10-day Albania road trip itinerary for nature lovers
If you’re planning a trip to Albania and want to explore its spectacular mountains, glorious beaches and natural wonders, then you’ve come to the right place! This 10-day Albania itinerary is based entirely on my personal experiences and filled with amazing adventures in the most scenic locations across this Mediterranean country.
I must admit, figuring out the itinerary for my Albania road trip wasn’t the easiest task. Attractions are spread out, some are in remote areas, and the mountains in the north present some logistical challenges. However, this itinerary will show you how to make the most of your 10 days in Albania without having to spend hours researching the topic as I did.
It covers the breathtaking Albanian Alps, the dreamy Lumi i Shales, the mesmerizing Blue Eye spring, my favorite beaches in the Albanian Riviera, a mystical sea cave and more. I’m also sharing my personal pick for the best places to stay, a map of this itinerary, as well as my suggestions on what to do if you have more than 10 days to visit Albania.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase.
Getting around Albania
Your options to travel around Albania are renting a car, using public transport or joining tours. To follow this Albania itinerary, renting a car is essential, since it includes some remote places that would be either impossible or time-consuming to reach by buses or tours.
We usually use Discover Cars for car rental when we’re traveling and also did it in Albania. They compare lots of different providers, so you can find some great deals. We decided to rent an SUV, which we picked up near Tirana Airport, and the whole experience went very smoothly.
For our peace of mind, we also bought the full insurance cover from Discover Cars, because Albania has a bit of a reputation for its reckless driving culture. Thankfully, we didn’t run into any significant issues on our road trip through Albania and the driving experience turned out to be much better than expected.
If you don’t want to rent a car, it’s possible to roughly follow this itinerary by using a combination of public buses and tours, but it would take much longer. Albania has a network of buses and furgons (shared passenger vans) covering the whole country, but there’s limited information about them online, and they don’t always have fixed schedules.
The most reliable site for finding bus routes and schedules in Albania is Gjirafa Travel. Alternatively, you could opt for private transfers instead of buses for more comfort and flexibility.
10-day Albania itinerary: The perfect Albania road trip
This self-drive itinerary essentially has two parts. The first half of it covers Northern Albania, where you’ll explore the stunning Albanian Alps, whereas the second half takes you to Southern Albania, including the wonderful Albanian Riviera.
Below is an outline of this 10-day road trip itinerary for Albania, so you can get an idea of what to expect.
|
DAY |
AREA |
ACTIVITIES |
OVERNIGHT IN |
|
Day 1 |
Albanian Alps |
Scenic drive, river beach |
Lëpushë |
|
Day 2 |
Albanian Alps |
Maja e Vajushës hike |
Theth |
|
Day 3 |
Albanian Alps |
Blue Eye of Theth, Grunas Waterfall, Theth village |
Theth |
|
Day 4 |
Albanian Alps |
Valbona Pass hike |
Shkodër |
|
Day 5 |
Albanian Alps |
Komani Lake, Lumi i Shalës |
Lumi i Shalës |
|
Day 6 |
Southern Albania |
Drive south, Gjirokastër |
Gjirokastër |
|
Day 7 |
Southern Albania |
Langarica Canyon, Blue Eye of Sarandë |
Himarë |
|
Day 8 |
Albanian Riviera |
Beach-hopping |
Himarë |
|
Day 9 |
Albanian Riviera |
Boat tour |
Himarë |
|
Day 10 |
Albanian Riviera |
Kilimani Retreat, drive to Tirana |
– |
In the following sections, you’ll find a description of each of the days, including the activities, places to visit and my tips on where to stay.
Day 1: Scenic drive to Lëpushë
The starting point of this itinerary is Tirana International Airport, just outside Albania’s capital, Tirana, since that’s where most travelers would fly into. On arrival, pick up your rental car and start your drive north towards the Albanian Alps, also known as the Accursed Mountains.
The main goal of the day is to reach Lepushe (or Lëpushë), a picturesque alpine village close to the border with Montenegro. It’s a 170 km (106 mi) drive through the scenic mountainous landscapes of the Kelmend region, and there are several places along the way that are worth a stop.
The first one is Leqet e Hotit, a steep mountain pass with hairpin turns and a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding peaks and valleys. Here you can snap some photos of the panoramic views, and grab a cold drink before driving down the zigzagging road to continue your journey.
