9-Day Albania Road Trip from Tirana to Shkoder, Vlore, and Gjirokastra and surrounding area

Your road trip adventure in Albania begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Tirana. You’ll stay in Tirana for 4 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Tirana has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Grand Park of Tirana. This attraction is an urban park and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,845 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Tirana, ejona. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 802 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Tirana is Artigiano at Vila. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,092 customers.

Locals recommend Restaurant Piceri Era "Blloku" as one of the best restaurants in the city of Tirana. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,065 customers.

Tirana also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Tirana is Komiteti Bar - Tiranë. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 715 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Tirana is Sofra e Ariut. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 658 customers.

Locals also enjoy Salt Rest. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 586 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 9-day vacation in Albania!

Day 2 of your road trip will take you to the best attractions Tirana has to offer. Cherish the 3 nights you have left in Tirana by discovering the best things there are to see and do in the city.

There are plenty of attractions, markets, and restaurants for you to experience today in the city of Tirana. Your accommodation will be conveniently located close to several of the best attractions you won't want to miss.

You'll be able to visit more of the best travel destinations in the city of Tirana, like the extraordinary Skanderbeg Square. This attraction is a square and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,228 visitors.

Another of the best travel destinations in Tirana is the spectacular Et'hem Bej Mosque. This attraction is a mosque and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,429 visitors.

You could then travel to the amazing Bunk’Art 2. This museum has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 4,114 visitors.

Fortress of Justinian is another stop you might want to add to your itinerary. This cultural monument of albania is a popular destination among visitors in Tirana. Rated at an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,396 visitors, it’s one many travelers find worthy a visit.

If you’re interested in seeing something outstanding today, then consider Palace of Culture. Palace of Culture is a top-tier point of interest and popular attraction in Tirana. More than 223 visitors have rated this place an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Your discovery of Tirana does not have to stop there. Check out the fantastic selection of tours and tickets offered in Tirana on this day of your trip.

After a long day of exploring some of the most popular attractions in Albania, be sure to eat at Artigiano, which is considered one of the best restaurants in the city of Tirana. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,025 customers.

Alternatively, another of the top restaurants in the city of Tirana is the popular Era Vila. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 847 customers.

Another great restaurant we recommend in the city of Tirana is Shije Fshati - Taste of the Village. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 569 customers.

When you’ve finished your meal, Tirana International Hotel & Conference Center is one of the best bars in the city of Tirana for an after-dinner drink. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,494 customers.

Hotel Mondial is another of the most popular bars in the city of Tirana. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 578 customers.

Alternatively, a great bar that locals enjoy in the city of Tirana is New Irish Pub. New Irish Pub has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 380 customers.

Stopping at one of these popular bars is the perfect way to celebrate another incredible day in the magical city of Tirana!

Day 3 of your road trip across Albania is another day in the magnificent Tirana. You now have 2 nights left in Tirana. Take the opportunity to experience more of the best attractions and activities in the city.

Tirana offers plenty for you to see and do, and your hotel will be conveniently located near several of the area's best attractions.

One of the best travel destinations you can travel to in the city of Tirana is the stunning Xhura Mosque. This has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 109 visitors.

You could also spend some time visiting the spectacular Rinia Park in the city of Tirana. This attraction is a park and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,631 visitors.

Another attraction you could visit in the city of Tirana is the incredible Regency Casino. This attraction is a casino and has an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars by 170 visitors.

Today you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in a popular tour. You’ll be excited to learn that there are plenty of options for top-rated tours and activities in Tirana you could sign up for on this day of your vacation. Choose among the best tours before or after booking.

When it’s time to eat, the city of Tirana has restaurants and bars to fit all budgets.

We recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Tirana, Bati Restaurant 1. The restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 495 customers.

Alternatively, if you’re hungry to try a top restaurant in the city of Tirana that locals enjoy, eat at Oda - Traditional Albanian Cuisine. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,353 customers.

Another of the best restaurant options in the city of Tirana is Rogner Hotel Tirana. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 950 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you get a drink at one of the best bars in the city of Tirana, Radio Bar Tirana. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 455 customers.

For one of the best bar experiences that locals enjoy in the city of Tirana, we recommend the cocktails at Millennium Garden. This bar has been rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 567 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Tirana is Hemingway Bar Tirana. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 299 customers.

Toast to another amazing day in the city of Tirana!

Rise and shine on day 4 of your road trip in Albania. Today, you'll wake up in Tirana and embark on a scenic drive to Shkoder, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 2 nights. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Tirana before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Tirana. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Dajti Ekspres. This attraction is a gondola lift that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 435 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Kruja Bazaar. This attraction is a best-rated sightseeing destination that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 360 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu National Museum. This museum and attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,150 reviews.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated Krujë Castle. This fortress and travel destination is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,260 visitors.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Aroma Restorant. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 227 customers.

Locals also recommend Pasta e Vino, another of the best restaurants in Shkoder. Pasta e Vino is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 134 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Hotel Tradita. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 725 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Bar Restaurant Elita to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Shkoder, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 253 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like MANIFATURA. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. MANIFATURA has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 125 customers.

Restaurant Arbri is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 401 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Albania, and look forward to more great days to come!

At the end of the day, you'll drive back to Shkoder, where you'll stay for 1 night more.

One of the best travel destinations in the city of Shkoder is Xhamia e Madhe - Ebu Bekr mosque. This amazing attraction is a place of worship and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 505 visitors.

Rozafa Castle is another popular attraction you could visit in the city of Shkoder. As one of the best-rated attractions in the area, Rozafa Castle has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,607 visitors.

