If there’s one nation that has turn out to be fashionable in Europe over the past 5 years, it’s Albania. Many need to discover extra of the world or keep nearer to dwelling, whereas nonetheless experiencing a special tradition and having fun with superb mountains, cities AND seashores. As a result of that is what Albania is, a rustic that has a lot to supply. Although, I’ve already visited again in 2017, I nonetheless imagine that is the last word 2-week Albania journey itinerary. On this journey information, I let you know the place to go, the place to not go, and present some potential options.
Once I visited Albania, the nation was a part of an extended journey to go to many different Balkan nations. You’ll be able to learn all about this in my complete Balkan itinerary: 5 to 6 weeks. Good if you wish to go on an extended highway journey with a automotive or camper van! Nevertheless, additionally doable to do with public transport. When visiting Albania, I might suggest spending 2 to three weeks on this stunning nation.
Journey Route – 2 week Albania itinerary
1. Shkodra (1 night time)
2. Lake Koman and keep in Valbona (1 night time)
3. Hike to Theth and keep in Theth (1 night time)
4. Shkodra (1 night time)
5. Tirana (3 nights)
6. Berat (2 nights)
7. Albanian Riviera (4 nights)
Different route: Add Gjirokaster to your itinerary if in case you have a automotive out there. You’ll be able to simply cross in your method from Tirana to Berat. Additionally, the Blue Eye is a well-liked place to go to in case you are staying in a spot on the Riviera extra south.
Extra insights on the Albanian Riviera: Albania has been more and more fashionable over the past years. Locations like Ksamil have been hidden, however have turn out to be bigger and extra huge seaside places. Vlorë, Himarë, Saranda and Ksamil are a few of the hottest seaside places. Additionally go to for instance Palasë Seashore or Gjipe Seashore. For those who keep in Durres, one other seaside vacation spot, you may also do a day trip to Bovilla Lake and Gamti Mountain.
Go to the Albanian Alps: A 5-day journey in Northern Albania
|| Shkodra to organize on your journey within the Albanian mountains
1 night time
As we have been arriving from Montenegro, we took a minibus from Kotor to Shkodra. There are additionally busses from Tirana, in case you’re coming from Albania’s capital.
Shkodra is the proper place to start out a 4-night / 5-day spherical journey to go to the Albanian Alps. The tales we heard about Shkodra have been removed from optimistic and I wasn’t wanting ahead to ‘having’ to spend 2 nights right here, solely due to a day hike. Nevertheless, I used to be positively shocked!
When in Shkodra, we had dinner in restaurant Elita, one of many ‘most costly’ eating places in Shkodra, nevertheless it provides good high quality for an honest value. For pizza, we beloved Fontana, the place you may also take pleasure in a drink on the terrace. For an additional drink or chunk, I like to recommend Rasputin Bistro.
Keep at Rose Garden Hotel (~€90) or Hotel Kaduku (€75). TIP: Guide the identical lodge in your final day in Shkoder to have the ability to depart stuff you aren’t bringing on the hike.
You’ll be able to take a bus from Tirana to Shkoder, which can value ~€15 per particular person.
|| Take the ferry throughout Lake Koman to Valbona
1 day
I used to be wanting ahead to this boat experience in direction of Fierza and therewith Valbona. We booked our transport at a small reserving workplace in Shkodra (Vacationer Data at North of Albania Journey – you could find the journey here), which organized a choose up within the morning to reach on the ferry on time, a ferry ticket and transport from the Fierza to Valbona. Learn every thing you could find out about this ferry experience in my Lake Koman Travel Guide. Upon arrival, it’s time to calm down, learn a e-book and put together for an early begin and superb hike the following day.
We stayed at Hotel Rilindja (€35), probably the most fashionable locations in Valbona. Alternatively, you’ll be able to keep at Villas Jezerca (€75). Now in 2025, there are fairly some locations to remain out there in Valbona.
|| Hike from Valbona to Theth
1 night time in Theth
It’s time for one of many key highlights of my journey to Albania: the day hike from Valbona to Theth. Even in case you are not a core hiker, this hike is hard however doable. You can be rewarded with superb views over the Albanian Alps and it’s a nice expertise to hike on this stunning nation. Whenever you arrive in Theth, one can find the well-known church and it’s time to calm down! Because the hike was one among my key highlights when visiting Albania, it deserved a seperate mountain climbing information with all data you would possibly want! Try the full Valbona to Theth day hike.
