One Week in Southern Albania: A Road-Trip Itinerary Starting in Vlora

Southern Albania packs mountains, Ottoman towns, Greek and Roman ruins and some of Europe's best beaches into a small area. This one-week loop starts in Vlora, follows the coast south and comes back through two UNESCO towns. It works well by rental car.

Day 1: Arrive in Vlora

Settle in, walk the Lungomare at sunset and visit Flag Square, where Albanian independence was declared in 1912. Dinner: fresh fish by the sea. More things to do in Vlora.

Day 2: Boat trip to Karaburun, Haxhi Ali Cave & Sazan

Spend the day in the Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park: swim at a boat-only beach, see Albania's largest sea cave and walk around the bunkers of Sazan Island. Our boat tour leaves at 10:00 and returns around 17:30.

Day 3: Llogara Pass and the Riviera (Dhërmi, Jalë)

Drive south over the Llogara Pass and stop at the top for the view. Then go down to the white-pebble beaches of Dhërmi or Jalë. Stay overnight on the Riviera.

Day 4: Himara and Porto Palermo

Visit the old town of Himara and the beaches around it. Then stop at Porto Palermo, where a small fortress (often linked to Ali Pasha of Tepelena) sits on a peninsula in a perfect bay.

Day 5: Saranda, Ksamil and Butrint

Continue to Saranda. Spend the afternoon on the tiny islands and turquoise water of Ksamil, and visit Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Greek, Roman and Venetian ruins. On the way, consider the Blue Eye spring.

Day 6: Gjirokastër

Drive inland to Gjirokastër, the "stone city" and a UNESCO site, with its huge castle and Ottoman stone houses. Try the local speciality qifqi (rice balls).

Day 7: Berat and back towards Vlora

Head north to Berat, the "city of a thousand windows", another UNESCO site. Then drive back to Vlora, which takes about 1.5 hours, or on to Tirana for your flight.

Practical tips

• Currency: Albanian lek (ALL). Euros are often accepted in tourist areas, but carry lek for small places.
• Driving: Main roads are good. Mountain roads are slow, so don't over-plan your days.
• Best months: June and September have warm sea and fewer crowds.
• Book ahead: Boat trips and Riviera hotels fill up in July and August.

Want the sea day sorted? Reserve your seat on WhatsApp.