You’ll want to kick off your Albanian adventure by flying directly into the capital city of Tirana.

To make the most of your week and keep your schedule flexible, I highly recommend renting a car for your entire stay. You can easily arrange this through TIA Rental right outside the main terminal building. Make sure to pick full insurance with your car rental as many roads within smaller coastal towns and mountain passes can still be quite rubbly.

I recommend staying at the Elisa Hotel by Melia, the beds are very comfortable and you’ll be right in the city centre. They also offer valet parking. 

Things to Do in Tirana:

• Step inside a massive, subterranean nuclear bunker at Bunk’ Art 2. Which was built during the communist era and has been transformed into a fascinating historical museum.

• Take a walk up the 130 steps of the Pyramid of Tirana for panoramic views.of the city. 

• Have breakfast at Bitters. Turkish eggs here were delicious. 

• Stop by Home Cooking Te Joti for an authentic taste of traditional Albanian comfort food.

• Take a stroll through the historic fortress area of Tirana Castle. Interestingly, it doesn't look like a traditional medieval castle at all, but rather a charming, paved pedestrian street lined with artisan shops, cafes, and modern restaurants.

• Visit the grand, newly built Namazgja Mosque near the city center, as well as the historic 18th-century Et'hem Bey Mosque located directly on Skanderbeg Square.

• If you find yourself with a couple of extra hours to spare in the afternoon, take the easy 45-minute drive out to Durrës Beach. 

• Book dinner at Nalu. I highly recommend ordering their slow-cooked beef ribs and the tender grilled octopus leg!

From Tirana, get ready for a 2-hour drive toward the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of Berat. Known as the "City of a Thousand Windows," Berat is celebrated for its steep hillsides lined with striking Ottoman-style houses featuring massive, square windows. 

Things to Do in Berat:

• Treat yourself to a traditionally served, homemade meal at family-run spots like Home Lili or Ansel. Make sure to order Tavë Kosi. A national dish featuring tender baked lamb cooked beneath a rich, creamy yogurt and egg mixture.

• For an adrenaline rush, head down to the nearby Osumi Canyon for a white-water rafting excursion. There are also kayaking options too if that’s more up your street. 

• Climb the historic cobblestone path leading up to Berat Castle, offering 360-degree views over the town. 

• Stroll along the river promenade. You’ll find a lot of bars and restaurants here and if you’re into your cocktails, make sure to check out Bazar Bar (they have over 100 cocktails on their menu). 

• Stop by Pastiçeri Tori Berat to try an array of traditional Balkan pastries and cakes.

From Berat, it’s time to head south toward the famous Albanian Riviera to soak up the sun. Your car rental agency will likely point out that you need to take a slight inland detour to get down to Dhërmi, as the most direct GPS route takes you through some unfinished, unpaved backroads. The drive takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours and it is quite a scenic drive. 

Dhërmi is noticeably quieter and far less commercialized than southern tourist hubs like Ksamil or Vlorë, but it still boasts great restaurants and some of the most stunning beaches.

In terms of accommodation, Black Diamond is a hotel chain around Albania which offers a pool at the hotel, in case it is too windy for the beach.You’ll also get a private area at the beach with golf cart transfers taking you to and fro. If you want to be in a more quiet area of Dhermi, then choose Gogo’s Boutique Hotel. The traditional Albanian food in the restaurant is great and Drymades beach is a 15 minute walk. 

Things to Do in Dhërmi:

• Spend your afternoons relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Dhërmi Beach and neighbouring Drymades Beach.

• Have dinner with a View at Zoë Hora. Make sure to book a table in advance and try to arrive for sunset. 

• Watch the sunset at one of the restaurants along the Dhërmi promenade. Olio and Luciano’s are both fantastic choices for fresh seafood and pasta. 

• If you’re feeling adventurous, park near the canyon and hike 30 minutes down a rugged trail to reach Gjipe Beach. It is quite the hidden gem! 
• Spend a day at Sanur Beach House.You can get a bed with money to spend on drinks for as little as 20 euros.

From Dhërmi, a quick and easy 25-minute drive down the coast brings you to the lovely coastal town of Himarë. This area is home to some of the finest beaches on the Riviera, including Himarë Beach, Livadhi and the famous Jale Beach (located right between Himarë and Dhërmi).

Things to Do in Himarë:

• One of the most popular activities in Himarë is booking a private or group boat trip. These tours take you out to inaccessible coastal areas, including Grama Bay and  Pirate’s Cave.

• After a day out on the water, grab a cheap and cheerful lunch at Brothers Grill & Fast Food.for their pork gyros. 

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• Book dinner at Fig & Olive.

After a night in Himarë, it’s time to start your journey back up to the capital for your flight back home. To shorten the journey, you can spend a night in the coastal town of Vlorë.

I recommend staying at the beachfront Yacht Hotel. The rooms offer beautiful views of the sea and the buffer breakfast is great. You’ll also get free access to their beach club with sunbeds and towels. Definitely try one of the pizzas at the Yacht Beach Bar too!

If you'd like to extend your trip and explore some other areas of Albania, these are some options to add to your list:

2. Sarandë

• Bring cash to exchange, ATM fees are high here. 

• Euros are widely accepted but the rate will be better if you pay in Albanian lek.

• Make sure you pick full insurance with your car rental, a lot of roads are still quite rubbly when you're in the towns and scratches are possible. 

• Make sure you purchase an E-Sim as Albania is not in the EU. 

• On many of the beaches, locals will ask you for money to park your car in their “private parking”. Whilst this is common and usually safe, you can also find areas further along the beach with free parking.