tour de claustration albanie

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LOCK-IN TOWER

Les criminels pouvaient vivre plusieurs mois dans les tours d'isolement, reclus de la civilisation, afin d'échapper aux représailles. Le Lock-in Tower de Theth , localement appelée Kulla e ngujimit , fait partie des derniers monuments survivants parmi ces lieux de sursis en Albanie. C'est dans le petit village de Theth que l'on peut encore aujourd'hui voir ce type de tour, témoin du passé.

Les tours de verrouillage en Albanie et sur tout le territoire des Balkans servaient de lieu d'isolement pour les délinquants et les meurtriers, pour leur éviter les vendettas et les vengeances dans l'attente d'une issue pacifique entre les familles concernées. Cette tradition était régie par le « Kanun », un ensemble de règles de conduite formulées par Lekë Dukagjin . Ainsi, les tueurs devaient rester isolés jusqu'à ce que la famille de la victime leur accorde le pardon, ou bien qu'un de leurs proches soit exécuté en guise de compensation. Ce châtiment concernait principalement les hommes et les femmes, les enfants en étaient exemptés.

Une grande partie des tours ont été détruites durant le règne du roi Zog dans le cadre de sa politique de modernisation du pays. Les tours restantes, si elles ne finissaient pas en ruines, ont été réutilisées comme des granges sous le régime communiste.

Aujourd'hui

Isolé du monde dans les Alpes albanaises , le village de Theth conserve des traditions anciennes et des édifices subtilement patinés par le temps. On peut atteindre le hameau au bout d'une randonnée de huit heures environ depuis la vallée de Valbona – le parcours est facile et offre des vues splendides. Passés les bars et les jardins ouverts, la plupart des visiteurs font une halte à l'ancienne église, couramment représentée dans les articles et les brochures touristiques sur Theth . La chapelle en pierre loge dans un décor magnifique, idéal pour prendre quelques photos. Le dépaysement se poursuit dans une ambiance paisible, entre les maisons traditionnelles et les espaces verts. Le village étant assez petit, quelques heures suffisent pour couvrir l'essentiel de ses places, en gardant le meilleur pour la fin : le Lock-in Tower de Theth .

Visiter le Lock-in Tower de Theth

La Tour d'isolement de Theth se situe au sud-ouest du hameau, non loin de l'église sur la rive de la rivière Theth . C'est l'une des dernières constructions du genre toujours debout dans le pays. Heureusement, la coutume a été abandonnée depuis longtemps.

La structure de l'édifice est principalement faite en pierre brute. Il n'y a qu'une seule porte pour accéder à l'intérieur. Au rez-de-chaussée, des meubles ont été grossièrement entreposés pour permettre aux touristes d'avoir une idée de la vie des condamnés au sein de la tour dans le passé. Quelques vieilles photographies ornent les murs. Pour accéder aux étages, les accusés avaient recours à une échelle, qu'ils enlevaient aussitôt montés. Ils pouvaient vivre reclus des mois dans les niveaux supérieurs où, grâce à de minces ouvertures, ils avaient la possibilité de garder un œil sur les environs. Des trous pointés vers le bas leur permettaient d'autre part de tirer sur les personnes qui tentaient de s'approcher de la tour.

Les attractions à voir à Theth et ses environs

Dans le cœur historique de Theth , il est encore possible d'admirer des architectures anciennes, bien que les aménagements urbains prennent peu à peu l'espace. Le réseau routier demeure typique des hameaux montagnards albanais, desservant quelques attractions dignes d'intérêt tels que le Musée ethnographique de Dukagjin et la maison de Lulash Keci , outre la tour d'isolement.

Autour de Theth, des sites naturels préservés offrent aux visiteurs des lieux d'évasion et de détente. En été, sillonnez les vastes prairies, franchissez les canyons, partez à la recherche des grottes et des cascades cachées, etc. Que vous soyez sportif, scientifique ou simple vacancier, la région vous en mettra plein la vue. Parmi les attractions incontournables, vous avez le Canyon de Grunas qui s'étire sur 2 km de longueur, dont le paysage ravira les passionnés de photographie. Toute aussi panoramique, la cascade de Theth mesure près de 25 m de hauteur. A proximité, le moulin de Bloja est également une attraction très prisée par les visiteurs de Theth . Les fans de légendes et d'endroits mystiques trouveront plaisir à cheminer à travers les galeries et les lacs souterrains des grottes de Bira e Rratheve et de Harapi. Différente des autres régions du pays qui connaissent rarement des chutes de neige, la région de Theth est un bon endroit pour profiter du tourisme hivernal dans les montagnes albanaises.

Comment s'y rendre ?

La première étape du voyage vers Theth consiste à atteindre la ville de Shkodër . Des bus relient quotidiennement Shkodër à la capitale albanaise Tirana. Vous pouvez également rejoindre Shkodër depuis le Monténégro via Muriqan en franchissant la frontière albanaise. Depuis Shkodër, il faut ensuite passer par Koplik. Le trajet dure une vingtaine de minutes. Puis, de Koplik à Theth, comptez environ 1 h 20 de route, en empruntant la SH21. Un 4x4 est vivement conseillé pour parcourir ces routes en toute sécurité. Vous trouverez facilement des jeeps de location à Tirana ou à Shkodër.

Ouverture et tarifs

Les visites se font généralement en journée, toute l'année. L'entrée coûte 150 leks. Des frais supplémentaires peuvent vous être demandés si vous voulez prendre des photos.

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"Albania has the spectacular landscapes and incredible history and culture to rival any Mediterranean country in Europe. After being buried in communism for so long, it's now open for all, and there's never been a better time to visit this wonderful country. But hurry - this secret won't be kept for much longer."

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See the Palace of Culture in Tirana

The Palace of Culture in Tirana really lives up to its name. It's a grand building where you’ll find cultural institutions like the National Library and the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. The first stone of this stunning building was symbolically laid by former Soviet president Nikita Hrushov in 1959 and your Albania travel guide will show you around the highlights of this cultural treasure.

Stroll through Skanderbeg Square

Of all the top Albania attractions, you can’t miss checking out Skanderberg Square, the main square in Tirana. It’s massive at over 430,000 square feet and you’ll find some of the country’s most important buildings here including the National Museum of History, the Clock Tower and the giant Skanderberg Monument of the Albanian national hero.

See Tirana's famous Clock Tower

The 114-foot tall Clock Tower is an unmissable stop on any Tirana tour, and we’ll take you to see this famous piece of Ottoman architecture dating back to 1822. After hearing the bells ring out, you can even climb the spiral staircase to take in the spectacular views over Tirana. Be sure to come back in the evening to see the tower beautifully lit up after dark.

Walk through the winding streets of Tirana city center

One of the best parts of your Tirana trip will be roaming the colorful streets of the city, where brightly painted façades mingle with leafy streets and shopping strips. You’ll join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour, before having time to delve into the trendy café districts and vibrant markets where you’ll find some real Albanian arts and crafts.

Learn about the decades of communist rule in Albania

When you travel Albania with Trafalgar, we'll dive into the rich history of the country. You’ll learn how Albania was once ruled by a communist regime and see the remnants of this tyrannical period. Stop by former Communist buildings, visit the Bunk’Art museum, and wander through the Blloku district, once reserved for the communist elite.

Our top 5 things to do in Albania

Our Albania trips will show you all the best things to do in Albania, from the top Tirana attractions to the historical gems of the country.

National Historic Museum

The National Historic Museum is the best Albania museum to explore the country’s complex history. There are thousands of objects, ranging from the Paleolithic era to the Middle Ages to the 21st century. There’s a pavilion dedicated to the crimes of the communist regime, and don’t miss the Beauty of Durrës, a treasured mosaic from the 4th century BC.

House of Leaves

Also known as the Museum of Secret Surveillance, this excellent museum is located in the former headquarters of the Sigurimi, the secret Albanian police, and the German Gestapo. Used as an interrogation and torture house, you can see old surveillance items and learn the stories of those who were spied on and executed during the communist regime.

Bunk'Art

You can’t miss this fantastic museum on your Albania tour. It’s a massive underground anti-nuclear bunker constructed for the country’s communist politicians and military elite. Spread out over five stories and over 100 rooms, including a 200-seat meeting hall, you'll marvel at the architecture and learn more about Albania’s tragic communist history.

Best museums in Albania

Tirana’s museums are some of the best places to visit in Albania and we’ll show you all the historic highlights like the giant underground bunker and a former secret police headquarters.

The most popular food in Albania, byrek is a baked or fried pastry made with flaky, thin dough. It’s stuffed with all kinds of tasty fillings and the favorite is spinach and feta cheese, or you can also find ones with meat or pumpkin. Keep your eyes peeled for the street vendors selling this treat, as it’s sure to become your go-to Albanian snack.

If you’re looking for some real Albanian comfort food, you can’t go past tavë kosi, the heartwarming national dish. It’s made with tender chunks of lamb stirred with rice, garlic and oregano, and covered with a mixture of yoghurt and egg. With a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg, it’s then baked until it forms a golden, creamy crust - and it’s utterly delicious.

