Explore south Albania in this 6 days tour! Starting at Saranda, one of the most important port cities of Albania, you will move to Gjirokastra, Berat and Apollonia, where you will taste the delicious and traditional dishes and learn more about the history of these ancient cities. You will end this experience with a trip through the amazing Albanian riviera, with the last stop being Himara where you will enjoy the farewell dinner. This tour will give you some special and lasting memories as well as a memorable experience!
Day 1: Saranda – Gjirokastra
Your guide will meet you after you get off the ferry from Corfu at the port of Saranda, Albania. After a short walk through the town to better taste its atmosphere, you will depart to discover one of the ancient treasures of the city, the ancient archeological site of Butrint in south-west Albania, declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric.
The present ruins inside the archaeological site represent each period in the city’s development.
Afterwards, you will drive towards an amazing spring called Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye), which is another wonder of southern Albania.
You can have lunch in one of the local restaurants on this site.
Then set off towards the city of Gjirokastra, also known as “The City of Stone”, where you will also explore a part of Albanian history. Visit the Castle of the city, built in the 4th century, offering fantastic views across the valley. You can also see the Open Air Theatre, which is still in use nowadays, and then the church in the Varosh quarter.
You will have a traditional dinner with folk music in a village nearby the city.
Overnight in Gjirokastra.
Day 2: Gjirokastra – Berat
After breakfast at the hotel in Gjirokastra, you will drive towards the city of Berat, often called “The City of 1000 Windows” and declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Its age, culture, and folk traditions make it one of the most interesting towns in the Mediterranean area.
It has everything you require; a beautiful medieval castle district complete with ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge and a great museum. You can also visit one of the many characteristic houses of the old city. In the afternoon you will have the chance to taste the local wine at the “Cobo” winery. Later, you will enjoy a bountiful dinner in one of the traditional restaurants.
Overnight in Berat.
Day 3: Apollonia – Vlora
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for the town of Fieri to visit Apollonia,
one of Albania’s most impressive sights and home to the Apollonia Museum.
Then, you will continue your journey to the coastal town of Vlora, where you can have lunch in one of the local seaside restaurants. In the evening you can make further explorations of the city.
Overnight in Vlora.
Day 4: Albanian Riviera – Himara
You will leave the hotel after breakfast, and drive along the Albanian Riviera, where you will be marveled by the amazing views of mountains on one side and sea on the other.
You will stop in Dhermi where you can admire the beauty of nature and one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road between Vlora and Saranda.
You can explore the village on your own and admire the peculiar architecture of the houses in ancient Dhermi. You will enjoy lunch in one of the local seaside restaurants. Afterwards you will proceed to Himara where you can visit the castle of Ali Pashe Tepelena and relieve its history.
Overnight in Himara.
Day 5: Saranda – Ferry to Corfu
After an early breakfast, you will be driven back to the port of Saranda where you will take the return ferry to Corfu.
Come and explore central Albania in this 6 days tour! Starting at Tirana, the capital of Albania, you will move to Berat, the city of 1000 windows, where you will taste the delicious and traditional dishes and learn more about the history of the ancient city. You will end this experience at the coastal city of Durres where you will enjoy your farewell dinner. We hope that this tour will give you some special and lasting memories as well as a memorable experience!