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A trip designed for ultimate comfort, with specially selected hotels and unique experiences.

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Itinerary

Spiagge caraibiche a un'ora e mezza di volo da casa, città di pietra patrimonio UNESCO e un mare che ad agosto ha ancora angoli vuoti: l'Albania è la vera sorpresa del Mediterraneo. La gireremo con calma, fermandoci in due sole basi in otto giorni, fra Tirana e la riviera ionica, sempre con van privato e boutique hotel.

Partiremo da Tirana, capitale colorata e giovanissima: i palazzi dipinti del centro, i bunker-museo di Bunk'Art e la funivia che sale sul monte Dajti per guardarla dall'alto al tramonto. Poi scenderemo sulla costa, e lì ci fermeremo per tutto il resto del viaggio. Passeremo una giornata intera in barca privata, fra calette che si raggiungono solo dal mare, con pranzo a bordo e tuffi ovunque. A Ksamil troveremo le isolette a pochi metri dalla riva e un'acqua in cui si vede il fondo, e poco più in là ci aspetta Butrinto, città prima greca e poi romana, con il teatro in mezzo agli alberi. Saliremo a Gjirokastra, la città di pietra dove i tetti sono lastre di ardesia, e chiuderemo al Blue Eye, la sorgente turchese che nessuno riesce a fotografare come si deve!

The colorful capital

We arrive in Tirana and the first thing that hits you is the color: back in the 2000s, the mayor decided to paint those drab socialist apartment blocks in shades of orange, purple, and acid green. The city’s stayed that way ever since—cheerfully cheeky. We’ll drop our bags at a boutique hotel in the city center and head straight out on foot to explore Blloku. This neighborhood was strictly off-limits to everyone except the elite during the regime, but today it’s buzzing with bars and restaurants. Time for our first authentic Albanian dinner: byrek, fërgesë, and tavë kosi. We’ll toast with some rakia—just take it easy, it’s strong stuff!

Inside the bunker

Today is the day we really get to understand Albania. Bunk'Art is the anti-atomic bunker built by Enver Hoxha for himself and his government—five floors deep under a mountain with 106 rooms. It’s a museum now, and walking through it feels genuinely surreal. Next up: Skanderbeg Square, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, and the Pazari i Ri market, where you can sample some local mountain cheese and honey. In the afternoon, we hop on the Dajti cable car: it’s a 15-minute ride up, and as Tirana shrinks below us, you'll see the plains stretching all the way to the sea.

The Ionian Sea right in front of you

Four hours in a private van heading south, and that last half-hour is the one you’ll remember. The road climbs to the Llogara Pass at 1,000 meters, winding through pine trees bent by the wind, and then—it turns: below lies the entire Ionian Riviera, a sea so blue it doesn't even look real, with the coast stretching out towards Greece. We’ll stop for photos, obviously—it’s mandatory. We’ll head down to Himara, a fishing village with a castle perched above, and settle in for five nights. First swim before dinner.

Gjipe and the caves

A boat all to ourselves, just us twelve and absolutely no one else. We’ll set sail from Himara in the morning to hunt down those hidden spots you just can't reach by land: Gjipe beach at the mouth of a canyon, sea caves with water so emerald it’s unreal, and white pebble coves where you can dive straight off the boat. Lunch on board is sorted—fresh fish, tomato salad, and feta—followed by an afternoon cruising between bays with plenty of swimming stops. This is our WOW experience, and honestly, we don't even need to explain why.

The most beautiful water

An hour and a half south, practically facing Corfu, lies Ksamil: three tiny islands just a few strokes from the shore with water so turquoise it looks photoshopped. We'll stop for a swim in the morning when it's less crowded. In the afternoon, we'll head to Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site: a city that’s been Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian, one on top of the other, featuring an ancient theater, a mosaic baptistery, and walls nestled in the greenery. We'll walk in the shade while our guide tells us three thousand years of history in just two hours.

Slate roofs

Time to leave the sea behind for a day and head inland towards Gjirokastra. They call it the "City of Stone" for a reason: it’s built entirely from the same material—slate roofs included—and from above, it looks just like scales. This UNESCO gem is perched on a mountainside, with an Ottoman castle crowning the top and merchant tower houses cascading down the slope. We’ll explore a historic home, grab lunch at a local tavern for some qofte and sheep yogurt, and head back to the riviera just in time for sunset.

11 degrees

In the morning, we head to the Blue Eye, a karst spring where the water gushes from a depth that no one has fully measured yet. It's cobalt blue in the center, turquoise at the edges, and stays at 11 degrees all year round. You can jump in—though it’ll only last a few seconds! The afternoon is yours to do as you please: Livadhi is the long beach just a stone's throw from our hotel, while Dhërmi is the spot for beach clubs if you're in the mood for music. Or, if you prefer, just wander through the stone houses in town. In the evening, we’ll have our final group dinner in Himara, right by the sea.

Heading back from Tirana

Breakfast, one last look at the Ionian Sea, and a four-hour drive back to Tirana for our flight. In the van, we’re reminiscing: a bunker under a mountain, a mountain pass opening up to the sea, a boat day all to ourselves, and water at eleven degrees that we actually had the guts to dive into. Faleminderit — thank you — and see you soon!

What's included

  • 7 nights in 4-star boutique hotels in Tirana and along the Riviera

  • All breakfasts

  • Welcome dinner on day 1 and group dinner on day 7

  • Private van with driver for all transfers and excursions

  • Guided tour of Bunk'Art and a ride on the Dajti cable car on day 2

  • Medical and baggage insurance - (coverage limits by destination country/region - €10,000 Italy, €20,000 Europe, €30,000 World, €50,000 USA/Canada)

What's not included

Round-trip flights to and from the destination
  • Airport transfers
  • Food and beverages when not specified
  • All that is not mentioned in "what's included"

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers. any case, any unused difference will be returned.

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Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Transport

    Private van with a driver for all transfers, including the four-hour ride from Tirana to the coast.

  • Documents

    You'll need a passport or an ID card valid for travel abroad. No visa is required for Italian citizens for tourist stays.

  • Physical rating

    Low. A few uphill walks in Gjirokastra and Tirana's city center; for the rest, it's all sea and boat.

  • Meeting point and goodbyes

    We'll meet on day 1 at Nënë Tereza Airport in Tirana. The trip wraps up on day 8, back in Tirana.

  • Seasonality

    This trip runs from April to October—the riviera pretty much shuts down completely out of season.

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalTirana (TIA)
ReturnTirana (TIA)
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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Albania

From
$ 1,390
Book with $ 0
Free trip change
Interest-free installments