Planning on visiting Albania? Well, you’re at the right place.
In this blog post, we’ll share a 14-day itinerary to consider before travelling to this beautiful country. Let’s get started!
Day 1-2: Tirana – Your Journey Begins!
Current Stay Plan: Maritime Hotel Plaza Tirana – Centrally located, luxurious, and filled to the brim with amenities.
Places To Visit
Now that your journey has started, it’s time to hit the road! Get your water, bottle your playlist, and your friends ready! The 4 main places we suggest you visit are:
- Skanderbeg Square: Kick off your trip by visiting the main square, which is usually crowded and always filled with good vibes,
- Bunk’ Art 1 and 2: Explore Albania’s communist past inside these highly interesting bunker-turned-museums.
- Dajti Ekspres: A cable car ride that takes you directly to Dajti Mountain, right in the heart of nature.
- Grand Park: The perfect location for an afternoon stroll and relaxing after a long day. Take your kids for a walk around its centrepiece – the artificial lake of Tirana.
Restaurants To Try
Now that we have the main attractions for our trip down, we need to talk food in Tirana. Here are some of the restaurants you want to try when in Tirana.
- Mullixhiu: An exquisite farm-to-table Albanian cuisine featuring a modern twist and a chic menu. Don’t miss out on their fërgesë, which is a traditional Albanian dish,
- Era: A very classic, local Albanian place offering authentic Albanian dishes loved by tourists and locals alike.
- Salt: Try fusion food with Mediterranean influences – perfect for when you want that little change in taste.
Need more options? Check out these 20 top-rated restaurants in Tirana.
Day 3: Kruja – Albania’s Heroic City
Current Stay Plan: Kruja Hotel Panorama – An excellent hotel with fantastic views.
Places To Visit
Kruja is a lovely city that you’ll love. It’s located near Tirana, so it makes a good destination to visit within a day. Here’s what to visit in the destination:
- Kruja Castle: Learn about Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg, and learn how he fought in his battle against the Ottoman Empire.
- Old Bazaar: You can shop for local handicrafts, or just walk around the cobbled streets in the area.
- Ethnographic Museum: Present inside a gorgeous vintage Ottoman house, it provides information about Albanian traditions.
Restaurants To Try
More food? Always more food! For day 3, I would suggest you take it easy and try some simple home-cooked dishes.
- Bar Restaurant Alba: Partake in traditional Albanian food with panoramic and picturesque views over the valley.
Here’s a detailed itinerary on how to spend a day in Kruja.
Day 4-5: Shkodra – The City of Culture
Current Stay Plan: Hotel Tradita – A mix of modern comfort and traditional architecture.
Places To Visit
Our next stop on our 14-day trip is Shkodra or Shkodër. The city has been populated since the Early Bronze Age and has approximately 2,200 years of recorded history. A truly profound city. We will mainly explore tourist attractions like Shkodra Lake, Rozafa Castle, and the Marubi National Museum of Photography.
- Rozafa Castle: Explore the Rozafa Castle and take stunning photos with the Shkodra Lake nearby.
- Shkodra Lake: Take a boat across this lake, or simply have a comforting picnic by it.
- Marubi National Museum of Photography: Dive into Albania’s history through the lens of one of the oldest photography collections.
Restaurants To Try
Here are our 2 restaurant suggestions when in Shkodër.
- Arti Zanave: Delicious traditional foods, featuring several vegan and vegetarian options.
- Vila Bekteshi: Delight in authentic Shkodran cuisine with a comforting, historic atmosphere.
Day 6-7: The UNESCO Marvels of Berat
Current Stay Plan: Hotel Mangalemi – A charming boutique hotel offering a cosy, guest-house feel.
Places To Visit
Berat is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also known as the city of a thousand windows. Here are the places to visit there:
- Berat Castle: A hilltop fortress providing spectacular views over the city.
- Osumi Canyon: Perfect for nature lovers.
