What to pack
Comfortable walking shoes for cobbled old towns and castle climbs, layers for changing weather, a warm jacket on winter departures, sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear for the coast on summer departures, a reusable water bottle, some cash in lek or euros for the city tax and personal expenses, a passport valid for at least 6 months.
Who runs the trip
The tour is operated by our local partner with an English-speaking guide. InAlb handles your booking, airport transfers and 24/7 support during the trip.
Getting there
Fly into Tirana International Airport, 17 km from the centre. Airport transfers are included. Send us your flight details after booking.
Group size
A standard group tour with up to 35 people in a modern air-conditioned minibus or coach.
Rooms
The price is based on two sharing a double or twin room in 4-star hotels. A single room costs €235 extra for the trip, add it in the booking box.
Local city tax
A small tourist tax is payable directly at hotel check-in and is not included in the price.
Optional extras
A folklore dinner with a 7-course menu in Tirana (€62) and a seafood dinner in Vlora (€27). Add them in the booking box or ask your guide.
Pace
Relaxed. Short walks and some steps at castles and old towns, no hikes. The longest travel days are about 3 to 3.5 hours with stops.
Weather
Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing. July and August are hot and best for the swim at Ksamil. Winter departures are mild but cooler, pack a jacket.
Money
The currency is the Albanian lek. Euros are accepted in many tourist places. Carry some lek for the city tax, markets, cafés and tips.
Travel insurance
Not required to book, but strongly recommended.
Not suitable for
Serious hikers, travellers who want a small group, or a pure beach holiday.
Travel insurance
Not required to book, but strongly recommended.
Health
No vaccinations are required for most travellers. Tap water is best avoided, bottled water is cheap and everywhere. Bring any personal medication.
Money and tipping
The currency is the Albanian lek. Euros are accepted in many tourist places, but carry some lek for the city tax, markets, cafés and tips. ATMs are in every town on the route. Tipping the guide and driver is appreciated, not expected.
Climate and weather
Albania has a Mediterranean climate. Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing. July and August are hot and best for the coast, and carry a high-season price. Winter departures are mild but cooler.
Connectivity
Buy a cheap local SIM at Tirana airport or in the city. Most hotels and restaurants have WiFi.
FAQs
What does the Best of Albania tour cover?
An 8-day loop from Tirana through the country’s highlights: Kruja and Skanderbeg’s castle, Lezha, Shkodra and Rozafa Castle, the Roman amphitheatre of Durres, UNESCO Berat, Ardenica Monastery, ancient Apollonia, Vlora, the Ionian Riviera and Ksamil, UNESCO Butrint, the Blue Eye and UNESCO Gjirokastra.
Who operates this tour?
The tour is operated by our local partner, a specialist in group tours of Albania, with an English-speaking guide on board. InAlb handles your booking, your airport transfers and 24/7 support on WhatsApp during the trip, as on every trip we sell.
How big is the group?
This is a standard group tour with up to 35 people, travelling in a modern air-conditioned minibus or coach. If you prefer a small group or a private trip, look at our small-group and private tours.
When does it run?
Departures almost every week from January to November, most of them on Mondays. Spring and autumn are ideal for sightseeing, summer adds warm sea for the swim at Ksamil, and winter departures are mild and quiet. Pick your date in the booking box.
Which departures are in Spanish?
Most departures run in English. Selected departures run with a Spanish-speaking guide and are marked in the departure list. Choose the date marked Spanish if you want the tour in Spanish.
How much does the tour cost, and what is the high-season price?
From €900 per person, two sharing, in 4-star hotels. July and August departures cost €1,089 per person. A single room costs €235 extra for the trip. You pay a 30% deposit to book and the balance 30 days before departure.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights in 4-star hotels on double occupancy, breakfast daily, lunch at Mrizi i Zanave with a welcome drink, airport transfers, all transport in a modern air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide throughout with local guides where applicable, entrance fees to every listed museum, castle and archaeological site, and 24/7 support from InAlb. Flights, the local city tax paid at hotels, other meals, tips and travel insurance are extra.
Are meals included?
Breakfast every morning and one lunch, the farm-to-table lunch at Mrizi i Zanave on day 3. Other lunches and dinners are free so you can choose. Two optional dinners can be added in the booking box: a folklore dinner with a 7-course menu in Tirana (€62) and a seafood dinner in Vlora (€27).
How much walking is involved?
It is an easy tour. Expect short walks and some steps at castles, archaeological sites and old towns, but no hikes. Comfortable walking shoes are enough. The longest travel days are about 3 to 3.5 hours in the vehicle with stops.
Is it good for first-time visitors and solo travellers?
Yes. It is designed as a complete first visit with a guide throughout. Solo travellers are welcome: the price is based on two sharing, and a single room costs €235 extra for the trip.
Where do we stay?
In 4-star hotels: Albanopolis Hotel in Tirana, Tradita G&T or Tosk Hotel in Shkodra, Hotel Republika in Berat, Hotel Partner in Vlora and Havana Hotel in Saranda, or similar hotels of the same standard. Rooms are on double occupancy, with a single room available as an add-on.
Are airport transfers and flights included?
Airport transfers are included on day 1 and day 8, timed to your flights, and handled by the InAlb team. International flights to Tirana are not included.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. Tell us your flights and we book extra nights at the Tirana hotel before or after the tour and adjust your airport transfers.
How do I book, and when do I pay?
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 within 24 hours. The balance is due 30 days before departure.
What is the cancellation policy?
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.
What is the local city tax?
A small tourist tax charged by Albanian hotels per person per night, paid directly at check-in. It is not included in the price.
What money do I need?
The currency is the Albanian lek. Euros are accepted in many tourist places, but carry some lek for the city tax, markets, cafés and tips. ATMs are in every town on the route and cards work in hotels and most restaurants.
How do I reach you during the trip?
On WhatsApp, 24/7, on three numbers: your dedicated agent, a second contact and an emergency line. You receive them with your booking confirmation.
Cancellation and refunds
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 →
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