arrow_back

8 Day itinerary in Albania, Europe

The North of Albania

Albania is undoubtedly the most unknown jewel of the Adriatic. Today's visitors are pioneers because tourism is still relatively confidential. Located on strategic routes connecting the West and the East, Albania has been since ancient times the heart of the greed of the great Mediterranean powers w... Read More

1 / 13
All Photos
Alan

By Alan

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Tirana

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Outdoors & Nature

Food & Drink

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Visit the Kunë-Vain-Tale Lagoon, one of the largest lagoons in Albania

2

Take the road in a 4X4 and then a hike to the "Blue Eye" - incredible natural source of water

3

Explore the beautiful Koman Lake by boat

4

Experience a cooking class with a Shkodra family

Itinerary

Mid-Range Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Tirana Airport Transfer

Meet our guide upon your arrival at Tirana International Airport and Leave for the Albanian capital – Tirana, a city in constant evolution. Formerly dull and grey, the city has experienced an international boom post-communism, becoming a lively metropolis, colourful and very lively thanks to its unique atmosphere. Fascinating, Tirana represents both the past and the future of Albania. Welcoming drink and dinner in a gastronomic restaurant (not included.) Overnight in Tirana.

Guide: Included for the day

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel HERMES Tirana
Day 2

place Tirana Sightseeing Tour, Kunë-Vain-Tale Lagoon and transfer to Lezhe

After breakfast, start the sightseeing tour of Tirana. Visit Skanderbeg Square, Et'hem Bey Mosque (1824), Clock Tower (1822), and government buildings. Leave toward the Kunë-Vain-Tale Lagoon, one of the largest lagoons in Albania with a large bird population. Embark on a boat for a ride through the lagoon where you will try your hand at traditional Albanian fishing using a net. Then move on to a lunch in the lagoon. Reach the town of Lezhe, rich in ancient history for being one of the main centres of the Illyrian kingdom during the 4th century BC. Visit the Lezhe Fortress dating from the 6th century BC and the Skanderbeg Mausoleum. Compared to Alexander the Great, Skanderbeg is a true hero in the Balkans for resisting the invasion of the Ottoman Empire. For the night you will join a resident of Lezhe responsible for the lagoon to talk about the challenges he faces every day in protecting this natural environment.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Local house
Day 3

place Meet a potter craftsman in Lezhe and transfer to Shkodra

After breakfast, you will join a shop in Lezhe to meet a potter craftsman. Learn about the craftsmanship of Albanian architectural pottery and try yourself at this work. For lunch, you will drive to Albania's most famous restaurant "Mrizi i Zanave". Lost in the middle of a postcard landscape, you will enjoy a meal in an ecological restaurant where all the products consumed come from the restaurant and the local families located nearby. Visit to the farm and the cheese factory located in a former communist prison. Continue on to Shkodra, the largest city in northern Albania and the former cultural and economic centre of the country which has witnessed many acts of war in view of its situation. Before arriving in town, visit the fortress of Shkodra where a major siege took place during the various wars in the Balkans. Then stroll through the alleys of Shkodra and discover a unique architecture in Albania. Visit a Venetian mask factory to discover an Albanian mask production exported to the United States but also to Venice. Return to Shkodra in the afternoon and join the guest house of an Albanian family growing their own produce and talk to them about their way of life in Albania.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Florian Shkodra Guest House
Day 4

place Boat Tour on the Komani Lake

After breakfast, departure early in the morning for a day of exploration in one of the wonders of Albania, the Komani Lake, artificially created in 1979 with the construction of a hydroelectric dam which was called the era "The Light of the Party" and which unites the rivers Shala and Valbona. Lake Komani is considered one of the most beautiful attractions in Albania and the Balkans. Embark on a boat on Komani Lake and travel through mountain landscapes that reach heights of 1000 to 1500 meters and enjoy this wonderful boat ride to reach "Peace Island". Cruise on small boat through the crystal-clear waters of the rivers, enjoying the fresh, clean air, and then visit the nearby cave. Traditional lunch in a guest house then free time to relax, go for a walk or simply enjoy this postcard landscape. Return to Shkodra in the afternoon then return to your guest house. You will visit the family gardens where many fruits and vegetables are grown, thanks to which they have been making their traditional wines for many generations. Then move on to a cooking class to try your hand at traditional Albanian dishes. Dinner with tasting of family-produced wines. Overnight in Shkodra.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Florian Shkodra Guest House
Day 5

place Transfer to Theth and hike to The Blue Eye

After breakfast, depart early in the morning for one of Albania's most beautiful villages - Theth, a traditional village filled with history set in the heart of a valley and surrounded by the Albanian Alps. Join your charming guest house and enjoy a meal mainly made up of local products (cheeses, meats, vegetables). Take the road in a 4X4 for the hour-long drive, then a hike to the "Blue Eye". Incredible natural source of water and a heavenly place where you can rest and bathe in clear, limpid water. Return to Theth and visit of the village and free time.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Villa Gjeçaj Folk & Design
Day 6

place Explore Lake Skadar and join an eco-camp in Rubik

After breakfast, depart for Shkodra and reach Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans separated between Albania and Montenegro. You meet a local inhabitant living alone by the fishing lake to taste the trout from Lake Skadar in an authentic and sublime place (subject to availability). Free time to relax on the pebble beach or to swim. Then set off for another part of rural Albania inland. Join an eco-camp located in Rubik on the heights of a magnificent valley for a unique experience with your host. Drop off your luggage in your bungalows and go for a walk in an unspoiled and relaxing nature, snorkeling with your host to discover the life of the inhabitants of the region. You will visit the 12th century Roman Catholic Church of Rubik with well-preserved frescoes.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Baven-Toven Naturae
Day 7

place Excursion to Cap of Rodon, Skanderbeg Castle and transfer to Kruje

After breakfast, go on an excursion to Cap of Rodon. Located on the Adriatic Sea, enjoy a magnificent ride on the largest cape of Albania. Discover many bunkers built during communism and Skanderbeg Castle on a walk of about 45 to 60 minutes (easy walk). Possibility of having lunch in front of the sea in a small fisherman's restaurant (subject to availability). Continue on to Kruje and drop off your luggage at your hotel. Visit one of the oldest European cities. Visit of the city with its old bazaar and the medieval fortress of Skanderbeg. You will have the opportunity to discover a local craftsman making traditional Albanian "pleats" hat. Take advantage of the evening to relax in the swimming pool located on the roof of your hotel and offering a magnificent view of the region. For dinner (not included), you will join an eco-farm where most of the products are produced on site.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Panorama Kruje
Day 8

place Tirana Airport Transfer

After breakfast, you will have free time until your transfer to the airport for your next flight.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Hotel HERMES Tirana
  • Local house
  • Florian Shkodra Guest House
  • Villa Gjeçaj Folk & Design
  • Baven-Toven Naturae
  • Hotel Panorama Kruje

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (7)
  • Lunch (6)
  • Dinner (1)

Transport expand_less

  • Airport Transfers
  • Transportation by bus during the trip

Activities expand_less

  • Meeting with local artisans
  • Boat trip and discovery of traditional fishing in the Kunë-Tain-Vale lagoon
  • Day of exploration by boat in Koman Lake
  • Cooking class with a Shkodra family
  • Wine tasting in Shkodra
  • 4x4 excursion to The Blue Eye
  • All activities mentioned in the program

Extras expand_less

  • Entrance fees to the monuments

Not Included expand_less

  • Drinks
  • Tips
  • Insurance
  • Flights
  • All additional expenses not mentioned in the program
  • Full board (dinners)

About Alan

TEAM LEAD

verified Baboo Certified

Travelling in the Balkans for the first time 7 years ago, I fall in love with this unkwown region. Studying tourism and travelling a lot in my life created in me the desire to show people hidden and beautiful places of the world.

Travel that Makes a Difference

By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.

Let’s regenerate the planet together

We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.

Learn more
FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$1,091.00 USD