South Albania Cultural & Coastal Trip
From historic castles and charming towns to turquoise beaches and scenic coastal drives, experience culture, history, and relaxation on this unforgettable journey.

Trip Days
9 Days

Difficulty
Easy

Type
Cultural & Beach
South Albania Cultural & Coastal Trip
Explore the diverse culture, history, and stunning coastal scenery of southern Albania on this 9-day journey. Begin in Shkodra, visiting Rozafa Castle and enjoying lakeside dining, before heading to Kruja to wander the historic bazaar and castle.
Continue to Berat, the city of a thousand windows, then immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Permet with its thermal baths and picturesque canyon.
Experience the heritage of Gjirokastra, the charm of Saranda and Ksamil beaches, and the coastal gems of Qeparo and Porto Palermo. End your journey in Tirana with city highlights and a festive farewell dinner.
Optional 8-day itineraries skip Permet, allowing a faster-paced route. Meals are flexible, with lunches and dinners available for guests to enjoy local specialties at their leisure. Perfect for travelers seeking culture, relaxation, and scenic coastal views in one memorable trip.
Tour Overview
Start / End
Shkodra / Tirana
Countries
Albania
Tour Type
Cultural, Scenic & Leisure Tour
Duration
9 days / 8 nights (optional 8-day version without Permet)
Difficulty
Easy – moderate (mostly sightseeing, light walking)
Accomodation
Hotels
Best season
April – October
-
Day 1 – Arrival & Shkodra
Transfer from airport to Shkodra.
Lunch in Shiroka by the lake.
Visit Rozafa Castle.
Dinner in Shkodra city.
Overnight in hotel. -
Day 2 – Shkodra → Kruja & Berat
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Kruja (1h30). Visit Old
Bazaar & Kruja Castle.
Lunch in Kruja.
Continue to Berat (1h45). Check-in at hotel.
Dinner in Berat (optionally in castle area). -
Day 3 – Berat → Permet
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Berat Castle.
Transfer to Permet (2h). Free walk in town.
Lunch in Permet.
Dinner with traditional live music.
Overnight in hotel. -
Day 4 – Permet & Benja Thermal Baths
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit and bathe in Benja Thermal Baths (30 min from Permet).
Lunch in Kelcyre Gorge (30 min from Permet).
Transfer to Gjirokastra (1h15).
Evening free in city, dinner in Qafa e Pazarit with local ambiance. -
Day 5 – Gjirokastra → Saranda via Rozafa & Lekuresi
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Gjirokastra Old Town and characteristic streets.
Lunch in city.
Transfer to Saranda (1h15). Check-in at hotel.
Free time, dinner in Kalaja e Lekuresit with live music. -
Day 6 – Saranda & Ksamil
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Butrint Archaeological Site (30 min).
Lunch and beach time in Ksamil.
Dinner in Saranda. -
Day 7 – Saranda → Vlora via Qeparo & Porto Palermo
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive along coast, stop at Qeparo for optional lunch & beach.
Visit Porto Palermo Castle (15 min from Qeparo).
Transfer to Vlora (1h30).
Dinner on the Lungomare in Vlora. -
Day 8 – Vlora → Tirana
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Tirana (1h40).
Check-in at hotel, afternoon city visit.
Festive traditional dinner. -
Day 9 – Departure
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to airport.
Tour Overview
Start / End
Shkodra / Tirana
Countries
Albania
Tour Type
Cultural, Scenic & Leisure Tour
Duration
9 days / 8 nights (optional 8-day version without Permet)
Difficulty
Easy – moderate (mostly sightseeing, light walking)
Accomodation
Hotels
Best season
April – October
South Albania Cultural & Coastal Trip
Explore the diverse culture, history, and stunning coastal scenery of southern Albania on this 9-day journey. Begin in Shkodra, visiting Rozafa Castle and enjoying lakeside dining, before heading to Kruja to wander the historic bazaar and castle.
Continue to Berat, the city of a thousand windows, then immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Permet with its thermal baths and picturesque canyon.
Experience the heritage of Gjirokastra, the charm of Saranda and Ksamil beaches, and the coastal gems of Qeparo and Porto Palermo. End your journey in Tirana with city highlights and a festive farewell dinner.
Optional 8-day itineraries skip Permet, allowing a faster-paced route. Meals are flexible, with lunches and dinners available for guests to enjoy local specialties at their leisure. Perfect for travelers seeking culture, relaxation, and scenic coastal views in one memorable trip.
-
Day 1 – Arrival & Shkodra
Transfer from airport to Shkodra.
Lunch in Shiroka by the lake.
Visit Rozafa Castle.
Dinner in Shkodra city.
Overnight in hotel. -
Day 2 – Shkodra → Kruja & Berat
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Kruja (1h30). Visit Old
Bazaar & Kruja Castle.
Lunch in Kruja.
Continue to Berat (1h45). Check-in at hotel.
Dinner in Berat (optionally in castle area). -
Day 3 – Berat → Permet
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Berat Castle.
Transfer to Permet (2h). Free walk in town.
Lunch in Permet.
Dinner with traditional live music.
Overnight in hotel. -
Day 4 – Permet & Benja Thermal Baths
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit and bathe in Benja Thermal Baths (30 min from Permet).
Lunch in Kelcyre Gorge (30 min from Permet).
Transfer to Gjirokastra (1h15).
Evening free in city, dinner in Qafa e Pazarit with local ambiance. -
Day 5 – Gjirokastra → Saranda via Rozafa & Lekuresi
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Gjirokastra Old Town and characteristic streets.
Lunch in city.
Transfer to Saranda (1h15). Check-in at hotel.
Free time, dinner in Kalaja e Lekuresit with live music. -
Day 6 – Saranda & Ksamil
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Butrint Archaeological Site (30 min).
Lunch and beach time in Ksamil.
Dinner in Saranda. -
Day 7 – Saranda → Vlora via Qeparo & Porto Palermo
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive along coast, stop at Qeparo for optional lunch & beach.
Visit Porto Palermo Castle (15 min from Qeparo).
Transfer to Vlora (1h30).
Dinner on the Lungomare in Vlora. -
Day 8 – Vlora → Tirana
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to Tirana (1h40).
Check-in at hotel, afternoon city visit.
Festive traditional dinner. -
Day 9 – Departure
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer to airport.
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