Days 1–2 · Tirana
Land at TIA, pick up a rental and base for two nights in Tirana. Bunk'Art 1, a Blloku evening, half-day to Dajti mountain by cable car.
Days 3–4 · Shkodër → Komani Lake → Valbonë
Drive north to Shkodër, then the Komani Lake ferry into the Albanian Alps. Two nights in Valbonë, the quieter of the two alpine valleys.
Day 5 · Valbonë → Theth
The signature hike of the Albanian Alps — over the pass between the two storybook valleys, 7–9 hours. A minivan transfer is the easier alternative.
Day 6 · Theth → Berat
Long driving day back south, breaking the journey at Shkodër. Evening in Berat's old town below the citadel.
Day 7 · Berat → Gjirokastër
Three-hour drive with a stop at the Blue Eye spring. Sunset on the castle ramparts, dinner in the old bazaar.
Day 8 · Gjirokastër → Sarandë & Butrint
Ninety minutes to the coast. Half-day at the UNESCO Butrint archaeological park, evening in Sarandë or Ksamil.
Day 9 · Ksamil & the Riviera
Swim the Ksamil islets, then north along the coast to Dhërmi or Himarë for an afternoon beach club and a quiet old-village wander — Qeparo or a similar hillside village above the coast road.
Day 10 · Riviera → Tirana
The big drive home — Llogara pass → Vlorë → Tirana, around five hours with stops, the country's best road by far. Evening departure from Tirana.
From the road
Practical tips
- → This is the route to pick if it's your only trip to Albania for a while — it genuinely covers every region.
- → Ten days is enough to do the Alps hike unrushed; skip it for the minivan transfer if you're short on time.
- → Book Valbonë and Ksamil accommodation ahead in July–August — both sell out.
