10 Days in Albania: The Ultimate Itinerary
Ten days is the magic number for Albania — enough to combine the southern coast and UNESCO towns with the spectacular northern Alps, which a one-week trip has to skip. This 10-day itinerary takes the classic south loop and extends it north to the Lake Koman ferry and the famous Theth–Valbona hike, for the full sweep of beaches, history and mountains. It’s built as a self-drive plus one organised mountain leg, with links to our full guides for every stop.
At a glance – Route: Tirana → Berat → Gjirokastër → Blue Eye → Ksamil/Saranda → Riviera → Shkodër → Lake Koman → Valbona → Theth → Tirana – Covers: south coast + 2 UNESCO towns + the Albanian Alps – Best with: a rental car for the south; an organised shuttle/ferry for the Alps leg – Best time: June or September (why) — the Alps section needs the June–October window
Days 1–6 — The south (the one-week core)
The first six days follow our 7-day route, at a slightly more relaxed pace:
- Day 1 — Tirana. Arrive, settle in, explore Skanderbeg Square and Blloku.
- Day 2 — Berat (≈2h). The UNESCO “City of a Thousand Windows.” Berat guide.
- Day 3 — Gjirokastër (≈2.5h). The “City of Stone” and its hilltop fortress. Gjirokastër guide.
- Day 4 — Blue Eye → Ksamil (≈1h). The Blue Eye early, then Butrint and base in Ksamil.
- Day 5 — Ksamil beach day. Beaches and the offshore islands.
- Day 6 — The Riviera. Drive the coast (Llogara Tunnel) and base in Himarë or Dhërmi.
Day 7 — Drive north to Shkodër
Today is a transfer day. Head north from the Riviera to Shkodër, the gateway city to the Albanian Alps and the Lake Koman ferry. It’s a long but scenic drive; break it up and arrive in time to relax by the lake. If you have your own car, most travellers leave it in Shkodër for the Alps leg (you can’t drive the Theth–Valbona route anyway). Stay: Shkodër, near the pedestrian centre.
Day 8 — The Lake Koman ferry to Valbona
Take the early shuttle to Koman and board the Lake Koman ferry — a ~2.5–3 hour cruise through a fjord-like canyon that’s a highlight in itself. From Fierzë, continue to Valbona in the heart of the Alps. Book the ferry (and the onward transfer) ahead in summer. Full logistics in our Lake Koman ferry guide. Stay: Valbona, family-run guesthouse.
Day 9 — Hike the Valbona Pass to Theth
The big day: the Valbona–Theth hike over the pass, about 6–8 hours of well-marked trail through stunning mountain scenery. Carry only a daypack (leave your main bag in Shkodër). Arrive in Theth by late afternoon for a well-earned rest. See our Theth & Albanian Alps guide. Not a hiker? Skip the pass and spend two slower nights in Theth or Valbona doing shorter day walks. Stay: Theth, family guesthouse.
Day 10 — Theth back to Tirana
Take the morning shuttle from Theth to Shkodër on the new road (≈2–3 hours), pick up your car if you left it there, and continue to Tirana for your departure — or overnight in Tirana if your flight is the next day.
Where to stay each night (summary)
Tirana (1) → Berat (1) → Gjirokastër (1) → Ksamil (2) → Riviera (1) → Shkodër (1) → Valbona (1) → Theth (1). For choosing each base, see where to stay in Albania.
Practical notes
- The Alps leg is seasonal. The Valbona Pass and mountain guesthouses operate roughly June–October; don’t attempt this route in winter. Plan the whole trip for June or September for the best of both coast and mountains.
- Car logistics. Use the car for Days 1–7, leave it in Shkodër for Days 8–9, collect it on Day 10. Alternatively, do the south by car and the Alps as a packaged Shkodër–Komani–Valbona–Theth tour.
- Reverse it if you prefer to finish on the beach: do the Alps first, then the south.
Want more or less?
Short on time? The 7-day itinerary covers the south alone. Have longer? The 2-week itinerary adds the eastern lakes and a slower pace throughout.
Frequently asked questions
Is 10 days enough to see Albania? Yes — 10 days is ideal. It covers the southern coast, the two UNESCO towns and the northern Alps without rushing, which a 7-day trip can’t.
Can you do both the beaches and the Alps in 10 days? Yes, and that’s the point of this route: roughly six days in the south and centre, then four for the north (Shkodër, the Lake Koman ferry and the Theth–Valbona hike).
Do I need a car for the whole 10 days? For the south, yes. For the Alps leg you leave the car in Shkodër (you can’t drive Valbona–Theth) and use the ferry, shuttles and your feet — or take an organised package.
When should I do this itinerary? June or September. The Alps section is only safely walkable from about June to October, and those months avoid peak-August crowds on the coast.
Is the Valbona–Theth hike mandatory? No. If you’d rather not hike the pass, spend two relaxed nights in the mountains doing shorter walks instead.
Should I do the north or the south first? Either works. Finish in the south if you want to end on a beach; do the Alps first if you’d rather end near Tirana for an easy departure.
Plan your trip
Go deeper with best places to visit, best time to go, getting around and trip costs. See all routes on the Albania itinerary hub.
Related guides: 7 Days in Albania · 2 Weeks in Albania · Lake Koman Ferry · Theth & the Albanian Alps