Fried Kaçkavall

This beloved cheese is found all over the southern Balkans and Albania, it’s often served in traditional restaurants as an entrée. It’s a yellow salty cheese made with sheep’s or cow’s milk, and you can also eat it in all sorts of dishes like baked kaçkavall or kaçkavall salad. We say fried kaçkavall is the best of them all and you can’t miss it on your Albania trip.

Best food in Albania

If you’re dreaming of discovering the best of Albania, you can’t miss out on the delicious Albanian cuisine, from hearty baked lamb and rice to fried cheese and flaky pastries.

What to pack for Albania

Layered clothing

Whether you travel Albania in the hot summer, the chilly winter or somewhere in between, you’ll need to bring versatile clothing for any weather.

Sun protection

The Albanian sun is powerful at any time of year, especially higher in the mountains. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses and high SPF sunscreen for your Albania vacations.

Insect repellent

The Balkan Peninsula is known for its mosquitoes and Albania is no different. Bring along some strong insect repellent and bite cream to soothe any itchy bites.

Albanian phrasebook

It’s always a good idea to learn a few phrases of the local language. You’ll have a better chance at connecting with the friendly Albanians and they’ll certainly appreciate your efforts.

Comfortable shoes

Whether you’re wandering the winding streets of Tirana or beyond, you’ll need a comfortable pair of walking shoes when you discover Albania.

Pack for sustainable travel

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.

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Wander-Lush

22 Travel Tips for Albania: Useful Things to Know Before You Go

My top travel tips for Albania to save you money, time and stress. Read this before you go travelling in Albania.

When I embarked on my 6-month overland journey through the Balkan countries, Albania was definitely the country I was most nervous about visiting.

I had read all about the rugged beaches , high mountains and historic towns and castles – so I had no trouble deciding where to go and what to do . But the people, the culture, the food and all the practical details such as transportation, WIFI and accommodation – well, I had absolutely no clue what to expect.

On the ground, I discovered that most negative stereotypes about the country are untrue. In my experience Albania is safe, affordable, friendly, diverse, tolerant and above all else, incredibly beautiful .

At the same time, I learned that Albania does present some particular challenges , even for those well-practiced at travelling in the region.

Without spoiling any of the country’s special secrets or revealing too many of the quirky things about Albania that are fun to figure out as you go, I want to share a couple of things that will make your travel experience smoother and more fulfilling.

Here are 22 practical travel tips for Albania that I think every traveller should know.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

What is travelling in Albania really like? 22 useful travel tips for Albania

Albania is quite unlike any of its neighbours.

It’s tempting to think of the Balkans (particularly the western Balkans) as a monolith. But I don’t need to tell you that every country is its own entity. Within this tapestry, Albania is perhaps the most distinct nation in terms of both its culture and history.

An obvious example: The Albanian language, Shqip , is unlike anything else spoken in the region (or anywhere else in the world for that matter). It’s thought to be descended from an extinct Illyrian tongue, but its exact origins are still a mystery to linguists.

After months of being able to follow the rough contours of a shared speech in Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina , hearing the curious chatter of Albanian on the streets of Tirana was quite a contrast.

Albania’s cultural and religious traditions are also very distinct. And although you can find local variations of cevapi and burek, the cuisine is totally different too!

With the exception of Kosovo where almost 93% of the population are ethnically Albanian, it’s hard to draw a comparison between Albania and any of its neighbours. In many ways Albania feels more like Georgia – slightly chaotic but imminently beautiful, with the furgon the local equivalent of the marshrutka.

Learn a bit about the history before you go

Of course this runs much deeper than just food and minivans. Albania wasn’t part of Yugoslavia and doesn’t have the same ‘baggage’ as its northern neighbours. That’s not to say the nation wasn’t impacted by the Balkan Wars and genocide – it certainly was – but in a different way. No fighting took place on Albanian soil.

Instead, Albania was subjected to its own private horrors, namely 45 years under an oppressive political regime including 30 years with despotic communist dictator, Enver Hoxha, at the helm. Hoxha’s ideology was so hardline, he viewed Yugoslavia and the USSR as too lax. It’s very difficult for an outsider to try and comprehend how this period of history impacted Albania and its people. But I felt compelled to at least try.

One of the most interesting things I found is that Albanians embrace their whole history – the good and the bad. The communist regime only fell in the 1990s so for the majority of the population, it’s not a distant memory but something that’s still very fresh. But it’s never glossed over. Most people we met were happy to chat politics and share their experiences.

For example: There are 173,000 disused nuclear bunkers sprinkled around Albania, each a monument to Hoxha’s paranoia. Instead of destroying them, people decided to either leave them be or repurpose them as museums or galleries. (Now there’s even a Cold War military base that’s being rebranded as an island destination .) Tirana’s collection of Communist-era statues and busts are displayed in a courtyard behind the National Art Gallery. And Blloku, once an exclusive neighbourhood where the party members lived, has been reclaimed as a vibrant cafe and street art district. Even Hoxha’s old house is still standing.

Some might think of Albania as a dark tourism destination. To me, this is a nation of light and colour. While visitors have an obligation to familiarise themselves with the nation’s recent history, it’s important to do so in a respectful, thoughtful way. The Bunk’Art museums in Tirana are a great place to start and will enrich your experience immensely. 

The man atop the horse is General Skanderbeg

On a lighter note, here’s a bit of trivia for you. If Hoxha is Albania’s villain, then the nation’s hero is definitely Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, AKA General Skanderbeg. 

It took me far too long to learn who Skanderbeg is and why he’s so beloved in this part of the world. As I travelled around the Balkans, I kept seeing the same statue of a warrior – including in squares in Skopje and Prishtina – and started referring to him simply as ‘the man atop the horse’. It wasn’t until I got to Albania that I was finally able to put a name to the face.

Skanderbeg was an Albanian military commander who lived during the early 15th century. He’s famous for leading a campaign against the Ottomans which freed Albania and several neighbouring countries from being vassal states. His penultimate battle was launched from the town of Kruja north of Tirana, now the location of Skanderbeg’s castle-museum. It’s a popular day trip and the place to go if you want to learn more about this chapter of history.

The only other person held in similar esteem is Albania’s heroine, Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, AKA Mother Teresa. Born to Albanian Kosovar parents in Skopje – then part of the Ottoman Empire and now the capital of North Macedonia – she’s beloved in all three countries (though each claims her as their own!).

Albania is overwhelmingly a safe country for tourists

One of the biggest misconceptions about Albania is that it’s unsafe for tourists. In reality, foreigners are very rarely the target of violent crime, and although pickpocketing and scams do happen, they’re not as widespread as in other countries in Europe.

Generally speaking, Albania is overwhelmingly safe for travellers of all types (including solo females) provided you exercise common sense and caution.

My one negative experience in Albania was being fleeced by a taxi driver in Gjirokaster . It was my mistake for not doing my research – I was unfamiliar with the location and agreed to a price without understanding just how short the distance to my hotel was. To avoid misunderstandings within the cities, it’s best to download a taxi app .

The biggest thing to watch out for in Albania is road safety. (Here we find another similarity to Georgia: The driving style.) More on that later.

As a side note: It’s not advisable to drink the tap water in Tirana or other cities/towns.

Avoid visiting in July or August

The best time to visit Albania in my opinion is any time except summer. I travelled during June. As the month went on and my trip was coming to an end, I found most places were getting a little too warm and dry – and much too crowded – for my liking.

Albania has a Mediterranean climate, thus winters are mild but wet. The best time to visit Albania is shoulder season (late March to early June or September through October) when the weather is pleasant both on the coast and in the mountains.

July and August are hot and busy, especially on the riviera, and should be avoided. That’s unless you plan to stick to the mountains, in which case summer is the best time for trekking.

Consider flying into a neighbouring country

Most people arrive in Albania via the country’s main international airport, Tirana Airport Nënë Tereza. This makes sense if your itinerary starts in the capital or in the northern part of the country.

A second international airport opened in July 2021 in Kukës (KFZ), 150km north-east of Tirana (and just 45-minutes from Prizren in Kosovo ). It’s a suitable starting point for the Albanian Alps, but international arrivals are so far limited to flights from Zurich and Istanbul.

If you’re travelling around the south of Albania, it might be more convenient (and more affordable) to fly into a neighbouring country instead. Corfu International Airport in Greece is a short ferry ride from Saranda, for example, and a logical place to arrive/depart if you’re mainly focusing on the Albanian Riviera.

Also read: My top tips for visiting Montenegro .

Lek is the official currency, but Euros are widely accepted

The official currency in Albania is the lek. Although Albania is not part of the EU, the Euro is widely used as well.

Lek is common currency in convenience shops, at restaurants and among taxi drivers – i.e. for small purchases. You’ll find that most hotels and guesthouses list their prices in Euro, and it usually works out far better to pay for big-ticket items such as hotel bills and rental cars in Euro rather than lek. If you try to pay in lek, you risk losing a big chunk of cash due to the conversion rate.

At the time of writing, 1 Euro is equivalent to 121.5 LEK.

Always have cash on you

Albania is very much a cash society so you need to make sure you have plenty of bills on you at all times. You can get by in Tirana using card only, but outside the capital, cash is still king.

Lek is a closed currency so you’ll have to wait until you arrive in-country to get your hands on some. Remember that lek is only good for small purchases and meals, so only withdraw as much as you need.

