Travel from Tirana through Albania’s UNESCO-listed historic towns to the southern coast. Use Sarandë for Butrint and Ksamil, spend one night in Himarë, and return to Tirana only after confirming the current service and departure point.
Western Balkans · Published planning example
Open a day to read the plan and its spending notes.
Walk Skanderbeg Square and the central streets. Add Bunk’Art 2 only after checking the current ticket, last admission and the time you want for its displays.
Chosen allowance includes one individual bed in Tirana, food, local travel and a visit amount. Replace it with your booking and choices.
Estimated day spending: €45.00
Use the confirmed bus terminal, then arrange the final move from Berat terminal. Explore Mangalem and the inhabited citadel in cooler hours.
Chosen allowance includes one individual bed in Berat. The intercity fare and any museum entrance remain separate current costs.
Estimated day spending: €45.00
Confirm the connection and exact drop-off before leaving Berat. In Gjirokastër, choose the castle or a house museum and allow for steep polished streets.
Chosen allowance includes one individual bed in Gjirokastër. Add the complete bus journey and only the paid visits you choose.
Estimated day spending: €48.00
Travel to Sarandë and leave bags before walking the waterfront. Visit the Blue Eye only with a clear transfer and enough time; it is not an automatic bus stop.
Chosen allowance includes one individual bed in Sarandë. A Blue Eye transfer, taxi or seasonal beach cost is additional.
Estimated day spending: €50.00
Use the current Sarandë to Butrint corridor bus. Visit Butrint in the cooler part of the day, then stop in Ksamil only if the last return remains practical.
Chosen allowance includes a second Sarandë bed night. Replace the bus, Butrint entrance and any beach setup with current amounts.
Estimated day spending: €55.00
Confirm the south-coast bus pickup and the exact Himarë stop. After check-in, use the waterfront or Old Himarë only if the final road and return are clear.
Chosen allowance includes one individual bed in Himarë. Boat trips, beach facilities and outer-beach taxis are additional.
Estimated day spending: €52.00
Use the current eTransport listing and confirm the pickup locally. Do not connect a long coastal bus tightly to a flight; add a Tirana night when the schedule needs it.
Departure-day allowance excludes another hotel night. The coastal bus and any airport transfer are additional current costs.
Estimated day spending: €30.00
The plan uses one night in Tirana, one in Berat, one in Gjirokastër, two in Sarandë and one in Himarë. Day seven is a departure day without another room allowance. Backpacker stay amounts mean one bed, not a private room.
Use eTransport for current lines, stations and schedules. Save the terminal and final stop before every move. A ticket to a town does not include the uphill or beach transfer to the room.
Berat and Gjirokastër have steep historic areas. Butrint needs enough time for the site and return bus. In Ksamil and Himarë, ask about beach facilities or boat prices before using them.
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How to get from one stop to the next. Journey times are approximate; use the ticket and timetable links to choose a departure for your travel date.
Bus · About 2 hours 15 minutes
Current bookable listings show direct buses from Tirana's South and North Terminal to Berat Station, averaging about 2 hours 15 minutes and €7. Confirm the terminal on your ticket, then use a local bus or taxi for Mangalem, Gorica or the castle area.
Compare this journeyBus · About 3 hours on the current direct service
The current bookable journey is a direct bus from Berat Station to Gjirokaster Station taking about 3 hours and costing €11.50. Only one daily departure is presently listed, so confirm it before fixing the day and plan the uphill connection to the old town.
Bus · About 1 to 1¼ hours
Current direct listings run from Gjirokaster Station to Saranda Station in about 1 to 1¼ hours and show a €6 fare. Choose the departure that fits your day and keep any Blue Eye visit as a separate trip rather than assuming the coach will stop there.
Bus · About 1 hour 30 minutes
Current direct listings take about 1 hour 30 minutes from Saranda Station to Himare Station and show a €10 fare. Check the dated departure and pickup point, especially outside the main summer period, then walk or take a short local transfer to your room.
Bus · Allow about 3 to 5½ hours
Current direct listings show a €16 fare and journeys from about 3 to 5½ hours. Some services use Himare Station while others use MALPOS Petrol; all currently arrive at Tirana's South and North Terminal. Check the pickup on your ticket and do not pair this journey with a tight flight.
With six days, remove the Himarë night and return from Sarandë. With five, keep Tirana, Berat and one southern base instead of moving every day.
Compare your room and daily spending choices in the cost calculator. Check each journey fare, including local transfers, and count tickets covered by a pass only once.
Change the days in each city, leave out stops, and update the estimate without changing the published itinerary.
