Wondering how to spend 10 days in Albania? Even though Albania is only a small country in the Balkans, it has a lot of biodiversity, history, and great food all packed in.
After living in Albania for a few years, I’ve gotten to really understand how things work, what’s worth visiting, and what’s not.
Plus, even if I haven’t visited certain places, my Albanian friends vouch for some of the more off-the-beaten-path that I suggest and I trust their judgment.
Thankfully, combining this knowledge has helped me put together 2 incredible itineraries for you to spend the best 10 days in Albania.
2 Awesome Itineraries For 10 Days In Albania
Whether you are wanting to be based in the north or just want to see the main attractions of Albania, I’ve put together 2 incredible itineraries for you.
There’s a lot of small things that I included because I think they’re important. This gives you different options to suit what you would prefer.
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10 Days In Albania – Most Popular Attractions
If you’re coming for the first time and want to see the most popular attractions, this guide to 10 days in Albania will be great for your trip.
There’s so much more you can see besides these places, but I picked these because they are the most famous and pretty accessible even if you want to do public transport.
The only bad thing is that you are at the mercy of the bus schedule (which can be hard to find). Most trips to Albania will be 100 times better if you have the freedom to go wherever you want.
PSsst Public transport is chaotic. It doesn't work well if you have a short amount of time in Albania so I'd highly recommend renting a car. Compare the best deals on Tirana car rentals.
Day 1-2: Tirana
Tirana is the capital of Albania and is a great starting point for your trip. Spend the first two days exploring the city, which has a mix of Ottoman, Italian, and Communist-era architecture.
Visit the National Museum of History, the Bunk’Art Museum, and the Skanderbeg Square. Tirana also has a vibrant nightlife scene, so make sure to experience it!
Check out places to stay in Tirana.
Day 3: Kruja
Located just 30 km from Tirana, Kruja, Albania is a small mountain town that is famous for its beautiful views and the historic market and castle.
Kruja (or possibly somewhere close by) is also said to be the birthplace of Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg.
Visit the centuries-old market, explore Kruja Castle, and learn more about Albania’s national hero at the Skanderbeg Museum, which houses weapons and artifacts from that time.
After spending a few hours there, drive north to Shkoder. Check out places to stay in Shkoder.
Day 4: Shkoder
Shkoder is the largest city in northern Albania and is located near the border with Montenegro. There are plenty of cool things to do in Shkoder like visiting Rozafa Castle – an impressive fortress perched on a hill overlooking the city.
The Marubi National Museum of Photography is also quite interesting because it has a collection of over 500,000 photographs portraying Albania’s most recent 100 years of history.
You can also explore the Shkoder Pedonale (pedestrianized boulevard) and enjoy some delicious local cuisine.
Day 5-6: Theth National Park
Theth National Park is a stunning wilderness area located in the Albanian Alps, and it is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and hikers.
The park offers spectacular landscapes, including towering peaks, impressive waterfalls, and dense forests.
The picturesque village of Theth is a popular base for exploring the park and is known for its traditional architecture and warm hospitality.
It can be a bit hard to access depending on the weather and road conditions, so it’s best to go for two days. Though it’s remote, there’s plenty of nature to explore. Check out places to stay in Theth.
Day 7-8: Berat
Head south to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Berat – known as the “City of a Thousand Windows.”
It is famous for its well-preserved Ottoman-era houses, which are built on the side of a hill overlooking the Osum River.
Spend two days exploring the castle, the Ethnographic Museum, trying wine from local vineyards, and adventure activities in the nearby Osumi Canyon and Tomorri Mountain National Park.
Check out places to stay in Berat.
Day 9: Gjirokaster
Gjirokastra is another UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the best-preserved Ottoman towns in the Balkans.
Explore the castle, which dates back to the 12th century, and the Gjirokastra Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts from the Ottoman era.
Make sure to take your time enjoying the food here – it’s incredible.
Stop by Restaurant Muço for their incredible qofte and homemade raki and The Barrels-Te Fuçitë for some great wine and traditional appetizers. Check out places to stay in Gjirokaster.
Day 10: Saranda
There are a few different options to choose from on how to spend the last full day of your 10 days in Albania.
If you would like to have a beach day, go to Mirror Beach (Shpella e Pëllumbave) on the way to the Ksamil.
The other option is to stop on the way from Gjirokaster and see the Blue Eye – a natural wonder located near the village of Muzina.
It is a deep, crystal-clear natural spring with water so blue that it looks like it has been photoshopped. Some people take a dip in the chilly water, though I wouldn’t suggest it.
The water is a source for locals downstream and swimming can pollute it for them. After that, head towards the town of Ksamil and go past it to arrive at Butrint.
It’s an impressive UNESCO heritage site where you can see some of Albania’s best ancient ruins. Check out places to stay in Saranda.
How To Spend 10 Days In Northern Albania
Northern Albania is by far the least touristy area to explore. If you’re wanting to see some unusual or lesser-known spots, then this northern guide to 10 days in Albania will be great for you.
Day 1: Tirana
See the Tirana recommendations in the first itinerary. You can see some interesting things in Tirana, but it’s best to leave and more of what Albania has to offer outside of the capital. Check out places to stay in Tirana.
Day 2: Kruja and more
See the Kruja recommendation in the first itinerary. After visiting the charming Kruja, hopefully, you are ready for some great food.
