Best Round Trips in Albania
With cities being so close to one another, there are lots of options to create the best round trips in Albania. Here is a list of some of the most interesting trips from our experience.
Durres – Ardenica – Apolloni – Vlora
On this round trip, you will start off in the city of Durres. It is located on the shore of the Adriatic sea and is probably the most ancient city in Albania. It is home to some of the oldest monuments such as the Venetian tower, Byzantine walls, ruins of the Roman Forum, and Roman baths. You can also enter the Roman Amphitheatre of Durres. Next, on this trip, you can visit the Ardenica Monastery. It was built in 282, and an interesting historical event recorded in Ardenica is Skanderbeg’s wedding. Afterward, you can continue visiting Apollonia Archaeological Park. This is one of the most beautiful sites in Albania and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lastly, you can transfer to Vlora, which is one of the most popular coastal cities. Vlora is well known for its beaches but also for some historical sights. The most famous of them is the Albanian Independence Proclamation Building, which is where Albania declared independence 109 years ago.
Llogara – Porto Palermo – Butrint – Saranda – Gjirokastra
On this trip, the first attraction is the Llogara pass. It is one of Albania’s most famous places, with the road providing one of the most spectacular drives. As you drive through the Llogara National Park, the road travels to over 1,000 meters above sea level and the scenery is unbelievable. Moving on throughout the Riviera, you will reach Porto Palermo. A small beach where you can visit the Castle of Ali Pasha. During communism, Porto Palermo used to be a military base with submarines and one of them can still be found underwater. Next on this roundtrip, you will visit Butrint. It is the biggest and most important archaeological park in Albania, part of UNESCO world heritage. Close to it is the coastal city of Saranda and one of the hottest tourism locations in Albania, home to some of the best beaches. Lastly, on this trip you will visit Gjirokastra. A city with traditional houses, quarters, and an old bazaar with craftsmen shops. You will also visit the Ethnographic Museum of Gjirokastra (Ex-dictator Enver Hoxha birth house) and the Castle of Argjiro.
Kruja – Shkoder
On this trip, you will start in Kruja. It is home to the national ethnographic museum and also the hometown of Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. There is a museum dedicated to him, and it is one of Albania’s most important and popular tourist attractions. In this city, you will also find the fortress from which Skanderbeg defended the country from Ottoman invasion. The castle also offers staggering views of the Adriatic Sea. Next, you will visit the city of Shkodra with typical Italian-Albanian architecture. However, the most important attraction is the Rozafa Castle, built on the top of a hill offering amazing views and amazing history. Next, you can enjoy a peaceful stroll along the old city promenade, where you can stop by numerous cafes and also find the National Museum of Photography Marubi. A very interesting fact is that in Shkodra, you will also find one of the main factories in the world that produces Venetian masks. Lastly, you can stop nearby Shiroke in Shkodra lake. The lake is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, having 240 bird species inhabiting its shores, including some of the last pelicans in Europe.
Pogradec- Korca- Permet
This trip starts with Pogradec that is home to the Ohrid lake, the deepest in the Balkan and the oldest in Europe. Pogradec is also known for its delicious cuisine, fresh climate, and beautiful scenery. Next, you will visit Korça, one of the largest and most important cultural and economic centers located in the southeastern part of Albania. It offers a range of museums and monuments. The most well-known is the Education Museum, located in the building where the first Albanian school opened in 1887, and the renewed National Museum of Medieval Art. Korça is also famous for the largest carnival organized in Albania and for the typical serenades. In addition, you cannot skip the delicious traditional food. Lastly, the small town of Permet, also known as the “city of flowers” is famous for its green surroundings, folk music, great food, and astonishing nature. This town is well known for its thermal spa called Banjat e Benjes with marvelous scenery.
Stay tuned for more suggestions about the best round trips in Albania!
