The best of Albania tour

Interesting sights and museums to visit in Shkodra:

• Rozafa Castle. With spectacular views over the city and Lake Shkodra, the Rozafa Fortress is the most impressive sight in town. Founded by the Illyrians in antiquity and rebuilt much later by the Venetians and then the Turks, the fortress takes its name from a woman who was allegedly walled into the ramparts as an offering to the gods so that the construction would stand.
• Marubi National Museum of Photography famous for its big and rare collection of photos over Albanian history.
• Take a tour at Pedonalja,so called Kole Idromeno Street which is the old center of Shkodra, very Mediterranean taste passing through mosques and churches.
• Thelake of Shkodra is also suggested to visit, to bath, or to eat some of the best dishes of Albanian cuisine like Carp baked in clay pot (Krap ne tave), typical for this region.
• Venetian mask show room.

On the way back to Tirana, you may stop in Lezha to visit the following suggested sights:

• The Castle of Lezha, built on a hill, from which you can see beautiful sights of the Drin River, the city of Lezha and the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most interesting cultural and historical monuments of the country.
• Mausoleum of Skanderbeg in the Saint Nicholas church. George (Gjergj) KastriotiScanderbeg was an Albanian nobleman and military commander, who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire and stopped it to conquer Europe in the 15^th

Overnight in Tirana.

Interesting places and museums to visit in Kruja:

• Castle of Kruja – It was built during the 5^th and 6^th. The surrounding walls are reinforced by nine towers, which served as an observation and signaling post during times of war. Within the walls of the castle there can still be found the remains of a few houses.
• Scanderbeg Museum – inside of Kruja Castle
• National Ethnographic – inside of Kruja Castle
• Museum Dollma Teqe (Tekke) – inside of Kruja Castle
• Old Bazaar – on the way to the castle, a medieval – type bazaar with traditional handicrafts such as wooden made objects, filigree, alabaster, silver, copper, wool carpets, etc.

Depart for Durres, the port city and one of the oldest coastal cities in Albania (founded in 627 B.C.)

Interesting sights, places and museums to visit in Durres:

• Roman Amphitheatre – Built in 2^nd century A.D., situated near the center is the second biggest amphitheater which Romans built in the Balkans peninsula.
• Archaeological Museum – It is newly renovated and is the richest archaeological museum in Albania with finds mainly from Durres but it also has artefacts from other parts of the country.
• Forum and Roman bath – Built between 5-7^th century A.D and conveniently situated in the center of town could be an interesting visit for archaeology enthusiasts.
• Promenade – A very nice walk by Adriatic Sea coastline; do not miss Çela Gelateria, one of the best ice creams in Albania.

Overnight in Tirana.

Depart for Berat, which is enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage site.

Interesting sights and museums to visit in Berat:

• Berat Castle – walking on the cobbled stone streets, you may see several medieval Orthodox churches and have a spectacular view of Osumi River, Shpirag and Tomorri Mountain
• Onufri Museum – The Museum is called “Onufri”, in honor to the Albanian painting Headmaster of XVI Century. The Cathedral is rebuilt during the 1797, and it is the most representative monument of post Byzantine architecture in Berat town.
• Ethnographic Museum – This museum was inaugurated in 1979. it includes Berat region and southern Albania folk ethnographic culture. The museum is placed in a three-century two storey building, typical for Berat area.
• Mangalem district (Old Town)
• Gorica district
• Church of Holy Trinity
• Kings Mosque
• Helveti Tekke
• On late afternoon, you may like to go to Çobo winery to have local wines taste. It is a 100% Albanian product.

Overnight in Berat. Hotel Mangalemi

Drive south to Osumi Canyon. The canyons are 14 km long, at an altitude of 450 m. They are thought to have been formed 2-3 million years ago by water erosion. You can enjoy rafting for 3 hours in Osumi River Canyons.

Overnight in Berat.

Leave Berat to drive southwest of Albania.

