Best Self-Drive Tour Options in Albania

Drive past stunning landscapes, discover Albanian culture, stop for photo breaks, and create an itinerary tailored to you — a self-drive tour is the best option for anyone seeking freedom and independence while traveling. This style of travel is guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind experience for anyone who tries it. That is why we are presenting the best self-drive tour options in Albania.

This trip starts from the so-called “Northern capital” of Albania- Shkodra. You can start from the village of Shiroka, on the shores of Lake Shkodra, and enjoy the view of the largest lake in the Balkans. As you continue in Shkodra, you will get to visit the Rozafa Castle up on the hill and explore some of Albanian history. Continuing your drive, you will get to the city center with beautiful architecture and interesting attractions to visit. Next, you can continue your journey towards Kruja. Here you can choose to visit the National Museum dedicated to Skanderbeg, which shows the legendary hero’s history and the traditional way of life in the city. The city’s famous bazaar is a must-visit attraction, and it offers various traditional products made by local artisans. Kruja is also home to one of the spiritual centers of the country called Sarisalltik. To reach this point you would also go through the Qafe Shtama National Park, and the ride is totally worth it. It will be your time to take in the natural beauty of Albania and enjoy some of the most fantastic views in the country.

This next trip starts from Ohrid in North Macedonia. It is a charming city on the shores of Ohrid lake. Here you can visit the old town, the fortress of Samuil, the ancient theater, Plaosnik, Kaneo, and St. Sophia cathedral. This next trip starts from Ohrid in North Macedonia. It is a charming city on the shores of Ohrid lake. Here you can visit the old town, the fortress of Samuil, the ancient theater, Plaosnik, Kaneo, and St. Sophia cathedral. You can stop for a short visit, go through the little artisan shops, have lunch, and go inside the monastery. There you will also enjoy some amazing views of the lake. After passing the border, you will continue your self-drive tour towards Korca. A romantic city with cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and great hospitality. Korça is one of the centers of Albanian arts and history, as it is home to some of the most important museums in the country. Also, you cannot skip the Old Bazaar with small cafes, restaurants, and casual nightlife. A must-try is Korça’s delicious culinary specialties which make Albanians themselves coming back to this city.

This tour starts with the small town of Permet, 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 and the scenery is marvelous as well. Next, you can drive to the “city of stones” called Gjirokaster. It is one of the most unique places you will come across in Albania. The Ottoman-influenced architecture will grab your attention throughout the city, especially in the Old Bazaar. You should definitely spend some time visiting the castle and a few museums in this city. You should definitely spend some time visiting the castle and a few museums in this city. As you continue further south, you will reach Saranda. It is a coastal city and one of the hottest tourist destinations in Albania. As it is home to some of the best beaches and with a UNESCO site nearby, it is clear why it should be included in your self-drive tour.

This last trip starts from Himara. A small coastal town where you can enjoy the sea and the sun. As you continue your drive, you will reach Llogara, one of Albania’s most famous places, with the road providing one of the most spectacular drives in the world. As you drive through the Llogara National Park, the road travels to over 1,000 meters above sea level and the scenery is unbelievable.
Your next stop will be Berat, one of Albania’s oldest towns. Otherwise, it is known as the City of a Thousand Windows due to its unique architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage.

These were some of our suggestions for the best self-drive tour options in Albania. However, stay tuned for more!

Click here to choose your trip.