ATMs are easy to find in Albania (even in rural areas). Most banks charge a 300-700 lek withdrawal fee, but Credins Bank and Alpha Bank are among those that are fee-free (at the time of writing). Remember to check for any extra charges issued by your home bank.

Albania is extremely affordable – even by Balkans standards

Accommodation, restaurants and activities in Albania are all extremely good value for money. We easily got by on 40 USD per person per day – and you could spend a lot less by taking advantage of the hostel scene and sticking to free activities. One of our biggest expenses was museum tickets, something we don’t tend to skimp on.

A generous meal in a restaurant in Albania might cost you 500-1000 lek per person, while cheap snacks such as burek are perfect for breakfast and will only set you back around 100 lek.

Expect to pay 1,600 lek for a local sim card with data, around 200 lek for a cup of coffee, and anywhere from 400-1,000 lek on average for an intercity bus fare.

Buy a sim card when you arrive

Majority of hotels, bars and restaurants in Albania have WIFI, while many beaches and archaeological sites are now serviced by a free public network. Still, if you want unfettered access to the internet for things like booking taxis and navigation, you will need a sim card.

ALBtelecom is the preferred mobile provider in Albania. It’s very easy to buy and register a sim card at one of their shops in Tirana using your passport/ID card. A sim card and internet package (20 GB with 30 days validity) will set you back 1,600 lek.

While coverage in Tirana is good enough to support a burgeoning digital nomad community, reception is still fairly limited in remote areas and non-existent in the mountains.

Don’t put your faith in Google Maps

If you’re getting around Albania with public transport and only using Google Maps for general navigation within the cities, then you have nothing to worry about. But if you’re driving in Albania and using Google Maps to plan your road trip route , you need to watch out for a couple of things.

It seems Google Maps hasn’t quite been able to keep pace with Albania’s rapid infrastructure developments. Missing roads and non-existent turn offs are common encounters, and you’ll find you’re constantly being forced to re-route. Take directions with a grain of salt and always budget extra time to account for detours.

The same goes for finding addresses – street names and house numbers often don’t correspond to what’s on the map. Even major landmarks are sometimes pinned in the wrong spot.

Furgons are your friends

Albania has a limited railway network connecting Tirana with Shkoder in the north, Durres and Vlore on the coast, and Pogradec on Lake Ohrid in the east. Domestic flights are now available from Tirana to Kukës, and flying can certainly save you time getting from the capital to the far-north.

Travelling around the centre and south of Albania, you’ll be relying on road transport. Renting a car is a great option if you’re a confident driver. Otherwise, furgons are your friends.

Furgons are intercity minivans similar to marshrutka vans used throughout the former Soviet countries . They run on a flexible schedule, stop on demand, and are extremely budget-friendly. The downsides: Road safety is not exactly a priority, luggage space (and legroom) is very limited, and you can forget about AC. Furgons depart when full so it’s important to always arrive at the bus station well ahead of schedule.

An upgrade on the furgon is the coach bus. You’ll find large air conditioned coaches running on most popular routes during the warmer months, including between Tirana and Berat , Kruje, Gjirokaster, Korca , Durres, etc.

Gjirafa Travel is a terrific website for checking bus schedules and timetables online in English. Whenever possible, I recommend cross-checking times locally at the station.

Speaking of bus stations – there are multiple bus terminals in Tirana and trying to figure out which one you need can be extremely confusing! Pogradec and Shkoder have their own stations, while other buses depart from the Regional Bus Terminal – North and South Albania.

Take extra care on the roads

Albanians have a reputation for their maniacal driving style and for flouting the rules of the road. Combined with poor road conditions in many parts of the country (although the major highways are in good nick) and the proliferation of old and worn-down cars on the road, it’s a recipe for disaster.

Be careful when crossing the road, especially in the city. Take precautions whenever you travel by road, and only hire a car if you’re very confident. Try to avoid being out on the road after dark, and never get into a car with someone who’s been drinking. I also recommend capping your road journeys to a couple of hours per leg.

Albanian cuisine is a revelation

Albania is not exactly known as a foodie destination , but it should be. Regional cuisine, traditional Albanian dishes and the country’s super-popular farm-to-table fresh food movement all combine to create a fascinating culinary scene.

Albanian food is so diverse, you can find something new to try every day. I was quite satisfied eating only Albanian food for the entire duration of my stay. I found Albanian food fresher and less meat-oriented than in some other countries in the region. Most restaurants have plenty of vegetarian options.

Northern, central and southern Albania all have their separate culinary traditions , and within that towns and villages have their own specialties. Balkan, Italian, Turkish, Greek and even ancient Roman influences can all be identified, while you’ll find many similarities to other Mediterranean cuisines (especially Greek and Italian).

Seafood reigns supreme on the coast, while in the south, food choices reflect the pastoral landscape: Dairy, citrus and olive oil are all prominent. Garlic and onions are ubiquitous.

Some of my favourite Albanian dishes include: Tavë Kosi , a meal of lamb, eggs and yogurt traditional to Elbasan; Gjirokaster qifqi (arancini-like rice balls flavoured with mint and black pepper); ‘Berati schnitzel’ (pork stuffed with hard cheese) and pispili (spinach pie with a cornbread base), both traditional to Berat; and Korca’s famous savory lakror pie.

Watch out for raki

One thing Albania does have in common with its Balkan compatriots is the proclivity for alcohol. Sipping spirits in particular is a huge part of the culture.

The drink of choice in Albania is raki or rakia , a potent clear spirit distilled from grapes. Commercial versions are up to 45% proof, but homemade raki is much, much stronger. If you’re at a small restaurant or guesthouse and a recycled plastic soft drink bottle comes out, brace yourself.

It can be difficult to get out of these drinking sessions. I found it much easier to decline as a woman. Remember you can always step away if you feel uncomfortable. Otherwise, take small sips and make sure there’s always something left in your glass to avoid unwanted top ups!

Raki isn’t all bad. In Northern Albania in particular you’ll find lovely varieties of fruit raki made from cherries.

Every day ends with a xhiro

The xhiro is an Albanian tradition and the perfect way to put a full-stop on your day. Essentially a xhiro is a sunset stroll: It involves heading to the nearest pedestrian street and walking laps.

For locals, it’s a way to catch up with friends and neighbours, learn the latest goss and socialise. Ice cream stalls and popcorn vendors set up to cater to walkers, and sometimes entire streets close to traffic for a couple of hours to accommodate people.

This is the ultimate people-watching activity and a terrific opportunity to mix and mingle. But don’t be surprised if people let their glance linger a little bit too long – staring is not considered impolite in Albania, neither whilst out on a xhiro or in everyday life (at restaurants, at the supermarket – I’ve experienced it all). It can be awkward but try not to take it personally – in most cases, people are just curious.

Albanian people are incredibly hospitable

Hospitality is serious business in Albania (yet another point of similarity to Georgia). In Albania, people are bound by Besa , a code of honour that dictates how others – especially strangers – should be treated. According to Besa, if someone approaches you for help, you accommodate them. If someone comes to you hungry, you feed them. This creed has shaped Albania into an immensely tolerant and welcoming nation.

After WWII, Albania was one of the few nations to emerge with a larger Jewish community – the nation protected its own and offered sanctuary to families fleeing from elsewhere in Europe. In the 1990s, Albania sheltered refugees from Kosovo displaced by conflict.

Today that same kind of generosity is extended to tourists. Kanun , the customary law of Albania, says that the master of a house should always have a spare bed ready for unexpected guests. While I wouldn’t recommend showing up on someone’s doorstep unannounced (Albania has Booking.com for a reason!), the takeaway is that Albanians will extend you a helping hand if and when you need it.

English is widely spoken, but not ubiquitous

Albanian is the official language in Albania but many people – especially those born after the fall of communism – speak a second language. As one person described it to me, Albanians are ‘thirsty to know the world’, and learning a foreign language is seen as a pathway to knowledge, experience and more opportunities.

English is the most popular second language and is taught in schools. At last count, around 40% of Albanians speak English. In my experience, anyone working in tourism or hospitality has at least a basic understanding of English. We got by in all the major cities and tourist destinations without any issues.

Albania is one of those countries where the language is so much more than a means of communication, it’s part of the culture and identity and a massive source of national pride. Learning a few words of Albanian will earn you big props.

Here are a few basic words:

• Hello – Përshëndetje (per-shen-det-ye)
• Bye – Mirupafshim (mi-ru-paf-shim)
• Yes – Po (po)
• No – Jo (yo)
• Thanks – Faleminderit (fal-e-min-der-it)
• Cheers – Gëzuar (ge-zu-ar)

There is a strong Italian and Greek influence

Albania is just across the pond from Italy and very close to Greece (especially Corfu). There were Italian colonists in Albania from 1926 onwards, and the country was actually invaded by Italy in 1939. Italy especially has a big influence in Albania – to such an extent that I noticed it right away.

You’ll see Italian cars, Italian coffee culture – and yes, pizza on almost every restaurant menu! Pizza is so popular in Albania, if you ever tire of local fare there’s always a Napoletana to fall back on.

Almost a third of Albanian people speak Italian and a quarter of the population speaks Greek. Many areas are officially bilingual Albanian-Italian, with road signs in both languages. If you know either of these languages, communication will come even easier to you.

