Albania · UNESCO Heritage Sites

8-Day Albania Cultural Tour with UNESCO Sites and Riviera Villages

8 Days Round trip from Tirana Easy pace

View all 6 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Berat, Gjirokaster, and Butrint
02 Explore the villages of the Albanian Riviera, including Himarë, Qeparo, and Dhermi
03 Discover Apollonia Archaeological Park and the Ardenica Monastery
04 Experience Albania's religious harmony in Shkoder and Tirana
05 Taste delicious Albanian gastronomy throughout the journey
06 Enjoy a wine degustation in Berat

This cultural 8-day tour takes you through Albania's main cultural attractions, including the country's three UNESCO sites, the National Museum, and many other famous tourist spots. Starting from Tirana, you will travel through Shkoder, Kruje, Ardenice, Apollonia, Vlore, the Albanian Riviera, Sarande, Gjirokaster, and Berat before returning to the capital. Along the way, you will discover historic towns, archaeological parks, museums, castles, and some of the country's most beautiful coastal and mountain scenery.

In the afternoon, visit the archaeological site of Butrint, protected by UNESCO.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Berat, Fier, Gjirokaster, Kruje, Sarande, Shkoder, Tirana, Vlore, Butrint National Park, Himarë, Apollonia (Illyria), Llogara National Park

Languages Albanian, English, French

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Tirana

After landing in Tirana, at Tirana International Airport "Mother Therese", you will be welcomed by the staff of our agency and accompanied to the hotel where you will stay for the first night. Some visits to the city may be planned, depending on your arrival time.

Day 02

Shkoder and Kruje Heritage Tour

Head to Shkodra, near the border with Montenegro. This town is a symbol of harmony between the religions coexisting in Albania. You will see Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, and Bektashi monuments.
Explore the town of Kruja, known as the hometown of Skanderbeg, the 15th-century Albanian leader considered our national hero for his fight against the Ottoman Empire. You will have the opportunity to learn more about this great leader by visiting the museum named after him, the "Skanderbeg Museum". The Ethnographic Museum is also a great opportunity to discover the local culture, lifestyle, and family traditions. Finally, enjoy a stroll among the stalls of the old market, located on a charming square with cobbled streets, ideal for picking up souvenirs.

Day 03

Ardenica Monastery, Apollonia and Vlore

Travel to the Orthodox Monastery of Ardenica, the only one still operating in Albania. The quality of its frescoes attracts many visitors each year, and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view over the fields stretching all the way to the sea.
Continue to Fier to visit the archaeological site of Apollonia. Once a massive ancient city, Apollonia is the country's largest archaeological park. You will see relics such as the Bouleterion, the Odeon, and the library where Emperor Octavius studied. Further on, you will also see the theatre, the old fountain, and even bunkers from the communist era.
Later in the afternoon, continue towards the city of Vlora. You can stop for a short visit to the city where the independence of Albania was declared.

Day 04

Llogara Pass, Riviera and Butrint

Pass through Llogara National Park, where you will have the chance to enjoy some amazing scenery that only the Ionian coast can offer.
Head towards the region of Himara, with its beautiful villages such as Dhermi, Qeparo, and Borsh. On the way to Saranda, you will also have the possibility to visit the castle of Ali Pasha of Ioannina.
In the afternoon, visit the archaeological site of Butrint, protected by UNESCO. This site is also part of the 1001 wonders of the world. Almost everything in this park remains from the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians. Its rich flora and fauna, together with its romantic views, make this place quite paradisiac.
Later in the afternoon, arrive in the city of Saranda and visit the city, including its beautiful seaside promenade.

Day 05

Discover Gjirokaster, the Stone City

Continue your journey towards Gjirokastra, known as the "stone city". This stoned city will reveal its special characteristics, which led UNESCO to list it as a World Heritage Site. "Chronicle in Stone" is the novel by Ismail Kadare in which he describes his city, and Enver Hoxha, the communist dictator, was also from Gjirokastra. The visits planned for today include the city castle as well as one of the characteristic houses known as "Skenduli House".

Day 06

UNESCO Berat and Its Museums

Visit another UNESCO-protected site, the city of Berat, known for its characteristic architecture. Best known as the "city of 1000 windows", it will charm you with its white houses and steep streets that offer a special promenade.
During your walk, you will see the castle, many mosques, the Onufri Museum, and the Ethnographic Museum.

Day 07

Return to Tirana

Today, return to Tirana, a city of vivid colours and nightlife.
While walking around the city, you will discover a mosque, a Catholic cathedral, and an Orthodox cathedral located not far from each other, showing the religious harmony of the country.
Visit the National Museum located on Skanderbeg Square. It will also serve as a nice introduction to Albania's rich history.
In the evening, we recommend enjoying the nightlife of the capital in the district of Blok. Once reserved for the communist nomenclature, it is now a trendy neighbourhood where you can have a drink or find a nice restaurant to relax after your last day.

Day 08

Departure from Tirana

This is the last day of your trip to Albania. One of our agents will accompany you to the airport according to your flight schedule. We hope you had a great time during your visit and that you will come back to Albania again.