Albanian Riviera Tour 8 Days

Airport pick-up from Tirana International Airport as well as Check-in and refresh at your hotel in Tirana. 
Guided walking tour of the city centre and eventually general info details for: Albanian riviera tour 8 days, afterwards welcome cocktail in the trendy Bloku Area in the evening.
Overnight in Tirana

Breakfast at the hotel. We will drive direction Berat. The city of Berat is located in the centre of Albania. It takes around 2 hours to drive from Tirana to Berat. Berat is the most beautiful historical town in Albania. The old town of Berat is very well preserved, therefore, the city is a UNESCO heritage site.

Berat

Berat is famous for the traditional Ottoman houses, that were built on the side of the hill. The houses are white colored and they all have windows which overlook the river and the valley below. Therefore, Berat is also called “the city of a thousand windows“.

Walking through Berat is like walking through a museum. The streets are all covered with traditional cobble stones. And many of the traditional houses, have been turned into hotels or restaurants. In the new city, at the bottom of the hill there is a lovely promenade with many bars. Berat is a great place to simply sit on the terrace and enjoy the moment. 

The castle is a large fortress with many churches and mosques inside the castle’s walls. From the castle, you have an amazing panoramic view of the surrounding areas. You can see the Old town below.  Although, the castle existed in 200 B.C. The majority of the castle dates back to the 13th century.

Vlore

We leave Berat towards Zvernec Island, direction Vlora.
Zvernec Island is a little island in the Narta Lagoon. A long bridge leads you from the mainland to Zvernec Island. On the island, will visit  Zvernec monastery. The island is a beautiful location to make pictures.
Late afternoon we depart for Vlora. Vlora is very popular and a large beachside city. It is also the starting point of the Albanian Riviera, which leads from Vlore southwards to Saranda. The city is built around a large horseshoe bay in the sea. Along the bay, there is a popular beachside promenade called Lungomare. Along this promenade, you can find many shops, restaurants, clubs, coffee houses and bars. Free time to walk by Vlore beach in the evening. Overnigh in Vlore.

After Breakfast we will drive more south towards Saranda. The coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, leads by all the little beaches along the way. Moreover, what makes the Albanian Riviera unique are the little, hidden as well as unspoiled beaches.

The highest point on the coastal road is the Llogara Pass where certanly we will make a stop on our journey. The Llogara Pass is famous for the spectacular view particularly to see the Ionian Sea and the beaches below. 
After one hour drive we reach Dhermi which is one of the most popular beaches in the Albanian Riviera. There is a little village on the mountain side, it is worth walking up the hill to see some of the old houses and little churches. Accommodation in Dhermi. Afterwards, you can relax and swim on the lovely beach. 
Overnight accommodation in Dhermi

Breakfast at the hotel. Gjipe beach. The beach of Gjipe is a very private beach, because the beach is entirely enclosed by cliffs. After a short drive from Dhermi, you need to walk for 10 minutes to visit the beach of Gjipe. The beach is one of the most hidden beaches of Albania. It is a beautiful place, and it is known for the perfect turquoise water. You will have some free time at Gjipe beach to relax and swim.

Jale beach

Jale beach is close to Gjipe and it is known for the clear water. There is a little bay at this beach, but there are not many facilities yet. It is possible to go by road to Jale, but you can also go via the sea on a little kayak or by foot.

Himare village

In the late afternoon, we transfer to the village of Himare. There is a small walking tour of the old village, which is on the hill. You can see some of the traditional houses, which are on the hillside. Moreover, since the village is on the hill it offers a beautiful view towards the Ionian Sea. Overnight accommodation in Himare

After Breakfast on the way to Saranda we will make our first stop at “Ali Pasha” Castle.
The castle of Ali Pasha is something special, because the castle is on a little peninsula in the middle of the Porto Palermo bay. The castle was built by Ali Pasha Tepelena, who was a governor while the Turkish Ottomans ruled Albania.

Ali Pasha was somewhat of an eccentric figure and therefore there are many legends and stories about the castle’s owner. The building has a triangular shape and is pitch dark inside. But on the roof top, you can overlook the entire bay, which is stunning.
Our second stop will be  Borsh village, with its beach extremely long. We will have some free time, to walk in the promenade by the beach or have a drink in one of the bars by the sea. 
We will end our trip today in Saranda.

Saranda is located all the way in the south of Albania, close to the Greek border. The city is the most well-known beach destination in Albania, and it is known for the vibrant nightlife. Along the seaside, there is a great variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, shops and coffee houses. In the evening, you can walk along the waterside and see all the little lights along the bay.
Seafood dinner by the bay of Saranda while watching the sunset
Overnight in Saranda

Breakfast at the hotel. Guided tour of Butrint UNESCO heritage site.
Butrint is the most impressive, archaeological site in Albania. At Butrint, you can visit the ruins of an ancient city. The site was inhabited by the Greeks from Corfu, the Romans and the Byzantines. What makes the site special, is that it is a little sanctuary and it feels very romantic. The ruins are surrounded by the trees and nature of the national park. Moreover, the site is located on a small hill, which is surrounded by water from Lake Butrint and the Vivardi channel.

The archaeological remains and the beautiful setting, make Butrint worth a visit.
Ksamil beach is the most beautiful beach in Albania. The beach is paradise-like with perfect white sand and the clearest sea water you have ever seen. Moreover, there are four little islands in front of the beach. The islands are grown with nature and they have a very tropical feel. We take the boat to the Twin islands, that are connected to each other by a little strip of land. There is free time in Ksamil to swim and relax. Evening Return in Saranda. Overnight in Saranda

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to the Blue Eye Spring.
The Blue Eye Spring is a natural wonder and touristic highlight. The underwater spring pumps water from an underwater cave to the surface.

The Blue Eye spring is very beautiful, because of its bright blue colour. The blue/green colour of the water seems artificial, but it is natural. Moreover, the spring looks like a human eye. The blue water is the iris and the black underwater cave is the pupil. The Blue Eye is something truly unique, that you cannot see anywhere else.
Visit to Gjirokastra UNESCO site
Gjirokastra is a historical city, which has been crowned a UNESCO heritage site. The city has beautiful, traditional stone houses and cobble stone streets everywhere. There are a several touristic sights in the city. There is a castle on the top of the hill overlooking the town. Moreover, you can visit Zekate or Skenduli house, which are traditional houses with the original décor inside.

Furthermore, we will visit the Cold War tunnel, which is a bunker from the communist period and the house of Enver Hoxha, who was the former communist dictator of Albania. Later some free time   at the traditional bazaar market, where you can buy souvenirs and crafts. Late afternoon we will drive to Tirana. Overnight in Tirana.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Tirana International Airport for your return flight home