Summer Holidays in South Albania 6 Days

Summer Holidays in South Albania

Leave Tirana in the morning an drive direction Vlora – Dhermi.

Our first stop 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.
Continue to 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.

In this promenade, you can find many shops, restaurants, clubs, coffee houses and bars. To visit are the city center, the 16th Century Muradie Mosque, Indipendance Monument, Jewish street etc.

Drive the pass of Llogara towards Dhermi. The coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, leads by all the little beaches along the way.

What makes the Albanian Riviera unique are the little, hidden, unspoiled beaches. The highest point on the coastal road is the Llogara Pass. We will make a stop at the Llogara Pass on our journey southwards. The Llogara Pass is famous for the spectacular view. You can see the Ionian Sea and the beaches below.

After one hour drive we reach Dhermi. Dhermi 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

Relax in The beach. Overnight in Dermi

Gjipe beach 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 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.

The castle of Ali Pasha is something special.

It is located on a little peninsula in the middle of the Porto Palermo bay. Build 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. 

The end of this trip today is 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

Full day 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.

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

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. In afternoon we drive to Gjirokaster. Overnight in Gjrokaster.

Breakfast at the hotel. Midday Transfer to Tirana