South Albania Experience

Looking for a hidden gem to visit on your Euro Summer? Albania might still be flying under the radar, but trust us, it won’t be for long. We've created the perfect way to experience the best of the South in 9 amazing days. Think kayaking around the stunning islands, hiking through the mountains, exploring ancient cities and relaxing on some of Europe's best beaches, minus the crowds! We'll start with the colourful streets and culture of Tirana, and then step back in time in Berat and Gjirokastër, two UNESCO-listed must-visit spots. Then it’s down to the coast for laid-back vibes in Himarë and "beach-hopping" along Albania's coastline . Hello beach days and sunset beers!

classic

Travel done Tru Style Our Classic tours have the perfect balance of culture, adventure, beaches and nightlife. Tru-ly authentic experiences from home-stays & beach huts to local cooking classes and off-grid adventures. Our Classic tours showcase the best of each destination with all your activites, transport and accommodation included.

What's Included

Activities
Tirana walking tour Kayaking in Osumi Canyon Berat: Castle visit Gjirokaster: Old Town stroll, Bazzar Visit & Skenduli House Visit Blue Eye natural spring hike Beach time in Sarande Butrint ruins Visit Beach time in Ksamil Qeparo Old village hike Himarë Boat Trip

Meals
8 x Breakfast

Tru Leader
Your Guide! Like travelling with your best friends & one of them happens to know where they're going!

Accommodation
8 Nights Accommodation Mix of twin share rooms in hotels and hostel dorms

Transport
All internal transport
Where we stay!
Tirana
Berat
Gjirokaster
Sarandë
Himarë

Our Tirana accommodation is in the lively Blloku area, with cosy rooms, balconies, free Wi-Fi, and live music. Enjoy tasty breakfast spreads, a cute garden and a bar. It’s just a short stroll from Skanderbeg Square and close to the airport!

 

Please note: All accommodation is subject to change. Please contact info@trutravels.com for more information.

Our Berat hotel takes us back in time but has comfy rooms featuring A/C and some lovely views. Start your day with a delicious breakfast buffet, juice, pancakes, cheese, and fruit!

The Gjirokaster guesthouse is perfect for exploring the local area too!

Our hostel in Sarandë puts us right in the vibrant heart of the city, with comfy dorms, kitchen, homemade cinema, bar, pool and ping-pong tables!

Our hostel in Himarë is a lively beachfront hotspot with dorm beds, a shared kitchen, and sunset-view balconies. Known for its social vibe this is perfect for travelers who want sun, sea, and good vibes right at their doorstep!

Bucket List
Beach Hopping
Osumi Canyon Kayaking
Gjirokastra
Ksamil Beach

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9
Day 1

Touchdown in Tirana

Welcome to Albania! Are you ready for 9 days exploring this amazing European hidden gem. Touch down in Tirana, unpack and meet the rest of the group. We'll start our time together with a short tour around Skanderbeg Square. We'll spend the evening soaking in the sun and enjoying our first night as a group, expect icebreakers, great food and maybe a touch of Raki!

Tirana
Day 2

Exploring Tirana

Morning! Our first full day in Albania will be spent exploring Tirana and learning about the city's history. We'll tick off the Clock Tower, the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), Enver Hoxha’s Pyramid and the Government building. After a busy morning, you'll have the afternoon to spend as you like. We'll meet in the evening for some dinner and drinks, and we'll find a great spot to watch the sunset, of course!

Tirana
1x Breakfast
Tirana walking tour
Day 3

Osumi Canyon Kayaking

Ready for a day of culture and Kayaking in Berat? We’ll take a morning drive via the scenic Belshi Lakes, with a quick photo stop to capture that perfect Insta shot. Once in Berat, we’ll head out for an awesome afternoon kayaking the Osumi Canyon! This guided kayaking tour takes us along the stunning Osumi River, taking in the canyon’s dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, and scenery. In the later part of the afternoon, we'll wander through the 1001 windows neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica.

Berat
1x Breakfast
Kayaking in Osumi Canyon
Day 4

Cobbled Streets of Gjirokastra

Today has stunning views, UNESCO sites, cobbled streets and more. We'll start the day by heading to a local castle in Berat. Then we'll drive on towards Gjirokastra (aka the City of Stone). The buildings in this city are from the Ottoman era, and the whole place has the epic backdrop of the steep slopes of the Drino Valley. This afternoon is yours to spend as you wish; your guide will have plenty of options for you to choose from!

Gjirokastra
1x Breakfast
Berat Castle, Skenduli House Visit
Day 5

Beach Club and Blue Eyes

Are you ready for something completely different today? Today we're going to see one of the most beautiful spots in the south. Albania is famous for its Blue Eyes, and this morning we're going for a hike up to one of them. The hike is stunning, it's not too hard, don't worry, and we'll stop along the way to soak in the amazing views. The Blue Eye pools are so stunning. Afterwards, we’ll head back down to Sarandë Beach and spend the afternoon on the beach before watching the sun set. This area is like the "Albanian Mykonos", so we'll go out for some drinks and see where the night takes us!

Sarande
1x Breakfast
Blue Eye natural spring walk, Beach time in Sarande
Day 6

Ancient Ruins & UNESCO sites

This morning is a history lover’s dream. After breakfast, we’re heading out to the unreal Butrint Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s been wowing people since the 7th century BC. Think epic ancient ruins, wandering through the Acropolis, old fortifications, a theatre and Roman remains. After soaking it all in, we'll head towards Ksamil Beach and explore some of the beach clubs. We'll have time to relax, have a cocktail and enjoy being by the sea!

Sarande
1x Breakfast
Butrint ruins entrance, Ksamil Beach
Day 7

Himarë Boat Trip & Qeparo Hike

Today is all about jaw-dropping coastal views. We'll hit the road for a seriously scenic drive along the Albanian Riviera, with plenty of photo stops because trust us… You’ll want them. We’ll stretch our legs with a morning hike up to Qeparo Old Village, soaking up epic views. From here on a clear day, you can even see Corfu! In the afternoon, we'll drive towards Himarë and head out on a boat trip! We'll stop by Pigeon's Cave, Crystal Bay, Gjipe Beach, and the stunning Pirate's Cave. This is the best way to explore all the hotspots and hidden gems nearby. Afterwards, we'll head back to dry land and spend our evening watching the sun set from one of Albania's famous beach bars.

Himarë
1 x Breakfast
Qeparo Old village hike, Himarë Boat Trip
Day 8

Back to Tirana

Our final full day in Albania starts with a drive through the stunning southern coastline, travelling along the Llogara Pass. As we head back towards Tirana, we'll be treated to some incredible views to round off the trip. When we arrive back where we started, we'll spend our final evening reminiscing about the trip, sharing our favourite memories and planning when we'll see each other next!

Tirana
1x Breakfast
Day 9

Chilled Checkout

It's checkout day! It's time to pack your bags, hug all your new friends goodbye and plan your reunion. What an amazing week it's been!

Tirana
1x Breakfast
Help with onward travel

Trip Departure Dates

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