Albania in 13 Days: Wild North, UNESCO Cities, Food & Coast
A self-drive loop through the Albanian Alps, the remote Kelmend highlands, two UNESCO cities, Koman Lake and the Ionian coast, with food and nature at every stop.
This 13-day self-drive trip crosses Albania from the Alps to the Ionian Sea: Theth National Park, the remote villages of Tamare and Lepushe, the Koman Lake fjords, UNESCO Berat and Gjirokaster, the Blue Eye and Butrint, and the beaches of Saranda and Ksamil. You drive an insured rental car, with local guides and farm-to-table meals along the way. From €1,660 per person, two sharing, private departure on your dates.
This is a self-drive trip: you drive your own new, fully insured rental car (no deposit), and a local guide or host meets you at each stop rather than riding along between towns. You keep full freedom over your pace and your mornings, with 24/7 local support a message away the whole trip. It is also fully customizable: prefer not to drive the long northern roads? Add a private driver-guide for all or part of the route. You can also add experiences and tastings, upgrade hotels, add nights, or include the optional shows and food tastings. Booking is instant and any date is open.
The trip is built to move from one landscape to the next without backtracking, so a single rental car carries you from the mountains to the sea. You start in Tirana, climb north into the Alps, dip into the remote Kelmend highlands near the Montenegrin border, then come back down through Koman Lake before turning south.
The north is the wild part. Theth National Park, the stone village and its reconciliation tower, then two nights deeper still in Tamare and Lepushe, where the road follows the Cemi River and the day’s highlight is a horseback ride through alpine pasture. The Koman Lake speedboat day, the stretch locals call the fjords of Albania, links the mountains back to the lowlands.
The middle is history and food. UNESCO Berat, the city of a thousand windows, and UNESCO Gjirokaster, the stone city, each paired with a long agrotourism lunch. Albania’s culinary side is not a side dish here; it is half the point.
The south is the coast. The turquoise Blue Eye spring, the ancient ruins of Butrint, sunset from Lekursi Castle over Saranda, a rafting morning on the Bistrica, and two unhurried days on the white-sand beaches of Ksamil before the drive back to Tirana.
Why you'll love this trip
- Collect your insured rental car at Tirana airport, with a city tour and a zipline at Petrele
- Farm-to-table lunch at The Base, an agrotourism on a former military site above Tirana
- Kruja castle and bazaar, plus the Sari Salltik mountain sanctuary
- Theth National Park: stone village, reconciliation tower and optional Alps hikes
- The remote Kelmend highlands: Tamare and a horseback ride in Lepushe
- Koman Lake and Shala River speedboat day, the fjords of Albania
- UNESCO Berat, the city of a thousand windows, with an Alpeta agrotourism lunch
- UNESCO Gjirokaster, the stone city, and a countryside horseback ride
- The Blue Eye spring and the UNESCO ruins of Butrint
- Sunset and dinner at hilltop Lekursi Castle over Saranda
- Rafting the Bistrica and beach days at Ksamil, the Maldives of Europe
Suitability
Is this trip right for you?
Physical level
Easy to moderate. Optional hikes at Theth, plus horseback riding and rafting; the rest is gentle town and beach walking. Average fitness is enough.
Driving
Some long, scenic days, especially the remote north and the final drive back to Tirana. The Theth and Kelmend roads are mountainous, so drive unhurried.
Accessibility
The northern leg involves remote mountain roads, and old towns have cobbles and steps, so this is not step-free. Tell us about mobility needs in advance.
Safety & inclusivity
24/7 local support by phone and WhatsApp throughout. Mobile coverage is patchy in the highlands; guesthouses have Wi-Fi.
✓ Who should book
Couples and pairs who want the full range of Albania, mountains, villages, UNESCO towns, food and coast, and are happy to drive scenic northern roads.
✕ Who should not book
Not ideal if you want only beach time, no driving, or flat walking throughout. Prefer not to drive? Add a driver-guide and we run the same route for you.
Day by day
Your 13-day itinerary
Tirana: city, zipline and a farm lunch
Tirana, Petrele, Surrel
Collect your rental car at Tirana airport and meet your local guide for a city tour: the New Bazaar, the National History Museum and the Blloku district. Then a zipline at Petrele, and a long farm-to-table lunch at The Base, an agrotourism built on a former military site. Overnight Tirana.
Kruja, Sari Salltik and Shkodra
Kruja, Sari Salltik, Fishte, Shkodra
Drive north to Kruja for its castle and Ottoman bazaar, then up to the Sari Salltik sanctuary for Adriatic views. Farm-to-table lunch at Fishte, then on to Shkodra.
Theth National Park
Theth
Drive into the Alps to Theth: the stone village, the historic Reconciliation Tower, and an optional hike to the Blue Eye of Theth and the Grunas Waterfall. Overnight in the valley.
Into the Kelmend highlands: Tamare
Tamare, Kelmend
A remote drive deeper into northern Albania to the alpine village of Tamare in the Kelmend region, far from the crowds and surrounded by peaks.
Tamare to Lepushe, horseback riding
Lepushe
A scenic drive along the Cemi River to Lepushe, then a horseback ride through alpine pasture, with time to walk the village or hike to a viewpoint over the border mountains.
Back to Shkodra
Shkodra
A scenic mountain drive back to Shkodra. Afternoon free, with the option of a Shkodra food tasting of more than 20 local dishes with a local family.
Koman Lake and Shala River
Komani Lake, Shala River, Durres
Drive to Lake Koman and board a speedboat through the fjords of Albania to the turquoise Shala River, with about three hours of free time to swim and relax (optional kayaking). Return by boat and drive to Durres for the night.
