Our small group trips to Albania include both walking and cycling tours, adventures through the country’s spectacular national parks and charming UNESCO-listed towns and cities, and explorations through characterful villages where you’ll get to meet the local people who call the area home.
There are many highlights of Albania, a visually striking country, which has, so far, resisted mass tourism; here are a few of our favourites:
1. Tirana
Today’s Tirana is worlds away from the days of the Iron Curtain. Lively, colourful and a pleasure to explore, you’ll discover buildings daubed in a paint box of colours and socialist murals, grand boulevards lined with Ottoman and Italian-influenced buildings, and a growing collection of bars and cafes. Our Highlights of Albania holiday begins in Tirana with a walking tour; enjoy a leisurely stroll against a backdrop of rugged mountains as you stroll between the government buildings, the large central plaza, old bazaars and Et’Hem Bey Mosque. In the evenings you may like to try the country’s delicious cuisine, which mixes Mediterranean and Eastern European flavours such as ‘birek’ spinach and feta-stuffed filo pies or grilled aubergines and mushrooms, always served with excellent red wine.
2. Valbona National Park
A far cry from the well-trodden paths in western Europe, you’ll find deserted footpaths and remote villages in Albania’s northern alps on our Balkans Discovery Tour. One of the most alluring alpine valleys of Albania, Valbona National Park boasts lush canyons and wildflower meadows set amidst the towering, jagged peaks of the Accursed Mountains. Hike through alpine forests, along quiet village roads and over verdant pastures while taking in the far-reaching views of the Kukaj Valley. Stop for a picnic lunch en route and savour a cup of freshly brewed mountain tea prepared by a local shepherd’s family, before feasting on a delicious traditional dinner of slow-cooked lamb.
3. Butrint
Butrint is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Balkans. UNESCO listed, Butrint exhibits a long and colourful history dating back to the early Neolithic age. The site features a large Roman amphitheatre, houses and thermal baths, encapsulated by lush forest on the picturesque and tranquil shores of the Vivari River. Follow your local guide on our Highlights of Albania Discovery Tour to learn about the discovery of these well-preserved ancient ruins and marvel at the fine baptisteries and ornate mosaic floors.
Small group travel in Albania
Our small group tours to Albania are designed to take you to the heart of the country, with immersive experiences that are shared with likeminded fellow travellers. You could enjoy a walking tour of Tirana, visiting the immense Skanderbeg Square, or perhaps a leisurely stroll along the cobbled streets of UNESCO-listed Gjirokastra, or sampling the freshest summer watermelons in ancient Voskopoja.