Local roots, global standards
An 11-day small-group tour of Albania for solo travellers, starting and ending in Tirana and run by InAlb’s own local team. It pairs the UNESCO towns of Berat and Gjirokastra, the Blue Eye and Butrint with a boat day and beach days on the Riviera, and every day has one shared moment, from a rooftop welcome dinner to a cooking class, so strangers become friends. Groups are small, 6 to 16 people, matched by age, with an English-speaking guide throughout and airport transfers included. Set departures from May to October. From €1,750 per person in a shared twin room, or add €450 for your own room. Departures run with a minimum of 6 travellers.
Planned and operated by InAlb, Tirana. Last updated .
Travelling Albania alone but want company along the way? This 11-day small-group tour is built for solo travellers. From a rooftop welcome in Tirana to a farewell party ten nights later, you explore Berat’s living castle and Gjirokastra’s stone city, soak in the Benja thermal pools, see the Blue Eye and UNESCO Butrint, then unwind on the Riviera with a boat day to beaches you can only reach by sea and a bonfire on Salinas Beach. Small age-matched groups, 4-star boutique hotels, a local guide throughout and 24/7 support. Come solo, leave with a crew.
This is an 11-day guided small-group tour of Albania for solo travellers, starting and ending in Tirana. It is run by InAlb, a local Albanian tour operator, and built around one idea: the best way to see a country is with people you click with. So every day has at least one shared moment that does the work for you. A rooftop dinner, a cooking class, a horse ride through the Drino Valley, a bonfire on Salinas Beach.
The route is a loop. You start in the capital, head south through Albania’s two UNESCO old towns, drop down to the Ionian coast, then follow the Riviera back north before a farewell night in Tirana. That order is deliberate. Culture and conversation come first while the group is forming, then beaches and the boat day once everyone knows each other by name. You cover Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastra, Permet, the Blue Eye, Butrint, Saranda, Himara, Dhermi and the Llogara Pass, with 4-star boutique hotels in each base.
What makes it different from a standard open group tour is the social design. The guide is a local expert and also the person who makes connection happen without pressure: ice-breakers on night one, seating that mixes people up, optional activities so nobody feels forced. The pacing is honest. There are real travel days between bases, beach days are free, and you are never marched between photo stops.
We keep groups small, 6 to 16 people, and matched by age, because the dynamic is everything on a solo trip. Too big and it is a bus tour. Too wide an age gap and conversation stalls. We put the cultural towns first while energy is high and save the slow beach days for when the group has bonded.
If you want late starts every day, no driving, or five-star luxury throughout, this is not the right fit. If you want to meet people, do things rather than only look at them, and see the real Albania at a fair price, it is exactly right.
Tirana > Berat > Gjirokastra > Permet > Gjirokastra > Blue Eye > Butrint > Saranda > Porto Palermo > Himara > Dhermi > Llogara > Vlora > Tirana
Land in Tirana and ease straight into the group. Our driver meets you at the airport and takes you to the hotel. In the evening you meet everyone on a rooftop as the capital lights up. By the end of the welcome dinner, names stick and solo travellers start to feel like a team.
Moment of the dayThe first raki toast on a rooftop above Skanderbeg Square.
4-star boutique hotel a short walk from Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku cafés.
Start with Tirana’s essentials: Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem Bey Mosque and the New Bazaar. Lunch is at a former military base turned agritourism outside the city, with cheese, vegetables and meat from the farm in a setting you will not forget. After sunset, an interactive Albanian Night with live traditional music and dancing.
Moment of the dayDancing the valle with the group at the Albanian Night.
4-star boutique hotel a short walk from Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku cafés.
Berat feels like a film set: white-windowed houses stacked over the river and stone lanes curling up to a fortress people still live in. We walk both historic quarters, Mangalem and Gorica, step inside the castle and see Onufri’s icons, then gather for a tasting of traditional raki.
Moment of the dayThe thousand windows of Mangalem lit by the evening sun.
4-star boutique hotel in a restored Ottoman house in the Mangalem quarter.
In the stone city of Gjirokastra you see the landscape first, on a scenic horse ride through the Drino Valley with the mountains and the old town above you. Later you roll up your sleeves for a hands-on cooking class, learning traditional southern Albanian dishes from local ingredients, then sit down together to eat what you cooked.
Moment of the dayEating the lunch you cooked yourself in a stone-house kitchen.