Your next stop is a beautiful river beach before entering the village of Tamarë. It’s a small pebble beach surrounded by mountains and greenery. The water here is cold but ideal for a refreshing dip on a scorching hot summer day, and it has a mesmerizing turquoise color.
We loved how tranquil this place was. There was only one local family here besides us, so it really felt like a hidden gem. This whole area still feels very off the beaten path, with barely any tourists in sight.
Note that the road leading to Tamarë Beach is gravel and a bit uneven. We chickened out when we first saw it, so we parked our car and walked the last 600 m to the beach, but in hindsight it would have probably been fine to drive.
Finally, head to your guesthouse in the idyllic village of Lepushe, where you’ll stay for the night. Get some good rest, so you’re ready for the magnificent hike to a nearby mountain peak the next morning.
Where to stay
Spend the night in Lepushe. There’s only a handful of places to stay in this quiet village, so don’t leave your booking for the last minute.
Guesthouse Alpini is where we chose to stay, and I highly recommend that you stay here as well. This family-owned guesthouse is located in a green valley between mountains, and the view from its garden will blow your socks off.
The rooms are modern and spotless, the host family is super nice, and the dinner they served was some of the best Albanian food we had on our trip. On the same property, they also have these cozy cabins, which looked really nice, and would be the perfect option if you’re traveling with a group or family.
Day 2: Maja e Vajushës hike
Today you’ll be hiking one of the most beautiful trails in Albania – Maja e Vajushës (Vajusha peak). This peak rises to 2,057 m (6,750 ft) and straddles the border between Albania and Montenegro. The hike there and back from Lepushe is about 8.5 km (5.3 mi), takes around 5 hours, and the trailhead is just a short walk from Guesthouse Alpini.
The trail first leads you through a forest before emerging into a green valley and alpine meadows with horses and sheep grazing on the slopes. Once you reach the summit ridge and make your way to Maja e Vajushes, you’ll be rewarded with an unreal panorama of sharp, jagged limestone peaks.
I absolutely loved the Maja e Vajushes hike, and I couldn’t believe how amazing the views from this peak were! It was one of the highlights of our Albania road trip and definitely my favorite hike in Albania. You can find all the information you need to do this hike in my guide to hiking Maja e Vajushes.
Since the trail is not very clearly marked, I recommend downloading an offline trail map for this hike and following it closely. Somehow we managed to get lost four times despite having a trail downloaded.
After the hike, it’s time to drive to your next destination, Theth. It should take you around 3 hours, and the route is again very scenic. Make sure you get there before it gets dark because you don’t want to miss the spectacular views just before arriving in Theth.
Where to stay
Spend the next two nights in Theth.
SeSam Villas – Gorgeous modern alpine-style cabins surrounded by breathtaking views of mountains. The cabins come with a small plunge pool perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking.
Hotel Jezerca Theth – One of the best-known hotels in Theth, located in the very center of the village. It has spacious, comfortable and modern rooms, a restaurant and even a mini-market.
Day 3: Blue Eye, Grunas Waterfall & Theth
This day will be all about exploring Theth and its surroundings. Situated in a valley between soaring mountains, this cute alpine village is the hiking capital of Albania, and compared to Lepushe, it’s a lot busier and more developed.
Start your day with a visit to the Blue Eye of Theth. It’s a natural pool with a stunning vivid blue color and a small waterfall. This place is a must-visit in Theth and totally exceeded my expectations.
To get to the Blue Eye, you first have to drive to Nderlysaj (a hamlet to the south of Theth) and then hike along a rocky, mostly uphill trail for about an hour. Once you’re there, you can go for a swim in the natural pool, but be aware that the water is extremely cold.
Just before arriving at the Blue Eye, there’s also a beautiful area with a bridge crossing a turquoise river. There you have more space to swim and relax, and maybe even jump into the water from the bridge if you dare. We loved this place so much that we spent several hours here soaking up the tranquil atmosphere and gorgeous nature.
After the Blue Eye hike, be sure to also check out the fantastic natural river pool of Nderlysaj, just next to the parking lot at the trailhead. It has the most amazing crystalline blue water and is a an absolute dream in the summer heat.
