2 Week Albania Itinerary: Best Places to Visit in Albania

Are you thinking about visiting Albania on your next trip but don’t have a clue where to start your planning? If so, we’ve put together a 2 week Albania itinerary which will allow you to see the best of the country from its majestic mountains to its finest beaches. You’ll be travelling to some of the most picture perfect cities and towns and will be falling in love with the Albanian hospitability and cuisine.

If this sounds like what you want out of your trip to Albania, then keep on reading our itinerary which is filled with links to detailed blog posts from every single destination we mention below. We all have different interests, so you’ll see plenty of tips about whether to make your stay at a particular location either shorter or longer and we’ll also suggest additional places you can consider adding to your final itinerary.

Introducing Albania

Without going into too much detail, we’ve collected some interesting facts and information about the country:

• Albania shares land borders with Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Its capital city is Tirana.
• The country was under Ottoman rule, and declared independence in 1912. Later, it was under Italian rule, then communism, Russian, and Chinese rule before they achieved independence in 1991.
• There are more than 750,000 bunkers across Albania. They were built under Enver Hoxha, Albania’s communist dictator, in case of a nuclear invasion. Many of them now operate as museums.
• Under communist rule, religion was banned in Albania which made the country the first atheist one in the world. That has now changed and the country is a self-proclaimed secular state that allows freedom of religion.
• Albania is a member of NATO, but it is not a member of the EU. Although, the Euro is widely accepted as a method of payment.
• Albanians end their day with a xhiro which is essentially a sunset walk after dinner. We loved seeing people out and about chatting with each other.
• Apparently locals will shake their heads when they mean yes, and nod when they mean no. We tried to follow this but got very confused at times.
• Albania is home to Europe’s oldest lake, Ohrid, which has many fossils at the bottom. Their biggest lake is Lake Shkodra, although only about one-third of it is in Albania.
• Most of the country is mountainous terrain, so it’s a paradise for outdoor lovers like us. However, it has just as many stunning beaches along its coastline.

How to Visit Albania in 2 Weeks

By Plane – Tirana International Airport offers direct flights between many major European cities and a few countries in the Middle East. The airport is the largest and busiest airport in Albania. Once you’ve arrived, you can get to the city centre by a local shuttle bus, taxi or hire car.

If you choose public transport then you can hop onto the Rinas Express shuttle bus at the airport. It runs every hour between 8AM and 11PM and costs around 300 Lek (2.60EUR). The bus will then drop you off in the city centre.

By Bus – If for some reason you can’t reach Tirana through a direct flight, or you’re visiting from other European countries, then you can take a bus to Tirana or other cities such as Shkoder and Saranda.

There are regular direct Flixbus services from nearby countries such as Croatia (Dubrovnik), Montenegro (Podgorica, Budva, Kotor) and North Macedonia (Skopje, Ohrid). So, it’s worth checking if you can fly direct to any of these places and then taking the bus to Albania.

If you’re arriving to Tirana, the bus will drop you off at the International Bus Station, where you can take a short taxi ride to the centre or even walk if you’re staying close by.

Albania Travel Guide – Read This Before Your Visit

Check out our detailed blog post below before you start planning your 2 week Albania itinerary. The post answers common questions regarding safety, cost, what to eat and how to travel across the country.

2 Week Albania Itinerary: Best Places to Visit

For reference we started our 2 week Albania itinerary from Shkoder in the north of Albania since we were coming from Kotor, Montenegro. Of course, you can tailor this itinerary to suit your travel plans and can easily start touring around the country from its capital city Tirana.

It’s also worth noting that we personally prefer outdoor activities such as hiking instead of beach getaways. Therefore, the below itinerary includes more days spent in the majestic Accursed Mountains, aka the Albanian Alps, than on the Albanian Riviera.

Throughout the post we’ll give you tips on where you can make the itinerary shorter or longer if you wish, so you can easily customise your own Albania itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive to Shkoder

Shkoder (Shkodër in Albanian) is the fifth largest city in Albania and is located right at the border with Montenegro. There are regular direct Flixbus services from Kotor, Montenegro to Shkoder. Kotor might have more direct flight options than Shkoder depending on where you’re coming from.

