Highlights of Albania: Tirana to Kruja – 11 Days
Castles, ancient cities and the Riviera on a thorough loop of Albania.
Tour overview
This 11-day trip travels the length of southern and central Albania, with a tour leader and a group of no more than sixteen. You stay ten nights in comfortable hotels, with breakfast daily and two lunches, one of them with a family in the countryside.
From Tirana, explored on foot and from the cable car up Mount Dajti, you visit Elbasan's fortress on the way to Lake Ohrid, then the medieval town of Voskopoja and Korça before a scenic drive through the southern highlands to Gjirokastra.
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After the castle at Gjirokastra and lunch with a local family, you explore the ancient city of Butrint, see Ali Pasha's fortress on the Riviera and stay among the pines of Llogara. Apollonia, Vlora and the white Ottoman houses of Berat lead to a last night in Kruja.
The physical rating is low. This trip suits culture lovers who want a thorough first look at Albania.
Trip highlights
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Mount Dajti cable car (Day 2)
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Lake Ohrid (Day 3)
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Gjirokastra and a family lunch (Day 6)
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Butrint (Day 7)
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Apollonia (Day 9)
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Berat (Day 10)
Your route
15 stops from Tirana to Kruja
- Tirana Days 1–2
- Elbasan Day 3
- Pogradec Day 3
- Voskopoja Day 4
- Korçë Day 4
- Gjirokaster Days 5–6
- Blue Eye Day 7
- Butrint Day 7
- Saranda Day 7
- Ali Pasha Fortress Day 8
- Llogora National Park Day 8
- Apollonia Day 9
- Berat Day 9
- Durrës Day 10
- Kruja Days 10–11
Why choose this tour
Albania's main sights in one trip. Lunch with a local family.
Best suited to
- Culture lovers
- First-time visitors to Albania
- History buffs
- Solo travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
11 days from Tirana, Albania to Kruja, Albania
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Day 1 · Tirana Tirana
Welcome to Albania.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 2 · Tirana, Mount Dajti Tirana
A walking tour and cable car.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 3 · Elbasan, Lake Ohrid Pogradec
To Lake Ohrid.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Voskopoja, Korça Korça
A medieval town.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Gjirokastra Gjirokastra
Through the highlands.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Gjirokastra Castle, Dhoksat Gjirokastra
Castle and family lunch.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 7 · Butrint, Saranda Saranda
Ancient Butrint.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Porto Palermo, Llogara National Park Llogara
The Riviera.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Vlora, Apollonia, Berat Berat
Ancient Apollonia.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 10 · Berat, Durres, Kruja Kruja
Berat on foot.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · Kruja Kruja
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Tirana (2 nights) Hotel
- Pogradec (1 night) Hotel
- Korça (1 night) Hotel
- Gjirokastra (2 nights) Hotel
- Saranda (1 night) Hotel
- Llogara (1 night) Hotel
- Berat (1 night) Hotel
- Kruja (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 10 nights in hotels
- Meals 10 breakfasts and 2 lunches
- Transport throughout
- Mount Dajti cable car
- Gjirokastra Castle and Butrint
- Apollonia and Berat
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 7 lunches and 10 dinners
- Most lunches and dinners
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want beach time
- You want most meals included
- You dislike long drives
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,560 per person, twin share, tour only. 33 upcoming departures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Do I need a visa for Albania?
No, UK citizens can visit Albania visa-free for up to 90 days.
Is Albania safe to visit?
Albania is generally safe and welcoming; check the latest FCDO travel advice before booking.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast every day and two lunches.
What currency is used?
The Albanian lek, though euros are often accepted.
Can I have my own room?
A single supplement may be available; otherwise solo travellers share with someone of the same gender.
How many people travel together?
No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary