Albania 7-Day Itinerary 2026: Tirana, Berat, Gjirokaster & the Riviera

Seven days is enough to see Albania’s most rewarding stretch: two days to settle into Tirana, one day each for Berat and Gjirokaster, two days on the coast around Ksamil and Saranda, and a final night in Vlore on the way back north. This itinerary runs south and ends in Vlore before flying home from Tirana — adjust for your flight schedule. All prices are in euros (€) or Albanian lek (ALL); 1 EUR ≈ 100 ALL as of 2026.

Day 1: Arrive Tirana — city centre and Blloku

Arrive at Tirana International Airport (TIA). Take Bus 2A to the city centre (approximately 400 ALL, 35–45 min) or a Bolt or taxi (approximately 2,000–2,500 ALL, 20–30 min).

Afternoon: Walk Skanderbeg Square, visit the exterior of the National History Museum, and explore Pazari i Ri (New Bazaar) for an early dinner.

Eat: Oda (traditional Albanian, approximately €8–12/person) or a byrek from the Pazari i Ri stalls (150–300 ALL).

Stay — Budget: Generator Tirana, dorm from approximately €15/night; private room from approximately €40/night. Mid-range: Hotel Colosseo, from approximately €55–75/night. Upper: Xheko Imperial Hotel, from approximately €90–130/night.

Day 2: Tirana in depth — Bunk’Art, Pyramid, Mount Dajti

Morning: Spend two hours at Bunk’Art 2 (approximately 700 ALL entry), the communist-era bunker museum. Then walk to the Pyramid of Tirana (free) and the Et’hem Bey Mosque (free).

Afternoon: Take the Dajti Express cable car (approximately 800 ALL return, journey 15 min each way) to Mount Dajti for views and a walk. Return by early evening.

Evening: Dinner in Blloku. Mullixhiu (from approximately €12–18/person, reservation recommended) is the best contemporary Albanian option. Trivë (approximately €10–15/person) is a good fallback.

Day 3: Tirana → Berat (UNESCO old town)

Morning: Take a furgon or bus from Tirana’s south bus station to Berat (approximately 600–700 ALL, 2.5–3 hours). Furgons leave when full from early morning; most departures are before 10:00.

Berat is nicknamed “the city of a thousand windows” for the stacked Ottoman houses of its Mangalem and Gorica neighbourhoods. The hilltop Berat Castle (entry approximately 200 ALL) contains a working village inside its walls — allow 1.5–2 hours. The Onufri Museum inside the castle holds an important collection of Byzantine icons.

Eat lunch: Antigonea Restaurant (traditional Albanian, approximately €6–10/person) or Mangalemi Restaurant for fresh trout and local wine.

Stay — Budget: Guesthouse Mangalemi, from approximately €20–30/night including breakfast. Mid-range: Hotel Rezidenca Desaret, from approximately €45–65/night. Upper: Hotel Mangalemi, from approximately €55–80/night.

Evening: Walk the cobblestoned lanes of Mangalem at dusk — one of the best evening walks in Albania.

Day 4: Berat → Gjirokaster (UNESCO stone city)

Morning: Furgon from Berat to Gjirokaster via Fier (approximately 900–1,100 ALL total with change; allow 4–5 hours including the connection). Alternatively, hire a taxi for the day (approximately €60–80) which also allows a stop at the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) spring en route.

Gjirokaster Castle (entry approximately 400 ALL) dominates the hilltop — the castle contains a war museum and a captured US Air Force jet from the Cold War era. Allow 2 hours. The old bazaar below is compact and easy to walk in an afternoon.

Eat lunch: Odaja Restaurant (traditional dishes, approximately €7–12/person near the bazaar).

Stay — Budget: Old Town Hostel Gjirokaster, from approximately €15–20/dorm or €35/private. Mid-range: Hotel Kalemi, from approximately €45–65/night. Upper: Hotel Gjirokastra, from approximately €60–90/night.

Evening: Walk the stone-paved alleys after dark — the fortress is lit and the bazaar cafés stay open late.

Day 5: Gjirokaster → Ksamil / Saranda (coast)

Morning: Furgon or bus to Saranda (approximately 600–700 ALL, 1.5–2 hours). From Saranda, take a local bus or taxi 14 km south to Ksamil (approximately 600–800 ALL by taxi).

