1. Is this tour available for all ages?

Yes, this tour is perfectly suited for all ages. The walking is generally easy and relaxed, mainly through historic city centers and castles.

2. Can this tour be self-guided?

No, this multiday cross-border trip requires our professional driver/guide to manage border crossings smoothly, navigate the coastal and mountain roads, and provide in-depth historical context.

3. Can I book at any date?

Yes, this tour is available year-round. However, the coastal areas of Montenegro are most vibrant (and warmest) between May and October.

4. How to choose the appropriate package?

The standard package covers your transport, guide services, accommodation with breakfast, and specified entrance fees. If you want to upgrade your hotel category (e.g., from 3-star to 4-star or 5-star) or add the optional Ada Bojana boat trip in advance, please let us know during booking.

14-Day Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

This 14-day Ultimate Grand Tour Albania offers an immersive journey through the Balkans’ hidden gems and historical landmarks, designed to take you deeper than the standard guidebook. Starting in Tirana, we travel north to the Albanian Alps to experience the breathtaking Koman Lake ferry and explore the pristine Valbonë Valley. We then cross into Kosovo to visit the cultural capital of Prizren before returning to Albania to explore the historic city of Krujë, the UNESCO-listed stone cities of Berat and Gjirokastër, and the ancient ruins of Apollonia .

The adventure continues along the spectacular Riviera to Sarandë and the ruins of Butrint, before heading through the wild Vjosa River valley to Përmet and the artistic city of Korçë. The trip culminates back in the capital with the unforgettable Albanian Night Show, featuring UNESCO-recognized live Iso-polyphony and traditional folk dance.

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Included

Included in this trip

11. Included
• Professional Guide
• Private Transport
• Accommodation and Breakfast for 13 Nights
• Lunches and Dinners as per itinerary
Activities & Experiences:
• Ferry tickets (Koman Lake)
• Albanian Night Show
Entrance fees of:
1. Rozafa Castle
2. Spaç Prison
3. Krujë Castle & Skanderbeg Museum
4. Durrës Amphitheatre
5. Berat Castle
6. Apollonia Archaeological Park
7. Porto Palermo Castle
8. Butrint Archaeological Park
9. The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
10. Gjirokastër Castle

Excluded

Flight Tickets
Personal Health Insurance
Tips and Personal Expenses

Accomodation
3-4 Stars Hotel
Meals
Breakfast Included
Transportation
Private
Guide
Tour will be guided
Distance in KM
1625
Difficulty
Medium

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Map

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Map

Why Go?

Experience the definitive, all-encompassing Balkan adventure. From the towering peaks of the Accursed Mountains and the historic streets of Kosovo to the sun-drenched Riviera and the vibrant UNESCO cultural heritage, this tour leaves no stone unturned.

Highlights

Sail through the towering limestone fjords on the spectacular Koman Lake ferry ride.
Hike through the untouched, pristine alpine wilderness of the Valbonë Valley National Park.
Cross into Kosovo to explore the rich Ottoman history and cobblestone streets of Prizren.
Discover the ancient, still-inhabited Berat Castle in the "City of a Thousand Windows".
Drive the breathtaking Llogara Pass for jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Albanian Riviera.
Uncover centuries of Mediterranean antiquity hidden in the forests of the UNESCO-protected Butrint National Park.
Wander the steep alleys and imposing fortress of the UNESCO "Stone City" of Gjirokastër.
Soak and relax in the wild, natural sulfur waters of the Përmet Thermal Baths.
Experience the romantic, artistic atmosphere and historic boulevards of Korçë, the "City of Serenades".
Celebrate the end of your grand journey with live Iso-polyphony music and traditional dance at the premier Albanian Night Show.

Day 01 :

Route: TIA Airport – Tirana

Distance ~24 KM | Visiting 2.00 Hours | Driving 0.40 Hours |

Upon arrival at Tirana International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to your boutique hotel in the capital. The rest of the day is a relaxing arrival day; you have the option to self-explore the vibrant city center or take a short, guided introductory tour around Skanderbeg Square to stretch your legs .

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 02 :

Route: Tirana – Shkodër

Distance ~120 KM | Visiting 3.30 Hours | Driving 2.00 Hours |

We depart the capital and head north to Shkodër, the traditional cultural capital of northern Albania. We will explore the pedestrian "Gjuhadol" street, filled with Venetian architecture, and visit the imposing Rozafa Castle, which offers incredible panoramic views of Lake Shkodër and the surrounding rivers.

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 03 :

Route: Shkodër – Koman Lake Ferry – Valbonë

Distance ~144 KM | Visiting 1.00 Hours | Driving 3.00 Hours (Plus 3.00 Hours Ferry) |

Today features one of the most breathtaking journeys in the Balkans as we drive to Koman to board a ferry navigating through towering limestone gorges on Koman Lake—often compared to the Norwegian fjords . Disembarking in Fierzë, we continue our drive into the dramatic, pristine landscapes of the Valbonë Valley National Park. Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 04 :

Route: Valbonë – Kukaj Village – Valbonë

Distance ~15 KM | Visiting 4.30 Hours | Driving 0.30 Hours |

We dedicate today to exploring the breathtaking alpine nature of the Valbonë Valley by embarking on a scenic hike to the remote hamlet of Kukaj . Immerse yourself in the traditional mountain lifestyle and enjoy the crisp mountain air and sweeping views of the Accursed Mountains before returning to our guesthouse.

