Albania Itinerary: How to Spend the Perfect 7 Days in Albania
Are you planning a 1-week trip to Albania, but you’re not sure exactly where to go and what to see?
Albania is a gorgeous country that has, in recent years, become more and more popular, and it’s easy to see why! It has beautiful lakes, incredible mountains and beaches that rival the Maldives without the price tag. From Ksamil to the Blue Eye to Komani Lake.
I spent a week in Albania as part of a longer trip, travelling from Venice to the Dolomites to Croatia to North Macedonia and finally Albania and ending in Greece. It wasn’t the most logical route to travel, but I had the best time with Albania being one of the highlights. It is one of the most underrated countries that I have had the pleasure of visiting. When planning our itinerary in Albania, I really underestimated how much there is to see in this beautiful country, and my only regret when visiting was not spending enough time here.
In this post, I’m going to outline the perfect 7-day itinerary in Albania with everything that you need to know before planning a trip, including how to get to Albania, if it’s safe and some tips that will help you make the most of your trip and help it go smoothly.
Keep reading to start planning your perfect 7-day Albania itinerary.
In a hurry? Here is our quick guide to visiting Albania!
How to get to Albania: Tirana International Airport is Albania’s main airport; however, Corfu, Greece, is closest to the Albanian Riviera
What language is spoken in Albania? Albanian is the national language. However, English is also widely spoken, especially in tourist areas.
What currency is used in Albania? The Albanian Lek is Albania’s national currency. Cash is king in Albania!
When to visit Albania: As with most countries in Europe, the shoulder seasons, April to early June and September and October, are the best times to visit Albania. With fewer people and lovely warm temperatures.
Where to stay: Xheko Imperial Luxury Hotel & SPA in Tirana, Twins Hotel in Ksamil and Hotel Teuta in Sarandë/ Saranda
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With white sand beaches and turquoise water like Greece, mountains that wouldn’t look out of place on a Swiss postcard and ancient histories like Rome. Combining this with the delicious food, Ottoman towns, and welcoming hospitality of the locals and the last wild river of Europe, it’s easy to see why this Southern European country is becoming increasingly popular and topping every traveller’s bucket list.
This Albania road trip itinerary is for 7 days. However, it can easily be extended to a 10-day or even longer Albania travel itinerary if you are planning to visit for more than 7 days.
How to Spend 7 Perfect Days in Albania: The Ultimate 7-day Albania Travel Guide
Here’s a quick look at what this 7-day Albania itinerary will cover!
Day 1: Land in Tirana and explore the capital city
Day 2: Ride the Dajti Express for views over Tirana
Day 3: Go on a day trip to Komani Lake
Day 4: Travel from Tirana to Ksamil
Day 5: Relax on one of the many gorgeous beaches in Ksamil
Day 6: Explore Sarandë/ Saranda and take a boat trip exploring the coast
Day 7: Visit The Blue Eye
Here is a handy map to help you find each spot:
Things you need to know before backpacking in Albania:
– In Albania, cash is king. Most places only accept cash and not credit or debit cards, even in the larger places. ATMs also charge around £7 per transaction, so it’s best to withdraw a big chunk in one go or bring some with you.
– Albania uses the Albanian Lek currency
– Albania is not part of the EU or Schengen area, so it’s a great option to hop to if you’re reaching your 90-day limit in Schengen
– Book your accommodation in advance. Whilst you can book the night before, it does mean you’ll be stuck with some questionable places to stay whilst on your Albania road trip or some very expensive hotel rooms, so book in advance. A holiday rental can also be a great option, especially if you’re with a larger group.
Is Albania safe?
Before planning your Albania itinerary, you might ask yourself: Is Albania safe? Our answer? Every country can be safe, and every country can be dangerous.
But, if asking, is Albania safe? In a word, yes.
Whenever travelling to a new country, you should always be sensible and exercise proper safety precautions, as you would in any country. Everyone that we met whilst travelling in Albania was helpful and friendly, and we (two female travellers) didn’t feel unsafe at any moment. Of course, this is just down to personal experience. But, we certainly wouldn’t deem Albania as an unsafe country.
