AlbaniaLocal

Albania road trip

In Albania, the road is part of the trip.

A car on the SH8 road climbing over the Llogara Pass between bare mountains

If you asked me: "I rented a car. I have never been to Albania. Where should I drive?"

I'd tell you to forget the idea that the destination is the whole point.

In Albania, the road is part of the trip.

The country has dramatic mountain roads, coastal highways, tiny villages, forests and viewpoints where you'll want to stop every twenty minutes.

And I've got one route I'd choose over almost anything for a first road trip.

My favourite Albania road trip route

Tirana Berat Gjirokastër Sarandë Ksamil Himarë Dhërmi Vlorë Tirana

It's a big loop.

But it gives you a little bit of everything.

The stops

  1. Tirana

    Start here.

    Pick up your car after you've explored the city rather than immediately driving around Tirana.

    Honestly, I wouldn't bother having a car while staying in central Tirana.

    Traffic and parking can be annoying.

    Explore the city first.

    Then leave.

  2. Berat

    Drive toward Berat.

    This is an easy introduction to driving outside Tirana.

    I'd spend the afternoon around the castle and old neighbourhoods.

    Then I'd stay the night.

    Don't just drive through Berat for an Instagram photo.

    Walk it. Eat there. See it at night.

    Berat: the Gorica footbridge and the white Ottoman houses of Mangalem climbing the hillside
    Berat, worth a night rather than a photo stop.

  3. Gjirokastër

    The drive south takes you deeper into Albania.

    And then you reach Gjirokastër.

    Stone houses. Steep streets. Castle above the city. Old bazaar below.

    I love this city because it doesn't feel like a beach resort pretending to be historic.

    It's a real historic city.

    Stay overnight.

    Gjirokastër castle on its ridge above the stone houses of the old town
    Gjirokastër: the castle above, the bazaar below.

  4. Blue Eye

    On your way toward Sarandë, make time for the Blue Eye.

    The water looks ridiculous in real life.

    That deep blue centre is the reason everyone takes the same photo.

    But walk around the surrounding area too.

    Don't just arrive, take a photo and leave.

  5. Sarandë & Ksamil

    Now you're properly on the coast.

    This is where I would slow down.

    Sarandë for restaurants, nightlife and city life.

    Ksamil for beaches and islands.

    And Butrint for history.

    You can easily spend two days around this area without getting bored.

Tours and day trips along the route

Browse all tours and day trips in Albania on GetYourGuide.

The Riviera and the way home

  1. The Riviera

    This is the drive I really want you to experience.

    Sarandë Borsh Qeparo Himarë Dhërmi Palasë

    The road climbs and drops through mountains while the Ionian Sea stays beside you.

    This is my favourite kind of driving in Albania.

    The official tourism material describes the Riviera as the coast beyond Llogara, with mountain scenery and small Ionian beaches.

  2. Himarë

    I'd stay here if I wanted a more relaxed Riviera trip.

    Swim. Eat. Walk around the town. Visit Livadhi. Maybe take a boat.

    Then do absolutely nothing for a few hours.

    That's the point.

  3. Dhërmi

    If you want more energy, keep going to Dhërmi.

    This is where I'd go for:

    • Beach clubs
    • Summer parties
    • Younger crowds
    • Sunsets
    • Nightlife

    But don't ignore the old village above the beach.

    That's where you see a completely different side of Dhërmi.

  4. Llogara

    Then comes one of the best parts of the entire road trip.

    Llogara.

    You're suddenly driving through mountains instead of beside the sea.

    And then you look down.

    The Ionian coast is below you.

    Stop.

    Don't take the photo while driving.

    Pull over somewhere safe. Get out. Look.

    Then continue.

    The Ionian coast seen from the top of the Llogara Pass
    Looking down from Llogara. Pull over somewhere safe for this one.

    The old Llogara Pass remains one of the classic scenic sections of the Riviera drive, although the newer tunnel now offers a faster alternative.

  5. Vlorë

    Finish in Vlorë.

    Walk Lungomare.

    Eat seafood.

    Have one final Albanian coffee.

    Then head back toward Tirana.

My Albania driving rules

  1. Don’t drive like you’re late.

    You aren’t.

  2. Don’t blindly trust travel times.

    A route that looks short on Google Maps can take longer because of traffic, stops and mountain roads.

  3. Stop for viewpoints.

    That’s literally why you’re doing a road trip.

  4. Don’t drive the Riviera at night if you don’t have to.

    Do the scenic sections during daylight.

  5. Don’t underestimate parking.

    Especially in July and August.

  6. Keep cash.

    Small places aren’t guaranteed to take cards.

  7. Download your maps.

    I like having a backup even when I have mobile data.

  8. Take the scenic road when you have time.

    Sometimes the fastest route isn’t the one I want.

How many days do you need?

  • 3–4 days

    Tirana + one southern destination.

  • 5–7 days

    Perfect for a southern Albania road trip.

  • 10–14 days

    Now I’d start adding more. Berat. Gjirokastër. Riviera. Ksamil. Maybe Korçë. Maybe northern Albania.

  • 2+ weeks

    Now I’d seriously consider doing north + south.