The city is a great starting off point if you wish to complete a few hikes in the Accursed Mountains. Shkoder is filled with restaurants and cafes and also offers a great range of accommodations.

Best Things to Do in Shkoder

If you have a bit more time, you can definitely spend at least one full day in the city. However, even if you’re just spending an afternoon or evening there, make sure to have a wander around the city as there are a few things you can do.

• Visit Rozafa Castle. The No.1 tourist attraction in Shkoder is the 14th century castle that, according to legend, was built by three brothers. It’s a good half an hour walk uphill from the centre, but will give you some pretty amazing views of the surrounding area.
• Wander around Shkoder’s Centre. Walking through Rruga Kolë Idromeno, which is the main pedestrian street in Shkoder, is a great way to get a feel for the city. It is lined with cafes, restaurants, the Ebu Beker Mosque and a few museums.
• Visit a museum. If you enjoy museums, you can consider visiting the Shkoder Historical Museum, Marubi National Museum of Photography or the Site of Witness and Memory museums.
• Shkoder Lake. If you like water activities, then head to Shkoder Lake. Only one third of this massive lake is in Albania while the rest is in Montenegro. You can go on a boat trip, rent a kayak or just enjoy the scenery.

Day 2: Travel to Valbona in the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps)

Wake up at the crack of dawn the next day and head to the small mountain town of Valbona (Valbonë). It is located about 200km north-east of Shkoder and you can either drive or take a van – ferry – van combo. We recommend opting for the latter, as driving would take at least 5-6 hours.

This is definitely going to be a long travel day, but it’ll also be one of the most scenic. A minivan will pick you up around 6:30AM and will drive about 1.5 hours to Komani Ferry Port. From there, you’ll board a ferry around 9AM which will cruise you along the Drin River for about 2.5 hours. The route will be very calm and scenic, so definitely have your camera ready. Around 11:30AM you’ll disembark at Fierza Ferry Stop. From there another minivan will drive you an hour or so to your accommodation in Valbona.

Luckily most hotels or hostels will help you to arrange this transfer. The two van rides cost 800 LEK (7 EUR) each and the ferry ride is 1000 LEK (8.75 EUR).

Once you’re in Valbona, you can just enjoy the insane scenery and lovely home-made food prepared by your guesthouse’s host.

Day 3: Complete the Valbona Pass Hike (Valbona to Theth)

On your third day of your 2 week Albania itinerary you can hike across the Valbona Pass in Valbona Valley National Park in the Albanian Alps.

The Accursed Mountains, or Albanian Alps, stretch more than 60 km (40 mi) across northern Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. They are the southernmost part of the Dinaric Alps. Although there are many different hikes you can complete in the mountains, the most popular one is definitely the Valbona Pass trail. The highest point is located at 1,795 m (5,889 ft) and this 12 to 15 km (7.5 – 9 miles) point to point trail is the only way to get from Valbona to Theth.

The route could take you between 7 to 10 hours to complete. It is known to be a moderate hike and requires some level of fitness to complete. You should arrive to the small mountain village of Theth around mid to late afternoon ready to relax and take in the beauty of Theth.

Day 4: Explore the Small Mountain Village of Theth

After hiking the Valbona Pass, spend the next day exploring the picture perfect village of Theth (or Thethi). It is located deep in the heart of the Albanian Alps in Theth National Park.

People migrated to Theth about 350 years ago in order to avoid conversion to Islam. After 1890, the village became a bigger tourist attraction. However, during the communist era, the village struggled to sustain itself from tourism. In 2011, the village became part of the Peaks of the Balkan Project which works to make parts of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro a destination for mountain tourism. This of course has been attracting people from all over the world.

Best Things to Do in Theth

Despite being small, there are a surprising amount of things you can do in the village.