Berat, the city of a thousand windows
Berat, Roshnik
Drive south to UNESCO Berat. Guided tour of the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, the Ottoman bridge and the inhabited castle, then a three-course agrotourism lunch at Alpeta in Roshnik.
Gjirokaster, the stone city
Gjirokaster
A scenic drive to UNESCO Gjirokaster. A countryside horseback ride, then a guided walk through the stone old town, the bazaar and the hilltop castle. Evening free.
Blue Eye, Butrint and Saranda
Blue Eye, Butrint, Saranda
Drive south to the turquoise Blue Eye spring, then the UNESCO ruins of Butrint. Continue to Saranda, with an afternoon swim and sunset dinner at hilltop Lekursi Castle.
Rafting and Ksamil
Bistrica, Ksamil, Saranda
A morning rafting the clear Bistrica River, then the white-sand beaches and turquoise water of Ksamil, the Maldives of Europe. Evening on the Saranda promenade.
A free day on the Ionian coast
Saranda, Ksamil
A full day at your own pace on the beaches of Saranda or Ksamil, with optional paragliding from the Llogara Pass over the coast.
Departure
Saranda, Tirana Airport
Drive back toward Tirana and return the car at the airport for your departure.
Route & places
Tirana › Kruja › Sari Salltik › Fishte › Shkodra › Theth › Tamare › Lepushe › Shala River › Durres › Koman Lake › Berat › Blue Eye › Butrint › Ksamil › Bistrice › Lekursi › Llogara › Petrela › Rroshnik
What's included
✓ Included
- 🏨12 nights in 3-4 star hotels and mountain guesthouses, private bathrooms
- 🍳Daily breakfast and the farm-to-table lunches listed (The Base, Fishte, Alpeta)
- 🚗New insured rental car for the whole trip, unlimited mileage, no deposit
- 🧭Local guides at the listed stops (Tirana, Kruja, Berat, Gjirokaster, Butrint)
- ✓Petrele zipline
- ✓Horseback rides in Lepushe and Gjirokaster
- ✓Koman Lake and Shala River speedboat day
- ✓Bistrica River rafting
- 🎟️All entry tickets to the museums and national parks listed
- 📞24/7 local support and personalized route planning
Not included
- ✕Fuel, parking, tolls and traffic fines, unless a driver-guide upgrade is added
- ✕International flights
- ✕Personal travel insurance, strongly recommended
- ✕Optional activities (Albanian Night show, Shkodra food tasting, kayaking, paragliding)
- ✕Personal expenses and meals beyond those listed
- ✕Optional entrance tickets not listed
- ✕Single supplement for solo travelers
Trip details
Where you'll stay
Good to know
What to bring
- 👟Comfortable walking and light hiking shoes
- 🧥Light layers and a rain jacket for the Alps
- 🩱Swimwear for the rivers, lakes and coast
- 🧴Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- 🎒A valid driving licence, plus an International Driving Permit for non-EU licences
- 🔌A European-plug power adapter
- 💧A daypack and a refillable water bottle
- 🏨Some cash in Lek for remote villages and guesthouses
Not suitable for
Travelers who want only beach time, no driving at all, or fully step-free walking. Consider adding a driver-guide if you prefer not to drive.
Visa & entry
Most visitors from the EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days. Check the requirements for your nationality before travel.
Travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance covering medical care, accidents and cancellations is strongly recommended and is the responsibility of each traveler.
Health
No special vaccinations are required for Albania. Bring any personal medication and a small first-aid kit for the mountain days.
Money & tipping
The local currency is the Albanian Lek, roughly 100 to 110 Lek to the euro. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory, around 5 to 10 percent for good service.
Climate & weather
Spring and autumn are mild and green; summers are hot on the coast. The northern mountains are cooler and can change quickly, so pack layers.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a self-drive trip?
Yes. You collect an insured rental car at Tirana airport and drive the route at your own pace, with local guides meeting you at the listed stops. If you would rather not drive the long northern roads, add a private driver-guide and we run the same route for you.
How hard is the driving, especially in the north?
Moderate. The Theth road and the Kelmend highlands are mountainous, so they need careful, unhurried driving, but they are manageable and deeply scenic. Roads in the south are straightforward, and we send route notes in advance.
What makes this an all-senses trip?
It deliberately mixes wild nature (the Alps, Koman Lake, the coast), history (two UNESCO cities and Butrint), and food (farm-to-table lunches and tastings), with hands-on experiences like horseback riding, ziplining and rafting.
Which meals are included?
Daily breakfast plus the farm-to-table lunches on the itinerary. Some experiences, such as the Albanian Night show and the Shkodra food tasting, are optional and can be added. Other meals are free so you can choose.
Is it good for couples specifically?
It is built around two travelers, one rental car and double rooms, with a rhythm that leaves your evenings free. It works just as well for any pair; nothing on the route is couples-only.
When is the best time to go?
Spring through autumn. The northern Alps are best from late spring to early autumn; the coast is warmest in summer.
How much does the 13-day Wild North tour cost?
The tour costs from €1,660 per person, two sharing, with a 30% deposit to book and the balance due 30 days before the trip. It runs privately on your dates from a minimum of 2 travellers, covering accommodation, transport, guiding and the listed activities. International flights and travel insurance are extra.
Cancellation policy
A deposit of 30 percent secures your booking, with the balance due 30 days before arrival. Once services are booked, standard supplier cancellation terms apply and are shared transparently before payment. In cases of force majeure we work with you on alternatives or refunds.
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