• First stop in Ardenica Orthodox Monastery, located 237 meters above sea level having a fantastic view of many breathtaking landscapes. A pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis had existed where the Monastery sits now, which explains the origin of the name Ardenica. Covering an area of 2,500 square meters, the Monastery was built in 1282, commissioned by the emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos of Byzantium. Perhaps the most interesting historical event recorded in Ardenica is Skanderbeg’s wedding to his lifelong wife Donika, hosted on April of 1451 at the Chapel of St. Trinity Church, the monastery’s very first church, built in the 10^th Then drive more south to Apolonia archeological site.
• Apollonia – The remains of the ancient city of Apollonia which was founded by Greek colonists and flourished in the time of Julius Caesar. Roman Emperor Octavian studied here. Make sure to visit both the ancient site and the Orthodox monastery next to it where the archaeological museum of the site is located. Drive south to Narta Lagoon.

• Narta Lagoon – It is a protected area due to its rich flora and fauna. You may visit Zvernec Monastery built in the 13^th century on the Island of Zvernec. Its access is through a wooden bridge built on the shallow waters of the Narta Lagoon.

Overnight in Llogara National Park.

Possible activities you may do:

• Hiking in what is known as Julius Caesar Pass, in the Llogara National Park. In 48 BC during the Roman Civil War, Julius Caesar landed with his legions at the nearby Palace Beach. He soon crossed the mountains over Llogara Pass in a place later named Caesar’s Pass to chase his adversary, Pompey.
• Another suggested activity is to drive down to gorgeous Dhermi beach.

Overnight in Llogara National Park.

Leave Llogara and drive through Albanian Rivera, by the Ionian coastline, which is known for having fascinating beaches with deep and very clean waters. You will enjoy a spectacular drive through one of the most beautiful sceneries the country offers.

You may stop in different villages to visit or taking photos.

A suggested place to stop is Ali Pasha’s Castle at Porto Palermo. A fortress on the sea thought to belong to the powerful Albanian ruler of the south who challenged the authority of the Ottoman Sultan self-governing a considerable area comprising South Albania and Northern Greece from his castle in Ioannina.

Overnight in Saranda

Suggested visits:

• Butrint Ancient site – Considered the best ancient site of Albania and beyond it is UNESCO protected for its archaeological importance. Situated in a wonderful peninsula it is great for both history and nature lovers.
• Ksamil – This hidden gem is located on the coastline between Saranda and Butrint, and it sure is one of the best beach destinations in Europe.
• Lekursi castle – this fortress dates back to the 16^th It has a strategic position on a hill of about 300 meters in height as well as its panoramic views of Saranda, the Butrint Lagoon, and even the island of Corfu. Not to mention that, inside the fortress, you will find one of the best-known bars and restaurants in Saranda which also offers the most beautiful view of the sunset.

Overnight in Saranda

Suggested places to visit:

• Mesopotam Monastery – The Saint Nicholas church represents Byzantine architecture. It is one of the oldest Byzantine-style churches whose authentic values have remained intact.
• Blue Eye Spring – A natural spring of fresh water in the shape of an eye can be found only 15-20 km from Saranda on the way to Gjirokastra. Great for a refreshment stop, lunch or picnic.
• Libohove castle – Libohovë is dominated by an impressive fortress. In addition, it has a pleasant and leafy main street with extensive views looking west across the Drino valley.

Overnight in Gjirokastra

Suggested sights and places to visit in Gjirokaster city, which is inscribed in UNESCO world heritage list:

• Castle of Gjirokastra – It is the biggest castle in Albania. Inside the castle, you can visit the Museum of Weapons, opened in 1971. Weapons from the prehistoric times up to the World War II are exhibited on here. The National Folk Festivalhas taken place in this castle during the years.
• Enver Hoxha’s birth house (Ethnographic museum)
• Zekati house
• The old Bazaar

Overnight in Gjirokastra

Leave Gjirokastra to Permet.

Benja Thermal water springs is an attractive place near Permet to visit. The heated water flows down the Lengerica River unless it gets diverted into one of the several human-made pools. Some say the baths have healing properties. You can take time to bathe and relax by laying in the pool looking around the beautiful mountains. Then drive to Tirana.

Overnight in Tirana

Departure to Airport. Return of rental car either in Tirana or Airport as initially agreed.

Rrugë të mbarë!