7 Day Tour of Southern Albania
Overview
This 7 day tour aims to present the beautiful places of Southern Albanian, including its cities, special sites of interest and objects.
During the 7 day tour, you will explore Gjirokastra, The Ancient City of Butrint, The Beaches of Ksamil, The National Park of Blue Eye, The Monastery of St. Nicholas in Mesopotam, The Lekuresi Castle, The Ancient City of Finiq (Phoenike), Saranda, Qeparo, The Himara Beaches, and The Borsh Waterfall with other unique sites, as well, depending on your arrival destination.
For those of you arriving in Rinas/Tirana, you will have some time in Gjirokastra, and enjoy a few tourist pit stops enroute to Saranda, on your arrival day.
For those of you arriving at the Port in Saranda, you will have time to explore The Medieval Village of Kaminca, The Gjin Aleks Mosque and Delvina, on your arrival day.
During the 7 day tour, you will explore Gjirokastra, The Ancient City of Butrint, The Beaches of Ksamil, The National Park of Blue Eye, The Monastery of St. Nicholas in Mesopotam, The Lekuresi Castle, The Ancient City of Finiq (Phoenike), Saranda, Qeparo, The Himara Beaches, and The Borsh Waterfall with other unique sites, as well, depending on your arrival destination.
For those of you arriving in Rinas/Tirana, you will have some time in Gjirokastra, and enjoy a few tourist pit stops enroute to Saranda, on your arrival day.
For those of you arriving at the Port in Saranda, you will have time to explore The Medieval Village of Kaminca, The Gjin Aleks Mosque and Delvina, on your arrival day.
Inclusions
- 6x Breakfast
- 6x Dinner
- 6x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 7 nights
- Entry/Admission - Gjirokaster Castle
- Entry/Admission - Saranda Embankment
- Entry/Admission - The Blue Eye
- Entry/Admission - Lekuresi Castle
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Albania
Stop At: Tirana International Airport, Ruga Nene Tereza, Rinas 1504, Albania
Option 1: For our guests arriving at the Rinas/Tirana in the morning, you will be met at the Airport and escorted to your private van.
At which point, we will travel through the Albanian Riviera, making a few stops at some attractive locations, including an hour and a half stop to enjoy Gjirokastra, and then deliver you to your hotel, in Saranda, Albania.
Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Rrenojat e fshatit mesjetar Kamenice, X2JR+CF3, Delvinë District, Albania
Option 2: For those arriving to Saranda via the Saranda Port.
The medieval village of Kamenica is located in the district of Delvina, at foot of the mountain of “Mali i Gjerw’.
It is inscribed as a village in the Vajoneta vilayet, in the register of the years 1431-1432. At the time it had a total of 267 families. Certain data makes Kamenica one of the largest inhabited areas of the era. Rich in many characteristic construction studies that show these ruins will, without a doubt, give more accurate answers to many dilemmas that Kamenica hides in the future. Nowadays the village preservers a large number of buildings, where besides them are also the preserved remains of several churches. The medieval village offers a spectacular view.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Gjin Aleksi Mosque, X32G+PHC, Rusan, Albania
Option 2: For those arriving to Saranda via the Saranda Port.
The Mosque of Gjin Aleksi is a monument of cultural heritage in Rusan, in the district of Delvina.
It was built in XVI century, on the ruins of a Byzantine Church. In its grounds you will find a church and teke. This Mosque was given the status of a cultural monument in 1963 and is currently restored to very high standards.
In addition, you will enjoy an hour and a half of free time exploring Delvina, at which point you can visit the City's Castle, or a Cafe in the Town, etc.
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 2: Visit Gjirokastra
Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
On Day Two we will explore Gjirokastra.
Highlights of our tour will include visits to the Caste of Gjirokastra, the Ethnographic Museum (House of Enver Hoxha), The House of Zakat and Scendula (the oldest house in Gjirokastra) and the Museum house of Ismail Kadare.
You will also have some free time, in Gjirokastra, to explore.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 3: Visit the Ancient City of Butrint & The Beaches of Ksamil
Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
The Ancient Site of Butrint was declared a museum town in 1961, thereafter in the year of 1992, it was inscribed on the National Heritage list of protected monuments, under protection of UNESCO.
During the tour you will see the well-preserved Greek / Roman theater in honor of Asclepius (God of Medicine), the Byzantine Basilica, the museum within the castle, and many other antique objects.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Ksamil, Ksamil, Saranda, Vlore County
Ksamil, is one of the most attractive areas of Southern Albania.
Blessed with its small little islands, not too far off shore, Ksamil is truly the pearl of the Ionian Sea and a destination that everyone dreams of as a vacation.
On our tour, we will visit the beautiful beaches of Ksamil, and enjoy some relaxation time there.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 4: Visit the National Park of "Blue Eye", The Monastery of St Nicholas in Mesopotam & The Lekuresi Castle
Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore Albania
We will explore the National Park of “Blue Eye” - an attractive tourist place, located in the village of Muzinë, near the national road Delvinë - Gjirokastër.
