Albania Cultural Highlights

Begin in Tirana, Albania’s capital. At 4.30pm we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers at the hotel to hear about the journey ahead, then take an orientation stroll through the renovated New Bazaar near our base. To round off the day, our tour leader arranges a welcome group dinner. If you wish to explore Tirana further, you can arrange pre‑tour hotel nights with your sales representative.

After an early breakfast, we set off on a walking tour of Tirana, capital since 1920, taking in the remains of an old castle, the modern Pyramid of Tirana – later used as a NATO base during the Kosovo War – and the Prime Minister’s Office. We also visit Bunk Art 2 or 1, depending on the season, an Albanian history museum inside a preserved Communist era nuclear bunker. We continue into the Blloku neighbourhood, once reserved for the Politburo and now alive with bars, cafes and clubs. We then drive to Pogradec, approximately two hours thirty minutes, pausing at the 15th century fortress of Elbasan. On the way, we stop in Lin to stroll through the village and enjoy a coffee. Pogradec awaits beside beautiful Lake Ohrid, surrounded by mountains.

This morning we drive for about an hour to Voskopojë, formerly known as Moscopole, once a renowned centre for the arts where Albanian icon painters worked. The village suffered greatly from the late 18th century onwards, with further losses during the world wars. We take a 40 minute walk to one of the oldest churches representing Voskopojë religious art. Another drive of approximately 30 minutes brings us to Korçë, the largest city in southeast Albania, set at the foot of Mount Moravia around 800m above sea level. A major trading and handicraft centre in the 18th century, it is known as the City of Museums. You can try the celebrated local beer. Please note that in March, April, October and November, the visit to the Medieval Arts Museum in Korçë and the visit to Voskopojë may be reversed due to museum opening times.

Our mountain drive today is spectacular, with sweeping views over the Gramos and Nemercka ranges. We pause in Ersekë – at 1,050m the highest town in Albania – a 17th century settlement surrounded by the green pastures of the Gramos Mountains. Continuing to beautiful Përmet, we stop at the hot springs for time to relax and swim. After a longer day on the road – approximately five hours in total – we arrive in Përmet on the Vjosë River. This evening you can seek out the town’s celebrated food and wine, including gliko sweets and raki.

We drive for about two hours towards Gjirokastër, pausing in the traditional village of Dhoksat for a home cooked lunch in a local family’s house, prepared with produce from their land and accompanied by insights into their culture and customs. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided visit of hillside Gjirokastër, where cobbled lanes wind between characterful old houses with medieval towers. We explore the hilltop castle for panoramic views and visit Skenduli House, a superb example of local architecture. Please note that lunch with the family may occasionally be taken as dinner, subject to their availability.

After an early breakfast, we travel to Unesco listed Butrint National Park, which rose to prominence in the fourth century BCE with a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius on the southern slope of the acropolis. The city developed under Rome, declined after an earthquake and was abandoned towards the end of the Middle Ages. After our visit, we drive to Llogora National Park, stopping along the coast on the way.

We head into Llogora National Park to follow in the footsteps of Julius Caesar on a 4km out and back walk along Caesar’s Path, possibly reaching Caesar’s Field – he is said to have marched through here during the 48 BCE campaign against Pompey. You may also have the opportunity for a refreshing swim in the Ionian Sea. Next, we continue to the evocative ruins of Apollonia, about one hour thirty minutes to two hours away. Originally occupied by Illyrian tribes and then colonists from Corfu and Corinth around 600 BCE, Apollonia flourished in the Roman period with a renowned school of philosophy – emperor Augustus studied here – before declining in the third century CE when its harbour silted up after an earthquake. We then transfer just over an hour inland to the Unesco listed town of Berat for the night.

Today is devoted to Berat, the gem of Albania. This morning we take a guided tour of the old district, where pretty white houses climb the hillside amid pines. We wander the narrow cobbled streets to Berat Castle on the slopes of Mount Tomorr and enjoy far reaching views – it is easy to see why Berat is known as the City of a Thousand Windows. Within the castle walls sit dwelling houses and the Onufri Museum of Iconography, which we have time to visit. On the way back to the hotel, we also visit the House of Cac Dollani. You have the rest of the day free to explore.

From Berat we drive about two hours to the port city of Durrës, the second largest in Albania and home to the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans. Dating to the second century CE, it seated around 15,000 and contains an early Christian crypt with rare mosaics. Founded by colonists from Corinth and Korkyra in 627 BCE, the city was first called Epidamnus and later Dyrrachium. We then continue about 45 minutes to the medieval citadel of Krujë, from where the national hero Skanderbeg led the resistance against the Ottomans, holding them back from western Europe for 25 years and earning the title Champion of Christ. After checking in, we visit the Skanderbeg Museum – you can also enjoy inspiring views to the Adriatic. There is time to wander the medieval bazaar, filled with souvenirs and handicrafts.

After discovering the Albanian Riviera, walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar and exploring monuments from past civilisations, it is time to begin your journey home. If you would like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative about the wide range of extension options.