Albania was cut off from the rest of the world by its government’s communist regime until the early 1990s, tourism is now hugely valuable to the country and a growing industry in the country and huge developments in infrastructure and facilities are ongoing. This only heightens the want and need for strong tourism in Albania and means that the majority of people won’t do anything to destroy this.
How to get to Albania:
Albania is primarily served by Tirana International Airport. You can fly here from most other large airports within Europe, as well as flights from across the USA. This itinerary starts in Tirana, so flying into this airport is perfect. However, if you would prefer to do this Albania itinerary in reverse, then you can fly into Corfu Airport and take the boat from Corfu to Sarandë.
Where to stay in Albania:
During this 7-day Albania itinerary, you’ll visit five different spots, but you’ll stay in three different places. Here is where we recommend staying in each of these:
Where to stay in Tirana: If you want to experience a luxury hotel (but for a quarter of the price of other European capitals), then Xheko Imperial Luxury Hotel & SPA is the PERFECT option.
A cheaper option (but still gorgeous) is Hotel Stela Center, located in the centre of Tirana, the rooms are modern and beautiful and the hotel overall is perfect option.
Where to stay in Ksamil:
Our biggest tip for booking your accommodation in Ksamil is to BOOK IN ADVANCE. I really can’t stress this enough, as Ksamil is packed full of really gorgeous hotels that are budget-friendly. However, the closer to your trip you leave it, and during peak summer, the prices can skyrocket. So, when you know your travel dates, book your accommodation as soon as possible. Some really gorgeous, well-located options that I recommend include:
Hotel Ksamili: The rooms are fairly basic; however, the location is unmatched, especially for the price.
I stayed at the Twins Hotel and can’t fault it. It’s a family-run, small hotel where the rooms are large, clean and peaceful, the family are very friendly and helpful, it’s a short walk to the beach and around 20 minutes to the centre, but this just means that it’s quieter and peaceful. It was also one of the best priced places in August.
Where to stay in Sarandë:
There are some gorgeous places to stay in Sarandë, Hotel Teuta included. With stunning sea views from the rooms and the hotel bar, and prices that are crazily budget-friendly, it’s a great option to stay in Sarandë.
If you would prefer direct access to a private beachfront area (wouldn’t we all?!), then Luxury Villa Alisja Sarande are perfect! Large balconies, a private beach and a wonderful terrace bar – if I went back, I’d stay here.
Days 1 & 4: Tirana
This 7-day Albania itinerary starts in the capital, Tirana.
The city of Tirana is packed with culture and history, it’s also an extremely walkable city with tons of excellent restaurants scattered throughout it.
There is plenty to see in the city, so if you do want to extend your itinerary to 10 days in Albania, then I recommend adding in an extra day or two in Tirana. However, if you are short on time or are not a big fan of large cities, then we recommend just spending 1-2 nights here plus, a couple of day trips.
Tirana is one of Europe’s lesser-known and visited cities, and may not have made it onto your travel bucket list just yet. Well, that might be because it’s only been open to tourists for the past 30 years!
Spend your time strolling through Skanderbeg Square, exploring the National Historical Museum, and hearing tales of Albania’s resilience and heritage.
Here is what I think you can’t miss in Tirana:
Skanderbeg Square is where Tirana truly comes alive. This vast, open plaza stretches across 40,000 square metres and is the city’s central hub, surrounded by some of its most iconic landmarks. Here, you’ll spot the grand statue of Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg, proudly looking over the square that bears his name. Just steps away, the colourful ‘I Love Tirana’ sign is perfect if you’re after a quick touristy photo, while the National Historical Museum is gorgeous with a mosaic façade. You’ll also find the elegant Et’hem Bey Mosque and the city’s old Clock Tower nearby – both perfect for a slow wander and a little people-watching.
Next, I recommend heading to the vibrant Blloku district, once reserved exclusively for Communist elites and now a thriving hub of cafes, boutiques, and eclectic street art. Blloku is a trendy neighbourhood in Tirana. It was once the home of the communist dictator Enver Hoxha, and the area was reserved for the party elite. But today, it’s very different and is packed full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
Day 2: Dajti Ekspres/ Dajti Express
The highlight of my time in Tirana was going on the Dajti Express. It’s a large cable car in Tirana and should certainly be included in any Albania itinerary especially if you have more than one day in Tirana.
