8-Day Albania Tour from Corfu: Culture, Landscapes and Cuisine Exploration

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This journey begins in Corfu, Greece and concludes in Albania over an 8 day stretch. Not just limited to the major attractions, the trip also encompasses the southeastern region of Albania, showcasing a blend of historical landmarks, splendid natural scenery, and delectable food.

Duration: 8 days

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

CORFU - SARANDA - BLUE EYE - GJIROKASTRA (60 KM)

Saranda - Nestled on the Ionian coast, Saranda boasts its own stunning beaches and serves as an excellent base for exploring the picturesque Albanian Riviera. With its delightful restaurants and lively nightlife, Saranda exudes a zest for life that captivates every visitor. Just a few kilometers away lies the ancient city of Butrint, one of the best-preserved sites in the Balkans and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within the Butrint National Park, you can explore the remnants of Greek and Roman history, including a functioning open-air theater. The nearby Ksamil islands are a top destination on many international travel lists, while Albania’s own tropical gem, the Blue Eye, is situated halfway between Saranda and Gjirokastra.

The Blue Eye - The “Blue Eye” is a natural spring and phenomenon near Saranda. A popular tourist spot, the crystal-clear blue water emerges from a depth of over fifty meters. Divers have reached fifty meters, but the true depth of the karst hole remains unknown.

Gjirokaster - Known as “The Stone City,” Gjirokastra is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a free afternoon in Gjirokastra and an overnight stay.

GJIROKASTRA - PERMET (65 KM)

Gjirokaster - After breakfast, we will explore Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Albania. We’ll visit the medieval bazaar and the Ottoman-style houses in the old town, where you can see artisan women crafting handmade doilies, carving wood or silver, and other guild shops along the narrow cobblestone streets. We’ll also tour the Gjirokastra Castle and the Skenduli House, built around 1700 and featuring many fascinating elements.

Permet - Known as the greenest and cleanest town in Albania, Permet is also called the “city of roses.” This small town is famous for its folk music, renowned clarinetist Laver Bariu, literary figures, and excellent cuisine, especially the sweets known as ‘gliko’ or preserves. You’ll enjoy good wine and raki in Permet and its surroundings. In Permet, we’ll visit a large rock near the town center, overlooking the town and the Vjosa River. Overnight in Permet.

PERMET - KORCA - POGRADEC (175 KM)

Korce - After breakfast, we’ll depart for Pogradec via one of Albania’s most breathtaking roads, featuring gorges, mountains, colorful fields, river canyons, and forests. Our first stop is Korca, one of Albania’s largest and most significant cultural and economic centers, located in the southeastern part of the country. Korca is known for its typical quarters with low houses and villas paved with cobblestones. The city offers various museums, including the Education Museum (in the building where the first Albanian school opened in 1887) and the renewed National Museum of Medieval Art. Korca also hosts Albania’s largest carnival, held before Orthodox Easter.

Pogradec - We continue to Pogradec on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Pogradec, situated on the southwestern shores of Lake Ohrid, is renowned for its tradition of “family tourism” and its pleasant, fresh summer climate. The city dates back to the Neolithic period and was later home to the Illyrian Enkelejd and Desaret clans, who built the Castle of Pogradec on a hill at 870 meters above sea level. We’ll visit Lake Ohrid, a four-million-year-old tectonic lake and the deepest of its kind in the Balkans, with a maximum depth of 285 meters. The lake’s environment is a natural habitat for diverse ancient flora and fauna. Lake Ohrid is part of UNESCO’s Natural and Cultural Heritage List. Don’t miss the Koran fish specialty (Tavë Korani), famously ordered by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

POGRDEC - ELBASAN - TIRANA (130 KM)

Elbasan - After breakfast, we’ll drive to the capital, Tirana, with a short stop in Elbasan. Elbasan is known for its castle, where you can still admire the old city walls built on the ruins of Roman and Byzantine fortifications by the Ottoman sovereign Mehmet II, who named the city Eli-Bashan.

Tirana - In Tirana, we’ll visit major sites, including the colorful buildings. The tour starts at Skanderbeg Square and the National Museum, then continues to other important landmarks: Palace of Culture, Opera House, National Library, Mosque of Ethem Bey, Clock Tower, Tirana Castle, Parliament, Ura e Tabakeve, National Art Gallery, main government buildings, Catholic and Orthodox cathedrals, the Pyramid, Prime Minister’s building, Palace of Congresses, Mother Teresa Square, Bunk’Art, Presidential Palace, Ex-Blloku (formerly the most beautiful and protected area where ex-communist leaders’ families lived). We’ll also visit the Cold War corner (featuring a bunker, part of the famous Spac Political Prison, and a piece of the Berlin Wall). Overnight in Tirana.

TIRANA - KRUJA - BERAT (175 KM)

Kruje - After breakfast, we’ll drive to Kruja, the center of Albanian resistance against the Turks led by National Hero Scanderbeg, who prevented them from crossing into Western Europe for 25 years, earning the title “Champion of Christ” from the Pope. We’ll visit the Skanderbeg Museum, a rich Ethnographic Museum, and the Old Bazaar, where you can purchase the best handmade souvenirs.

Berat - Next, we’ll head to Berat, one of Albania’s most visited and distinctive towns, protected by UNESCO for its unique architecture. Berat Castle is particularly interesting as people still live within its walls in traditional houses, as their ancestors have for centuries. The castle once had over 40 churches, of which 7 remain, including St. Mary’s Church, now the Onufri Museum. We’ll visit the castle and the Onufri Museum. Overnight in Berat.

BERAT - APOLLONIA - VLORA (145 KM)

Apollonia Archaeological Park - After breakfast, we’ll finish our visit to Berat and depart for the archaeological site of Apollonia, one of the most important ancient centers in Roman times on the famous Via Egnatia. Known as Apollonia Prima, it was built to honor Apollo. Caesar sent his nephew Augustus Octavian to study oratory in Apollonia, highlighting the city’s significance. We’ll tour the city and an Orthodox monastery turned archaeological museum.

Vlore - In the afternoon, we’ll reach Vlora, where Albanians declared independence from the Ottomans in 1912. We’ll visit the Museum of Independence and the Zvernec Monastery. Overnight in Vlora.

VLORA - PORTO PALERMO - BUTRINT - SARANDA (180 KM)

Porto Palermo Castle - After breakfast, we’ll continue along the spectacular Albanian Riviera with its traditional villages. We’ll stop at Llogara National Park at around 1100 meters for stunning views of the Ionian Sea. On the way to Saranda, we’ll visit Ali Pasha Castle, one of Albania’s top spots.

Butrint National Park - We’ll then continue along the beautiful coast past Saranda to reach the ancient city of Butrint, another UNESCO World Heritage site and arguably the best archaeological site in Albania and one of the most important in the Balkans. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and continuously inhabited for centuries, creating archaeological layers of various civilizations. The site has been occupied since at least the 8th century BC, with myths linking its origins to Trojan exiles. After the visit, we’ll return to Saranda for an overnight stay.

Saranda - Saranda is a resort town on the Albanian Riviera, nestled between the Ionian Sea and olive grove-covered hills. The town is set on a horseshoe-shaped bay with beaches and a promenade. In the center, you’ll find the archaeological remains of a 5th-century synagogue, later an early Christian basilica, with intricate floor mosaics still visible. The 16th-century Lëkurësi Castle sits on a hilltop above the town.