Then drive back to Theth, park your car and visit Grunas Waterfall, which is a 40-minute walk from the center of the village. The 30m (98 ft) tall waterfall has a nice little pool where you can take a dip. It’s a lovely spot for a quick visit, but it gets very busy, and there’s not much space to hang around.
Other things you might want to do in Theth are visiting the picturesque Church of Theth and the Reconciliation Tower or riding the 1.2 km (0.7 mi) Thethi Zipline.
Where to stay
Spend another night in Theth.
Day 4: Valbona Pass hike
On the fourth day, you’ll hike the Valbona Pass, the most famous hike in Albania. This 17 km (10 mi) trail leads you from Theth to the village of Valbona over Valbona Pass, offering striking views from the top.
Hiking the entire length of the trail from Theth to Valbona is a popular thing to do, especially among those not renting a car in Albania. However, since you have a car, this means that you’d have to spend the night in Valbona and hike back the same way the following day or arrange transportation back to Theth, which would involve a massive detour and an additional day of travel time, since the villages are not connected by a road.
To skip all that hassle, we simply hiked from Theth up to Valbona Pass and back down the same way, a total distance of 14 km (8.7 mi). This is the best way to do it if you have a car and need to get back to Theth, because you’ll still get to see that famous view but without the logistical challenges.
The trail starts in the center of Theth, in front of Hotel Jezerca. It’s a gradual incline up a mountainside, through a shaded forest and alpine pastures with views of sharp limestone peaks on one side and Theth Valley on the other. There are also two small cafes along the way selling drinks and snacks.
Once you reach the pass, be sure to make the final push to the peak right next to it for a jaw-dropping view of Valbona Valley and the endless peaks of the Albanian Alps around you.
After the hike, you’ll probably want to grab some late lunch in Theth before driving for two hours to the town of Shkodër. You won’t have much time to explore the town, but the reason for going there is just to spend the night and set off early the next morning for your next destination.
Where to stay
Spend the night in Shkodër.
A Gallery Hotel – A beautiful, well-maintained hotel in the town center with bright and spacious rooms, modern amenities and a delicious breakfast.
Day 5: Komani Lake & Lumi i Shalës
The fifth day of your Albania trip is for visiting Lumi i Shalës (or Shala River), hidden in a canyon deep in the mountains of Northern Albania. To get there, you first have to drive to Koman (1.5 hours), park your car and then take a boat across Komani Lake (50 min). As you’ll be spending the night at Lumi i Shales, your guesthouse can arrange the boat for you.
The boat ride across Lake Koman is an experience on its own. The water is a beautiful shade of teal, and you’ll be surrounded by a mountain range with steep cliffs rising vertically out of the lake.
Once you reach Lumi i Shales, it’s like you’ve arrived in a little hidden paradise. With its pristine turquoise river, pebbly shores and limestone peaks towering above your head, it’s a place of amazing natural beauty. Along the river, there are a handful of guesthouses, restaurants and small beach bars with sunbeds.
It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing day. We just lounged by the dreamy river, read books, sipped some cocktails and went for dips in the chilly water. You can also go hiking, ziplining or rent kayaks to explore the river, which is something I really wish we had done. After sunset, bonfires are lit along the river, creating a really cozy ambience.
Where to stay
Spend the night at Lumi i Shales.
Villas Gio Shala River – This is where we stayed, and I was positively surprised by how nice it was. They have cozy wooden cabins perched on a hill overlooking the river. Our room was modern, clean and comfortable and had an AC. I also appreciated their clear communication regarding the boat transfer to the hotel.
Te Konaku – This is where I wanted to stay, but it was fully booked, so be smarter than me and book your room well in advance. It’s a traditional stone house right next to the river, with unbelievable views of the water and cliffs from its rooms. It’s in a quiet location but just a 20-min kayak trip from the main area of Lumi i Shales, where the bars and restaurants are.
Day 6: Driving day & Gjirokastër
The sixth day is the longest driving day in this Albania itinerary. Check out of your guesthouse in Lumi i Shalës, take the boat back to Koman, and begin your 5-hour drive to the town of Gjirokastër in Southern Albania.
If you want to split up the long drive, you can stop by either Shkopet Bridge, the medieval town of Krujë or Bovilla Lake. Each of these spots requires a small detour, but you should be able to fit one of them into your schedule. The access road to Bovilla Lake is in very bad condition, though, so I only recommend it if you’re renting a 4×4.
