Epic journeys
Professional tour guide
Transport provided by the company
Hotel pick up and drop off in Tirana
BB for three overnights
Entry tickets for the ''will be visited'' sites
Tourist taxes
Road taxes
This culture and heritage tour of Albania combines the 3 UNESCO sites Berat, Gjirokastra and Butrint with some of the most picturesque sites of Southern Albania. This trip goes deep into the rich history, traditions, local culture and culinary wonders of these destinations. The tour of Albania takes us also through some of the best national parks such as the Blue Eye and Butrint National Park.
Tour Overview
Day 1
Tirana – Gjirokastra
Our professional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tirana at 9 am. Our main destination for this day is Gjirokastra, also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage. Situated in Southern Albania on the eastern side of mountain “Mali i Gjere”, Gjirokastra resembles a fortified city where every single house is like a small fortress. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century A.D., and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans. Every five years Gjirokastra becomes the capital of the Albanian folklore and traditional music, where passionate folklore ensembles gather in the “stone city” and perform their traditional music, dances and costumes. Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra, you will have to pass by the medieval bazaar. At around 12:30, you will get some free time on all three days of the tour to have some delicious lunch and to wander around by yourself till 14:00 pm. The atmospheric old town cascades down in graceful hill crammed with beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you will be amazed by the wide variety of handmade crafts from local artisans and producers. Overnight in Gjirokastra.
Day 2
Gjirokastra – Blue Eye – Butrint - Albanian Riviera
From Gjirokastra, we will move towards Butrint, but not before making a stop at the natural wonder of the Blue Eye. You will not be able to keep your eyes off the mesmerizing crystal-clear blue water. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuits, because you might want to take a dive in it.
Our tour continues to the National Park of Butrint. Part of the UNESCO world heritage, Butrint is the most important archaeological site in Albania. It was the first site in Albania that became part of the UNESCO list. The ruins combined with the stunning natural surroundings make it worth a visit.
We will drive along the coastline known as Albanian Riviera. Our next stop will be the beautiful castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo. While along the Albanian Riviera, we will pass some of the most beautiful beaches of Albania; Borsh, Llamani and Dhermi beaches. We will also pass some small villages one by one, clinging to rock faces by the seaside, all tumbledown stone walls and narrow pathways, overhung with vines full of grapes, and trees heavy with figs and walnuts. Overnight near the Albanian Riviera.
Day 3
Albanian Riviera - Berat
Our next destination is Berat, also known as the city of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate. Overnight in Berat.
Day 4
Berat – Durres – Tirana
Today we will head to the ancient town of Durres to explore the amphitheatre, the Roman ruins and the Venetian Tower. Durrës is the main port and second largest city of Albania, because of its geographic position in the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Founded as Epidamnos in the ancient region of Illyria in 627 BC by ancient Greeks, Durrës has been one of the most important cities in the history of Albania. Known also as the centre of Archaeology in Albania, it has the largest Ancient Roman-style Amphitheatre in the region. The transfer to Tirana marks the end of this amazing experience through history and adventure. We will arrive in Tirana in the late afternoon.
Price: 395 Euros/person
Will be visited:
- The fortress in Gjirokaster (Kalaja e Gjirokastres)
- Museum of Weapons in Gjirokaster
- The old city of Gjirokaster
- Medieval bazaar in Gjirokaster
- Blue Eye
- Butrint National Park
- Porto Palermo
- Fortress of Berat
- Mangalem neighbourhood and Gorica neighbourhood in Berat
- “Ura e Gorrices” – Gorrica Bridge in Berat
- The Onufri Museum OR Ethnographic Museum in Berat
- Xhamia e Beqarit – Bachelor’s Mosque in Berat
- Venetian tower in Durrës
- Amphitheatre of Durrës
Included in the price:
- BB (Accommodation and Breakfast) for three overnights
- Transport provided by the company
- Professional tour guide
- Entry tickets for the ‘’will be visited’’ sites
- Hotel pick up in Tirana
- Hotel drop off in Tirana
- Tourist taxes
- Road taxes
- Petrol
Not included:
- Lunches, Dinners, Drinks & Snacks
- Souvenirs
- Personal spending
- Everything that is not mentioned in the included
* Tips are not a must in Albania or the Balkans, however, our recommendation is to tip the tour guide/driver 5 – 6 Euros per day/person as an international practice to tip good service.