4-star hotel in a traditional stone house below the castle.
A wellness day around Permet. Warm mineral pools steam beneath the old Ottoman bridge at Benja, the wild Vjosa offers optional rafting, and local women welcome us into their kitchen for a gliko fruit-preserve workshop and easy storytelling. Back to Gjirokastra for the night.
Moment of the dayFloating in a thermal pool under the Katiu bridge.
4-star hotel in a traditional stone house below the castle.
We chase colour today, from the surreal turquoise of the Blue Eye spring to Butrint’s green-ringed ruins, where Greeks, Romans and Venetians all left their marks, with a guided visit of the UNESCO site. The evening is a relaxed dinner together in Saranda, the lively town on the Ionian.
Moment of the dayButrint’s theatre with the lagoon shimmering behind it.
4-star hotel on the Saranda promenade with sea views.
A day on the water. The boat cruises the Ionian coast to secluded beaches and hidden bays that are best reached from the sea, with stops at Krorez and Kakome to swim in crystal-clear water, soak up the sun and simply relax. Music on board, coastal views and as much swimming as you like.
Moment of the dayJumping off the boat into the water at Krorez.
4-star hotel on the Saranda promenade with sea views.
The coastal road north is pure postcard. We stop at Ali Pasha’s triangular fortress on the Porto Palermo peninsula, then pause in laid-back Himara for beach time and lunch by the sea before continuing to Dhermi, our base for two nights on the Riviera. The evening is free, with an optional sunset dinner at Zoehora for those who want it.
Moment of the dayAli Pasha’s fortress standing alone on its peninsula.
4-star hotel a short walk from Dhermi beach.
A blue-on-blue beach day in Dhermi. Paddle a SUP towards the wild cove of Gjipe canyon (optional, €25), or claim a lounger and let the Ionian do its work. A short cliff-path walk rewards you with a hidden swim spot. In the evening the group gathers around a bonfire on Salinas Beach, the last night on the coast.
Moment of the dayThe bonfire on Salinas Beach with the whole crew around it.
4-star hotel a short walk from Dhermi beach.
Mountains drop to the sea in one sweeping view as we crest the Llogara Pass above Dhermi, with the park’s friendly deer often in sight. We stretch our legs on Vlora’s seafront promenade with a gelato, then head back to Tirana for a relaxed farewell party.
Moment of the dayThe view from the Llogara Pass where the mountains fall into the Ionian.
4-star boutique hotel a short walk from Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku cafés.
Sleep in or chase one last espresso, your call. The airport transfer runs to your flight time, and the trip group chat stays open so the jokes, photos and plans keep flowing. You came solo and leave with a crew.
Moment of the dayOne last coffee with the crew before the airport.
Each scale runs 1 to 5, from very easy to demanding.
Good for. Solo travellers who want company and connection, first-timers to Albania, and sociable people who enjoy a mix of culture, beaches and local food. Most guests are 25 to 55.
Not for you if travellers who want late starts every day, no travel days, or five-star luxury throughout. There are real travel days between bases, and the hotels are comfortable 4-star boutique, not high luxury.
Dietary needs. Vegetarian and other dietary needs are catered for with advance notice.
Entry fees. Entrance fees to the castles, museums and archaeological sites in the itinerary are included. Optional extras: Vjosa rafting on day 5 (paid locally), the sunset dinner at Zoehora on day 8 (€45 per person) and the SUP at Dhermi on day 9 (€25 per person), bookable in the booking box or on the spot.
Add them in the booking box, or tell us when you enquire.
18 travellers rated this trip
✓ Every review from a confirmed bookingSeriously, stop thinking about it and just do it. The motto 'Come solo, leave with a crew' is 100% accurate. Amazing country, amazing people, zero hassle.
I am glad I took this trip. It was actually very refreshing and exactly what I needed. Everyone was cool and the experience is worth it.
Comfortable walking shoes for old-town lanes and site visits, swimwear, you will use it often (beaches, thermal pools, boat day), a light layer for cooler evenings, sunscreen and a hat, a small daypack for day trips, a light rain jacket for May and October, power adapter, type C or F (220 V), some cash in lek or euros for personal expenses.
Fly into Tirana International Airport, 17 km from the centre, with direct flights from most European cities. Your airport pickup is included on day 1. Send us your flight details after booking.
Albanian is the official language. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and tourist areas, and your guide speaks fluent English. Two departures a season run with a Spanish-speaking guide, marked in the departure list.
