10-Day Albania Road Trip Itinerary: Alps, Cities and Riviera 2026 | Best Rent A Car

Ten days gives you the space to truly experience Albania — from the wild Albanian Alps in the north to the turquoise waters of Ksamil in the south. This itinerary is well-paced with only two big driving days and plenty of time to breathe.

Day 1 — Arrive Tirana

Pick up your rental at TIA. Explore Skanderbeg Square, Bunk'Art, the Grand Park and Blloku. Stay one night in Tirana.

Day 2 — Tirana to Kruje to Shkoder

Approx. 2.5 hrs total. Stop in Kruje (45 min from Tirana) — Skanderbeg's castle town with traditional bazaar. Continue north to Shkoder — visit Rozafa Castle and the Marubi Photography Museum. Stay 2 nights.

Day 3 — Shkoder to Theth

Approx. 2.5 hrs. Drive into the Albanian Alps to Theth. Book our SUV category for this route. Hike to the Blue Eye of Theth (approx. 2km from village) or the Grunas Waterfall (45 min return). Stay overnight in a family guesthouse.

Theth guesthouses typically serve exceptional home-cooked mountain food — cornbread, grilled trout, thick yogurt. Book ahead in July and August as they fill fast.

Day 4 — Theth to Tirana

Approx. 3.5 hrs. Drive back through the mountains to Tirana. Alternatively, hike the Theth-to-Valbona mountain pass trail (5-6 hrs) and return via the Komani Lake ferry — a spectacular two-day adventure requiring advance planning.

Day 5 — Tirana to Berat

Approx. 2 hrs, approx. 120 km. Head south to Berat. Full afternoon in the UNESCO White City — walk the Castle quarter, visit the Onufri Museum, explore the Ottoman Mangalem neighbourhood. Stay overnight in Berat.

Day 6 — Berat to Gjirokaster

Approx. 2.5 hrs, approx. 178 km. Continue south to the City of Stone. Spend the afternoon and evening in Gjirokaster — cobblestone bazaar, Ali Pasha's fortress, sweeping views of the Drino Valley from the castle walls. Stay 2 nights.

Day 7 — Gjirokaster Day Trip: Blue Eye and Butrint

Day trip from Gjirokaster: first to the Blue Eye Spring (Syri i Kalter) — 45 min drive, a surreal natural spring of impossibly deep blue water in a forest setting. Continue to Saranda for lunch then visit Butrint National Park (UNESCO Roman ruins). Return to Gjirokaster.

Day 8 — Gjirokaster to Saranda to Ksamil

Approx. 1.5 hrs. Move to the coast. Base in Saranda or Ksamil for 2 nights. Ksamil (15km south of Saranda) has the famous turquoise island lagoon beaches.

Day 9 — Riviera Beach Hopping

Drive north along the SH8 from Saranda: Himare, Borsh, Porto Palermo castle, and the hidden cove of Gjipe Beach (short hike from a cliff-top car park). Return south to your base.

Day 10 — Riviera to Llogara to Tirana

Approx. 3-4 hrs. Drive the final spectacular leg north: either over the Llogara Pass (free, views of the Ionian Sea from 1,043m) or through the Llogara Tunnel (ALL 250, 7 minutes). Continue to Vlore then back to Tirana via the A2/SH4 highway. Return your car at TIA.

Itinerary at a Glance

Book Your 10-Day Albania Car

Economy cars from EUR 19.80/day for 1-3 day rentals; longer off-season rentals from EUR 15.68/day. SUVs available for mountain days. EUR 50 refundable deposit at pickup, no card block. Pickup at TIA.

Book: www.bestrentacar.al | WhatsApp: +355 67 386 0990 | Call: +355 67 218 4572