Tirana is one of the coolest cities in Europe – so don’t rush it!

Unlike a few other capital cities in the Balkans that are all cold concrete, Tirana is a warm, green, welcoming city that’s bristling with creative energy. I’ve said before that it’s probably the most liveable capital in the region in my opinion. There’s a park, dining precinct, cool museum or street art district around almost every corner.

One day in Tirana is enough for the must-sees, but I really recommend slowing down and spending a couple of nights here, getting into the rhythm of the city with morning markets and nightly xhiros.

We stayed in Tirana for a full week and still didn’t see everything.

Hiking in Albania is a must

I fell in love with Albania’s cities and towns, but even I agree that the country’s natural beauty is its biggest asset.

Albania has 15 national parks, each offering incredible scenery and hiking opportunities. As I recently discovered, Albania has more than 3,200 species of plants, accounting for a whopping 30% of the flora in Europe. One of the best places to appreciate this ecology is Llogara National Park, known for its wildflowers. Others, notably Butrint National Park, combine surreal landscapes with valuable archaeological sites.

Even if you’re an anti-hiker like me, there is one day trek in Albania you at least have to consider: Valbona to Theth . Walking between two alpine villages across two jaw-dropping national parks in the country’s far north, the trail takes you through the heart of the picturesque Albanian Alps or Accursed Mountains as they’re also known. The hike is tough going in spots, but it’s absolutely the best way to experience this side of Albania.

The lakes are just as impressive as the beaches

Albania might be famous for its beautiful beaches, but the unsung heroes of the landscape are the country’s lakes. Komani Lake, Lake Ohrid (shared with North Macedonia) and Skadar Lake in the north (shared with Montenegro ) are all beautiful and worth visiting.

Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkans. Boat trips on the marshy wetlands are popular on the Montenegrin side; on the Albanian side, you can cycle around the periphery from the lakeside city of Shkoder, visiting Rozafa Castle at the same time.

Albania’s share of Ohrid Lake is similarly smaller and with fewer points of interest to the North Macedonian side, yet charming villages such as Lin – a little red-roofed settlement on a natural peninsula – make it worth a visit. Lake Koman is my favourite. The ferry ride through the dramatic river gorge to reach Valbona and the starting point for the aforementioned hike was one of the highlights of my time in Albania.

There are more stunning water features around the country, including cascades and river canyons in the centre (Osumi and Begove near Berat are great), hot springs, and of course the famous Blue Eyes. All offer some much-needed reprieve in the hot summer months.

Have you been to Albania? Are there any extra travel tips for Albania you’d like to add? Leave your best advice in the comments below!

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More from Albania

• 21 awesome things to do in Albania
• The perfect Albania itinerary
• 22 essential travel tips for Albania
• One day itinerary for Tirana
• Guide to the Valbona Theth hike
• Things to do in Gjirokaster
• Things to do in Berat
• Things to do in Korca
• Best beaches in Albania
• How to visit the Albania Blue Eyes
• 21 best things to do in Albania
• 22 useful travel tips for Albania
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THE 10 BEST Albania Tours & Excursions

Albania tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Hike Gamti Mountain with Bovilla lake view-daily tour from Tirana

2. Private Tour of Riviera from Tirana – Ksamil Saranda and Blue Eye

3. Hiking to Gamti, Bovilla Lake and Kruja Day Trip from Tirana

4. Private One Day Tour of Ohrid from Tirana

5. Full-Day Tour, Berat and Durres from Tirana

6. Full Day tour of Theth & Blue Eye from Tirana or Shkoder

7. City & Food Tour of Tirana in One Day

8. Tour of North Macedonia; Ohrid & Struga from Tirana

9. Pottery and Wine Workshop in Tirana

10. Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip.

11. All Day Tour of Përmet

12. Albania Cruise from Corfu

13. SARANDA JEEP SAFARI (for hotel in Saranda & Ksamil)

14. Cooking Classes and Traditional food tasting in Tirana

15. Walking Tour of Tirana

16. Day tour of Theth from Tirana

17. Speed Boat Tour to National Park and Grama Bay

18. Albanian Riviera and Blue Eye Day Tour of from Tirana

19. City Tour of Tirana & Dajti Mountain with Pickup

20. Prizren, Kosovo Day tour from Tirana

21. Albanian Alps and Theth Village Day Tour from Tirana w/ Lunch

22. Bovilla lake Hiking Experience

23. Vlore Speedboat Tour to Haxhi Ali Cave

24. Day Tour to Bovilla Lake and Mountain Gamti

25. Bogova Waterfall and Osumi Canyon tour

26. Rafting in Osumi Canyons Albania Adventure Berat

27. Full Day Private Tour from Tirana, Prizren and Prishtina

28. Lada Niva 4x4 Driving Experience

29. Hike on Gamti Mt & Bovilla Lake from Tirana on Luxe Land Rover

30. Berat city tour, the castle and Belshi lake - From Tirana

What travelers are saying.

Classical Highlights of Albania Tour

The Classical Highlights of Albania Tour is a must for any visitor who would like to discover Albania within an acceptable time frame. It offers a great introduction into Albania’s past and present history, customs and traditions. It touches all the gems of the country from ancient sites to architectural buildings and towns, comprising three UNESCO World Heritage sites. All this is accomplished in style, with excellent guides.

Location: Albania Duration: 7 days - 6 nights

• Tour Reviews
• Tour Photos

Day 1: Tirana

Meet at Tirana airport by our transfer driver and transfer to your centrally located hotel where the guide will be waiting for you. Take an afternoon walk around the centre of the capital explaining the major monuments and its history. Free evening to explore on your own. Restaurant suggestions for dinner will be given. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 2: Tirana – Shkodra - Kruja – Tirana (3.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we drive to Shkodra the most important town of north Albania and the Illyrian capital, in the 3rd century BC. Visit Rozafa Fortress from where spectacular views all around can be admired. Standing in such an imposing site, experience the supremacy the Illyrians would have felt over their enemies. Afterwards, we take a walk in the newly renovated pedestrian area of Shkoder. Italian and Austrian architecture elements are reminders, of this town’s historic links with both these countries. Our tour continues to Kruja - the centre of Albanian resistance against the Ottomans under our national hero Scanderbeg, who kept them from crossing into Western Europe for 25 years. This brave resistance earned him the title “Champion of Christ” given by the Pope of the time. We visit the fortress which holds withing the Skanderbeg and Ethnographic Museums. Finally explore the Old Bazaar, an excellent place to shop for antiques or hand-crafted souvenirs. Return to Tirana for second overnight.

Day 3: Tirana – Ardenica – Apollonia – Vlora (3.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we travel to Vlora where Albanian Independence was proclaimed. On the way we stop at the Monastery of Ardenica, thought to have been built in the Middle Ages, as claimed by an entrance stone dating back to 1417. It is also supposed that Scanderbeg the Albanian Legendary hero of Middle Ages, was married here at the small chapel of the complex. Icon paintings dating between 1743-1745, by Albanian artists such as Konstandin & Athanos Zografi, as well as Konstandin Shpataraku, adorn the main chapel. After the visits, we will continue our journey to the ancient city of Apollonia situated on the famous Via Egnatia. Apollonia was one of the most important cities in Roman times renowned for its school of oratory. Julius Caesar sent his nephew Augustus Octavian to study here, a clear testimony of the advanced level of learning Apollonia provided at the time. We will visit the vast archaeological remains and the adjacent archaeological museum situated in a adjacent Orthodox monastery from the Middle Ages. Afterwards we reach Vlora, where the original house of the first Independent Albanian Government, is an interesting attraction. Afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the beautifully restored lungomare/waterfront promenade. Overnight in Vlora.

Day 4: Vlora – Butrint (UNESCO) – Saranda (4.5 hours driving time)

After an early breakfast we depart to Saranda. While we drive through the spectacular Albanian Riviera, we also observe the the mazing turquoise blue colour of the Ionian Sea. At around 1000 m above the sea level the top of the Llogora paas, offers breath-taking sceneries. We make short stop at Ali Pasha Fort, located at the Porto Palermo bay, a strategic point from where was easily possible to control sea trade routes. Then we continue past Saranda to Butrint National Park. The ancient remains of Butrint are a UNESCO world heritage site and the most important archaeological finds in Albania. Legend associates this city with Trojan settlers who fled Troy under the leadership of Aeneas. In fact the city was first settled by Hellenic colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of several eras of civilization. Apart the beautiful antique ruins it has the added benefit of being situated in a beautiful peninsula, rich in flora and fauna. After the visits we return to Saranda for overnight.

Day 5: Saranda – Gjirokastra (UNESCO) – Berat (4.5 hours driving time)

After early breakfast we drive to Berat. On our way lays Gjirokastra, a UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinctive stone architecture. Visit the medieval Castle which used to be a political prison during the communist dictatorship and the Ethnographic Museum which is also the house where the Albanian dictator was born in. We suggest the group should stop for lunch close to Tepelena at a traditional restaurant (optional) among beautiful scenery. In Berat we check in at the hotel in the old quarter where a familiarization walking tour will give a clear idea of why this town is protected by UNESCO. Overnight in Berat is a unique experience staying in old houses turned characteristic boutique style hotels.

