The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary for Albania: Beaches, History & Adventure

Why Visit Albania in 5 Days?

Albania is one of Europe’s most underrated travel destinations. Nestled on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, this Balkan country combines Mediterranean beaches, dramatic mountains, UNESCO-listed towns, and affordable travel—making it the perfect alternative to crowded hotspots like Greece and Italy.

If you only have 5 days in Albania, don’t worry—you can still experience a stunning cross-section of the country. This 5-day Albania itinerary takes you from vibrant Tirana to Ottoman cities, the pristine Riviera, and the peaks of the Albanian Alps.

Quick Overview: Albania 5-Day Itinerary

• Day 1: Tirana – Culture, food, and nightlife in the capital
• Day 2: Berat – UNESCO “City of a Thousand Windows”
• Day 3: Gjirokastër – Ottoman “Stone City”
• Day 4: Ksamil & Sarandë – Beaches and Butrint ruins
• Day 5: Theth – Adventure in the Albanian Alps

💡 Pro Tip: Albania’s roads are improving, but public transport can be slow. Renting a car is the best way to maximize this itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in Tirana – Albania’s Colorful Capital

Your trip begins in Tirana, Albania’s lively capital. Most visitors arrive at Tirana International Airport (TIA), just 20 minutes from the center.

Morning: Skanderbeg Square & Landmarks

• Start at Skanderbeg Square, home to the National History Museum, Opera House, and Et’hem Bey Mosque.
• Don’t miss the Skanderbeg Monument, honoring Albania’s national hero.
• If you love museums, pop into the National History Museum (look out for the huge mosaic on the façade).

Afternoon: Street Art & Bunk’Art 2

• Visit Bunk’Art 2, a Cold War bunker turned museum that documents Albania’s communist era.
• Wander through the Blloku District, once reserved for political elites. Today it’s filled with cafes, murals, and boutique shops.

Evening: Dinner & Nightlife

• Try tavë kosi (baked lamb with yogurt) or byrek (savory pastry). Popular restaurants: Era Restaurant or Oda for authentic Albanian cuisine.
• If you enjoy nightlife, Tirana’s rooftop bars and cocktail lounges in Blloku are buzzing until late.

📍 Where to Stay in Tirana:

• Budget: Mosaic Home Hostel
• Mid-range: Tirana International Hotel (great location on Skanderbeg Square)
• Luxury: Xheko Imperial Hotel

⏱️ Travel Time Next Day: Tirana → Berat: ~2 hours by car/bus

Day 2: Berat – The City of a Thousand Windows

From Tirana, head south to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known as the “City of a Thousand Windows,” Berat is one of Albania’s most beautiful towns.

Morning: Berat Castle

• Climb up to Berat Castle for panoramic views of the city.
• Explore cobbled alleys and the Onufri Museum, famous for Byzantine icons.
• Unlike many castles in Europe, Berat Castle is still inhabited!

Afternoon: Ottoman Quarters & River Views

• Wander through the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, with Ottoman-style houses stacked along the hillside.
• Cross the Gorica Bridge, an 18th-century stone bridge offering iconic views.
• Stop at a riverside café for a coffee or raki (local spirit).

Evening: Wine Tasting & Sunset

• Watch the sun set over the Osum River.
• Visit a local winery such as Çobo Winery for Albanian reds and whites.

📍 Where to Stay in Berat:

• Guesthouse: Hotel Mangalemi (authentic Ottoman charm)
• Boutique: Rezidenca Desaret
• Luxury: Hotel Onufri

⏱️ Travel Time Next Day: Berat → Gjirokastër: ~3 hours by car

Day 3: Gjirokastër – The Stone City

Next stop: Gjirokastër, another UNESCO town nicknamed the “Stone City” thanks to its grey stone roofs and Ottoman architecture.

Morning: Gjirokastër Castle

• Explore Gjirokastër Castle, perched above the city.
• Inside, you’ll find cannons, a military museum, and even a captured U.S. plane from the Cold War.
• The views over the Drino Valley are breathtaking.

Afternoon: Bazaar & Museums

• Stroll through the Old Bazaar, where local artisans sell carpets, copperware, and handicrafts.
• Visit the Ethnographic Museum, inside the former home of Enver Hoxha, Albania’s communist leader.

