Is It Safe to Drive in Albania? Honest Tourist Guide 2026 | Best Rent A Car
Honest guide: Albania road safety, speed limits, strict drink-driving rules, headlights mandatory all times and traffic tips for tourists. Best Rent A Car Albania.
Best Rent A CarDay 1 — Tirana: Arrival and City Exploration
Pick up your rental at Tirana International Airport (TIA). Explore Skanderbeg Square, the Bunk'Art bunker museum, the Grand Park, and dinner in Blloku — the city's trendiest neighbourhood.
💡 Book your TIA pickup in advance — especially June to September. Our team has your car ready at arrivals with paperwork done in minutes.
Day 2 — Tirana to Berat (approx. 2 hrs, approx. 120 km)
Head south on the SH3 to Berat — one of Albania's two UNESCO World Heritage cities, famous for its Ottoman-era white houses stacked up a steep hillside. Walk the Castle quarter, visit the Onufri Museum, and stay overnight in the lower city.
Day 3 — Berat to Gjirokaster (approx. 2.5 hrs, approx. 178 km)
Continue south to the City of Stone. Gjirokaster's cobblestone bazaar and towering castle are among the finest Ottoman heritage sites in the Balkans. Stay the night — the castle at sunset is unmissable.
Day 4 — Gjirokaster to Saranda (approx. 1–1.5 hrs, approx. 52 km)
Down to the coast. Saranda is Albania's most popular beach resort — turquoise water, seafood promenade, and the Greek island of Corfu visible 30km offshore. Visit Butrint National Park (UNESCO) 18km south of Saranda. Two nights here.
Day 5 — Riviera Beach Hopping (Saranda northward)
Drive north from Saranda along the SH8. First stop: Ksamil, 15km south of Saranda with its turquoise island lagoon. Continue to Himare, Borsh, Porto Palermo, and Dhermi. Take your time — stop wherever looks beautiful.
DISTANCE FACT: Ksamil is 15km south of Saranda. When driving northward on Day 5 you visit it first then continue up the coast. The full SH8 coastal drive from Saranda to Vlore is approximately 120km.
Day 6 — Vlore to Tirana via Llogara (approx. 3–4 hrs)
Two options at the Ceraunian Mountains: take the spectacular Llogara Pass road (1,043m above sea level, free, breathtaking sea views) OR use the Llogara Tunnel (approx. 6km, ALL 250 one-way for passenger cars when toll collection is active, approx. 7-minute crossing). We recommend: take the Pass going south, use the tunnel returning north.
💡 The Llogara Tunnel opened in July 2024. Passenger-car toll: ALL 250 one-way when toll collection is active. The Pass road still has the best views — do not miss it in at least one direction.
Day 7 — Kruje and Return to TIA (approx. 1.5 hrs)
A final stop at Kruje — Skanderbeg's castle town with a traditional bazaar selling antiques and crafts. Return your car at TIA. You have a 120-minute grace period at no extra charge.
| Day | Route | Drive Time | Don't Miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TIA to Tirana | 30 min | Bunk'Art, Blloku |
| 2 | Tirana to Berat (120 km) | 2 hrs | UNESCO White City, Onufri Museum |
| 3 | Berat to Gjirokaster (178 km) | 2.5 hrs | City of Stone castle at sunset |
| 4 | Gjirokaster to Saranda (52 km) | 1 hr | Butrint UNESCO park, Blue Eye |
| 5 | Saranda to Ksamil to Riviera North | All day | Ksamil islands, Himare, Borsh |
| 6 | Vlore to Llogara Pass/Tunnel to Tirana | 1 hr | Llogara Pass views or new Tunnel |
| 7 | Tirana to Kruje to TIA | 1.5 hrs | Skanderbeg Castle, bazaar |
Book Your 7-Day Road Trip Car
Economy cars from EUR 19.80/day for 1-3 day rentals; longer off-season rentals from EUR 15.68/day. Pickup at Tirana Airport. EUR 50 refundable deposit at pickup, no card block, no prepayment needed.
Book: www.bestrentacar.al | WhatsApp: +355 67 386 0990 | Call: +355 67 218 4572
