4-Day Private Albania Tour: Riviera, Butrint & Vjosa Wild River

Visiting: Apollonia Archaeological Ruins, Vlora City, Llogara Pass, Albanian Riviera, Dhërmi village, Himarë Beach, Porto Palermo Castle, Saranda, Butrint Archaeological Park (UNESCO), Gjirokastër old bazaar (UNESCO), Gjirokastër Castle, Vjosa River valley, Këlcyrë, Përmet, Bënja Hot Springs.

This journey combines Albania’s spectacular Riviera with the wild beauty of the Vjosa River Valley, offering dramatic mountain and coastal landscapes, historic UNESCO sites, and authentic slow‑cooked food and local wine. Enjoy crystal-clear Ionian beaches, ancient cities like Apollonia and Butrint, stone towns such as Gjirokastër, and relaxing time at Bënja Hot Springs along one of Europe’s last great wild rivers.

Day 1 – Tirana & Apollonia, overnight in Vlora

Pick up from Tirana Airport or your hotel.

Tirana City Tour – 120 minutes
Start with a guided city tour of Albania’s capital, Tirana. You will visit Skanderbeg Square and its main landmarks, walk along the “Deshmoret e Kombit” boulevard (Heroes Boulevard), see the Pyramid of Tirana and Mother Teresa Square, and pass the former residence area of communist leader Enver Hoxha from the outside. The tour also includes the Orthodox Cathedral, Bunk’Art 2 (an underground Cold War bunker turned into a museum), and the restored Tirana Castle area with its lively cafés and shops.

Transfer to Apollonia Archaeological Park – about 2 hours
Continue towards Apollonia Archaeological Park near Fier. Founded in the 6th century BC by Greek colonists, Apollonia became one of the most important cities on the Adriatic coast and later a Roman learning center. During your visit you will see the monastery complex and Archaeological Museum, the church and 13th‑century chapel, and walk among the ruins of the ancient city: the council building with its iconic standing columns, parts of the library, agora, and other public structures.

Transfer to Vlora Beach City – overnight
From Apollonia, drive to Vlora, the coastal city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was signed in 1912. After hotel check‑in, enjoy a free evening along Vlora’s seaside promenade with its bars, restaurants, and relaxed beach atmosphere.

Day 2 – Llogara Pass & Albanian Riviera to Saranda

After hotel check‑out, you will head towards Llogara National Park and the Albanian Riviera.

Llogara National Park – 30 minutes to 1 hour
Option 1: Take the tunnel beneath Llogara Pass to reach the southern beaches faster and enjoy more time by the sea.
Option 2: Drive over Llogara Pass through Llogara National Park, a mountain pass rising about 1,040 meters above the Ionian Sea. Around 40 minutes from Vlora, you’ll stop at a viewpoint café for coffee or tea and breathtaking panoramas over the Riviera and, on clear days, the island of Corfu. Then continue along the winding coastal road into one of the most beautiful regions of Albania – the Albanian Riviera.

Dhërmi village – short stop
Make a short stop in the picturesque village of Dhërmi, where stone houses with orange-tiled roofs and narrow lanes overlook the deep blue sea. It is a perfect photo stop to take in the Riviera from above.

Himarë Beach – about 3 hours
Stop in Himarë, one of the Riviera’s most beloved seaside towns, for beach time and lunch. Enjoy swimming in the clear Ionian water, relaxing on the beach, or tasting fresh seafood and local dishes at one of the seafront restaurants.

Porto Palermo Castle – about 30 minutes
Continue to Porto Palermo, a small bay guarded by a triangular fortress often linked to Ali Pasha of Tepelena. This Venetian‑style castle stands on a peninsula surrounded by turquoise water and offers atmospheric views over the coastline and hills.

Saranda – overnight by the sea
Arrive in Saranda and check into your hotel. Spend a free evening on the lively seaside promenade, with many options for cafés, bars, and restaurants right by the water.

