Classic Albania - Land of the Eagle with Four-day Golem Beach Extension

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1: UK to Tirana

  Touch down in the Albanian capital, Tirana, and transfer to your hotel for the first day of your tour. You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to settle in and meet your fellow travellers before finding dinner in the city.

• Day 2: Included tour of Tirana

  Begin your morning with a brief walk to Skanderbeg Square, Tirana’s vast central plaza honouring Albania’s national hero. Here, admire the Skanderbeg monument and nearby historic landmarks, including the Et’hem Bey Mosque and Clock Tower. Continue to Tirana Castle, now a lively hub of cafés and shops, before viewing the striking Cloud Monument and the reimagined Pyramid of Tirana. After lunch at leisure, visit Bunk’Art 2, a former bunker turned museum revealing the city’s communist-era surveillance and repression. The afternoon and evening are free to explore the city today.

• Day 3: Included tour of Kruje, Shkoder and the Skanderbeg Museum

  Start your morning with breakfast before travelling to Krujë, a historic mountain town offering striking alpine scenery, deep cultural heritage, and fascinating local history. Visit Krujë Castle, once home to Albania’s national hero Skanderbeg, and explore the museum showcasing his resistance against the Ottoman Empire. Continue to the old bazaar to browse traditional crafts. After lunch, journey to Shkodër, the ‘City of Bicycles’, to see Rozafa Castle and enjoy its sweeping views. Conclude with a relaxed walk through Shkodër’s colourful streets before returning to Tirana for the evening today.

• Day 4: Included day trip to Durres, Ardenica Monastery and Vlore

  Start your day with an early breakfast before departing Tirana for a journey through historic highlights en route to Vlorë. Begin in ancient Durrës, exploring the Venetian Tower and the impressive Roman Amphitheatre, the largest structure of its kind in the Balkans. Continue to the Byzantine Forum and King Zog’s former palace before travelling to Ardenica Monastery, a celebrated Orthodox site linked to Skanderbeg. Arrive in Vlorë to see the historic Independence Monument, then enjoy a relaxed scenic seaside walk before checking into your hotel for the evening today.

• Day 5: Included tour of the Llogara National Park with visits to Ali Pasha Castle and Sarande

  Begin your day with breakfast before setting off on a scenic tour of Albania’s striking natural landscapes. Travel along the Adriatic coastline to Llogara National Park, known for its rich biodiversity, verdant forests, alpine meadows, and dramatic mountain views. Continue south to Ali Pasha Castle, a 19th‑century island fortress built by Albania’s Ottoman ruler, offering sweeping vistas of the Ionian Sea. Visit a local village for some leisure time before arriving in Sarandë, one of Albania’s most popular coastal cities, for an overnight stay and dinner at your leisure.

• Day 6: Included day trip to Butrint and Gjirokaster

  Begin your day with an early breakfast before travelling from Sarandë to explore Albania’s remarkable archaeological and historic sites. Visit the UNESCO-listed Butrint National Park, once a thriving Greek and Roman city now reclaimed by nature. Continue north to Gjirokastër, the ‘Stone City’, famed for its cobbled streets and original Ottoman architecture. Explore Gjirokastër Castle and learn of its varied past before visiting the Ethnographic Museum. Conclude with free time at the old bazaar to browse local crafts and keepsakes before checking into your hotel for the evening today.

• Day 7: Included tour of Berat and Apollonia Archaeological Park

  Begin your day with breakfast before travelling to Apollonia Archaeological Park, a Greek city founded in 588 BC and once a thriving harbour rich in ancient culture. Explore its well-preserved ruins before continuing to Berat, the ‘City of a Thousand Windows’, known for its Ottoman houses and scenic river valley. Visit Berat Castle for panoramic views, then explore the Onufri Museum’s collection of religious art. Conclude with a stroll along the promenade and a visit to the Historic House before finding dinner and checking into your final hotel today.

• Day 8: Travel to Durres and day at leisure

  Check out after breakfast and board the coach to return to the coastal city of Durrës. Your final hotel for the holiday is the perfect place to unwind after all the exploring and is positioned just a short walk from Golem Beach.

• Day 9: Day at leisure

  Once you’ve had breakfast, another day at leisure awaits, and you can choose to spend it at the hotel, on the nearby beach, or ambling around Durrës charming old town. 

• Day 10: Day at leisure

  A last day of leisure can be spent how you wish, taking advantage of the hotel’s amenities and the surrounding area.

• Day 11: Durres to UK

  After breakfast, you’ll travel to the airport for your flight back to the UK.