Once you arrive in Gjirokaster, spend the evening wandering around the old town. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to Ottoman-era architecture, winding cobblestone streets and a bustling center (aka the Bazaar) full of restaurants and souvenir shops.
If you’re into castles, you might be able to squeeze in a visit to the 12th-century Castle of Gjirokastra, the most notable attraction in town. Here you can explore military exhibits, old prison cells, an ancient clock tower and a rooftop offering a view of Gjirokaster.
Where to stay
Spend the night in Gjirokaster.
Hotel Kashah – A brand new boutique hotel in the heart of the old town, with shops and restaurants right at your doorstep. Parking is available in a nearby parking garage.
Kerculla Resort – Probably the most luxurious hotel in Gjirokaster. It’s set on top of a hill with a view over the town and is one of the few places in Gjirokaster with a swimming pool.
Day 7: Langarica Canyon & Blue Eye of Sarandë
Start your day by driving to Langarica Canyon, which is about 1.5 hours from Gjirokaster.
This limestone canyon has vertical walls that reach a height of 100 m (330 ft), and it’s possible to hike into the canyon along the riverbed at the bottom of it. You just need some water shoes and good balance since you’ll be walking on uneven rocks and crossing the small river multiple times.
As you continue hiking, the canyon gradually gets narrower and more impressive. You can keep walking for hours into the canyon if you want, but we turned back after about 45 minutes when we felt that we had seen enough.
At the mouth of the canyon, where the hike starts, there are six thermal pools known as Benja Thermal Baths, which are free to visit. The water here is lukewarm and rich in sulfur. It’s the perfect place to relax after your little canyon hike. It gets pretty busy in the summer though since it’s a popular spot among locals.
Next, drive south to the Blue Eye of Saranda, locally known as Syri i Kaltër. This powerful neon blue spring is one of the most famous attractions in Albania, so expect to see crowds. Set in a nature reserve, the spring forms a turquoise river and a lake that you can walk around.
Most people take the tourist train from the parking area to the Blue Eye, snap some photos of the spring and take the train back. However, instead of taking the train, I highly recommend renting a kayak and paddling around the crystal clear lake of the Blue Eye. We felt that kayaking really added to the experience and also allowed us to get away from the crowds.
After visiting the Blue Eye, drive to Himara, a coastal town in the Albanian Riviera, where you’ll be based for the next few days.
Where to stay
Spend the next three nights in Himara (also called Himarë).
Villa Merkuri – A boutique hotel with a view over Himara and the sea. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and their pool area is perfect for watching the sunset.
Saint Nicolas Hotel – This is one of the fanciest (but also priciest) hotels in Himara. It has a convenient location on Himara Beach, just steps away from the beachfront promenade and all the restaurants. There’s a gym, spa, a rooftop bar and a pool.
Day 8: Beaches around Himarë
Today is all about frolicking in the irresistible blue waters of the Albanian Riviera. You can either just plop yourself down on one of the many beaches for a relaxing day or go beach-hopping along the coast.
We visited a bunch of beaches on the Albanian Riviera, and my favorites ended up being Heart Beach, Nemo Beach (both near Porto Palermo) and Aquarium Beach (near Livadhi). I prefer small coves with calm water and a quieter atmosphere rather than large beaches with lots of facilities and loud beach clubs. And these three beaches definitely fit my criteria.
Nemo Beach and Aquarium Beach don’t have sunbeds or parasols, whereas at Heart Beach, these are available for rent.
If you’d like to see a completely wild and secluded beach, then you should head to Filikuri Beach. You can get there by kayak from Potami Beach in about 20 minutes. We also visited the Insta-famous Gjipe Beach, but didn’t enjoy it as much, since it was very crowded and there was nothing particularly special about it.
For dinner, I recommend heading to Fig and Olive. It was the most memorable dining experience of our Albania trip. The food and service were wonderful, and the setting under olive trees with a view of the sea is absolutely stunning, especially during sunset. Be sure to book a table in advance.
Where to stay
Spend another night in Himara.
Day 9: Boat tour along the coast
On day 9, get ready for a boat tour along the coast of the Albanian Riviera and Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park. It ended up being one of my favorite days of our trip, and I’d say it’s a must-do in southern Albania.
