This is the route that gives you everything without spreading it too thin. Tirana first, to get your bearings and walk the city with someone who knows it. Then south to Berat, the city that appears in every photograph of Albania, Ottoman houses climbing both hillsides, a castle above that has been continuously inhabited since the fourth century BC. Then west to the coast. Dhërmi for two or three nights to swim, eat, and slow down at a pace that is harder to find in Europe right now.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1, Arrival in Tirana
- Arrive Tirana, private airport transfer, apartment check-in
- Evening walk through Skanderbeg Square and Blloku, dinner at our recommendation
Day 2, Tirana Exploration
- Free Walking Tour of Tirana in the morning
- Bunk'Art 2 in the afternoon
- Evening in the city, Blloku for drinks and dinner
Day 3, Travel to Berat
- Drive south to Berat (approx. 2 hours)
- The castle and the Onufri Museum inside it, a collection of 16th-century Byzantine icons that should not exist in a building this size
- Lunch in the old city, afternoon walk through Mangalem and Gorica quarters
- Night in Berat or continue to the coast
Day 4, Drive to the Riviera
- Drive west to Dhërmi, the coastal road descent is one of the great drives in the country
- Afternoon on the beach, dinner at the waterfront
Day 5, Beach Day
- Full day on the coast, swimming, eating, a boat trip if you want one
- The rhythm here is intentionally slow
Day 6, Beach Day
- A second full day on the Riviera, most guests do nothing in particular and consider it the best day of the trip
- Long lunch and sunset dinner with a view
Day 7, Return & Depart
- Drive back to Tirana, optional stop in Berat or at a winery en route
- Evening flight or one final night in Tirana
Where You'll Stay
We recommend two nights in central Tirana, one night in Berat at a guesthouse inside the old city, and two to three nights in Dhërmi. We handle all the bookings and transfers between each stop.
- Tirana
- Berat
- Dhërmi or Himarë
Optional Add-ons
- Berat guided walking tour
- Riviera boat tour
- Private airport transfer
Suggested Stays for This Trip
A few of our apartments and villas that fit this route, hand-picked by our team.
Suggested Experiences for This Trip
Hand-picked tours and activities along your route - add them to your itinerary or just use them as inspiration.
Free Walking Tour, Tirana
Tirana
Most people arrive in Tirana without a clue what they're looking at. A square full of colourful buildings. A big mosque. A weird concrete pyramid. Two and a half hours later, they get it. This walk takes you through the centre of Tirana, from Skanderbeg Square through the government quarter to the Pyramid, through Blloku, and ending at Grand Park, and tells you the story of a country that went from one of the world's most isolated dictatorships to one of Europe's most surprising cities in thirty years. It's a free walking tour. You tip what you feel it was worth. We think you'll feel it was worth quite a bit.
Bovilla Lake Tour
Tirana
Most people don't know this exists. A turquoise mountain reservoir sitting in the hills just outside Tirana, completely undeveloped, no crowds, backed by pine forest and limestone peaks. We drive up in the morning, hike through the pine forest to the reservoir viewpoints, and end the day at a farm-style restaurant tucked into the hills with views down to Tirana.
Airport Transfer, Tirana International Airport
Tirana
Private door-to-door transfer between Tirana International Airport (TIA) and your accommodation in the city. Your driver tracks your flight, meets you at arrivals with a name board, and handles your luggage. No waiting, no shared shuttles, no stress. Works both ways, we also do drop-offs for departing flights.