Albania is one of Europe’s safest countries for visitors and locals are warm with guests. With an airport pickup, a guide throughout and 24/7 support, the logistics are handled for you.
The price is based on a shared twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. A single room costs €450 extra for the trip, add it in the booking box.
Balanced. Culture-heavy days first, then free beach days once the group has bonded. Some scenic drive days of 2 to 3 hours. Every optional activity can be skipped.
The currency is the Albanian lek. Euros are accepted in many tourist places. Carry some lek for markets, small cafés and tips. ATMs are in every town on the route.
Departures run May to October. June is warm and balanced, July and August hot and best for beaches, September warm seas and quieter beaches.
Buy a cheap local SIM at Tirana airport or in the city. Most hotels and restaurants have WiFi. The group chat runs on WhatsApp.
Strongly recommended, and required for the optional rafting and paddling.
No vaccinations are required for most travellers. Tap water is best avoided, bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Bring any personal medication.
Travellers who want late starts every day, no driving, or five-star luxury throughout.
Strongly recommended, and required for the optional rafting and paddling.
No vaccinations are required for most travellers. Tap water is best avoided, bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Bring any personal medication.
The currency is the Albanian lek. Euros are accepted in many tourist places, but carry some lek for markets, small cafés and tips. ATMs are in every town on the route. Tipping is appreciated, not expected. Rounding up or 5 to 10% is normal.
Departures run May to October. June is warm and balanced, July and August are hot and best for beaches, and September has warm seas and quieter beaches.
Buy a cheap local SIM at Tirana airport or in the city. Most hotels and restaurants have WiFi.
Mostly, yes. It is designed for people travelling alone, and the rooming, the pace and the shared activities all reflect that. Couples and pairs of friends do join from time to time, as long as they fit the group dynamic and age range. However you arrive, the atmosphere stays relaxed and inclusive.
Most so-called solo tours are open group tours anyone can book, with no thought to how people connect. This one is built around bonding. Every day has at least one shared experience, a cooking class, a boat day, a rooftop dinner, a horse ride, and the guide acts as a social facilitator, not only a local expert. You are never forced to socialise. It happens anyway.
Small. 6 to 16 travellers. Big enough for energy and variety, small enough that everyone knows each other by day 2. A departure runs with a minimum of 6 people.
We run age-matched departures for travellers aged 25 to 55, so the dynamic stays comfortable. When you enquire, we match you to the departure that best fits your age and travel style, so contact us before you book.
The price is based on a shared twin room, so you are paired with another solo traveller of the same gender. If you would rather have your own space, a single room costs €450 extra for the whole trip.
Pick your departure in the booking box and pay a 30% deposit online by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna or bank transfer. We confirm your place and your age-matched group within 24 hours. The balance is due 30 days before departure.
Departures run from May to October. June is warm and balanced, July and August are hot and best for beaches, September has warm seas and quieter beaches, arguably the best month overall, and early October is mild and quiet.
Ten nights in 4-star and boutique hotels in a shared twin room, breakfast daily from day 2, two lunches and two dinners, a private air-conditioned minibus for the whole trip, the boat day, the horse ride, the cooking class, the gliko workshop, the raki tasting, the Albanian Night, the beach bonfire, entrance tickets to every site in the itinerary, an English-speaking local guide throughout, airport transfers and 24/7 support. Flights, other meals, optional activities, a single room and travel insurance are extra.
Breakfast every morning from day 2, plus four meals: the welcome dinner on a rooftop in Tirana on day 1, the farm lunch on day 2, the lunch you cook yourself at the Gjirokastra cooking class on day 4 and a dinner together in Saranda on day 6. Other lunches and dinners are free so you can choose, and the guide has a tip for every stop. Vegetarian and other dietary needs are catered for with advance notice.
Airport transfers are included on day 1 and day 11, timed to your flights. International flights to Tirana are not included. Tirana airport is 17 km from the centre, with direct flights from most European cities.
Yes. Tell us your flights and we book extra nights at the Tirana hotel before or after the tour at the group rate, and adjust your airport transfers.
Easy to moderate. Mostly walking on cobbled old-town lanes, castle steps and natural paths, with free beach days in between. The optional extras, Vjosa rafting and the SUP paddle at Dhermi, are the most active elements and you can skip them. There are some longer but scenic drive days, the longest about 3 hours.
