city of Tirana, Tirana may not be the prettiest European capital city, and is not the best example of what Albania has to offer, but it has a few gems and pockets of culture and history that are worth exploring. This gives you enough time to enjoy all the best Albania south beaches and have a fun Albanian road trip through the south. After a quick research, we decided to drive across the country for 10 days to get a taste of both - the Albanian Alps in the north, as well as the Albanian Riviera in the south. Stay overnight in Valbone, Hike from Valbone National Park to Theth National Park, 14km, about 6-7 hours. Between those two cities are the most beautiful Albanian beaches you will find. The owner Armand, an architect, designed the property himself! We traveled during peak season, and we were mostly staying in either hotels or guesthouses, spending an average of 28-35 per night for a spacious double-bed room, inclusive of breakfast. Stay overnight in Theth, Jeep ride to Shkoder to pick the car We loved their Imam Bayldi (stuffed eggplant), stuffed bell pepper, and this is also where we tried our first Qifqi! In the late afternoon either chill at the beach again or you can do a walk or drive up to the monastery of the 40 saints. Have a read of her article about Tirana and Kruja. Whilst you relax or party in Jale make sure you hire a kayak and go to the nearby beach paradise of Gjipe. A 14 km stretch through the Albanian Alps. After spending the first few days of our trip in the cultural parts of the country, it was then time for the much-awaited drive along the great Albanian Riviera! After a walk along the main boulevard, you should duck into a restaurant and enjoy a night of eating the best seafood! Two weeks in Albania is a great amount of time to see some the most beautiful areas of the country and make your way around without hurrying too much. A dish from the main course is priced at an average of 300 Lek (approx. This is a highly rated venue, and the food and quality ingredients justifies so! The beautiful stone roofs of Gjrokaster are a must see in every Albania travel itinerary. Good food is very affordable in most restaurants across the country. Drive to Berat, spend the night at a guesthouse Its one of my favourite spots in southern Albania for some peace and quiet. Luxury: Make sure you stay at Vila Kosteli or Guesthouse 1932. It was quite a challenge finding a car at this price point, but we finally managed to do so. Heading inland again youll find the Syri Kalter or Blue Eye. The monastery is half in ruins now due to it being bombed in World War 2 as the British thought there was a German garrison hiding inside. Traveling to Albania was a very spontaneous decision. You can scroll up to this section for more details on the costs and process of renting a car in Albania. Stone Ottoman houses with cute-little arched windows make the perfect backdrop for pictures! We found a place behind the beach from where we could rent little tents. Luxury: Try Golden View residence for a luxury hotel in Dhermi! Read my disclaimerfor more information. For those that have 2 weeks in Albania or longer and intend to spend more time in Tirana, you can also get in the Southern Albanian mindset by taking a day trip to the beach. Our hotel host got us in touch with a representative of Berisha-Komani Lake Explore via WhatsApp (+355 69 680 0748) to arrange for our ferry ride along Lake Koman. If you've got more time on your hands, we recommend visiting Bunkart 2, which is actually an anti-nuclear bunker built by the Communist dictator Enver Hoxha, now converted into a fascinating museum! There is also one near Theth in the north but this one is more well known.

But, Gjipe is worth ALL the effort! Just off the Skanderbeg square you can get a look into what communism was like and step back in time. The square is named after Skanderbeg, the 'national hero' of Albania who successfully resisted the Ottoman invasions during the mid-1400s. But the views along the way, especially at, Shkoder is the gateway point to travel around the north of the country, and we really liked its clean and simple aesthetic. Our rental car! (Your host can help arrange for this the night before.) P.S. You can always find a spot for yourself here. We also highly recommend visiting the, We had some of the most mouth-watering Albanian food in Gjirokaster! Here are some example prices to give you an idea how much to budget for Albania. Check out Booking.com for the best deals on hotels, guesthouses and hostels. Famously known as the 'town of a thousand windows', We recommend staying AT LEAST one night in Berat.

