Albania is a compact, culture-rich country where Illyrian ruins, Ottoman bazaars, and Cold War bunkers share the stage with Mediterranean beaches and mountain panoramas. Its capital, Tirana, has reinvented itself as a colorful, creative hub, while the southern coast glimmers with sapphire coves and ancient cities like Butrint.

Across millennia, the land of Skanderbeg has been shaped by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans. You’ll taste that layered past in recipes like byrek and tavë kosi, and see it in stone-roofed towns such as Gjirokastër. Albania’s hospitality is sincere—expect strong coffee, stronger raki, and genuine curiosity.

Practical notes: ATMs are common; cards are increasingly accepted, but carry some lek (ALL). Roads have improved, yet buses remain the stress-free choice between cities. Spring and early fall are ideal; summer brings warm seas and lively beach towns. This 7-day itinerary balances city discovery with coastal downtime and UNESCO highlights.

Tirana

Tirana is a city of surprises: pastel-painted facades, cafe-lined boulevards, and museums housed in former regime buildings. Skanderbeg Square anchors the center, with the elegant Et’hem Bey Mosque and the National History Museum’s mosaic recalling Albania’s story at a glance.

Food is a highlight—think wood-fired flatbreads, slow-cooked lamb, and farm-to-table kitchens reinterpreting Albanian classics. Evenings belong to Blloku, once off-limits to ordinary citizens, now a lively quarter of wine bars, speakeasies, and design-forward restaurants.

• Top sights: Skanderbeg Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, Bunk’Art 2 (city-center bunker museum), the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), Grand Park of Tirana, Mount Dajti viewpoint via cable car.
• Fun facts: Tirana’s post-1990 makeover included splashing color on drab facades; you’ll find bold murals on unexpected corners. Albanian coffee culture favors macchiato and Turkish brew equally.
• Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO Tirana or Hotels.com Tirana. Excellent specific picks: The Plaza Tirana (sleek skyline views, spa), Rogner Hotel Tirana (resort-style pool and gardens on the main boulevard), and Hotel Vila e Arte City Center (boutique value near the bazaar).
• How to get there: Fly into TIA. From Europe, compare on Omio Flights (Europe). From beyond Europe, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Airport taxis take ~30 minutes to center; shuttle buses run regularly.

Day 1: Arrival in Tirana, Square and Bazaar Stroll, Albanian Night

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs around Skanderbeg Square, admiring the Et’hem Bey Mosque’s delicate frescoes. Wander to the New Bazaar to browse spice pyramids, olives, and seasonal fruit; sip your first macchiato at a cafe terrace.

Evening: Dinner at Oda for home-style Albanian fare—order fërgesë (peppers, tomatoes, and cheese) and qofte. Then dive into a cultural show with dinner at the Albanian Night experience for dancing, polyphonic songs, and regional costumes.

Book: Albanian Night Show: Traditional Music, Dance & Dinner in Tirana

Day 2: Tirana Food & History, Dajti Mountain Views

Morning: Coffee at Komiteti Kafe—part museum, part bar—then join a guided tasting walk through markets and bakeries. You’ll learn about Ottoman-era recipes and the city’s 20th-century shifts while sampling byrek, petulla, and local cheeses.

Book: Best of Local Food & City Tour of Tirana - Food & Drinks Included

Afternoon: Take the Dajti Express cable car for sweeping city-to-sea views (plan ~30 minutes each way; tickets roughly $10–14). Grab a coffee at the mountaintop restaurant, then return to explore Bunk’Art 2’s Cold War tunnels in the center.

Evening: Dinner at Mullixhiu beside the lake—homemade pastas and seasonal Albanian tasting menus shine. For a nightcap, choose Radio Bar (retro cocktails, vinyl soundtrack) or Nouvelle Vague (craft cocktails in a low-lit lounge).

Day 3: Bovilla Lake Hike or Kruja Castle, Blloku Nightlife

Morning–Afternoon (Option A): Lace up for Gamti Mountain above Bovilla Lake. The trail is short but steep, rewarding you with jade water and limestone ridges. Expect a half-day door-to-door.

Book: Hike Gamti Mountain with Bovilla lake view & canyon- From Tirana

Morning–Afternoon (Option B): History lovers can head to Kruja, the stronghold of national hero Skanderbeg. Explore the castle, ethnographic museum, and the cobbled bazaar lined with filigree and carpets. It’s a rich half-day from Tirana.

Book: Kruja castle, the old Bazaar & Sarisalltik- Departure from Tirana

Evening: Back in Tirana, book a table at Padam (creative Albanian cuisine in a villa garden) or Artigiano (handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza). Bar-hop Blloku: try Komiteti for raki infusions or Hemingway for a classic daiquiri.

Saranda (Sarandë)

Welcome to the Albanian Riviera’s liveliest town, set around a curving bay with an island-dotted horizon. By day, Saranda is all sun and sea; by night, a promenade of gelato stands, seafood tavernas, and sunset lookouts at Lekursi Castle.

It’s also your launchpad for UNESCO-listed Butrint, the paradisical beaches of Ksamil, the cold-spring magic of Syri i Kaltër (Blue Eye), and the stone-crafted UNESCO city of Gjirokastër. Boat trips reveal caves, hidden coves, and WWII-era shipwrecks in water so clear it looks backlit.

