Kotor to Tirana via Ulcinj and Theth

Head south along the Montenegrin coast into Albania, ascend to the Theth Valley, and finish in Tirana.

Drive south from Kotor along the coast, passing Budva and Stari Bar to Ulcinj. Cross the Sukobin border crossing to Shkodër, leave your car there, and take a minibus into the Theth Valley for a two-night stay. Return to Shkodër to pick up your car and drive to Tirana. This route offers a strong contrast between the coast and mountain villages at a relaxed pace. It requires a cross-border car rental with a one-way drop-off, though it can also be done entirely by public transport. This itinerary excludes the Valbona pass hike.

Theth is often blocked by snow in winter, and most guesthouses close; June–September is the most reliable window.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Kotor Old Town

Kotor（Kotor Old Town、Cathedral of Saint Tryphon）

Pick up your rental car at Tivat Airport and drive along the bay to Kotor (approx. 25 mins). Park outside the city walls and walk into town.

When booking your car, declare the cross-border travel to Albania, and arrange for a Green Card and a one-way drop-off.

Stay: Dobrota

Day 2 · Climb the Fortress and Visit Perast

Kotor（St. John's Fortress & City Walls、Perast、Our Lady of the Rocks）

Walk up to the fortress in the early morning, then drive to Perast (approx. 20 mins) and take a small boat to the island.

Stay: Dobrota

Day 3 · Lovćen and Cetinje to Budva

Kotor（Kotor Serpentine Viewpoint、Njeguši、Lovćen National Park、Cetinje & Cetinje Monastery） → Budva（Budva Old Town）

Take the winding mountain road up to Lovćen, descend to Cetinje, and continue to Budva (approx. 3 hours total driving time).

Stay: Old Town and Slovenska Beach

Day 4 · Drive South via Stari Bar to Ulcinj

Budva（Sveti Stefan、Petrovac na Moru） → Ulcinj（Stari Bar、Ulcinj Old Town）

Drive from Budva via Sveti Stefan and Petrovac to Stari Bar (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Ulcinj (approx. 30 mins).

Stari Bar has little shade, so avoid midday in summer. One-way roads along the route are prone to traffic jams.

Stay: Old Town and Mala Plaža

Day 5 · Long Beach and Ada Bojana

Ulcinj（Velika Plaža、Ada Bojana）

Drive from Ulcinj to Long Beach (approx. 15 mins), then to Ada Bojana (approx. 10 mins), returning to Ulcinj the same day.

Parts of Ada Bojana are nudist beaches; check beforehand if traveling with children.

Stay: Old Town and Mala Plaža

Day 6 · Cross the Border to Shkodër Old Town

Theth（Rozafa Castle、Shkodër Old Town）

Cross into Albania via the Sukobin border crossing to Shkodër (approx. 1–2 hours, depending on border queues).

Car rental requires a Green Card and cross-border authorization. Leave your car at your accommodation in Shkodër.

Stay: Shkodër Old Town

Day 7 · Minibus to the Theth Valley

Theth（Theth Church、Lock-in Tower (Kulla e Ngujimit)）

Take a morning minibus or a transfer arranged by your accommodation to Theth (approx. 2.5 hours). Spend the afternoon walking around the village.

Store heavy luggage in Shkodër and bring plenty of cash before heading into the mountains.

Stay: Theth Church Square Area

Day 8 · Valley Hike to the Blue Eye

Theth（Grunas Waterfall、Nderlysaj Waterfall & Pools、Blue Eye of Theth）

A round-trip hike from the village along the valley takes about 6 hours. You can also take a 4WD taxi to shorten part of the distance.

Stay: Theth Church Square Area

Day 9 · Descend to Shkodër and Drive to Tirana

Theth（Mesi Bridge） → Tirana（Skanderbeg Square）

Take a minibus back to Shkodër (approx. 2.5 hours), pick up your car, and take the highway to Tirana (approx. 1.5–2 hours).

Minibuses mostly run in the morning; ask your guesthouse to book one day in advance.

Stay: Skanderbeg Square Area

Day 10 · Half-Day in Tirana and Departure

Tirana（Bunk'Art 2、New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri)、Blloku）

Explore the city center on foot in the morning, then drive to Tirana Airport in the afternoon to return your car (approx. 30 mins).