7-Day Albanian Riviera & Ottoman Heritage: Tirana to Sarandë
Albania offers some of the best budget travel in the Mediterranean. Start in vibrant Tirana, admire the thousand windows of Berat, cross the mountain valley to fortified Gjirokastër, explore UNESCO Butrint, and swim in the turquoise coves of Ksamil and Himarë.
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Intercity route legs
Day-by-day itinerary
Tirana BunkArt & Blloku Evening
TiranaVisit BunkArt 2 (€5) in a nuclear bunker beneath the city center. Walk through Skanderbeg Square and enjoy evening cafes in Blloku.
Minibus to Berat & Fortress Exploration
BeratTake morning furgon to Berat (€5). Climb to the living citadel of Berat Castle and walk through the Ottoman Mangalem quarter.
Minibus to Gjirokastër Stone City
GjirokastërTravel south to Gjirokastër (€7). Tour Gjirokastër Castle (€4) and explore the steep cobblestone alleys of the Old Bazaar.
Blue Eye Spring & Sarandë Harbor
SarandëStop at the Syri i Kaltër (Blue Eye natural karst spring, €1) en route to Sarandë (€4). Stroll the seafront promenade at sunset.
UNESCO Butrint Ruins & Ksamil Beaches
SarandëTake the 1.50 Euro public bus to Butrint National Park (€10). In the afternoon, swim in the turquoise waters of Ksamil.
Coastal Minibus to Himarë & Livadhi Beach
HimarëTravel along the Ionian Riviera to Himarë (€5). Explore Himarë Old Castle ruins for free and swim at Livadhi pebble beach.
Llogara Pass Scenic Ride back to Tirana
TiranaTake the coastal bus back over the dramatic Llogara Pass to Tirana (€12) for departure.
✂️ What I Would Cut If Short on Time
Skip Himarë and stay in Sarandë for day trips to Ksamil and Butrint.
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