• Top sights: Butrint National Park, Ksamil beaches and islets, Blue Eye spring, Lekursi Castle, Mirror Beach, Monastery Beach.
• Where to stay: Seafront apartments and boutique hotels are plentiful—search VRBO Saranda or Hotels.com Saranda. Look for sea-facing rooms along Rruga Butrinti or near the promenade for easy beach and dining access.
• How to get there from Tirana: Morning buses and minibuses take ~4.5–6 hours, typically $15–25; compare schedules and book on Omio Buses (Europe). A private transfer cuts it to ~4 hours via the inland route past Gjirokastër.

Day 4: Tirana to Saranda, Promenade Sunset, Castle Dinner

Morning: Depart Tirana for Saranda by bus (aim for 8–9 a.m.; ~4.5–6 hours). Bookable via Omio Buses. Bring snacks and enjoy mountain-and-valley views en route.

Afternoon: Check in and unwind with a swim at Mango Beach or a stroll along the beachfront promenade. Gelato stop: try pistachio or fig from a family-run stand near the central square.

Evening: Drive or taxi up to Lekursi Castle for golden-hour views sweeping from Saranda to Corfu. Dine on grilled sea bream, stuffed peppers, and village salad; the terrace breeze is half the flavor.

Day 5: Butrint, Ksamil, and the Blue Eye (Full-Day Tour)

Trace 2,500 years of history at Butrint, a lake-and-lagoon-wrapped city of theaters, baptisteries, and Venetian towers. Swim and lounge on the powdery shores of Ksamil, then cool off at the Blue Eye, where teal water bursts from karst depths. This all-in-one day is the Riviera in a nutshell.

Book: Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle. All-in-one daytrip.

Eat/drink tips: For a casual, excellent lunch near Ksamil, look for seaside tavernas grilling the catch-of-the-day; back in Saranda, try Haxhi (friendly service, mezze spreads), Mare Nostrum (fresh seafood pastas), or Taverna Rustico (family-style platters).

Day 6: Coastline by Boat — Bays, Caves, and a WWII Shipwreck (Full-Day)

Spend a sun-kissed day exploring hidden coves and snorkeling at a nearshore WWII-era wreck. Swim in translucent water, drop anchor in quiet bays, and photograph the craggy coastline from the best angle—sea level.

Book: Sarandë: Explore Bays with Swim Stops, Snorkel at WWII Shipwreck

Post-cruise: Celebrate with sunset spritzes on the promenade, then dinner at Limani for waterfront views and seafood risotto, or at Taverna Fish Filipi for simple, perfectly grilled octopus.

Day 7: Easy Morning, Return to Tirana for Departure

Morning: Coffee and croissants at a seaside cafe; sneak in a final swim. Depart Saranda by morning bus to Tirana (~4.5–6 hours via Omio Buses) to connect with an afternoon or evening flight.

Afternoon: If your flight is later, grab a quick late lunch back in Tirana near the New Bazaar—Era Vila for oven-baked dishes or Artizanat for slow-cooked lamb—before heading to TIA.

Alternate exit: In summer, some travelers ferry 30–70 minutes to Corfu and fly out from there; check Omio Ferries and then Omio Flights for connections. Ensure you meet Greek Schengen entry requirements.

Optional Add-On Days (if you extend)

• Gjirokastër UNESCO & Blue Eye from Tirana or Saranda: Cobbled lanes, slate roofs, and a hilltop fortress define this “Stone City.” Gjirokastra UNESCO city & Blue Eye - From Tirana/Durres

  

• Berat from Tirana: See the “city of a thousand windows,” Onufri icons, and hilltop castle on a guided day trip. Berat city UNESCO tour, the Castle & Belshi lake- From Tirana

  

• Staying in Berat? Search Hotel Mangalemi (historic stone property), Berat Backpackers Hostel (social and central), or Hotel Castle Park (nature setting just outside town).

Where to Eat and Drink—Favorites to Bookmark

• Tirana breakfasts: Mon Cheri for cappuccino and croissants; Pazari i Ri stalls for Albanian donuts (petulla) with honey.
• Tirana lunches: Era Vila (traditional dishes done right), Artigiano (pasta, pizza, salads), Tek Zgara Tirones (grilled meats, fast and local).
• Tirana dinners: Mullixhiu (seasonal tasting menus), Padam (creative plates, strong wine list), Salt (Mediterranean-Asian mashups, lively vibe).
• Tirana drinks: Radio Bar (cocktails and vinyl), Nouvelle Vague (inventive mixes), Komiteti (raki infusions; mini-museum decor).
• Saranda eats: Haxhi (mezze and seafood), Mare Nostrum (pasta di mare), Taverna Rustico (hearty Albanian classics), Limani (promenade views).
• Cafes with a view: Dajti Mountain terrace in Tirana; seaside cafes along Rruga Naim Frashëri in Saranda.

Getting Around and Practical Tips

• Intercity travel: Buses/minibuses are frequent and affordable—see Omio Buses for schedules and online tickets. Driving gives flexibility along the Riviera; allow extra time for summer traffic.
• Connectivity: Local SIMs are inexpensive; eSIMs are increasingly available. Most urban cafes have Wi‑Fi.
• Money: Albania uses the lek (ALL). Many restaurants accept cards; small shops and intercity buses prefer cash.
• Seasonality: June–September is beach prime time; May and October bring mild weather and fewer crowds while keeping seas swimmable into early fall.

Before you go: For flights to/from Europe, compare on Omio Flights. For long-haul routes, try Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

In one week, you’ll taste Tirana’s creativity, hike above jade lakes, and laze in Saranda’s turquoise bays while weaving through UNESCO history at Butrint and (optionally) Gjirokastër. Albania’s scale makes it easy; its warmth makes it unforgettable. Expect to leave plotting your return—perhaps to the Accursed Mountains or the northern lakes next time.