- Onufri Iconographic Museum: Located inside a beautiful, retro church displaying Byzantine art.
Restaurants To Try
- Castle Park: A restaurant serving farm-fresh Albanian dishes.
- Antigoni: A picturesque view over the river and Albanian cuisine.
Day 8-9: Gjirokastër – The Stone City
Current Stay Plan: Hotel Gjirokastra – A budget-friendly, traditional stone hotel with sweeping views of the town.
Places To Visit
Gjirokastër, or Gjirokastra, is a city in southern Albania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As a tourist, visit these places:
- Gjirokastër Castle: One of the largest and oldest castles in the Balkans, with a preserved museum inside.
- Skenduli House: Step into an authentic Ottoman-era home.
- Ismail Kadare’s House: Historical place museum in Gjirokastër
Here’s a more detailed itinerary of what to do in Gjirokastër.
Restaurants To Try
- Taverna Kuka: Known mostly for its yummy cuisine and warm atmosphere.
- Kujtimi: A local favourite that serves hearty traditional dishes such as Qifqi.
Day 10: Blue Eye Spring – Sauron’s Eye
Current Stay Plan: Hotel Bougainville Bay, Saranda – A modern hotel with beautiful views.
Places To Visit
- Butrint National Park: An archaeological treasure trove, home to ancient Roman, Greek, and Byzantine ruins.
- Syri I Kaltër: A natural spring that glows with seemingly artificial shades of blue, but it’s all real.
Restaurants To Try
- Taverna Fish Filipi: Known for its fresh seafood, right on your plate.
- Guvat: Exquisite Mediterranean flavours with a stunning view of the Ionian Sea.
Day 11-12: Ksamil and Albanian Riviera
Current Stay Plan: Hotel Livia, Ksamil – Located right near Ksamil’s infamous beaches.
Places To Visit
- Llogora Pass: While finding things to do in Saranda, take a scenic drive through the mountain pass.
- Porto Palermo Castle: A hidden gem along the Riviera, right by the sea.
- Ksamil Beaches: Spend the day hopping Ksamil’s idyllic islands or sunbathing.
Restaurants To Try
- Taverna Ksamil: Mediterranean and Albanian dishes that capture beachside views.
- Afrimi Ksamil: Infamous for its grilled seafood dishes.
Day 13-14: Vlora – The City Of Independence
Current Stay Plan: Regina City Hotel, Vlora – Modern, right by the sea, offers great service.
Places To Visit
- Zvernec Monastery: Present on a tiny island in Narta Lagoon, providing a peaceful retreat.
- Independence Monument: You can learn about Albania’s declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire.
- Karaburun Peninsula: Perfect for the adventurer in you, take a boat trip to this peninsula and go snorkelling!
Restaurants To Try
- Restaurant Joni: Known for its budget-friendly price point, fresh seafood, and friendly atmosphere.
- Piazza: Serves great Mediterranean dishes in a chic, stylish setting.
Useful Travel Tips To Make Your Visit Worthwhile
Before picking up your luggage and travelling to Albania, keep in mind these travel tips:
- Transportation: Got no car? No worries! You can always use a local taxi to get around (many taxi brands are operating in Albania)>
- Currency: The Albanian Lek is the most popular. However, euros work too.
- Language: Most people speak Albanian, English and Italian.
- Book Ahead: Popular restaurants and coastal resorts get booked fast. Avoid this by booking ahead.
- Beware of Pickpocketing: While Albania is a safe country, beware of pickpocketers.
Conclusion
As you wrap up your 14-day journey throughout Albania’s beautiful cities, it’s clear this Balkan gem offers an experience like no other. Whether you want to enjoy nature or wander around ancient streets, you can embrace the heart and soul of this country.
However, don’t just take this Albania itinerary as a guide – let it inspire you! Go out on your own and get lost in Albania. This is where you find true adventure.
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