Day 6: Berat (UNESCO) – Durres-Tirana (2.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we visit the fortress of Berat and the unique Onufri Museum. Berat fortress is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, as have their ancestors for centuries. It used to have over 40 churches of which 7 still remain, including one turned into Onufri Museum. Onufri was an Albanian Icon master painter of the 16th century who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece. After this interesting experience we depart for Durres one of the oldest in the country (founded in 627 B.C.) where we have lunch by the sea (optional). After lunch we take a sightseeing tour of the Amphitheatre one of the largest in the Mediterranean situated in the middle of the modern city in an inhabited area, and the Archaeological Museum rich in art facts found in the city and its suburbs. After the visits in Durres return to Tirana for overnight.

Day 7 Tirana-Airport

After breakfast, free to explore until time of transfer to Airport. Driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the departure terminal. End of our services

Prices available on request

Prices high season 01/04-31/10.

499 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 6 participants 580 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 4 participants 885 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 2 participants 1699 Euro for 1 participants Single supplement = 110 Euro . (Single rooms will usually be double or twin for single use.)

Prices low season 1.11 until 31.03

440 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 6 participants 525 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 4 participants 765 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for minimum 2 participants 1499 Euro for 1 participants Single supplement = 100 Euro. (Single rooms will usually be double or twin for single use.)

• Transfers from and to Airport
• Transportation with modern a/c vehicles
• Experienced English speaking tour guide (separate driver and guide only for groups of 6 or more participants).
• Accommodation for 6 nights in good 3* hotels with breakfast
• Flight Tickets
• Lunches and dinners
• Gratuities/Tip to Driver/Guide
• Entrance fees ( approx 35 Euro PP)

Note: The above dates are for orientation purposes, to help people book on the same dates, and pay the cheaper price. However we will run this tour on other dates as per clients’ requests.

Lea las reseñas de este recorrido o escriba su propio recorrido

We just got back to Italy after a wonderful trip in Albania. We saw Apollonia and Butrint,Berat and Girokastra all beautiful and rich. The Hotels, the guide, the itenerary and evertyhing was organized in a professional way by Albania Holidays team. Many thanks to everybody for your time and help in organizing our trip. We will recommend Albania and your company to our friends Simone Italy

Fra un paio di giorni avrei scritto io. Maglio così, così ho l'occasione di esprimere tutto il mio gradimento, e quello delle mie amiche, per Ilir. E' stato una guida preziosa (spesso ne sapeva di più lui delle guide locali), ma soprattutto sotto il profilo umano, si è dimostrato veramente eccezionale. Il suo italiano è abbastanza buono per cavarsela in qualsiasi situazione e non ci sono mai stati problemi grammaticali o lessicali di alcun genere. Logicamente si sente che non è Italiano madre lingua, ma la sua esperienza e attenzione non fa notare qualche leggera imperfezione linguistica. Può guidare qualsiasi gruppo italiano, anche il più esigente. Volevo fargli un plauso anche per la grande attenzione e disposizione per il piccolo incidente accorso ad una signora del gruppo. Promosso a pieni voti! Buona serata. Angelo Bennedetti Italy

We have successfully completed our tour of the expanded program «Classical Highlights of Albania Tour», which is made with the help of a travel agency «Albania holidays» from April 30 to May 8, 2014 . We thank the manager for the agency Erand patiently and persistently work on the organization of our stay , revision and expansion of the above program with additional interesting proposals and our wishes We are also grateful to our guide and driver Oltyan, which purposefully implement the agreed program, regardless of the case of rain, as well as reliably and flawlessly delivered us to Tirana, where we started our journey . With Oltyan we have traveled almost 2000 km. A significant portion of the road passes in the mountains , and some was quite difficult for technical reasons. Oltyan always been friendly, punctual, well spoken in Russian, knew the actual material, showed respect and attention to us travelers. Program «Classical Highlights of Albania Tour» was filled with a visit to many historical monuments and buildings, museums, cities, cultural and natural attractions . The program was complemented by a visit which is an ancient bridge in Mesi near the town of Shkodra in Albania, the city Ohrid in Macedonia and other attractions. During the trip we met with residents of Albania, who showed interest in us and friendly feelings . All our meetings were good wherever we were . We gladly ate different dishes Albanian cuisine, local drinks and drinking coffee. Hotels were chosen with skill and with modern amenities. The rooms were spacious and with a nice view of the sea or lake Ohrid and in Berat hotel was in an old mountain house . Travel delivered us great pleasure and beauty of Albania and its people have made an excellent impression on us. Once again, with gratitude and respect, Oleg and Larisa from Kiev

I have received a lot of feedback from the group, I think almost everyone has replied by now! In all, I can say that this has been a very successful tour! Basically everyone has said the trip was Very Good. The highlights of the trip were: the guide Elton (we would definitely like to have him in the future!!) the driver. Kruja, and its ethnographical museum, the archeological places (although next time we could reduce the amount of them), the beautiful nature, beautiful views on the route between Vlora and Saranda, friendly people, visits to local families and homes, Berat, Saranda, Butrint and Vlora. Another big plus is the fact that they were provided with water bottles in the bus. One of the men said he has traveled 6 times with us and this was the best one ever!  Med vänliga hälsningar / Kind regards Katja Koivusalo Gruppreseplanerare / Group travel planner

The tourleader said that everything was perfect! Well organised, good guide, good organisation. One of their best trips in Europe! They said that Albania is a very beautiful and rich country. Pascale Seret / Belgium

Ich darf nach dem Ende unserer Albanienreise berichten, dass sie dank Ihrer organisat.Vorsorge und dank der Fahr-und Wissenskünste von Mr. Claudian (!!!!) sehr erfolgreich verlaufen ist. Ich bedanke mich nochmals für Ihr Service und grüße Sie herzlich Friedrich Klausberger / Austria

I was absolutely thrilled with what I saw in Albania. It has wonderful costal areas on both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, wonderful foothills and mountains in every part I visited as well as a multitude of rivers and lakes, all of which make for some incredible scenery. During my visit I concentrated on the central and northern part of the country. I went only as far south as Berat, one of the country's most beautiful towns, known as the "city of a thousand windows" and declared a "museum city" and UNESCO protected site which is built on the slopes of Mt. Timori with an inhabited castle dominating over the city. Then working my way up to the northernmost point of my trip, driving through the beautiful Western Albanian Alps to the lovely Boga Valley. I spent one day at the beginning and end of my trip in the Capitol, Tirana, one night in Berat, south of Tirana then north and west to Lezhe which is on the Adriatic for one night and two nights in Shkodra where I spent one day touring the Albanian Alps and the other exploring the largest lake in the Balkans, Lake Shkodra and the lovely old town of the city. There were over 350 castles in Albania of which 200 are still partially or almost completely intact. There are over 70,000 bunkers left over from the Communist Period throughout the country. Although Albania is a relatively poor country I found it to be clean, the scenery beautiful, the people very nice and the food plentiful and delicious. Diane Jarrett / USA

I have received a lot of feedback from the group, I think almost everyone has replied by now! In all, I can say that this has been a very successful tour! Basically everyone has said the trip was Very Good. The highlights of the trip were: the guide Elton (we would definitely like to have him in the future!!) the driver. Kruja, and its ethnographical museum, the archeological places (although next time we could reduce the amount of them), the beautiful nature, beautiful views on the route between Vlora and Saranda, friendly people, visits to local families and homes, Berat, Saranda, Butrint and Vlora. Another big plus is the fact that they were provided with water bottles in the bus. One of the men said he has traveled 6 times with us and this was the best one ever!  Med vänliga hälsningar / Kind regards Katja Koivusalo Gruppreseplanerare / Group travel planner / Denmark

his is just to say thank you very much for organizing our trip – we had a lot of fund and enjoyed Albania very much. We will recommend you to everybody and hopefully come back soon! Best regards Sophie/ Australia

Firstly, thank you for organizing such a great itinerary. I think my favorite day was Blue Eye Spring, Gjirokaster and then Sarander. Sensory overload from such amazing countryside. From the mountains to the sea. Close intimate woods to the wide open valleys and then the sea. I didn't really want to go on a tour that had too much information. (I had been considering going to Armenia but had heard that they just went to too many churchs and it got very bloring blah blah blah - so i chose Albania. Good decision). I'm back at work and already telling myself that every day I work is another bunch of dollars into the "Travel to Albania" fund. Thanks again for all your hard work. See you soon! Jane Hebiton/ Australia

The trip to Albania I think I enjoyed even more than last year! We had pretty good weather, all the train journeys worked well, the hotels and meals were fine, and the visit to Shkozet was better as the maintenance workshops were actually open during our morning visit! We were very surprised to discover that four out of the seven old steam locomotives had been scrapped (2 at Shkozet and 2 at Elbasan), and no longer exist! Just three left, one of which they say will be restored 'cosmetically', and placed on display at Durres Station. ..............and we went up the Dajti Mountain in good weather! Ilir Hidri and Arben were as brilliant as ever, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. So all in all, it was an excellent tour, and I had a lot of happy clients at the end of the trip. I will not offer Albania again next year, but will propose another repeat visit in 2012. Colin Miell / UK

