Slow Albania

Please note: All program activities begin the day following your arrival in Tirana.

As this tour welcomes travellers from different countries, flight schedules vary — some guests arrive earlier in the day, while others land in the evening. To ensure a seamless and consistent experience for everyone, Day 1 is reserved for arrival, rest, and personal exploration.

Upon landing at Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, you will be welcomed in the arrivals hall by a representative of our company, holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in the heart of Tirana's city centre.

After check-in, the rest of the day is entirely yours. Your hotel's central location places you within easy reach of the city's most charming streets, cafés, and squares — a perfect opportunity to take your first steps into Albanian life at your own pace. Prior to your arrival, we will send you a curated list of suggestions to help you make the most of your free time, with dinner at your own expense this evening.

We recommend using this time to rest, refresh, and prepare for the experiences that await you from Day 1 onwards.

07:30 – Breakfast at the hotel & check-out

08:30 – Meet your guide and fellow travellers.

After introductions, head southeast along the route of the ancient Via Egnatia, the Roman road that once linked the Adriatic with Constantinople. The landscape changes from rolling hills to mountains and finally to the shores of Lake Ohrid (approx. 2 hrs 40 min, including a coffee stop).

11:15 – Lin.

This small village sits on a peninsula above Lake Ohrid, with cobbled lanes, stone houses and wide views over the water. On the hilltop are the remains of an early Christian church.

12:15 – Continue to Pogradec (approx. 40 min).

13:00 – Lunch by the lake in Pogradec (own expense).

14:15 – Tushemisht & the Drilon springs.

Tushemisht is a fishing village near the North Macedonian border. Close by, the springs of Drilon feed Lake Ohrid through calm, tree-lined channels.

15:30 – Continue to Korçë (approx. 1 hr).

16:30 – Arrival in Korçë & hotel check-in.

17:15 – Guided walk of Korçë.

Korçë is known as Albania's cultural capital for its boulevards, its architecture and its long tradition in art and education.

-The National Museum of Medieval Art: one of Albania's finest collections of Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons.

-The Orthodox Cathedral of the Resurrection, the city's landmark.

-The restored Old Bazaar.

19:30 – Welcome dinner in the Old Bazaar.

A first evening together over the local cuisine of Korçë. Included.

07:30 – Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – Departure for Prespa National Park (approx. 1 hr 20 min).

The park lies where Albania, Greece and North Macedonia meet. It is a protected area of lakes, mountains and quiet villages.

10:30 – Boat trip on Lake Prespa (approx. 2 hrs).

From the village of Pustec, cross the lake to Maligrad Island. Beneath its cliffs, set into a rock overhang, stands the Church of St Mary (1369), decorated with frescoes. On the way, watch for the lake's birdlife, including pelicans and cormorants.

12:45 – Lunch with a local family.

A home-cooked lunch made with ingredients from the village, and a chance to learn about everyday life in Prespa. Included.

14:30 – Walk to a viewpoint above the lake (approx. 1 hr 30 min – 2 hrs; easy to moderate).

From the village of Gollomboc, the path climbs to views across Lake Prespa and its mountains.

16:30 – Return to Korçë (approx. 1 hr 30 min).

Approx. 18:00 – Arrival at your hotel. Time to rest.

19:00 – Dinner at leisure (own expense).

07:30 – Breakfast at the hotel & check-out

08:30 – Departure for Përmet (approx. 3 hrs 50 min, including a coffee stop).

The road crosses some of southern Albania's least-travelled mountain country, through Ersekë and Leskovik and down into the Vjosa valley.

12:30 – Lunch in Përmet (own expense).

Përmet is known for its gliko (fruit preserves), its raki and its home cooking.

14:00 – Bënja Thermal Springs & the Kadiu Bridge (approx. 1 hr 30 min).

Warm mineral water (about 30–32°C) collects in natural pools beneath the 18th-century Ottoman Kadiu Bridge, at the entrance to the Langarica Canyon. Bring swimwear if you would like to bathe.