Ksamil is Albania’s most photogenic beach area — a cluster of turquoise coves and small islands just north of the Greek border. Ksamil Beach and Mirror Beach are the best swimming spots. Entry to the beach areas (sun lounger hire) costs approximately €3–5/person in season.

Eat lunch: Ksamil has dozens of fish restaurants along the shore. Expect to pay approximately €10–15/person for fresh grilled fish and salad.

Stay in Ksamil — Budget: Freddy’s Hostel Ksamil, from approximately €18–25/night. Mid-range: Villa Laguna, from approximately €50–80/night. Upper: Ksamil Village Hotel, from approximately €80–120/night.

Spend the afternoon on the beach or walk to Butrint National Park (entry approximately 1,000 ALL), a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site with Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian ruins 6 km south of Ksamil.

Day 6: Ksamil → Saranda — Lekuresi Castle, waterfront

Morning: Take a taxi or local bus back to Saranda (approximately 600–800 ALL). Saranda is the region’s main town — a busy waterfront promenade lined with cafés and restaurants, with mountains behind.

Morning activity: Visit Lekuresi Castle (free, taxi approximately 400–600 ALL each way from Saranda centre) for the best viewpoint over the bay and the Greek island of Corfu.

Eat: Taverna Gjoni (fresh fish, approximately €10–15/person) on the Saranda promenade, or Restaurant Ylli Detare (similar price range).

Stay in Saranda — Budget: Hostel Saranda, from approximately €15/dorm. Mid-range: Hotel Hairy Lemon, from approximately €50–70/night. Upper: Hotel Butrinti, from approximately €75–110/night.

Afternoon: Swim at Saranda beach or take a taxi to Monastery Beach (8 km south) for quieter swimming.

Day 7: Saranda → Vlore — Albanian Riviera coastal drive

Take a bus or furgon north along the Ionian Highway through the Albanian Riviera to Vlore (approximately 1,000–1,200 ALL, 3–4 hours with a change or direct depending on the route). The drive passes Dhermi, Himara, and Palasa — all worth a quick stop if you have flexibility.

Vlore is Albania’s second coastal city and has a more local, less touristic feel than Saranda. The Independence Monument (free) marks where Albania declared independence from the Ottomans in 1912. The Muradie Mosque (free, dates to 1537) is worth a look. The seafront walk south toward Uji i Ftohtë Beach is pleasant in the evening.

Eat in Vlore: Restaurant Zgara (grilled meats and Albanian dishes, approximately €7–12/person) or the seafront restaurants on the Lungomare (promenade).

Stay in Vlore — Budget: Hotel Adriatik, from approximately €30–45/night. Mid-range: Hotel Piazza, from approximately €50–70/night. Upper: Hotel Mondial, from approximately €65–90/night.

From Vlore, the next morning take the bus back to Tirana (approximately 1,000 ALL, 2.5–3 hours) for your departure flight.

Transport summary

Leg	Method	Approx. cost	Approx. time
Airport → Tirana	Bus 2A or taxi	400–2,500 ALL	25–45 min
Tirana → Berat	Furgon	600–700 ALL	2.5–3 hrs
Berat → Gjirokaster	Furgon (via Fier)	900–1,100 ALL	4–5 hrs
Gjirokaster → Saranda	Furgon	600–700 ALL	1.5–2 hrs
Saranda → Ksamil	Taxi	600–800 ALL	20 min
Saranda → Vlore	Furgon/bus	1,000–1,200 ALL	3–4 hrs
Vlore → Tirana	Bus	1,000 ALL	2.5–3 hrs

All costs are as of 2026 and may vary by season and operator.

Budget overview

Category	Budget/day	Mid-range/day
Accommodation	€15–25	€50–80
Food	€12–18	€20–35
Transport	€5–10	€8–15
Sights/activities	€3–8	€8–15
Total	€35–61	€86–145

Related Albania guides

• Tirana travel guide
• Berat travel guide
• Gjirokaster travel guide
• Ksamil beach guide
• Saranda travel guide
• Albanian Riviera guide