The UNESCO HERITAGE group from Spain asked me to praise you and Elton for a great organization and especially for a really great guiding. The guests in the group were all very satisfied: the hotel was great, the dinner was great, the dinner with show was unforgettable…. ( I am sad that I was not there ) Thank you very much for everything. We hope that we get a lot of confirmed groups with this tour in Albania and that our nice collaboration will grow. Sunny regards from Maribor, Natasha van gogh / Slovenia

Quel merveilleux voyage vous nous avez préparé… Tous les participants ont vraiment été enchantés de leurs nombreuses découvertes ! Le guide que vous aviez choisi est excellent tant au point de vue culturel et historique que accueil et attention aux participants (pas toujours jeunes et alertes !) Les hôtels étaient confortables et les restaurants délicieux. Enfin tout était très bien organisé et les participants ont voulu garder des souvenirs du voyage dont les tickets des sites et musées… Nous sommes persuadés que l’Albanie est une extraordinaire destination et qu’il faut lui faire beaucoup de publicité, ce que nous ne manquerons pas d’envisager. Merci encore de tous les soins que vous avez apportés à l’organisation de notre circuit. Avec nos meilleures salutations Christine de Jamblinne / Belgium

Nous sommes bien arrivés en France, aussi j'en profite pour vous écrire ce petit mail pour vous remercier pour tout. Notre séjour en Albanie était génial et inoubliable, merci à Eri et Klodi qui ont été de supers accompagnateurs. Si nous revenons en Albanie, nous ne manquerons pas de vous recontactez. Elodie & Guillaume / France

My father and I had a wonderful tour in Albania. We appreciate your guidance in everything, from the route, weather predictions, hotel accommodations and choice of Klayd! The trip worked out very well for us. Traveling with Klayd was perfect for my father and I as we had a lot in common. He is extremely knowledgeable (both in history and current affairs), passionate about Albania and the heritage, and was a very adept partner in getting us through our various sites. It was clear by the reaction he received everywhere we went that he was very well liked. His recommendations for dinners and sites was perfect and exactly what we wanted. His English was very good, so communication was never an issue. I am glad we decided to go with the 'tour guide" option instead of just the "driver" option that you had presented us with. I would recommend that for future visitors, unless they are good with Albanian. The mode of travel and the accommodations were perfect. Both were very well kept accommodations, but more important good examples of "local" architecture or building, especially after touring the Ethnographic Museum in Gjirokaster and then staying in a similar house. Both were very modern and offered all amenities and high service and friendliness I could ask for. The tour suggestions you provided were excellent. The flexibility in having a very willing guide was helpful. He offered to take us to a few extra things along the way and make numerous stops for shopping, breaks, and even fresh fruit stands along the way that added to the trip. Robert Lamb / USA

We had a wonderful time in Albania. Our guide Claudian was the best man we could wish, Thanks to him we fell in love with your country. We hope to come back. Elisabeth and Eva / Holland

I have just returned from holiday and would like to thank you very much for the organisation of our Albanian trip. We all thought it very successful and very worth while. All the best for the continued success of your business. Jean Wood / UK

Just a brief email to say thanks very much once again for all that both of you did to ensure the great success of the recent LCGB visit. For me, it was an absolute pleasure to be in charge of such a well organised series of land arrangements, and I know all the participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I must make special mention again of our guide Ilir, and our driver Arben - they were both superb, and I simply cannot remember 'working' with a more professional and amiable gentleman than Ilir in all my many years of leading overseas tours. If we come again, I will be requesting that these two guys are involved! All the best for the continued success of your business. Colin Miell / UK

We have returned to California just few days ago and wanted to thank you for your services. I especially want to extend my gratitude to Claudian’s boss who was able to intercede on my husbands behalf in order to secure his visa. I must say he was able to work a miracle, we were very disappointed to think we would not have a chance to experience Albania. We had a wonderful time and Claudian was very professional and kind with us.Please extend him our best wishes and thanks again for your fine services Frances Serrano / USA

Thank you for organizing the trip for us. we were very happy with the organisation and particularly pleased with Tony, our guide. I will be writing to Lonely Planet and Bradt travel guides to inform them that we booked our trip and hotels through you - we will Obviously say that we were very happy with the service Philip Jevon / UK

Thank you for your help and service. I will return to Albania, hopefully sooner than later, and will be looking forward to using your agency again. Sincerely, Ken B Rasmussen / Denmark

One week ago I concluded my first trip to Albania and I certainly hope it will not be my last. The majority of my visit was a Highlights of Albania tour organized by your company and I am writing to express my appreciation for an experience that surpassed my expectations. I had been curious to visit Albania for several years already. I was not sure what to expect: guidebooks are dated and most travel agencies outside of Albania with whom I spoke knew nothing of the country. Then I came across your website and that is when everything changed. Not only is your English translation markedly superior to that of several other agencies, but the information provided on your site is substantial and helpful. Just a few minutes of browsing reignited my enthusiasm and restored my hope that an imminent visit was indeed possible. With respect to the tour itself, I found that it was logically organized and brought me to the places I wanted to see according to a schedule that was well conceived. More importantly, our guide, Klodian Kushova, was excellent. Not only was he helpful and informative, explaining much about the places we visited and about Albanian history and culture, but he is friendly, patient and accommodating, undeniable essential qualities for a top notch guide. My experience with Albania Holidays has given me an excellent introduction to your country and provided me with many fond memories. After my good experience, I can easily recommend that they book a tour with Albania Holidays. In fact, I have already begun to do so. Andrew Colombo / Canada

We just arrived at home after having a wonderful journey through your country. Arben was an excellent teacher, organizer and an enthusiastic tour leader and we learned and enjoyed a lot, especially knowledge and kindness. Arben made our tour to an unforgettable experience!!! All the hotels have been good some very good, sometimes with very small mistakes, but the staff was always friendly, helpful and customer orientated. Everything was ok. We didn't expect this problem after we have such a good experience so far. We will recommend your travel agency to our friends because we are very satisfied. It is not the last time we stay in Albania... Ottomar und Bärbel Uhlmann / Germany

We thought you would like to know that we thought the tour was very well organized, and that we both very much enjoyed ourselves. We particularly appreciated Klodi, our guide/ driver, and would like to express our appreciation of the care and effort he put into making our tour a success. His driving was alert and careful, his English is fluent and easy to understand, and his descriptions of the places we visited were well-judged – neither too long nor over-detailed nor too short and under detailed. He proved to be an amusing companion, and we learned a great deal about Albania just from the conversations we had while driving along the road. The car was comfortable, and the hotels were of an acceptable standard. The Hotel Theranda in Tirana, in particular, seemed to us to be well located close to the Block, and to have an attractive clean, contemporary décor. The staff was welcoming, pleasant and helpful. Finally, thank you for all the care and efficiency of your office team in planning and executing the arrangements for the tour. We shall certainly recommend your firm to any of our friends who would like to visit your interesting country. Alex Liddell / UK

I would like to thank first of all for your perfect organisation, hotel accommodation, local guide service - very special and very professional. We hope that with this first group to Albania we will put the start to bring to your country new many groups through your agency. Thank you once again for everything MONDEL TRAVEL AGENCY!/ Bulgaria

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Monday to Friday: 08:00 -18:00 (CET) Saturday 08.00-16.00 (CET)

Tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Albania

If you’re short on time, we have designed a 5-day tour that takes in the highlights of Albania’s historical and cultural heritage , including: UNESCO World Heritage sites; Ancient Greek and Roman ruins; key Communist locations; fascinating historical towns; medieval castles; picturesque villages; Orthodox churches and Muslim mosques, all led by professional local guides with time built in for your own leisure. This trip is also a great opportunity to sample Albania’s varied regional cuisines, meet local people and enjoy Albania’s incredible scenery.

• Accommodation in well-appointed, boutique hotels.
• All breakfasts, welcome and farewell dinner.
• Enthusiastic and knowledgeable English-speaking driver/guide services.
• All transport by comfortable A/C vehicle.
• All entry fees to the sites visited.
• All fees and local taxes.

Arrival- Tirana

• Meet at Tirana International Airport; transfer to central Tirana. • Visit the House of Leaves, the former surveillance centre of the Sigurimi, Albania’s secret police during Communist rule. • Visit the anti-atomic bunker Bunk’Art 1 • Dinner and overnight at Tirana

Both The House of Leaves and Bunk’Art 1 are key locations in Albania’s Communist heritage and provide valuable insight into the operation of the Communist regime and daily life under its strictures.

Bunk’Art 1 Built between 1972 and 1978 (and believed to have been inspired by the bunkers constructed in communist North Korea, visited by an Albanian delegation in the early 1970s), this vast network of underground tunnels was intended to shelter the entire government apparatus in the event of invasion or nuclear attack. The complex boasts more than 300 rooms spread across 5 subterranean levels and was so top-secret that even the commanders of the military base above ground were denied access to it – a testament to the extreme paranoia of Albania’s infamous Communist leader, Enver Hoxha. Originally housing offices and dormitories for government officials, apartments for party leaders (including that set aside for Enver Hoxha, which you can explore), communication rooms, an assembly hall and canteen, the vast complex was never used! It now serves as a museum show-casing how the brutally repressive and isolationist regime of Hoxha developed and maintained its grip – a fittingly claustrophobic memento of the Cold War.

