Albania road trip itinerary: 7, 10, or 14 days (with real distances)

Before we start

Three things to know:

1. Albania is small but slow. Distances look short on a map — 300 km can take 6 hours because of mountain roads. Plan for 40–50 km/h average, not 90.
2. Public transport won't get you far. Buses exist between major cities but skip most of the interesting places. A rental car is essential to see Albania properly.
3. Two-way trips are fine. You don't need one-way rentals in Albania. Pick up in Tirana, do a loop, return to Tirana. Simpler and cheaper.

Now the itineraries.

The 7-day itinerary — Highlights loop

Best for: First-time visitors who want the essentials.

Total driving: ~750 km, mostly good roads.

Pickup: Tirana Airport (TIA) on arrival day.

Day 1 — Land, drive to Berat (100 km, 1h45)

Land at TIA, pick up car, drive south to Berat. Check into a hotel in the old town (Mangalem or Gorica quarters). Evening: walk the ancient bazaar, dinner at a local taverna.

Day 2 — Berat exploration + drive to Gjirokastra (140 km, 2h30)

Morning: visit Berat Castle and the Onufri Museum. Afternoon: drive south through the wine region to Gjirokastra. Check into a stone-house guesthouse in the old town.

Day 3 — Gjirokastra + Blue Eye + Saranda (75 km, 1h30 driving)

Morning: Gjirokastra Castle and old bazaar. Midday: drive south, stop at the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) — spring water so clear it seems fake. Continue to Saranda for the evening.

Day 4 — Butrint + Ksamil beaches (25 km total)

Morning: Butrint archaeological park (UNESCO, 3–4 hours). Afternoon: Ksamil beaches. Return to Saranda for sunset.

Day 5 — Saranda to Himara via Riviera (75 km, 2h30)

Slow drive up the SH8 coastal road. Stop at Porto Palermo Castle. Beach afternoon in Himara or Dhërmi. Overnight in Himara.

Day 6 — Himara to Vlora via Llogara Pass (90 km, 2h)

Climb Llogara Pass (1,043m, spectacular views). Descend to Vlora. Continue to Berat area if you want to break the drive, or push through to Tirana.

Day 7 — Vlora/coast back to Tirana (145 km, 2h)

Direct route via A2 motorway. Drop off car at TIA before your flight, or in central Tirana if you have extra time to explore the capital.

The 10-day itinerary — Add the north

Best for: Nature lovers who want mountains too.

Total driving: ~1,100 km.

Days 1–7: Same as the 7-day loop above.

Day 8 — Tirana to Shkodra + drive to Theth (200 km, 5h)

Head north via SH1. Explore Shkodra briefly (Rozafa Castle, Lake Shkodra). Continue up the mountain road to Theth (rough but paved most of the way). Vehicle: SUV or 4x4 strongly recommended, especially outside July–September.

Day 9 — Theth hiking + drive to Valbona (2h drive + hiking)

Morning: hike to Grunas Waterfall or Blue Eye of Theth. Afternoon: drive over the Valbona Pass (or take the Fierza-Koman ferry option instead — 3 hours across a stunning fjord-like reservoir).

Day 10 — Valbona to Tirana (280 km, 6h)

Long drive back south. Alternative: drive to Kukës and take the A1 motorway (much faster, ~4h to Tirana).

The 14-day itinerary — Deep exploration

Best for: People who want to actually see Albania, not just tick boxes.

Total driving: ~1,500 km.

Days 1–2: Tirana + day trip

Arrive Tirana. Explore capital: Bunk'Art, Skanderbeg Square, Blloku restaurants. Day 2: drive to Kruja (35 min) — Skanderbeg's castle, old bazaar. Sleep in Tirana.

Days 3–4: Berat

Berat + day trip to Belshi Lake or Osumi Canyon (rafting in summer).

Days 5–6: Përmet (thermal baths + wine region)

Underrated area. Bënja thermal springs, Përmet town, wine tastings in the countryside.

Days 7–8: Gjirokastra + south

Gjirokastra + Blue Eye + Butrint + Ksamil.

Day 9: Sunset in Saranda

Slow day. Beach, dinner overlooking Corfu.

Days 10–11: Riviera villages

Slow drive up SH8. Stay in Dhërmi 2 nights. Explore hidden beaches (Gjipe, Gjipeja, Livadhi).

Day 12: Vlora + Llogara

Cross Llogara pass. Beach in Vlora.

Days 13–14: Shkodra + Theth

Short version of the north loop, or add Koman ferry.

Distance & time reference

What to skip if time is tight

Skip: Durrës city (beach mostly ok but touristy), Elbasan (industrial), most of central Albania interior.

Priority attractions: Berat, Gjirokastra, Butrint, Ksamil, Dhërmi/Himara, Llogara Pass, Theth (if you have the days).

Vehicle recommendations by itinerary

• 7-day loop: Any category. Economy is fine on paved roads.
• 10-day (with north): SUV or 4x4 for Theth road. Standard car OK if you swap it for the north portion or skip Theth.
• 14-day: SUV if doing the north. Otherwise, comfort/standard is enough.

Booking tips

• Book 3+ weeks ahead for June to September
• Book 6+ weeks ahead for July–August (or you'll pay 2× the price)
• One-way rentals cost €30–€60 extra — usually not worth it for loops
• Automatic transmission costs 20–30% more but is worth it for mountain driving

Ready to build your itinerary?

Browse cars from Tirana Airport or explore all pickup locations. All prices include standard insurance — no hidden fees at pickup.

Planning something specific? Email support@rentgoexpress.com — we're happy to suggest routes based on your dates and interests.