We took this 5.5-hour boat tour, which covered the most beautiful beaches and sea caves along the coast, such as Grama Bay, Pigeon’s Cave, Blue Cave and more.
Seeing the Blue Cave was the main reason I wanted to take this tour, and let me tell you, it took my breath away. This hidden sea cave has electric blue water, and the sunlight that hits the seabed creates such an ethereal turquoise glow inside the cave. I’ve never seen a place quite like this before.
The other stops on the tour were also incredible. We swam and snorkeled to our heart’s content in coves with pristine aquamarine water and lay on pebble beaches surrounded by the unspoiled landscapes of the marine park.
You can see the availability and book the boat tour here. There’s also the option to take this private boat tour, which would be a great choice if you’re traveling with a group. Or you can rent a self-drive boat that doesn’t require a skipper’s license and have the freedom to explore the coast at your own pace.
Where to stay
Spend another night in Himara.
Day 10: Kilimani Retreat & drive to Tirana
On the last day of your Albania itinerary, head back to Tirana, which is a 3.5-hour drive from Himara. Depending on when you need to be in Tirana to catch your flight, you might still have half a day to spend by the coast.
If so, I recommend spending it at Kilimani Retreat. It’s a small beach club just outside Himara, and it’s perfect for escaping the crowded beaches. The last stretch of the road leading to Kilimani Retreat is very steep and narrow. Unless you have a 4×4, it’s better to leave your car at this parking lot and walk the rest of the way.
The beach club is located on a secluded rocky cove with clear blue water and has a beautiful whitewashed aesthetic that reminded me of the Greek Islands. Its setting is phenomenal, and the atmosphere is super relaxing. There are sunbeds, a restaurant and showers, so you can freshen up before the long drive.
On your way to Tirana, stop at this roadside viewpoint for an epic view of the city of Vlora, the Karaburun Peninsula and the sea.
Albania itinerary map
To give you a sense of which parts of the country this Albania road trip itinerary covers, I created the map below, where I’ve marked all the stops and hotels I mentioned. Click on the icon in the top left corner of the map for more details. To view this map in the Google Maps app, click on the rectangle icon in the top right corner.
When should you visit Albania?
The best time of the year to visit Albania is from mid-June to October if you want to follow this itinerary. This is because of the hiking trails in the Albanian Alps, which are typically covered by winter snow from late October until mid-June, making them inaccessible in that period.
July and August are the peak summer season, when prices are highest, and crowds are at their thickest. I visited Albania in July, and while the beaches were definitely busy, I still had a wonderful time.
Therefore, if you want to hike, avoid the peak crowds and still have nice weather, the most ideal periods to visit Albania are the second half of June and the month of September.
Have more than 10 days in Albania?
If you can spend more than 10 days in Albania, I recommend adding an extra day or two in the Albanian Alps (either in Lepushe, Theth or both) or by the coast to spend more time on the beaches.
Around Lepushe, some cool spots you might want to add to your itinerary are Bashkimi Canyon and Selca Waterfall with the nearby Selca natural pools. In Theth, you could use the extra time to do the full hike to Valbona and back, hike to Peja Pass (Qafa e Pejës) or to the spectacular Jezerca Lakes (Buni Jezerce).
Another place that I believe is worth a visit is Bovilla Lake near Tirana. We tried to drive there, but the road leading to it was so rough that we had to turn back before actually seeing it. Therefore, unless you’re planning to rent a 4×4, you should join a Bovilla Lake tour from Tirana.
If you want to explore more canyons in Albania, consider visiting Osumi Canyon, Holta Canyon or Nivicë Canyon.
In the very south of Albania, you’ll find the country’s most popular beach destination, Ksamil. It’s a heavily commercialized small town packed with crowds and overpriced beach clubs. If this is your vibe, it might be worth a visit, but we decided to skip it.
The Greek Island of Corfu is also very close to Albania, so you could visit it for a day trip or longer. You can get to Corfu by ferry from Saranda in 30 minutes.
I hope that you found this itinerary helpful and that you’ll enjoy your Albania trip as much as I did! Albania exceeded my expectations, and I’d love to return one day to explore more of its mountains, canyons and beaches.
If you have any questions about traveling in Albania, leave them in the comments, and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Be sure to also read my post on hiking the Vajusha Peak, my favorite hike in Albania.
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