Included: the boat day from Saranda, the horse ride in the Drino Valley, the cooking class in Gjirokastra, the gliko workshop in Permet, the raki tasting in Berat, the Albanian Night in Tirana and all entrance tickets. Optional: white-water rafting on the Vjosa on day 5 (paid locally), a sunset dinner at Zoehora on day 8 (€45 per person) and a SUP to Gjipe canyon on day 9 (€25 per person). Add the dinner and the SUP in the booking box or decide on the spot.
English on most departures. Two departures a season run with a Spanish-speaking guide, marked in the departure list. German and Italian-speaking guides are possible when enough travellers in one departure speak that language. Ask us when you book.
In a private air-conditioned minibus with our own driver, so you never wait for buses or carry your bag far. Driving is about 16 hours in total across the 11 days, about 1.5 hours a day, with two nights in most bases.
Yes. Albania is one of Europe’s safest countries for visitors and locals are warm with guests. On this tour you also have an airport pickup, a guide with you every day and a 24/7 number, so the logistics are handled and you can relax.
To book, you pay a 30% deposit. The balance is due 30 days before departure. The deposit is not refundable. If you cancel after paying the balance, you get the full balance back 30 days or more before departure, 70% of it 15 to 29 days before, 50% of it 1 to 14 days before, and nothing on the day or for a no-show. For a valid reason, you may request to reschedule your multi-day tour at least one month before departure. Rescheduling is free of charge, subject to availability and approval by InAlb. In some cases we review a cancellation individually. Send cancellation requests in writing to info@inalb.al.
The currency is the Albanian lek. Euros are accepted in many tourist places, but carry some lek for markets, small cafés and tips. ATMs are in every town on the route and cards work in hotels and most restaurants. Tipping is appreciated, not expected. Rounding up or 5 to 10% is normal.
It is not required to book, but strongly recommended, and it must cover the optional activities if you plan to do rafting or paddling. Bring a policy that covers medical costs and cancellation.
On WhatsApp, 24/7, on three numbers: your dedicated agent, a second contact and an emergency line. You receive them with your booking confirmation, and your guide is in touch before pickup.
Because the social side is planned in, not left to luck. You land, we pick you up, and the same local team runs all 11 days: age-matched groups of 6 to 16, a guide who is in touch before pickup, and shared moments every day, from the rooftop welcome to the boat day. From €1,750 per person, with a €450 single supplement if you prefer your own room.
To book, you pay a 30% deposit. The balance is due 30 days before departure. The deposit is not refundable. If you cancel after paying the balance, you get the full balance back 30 days or more before departure, 70% of it 15 to 29 days before, 50% of it 1 to 14 days before, and nothing on the day or for a no-show. For a valid reason, you may request to reschedule your multi-day tour at least one month before departure. Rescheduling is free of charge, subject to availability and approval by InAlb. In some cases we review a cancellation individually. Send cancellation requests in writing to info@inalb.al.
Full booking and sustainability policies →A local expert replies within 24 hours, in English, Spanish or Albanian.
This was a truly fantastic trip, and I'd give the overall experience 5 stars, but I have a few notes on the schedule. The artisan wood-carving workshop was a great, unique idea. However, the optional white-water rafting on the Vjosa felt a bit rushed to get to. My favorite part was the south coast, especially the beach time in Dhermi. The farewell party in Tirana was a great way to end things. A great trip, just be prepared for some fast-paced days.
I really enjoyed every place we were and every activity. Well done
Private airport pickup, a farewell party in Tirana and even a post-trip group chat to share photos. The organizing was perfect.
The trip itself was a 5 star experience, with a great itinerary and amazing people. I'm only giving 4 stars as feedback on the single room supplement. In a few of the hotels, the single room was noticeably smaller and in a worse location than the shared rooms. If you're a light sleeper, it's something to consider. The hotels themselves were good, though.
I am glad I took this trip. It was actually very refreshing and exactly what I needed. Everyone was cool and the experience is worth it.
Seriously, stop thinking about it and just do it. The motto 'Come solo, leave with a crew' is 100% accurate. Amazing country, amazing people, zero hassle.
I was so nervous to travel solo but this trip was everything. From the first night on the rooftop in Tirana, you could just feel the good energy. Our guide, Adi, was amazing, he knew everyone's name by the end of the first dinner and made sure everyone was included. As a girl traveling alone, I felt so safe and comfortable the entire time. The other girls on the trip were lovely and we had our own rooms or were paired up, which was really well organised. The beach bonfire in Dhërmi where we all just talked for hours under the stars was a core memory. I literally came home with 15 new best friends.