Day 3 – Saranda, Butrint & Gjirokastër, overnight in Përmet

Morning options in Saranda / Ksamil
Option 1: Enjoy a relaxed morning on the beach along Saranda’s promenade.
Option 2: Take a short drive to Ksamil, famous for its small sandy bays and turquoise water, for a couple of hours of beach time.

Butrint Archaeological Park – about 2 hours
Visit Butrint Archaeological Park, one of Albania’s most important ancient sites and a UNESCO World Heritage property since 1992. Set in a lush lagoon landscape, Butrint preserves layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian history. A guided walking tour through the ruins and museum will take you past the theater, city walls and gates, basilica, acropolis area, and other key monuments, giving you a sense of nearly 2,700 years of continuous settlement.

Gjirokastër Castle & Old Bazaar – about 2.5 hours
Option 1: Explore Gjirokastër’s old bazaar, a historic quarter of cobbled streets lined with stone houses, artisan workshops, and traditional restaurants. You’ll have free time for shopping, photos, or a meal of local specialties.
Option 2: Visit Gjirokastër Castle, which dominates the town from a rocky hill and offers wide views over the Drino Valley. The fortress took its present form between the 12th and 19th centuries and later served as a prison during the communist era. Inside, you can see courtyards, towers, and exhibits of weapons and memorabilia that illustrate different periods of Albanian history.

Transfer to Përmet – overnight
After visiting Gjirokastër, continue through the Vjosa Valley to Përmet, a small town known for its cleanliness, hospitality, and riverside setting. Check in and enjoy a quiet evening in the town.

Day 4 – Vjosa River, Bënja Hot Springs & Ardenica, return to Tirana

Përmet is set along the Vjosa, one of Europe’s last big free‑flowing wild rivers, now protected as Vjosa Wild River National Park. The area around the town offers green landscapes, traditional villages, and access to thermal springs and outdoor activities.

Përmet town & “Gliko” shops
Take a short walk through Përmet to see its central streets and riverside views, and stop at one of the family‑run “gliko” shops, where locals produce traditional fruit preserves in syrup – a beloved sweet treat in southern Albania.

Transfer to Bënja Hot Springs – about 2 hours including visit
Drive to Bënja Hot Springs, located in the Lengarica Canyon near Përmet. Here you will have free time (around 2 hours) to enjoy the thermal pools, cross the historic stone bridge, and walk a little into the canyon for photos. The warm, mineral-rich waters and dramatic river scenery make this one of Albania’s most memorable natural spots.

Transfer to Ardenica Monastery – about 2 hours
Continue north to Ardenica Monastery, a hilltop Orthodox monastery dating to the late 13th century and later rebuilt and embellished over the centuries. It is renowned as the place where Albanian national hero Skanderbeg married Andronika Arianiti in 1451, and for its richly painted church interior with wooden iconostasis and colorful frescoes. Your visit will include the church and courtyard areas, where your guide will explain the monastery’s religious and historical importance.

Return to Tirana or Tirana International Airport
After the visit, drive back to Tirana for hotel drop‑off or direct drop‑off at Tirana International Airport, according to your flight schedule.

Important information

Included in price: For Large Groups select 25, 35, 45 in the (Add Total Number of People) box.

1. 4 Days Private Guide, (driver/guide) for up to 3 people. 1 Driver + 1 Guide 4+ people.
   
2. All transfers with Air-conditioned vehicle
3. 3 nights Hotel accommodation 3*+ or 4* or similar
4. Breakfast
5. Entry tickets for: Apollonia Archaeological Park and Museum, Porto Palermo Castle, Butrint Archaeological Park, Gjirokaster Castle.
6. Hotel accommodation and meals for the Guide/Driver
7. Fuel and fuel surcharges
8. All taxes

Not included in price:

• Lunch, Dinner
• Drinks
• Entry Fees in all castles, museums and parks that are not mentioned as included above.
• Sunbeds on the beach

Departure details

• Traveler pickup is offered.
• Guests must provide correct address or location for pick up.
• Start and end of tour with airport pick up and drop off per your flight schedule, (within the 4 day tour itinerary)

Duration

4 days

Return details

• Returns to original departure point

Additional information

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Infants must sit on laps