Albania Fly-Drive Holiday

On arrival in Tirana you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city. 

After breakfast, set out to explore the city on foot starting in Skanderbeg Square, the lively heart of Tirana. The square is framed by some of Albania’s most iconic landmarks from the National History Museum with its striking mosaic façade to the grand Opera and Ballet Theatre, and the boldly redesigned Pyramid of Tirana. As you wander, there’s ample time to dip into places that catch your eye. Step inside the beautifully restored Et’hem Bey Mosque or explore the thought-provoking Bunk’Art 2 museum. (B)

After breakfast, your hire car will be delivered to the hotel. Leave the bustle of Tirana behind and enjoy a scenic drive south towards Berat, one of the country’s most pretty historic towns. En route, take a pleasant lakeside stop in Belsh to stretch your legs, wander the pedestrian promenade and soak up the panoramic views across its tranquil waters. Continue to Berat, the famed “City of a Thousand Windows,” and spend the afternoon exploring its atmospheric Mangalem and Gorica quarters, where white Ottoman houses cling to the hillsides. Make your way up to Berat Castle, a lived-in fortress offering sweeping vistas over the Osumi River and the dramatic peaks of Mount Tomorr. While inside the castle walls, don’t miss the Onufri Iconographic Museum, home to exquisite religious art. (B)

Continue south to Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage city famed for its beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture and dramatic hillside setting. Break up the drive with a stop at Apollonia Archaeological Park, where ancient columns, quiet pathways and sweeping countryside views offer a captivating glimpse into the region’s classical past. On arrival in Gjirokastër, immerse yourself in the charm of the Old Bazaar. Here, cobbled lanes wind between stone-built houses and traditional workshops. (B)

Spend the day leisurely exploring Gjirokaster. Perched high above the city, the castle offers panoramic views across the Drino Valley. Inside, discover military exhibits, folklore displays and the atmospheric old prison. (B)

After breakfast, set off on a wonderfully scenic drive towards the coast, with plenty of opportunities to explore along the way. Your first stop could be the enchanting Blue Eye Spring, a natural wonder where vivid turquoise waters bubble up from mysterious depths. Continue south to the remarkable Butrint National Archaeological Park (UNESCO), a tranquil haven of ancient ruins, forested pathways and sweeping lagoon views. From here, the road carries you along the breathtaking Albanian Riviera, where rugged mountains tumble towards theIonian Sea. Pause at Porto Palermo to admire its secluded bay and striking fortress before winding your way to the laid-back coastal town of Himare. On arrival, check in for a relaxed three-night stay. (B)

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Spend the day relaxing on the beach, swimming and enjoying fresh seafood lunches. (B)

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Spend the day as leisurely or active as you wish. Take a boat trip to hidden beaches, hike the coastal paths or simply linger in Himare's old town with pretty stone houses and quiet lanes. (B)

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Leave the coast behind and begin the scenic drive towards Kruja, with your first stop at the magnificent Llogara National Park. Here, the road climbs to around 1,043 metres, offering sweeping vistas over pine forests and the glittering Ionian Sea. Continue north to Vlore for a brief look at this historic port city, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, before continuing on to Kruja, a town steeped in Albanian legend. Spend the afternoon wandering through the Old Bazaar, lined with traditional craft shops, before heading up to the castle district, perched high above the valley. (B)

Make your way to Tirana Airport to drop off the rental car and fly back to the UK. (B)