Loved this holiday!
Booked this trip on a whim after a breakup and it was the best decision I could have made. I didn't have the mental energy to plan anything, and this tour handled everything. I was worried I'd feel lonely but I was so busy having fun and meeting amazing, supportive people that I didn't have time to be sad. The day we spent soaking in the Bënja thermal pools felt so healing. I came back feeling refreshed, with a new group of friends and a new perspective. Literally the perfect reset button.
This was a truly fantastic trip, and I'd give the overall experience 5 stars, but I have a few notes on the schedule. The artisan wood-carving workshop was a great, unique idea. However, the optional white-water rafting on the Vjosa felt a bit rushed to get to. My favorite part was the north coast, especially the beach time in Dhërmi. The farewell party in Tirana was a great way to end things. A great trip, just be prepared for some fast-paced days.
This tour is amazing, five-star itinerary and organization. Albania is a hidden gem. My only advice is to know what you're signing up for: it is a very social, high-energy trip. There isn't much downtime for you to go off and do your own thing, as most evenings have planned socials like sunset DJ sets or live music dinners. For an extrovert, its a dream come true. As a bit more of an introvert, I sometimes wished for a quiet night, but the activities were so fun I always ended up going anyway. So not a complaint, just a heads up! If you're ready to dive in and meet people, you will have the time of your life
Everything was good ,plan hotel, activities parties. 2 or 3 couples were also part of the tour and I thought this was a solo tour only but again it was not akward. Also we need to mention Stefan on our reviews as a whatsapp group chalenge so " Stefan"
Inalb is ne of the best companies I’ve ever organised a tour with. Their communication is great and it’s very clear what your itinerary will be. Their tour guide, Elton, is just fantastic. He speaks fluent English and also French and Italian, and his knowledge of his country is brilliant. At this company they know exactly what to offer you, granted you communicate a clear idea of what kind of tour you’re looking for. On the day of the tour, Elton used a really nice car, and paused the action for food and toilet breaks whenever I needed. I booked 2 tours with this company and It was a pleasure, a fantastic start to my holiday in Albania. Will be featured on YouTube
Absolutely incredible trip!!! I could not have asked for a better tour of Albania and Kosovo. Not only was the trip historical and beautiful, the people were phenomenal and the food was to die for! I could not recommend this experience more to anyone looking to explore the beauty of Albania!
Small Group Tour of Albanian Riviera Saranda, Ksamil, Himara & Dhermi well organised tour. We really had a good time. Very relaxing and slow paced. Excellent selection of hotels . Spiro our tour guide gave us some really good suggestions for restaurants. He made sure the drive was safe . Very professional and punctual. I really appreciate the flowers sent to me by the team as it was my birthday. I would definitely recommend Inalb to my friends Tour was absolutely worth the money spent.
Overal the tour was fine, there was some changes from the itnitial itinerary. I understand that things happen but we should have been informed much more in advance than what we did. We paid a good ammount for our tour and I feel like there was a lack overall.
We had a wonderful experience with Inalb. Our guide and driver, Ilir, was knowledgeable, friendly, and highly competent. I learned a great deal about the rich history of Albania as we visited several UNESCO World Heritage sites. Albania is a beautiful country, and this tour gave us a fantastic introduction to its culture and landscapes. I enjoyed the company of my fellow travelers from Australia and New Zealand too.
I came to Albania with Inalb thanks to ChatGPT’s recommendation for a safe destination for a female traveler. I didn’t know much about the country and honestly had some safety concerns at first, but I’m so glad I decided to go. I joined the solo tour and it turned out to be such an amazing experience. Our guide Angelo was fantastic. He’s super enthusiastic, friendly and knows absolutely everything about Albania’s history, culture and hidden gems. He shared so many interesting stories that made every place come alive. He also helped me take photos throughout the trip, which I really appreciated as a solo traveler and he definitely has an artistic eye for great shots. The tour was really well organized, covered so many beautiful sights and everything ran so smoothly. Everyone in the group was pleasant and we bonded right away. I’d highly recommend Inalb and Ergi if you’re planning a trip to this beautiful and underrated country.
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Planned and operated by InAlb, Tirana. Last updated 2 October 2026.
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