Albania
An emerging destination in the southwestern Balkans, combining an Ionian coastline, Ottoman old towns and wild mountain scenery.
Albania lies in the southwestern Balkans, bordered by the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and its capital is Tirana. The "Albanian Riviera" in the south has turquoise beaches such as Sarandë and Ksamil, and the nearby ancient city of Butrint is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two Ottoman-style old towns of Berat and Gjirokastër are also World Heritage Sites, while mountain villages such as Theth in the Accursed Mountains of the north are hiking destinations. The best season for the coast is June to September, while hiking and city breaks are best in spring and autumn. The main gateway is Tirana International Airport, and you can also take a ferry from Corfu, Greece, to Sarandë.
Destinations
Itineraries
- Southern Albania Historic Towns, Coast & Valleys 15-Day Grand Road Trip – A self-drive loop around the south, covering historic towns, the Riviera, Benjë Thermal Baths, and Korçë.
- Albania Classic Historic Towns & Coast 9-Day Bus Loop – A car-free itinerary for first-timers, connecting Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, and Sarandë.
- Vlorë to Sarandë Albanian Riviera – Drive south along the Ionian Sea, connecting Llogara Pass, Himarë beaches, and Butrint.
- Tirana to Skopje Cross-Border Journey – Travel from Albania's historic mountain towns to Lake Ohrid, then continue through Bitola to Skopje.
- Ohrid, Prizren & Kotor Western Balkans – A Western Balkans loop starting from Tirana, connecting lake towns, Ottoman old towns, and the Bay of Kotor.
- Kotor to Tirana via Ulcinj and Theth – Head south along the Montenegrin coast into Albania, ascend to the Theth Valley, and finish in Tirana.
- Lake Koman Ferry & Valbona to Theth Hike – Enter the mountains from Shkodër via the Lake Koman ferry, cross the Valbona Pass to Theth, and visit the Blue Eye.
- Tirana to Skopje via Prizren – Travel by bus north and east from Tirana, linking the three cities of Prizren, Pristina, and Skopje.