3 Days Tour: Mediterranean Escapade with Beach, Castles and Culinary Delights

This is a brilliant chance to escape for a few days basking in the Mediterranean sun while visiting castles, archaeological sites and the coastline. Alongside, get to savour some of the most delectable dishes from the Albanian culinary traditions.

Duration: 3 days
Cancellation: 6 days learn more
Highlights

Visit of Karavasta Lagoon, Ardenica Monastery, Apollonia Archaeological Park and museum.

Parku Kombetar Divjake-Karavasta - Visiting Divjake National Park and Karavasta Lagoon is a nature lover’s paradise! Enjoy a boat ride (tickets not included) into the lagoon through the marshes to a watchtower for a view of the pelicans’ island. The lagoon is home to about 5% of the global population of Dalmatian Pelicans, also known locally as “Curly Pelicans.” Besides pelicans, the park hosts hundreds of bird and amphibian species. After the boat ride, take a short drive or walk along a 950-meter wooded bridge parallel to the main road to enjoy nature and spot many birds chirping in the trees. Visit the 360-degree watchtower that rises 36 meters (118 feet) above the tree line, a fantastic place for photography. Finally, visit the Nature Museum showcasing the park’s wildlife.

Apollonia Archaeological Park - Apollonia is one of the ancient Greek colonies dedicated to the god Apollo. Founded at the turn of the 6th century BC by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu, Apollonia soon became one of the most important city-states on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. In antiquity, it was famous for producing tasty wines, olive oil, and its philosophy school, where Emperor Augustus studied. Artifacts from both Greek and Roman influences have been found, and today, in the remains of the mighty city that once stood, you can see many parts of ancient Apollonia depicting both periods. It was so important that the Romans built a branch of the Via Egnatia to Apollonia.

Vlore - After the first half of the day, in the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the deep crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean. We recommend renting a sunbed for maximum comfort and beverage service. The sunset is marvelous! In the evening, enjoy a walk through Vlora’s promenade, indulge in slow-cooked meals from many traditional local restaurants, and close the night with drinks, feeling the sultry air and the Mediterranean waves. Accommodation in Vlora.

Vlorë - Sarandë

Llogara National Park - A beautiful day ahead will take you on a trip through the Albanian Riviera, with a fantastic view of the Mediterranean Sea throughout the day. After hotel check-out, we’ll pass through Llogara National Park, 1040 meters high directly above the sea. A 40-minute drive from Vlora, at the top of Llogara Pass, we’ll stop for coffee or tea to enjoy the spectacular view that extends all the way to the Greek island of Corfu. After the break, we’ll drive through a scenic road towards the most beautiful part of Albania, the Albanian Riviera.

Himare - Beach option 2: A stop at Himara Beach. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the best beach towns along Albania’s beautiful coastline, with a distinct Greek influence, excellent food, and plenty to do in the area, making it an excellent base for your time at the beach. (beach umbrellas not included)

Porto Palermo Castle - A stop at Porto Palermo Bay to visit Porto Palermo Castle, built by the ruthless Albanian ruler of the early 19th century, Ali Pasha Tepelena, dedicated to his young bride. It has a beautiful setting on the edge of a small island, with a fantastic view of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a beautiful place for photography or even for a quick swim en route to Saranda.

Saranda - Arrival and check-in at the hotel in Saranda. Saranda is perhaps the most international city in Albania, frequented by more tourists than any other area in the country. Enjoy a free evening to visit the city center and promenade. There are many choices of coffee shops, bars, and restaurants specializing in various types of international and traditional cuisine. If you’re lucky, you can attend one of the many street concerts organized throughout the summer season. After dinner, there are many choices of night bars and clubs, or you can choose to stay at a beach bar to enjoy the fresh air and the sound of waves.

Dhermi - A short stop at the picturesque town of Dhermi. It features a beautiful balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, full of narrow streets, stone houses with orange shingle roofs, and wooden windows.

Sarandë - Tiranë

Butrint National Park - We’ll start the morning with a visit to Butrint Archaeological Park. The city is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania. Due to its immense cultural, historical, and natural value, Butrint was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 and a National Park in 2000. A walking tour of the ruins and the museum inside will take you back more than 2700 years of history, tragedy, and triumph. (If you prefer a professional museum guide for the park, it costs 30-40 euros (paid on the spot) per tour, depending on availability)

Gjirokaster Castle - On the way back to Tirana, visit Gjirokaster Castle and the old bazaar located in the heart of the old town. The castle dominates the town with a fantastic view and overlooks the strategically important route along the river valley. It is open to visitors and contains a military museum featuring captured artillery and memorabilia of the Communist resistance against German occupation, as well as a captured United States Air Force plane to commemorate the Communist regime’s struggle against the imperialist western powers.

Gjirokaster - A stroll through the decorated stone streets of old Gjirokaster, surrounded by Ottoman-era stone houses with stone shingles and typical wide tops with wooden balconies. Refresh yourself at local street cafes and take a handcrafted souvenir to remember it by.

What's Included
  • All taxes and fuel included
  • Hotel stay and daily allowance for driver
  • Private transport with a dedicated driver
  • Optional hotel booking available
What's Not Included
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinks
  • Entry fees in museums and parks
Additional Information
  • Infant seat on request
Location
Albanian Eagle Tours
Cancellation Policy

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

Customer Ratings
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Oldjackaroo
Sep 6, 2021
Exellent tour and tour guide, lots of interesting places to visit - The tour was very interesting. It is mostly about historical places (castles, ruins, remnants of the communist regime) but with the chance to visit beaches if you are up to that, and two nights are in kind of resort towns with seaside promenade and good restaurants. Overall good introduction into Albania, as much as can be done in 3 days. And since I was alone, we could do it faster than in group tour, so had enough time to relax at the evening. Since it was a private tour for me, the agency was flexible and allowed visiting places along the road, for example, we started in Tirana but also visited Durres. Dorian is a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable, explained a lot about the places we visited and generally about the history of the country, and told some stories from the past. He also recommended nice restaurant for the lunch along the way and gave me some advices for my future plans on Balkans. The only thing I would do differently if I had this tour again - I would choose an option without hotels and book hotels myself based on more research. Yes, the hotels booked by the agency are 4* ones as promised, however Albanian four stars could be not exactly up to your expectations.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 6 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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