Prepare to journey to the summit of Mount Dajti the via the longest cableway in the Balkans. The views are breathtaking the whole way up and the top has a Dajti Tower Hotel and Cliff-top Restaurant “Ballkoni Dajtit” where you can sit and enjoy a meal or cold beer. Plus, if you’ve always wanted to say you played golf on top of a mountain, it also has a mini golf course!
To get to the Dajti Ekspres/ Dajti Express from the city we got a taxi, this cost us approximately £8 to the cable car Tirana.
Tickets cost £6 for one way or £12 for a return ticket.
Top Tip: To get to the Dajti Ekspres, take the blue bus to Porcelan, which departs from near the Clock Tower. The journey takes approximately. 20-30 minutes, and from the last bus stop, the cable car is a short uphill walk away.
It’s also worth noting that the last cable car down to Tirana is at 6:30 pm.
Day 3: Komani Lake day trip
Located in the northern part of Albania, not far from Shkoder, lies the beautiful man-made lake. Lake Komani is secluded and wild, filled with emerald water and surrounded by impressive mountains and will most certainly be of of your favourite days during your Albania itinerary.
Doing a day trip to Komani Lake from Tirana is a great alternative if you don’t have much time on your Albania itinerary. If you do have a few extra days, then I recommend extending and staying at least one night in Komani.
If you opt (like I did) to visit via a day trip, then be prepared for a LONG and full day. But, as I said, it is well worth it.
To get to Komani Lake, you’ll take a minibus from Tirana at 4:50 am. The journey takes around 3.5 hrs, getting you there just in time for the 9 am boat.
I booked a day tour online, which I recommend doing as they get booked up very quickly, and there also weren’t many places to book the tour (that I saw) in Tirana. The tour includes hiking around the lake, kayaking and lunch. It also includes a smaller boat trip to take you along the lake and to the spot you stop off at for lunch, otherwise you go on one of the large ferries through the lake. Unfortunately, due to the awful rain when I visited, this is what I ended up doing. But it was still beautiful and a highlight of my Albania road trip.
The trip starts with a boat trip along the lake (weather dependent), then takes you to a local area for lunch as a vegetarian, this was pasta, salad, bread and drips and very tasty and filling. You then had free time to either hike or kayak, or both. Despite the weather me my friend and whom I was visiting with, kayaked along the lake, it was incredible even in the torrential rain!
You can book the From Tirana: Komani Lake Day Tour with Traditional Lunch
Another tour which also sounds INCREDIBLE is the From Tirana/Shkodra: Komani Lake and Shala River Day Trip. This tour allows you to spend most of your day on the Shala River/ Lumi i Shalës instead of Komani Lake. It’s a beautiful lake right near the Montenegro border, with bright blue water flowing through it, places to sunbathe and the chance to swim in the lake.
Alternatively, you can go on a 2-day trip, staying overnight on Komani Lake. Or a day trip from nearby Shkoder. If I had had more time, then I definitely would have done this (and actually regret not spending more time here and prioritising this), as the overnight trip looks absolutely incredible.
You can find out more about all of the incredible spots in Albania here.
You can explore all of the tours to Komani Lake here to decide which one is best for you:
Days 4 & 5: Ksamil
Ksamil is a beautiful town along the Albanian Riviera. Ksamil has become extremely popular in recent years due to its crystal clear water, resembling the Maldives and white sand beaches. But, don’t let this stop you from visiting, it’s still incredibly beautiful; however, don’t visit expecting it to be an ‘off the beaten track’ destination that it once was. If you’re looking for beautiful beaches, a range of beach bars, hotels and restaurants. Plus, an abundance of sun loungers for you to enjoy, Ksamil is the perfect spot.
I personally loved Ksamil, but it’s definitely a love-hate place. I have also heard that it is wonderful out of season, much quieter and cheaper. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, then the shoulder season would be ideal to visit Ksamil.
