2 Weeks in Albania: The Complete Itinerary
Two weeks lets you see all of Albania — the southern coast, the UNESCO towns, the northern Alps and the quieter eastern lakes — at a pace that actually feels like a holiday rather than a road-rally. This 14-day itinerary builds on the classic routes but adds breathing room and a couple of stops most trips never reach. It’s a self-drive route (with an organised Alps leg), linking to our full guides throughout.
At a glance – Route: Tirana → Berat → Gjirokastër → Saranda/Ksamil → Riviera → Vlora → Shkodër → Lake Koman → Valbona → Theth → Korçë → Lake Ohrid → Tirana – Covers: the whole country — coast, UNESCO towns, the Alps and the eastern lakes – Pace: relaxed, with multi-night bases – Best time: June or September (the Alps leg needs June–October)
Days 1–2 — Tirana
Ease in. Explore Skanderbeg Square, the Blloku district, a Bunk’Art museum and the Dajti cable car, and take an optional day trip (Krujë or Lake Bovilla). With two weeks, there’s no need to rush out of the capital. Stay: Tirana.
Day 3 — Berat (≈2h)
Drive to Berat and give it a full afternoon and evening — castle, both old quarters, dinner by the river. Berat guide. Stay: Berat.
Day 4 — Gjirokastër (≈2.5h)
Continue to Gjirokastër, the “City of Stone.” Fortress, Ottoman houses, Old Bazaar. Gjirokastër guide. Stay: Gjirokastër.
Days 5–7 — Saranda, Ksamil & the deep south
Stop at the Blue Eye en route (guide), then base on the coast for three nights. Use the time for Ksamil’s beaches and islands, the ruins of Butrint, and a relaxed day in Saranda with sunset from Lëkurësi Castle. A day trip to Corfu is easy from here. See the Ksamil and Saranda guides. Stay: Ksamil or Saranda (3).
Days 8–9 — The Albanian Riviera
Drive the coast slowly. Base in Dhërmi or Himarë and spend two days finding beaches and coves — Gjipe, Jale, Porto Palermo — with time to actually swim and do nothing. Cross the Llogara pass/tunnel on the way north. Stay: Dhërmi or Himarë (2).
Day 10 — North via Vlora to Shkodër
A transfer day up the country. Break the drive in Vlora (where the Adriatic meets the Ionian) for lunch, then continue to Shkodër, gateway to the Alps. Leave your car here for the mountain leg. Stay: Shkodër.
Days 11–12 — The Albanian Alps
Take the Lake Koman ferry (a stunning canyon cruise — guide) to Valbona, then hike the Valbona Pass to Theth the next day (6–8 hours; Theth guide). Prefer it slower? Spend both nights doing shorter day walks instead of the full pass. Stay: Valbona (1), Theth (1).
Day 13 — East to Korçë & Lake Ohrid
From the north, make your way east (via Tirana) toward Korçë — “Little Paris,” known for its boulevards, churches and café culture — and the serene Lake Ohrid around Pogradec, a UNESCO-listed lake shared with North Macedonia. This is the Albania few visitors see. (If the cross-country drive feels long, swap this for two extra nights on the coast.) Stay: Korçë or Pogradec.
Day 14 — Back to Tirana & depart
Drive back to Tirana (a few hours), with time for any last sights or shopping before your flight.
Where to stay (summary)
Tirana (2) → Berat (1) → Gjirokastër (1) → Ksamil/Saranda (3) → Riviera (2) → Shkodër (1) → Valbona (1) → Theth (1) → Korçë/Pogradec (1). See where to stay in Albania.
Practical notes
- Seasonality: plan for June or September so the Alps leg is open and the coast isn’t at peak-August capacity.
- Car + Alps: drive Days 1–10, leave the car in Shkodër for the mountains (Days 11–12), collect it for the east and the return.
- Flexible by design: with 14 days you have slack — add a night where you love it, or trim the eastern lakes for more beach time.
Shorter on time?
The 10-day itinerary keeps the coast and the Alps but drops the east; the 7-day itinerary focuses on the south alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 weeks too long for Albania? Not at all — 14 days lets you see the whole country (coast, UNESCO towns, Alps and eastern lakes) at a relaxed pace, with room to linger where you like.
What does 2 weeks add over 10 days? A slower pace throughout plus the eastern lakes — Korçë and Lake Ohrid around Pogradec — which shorter trips skip, along with more beach and mountain time.
Do I need a car for two weeks in Albania? It’s the best way. Drive most of the route, leave the car in Shkodër for the Alps leg (you can’t drive Valbona–Theth), then collect it for the east and the return.
When is the best time for a 2-week trip? June or September: the Alps hiking season is open and the coast is warm without peak-August crowds.
Can I customise this itinerary? Yes — with two weeks you have slack. Trim the eastern lakes for more coast, or add nights wherever you fall in love with a place.
Is the eastern (Korçë/Ohrid) leg worth it? If you enjoy quieter, local-feeling places, yes. If you’d rather maximise beach and mountain time, swap it for extra nights on the Riviera.
Plan your trip
Pair this route with best places to visit, best time to go, getting around and trip costs. All routes live on the Albania itinerary hub.
Related guides: 7 Days in Albania · 10 Days in Albania · Best Places to Visit · Albania Travel Guide