We stayed at Bujtina Polia in Theth (which simply opened again within the days). These days, there are many lodging in Theth out there corresponding to Bujtina Therthorja, Molla Guest House and Guest House Flodisa.
|| Again to Shkodra
1 night time
The subsequent day, we requested a minibus again to Shkodra. To not stress and transfer on too rapidly to a brand new location, we stayed one other night time on the identical lodge, additionally as a result of this gave us the prospect to go away every thing we didn’t want for these 2 nights – and due to this fact hiked with a lighter backpack.
Not too long ago, the highway from Theth to Shkodra has been developed and therewith, the journey has turn out to be so much simpler!
Tirana and Berat: Discover some Albanian cities
|| Discover Albania’s capital Tirana
3 nights
The capital of Albania, a capital with loads of historical past. Naturally, Tirana can’t miss an Albanian Journey Itinerary. Simply a few fast ideas: Stroll to Skanderbeg Sq., go to BunkArt, don’t miss the pyramid and uncover one of the best neighbourhood Blloku. If you wish to learn extra about one of the best experiences in Tirana, check out my Tirana guide!
Have lunch at Salt Restaurant and a drink at Radio Bar, simply to call some highlights. Do you know there aren’t any McDonalds in Albania, however they’ve their different known as Kolonat?
Keep at Vila Jasmine (€50), Rooftop Tirana(€60), or Garden Boutique B&B
or take a look at motels in Tirana
|| Town of a thousand home windows: Berat (2 nights)
2 nights or 1 night time + 1 night time in Gjirokaster
Town of a thousand home windows and a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. It wasn’t my favorite place in Albania, though the view of the town is nice. To me, 1 night time would have been sufficient, as there’s not a lot to do within the metropolis itself. We stayed on the citadel, which is a superb expertise, though it’s a little bit of a slippery stroll to the town centre.
We stayed at KRIS Guesthouse (€60) on the citadel. Alternatively, you’ll be able to keep at Hotel Gorica (~€35) or Hani i Xheblatit (€70).
Seashore and chill time on the Albanian Riviera
|| Saranda, Vlore or Himarë
4 nights
Mountains, cities and… seashores! Lastly, this Albanian journey itinerary brings you to the Albanian Riviera, getting extra fashionable over the previous few years. We selected Saranda, as we didn’t need to transfer an excessive amount of and have a while on the seaside. We visited the seaside of Ksamil (and luxuriate in your lunch at Korali). In Saranda, our favorite locations for a drink have been Limani, Bar Lerbi and Boulevard 40.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to resolve to go to another place on the coast throughout or after journey. Vlorë, Himarë and Saranda are the principle hubs, all with smaller seashores close by corresponding to Ksamil which is near Sarande. Different ‘hidden’ seashores are for instance Palasë Seashore or Gjipe Seashore. If you want to mix the seaside with extra nature, you’ll be able to keep in Durres and embrace a day trip to Bovilla Lake and Gamti Mountain.
Try one of the best locations to remain in Sarandë, Vlorë or Himare.
From Vlorë you may also e-book a boat tour to a cave and the hidden beach Karaburun Peninsula.
Our Albania Itinerary learnings
Albanian Riviera
Gjirokastro
One other fashionable touristic place in Albania is Gjirokastro, as we didn’t have an excessive amount of time, we select Berat over Gjirokastro, however this may very well be a superb addition to your final 2-week Albania Journey Itinerary.
WHY THIS ITINERARY?
The one factor, that was sure for our Albanian journey itinerary was the hike from Valbona to Theth. To do that, you’re type of compelled to additionally take the Lake Koman ferry, which was one of many highlights.
We selected Saranda over different seaside locations as it’s the largest spot, we didn’t really feel like shifting too typically but additionally needed to keep away from being bored spending 4 days on the seaside, so we wanted eating places and bars.
Learn all about Albania
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30 Could 2020
Learn Extra about Albania right here
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30 Could 2020
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9 August 2021
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17 March 2019
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