• Visit the Church of Theth. The most recognisable building in Theth was built in 1892. Later it operated as an Albanian language school and during the communist era it was used as a hospital.
• Hike to the Blue Eye of Theth. Many people come to Theth to visit its famous Blue Eye. It is a very deep spring water pool in a karst formation. You can reach it from Theth on foot if you follow this route. Alternatively, if you have a hire car, then you can just drive most of the way to this car park.
• Hike to Grunas Waterfall (Theth Waterfall). Another great hike you can do whilst in Theth is to Grunas Waterfall. It takes less than an hour to reach the waterfall from the village by following this route. The waterfall has a drop of 28m (82 ft) and a pool in front of it where you can cool off.
• Find the narrowest part of Grunas Canyon. It is a 2 km long, 60 m deep canyon and its width can be as wide as 30-40m and as narrow as just 2-3m. The narrowest part is located about here on the map.
• Visit the Blood Feud Tower. This 400 year old stone tower is one of the few remaining ‘lock-in towers’ in Albania. These lock-in towers were used to protect and defend killers from blood feuds, while other members of the family tried to find an alternative solution.

Day 5: Travel to Tirana via Shkoder

Your 2 week Albania itinerary must include a visit to its capital city, Tirana. So, on your fifth day, you can make your way from Theth to Tirana. Hop on your pre-arranged minivan ride leaving the mountain village around late morning. This ride should get you to Shkoder by early afternoon and should cost you around 15 Euros.

Once in Shkoder, collect your extra luggage (if you had any) and either head to the bus stop located around here or jump in your hire car and drive to Tirana following the SH1. There’s a bus to Tirana about every 30 minutes, so don’t worry if you miss one. Just note that the last bus departs at 17:45ish. You can check the bus timetable here. The journey should take around 1 hour and 45 minutes and cost 400 Lek (3.50 EUR).

Day 6 & Day 7: Explore Tirana, the Capital City of Albania

You can spend the next two full days of your 2 week Albania itinerary in Tirana.

The 400 year old city was founded in 1614 by Sulejman Pashe Bargjini. Whilst Tirana’s population has grown over the years, it wasn’t an important city until it became Albania’s temporary capital in 1920. A few years later this status became permanent. Under King Zog I, Italian architects were employed to re-plan the city. During the Second World War the city quickly became a centre of anti-fascist resistance. In 1941 the Communist Party of Albania was established. Tirana was liberated in 1944.

After this Tirana was influenced by the Soviet Union, which had an impact on Tirana’s appearance as the city adopted a Stalinist style of architecture until the early 1990s.

Best Things to Do in Tirana

The list of things to do in Tirana is pretty long, so we’ll just include the absolute highlights below. If you want to see a more detailed list then check out our Tirana blog post.

• Skanderbeg Square. Located at the centre of the city, a stroll around this huge square will give you a chance to see many of Tirana’s important buildings. You’ll see the National History Museum, the Palace of Culture, the Skanderbeg Monument, the Theatre of Opera and Ballet, the National Library, the Bank of Albania, the Clock Tower and the Et’hem Bey Mosque.
• Bunk’Art 1 and 2. These two bunkers are but a few of the thousands of bunkers built across Albania under the rule of the communist dictator Enver Hoxha. They now operate as museums where you can gain a deeper understanding of Albania’s past.
• House of Leaves. Another must visit museum in Tirana is the National Museum of Secret Surveillance. It commemorates everything that Albanian citizens went through during the communist regime.
• Ride the Dajti Ekspres. This cable car will take you on a 15-minute scenic ride all the way to the top of Dajti Mountain. Apparently, at 4.7km it is also the longest cableway in the Balkans.
• Grand Park. This 230 hectare park has a large artificial lake, walking and running paths and a few nice lakeside cafes. Perfect if you want a bit of peace and quiet after the city noise.

Day 8 & Day 9: Travel to Berat, ‘the City of a Thousand Windows’

After spending two full days in Tirana, it’s time to head to your next destination, Berat. The city is located on the banks of the Osum River on the slopes of the Tomorri Mountain in the south of Albania.

You can easily get to Berat by hire car or by public buses leaving regularly from Tirana’s South and North Bus Terminals. A one way bus ticket costs 500 LEK (4.50 EUR) and the journey is about 2 hours long.

Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the best examples of Ottoman architecture in Albania. Berat is also known as the ‘city of a thousand windows’ due to the large number of windows on the well-preserved white stone houses.