The House of Leaves Initially a maternity clinic, the House of Leaves served as the Sigurimi (secret police) surveillance HQ from 1945 to 1990, where Sigurimi technicians guarded against ‘the enemy within’ (virtually everyone in Albania) by tapping phones and installing bugs in apartments, and against ‘the enemy without’ (foreign visitors and residents) by tapping phones, installing bugs, intercepting communications in hotels and embassies and keeping detailed notes on every single foreigner in the country. Now a museum, the House of Leaves holds a collection of original items used by the Sigurimi to spy on the population: bugs (and how they were concealed); photographic equipment; recording devices; statements given by individuals under interrogation etc. Technology used was often donated by the Chinese, Soviets or East Germans. The museum provides a fascinating and unsettling window into a hidden and sinister world.

Tirana-Durres-Berat

• Depart for the coastal town of Durres where we will visit the Roman Amphitheatre of Durres. • Continue to Berat. Tour of the town, including a visit to the famous Onufri Iconography Museum. • Dinner and overnight in Berat.

Roman Amphitheatre of Durres. Dating back to 2AD, this amphitheatre is the largest ever built in the Balkan Peninsula, once having capacity for 20,000 people. Today, predominantly the northern part of the amphitheatre survives – two particularly severe earthquakes in the past having taken their toll on the overall structure. Despite this, it is not hard to imagine the glory days of the amphitheatre and the incredible scope of human ambition and ingenuity behind its creation.

Berat A UNESCO World Heritage site, Berat is one of the most unique and charming cities in Albania. Known also as ‘the town of one thousand windows’, the old town is a fantastic example of preserved Ottoman architecture with narrow, winding, cobbled streets ripe for exploration, huddled stone houses, hidden inner courtyards and unexpected, cheery bursts of colour from flower-filled window-boxes and porches. A mosaic of Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques and preserved ruins, the town – considered to be among the 10 oldest settlements in Europe – is still inhabited to this day and straddles both sides of the Osumi River, the two sides connected by the famous Bridge of Gorica. The town’s ancient hilltop citadel provides superb views across the fertile, rolling hills of the surrounding countryside. Justly renowned for its wine, fresh local produce and delicious local dishes, a stay in atmospheric Berat is a truly memorable and enjoyable experience.

Berat-Apollonia-Saranda

• Depart from Berat. Tour of Apollonia Archaeological Park. • Experience the dramatic scenery of the Albanian Riviera as we follow the coastal route from Vlora to Saranda via Llogara National Park – an unforgettable drive combining mountains, dramatic cliff-lines and quiet coves and beaches, all against a backdrop of the bluest of blue seas. • Visit Ali Pasha castle at Porto Palermo Bay. Continue to Saranda. • Dinner and overnight stay at Saranda.

Apollonia Dating back to Illyrian times, Apollonia was settled by the Corinthians in 588BC, becoming a major city in the ancient Greek and Roman Empires before an earthquake in the 3rd Century AD heralded its decline. At its peak, the city is believed to have held around 60,000 inhabitants. Housing an impressive collection of artefacts, monuments and ancient ruins, Apollonia’s stunning situation on the banks of the Vjosa River near the town of Fier and close proximity to the crystal blue waters and seafood of the southern coast make it a scenic and easily-accessible excursion well-worth visiting.

Ali Pasha Castle Situated on a headland overlooking the sea from a tranquil bay, this was one of the forts built by the notorious Ali Pasha of Tepelene (a pasha was an autonomous local ruler at the period of Ottoman rule) who, through a combination of ruthless cunning, cruelty and skilful diplomacy, gained control of most of Southern Albania between the end of the 18th century and early 19th century – as well as a large part of the Greek mainland. The castle served predominantly as a military garrison and strategic lookout under Ali Pasha, also housing a harem for the occasions that Ali Pasha visited. The castle affords fantastic 360-degree views across the bay from the rooftop and ramparts.

Saranda-Butrint-Gjirokaster

• Drive from Saranda to Butrint. Guided tour of Butrint. • After Butrint, drive to Gjirokaster, visiting the ancient ruins of Adrianopoli en route. • Tour of the 13th century castle and Skenduli family Ottoman house. • Dinner and overnight in Gjirokaster.

Butrint The largest, and widely considered the most important, archaeological site in Albania based on the sheer breadth and diversity of its antiquities, Butrint was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 and a National Park in 2000. Inhabited since prehistoric times and referenced by the Roman writer Virgil, Butrint has a long and unmatched historical pedigree: The coastal city was founded by the Epirote tribe of the Chaonians and reached its peak during Roman rule when Julius Caesar and Octavian Augustus designated the city a Roman colony. The city’s glory faded as, over the following centuries, the area became a site of conflict between the Byzantines, the Angevins of southern Italy, the Ottomans and the Venetians. Nestled in the heart of Butrint National Park, the dense forest preserved the ruins perfectly until 1928 when Italian archaeologist Luigi Maria Ugolini – (as part of an expedition sent to Albania by Italy’s Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in an effort to covertly extend Italy’s influence in the area) – initiated excavations to uncover the city as we see it today. Many legends are hidden in the ruins, especially those of the lost city of Troy.

Adrianopoli Built during the Roman Empire, Adrianopoli is a well-preserved and typical Roman city with theatre, stairs and remnants of walls and ramparts. The surrounding greenery adds a natural charm to this archaeological find.

Gjirokaster Situated in a stunning location, sandwiched between high mountains, Gjirokaster began life in the 12th century as the fortress of a local feudal family, its location on the crossroads of trading routes resulting in the city’s growth in size and importance during Ottoman rule. Unique in character and reminiscent of the towns of childhood fairy-tales in style and atmosphere, Gjirokaster’s architecture, fortress-houses and rich folk traditions (including its distinctive style of iso-polyphonic music) saw it awarded the status of ‘museum city’ in 1961 and UNESCO world heritage site in 2005.

The city was the birthplace of Albania’s brutal post-World War 2 dictator, Enver Hoxha, as well as the famous Albanian writer, Ismael Kadare, who wrote of Gjirokaster in his book Kronike ne gur (Chronicles in Stone):

“This was a surprising city, which seemed to have come out of the valley unexpectedly, and clambered up with difficulty, stitching itself on to the side of the mountains…… It was a steep city, perhaps the steepest in the world which had broken all the laws of town-planning. Because of its steepness, it would come about that at the roof level of one house you would find the foundations of another; and certainly this was the only place in the world where if a passer-by fell, instead of sliding into a roadside ditch, he might end up on the roof of a tall house. This is something that drunkards knew better than anyone… It really was a very surprising city. Many things here were dreamlike and a lot was unbelievable.”

It is a surprising city: surprising and unforgettable and one we’re proud to call our home!

Gjirokaster-Tirana

• Depart to Tirana International Airport for your flight back home or elsewhere to continue your trip.

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+355 6 95 71 81 89

Vacances, tourisme et randonnée en Albanie | Circuits sur mesures | Voyage en Albanie 

Préparez vos vacances en Albanie avec des passionnés du tourisme locale. Nous vous proposons des circuits en famille ou en entre amis accompagnés ou en liberté pour partager une expérience unique et personnalisée. Faire une randonnée en Albanie, c'est découvrir un pays resté longtemps isolé au coeur des Balkans. Vous avez besoin de réserver un vol ou hôtel en Albanie ? Contactez nous pour avoir les meilleurs plans. Vous pouvez aussi consulter la carte de l'Albanie pour voire les sites incontournables à découvrir dans notre beau pays. Besoin d'inspiration ? Voici un lien vers https://albanie.com/

Vous êtes en bonne compagnie !

Vous-avez une question sur l'organisation de votre voyage ?

Je suis votre interlocuteur privilégié, au plaisir de vous répondre rapidement.

Passionné de l'histoire des Balkans, je vous guide dans la découverte du pays toujours dans la bonne humeur et le professionnalisme.

A très bientôt !

Vous souhaitez sortir hors des senties battus, un resto authentique, ou une activité insolite ?

L'Albanie n'a plus de secrets pour moi !

Voyage en Albanie à la découverte du patrimoine et des traditions

Trésors de l'Albanie

Circuit 8 jours : 386€/particip ant  (sur une base de 4 participants)

Grand tour de l'Albanie & Découverte du Kosovo et la Macédoine 

Circuit 17 jours : 844€/participant  (sur une base de 4 participants)

Vacances en Albanie en famille entre mer, montagne et découverte du patrimoine

Riviera & Patrimoine

Circuit 10 jours : 444€/particip ant  (sur une base de 4 participants)

Entre Mer & Montagne

Circuit 15 jours : 762€/particip ant   (sur une base de 4 participants)

Randonnée en Albanie de 7 à 77 ans !

Les Alpes albanaises

Circuit 6  jours : 442€/par ticipant  (sur une base de 6 participants)

Alpes albanaises & Patrimoine du Sud Circuit 12 jours : 722€/participant (sur une base de 6 participants)

Alpes albanaises & Motanges de la Ri viera

Circuit 15 jours : 942€/participant (sur une base de 6 participants)

Voyage thématique en Albanie entre amis, collègues ou association.

