Top 5 Albania Car Tours: Unforgettable Road Trip Adventures

Albania, you know, is very much that place in the Balkans that folks are starting to notice, and with good reason! The landscape is quite stunning, they say, and, well, getting around by car? That’s the way to go if you’re after seeing as much as possible. You, too, might discover all sorts of tucked-away places you wouldn’t find on your usual tour bus. Very exciting stuff, honestly! This guide, in some respects, points you towards some very cool self-drive tours you really ought to check out, if you, too, like a bit of freedom on your hols.

1. The Albanian Riviera Exploration

The Albanian Riviera, just a little bit, feels like that stretch of coastline people don’t talk enough about, so it’s almost a hidden gem just waiting for you! You, too, might find yourself cruising down winding roads with unbelievably blue waters on one side and towering mountains the other, pretty great, isn’t it? It’s typically around 120km (about 75 miles), you see, making it a very perfect trip for those after scenic routes and, in fact, beach stops.

Places you might want to stop off at, right, include Saranda, you see, that’s your gateway; and then there’s Himara with quite old castles overlooking everything. You could spend days just stopping off at smaller beaches such as Dhermi and Jale. It really feels, seemingly, that time slows down here, anyway. So bring your swimsuit and a camera and be ready for amazing views, as I was saying. Read our full review: Albanian Riviera car tour Full Review and Details

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2. Northern Albania Adventure Tour

Northern Albania, really, is just rugged and wild, wouldn’t you say? This trip is very much not just another beach holiday; you are heading inland to hike and see lakes and, by the way, even get to small mountain villages. You would want to give yourself about 5-7 days, more or less, for this one as you are going to need to hike trails if you want the full effect. I mean, typically, from Tirana, it’s almost a loop that will bring you back there again, anyhow.

Must-sees, more or less, are spots such as Shkodër – with it’s interesting fort; then you could drive toward Lake Koman and hop on a ferry – that is cool! Next thing you realize, you are hiking the Accursed Mountains (Bjeshkët e Namuna). If you’re the adventurous type, or, really, feel that little zing when looking at epic landscapes then, by the way, North Albania just has to be on your radar, in that case! Read our full review: Northern Albania adventure tour Full Review and Details

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3. Historical South: Gjirokastër and Berat

Gjirokastër and Berat, apparently, are quite special! They’re pretty old towns – you know UNESCO sites and all, you see. These towns, anyway, will show you different building styles, also how life once was. You would very much be doing this tour at a relaxed pace, right, taking in the history and just walking those ancient streets for a bit. Usually, it’s that shorter trip, maybe like three or four days if you’re coming from Tirana.

When you’re in Gjirokastër, well, make that castle your first stop. From there, you know, walk down into the Old Town and very much wander about. Next, Berat. Berat is that town, that is that one with all the windows – they stack houses up the hillside that look, well, very stunning, if you catch them at sunset. It’s almost that glimpse into old Albania, you see. So consider it, you know. Read our full review: Historical South Albania Full Review and Details

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4. Lakes and Ancient Paths: Ohrid and Prespa

Lakes Ohrid and Prespa, like your northern and southern counterparts are pretty spectacular. And so the border areas there have all these untouched lakes. You see, the roads aren’t that fast going there, that that lets you take your time driving past some smaller spots where life, literally, chugs along slowly. If you want peace or just like exploring quiet roads, maybe just a little bit then this trip might appeal to you, anyhow. Five days is usually just the right time to sort of amble about.

You should really, seemingly, spend a day near Lake Ohrid because that is an amazing place! Visit spots such as Pogradec – nice for relaxing. Make time for the Drilon National Park with all of that clear spring water coming from somewhere. Ohrid – it’s partially in North Macedonia – that is known, anyway, for how far back its history stretches. The further south you go into Prespa, you see, there are all those Byzantine ruins that dot that area so it’s almost amazing and unusual to see it. Pack a picnic, it almost makes this so great! Read our full review: Ohrid and Prespa Albania Full Review and Details

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5. Central Albania and the Ottoman Route

Central Albania is almost really interesting given it still very much shows hints from its Ottoman era, honestly. Towns such as Elbasan and Kruja really come into their own given what happened through them way back then. Consider about four days, or that length, if you’re starting out from Tirana, you know, to give yourself ample time.

Kruja is pretty iconic, you know, that way back in history, Scanderbeg held off all those invading Ottomans at that castle. You know, just walk through that bazaar at Kruja for souvenirs and local craft type things. Elbasan used to be that significant place when the Ottomans were at the top, actually – check that old castle. So it’s almost that snapshot, anyway, of Albania from way back. So it is definitely very something! Read our full review: Central Albania Ottoman Route Full Review and Details

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