1 Week in Albania: My Tried-and-Tested Itinerary

If you’ve only got one week in Albania, you’ll want to make every day count—and trust me, it’s totally doable.

This country may be small, but it packs a punch: dramatic mountain drives, crystal-clear beaches, Ottoman towns, and food that’ll surprise you (in the best way).

But here’s the thing—if you try to cram in too much, you’ll just end up tired and missing the good stuff.

That’s why I’ve put together a few practical 7-day itineraries based on how you like to travel—whether that’s lazy coastal days, epic hikes, or a mix of both.

To make planning even easier, I’ve also created a super detailed Map with 400+ pinned spots (think hidden beaches, local gems, and my favourite guesthouses).

I use it daily while living here in Saranda.

With that in hand, let’s look at how to make the most of your 7 days in Albania.

Which 7-Day Albania Itinerary Should You Choose?

I’ve created 2 main itinerary options for you.

If you’re not sure which route is right for you?

Here’s a quick guide:

• Love beaches, seafood and warm weather? Choose the South Albania Itinerary.
• Want mountains, hiking and authentic villages? Go for the North Albania Itinerary.
• Looking to experience a bit of both? Scroll down to the mixed itinerary options to combine highlights from each.

Itinerary Type	Highlights	Ideal For
South Albania	Tirana, Saranda, Ksamil, Dhermi	Beaches, warm weather, coastal vibes
North Albania	Tirana, Shkoder, Theth, Valbona	Hiking, mountains, culture, fewer tourists

Every itinerary starts in Tirana and includes realistic travel times, so you can just plug and go!

#1 South Albania Itinerary (Beach + Relaxation Focus)

This itinerary is good if you;

• Love warmer weather and the beach
• Want to visit the famous beach destinations in Albania
• Love fresh seafood
• Could easily spend hours on the beach with a good book
• Want a holiday with mostly beach but also a couple of days to explore the capital

Start with 2 nights in Tirana/Tirane

If you are flying into Tirana, then I recommend spending a couple of days exploring because there are tonnes of great things to do in Tirana!

As most international flights do go through Tirana, it is hard to imagine an Albania trip itinerary without the capital city.

Tirana is a vibrant young city with plenty of interesting museums such as the House of Leaves and Bunk art 1 & 2. 

There are also some great restaurants and other nearby points of interest.

2 nights in Saranda/Sarandë

The seaside city of Saranda is one not to be missed – it’s one of the best places to visit in South Albania. 

It’s a great base to explore and there are tonnes of great things to do and only a 3.5 hour drive from Tirana.

I always recommend people to stay at least 2 nights in Saranda so you can see some of the best nearby attractions.

Make sure you have time in the city as well as hop on a bus and visit Ksamil and Butrint, a UNESCO site. Here’s my full guide on what to do in Saranda.

I might be biased because I live here, but no best Albania itinerary is complete without the inclusion of this amazing city.

P.S. I actually rent out my apartment during the year, so if you’re looking for a trustworthy and large accommodation option with fast WiFi only a few minutes walk to the beach, you can check it out and book here.

2 nights in Dhermi

Dhermi is another favourite for travellers coming to the Albanian Riviera.

Especially those looking for what to include on an Albania summer itinerary.

With its beautiful beaches like the main beach in Dhermi or Drymades (my personal favourite), adventure activities and lots of great sites nearby (like Gjipe Beach, Palase beach, Vuno and Llogara National Park), Dhermi is a great place to stopover for a couple of nights.

Travelling back to Tirana (via car) will take around 3.5 hours via Vlora.

*If you are starting from Tirana and ending in Saranda, then go from Tirana – Dhermi – Saranda instead.

More 7-Day Itineraries for South Albania You Might Love

I have put together a few more ideas for a 1-week Albania itinerary to help you decide just how many days in Albania you want to spend.

Option 2

You can find a Google map of this route here.

• 2 nights in Tirana
• 2 nights in Vlora
• 2 nights in Saranda or Ksamil

Option 3 (If you want to see more during 1 week)

You can find a Google map of this route here.

• 2 nights in Tirana
• 1 night in Himara
• 2 nights in Saranda
• 1 night in Gjirokastër

Option 4

You can find a Google map of this route here.

• 2 nights in Tirana
• 1 night in Berat
• 1 night in Vlora
• 1 night in Dhermi

Option 5 (off the beaten path)

You can find a google map of this route here.

• 1 night in Tirana
• 2 nights in Himara
• 1-night in Qeparo
• 1-night in Borsh

Option 6 (not a beach person but want to visit some beautiful historical cities?)

You can find a Google map of this route here.

• 2 nights in Tirana
• 2 nights in Korce
• 2 nights in Berat

#2 North Albania Itinerary (Mountains + Nature Focus)

This itinerary is good if you;

• Love hiking and exploring nature trails
• Don’t mind the cooler weather
• Interested in history and culture
• Want a holiday with fewer people and lesser-known destinations

Check out a Google map of this route here.

2 nights in Tirana

Stay 2 nights exploring Tirana then head straight to Shkoder.

Even if you’re short on days, don’t skip it!

As the capital and main entry point for international flights, Tirana offers a vibrant introduction to the country.

There are some of the best museums in the country, like the House of Leaves and Bunk’Art 1 & 2.

There’s also an ever-growing food scene and quirky cafés, the city is bursting with energy and creativity.

2 nights in Shkoder

From Tirana, you can catch the bus or drive to the northern city of Shkoder. 