Its historic centre is divided into three neighbourhoods, with both Mangalem and Gorica filled with narrow, cobbled stone streets and white stoned houses, and the Castle district, which is packed with history and stunning views. Many of Berat’s residents actually live inside the castle walls.

Best Things to See in Berat

We’ve collected the highlights of Berat below. If you want to see a more detailed list then check out our Berat blog post. Don’t forget to check out some great tours in Berat.

• Berat Castle;
• Historic Mosques of Berat;
• Churches of Berat;
• Mangalem Neighbourhood;
• Gorica Bridge;
• Gorica neighbourhood;
• Ethnographic Museum of Berat;
• Onufri Iconography Museum;
• Bulevardi Republika.

Day 10 & Day 11: Travel to Gjirokaster, Albania’s ‘Stone City’

The next place you should visit in Albania is Gjirokaster. Just like Berat, Gjirokaster’s old town is also an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a great example of Ottoman architecture. Albania’s ‘Stone City’ gets its name as a result of its building style.

Whilst you might think that they must be very similar, in reality they are quite different to one another. Unless you’re in a rush, both should be on your 2 week Albania itinerary.

You can reach Gjirokaster by hire car or by bus departing from Berat’s main bus terminal. You can check the bus timetables here. Tickets cost 1000 LEK (9 EUR), and the journey takes between 3 – 3.5 hours.

Best Things to Do in Gjirokaster

The below list shows you the top things to do and see in Gjirokaster. For a more detailed post, make sure to check out our Gjirokaster guide. Make sure to check out some cool tour options in Gjirokaster as well.

• Gjirokaster Castle and Museum;
• Gjirokaster Bazaar and Bazaar Mosque;
• Cold War Tunnel
• Ali Pasha’s Bridge;
• Zekate and Skenduli Traditional Houses
• Ethnographic Museum.

Day 12 & Day 13: Enjoy the Albanian Riviera in Himare

If you’re visiting Albania, you must spend some time on the stunning Albanian Riviera. Stretching from Vlore (Vlorë) all the way to Ksamil, the Albanian coast is just as stunning as any of the beaches in Greece or other Mediterranean countries. 

Himare (Himarë) is a great place to be based due to its close proximity to other popular cities like Sarande and Ksamil, but it has a bit more of a laid-back vibe to it.

You can reach Himare by hire car or by bus from Gjirokaster. First you’ll have to take a minivan to Saranda, then jump on another minivan to Himare from there. You can check the bus timetables here. Tickets from Gjirokaster to Saranda cost 400 LEK (3.50 EUR), and the journey takes around an hour or so. From Saranda there are 2 minivans going to Himare every day. One leaves around 11:30AM and the other one is around 2PM. Tickets cost approximately 700 LEK (6 EUR), and the journey takes about an hour.

Best Things to Do in the Albanian Riviera

We’ve collected the highlights of the Albanian Riviera below. If you want to see more then check out our Himare blog post.

• Explore Himare Castle and Old Town;
• Relax on the beaches of Himare;
• Enjoy the local cuisine and fresh seafood;
• Visit Porto Palermo;
• Take a day trip to the Blue Eye;
• Explore the village of Dhermi;
• Enjoy the beaches in Ksamil;
• Visit Butrint National Park.

Day 14: Travel Back to Tirana (End of Your 2 Week Albania Itinerary)

Depending on where you’re headed next, you might need to travel back to Tirana to reach your onward destination.

There’s only about two direct buses from Himare to Tirana each day departing at 11AM and 14:55PM. Note that the journey takes over 4 hours. In case you need to be at the airport or International Bus Station earlier, we suggest leaving the Albanian Riviera the day before and spending an extra night in Tirana.

Final Thoughts on 2 Week Albania Itinerary

We absolutely fell in love with Albania during our stay. Two weeks is a good amount of time to see most of the country. Of course we could’ve spent double the amount of time there to complete a few more hikes and also visit more towns and villages.

Have you ever been to Albania before? How long did you go for? How much of the country did you manage to explore? Let me know in the comments below.