This was a trip that surpassed my expectations. I am not terribly athletic and i was concerned about the cycling but in the end I managed well and the bus was there to help at the hardest bits....It combined stunning scenery, fascinating history, a friendly group that gelled together under the care of exemplary guides.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Are you looking for a short but intensive tour of Albania? Then this is the tour for you. Join us as we travel to Albania's major highlights during this four-day, guided tour. We will pick you up at the airport in Tirana on the first day of the tour and drive you to Berat, known for it churches, mosques and watchtowers, all packed inside city walls.
Leave Berat for Gjirokaster on the second day of the tour. This city is known for its a well-preserved Ottoman architecture. The third day of the tour will take you to Butrint, known for its ancient amphitheatre, castle and church. The highlight of this day is the hypnotic Blue Eye spring, known for its hundred shades of blue.
We will drive you back to Tirana on the fourth day of the tour with a stop at Apollonia. Enjoy your lunch at Llogara National Park before continuing your journey to the capital city. For more details please go through the itinerary below.
This is an eight-day tour of Albania, a country steeped in history and beauty. Albania is known for its historical castles and archaeological sites from many civilizations of the past including the Greeks, Romans, Illyrians and Ottomans.
In this fully-guided excursion, you will explore the cities of Berat, Gjirokaster, and Butrint, all of which have been listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites. You will visit several historical and archaeological landmarks and monuments in these cities, and along the way learn about Albanian history and culture.
The city of Shkodra, which was the capital of Albania during the Illyrian time, is another attraction you will explore in this tour, whileTirana, the capital city, will be a great city to discover the country's ancient and modern history and culture.
We enjoyed our time in Albania so much. The tour agency staff especially Sirma, she was very friendly and helpful. We would definitely return and book with this agency again.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-90 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Durres, Shkoder, Vlore
Tirana, Durres, Shkoder, Vlore, Kruje, Berat, Himare, Gjirokaster, Sarande, Shkodra, Gjirokastra, Albanian Riviera, Bay Of Vlora
Get to the heart of Albanian culture.
Delve beyond the sheep-dotted green landscapes to the cities and villages that span the country, all the way from Tirana to Saranda. Mingle with locals in rustic Agrotourisms, pick up a souvenir in the Neck of the Bazaar in Gjirokaster, drive along the Albanian Riviera, and walk across the historic Butrint. After a week of exploring, you’ll leave feeling like a local (if you can even bear to leave at all)
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Food tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Beautiful weather and scenery in a part of Europe that gets easily overlooked. Lots of uphill cycling but you do get the long downhills as compensation. The guides Dhimitri and Juli were great - always helpful and Juli (also the driver) scuttling back and forth to ensure everyone was OK and had enough water. Would recommend this trip and the local provider Cycle Albania.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Zabljak, Rudinice, Niksi
Tirana, Zabljak, Rudinice, Niksic, Bay Of Kotor, Shkodra, Shkoder, Lake Ohrid, Debar, Lake Mavrovo, Tetovo, Brezovica National Park, Prizren, Berane, Kolasin
Balkan Tour is the best introduction of the Balkan countries including Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North of Macedonia.
During the tour, you will visit and discover the best hotspots of the countries. In Montenegro, you will visit the city of Kotor classified as Unesco World Heritage Site, the city of Budva, and the National Park of Biogradska. In North of Macedonia, you will have the opportunity to visit the most beautiful city, Ohrid, and the Cave of Gadime. In Albania, take a tour of an ancient site and two cities, which are listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites.
The seaside of Albania is another attraction for this tour as well. The tour of Albania also includes a wine degustation in the city of Berat.
Another spectacular trip with Explore. I highly recommend this company. As a solo female traveller they have never let me down. Explore is 100 % reliable.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Kruje, Valbona Valley Na
Tirana, Kruje, Valbona Valley National Park, Shkoder, Durres, Lake Ohrid, Pristina, Peja, Prizren, Rahovec
Spend a week tracing the shared history of three nations.
Travel to Tirana, Prishtina, Skopje, and the UNESCO site of Ohrid and Prizren to understand how the area’s complex past has shaped each destination’s culture. As you venture from city to countryside, learn about the local traditions from the resilient people who call this region home.
Sirma was terrific. She took us to little out of the way places (like the Kommittee bar) and really gave us a good overview of the city, Tirana history, etc. We wanted to sample some local cuisine and we definitely did (yum, barek). Highly recommend!
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Get ready to soak in Albania's dazzling coastline and rugged mountains on this epic seven-day loop through the countryside. Start and finish in Tirana, where colourful Soviet-era architecture meets a vibrant city vibe. Head south to the mountains for a scenic hike, then cross the Adriatic to explore “the eternal city” and the legendary Castle of Ali Pasha — yes, the one from The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s the perfect mix of history, culture, and jaw-dropping landscapes that'll leave you craving even more adventures in the Balkans.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
If you're searching for something a little different from your next European adventure, the contrast of the jagged Albanian Alps against the clear Ionian coastline is attracting more and more visitors to its relatively quiet tourism scene.
Starting from the shores of Lake Ohrid, you wind along the rural mountain roads that border Greece, passing the wild Vjosa River surrounded by the peaks of the Gramoz, Trebeshina and Nemercka ranges. You'll find UNESCO World Heritage sites aplenty including the Ottoman town of Gjirokaster and the archaeological marvel of Butrint. As you grow ever closer to the inviting turquoise waters, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas as they welcome you to the pristine beaches of the Albanian Riviera.
Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to visit traditional Albanian villages where you can immerse yourself in the culture, interacting with local people and enjoying authentic Albanian hospitality. Taste regional delicacies, from hearty mountain cuisine to fresh seafood along the coast, of course accompanied by the local wines and raki (a traditional Albanian spirit); these are a must-try!
This two-wheeled journey through Southeast Albania is a perfect blend of adventure and discovery. From the serene mountains to the captivating coastline, and from historical UNESCO sites to archaeological wonders, this trip promises an unforgettable experience filled with natural beauty and cultural richness whilst avoiding the larger crowds.