I recommend spending two days here, exploring the best beaches in Ksamil (because there are plenty), lazing on a sun lounger, buying souvenirs at the market, watching the sunset over the sea at one of the many cocktail bars or even taking a boat trip out to explore the islands not too far from the shore. If you’re lucky you might even see some dolphins!
How to get to Ksamil, Albania, from Tirana:
By Bus: There is no direct bus from Tirana to Ksamil. However, you can travel from Tirana to Sarandë, followed by a transfer to Ksamil. This is the route that I took and is certainly the most budget friendly. The bus from Tirana to Sarandë departs from the Intercity Bus Terminal – South Zone and takes approximately 4 to 5 hours. Upon arrival in Sarandë, you can catch a local bus or taxi to Ksamil, which is about a 10-minute drive away or hop in a taxi.
By Car: Driving offers the most flexibility and the opportunity to enjoy the scenic Albanian Riviera at your own pace. The distance between Tirana and Ksamil is approximately 252 kilometres, and the drive takes around 4 hours.
By Taxi: For a more direct and comfortable journey, taxis are available. The cost for a taxi from Tirana to Ksamil is approximately €175. While this is a more expensive option, it offers convenience, especially for those travelling with luggage, in larger groups or if you’re short on time.
Day 6: Sarandë/ Saranda
Just down the road from Ksamil is Saranda (officially known as Sarandë). Ksamil and Sarandë are neighbouring coastal towns and both popular choices on any Albania itinerary.
Sarandë is a gateway to the enchanting UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Butrint. It also boasts its own historical spots, including the Lëkurësi Castle perched on a hill.
A few things that you can’t miss in Sarandë/ Saranda:
Visit the beach club ‘Seaside’ – One of the most famous beach clubs in Albania that’s packed with Tulum vibes. You can easily spend the day here relaxing, enjoying a cocktail, swimming in the pool or sea or sampling one of their delicious dishes.
Take a boat trip around the caves and hidden coves of Sarandë. There’s nothing better than exploring the coast from the sea. This trip will take you along the gorgeous coastline and natural landmarks of the Albanian Riviera. You’ll visit nearby islands, including Ksamil, Cape of Qefali, Gjiri Roidha, Plazhi Ushtarit, and Gremina Kakome by boat.
Stroll along the promenade – Sarandë’s promenade is full of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. It’s the heart of Sarandë and you really can’t visit without spending some time here. It’s lined with palm trees and has gorgeous views of the harbour.
Day 7: Blue Eye day trip
If you have two days in Sarana, or even if you only have one. Then something that we highly recommend doing is visiting the Blue Eye.
There are 2 Blue Eyes in Albania, one near Theth and one near Saranda. We visited the Blue Eye near Saranda.
A Blue Eye (or Syri i Kaltër in Albanian language) is a naturally occurring geological phenomenon. The eye is filled with blue, clear water. Making it a beautiful spot to visit.
From Saranda you can either get a taxi, public bus, hitch a ride or of course drive to the Blue Eye. The drive takes approx 30 minutes or the bus takes 1 hour.
The bus costs 400 LEK, approximately £3.33.
It is worth noting that the last bus back to Saranda is at 5:30pm so if you’re wanting to stay later then we recommend doing a trip to the Blue Eye.
The entrance to the Blue Eye costs 50 LEK to enter, approx 42p.
Onwards from Albania
Saranda is the gateway to the Greek island of Corfu. If you’re looking to combine your trip to Albania with one to Greece, then this is a great way to do it. Corfu (CFU) Airport is the closest airport to Sarandë, which is situated just 30.7 kilometres away.
There’s a fast ferry which takes about 30 minutes and a longer journey of almost 2 hours to travel from Sarande ferry terminal to Corfu. The boat costs approximately £40 pp per way from Saranda to Corfu. You can book your boat in advance here or in the office in Sarande.
Final thoughts on this 7-day Albania itinerary
That wraps up my guide on a 7-day Albania itinerary! It’s such a beautiful country with so much to see and do, from the gorgeous Komani Lake to the Blue Eye and the coastal towns of Ksamil and Saranda.
I hope that this guide will inspire you to travel to Albania and will allow you to see that you really can see so many spots in just 7 days in Albania!