Carrying on with the theme of communism a stop to the House of Leaves is a must. We were also introduced to the famous 'Raki', which is the most popular alcoholic drink consumed in Albania. Beautiful town and a must-see during your Albania travel itinerary, two weeks in Albania. But if you are short of time, then we recommend at least one week where you choose to do either only the north, or the south. We would return to Albania just for the food! Overlooking the valley, these are some of the best views you can get while devouring a meal. We also highly recommend visiting the Gjirokaster Fortress and the museum (a part of the castle has been converted into a museum). The rooms are spacious, and very tastefully designed with contemporary elements. Monastery Beach is one of my favourites as its small and you also have the option to climb the hill and see an incredible view of the beach and surroundings by going to the monastery. Do I need to take a COVID-19 RT-PCR test for Albania? There are only a few restaurants in Theth, and most people dine at their own guesthouses, so make sure to choose one that serves food. This is a great place to get a feeling of what Albania was like during most of the 1900s under Enver Hoxhas rule. If youre still looking for somewhere to stay, here are the best hotels in Tirana. You can find everything Balkans here. Super worth it during peak season considering the quality of our stay and its prime location! You will need your own transport to get here or to hire a driver but its worth it. This family-run restaurant is the epitome of Albanian hospitality. One of Albanias UNSECO Heritage sites, Berat is also know as the city of 1000 windows. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Have a coffee at one of the restaurants at the blue eye and enjoy nature! We literally stumbled upon Lake Boville when playing with the Google Street Views feature on the Albanian map during our trip research! The money exchange centers in Dubai did not have any Albanian Lek, so we carried Euros with us and converted some of it to Lek at a local exchange centre in Tirana. The host is a beautiful, old mother who manages the property and we shared an incredible bond in the little time that we were there. This is a way for people to catch up with each other. The museum is so beautifully done, and was an eye-opener to the challenging history of Albania! From Dhermi its a 4-5 hour bus or car ride. So we decided to explore more of Tirana at the end of our trip (Day 10). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We recommend visiting the country in the shoulder seasons, that is between April-June and September- October. On the way back from Blue Eye I suggest you visit Phoenice Archaeological park. quite a few of their traditional dishes are completely vegan. We were offered a tour by their lovely daughter, Ermi who showed us around the vineyards, wine cellars, followed by a fantastic wine-tasting session. All the necessary items for day to day living in a van from cooking and cleaning to little touches of home. The host at our guesthouse in Theth arranged for a jeep and driver to drop us to Shkoder early after breakfast. NOTE : *We have listed the exact names and costs of accommodations under the relevant headings in the itinerary below this Q&A. How to get a Pinterest business account (& why it matters! If its too busy I recommend a trip to the nearby beaches like Mirror or Monastery. However, we required a negative RT-PCR test to fly back into our home country. Drive south to Kruje. Finding a parking spot in the city is a lot more difficult than it is in Tirana, so you might want to be prepared for that as well :). A Roman amphitheater from the 3rd century BC. The roads arent great in some areas so the distance may not be an accurate measure of the time it takes! If you have a van or a tent consider the campgrounds at Livadh beach. At the top of the park, you can explore by doing a walk or if youre a thrill seeker you also have the opportunity to do parasailing from here! Do try out the. The final stop on your Albania roadtrip is Dhermi. Theres not usually many people about but you might find some elderly locals soaking their joints for the benefits sulphur is said to bring. The water is a constant 10 degrees Celsius! At the time we traveled (July '21), Albania was open to all tourists with no requirement of an RT-PCR test nor any proof of vaccination. While youre in Dhermi be sure to check our Drymades, a beach thats not far from Dhermi. Read: Best Wildcamping Spots on the Albanian Coast. After the alcohol wore off we finally drove to Berat! It spans 120-kilometres (74.5 miles) along the Albanian coast. Grab access to my Travelling Albania Guide to get a comprehensive insight into more places to visit in Albania (including secret spots that are not recommended in the usual guides!). The peak season is from July-August, when it tends to get crowded in certain spots, and the weather in the coastal areas can get really hot (the mountains in the north are still cool though). But we decided to give it a miss and just relax that evening to take it easy before our big hike in the coming days. Magical sunset at Plazhi Pasqyrave, also known as the Mirror Beach. After you have been drowned in communism history you may need something to eat and drink to process all that information! Now that you know the best way to see the south of Albania in 10 days, do you have any questions? The BEST part was we spontaneously decided to camp overnight at Gjipe! :). It did take us on crazy detours, so we highly recommend using Maps.Me side-by-side to cross-check your route. Views of Kalajat-e-Berat (Castle of Berat) - This was easily our most favourite part about Berat. It was a long drive of about 290 kilometers to a city called Shkoder, and it took us about 5 hours. Read my full list of the best Saranda hotels. This is a way for people to catch up with each other. Not far from the Blue Eye you come to the UNSECO Heritage town of Gjirokaster where the roofs of the houses are made from stacked flat stones. Mid-range: Try Scala Bungalows, a boutique setting but at a very affordable! But our FAVOURITE part was the, If we have to recommend just one restaurant in Berat, then it has to be. Day 2 - Visit Cobo Winery, Explore Berat - Town of a Thousand Windows! Finding an accommodation in the country is very easy, and they are quite affordable as well. You can also find Skanderbeg's famous statue on his horse in the center of this Square. to local companies as well. In summer this place can get super busy but for good reason, its incredible. After exploring the UNESCO site for a couple of hours its time to relax in whats called the gem of the Albanian Riviera. There's so much you can do - from exploring the countless stone alleys, to enjoying a traditional Berati meal in one of the many cute restaurants adorning the town. The thing we liked the most was the open-to-sky restaurant on the top-most floor, where you can enjoy a traditional meal with a stunning sunset view in the evenings. Albania Travel Guide for First Timers: Everything You Need to Know! The hike is not too difficult as long as you have a minimum level of fitness. Subscribe to our newsletter now to stay up to date on our travels. The owner Armand, an architect, designed the property himself! Stopping mid-way to soak in the majestic views of the Albanian Alps. THE ONLY one car that was left available in all of Tirana - a bright, yellow Nissan sedan We found it at a local rental company called Makina Me Qera Danieli (which translates to Danieli Rental Cars) and you can contact them on WhatsApp at +355 693191919. We left Gjirokaster by mid-day and our first stop on the way was, Syri-i-Kalter, also known as the Blue Eye of Sarande. We actually didn't have to step out of Vila Dini as it had its own little restaurant on the ground floor terrace. Tirana is a must on your Albania itinerary. The people who live here believe that the spring water has healing properties so many locals bring their water bottles to fill up from this spring.