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 05 :

Route: Valbonë – Gjakovë – Prizren – Spaç Prison – Krujë

Distance ~306 KM | Visiting 4.30 Hours | Driving 5.30 Hours |

We leave the Alps and cross the border into Kosovo, stopping briefly in Gjakovë before reaching Prizren, famous for its Ottoman bridge and historic mosques . Crossing back into Albania, we visit the harrowing Spaç Prison, a notorious former communist labor camp, before arriving in the medieval mountain town of Krujë for the evening.

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 06 :

Route: Krujë – Durrës – Berat

Distance ~162 KM | Visiting 4.00 Hours | Driving 3.00 Hours |

The morning begins with an exploration of Krujë Castle and the authentic Old Bazaar before driving to the coast to visit the Roman Amphitheatre of Durrës, one of the largest in the Balkans . Our day concludes as we head inland to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Berat, known as the "City of a Thousand Windows".

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 07 :

Route: Berat – Apollonia – Vlorë

Distance ~132 KM | Visiting 3.30 Hours | Driving 2.30 Hours |

After exploring the still-inhabited Berat Castle and the beautiful Mangalem neighborhood, we drive to the magnificent ancient Greek and Roman ruins of the Apollonia Archaeological Park. In the afternoon, we arrive in the coastal city of Vlorë, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, enjoying a stroll along the vibrant Lungomare promenade.

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 08 :

Route: Vlorë – Llogara Pass – Porto Palermo – Sarandë

Distance ~150 KM | Visiting 3.00 Hours | Driving 3.30 Hours |

Today is the ultimate coastal road trip as we ascend the spectacular Llogara Pass, offering jaw-dropping views of the Ionian Sea . We drive down the Albanian Riviera, stopping to explore the intriguing Ali Pasha Fortress in the bay of Porto Palermo before arriving in the southern coastal hub of Sarandë .

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 09 :

Route: Sarandë – Butrint – Ksamil – Sarandë

Distance ~48 KM | Visiting 4.30 Hours | Driving 1.30 Hours |

We take a short drive to the UNESCO-listed Butrint Archaeological Park, a microcosm of Mediterranean history nestled in a dense forest. Following our exploration of the ruins and a unique Mussel Tour experience, we relax by the turquoise waters of Ksamil's beautiful islands before returning to Sarandë.

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 10 :

Route: Sarandë – Blue Eye – Gjirokastër

Distance ~66 KM | Visiting 3.30 Hours | Driving 1.30 Hours |

Leaving the coast, we stop at the mesmerizing Blue Eye, a vibrant, deep karst spring surrounded by lush vegetation. We then continue to the UNESCO "Stone City" of Gjirokastër to spend the afternoon exploring its imposing hilltop castle and wandering its steep, cobblestone streets lined with Ottoman-era merchant houses.

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 11 :

Route: Gjirokastër – Përmet

Distance ~72 KM | Visiting 3.00 Hours | Driving 1.30 Hours |

We journey through the spectacular Kelcyra Gorge alongside the Vjosa River (one of Europe's last wild rivers) to reach Përmet, the city of flowers. We dedicate the day to relaxation, visiting the famous Benjë Thermal Baths, where you can soak in the natural, sulfur-rich warm waters against the backdrop of an Ottoman bridge.

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 12 :

Route: Përmet – Ersekë – Korçë

We take a deeply scenic and rugged drive through the southeastern highlands, passing through Ersekë, the highest-elevated town in the Balkans. We arrive in Korçë, the "City of Serenades," to explore its pedestrian boulevards, the grand Orthodox Cathedral, and the artistic atmosphere of its Old Bazaar.

Day 13 :

Route: Korçë – Drilon Park – Tirana

Distance ~204 KM | Visiting 4.00 Hours | Driving 3.30 Hours |

We leave Korçë, stopping at the tranquil Drilon Park near Lake Ohrid, before returning to Tirana . In the evening, we celebrate the end of our grand journey with the Albanian Night Show, an immersive experience featuring live Iso-polyphony, traditional folk dances, and the joyful reenactment of a traditional wedding while enjoying a grand farewell feast .

Ultimate Grand Tour Albania

Day 14 :

Route: Tirana – TIA Airport

Distance ~24 KM | Visiting 1.00 Hours | Driving 0.40 Hours |

Enjoy a final, relaxed breakfast at your boutique hotel in Tirana. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping before your private transfer takes you to the airport, marking the end of your incredible 14-day Albanian odyssey.

Beyond The Map | The Ultimate Grand Tour Albania (14 Days)

Duration

Group Size

Tour Type

Beyond The Map | The Ultimate Grand Tour Albania (14 Days)