Vous voyagez entre amis, collègues ou association et vous souhaitez un programme "à la carte" sur une thématique particulière ?

Faites-nous part de votre projet, nous vous répondrons sous 48 heures.

FORMULAIRE DE CONTACT

Des idées pour découvrir l'Albanie :

Tirana       Berat       Gjirokaster      Butrint      Apollonia      Korça     Kruja   Alpes-albanaises   Riviera Albanaises    Shkodra    Pogradec    Vlora    Canyon d'Osum   le pélican frisé    Bunk'Art    Voskopoja (Moskopole)   lac Koman    château de Rozafa

Nos voyageurs parlent de leurs vacances en Albanie

Pourquoi passer ses vacances  en  Albanie  ?

A deux heures d'avion de Paris, l'Albanie reste une terre encore mal connue.

Carrefour de civilisation, elle possède un patrimoine culturel insoupçonnable qui est resté confidentiel durant des décennies et c'est avec beaucoup de plaisir que nous vous ferons découvrir ses trésors.

Ses richesses naturelles, son patrimoine historique et le sens de l’accueil des Albanais, font de ce petit pays une destination très riche en découvertes et en rencontres.

MIRËSEVINI   Soyez les bienvenus !

Classic Tour Albania & UNESCO Sites

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• E-ticket/Mobile voucher
• City sightseeing
• Museum and gallery visits
• Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Art and architecture
• Young Adults
• duration 8 days
• tour type Group
• age requirement 18-80 yrs
• max group size 50
• guiding method Fully guided
• Tour Code BM-35931

• Starts/Ends Tirana, Albania
• Visit three cities listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites
• Exploring the florescent life of Tirana
• Visiting different museums around Albania
• Enjoying the delicious traditional Albanian food
• Day 1: Tirana
• Day 2: Shkoder - Kruje
• Day 3: Ardenice – Apollonia - Vlore
• Day 4: Riviera – Butrint - Saranda
• Day 5: Gjirokaster
• Day 6: Berat
• Day 7: Tirana
• Day 8: Departure
• - Stay in 3*, 3*+ hotels - Breakfast from day 2 to day 8 - All the meals from dinner day 1 to breakfast day 8 - Tour guide from day 2 to day 8 - Expenses for the tour guide/driver (accommodation and
• 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners
• - Flight - Meals not mentioned above and drinks - Everything not mentioned in the “included” section
• Earn US$ 46+ in travel credits.
• Excellent customer service. Our travel experts are ready to help you 24/7.
• Best price guaranteed.
• No credit card or booking fees.
• 100% financial protection.
• Carbon neutral tours.
• 25,000+ trip reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
• Read more reasons to book with Bookmundi less Read less

20% Deposit payable upfront. Remaining balance payable 45 days prior to trip departure. Free cancellation up to 45 days prior departure, but the 20% deposit paid is non-refundable. No refund applicable within 45 days of departure.

A deposit of 20% is required when booking this tour. The remaining balance will be charged 45 days prior departure. For any bookings within 45 days of departure, the full tour amount will be charged upon booking.

We advise to take out Travel Insurance to cover for any unforeseen circumstances. Bookmundi recommends World Nomads' travel insurance.

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OPEN BUS ALBANIA

Welcome aboard!

Experience the Beauty and History of Albania like Never Before with our Panoramic Bus Tour!

The best way of getting to know Albania

Open Bus Albania is a leading provider of sightseeing tours in Albania. We’re committed to providing high-quality tours that are both informative and enjoyable, allowing you to experience the very best of these beautiful cities.

Our mission at Open Bus Albania is to make your visit in Albania unforgettable. Our team of knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will take you on a journey through the heart of Albania, showing you the most important sights and sharing fascinating insights about the history and culture.

We’re dedicated to showing you the best of Albania. Our team of experienced tour guides are passionate about sharing the unique culture, history, and hidden gems of these vibrant cities with visitors from all over the world.

Audio Guides

Our open bus tour offers a unique and immersive experience with audio guides available in 12 different languages. Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, our audio guides provide valuable insights and interesting facts about the city’s rich history, culture, and architecture. Our professional and knowledgeable tour guides have carefully curated the content to ensure an engaging and informative tour for all ages.

Panoramic Touristic Bus

At Open Bus Albania, we believe that the best way to experience a new city is through the eyes of a local. That’s why we’ve gathered a team of passionate and knowledgeable guides who are dedicated to showing you the very best of Durres and Tirana. Come explore with us and discover the hidden gems and rich history of these amazing cities.

We believe that travel should be a transformative experience that enriches your life and broadens your perspective.

Our experienced travel advisors can help you navigate the many airlines, routes, and pricing options to find the best ticket for your travel plans.

We are proud to have received recognition for our commitment to excellence and outstanding service in the travel industry.

Recent articles

Exploring Durres: A Breathtaking Open Bus Tour Experience

Discover Tirana’s Vibrant Spirit on an Open Bus Tour

Skanderbeg square, national museum, the pyramid, namazgjah mosque.

It was one of my favorite experiences in Durres. Seeing the beautiful city of Durres through a different perspective, I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it to everyone who wants to fully enjoy their time in Durres.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Open Bus Albania

• Hop On Hop Off Tirana
• Hop On Hop Off Durres

Get In Touch

• Rruga Kosovareve, Tirana, Albania
• [email protected]
• +355697033555

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APRIL SALE:   Discover and book at   up to 60% off!

Tour of Southern Albania; Vlore, Butrint & Gjirokaster

• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided
• Personalized
• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year

Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 Tirana – Zvernec – Vlora
• Day 2 Vlora – Porto Palermo – Butrint – Gjirokastra
• Day 3 Gjirokastra – Tirana

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Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Adventure type.

• Group of 10 travelers max.
• Fast booking confirmation
• Carefully planned itineraries
• Travel with like-minded people
• Travel with your own group of min. 3 travelers
• Choose your preferred dates and duration
• Upgrade your accommodation
• Customize the itineraries

Operated by Choose Balkans

Choose Balkans is a leading Incoming Tour Operator offering tourism services in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro and N. Macedonia. Since 2009 we have been delivering high standard services for our Global partners and end customers coming from every corner of the world. We proudly work with global standards to promote and support local values, traditions, rich culture and history of this dynamically growing part of Europe. The West Balkans are blessed by nature; long Mediterranean coastline, Alps, lakes, wild rivers combining it with more than 10 UNESCO protected world heritage sites, making this region a perfect spot for wide variety of holidays.

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Excellent 5.0
• Itinerary Excellent 5.0
• Guide Excellent 5.0
• Transport Excellent 5.0
• Accommodation Excellent 5.0
• Food Excellent 5.0
• Tour Operator Choose Balkans 4.9

Dates & Availability

Pay-by-instalments

Take advantage of our 0% interest instalment plan on selected departures. Learn More

• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
• January 2025
• February 2025
• August 2025
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• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Monday 22 Apr, 2024 Wednesday 24 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Tuesday 23 Apr, 2024 Thursday 25 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Wednesday 24 Apr, 2024 Friday 26 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Thursday 25 Apr, 2024 Saturday 27 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Friday 26 Apr, 2024 Sunday 28 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 27 Apr, 2024 Monday 29 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Sunday 28 Apr, 2024 Tuesday 30 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Monday 29 Apr, 2024 Wednesday 1 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Tuesday 30 Apr, 2024 Thursday 2 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h
• -10% Get Instant Confirmation Wednesday 1 May, 2024 Friday 3 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €420 €378 Confirm Dates Hold space for 48h

Frequently Asked Questions

We are there for you! If you have any questions about this tour, then please don't hesitate to contact us 24/7 and we will get back to you latest within 2 hours!

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Good to Know

• Currency L Lek Albania

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Albania. Ideally 10 days before travel.
• Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 6 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 18th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 18th June 2024, a minimum payment of 50% is required to confirm your booking with Choose Balkans. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Choose Balkans will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Choose Balkans" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Choose Balkans. Please familiarise yourself with the Choose Balkans payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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When I worked with Tours Albania & Balkans, their professional approach, combined with Jimmy Lama’s people skills and knowledge of the country, ensured that everyone in the group got the most out of their holiday in Albania.

GILLIAN GLOYER

As a regional tour operator in the Western Balkans, I have known and worked with Jimmy and Tours Albania & Balkans for about 6 years now. Jimmy is very reliable, highly professional and a pleasure to work with. (more…)

I can highly recommend Tours Albania and Balkans and the owner Jimmy Lama. Jimmy is a very professional tour-organizer and listens carefully to his customers. I have had the pleasure to work with him already six years.

NILS-ERIK FRIIS

We travelled to Albania in 2012 with Brightwater Travel and TAB were our tour operator in Albania. We had an excellent holiday and the care and expertise of Jimmie Lama and his colleagues. (more…)

NICK SEDGWICK

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Outdoor Albania organises nature-friendly tours promoting the protection of landscapes, bio- habitats, traditions and monuments of Albania and beyond. Outdoor Albania is a company “by travelers, for travelers”, that focuses in delivering great holidays through rich travel experiences that show the real, authentic and off-the-beaten-track Albania. How it all began It is 1991, communism has just

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