Not sure where to travel in Albania? You’re not alone. This underrated Balkan gem offers everything from snow-capped mountains to Caribbean-like beaches, all wrapped in history, hospitality, and jaw-dropping affordability. For less than a weekend in Dubrovnik, you can explore three UNESCO sites, swim in the Ionian Sea, and eat fresh seafood under olive trees.
The secret? Rent a car and drive. Public transport is improving, but nothing beats the freedom of pulling over at a roadside spring or chasing a sunset along the Albanian Riviera. That’s why this guide pairs where to travel in Albania with a 12-day self-drive itinerary — fully optimized for travelers who book with RentCarTirana.com.
With cars from €17/day, airport pickup, unlimited kilometers, and no hidden fees, RentCarTirana.com makes exploring Albania effortless. Let’s dive in.
Why Choose RentCarTirana.com for Where to Travel in Albania?
| ✅ Instant Booking | Reserve online, collect at Tirana Airport (TIA) in 10 min | ✅ Reliable Fleet | Skoda Fabia, Fiat Panda, Dacia Sandero — GPS & full insurance included | ✅ Unlimited KM | Drive from Theth to Ksamil without worry | ✅ 24/7 Support | English/Albanian help via WhatsApp — even on mountain roads | ✅ No Deposit | Pay only what you see — no surprises
Pro tip: The Dacia Sandero (€20/day) is the sweet spot — compact for city parking, high enough for light gravel, and fuel-efficient (6L/100km). Perfect for couples or small families.
Where to Travel in Albania: 12-Day Itinerary
(~950 km total – easy, scenic, and stress-free)
| Day | Destination | KM | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Tirana | 0 | Bunk’Art, Dajti cable car, Blloku nightlife |
| 3–4 | Berat | 120 km | “City of a Thousand Windows,” castle, winery |
| 5–6 | Gjirokastër | 170 km | Ottoman stone city, castle, Cold War bunker |
| 7–8 | Ksamil & Himarë | 80 km | Ionian beaches, Blue Eye, Butrint ruins |
| 9–10 | Vlorë & Llogara Pass | 110 km | Coastal drive, hiking, mountain views |
| 11 | Durrës | 110 km | Roman amphitheater, promenade sunset |
| 12 | Kruja + TIA Drop-off | 140 km | Skanderbeg Museum, bazaar, departure |
Where to Travel in Albania – Day by Day
Days 1–2: Tirana – Urban Energy Meets Communist History
Pickup: RentCarTirana.com counter at TIA Arrivals — your car is ready in 10 minutes. Where to go:
- Bunk’Art 2 (€5): A former nuclear bunker turned museum — walk through secret tunnels used by Enver Hoxha’s regime.
- House of Leaves: Ex-secret police HQ — chilling and fascinating.
- Dajti Express cable car (€8 round-trip): 15-minute ride to 1,600m for sweeping views over Tirana.
- Blloku district: Once forbidden to citizens, now the heart of nightlife. Grab qofte (meatballs) and a Korça beer at Mullixhiu or Era.
Parking: Free street spots near most Airbnbs. Use our compact cars to zip through traffic.
Days 3–4: Berat – The “City of a Thousand Windows” (120 km, 2 hrs)
Route: A2 highway → SH72 (winding but paved). Where to go:
- Mangalem & Gorica neighborhoods: Ottoman houses stacked like a postcard.
- Berat Castle: Still inhabited by locals — explore churches, mosques, and panoramic views.
- Onufri Museum (€3): 16th-century icons in a Byzantine church.
- Çobo or Alpeta Winery: Taste Shesh i Zi red and raki — €10 tasting.
Detour: 20 min to Bogovë Waterfall — crystal pools and zero crowds. Our Fiat Panda handles the short gravel stretch with ease.
Days 5–6: Gjirokastër – Stone City & Hoxha’s Hometown (170 km, 3 hrs)
Route: SH4 through mountain passes — slow down for goats and epic views. Where to go:
- Gjirokastër Castle (€4): Medieval fortress with a weapons museum and prison cells.