Shkoder is a charming city and a gateway into the Albanian Alps.

You will love the north if you are more into the mountains than the beach. 

There are a lot of things you can do in Shkoder including visiting Rozafa Castle.

Once you have had some time to explore the city of Shkoder, it’s time to do some hiking! 

The Theth to Valbona trail is the most popular and most beautiful in Albania.

To get to Theth you can take a shuttle or taxi from Shkoder. 

Usually, you can ask your accommodation and they can organise one for you or go to the nearest tourist agency.

If you prefer to drive yourself, there’s also a nice road you can access Theth with all types of cars now.

🤫 Insider Tip: The best way to explore the north of Albania and get off the beaten track is to hire a rental car and explore the area 🚗 Our #1 recommendation is Discover Cars which caters to over 145+ countries around the world. Click here to get an instant quote.

Once you arrive in Theth you can relax at one of the beautiful guesthouses and get ready for your hike tomorrow.

The hike takes 7-8 hours and you need a medium level of fitness.

The total distance of the hike is 17km.

Note: You do not need a guide to do this hike. The trail is relatively easy to follow. You can also do an extra hike to the Blue Eye from Theth. You may opt to do this the day you arrive into Theth or you can stay an extra night to complete this one too. You won’t be able to do both hikes in one day.

1-night Valbona & Komani Lake Ferry ride

You will walk for 7-8 hours until you reach the beautiful village of Valbona! 

You will want to spend a night here to relax after your intense hike up the mountains.

There are also some great guesthouses to relax in.

From Valbona you can take the Komani Lake Ferry to Komani and from there they will take you back to Shkoder.

The ferry ride is about 3 hours long and is a beautiful ride, one that has become increasingly popular due to how beautiful it is!

More 7-Day Itineraries for North Albania You Might Love

Option 2

You can find a Google map of this route here.

• 2 nights in Tirana
• 1-night in Cape of Rodon
• 2-nights in Shkoder
• 1-night in Kruja

Option 3

You can find a Google map of this route here.

• 2 nights in Tirana
• 1 night in Kruja
• 2 nights in Shkoder
• 1-night in Durres

Option 4

You can find a Google map of this route here.

• 2 nights in Tirana
• 1-night in Shëngjin
• 1-night in Velipoje
• 2 nights in Shkoder

Option 5 (for people who want a slower pace)

You can find a Google map of this route here.

• 2 nights in Tirana
• 3 nights in Shkoder (do Komani lake ferry as a day trip)
• 1 night in Kruja

As you can see you have lots of options if you only have a quick week in Albania. 

Obviously, I recommend you spend longer as there are just so many more beautiful places!

Best Way to Travel Around Albania on a limtied time-frame

By Car

Travelling by car is the best option if you only have 7 days because you’ll want the flexibility of stopping at random spots along the way. and to move around quickly.

🤫 Insider Tip: 🚗 Our #1 recommendation is Discover Cars which caters to over 145+ countries around the world. Click here to get an instant quote.

Public transport

If you don’t feel comfortable driving, or you’re on a budget, you can also use the public transport system, which is quite easy to use but can be a little unreliable.

There are many buses that can take you to various cities, towns and small villages.

Make sure you consider when you will be visiting, because Albania’s tourism is very much seasonal for the likes of the South and beach destinations.

July and August are by far the busiest times, so that’s when more buses are put on.

During the other seasons, bus schedules turn to a more skeleton timetable and in the winter, tourism in the likes of the Albanian Riviera is near dead apart from the bigger cities like Saranda and Vlora.

Best Way to Enter Albania

There are many ways that you may enter the country for your Albania 1 week itinerary. 

One would be into the only airport in Albania, Tirana airport (or Mother Teresa airport).

You could also come from Greece. 

The Greek island of Corfu is only a 25-minute ferry ride to the Southern city of Saranda.

If you are coming from Montenegro, you will probably catch a bus to the southern city of Shkoder or to Tirana. There are lots of options!

🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. My #1 recommendation is SafetyWing! Me and thousands of other travellers use it to stay safe on the road. Click here to check it out.

If you’re only coming for one week in Albania then your itinerary will depend on where you are coming in and out from.

This Albania 7-day itinerary is made to be flexible because that’s how travel should be in Albania.

There are places that people instantly fall in love with and places where people want to move on within a day or two.

Take this 1-week Albania itinerary and use it as a draft for your trip instead of having a rigid plan.

Because honestly, rigid plans don’t work well in Albania!

Can you travel the north AND south in 1 week?

I’m often asked how many days do you need in Albania, and while you can see a lot of Albania in 7 days, I personally think you need a lot more time to see the whole country.

Technically, you can see both the North and South on a 1 week itinerary in Albania, but you will certainly feel rushed if you try to fit in too much.

It will be easier if you have your own car as relying on public transport in a short time frame can be a bit annoying.

If you have limited time and want to see the main places then try visiting places like Tirana, Berat, Saranda, Vlora and Shkoder.

Take note that driving from the southern city of Saranda to the most northern city Shkoder takes approximately 5 hours, according to Google that is.

It may take you a little longer than that, especially if you want to stop along the way (which you will!).

So ideally, how long do you need in Albania?

Well, I’ve been living here for years and I still haven’t seen everything!

I hope one of the 7-day Albania itineraries helped you plan your quick trip to Albania. 

Let me know if you have any questions below and be sure to join my Facebook group ‘Travelling Albania’ to connect with other travellers coming to Albania!

---

Love this post? Pin it for later!