It’s a very picturesque area, where crystal clear water gushes out from within the mountain Mali i Gjërë. This actual spring is the largest and a most interesting source among the other 18 springs that flow from Mali i Gjërë. It has been declared a Natural Monument and has oval shape similar to the shape of an eye.The spring has great depth, which goes up to 50m, and it’s surrounded by dense and lush vegetation. All in all, the area offers a great time out for adults, as well as for children.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Lekuresi Castle, Saranda Albania
On this tour we will explore The Fortress of Lekuresi, believed to have been built in 1537, when Sultan Sulejmani attacked Corfu.
The castle is located within the ruins of Lekuresi village, on the top of the hill, above the city of Saranda. It really is a strategic position where you can see the entire bay of Saranda, the road that leads to Butrint and the islands of Ksamil. In addition, you can also see the Island of Corfu.
A place rich in history, and a fantastic view.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Monastery of Saint Michael, Near Finiq, Mesopotam 9717 Albania
On our tour we will visit the Monastery of Mesopotam (St. Koll's Orthodox Church), which is a 13th-century building.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 5: Visit to the Ancient City of Finiq (Phoinike) & Saranda
Stop At: Phoenice Archaeological Park, Finiq Albania
One of the stops on our tour will be the Archaeological Park of Finiq (Phoinike), located 8 km east of today's city of Saranda.
In ancient times the territory belonged to the Kingdom of Epirus, while during the Byzantine period it was expanded.
During the visit to Finiq you can see the ruins of an ancient temple, theater, some Helene homes, Roman baths and a Byzantine church.
Time spent in Phoinike, for this tour includes the travel time, by car.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Saranda Embankment, Saranda Albania
We will visit The Synagogue, The Albanian Numismatic Museum, The Archaeological Museum, The Historic Museum, The St. Nicholas Church, and The City Mosque.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 6: Visit Qeparo Village & The Himara Beaches
Stop At: Qeparo Beach, 3R5F+79G beach, Qeparo Fushë, Albania
We will explore the touristic village of Qeparo, which is a breathtaking location, right after the Palermo Bay.
Qeparo Village is filled with beautiful traditional architecture, with cobbled alleys and old churches. Also, in the village, sits the Castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena, which was designed by the French Army architect and nowadays displays special architectonic and touristic values.
Truly a fascinating and beautiful place!
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jale Beach, Rruga Jali, Himare Albania
On the tour we will also stop to enjoy some quality beach time, at one of the beaches in beautiful Himara.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 7: Departure Day
Pass By: Tirana International Airport, Ruga Nene Tereza, Rinas 1504, Albania
Today you will depart Saranda.
We will meet you at your hotel to either take to the Saranda Port, or to the Rinas/Tirana Airport, to depart from there.
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation not included
Day 1: Welcome to Albania
Stop At: Tirana International Airport, Ruga Nene Tereza, Rinas 1504, Albania
Option 1: For our guests arriving at the Rinas/Tirana in the morning, you will be met at the Airport and escorted to your private van.
At which point, we will travel through the Albanian Riviera, making a few stops at some attractive locations, including an hour and a half stop to enjoy Gjirokastra, and then deliver you to your hotel, in Saranda, Albania.
Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Rrenojat e fshatit mesjetar Kamenice, X2JR+CF3, Delvinë District, Albania
Option 2: For those arriving to Saranda via the Saranda Port.
The medieval village of Kamenica is located in the district of Delvina, at foot of the mountain of “Mali i Gjerw’.
It is inscribed as a village in the Vajoneta vilayet, in the register of the years 1431-1432. At the time it had a total of 267 families. Certain data makes Kamenica one of the largest inhabited areas of the era. Rich in many characteristic construction studies that show these ruins will, without a doubt, give more accurate answers to many dilemmas that Kamenica hides in the future. Nowadays the village preservers a large number of buildings, where besides them are also the preserved remains of several churches. The medieval village offers a spectacular view.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Gjin Aleksi Mosque, X32G+PHC, Rusan, Albania
Option 2: For those arriving to Saranda via the Saranda Port.
The Mosque of Gjin Aleksi is a monument of cultural heritage in Rusan, in the district of Delvina.
It was built in XVI century, on the ruins of a Byzantine Church. In its grounds you will find a church and teke. This Mosque was given the status of a cultural monument in 1963 and is currently restored to very high standards.
In addition, you will enjoy an hour and a half of free time exploring Delvina, at which point you can visit the City's Castle, or a Cafe in the Town, etc.
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 2: Visit Gjirokastra
Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
On Day Two we will explore Gjirokastra.
Highlights of our tour will include visits to the Caste of Gjirokastra, the Ethnographic Museum (House of Enver Hoxha), The House of Zakat and Scendula (the oldest house in Gjirokastra) and the Museum house of Ismail Kadare.
You will also have some free time, in Gjirokastra, to explore.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 3: Visit the Ancient City of Butrint & The Beaches of Ksamil
Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
The Ancient Site of Butrint was declared a museum town in 1961, thereafter in the year of 1992, it was inscribed on the National Heritage list of protected monuments, under protection of UNESCO.
