5-Day Private Albania Tour: Riviera, Vjosa Wild River & Lake Ohrid

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, Korçë City, Pogradec, Lake Ohrid.

This journey is designed as a complete introduction to Albania, mixing historic cities, UNESCO sites, wild rivers, and deep lakes in one curated private experience. Travel with your own driver‑guide, move at a comfortable pace, and see how Albania evolved alongside empires like Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottomans while preserving its own culture and landscapes – from the Albanian Riviera and the Vjosa Wild River to Lake Ohrid, the deepest lake in the Balkans.

Day 1 – Tirana & Apollonia, overnight in Vlora

Pick up from your hotel in Tirana or Tirana International Airport.

Tirana City Tour – 2 hours
Begin with a guided city tour of the capital. See Skanderbeg Square and its main landmarks, walk along the central boulevard (Heroes of the Nation), and view the Pyramid of Tirana and Mother Teresa Square. From the outside you will also see the former residential block of communist leaders, pass the Orthodox Cathedral, and visit Bunk’Art 2 – an underground bunker turned into a museum about Albania’s communist past – and the restored Tirana Castle area with its cafés and shops.

Transfer to Apollonia Archaeological Park – about 2 hours
Continue to Apollonia, one of the most important ancient cities on the Adriatic coast, founded by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC and later flourishing under Roman rule. Visit the monastery complex and Archaeological Museum, the church and 13th‑century chapel, and walk through the ruins: the council building with its iconic columns, parts of the library, agora, and other public structures that reveal over 2,000 years of history.

Transfer to Vlora Beach City – overnight
Drive on to Vlora, the coastal city where Albania’s independence was declared in 1912. After hotel check‑in, enjoy a free evening along the seaside promenade, with many bars and restaurants and the option for a sunset walk by the sea.

Day 2 – Llogara Pass & Albanian Riviera to Saranda

Llogara National Park – about 30 minutes
After hotel check‑out, drive through Llogara National Park, a mountain pass reaching about 1,040 meters above the Ionian Sea. Stop at a panoramic viewpoint for coffee or tea and take in spectacular views over the coast and, on clear days, the island of Corfu.

Dhërmi village – short stop
Make a short stop in the village of Dhërmi, a balcony over the sea with narrow lanes, stone houses, and orange‑tiled roofs, perfect for photos of the Albanian Riviera from above.

Himarë Beach – about 3 hours
Continue to Himarë, one of the Riviera’s most charming seaside towns. Spend around three hours relaxing on the beach, swimming in clear Ionian waters, or enjoying fresh seafood and local dishes at a seafront restaurant.

Porto Palermo Castle – about 30 minutes
Visit Porto Palermo Castle, a small triangular fortress often associated with Ali Pasha of Tepelena, set on a peninsula surrounded by turquoise water. Explore the walls and enjoy views over one of the most picturesque bays of the Riviera.

Saranda – overnight by the sea
Arrive in Saranda and check into your hotel. The evening is free to stroll along the lively promenade, choose a café or restaurant, and enjoy the city’s relaxed coastal atmosphere.

Day 3 – Butrint & Gjirokastër, overnight in Përmet

Butrint Archaeological Park – about 2 hours
Start the day with a visit to Butrint Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992 and National Park since 2000. Set between hills and a lagoon, Butrint preserves layers of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian history. A guided walk through the ruins and museum will take you past the theater, city walls and gates, basilica, and acropolis area, giving a clear picture of life here over nearly 2,700 years.

Gjirokastër Castle & Old Bazaar – about 2 hours
On your way inland, stop in Gjirokastër, a UNESCO‑listed stone town. Visit Gjirokastër Castle, which dominates the city from a rocky hill and contains courtyards, towers, and a small museum with weapons and exhibits from different periods, including the Second World War and the communist era. Then explore the old bazaar, with cobbled streets, traditional houses, artisan workshops, and cafés, where you can shop for handicrafts or enjoy a meal of local specialties.

Transfer to Përmet – overnight
Continue through the Vjosa valley to Përmet, a town known for its cleanliness, hospitality, and riverside location. Check in and enjoy a quiet evening in the small but welcoming center.

Day 4 – Vjosa River, Bënja Hot Springs & Korçë

Përmet & “Gliko” tradition
In the morning, take a short walk through Përmet to see the town and its riverside views. Stop at one of the family‑run “gliko” shops, where locals prepare traditional fruit preserves in syrup – a famous sweet of the region.

Bënja Hot Springs – about 2 hours free time
Transfer to Bënja Hot Springs, located near the Lengarica Canyon. Here you will have free time (around 2 hours) to bathe in the natural thermal pools, cross the historic stone bridge, and enjoy the dramatic canyon scenery. The warm mineral waters and mountain landscape make this one of southern Albania’s most memorable natural spots.

Transfer to Korçë – about 4.5 hours
Continue your journey towards Korçë along a scenic route overlooking sections of the Vjosa River, one of Europe’s last large free‑flowing wild rivers. The road winds through mountains and valleys, offering impressive viewpoints and a sense of how remote and untouched this region still feels. On arrival in Korçë, check into your hotel.

Korçë evening
Enjoy a free evening to explore Korçë’s old district and revitalized Old Bazaar area, known for its cafés, wine bars, and traditional restaurants. Taste local hot wine in cooler months or coffee and meze on the terraces, and soak in the atmosphere of one of Albania’s most cultural cities.

Day 5 – Korçë, Pogradec & Lake Ohrid, return to Tirana

Korçë City Tour
After breakfast, set out on a city tour of Korçë. Visit the Old Bazaar with its cobbled streets and historic buildings, stroll along the main promenade, and see the Orthodox Cathedral and key landmarks. Depending on timing and interest, you may also visit the National Museum of Medieval Art (icon museum) and the Archaeology Museum to better understand the region’s religious and cultural heritage.

Transfer to Pogradec – about 40 minutes
Drive to Pogradec, a lakeside town on the Albanian shore of Lake Ohrid.

Lake Ohrid & Drilon
Visit Lake Ohrid, the deepest lake in the Balkans and one of the oldest in the world, shared between Albania and North Macedonia. Take a walk along Pogradec’s lakeside promenade and continue to the nearby Drilon area, known for its springs, canals, and shaded paths that appeared in Albanian cinema during the communist period. It is an ideal place to enjoy a relaxed lakeside lunch in a traditional restaurant (lunch at own expense).

Return to Tirana or Tirana International Airport
In the afternoon, return to Tirana for drop‑off at your hotel or directly at Tirana International Airport, depending on your flight schedule.

Important information

Included in Price:

• Private transportation with air‑conditioned vehicle
• Guide and Driver (driver/guide 1 person) up to 3 people; 4+ people 1 driver + 1 guide
• Hotel accommodation 4 nights (3* or 4* hotels depending on availability)
• Breakfast
• Entry tickets Apollonia Archaeological Park and museum
• Entry tickets Porto Palermo Castle
• Entry tickets Butrint Archaeological Park and museum
• Entry tickets Gjirokastër Castle
• Entry tickets Korçë Icon Museum
• Hotel and meals for the driver and guide
• All fees and taxes

Not included in Price:

• Meals
• Drinks
• Entry fees in all castles, museums and parks except those listed as included above
• Sunbeds on the beach

Departure details
Traveler pickup is offered.
Guests must provide correct address or location for pick up.

Duration
5 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