ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Arrival in Tirana
Arrive in Albania and transfer privately from Tirana International Airport to your hotel in the capital. Nothing is scheduled for today, giving you time to settle in after your journey.
If you feel like heading out, central Tirana is easy to explore at your own pace. Stop for coffee around Skanderbeg Square, take an early look at Blloku, or ask your Travelive planner for a dinner recommendation nearby.
DAY 2
Tirana: History, Architecture & Blloku
Spend the day discovering Tirana with your private guide. Begin around Skanderbeg Square and the Et'hem Bey Mosque before exploring landmarks that reveal how dramatically the Albanian capital has changed over the past century.
Visit Bunk'Art for insight into life during the communist period, then see the Pyramid of Tirana and continue into Blloku. Once reserved for Albania's communist leadership, the neighborhood is now filled with cafés, restaurants, shops, and some of the city's busiest streets.
The tour gives you useful context for the country before the journey continues south, with the remainder of the afternoon or evening free.
DAY 3
Tirana to Gjirokastër
After breakfast, leave Tirana and travel south through Albania's changing inland landscape toward Gjirokastër.
Arrive at Kerculla Resort and settle in for two nights overlooking the city's stone rooftops, castle, and surrounding mountains. No formal sightseeing is scheduled on arrival. Spend the afternoon enjoying the resort or head down to the Old Bazaar for a first walk through the historic center.
DAY 4
UNESCO Gjirokastër
Explore Gjirokastër with a private guide, beginning at the hilltop castle before continuing through the cobbled streets of the UNESCO-listed historic center.
Walk through the Old Bazaar and visit one of the city's traditional houses to understand how Gjirokastër's distinctive stone architecture shaped family life over generations. There will also be time to discover local shops, artisans, and regional specialties without turning the day into a checklist of monuments.
Return to Kerculla Resort with time to enjoy the pool and terraces before your final evening in Gjirokastër.
DAY 5
Gjirokastër to the Ionian Coast
Leave Gjirokastër and travel toward the Ionian Sea.
Stop at Porto Palermo, where the historic fortress stands above a sheltered bay surrounded by clear blue water. Continue north to Himarë for time along the waterfront and lunch before following the coast toward Palasë.
Check into Green Coast Resort MGallery Collection for three nights. The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy the beach, pool, or resort before your first evening on the coast.
DAY 6
Private Riviera Boat Day
The Albanian Riviera is best appreciated from the water. Transfer to Himarë and board your private boat to explore the coastline, swim in clear Ionian water, and reach beaches and coves that are difficult to access by road.
The route can include Gjipe Bay and secluded swimming stops along the Himarë coastline, with the exact itinerary adjusted to weather and sea conditions. The experience is designed to leave plenty of time for swimming and relaxing at each stop rather than spending the entire day on the boat.
Return to Palasë in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at the resort.
DAY 7
Palasë & Dhërmi
Today is deliberately unstructured.
Enjoy the beach at Palasë, spend time at the resort, or head to nearby Dhërmi for a change of scenery and lunch by the sea. Your Travelive planner can arrange private transportation if you would like to move between the two, but there is no scheduled touring.
After several days of exploring Albania, this is a day to enjoy the Ionian coast at your own pace.
DAY 8
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Enjoy breakfast by the coast before beginning the journey back toward Tirana.
Break up the drive at Apollonia Archaeological Park, where the remains of an important ancient Greek and Roman city spread across the countryside near Fier. Explore the principal monuments and archaeological museum before continuing north.
Travelers who would like an additional cultural stop can also visit Ardenica Monastery before continuing to Tirana. Set on a hill above the surrounding countryside, the monastery offers another glimpse into Albania's religious and artistic heritage.
Arrive in Tirana later in the afternoon and return to your hotel for the final night. The evening is yours for a last dinner, shopping, or another visit to a favorite part of the city.
DAY 9
Departure
Your private transfer to Tirana International Airport will be arranged according to your departure time.