During the tour you will see the well-preserved Greek / Roman theater in honor of Asclepius (God of Medicine), the Byzantine Basilica, the museum within the castle, and many other antique objects.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Stop At: Ksamil, Ksamil, Saranda, Vlore County
Ksamil, is one of the most attractive areas of Southern Albania.
Blessed with its small little islands, not too far off shore, Ksamil is truly the pearl of the Ionian Sea and a destination that everyone dreams of as a vacation.
On our tour, we will visit the beautiful beaches of Ksamil, and enjoy some relaxation time there.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 4: Visit the National Park of "Blue Eye", The Monastery of St Nicholas in Mesopotam & The Lekuresi Castle
Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore Albania
We will explore the National Park of “Blue Eye” - an attractive tourist place, located in the village of Muzinë, near the national road Delvinë - Gjirokastër.
It’s a very picturesque area, where crystal clear water gushes out from within the mountain Mali i Gjërë. This actual spring is the largest and a most interesting source among the other 18 springs that flow from Mali i Gjërë. It has been declared a Natural Monument and has oval shape similar to the shape of an eye.The spring has great depth, which goes up to 50m, and it’s surrounded by dense and lush vegetation. All in all, the area offers a great time out for adults, as well as for children.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Lekuresi Castle, Saranda Albania
On this tour we will explore The Fortress of Lekuresi, believed to have been built in 1537, when Sultan Sulejmani attacked Corfu.
The castle is located within the ruins of Lekuresi village, on the top of the hill, above the city of Saranda. It really is a strategic position where you can see the entire bay of Saranda, the road that leads to Butrint and the islands of Ksamil. In addition, you can also see the Island of Corfu.
A place rich in history, and a fantastic view.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Monastery of Saint Michael, Near Finiq, Mesopotam 9717 Albania
On our tour we will visit the Monastery of Mesopotam (St. Koll's Orthodox Church), which is a 13th-century building.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 5: Visit to the Ancient City of Finiq (Phoinike) & Saranda
Stop At: Phoenice Archaeological Park, Finiq Albania
One of the stops on our tour will be the Archaeological Park of Finiq (Phoinike), located 8 km east of today's city of Saranda.
In ancient times the territory belonged to the Kingdom of Epirus, while during the Byzantine period it was expanded.
During the visit to Finiq you can see the ruins of an ancient temple, theater, some Helene homes, Roman baths and a Byzantine church.
Time spent in Phoinike, for this tour includes the travel time, by car.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Saranda Embankment, Saranda Albania
We will visit The Synagogue, The Albanian Numismatic Museum, The Archaeological Museum, The Historic Museum, The St. Nicholas Church, and The City Mosque.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 6: Visit Qeparo Village & The Himara Beaches
Stop At: Qeparo Beach, 3R5F+79G beach, Qeparo Fushë, Albania
We will explore the touristic village of Qeparo, which is a breathtaking location, right after the Palermo Bay.
Qeparo Village is filled with beautiful traditional architecture, with cobbled alleys and old churches. Also, in the village, sits the Castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena, which was designed by the French Army architect and nowadays displays special architectonic and touristic values.
Truly a fascinating and beautiful place!
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jale Beach, Rruga Jali, Himare Albania
On the tour we will also stop to enjoy some quality beach time, at one of the beaches in beautiful Himara.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
•
•
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation, will be provided for you in Saranda, for all six nights, and is included in your tour package.
Day 7: Departure Day
Pass By: Tirana International Airport, Ruga Nene Tereza, Rinas 1504, Albania
Today you will depart Saranda.
We will meet you at your hotel to either take to the Saranda Port, or to the Rinas/Tirana Airport, to depart from there.
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Accommodation not included
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
JuanD9999
April 2022
Magic tour in the South of Albania. Saranda, Ksamili, Butrinti, Gjirokastra and Riviera were impressive destinations from natural beauty and archeological and architectural values. The beaches were fascinating and with crystal clear water. The staff was wonderful! Thank you!
Magic tour in the South of Albania. Saranda, Ksamili, Butrinti, Gjirokastra and Riviera were impressive destinations from natural beauty and archeological and architectural values. The beaches were fascinating and with crystal clear water. The staff was wonderful! Thank you!flaigolec
June 2022
A wonderful, well balanced & varied tour from Tirana/Saranda, through majestuous montains, wide archeo.sites, natural parks, authentic old villages, thanks to our great tour-guide Erald H. (& top driver!) : A native and knowledgeable, attentive and caring person!
A wonderful, well balanced & varied tour from Tirana/Saranda, through majestuous montains, wide archeo.sites, natural parks, authentic old villages, thanks to our great tour-guide Erald H. (& top driver!) : A native and knowledgeable, attentive and caring person!dhimitrak2022
June 2022
Ήταν ένα από τα πιο όμορφα ταξίδια που έχω κάνη. Ένα μαγικό ταξίδι που θα το προτίνα σε όλος. Μια αξέχαστη εμπιρια σε ένα υπέροχο τοπίο.😍😍😍
Ήταν ένα από τα πιο όμορφα ταξίδια που έχω κάνη. Ένα μαγικό ταξίδι που θα το προτίνα σε όλος. Μια αξέχαστη εμπιρια σε ένα υπέροχο τοπίο.😍😍😍