You can also make your new day in Albania more epic with one of the most popular tours you can take part in today. The tour allows travelers to experience the enjoyment of exploring some of Albania’s most popular attractions and hidden treasures. Make sure to check out all options below to find the perfect adventure for you.

When you’re done exploring the area’s best attractions, you’ll drive back to your accommodation near the city of Shkoder.

When you arrive, we recommend eating at a restaurant that locals enjoy, like Fisi Restaurant - Traditional Food. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 553 customers.

Vila Bekteshi Restorant is one of the top restaurants in the city of Shkoder. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 428 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you get a drink at one of the best bars in the city of Shkoder, Bar Fontana. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 105 customers.

Raise your glass and celebrate another amazing day in the city of Shkoder!

As you rise to greet the dawn on day 6 of your epic road trip in Albania, you'll awaken to the bustling city of Durrës. Today, you'll hit the road once again, setting off on a journey towards the stunning city of Vlore. You’ll stay in Vlore for 1 night. But before you begin your drive, we recommend taking the time to explore some of Durrës’s must-see attractions and local hotspots.

If you’re curious to see more of Durrës, start your day with a visit to the amazing Venetian Tower of Durrës. This much-appreciated top-tier point of interest and attraction is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,509 visitors.

You could also stop at another of the best local travel destinations in the area, the fascinating Durrës Amphitheatre. This top-tier point of interest and spectacular attraction has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars from 4,252 visitors.

We also recommend you spend some time at the popular Muzeu Kombëtar Arkeologjik to make the most of your road trip across Albania. The spectacular Muzeu Kombëtar Arkeologjik is a museum that has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 525 visitors.

The lovely Sfinksi is yet another attraction you could pay a visit. Around 558 visitors have left this best-rated sightseeing destination average ratings of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

After soaking up all the sights and sounds that Durrës has to offer, you'll be ready to hit the open road and continue your unforgettable road trip towards the city of Vlore. Vlore offers plenty of options for top-rated hotels and other places to stay that fit all travel budgets.

After you’ve settled into your accommodation, we recommend a dinner at the popular Restorant Tradicional VANI. This popular restaurant is one of the locals’ most recommended restaurants in the city, with ratings of 4.7 out of 5 stars in 1,120 reviews.

The remarkable Restorant 'Joni ' Vlore is another top restaurant in Vlore we recommend. This restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience and is rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 708 customers.

If you would rather go somewhere else, the famous Restorant Amantia is also an excellent choice. This well-loved restaurant is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 375 customers.

After your meal, we recommend you drink at one of the best bars in Vlore, the fantastic The Wave. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 408 customers.

To end your night the best way possible, we recommend going to the wonderful Seasons Cocktail Bar. This bar offers a great variety of drinks and has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 103 customers.

Another bar with a great atmosphere is Brooklyn Restaurant. This bar is rated an average of 4.1 out of 5 stars by 504 customers, so don’t forget to check this one out as well!

Celebrate another amazing vacation day filled with adventure in Albania!

Rise and shine on day 7 of your road trip in Albania. Today, you'll wake up in Vlora and embark on a scenic drive to Gjirokastra, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Vlora and Xarrë before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Vlora. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Independence Monument. This attraction is a monument that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 611 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Kuzum Baba. This attraction, a beloved place of worship, has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 291 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Vlora is the stunning Radhimë Beach. This natural feature and travel destination has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 203 visitors.

Wave goodbye to Shëndellia and continue your journey by car. If you want to break up today’s drive into two, take the opportunity to stop and discover what the city of Xarrë has to offer.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Butrint National Park. This attraction is a national park that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 9,351 visitors. Around 55,000 people visit Butrint National Park every year.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Xarrë, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Gjirokastra. When you arrive in Gjirokastra you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Taverna Tradicionale KARDHASHI. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,078 customers.

Locals also recommend Restorant Tradicional Urat, another of the best restaurants in Gjirokastra. Restorant Tradicional Urat is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 1,146 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Taverna Lani. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 410 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Hangover Cocktail Bar to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Gjirokastra, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars by 332 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Submarine 105. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. Submarine 105 has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 289 customers.

Bukowksi Bar Gjirokaster is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 128 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Albania, and look forward to more great days to come!

Get ready to experience some of the most famous attractions in the area!

One of the best places to visit is the amazing Castle of Gjirokastra. This attraction is a must-see tourist destination and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 7,120 visitors.

The best tours in this travel destination will take you on an exploration to some of Albania’s most well-known attractions and best-kept secrets.

With this tour, you’ll set out on a journey to Albania’s most interesting sights. As you go along this remarkable tour, you’ll also have the unique opportunity to catch a glimpse of Albania’s scenic spots.

You could then travel to the amazing Berat Castle in the city of Berat for some sightseeing. This popular attraction is a castle and has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 5,804 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the city of Berat is the outstanding Old Town. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,303 visitors, this top-tier point of interest deserves a spot on travelers' bucket lists.

We also recommend a visit to the popular Gorica Bridge. This attraction, a stunning stone bridge, has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 715 travelers.

You’ll also have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Tirana.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Restorant Tymi, one of the best restaurants in the city of Tirana. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 474 customers.

After dinner, visit Colonial Cocktails Academy Tirana, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Tirana. This bar is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 270 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Nouvelle Vague Tirana. This bar has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 218 customers.

Alternatively, Kafe Flora is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Tirana. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 186 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Albania!

Day 9 of your road trip in Albania is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Tirana before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Tanners' Bridge is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Tirana. This stone bridge and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 812 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Tirana and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Albania.

You’ll then say farewell to Tirana. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Albania!