Located on a beautiful lake, stop nearby at the Duka Winery, Vineyard, and Restaurant, for some delicious food and wine.
Another option is to stop at the Lagoon of Patok and have a nice seafood dinner while watching the sunset. There are even charming overwater bungalows at ‘Laguna e Patokut’ restaurant to dine in.
Check out these places nearby to stay.
Day 3: Ulza Regional Nature Park & Lezhe Castle
Head north towards Ulza Regional Nature Park. Enjoy the beautiful drive along Shkopet Lake with the precarious Shkopet footbridge that you can cross if you dare.
Head further to Ulza Lake, crossing the beautiful Ulza Bridge. Stop for some lunch in Ulez and enjoy the lake.
Go back the same way and drive towards Lezhe to visit the historic Lezhe Castle.
Head to the close beach town of Shengjin. Check out some places to stay in Shengjin and make sure to visit Restaurant Detari for great seafood.
Day 4: Beach day at Rana e Hedhun
Spend the day relaxing at this cool sand dune beach known as Rana e Hedhun / Thrown Sand, Albania. This is very close to Shengjin, so it would be good to stay there again for the night.
Day 5: Shkoder
Drive north to the ‘capital’ of northern Albania – Shkoder. Nicknamed ‘Albania’s Ancient City’, Shkoder has been a beacon of music, art, and religious tolerance for centuries.
Spend the day getting to know the city by visiting Rozafa Castle, the Pedonale, and the Marubi National Photography Museum.
You can drive or rent bikes to cycle to the charming village of Shiroka on Shkodra Lake. Make sure to stop at Blue Notte or the further away Pelikani Kaçurrel for great fish or eel from the lake.
Check out these places to stay in Shkoder, or if you want a full breakdown, read my article on the best hotels in Shkoder.
Day 6: Shala River
Take a day trip from Shkoder to the beautiful Lumi i Shales (Shala River). This place has been nicknamed the “Thailand of Albania” because of how lush the greens look and how blue the water looks.
It’s quite remote so it’s best to stay in Shkoder and just do a day trip. You’ll also get to see the famous Koman Lake on your way to Shala since the river runs into Koman.
You can book the day trip to Shala River here or wait until you are in Shkoder and try to arrange it the day before.
Sometimes the Shkoder hostels or hotels will be able to arrange it. The main downside is that if you are visiting during the busy season, tickets could be sold out if you wait till the day before.
PSsst don't forget to cover yourself with travel insurance, my favorite is SafetyWing ✔️
Day 7: Prekal Canyon
Take another day trip out of Shkoder, but on the way out of town, make sure to stop at the interesting Venetian Mask Museum. Then drive towards the beautiful Ottoman architecture of Mesi Bridge.
This bridge is one of the largest Ottoman bridges in the region. Keep following the directions towards Prekal Canyon, but make a slight detour to visit the ancient Drishti Castle ruins.
Though there’s not much left of the ruins, it’s a nice place to hike up to get a good view. Start driving to Prekal Canyon and find a spot along the road (there are many) to park.
Enjoy a few hours of exploring the area, swimming, and jumping from the canyon walls. If you want a preview, check out my YouTube vlog about Prekal. Return to Shkoder to stay one last night.
Day 8: Malesia e Madhe Road Trip
This is one of the lesser-known regions in Albania, but it holds so much beauty and history.
Malesia e Madhe was where many people hid in resistance to the Ottoman invasion, which helped to protect Albanian culture and religious independence for future generations.
On the way out of Shkoder, drive north on the E762 towards Koplik. If you’re up for experiencing something alternative, stop at the Keq Marku Tattoo Art Studio which is housed in an old communist bunker.
If you’re itching to take a dip in Shkodra Lake, stop at Syri i Sheganit. Even if you’re not keen to swim, it’s still a nice place to enjoy and there’s a restaurant nearby that had a nice view.
Drive about an hour to Tamare, Albania, though it’s a beautiful drive so you want to stop and take photos for sure.
Plus, you might want to stop at yet another scary but beautiful here at a spot marked on Cemit River.
There are two guest houses in Tamare to book with (both with great ratings) check them out here.
Day 9: Hiking & Waterfalls In Malesia e Madhe
All along SH20 there are places to stop to swim, hike, and take pictures. Take your time here and enjoy nature. Make your way to Selce, and hike to the waterfall of Selce.
Keep driving to Lepushe, where you will stay the night, and check out some guesthouses to stay.
If there’s still daylight and you’d like to explore, there’s plenty of hiking to be done, and you can go check out the Lepushe Waterfall.
Day 10: Vermosh
Before driving back to Tirana, take a few hours to explore the valley of Vermosh. There are two waterfalls to check out, the Baskimit Waterfall and Gjanve Waterfall, plus plenty of hiking.
There are also lots of nice guesthouses in Vermosh so you could always stay here before heading back to Tirana if you’d want.
Final Thoughts On Spending 10 Days In Albania
I hope you found these two itineraries helpful in planning your 10 days in Albania!
Whether you’re interested in exploring the rich, cultural heritage of the country, or immersing yourself in its breathtaking natural beauty and delicious cuisine, there’s something for everyone.
From the vibrant capital city of Tirana to the picturesque towns of Berat and Gjirokastra, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Don’t forget to take some time to interact with the friendly locals and learn about their unique customs and traditions. I’m sure you will also get a healthy dose of Albanian hospitality too.
With so much to see and do, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with Albania just as much as I have!