15:30 – Continue to Gjirokastër (approx. 1 hr 45 min).

17:15 – Arrival in Gjirokastër & hotel check-in. Time to rest.

18:30 – Short evening walk through the Old Bazaar with your guide.

19:30 – Dinner at leisure (own expense).

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – Gjirokastër's castle and old town (approx. 2 hrs).

The UNESCO-listed "Stone City".

Gjirokastër Castle: a large fortress above the town, with views over the Drino valley.

The Ethnographic Museum: a traditional tower house that shows how Gjirokastër families lived.

11:00 – Check-out & departure for Butrint (approx. 1 hr 55 min).

13:00 – Lunch near Butrint (own expense).

14:15 – Butrint National Park (approx. 2 hrs).

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has more than 2,500 years of history, set among woods and lagoons. You'll see:

-The Greek theatre, the Roman baths and the city walls.

-The Great Basilica.

-The baptistery, whose mosaic floor is usually kept covered for protection.

16:15 – Drive north to Qeparo (approx. 1 hr 55 min).

Approx. 18:10 – Arrival in Qeparo & hotel check-in. Qeparo is a seaside village beneath the old stone settlement of Upper Qeparo.

19:30 – Dinner at leisure (own expense).

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel.

A slow morning by the sea.

09:30 – Short transfer to Himarë (approx. 25 min).

10:00 – Boat trip along the Riviera (approx. 4 hrs).

The boat passes cliffs, sea caves and coves you can only reach by water. There are stops to swim in clear Ionian water and for a simple seaside lunch (own expense).

14:30 – Himarë Castle.

The old village sits inside the castle walls on the hill above the town, with views along the coast.

16:00 – Return to Qeparo.

The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the sea.

19:30 – Dinner at leisure (own expense).

08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel & check-out

09:00 – Departure north along the Riviera.

Make a short stop at Porto Palermo, where Ali Pasha's fortress guards a sheltered bay. Then, weather permitting, cross the Llogara Pass (1,027 m) and stop for coffee with views over the Bay of Vlorë and the Karaburun Peninsula.

11:30 – Continue toward Apollonia (approx. 1 hr).

12:30 – Lunch near Apollonia (own expense).

13:45 – Apollonia Archaeological Park (approx. 1 hr 30 min).

Greek colonists founded Apollonia in the 6th century BC, and it became one of the great cities of the Roman Adriatic. Walk among:

-The façade of the Bouleuterion and the Odeon.

-The city walls.

-The medieval Monastery of St Mary, which today houses the site museum.

15:15 – Continue to Berat (approx. 1 hr 30 min).

16:45 – Arrival in Berat & hotel check-in.

17:30 – Evening walk in Berat (approx. 1 hr 15 min).

Walk through the Ottoman-era quarters of Mangalem and Gorica on either side of the Osum River as the old town lights come on.

19:00 – Dinner at leisure (own expense).

07:30 – Breakfast at the hotel & check-out

09:00 – Berat Castle & the Onufri Museum (approx. 1 hr 45 min).

Berat Castle: a living quarter where families still live inside the ancient walls.

The Onufri Museum, in the Cathedral of the Dormition of St Mary. It holds the work of the 16th-century painter Onufri, known for his distinctive red.

11:00 – Drive to Çobo Winery (approx. 35 min).

11:45 – Wine tasting at Çobo Winery.

The family has made wine here for generations. Taste their wines, including Pulës and Shesh i Zi, with local produce. Included.

13:30 – Return to Tirana (approx. 2 hrs).

Approx. 15:30 – Arrival in Tirana & check-in. The afternoon is free.

19:30 – Farewell dinner at a carefully selected restaurant.

A last evening together over Albanian specialities. Included.

Breakfast at hotel & check-out

As our journey comes to an end, we hope you’ve had an unforgettable experience exploring the stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture of Albania. With cherished memories and new adventures to look back on, we bid you farewell.

Transfer to Tirana International Airport for your departure flight.

Safe travels, and we hope to welcome you again!