- Zekate House: Restored Ottoman mansion — see how merchants lived.
- Cold War Bunker: Hidden under the castle — a must for history buffs.
Side trip: 30 min to Antigonea Archaeological Park — Greek/Roman ruins in a wildflower valley. The Dacia Sandero gives you the clearance you need.
Days 7–8: Ksamil & Himarë – Albanian Riviera Paradise (80 km, 1.5 hrs)
Route: SH8 — the most beautiful coastal road in the Balkans. Cliffs, turquoise water, and zero billboards. Where to go:
- Ksamil Islands: Rent a kayak (€10) and paddle to your own private beach.
- Syri i Kaltër (“Blue Eye”): A natural spring with water so clear it looks photoshopped.
- Butrint National Park (€7): UNESCO-listed Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins in a lagoon.
- Porto Palermo Castle: Triangular fortress built by Ali Pasha — sunset views are unreal.
Food: Fresh mussels at Guvatna in Ksamil (€6/kg) — park your car right on the sand.
Days 9–10: Vlorë & Llogara National Park (110 km, 2 hrs)
Route: Llogara Pass (1,027 m) — 30 hairpins, pine forests, and golden eagles soaring overhead. Where to go:
- Caesar’s Pass hike (2 hrs, moderate): Ancient Roman road with sea views.
- Independence Museum in Vlorë: Where Albania declared freedom in 1912.
- Jalë or Radhimë Beach: Quieter alternatives to Ksamil.
- Llogara Viewpoint: Pull over for photos — your Instagram will thank you.
Adventure option: Paragliding over the pass (€60).
Day 11: Durrës – Ancient Port & Easy Vibes (110 km, 1.5 hrs)
Route: SH2 — fast, flat, and smooth. Where to go:
- Roman Amphitheater (€3): 2nd-century, seats 20,000 — largest in the Balkans.
- Archaeological Museum: On the seafront, small but packed with treasures.
- Vollga Promenade: Sunset cocktails and live music.
Parking: Free after 7 PM — perfect for evening strolls.
Day 12: Kruja + Airport Drop-off (140 km, 2 hrs)
Route: Kruja (1 hr) → TIA (45 min). Where to go:
- Kruja Castle & Skanderbeg Museum (€5): Albania’s national hero defended Europe here.
- Old Bazaar: Buy raki, honey, and hand-carved olive-wood spoons.
Drop-off: Return full-to-full at RentCarTirana.com — no lines, no stress.
Driving Tips for Where to Travel in Albania
- Fuel: €1.55/L diesel — fill up in Tirana, Berat, and Vlorë.
- Tolls: Only €5 (Kukës highway — skip it).
- Parking: Free outside city centers; €1–2/hr in Tirana/Berat.
- Night driving: Avoid — mountain roads are unlit.
- GPS: Preloaded in every car + offline maps included.
- SIM: Vodafone Tourist SIM (€10 for 10 GB) at the airport.
Budget: Where to Travel in Albania (12 Days, Per Person)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| RentCarTirana.com (Compact, 12 days) | €240 (split 2 ways = €120 pp) |
| Fuel | €120 |
| Lodging (double shared) | €300 |
| Food & activities | €280 |
| Total | €820 |
Solo traveler? Add €200 for single supplements.
Final Takeaway: Where to Travel in Albania
Albania isn’t just a destination — it’s an experience. In 12 days, you’ll climb castle walls at sunrise, swim in emerald springs, and eat lamb roasted under a bell jar in a mountain village. All while spending less than €70/day.
Pack light, drive slow on the hairpins, and let Albania surprise you.
Ready to go?
- Visit RentCarTirana.com
- Choose Skoda Fabia, Fiat Panda, or Dacia Sandero
- Book instantly — your adventure starts at arrivals
Your car will be waiting: ice-cold A/C, full tank, free road map.
Shëndet! See you on the road. 🚗💨
RentCarTirana.com – Your Key to Where to Travel in Albania