Evening: Local Food Experience

• Try qifqi (fried rice balls with herbs), a specialty of Gjirokastër.
• Many family-run guesthouses offer traditional dinners—don’t miss out.

📍 Where to Stay in Gjirokastër:

• Guesthouse: Stone City Hostel
• Mid-range: Hotel Gjirokastra
• Luxury: Hotel Argjiro

⏱️ Travel Time Next Day: Gjirokastër → Sarandë/Ksamil: ~2 hours by car

Day 4: The Albanian Riviera – Ksamil & Sarandë

After history and castles, it’s time for beaches and ruins along the Albanian Riviera.

Morning: Ksamil Beaches

• Head to Ksamil, often compared to the Maldives.
• Swim in turquoise waters and take a boat to one of the Ksamil islands.
• Relax at a beach bar with a cocktail and freshly grilled seafood.

Afternoon: Butrint National Park

• Just 20 minutes from Ksamil lies Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological park.
• Explore ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins surrounded by wetlands.
• Highlights: the amphitheater, baptistery, and Venetian tower.

Evening: Sarandë Promenade

• Drive to Sarandë for dinner. Try grilled octopus, mussels, or fresh fish.
• Walk along the Lungomare promenade—perfect for sunset views over Corfu.

📍 Where to Stay in Ksamil or Sarandë:

• Budget: Villa Vasiliu (Ksamil)
• Mid-range: Bougainville Bay Hotel (Sarandë)
• Luxury: Santa Quaranta Premium Resort (Sarandë)

⏱️ Travel Time Next Day: Sarandë → Theth: ~6–7 hours by car (or Sarandë → Tirana flight + 3.5-hour drive)

Day 5: Theth – Albanian Alps Adventure

For your final day, trade the sea for the mountains with a trip to Theth National Park in northern Albania.

Morning: Journey to Theth

• The drive is long but spectacular, winding through valleys and peaks.
• If time is short, consider flying from Sarandë back to Tirana and then heading to Theth by car.

Afternoon: Hiking & Natural Wonders

• Visit the Blue Eye of Theth, a natural spring with crystal-clear turquoise water.
• Hike to Grunas Waterfall, a 30-meter cascade surrounded by lush greenery.
• Explore the Lock-in Tower of Theth, a symbol of Albania’s medieval blood feud history.

Evening: Traditional Guesthouse Stay

• Stay in a mountain guesthouse where you’ll be welcomed with hearty dishes like fli (layered pancake pie) and mountain teas.
• The night sky here is incredible—no city lights, just stars.

📍 Where to Stay in Theth:

• Guesthouse: Bujtina Polia
• Guesthouse: Villa Gjecaj

Travel Tips for a 5-Day Albania Itinerary

• Best Time to Visit: May–June and September–October (pleasant weather, fewer crowds).
• Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL). Euros accepted in tourist spots.
• Transport: Renting a car is highly recommended. Public minibuses (furgons) are cheap but less reliable.
• Language: Albanian is official, but English and Italian are widely understood.
• Safety: Albania is generally very safe and locals are extremely hospitable.

Packing List for Albania

• Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones + hikes)
• Swimwear & lightweight clothes for the coast
• Jacket or fleece for mountain nights
• Reusable water bottle & sunscreen
• Camera for epic landscapes

Is 5 Days in Albania Enough?

Yes—5 days in Albania gives you a taste of the country’s highlights: city culture, Ottoman history, Riviera beaches, and mountain adventures. But Albania has so much more to offer. If you have extra time, consider:

• Shkodër: Gateway to the Albanian Alps, with Rozafa Castle
• Krujë: Historic castle town near Tirana
• Lake Ohrid: Shared with North Macedonia, great for nature and culture
• Himara: A quieter alternative to Ksamil with authentic charm

Final Thoughts: Albania in 5 Days

Albania is one of Europe’s most exciting destinations—affordable, diverse, and still relatively undiscovered. In just five days, you can explore Tirana’s vibrant culture, wander through UNESCO towns, relax on Ksamil’s beaches, and trek in the Albanian Alps.

This perfect 5-day Albania itinerary balances history, adventure, and relaxation—and proves why Albania is quickly becoming a must-visit destination in the Balkans.

💬 Would you spend more time in the mountains or on the Riviera? Let us know in the comments below!