7 Days in Albania: Southern Beaches & Northern Alps

Your journey begins in Tirana, a city that feels both energetic and slightly chaotic in the best possible way. You’ll start in Skanderbeg Square, where the city’s past and present collide, before diving into the country’s more recent history at Bunk’Art 1 — a vast underground bunker turned museum that tells the story of Albania’s communist years.

As the evening sets in, drift into the Blloku district, once reserved for the political elite and now the beating heart of Tirana’s social scene. Cafés spill onto the pavements, restaurants buzz with conversation, and it becomes clear that Albania’s capital is as much about its future as it is about its past.

Leaving the capital behind, the road south leads you to Berat, often called the “City of a Thousand Windows.” The journey itself begins to reveal Albania’s slower pace, with rolling hills and quiet villages replacing urban bustle.

Berat unfolds gradually — white Ottoman houses stacked along the hillside, all facing the river as if in conversation. Take a wander through the cobbled streets of Mangalem and cross into Gorica before climbing up to Berat Castle, where life still continues within its ancient walls. As the sun dips, the town glows softly, and it’s easy to understand why this is one of Albania’s most cherished places.

Further south lies Gjirokastër, a town that feels entirely different yet equally captivating. Known as the “City of Stone,” its slate-roofed houses cascade down the hillside beneath a formidable fortress.

Spend the day exploring Gjirokastër Fortress, where sweeping views stretch across the valley, before descending into the Old Bazaar. Beneath the surface lies another layer of history — the Cold War tunnel — adding a sense of intrigue to a town already rich in stories. By evening, Gjirokastër feels timeless, almost untouched.

The journey to the coast is one of the highlights of the trip. On the way, stop at Syri i Kaltër, the Blue Eye — a mesmerising, impossibly clear spring that seems to glow from within.

Arriving in Sarandë, the atmosphere shifts instantly. The air feels lighter, the pace slower. By evening, head up to Lëkurësi Castle, where the sun sets over the Ionian Sea, casting golden light across the coastline.

Today blends history with pure relaxation. Begin at Butrint National Park, an ancient city where Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins sit quietly among trees and lagoons. It’s atmospheric rather than overwhelming — a place to wander rather than rush.

By afternoon, you reach Ksamil, where turquoise water and small offshore islands create a scene more reminiscent of the Caribbean than Europe. The rest of the day slips by with swims, sun, and the kind of stillness that defines a perfect beach afternoon.

The drive north along the Albanian Riviera is nothing short of spectacular. The road clings to the cliffs, revealing hidden beaches and endless sea views at every turn.

Taking breaks where it feels right — perhaps at Gjipe Beach, tucked between dramatic rock formations, or further along in Dhërmi, where the water is impossibly clear. The day becomes less about ticking off places and more about embracing the freedom of the journey.

Your final day takes you inland through Llogara National Park, where the road climbs high into the mountains. The views back over the coastline are breathtaking — one last reminder of Albania’s diversity.

By the time you return to Tirana, the journey feels complete. In just a week, you’ve experienced ancient history, coastal beauty, and a country that still feels refreshingly undiscovered.