7-Day Albania Itinerary: From Southern Beaches to the Valbonë–Theth Hike
- Hisham Ibrahim
- Jan 7
- 8 min read
This trip has everything you could want from a European adventure: scenic hikes, turquoise beaches, waterfalls, historic old towns, and unforgettable sunsets at seaside restaurants. If you’re unsure whether Albania should be on your travel list—or you’re simply looking for a well-rounded itinerary—this guide covers where to go, what to see, and how to get around.
This was one stop on our Eastern European road trip. You can read more about our next destination, Montenegro, in this blog.
Best Time to Visit Albania
Albania’s tourism industry is growing rapidly. Since the country opened up more to international travelers, new hotels and resorts have been appearing quickly, especially along the coast. If you’re traveling on a budget or backpacking like we were, now is the perfect time to visit. Albania is becoming safer every year and remains very affordable compared to its neighboring countries—although prices are rising fast.
Like much of the Balkans, the best time to visit is from late August to mid-September. During this period, you’ll avoid the peak summer crowds, accommodation prices tend to drop, and the weather is still warm and pleasant. We traveled during the first week of September, and it felt like the ideal balance between decent weather and fewer tourists.
Be sure to check out our Albania Facts & Travel Tips guide —it will help you better understand the country and make informed choices while planning your trip.
Table of Contents
Albania 7 days Itinerary Map
Day 1–3: Exploring Southern Albania - History, Castles and Beaches
Transport:
Most travelers arrive via Tirana International Airport, located roughly in the center of the country. To explore southern Albania properly, we strongly recommend renting a car. It gives you the flexibility to move at your own pace and reach quieter spots along the coast and in the mountains. While buses are available, they mainly connect larger towns and limit spontaneity. We picked up our rental near the airport and headed straight south.
TIP : Rental cars in Albania are generally cheap but often in rough condition. Make sure to photograph every scratch, dent, and mark on the car before driving away. Having full insurance is essential, as some roads—especially in rural or mountain areas—can easily cause scratches or minor damage. Without proper coverage, rental companies may charge significantly more than the actual repair cost.
Day 1 : Berat & Gjirokastër
Since there is no reason to stay in Tirana, drive south to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its unique Ottoman-era architecture. We suggest planning about one to two hours here to explore the castle and wander through the “thousand windows” old town, which is over 2,400 years old and incredibly well preserved.
Walking through Berat feels like stepping back in time, with visible influences from Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods all layered together.
On the way, stop in Tepelenë to visit the Ali Pasha Bridge, just a short walk from the road. Overlooking the Vjosa River, this peaceful spot felt like a hidden gem—we had it entirely to ourselves.
Continue to Gjirokastër, where we highly recommend spending the night, especially if you’re coming from Tirana. Arriving in the late afternoon or evening, staying in the Old City near the castle allows you to enjoy stone streets, excellent restaurants, and sunset views—all within walking distance.
🏡Lodging: Stone City Hostel — It’s well located in the Old City, the owner was incredibly kind, and breakfast was included. The price was around $45 USD for two people.
Fees:
Berat Castle: 300 lek
Ali Pasha Bridge: Free
Day 2: Gjirokastër & Drive to Himarë
If you arrive late the previous day, visit Gjirokastër Castle first thing in the morning. We arrived at opening time around 9:00 am, which worked perfectly. Dating back to the 12th century and expanded under Ali Pasha in the early 1800s, the castle is massive, with towers, courtyards, and panoramic valley views. Plan 1–2 hours.
Next, drive toward the coast with a stop at the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) near Sarandë. This natural spring is known for its vivid blue water and is well worth the visit. Parking can be limited during peak season (June–August), so arrive early if possible. From the parking area, it’s a 1.5 km walk (about 20 minutes), or you can take a small train for 300 lek each way.
Afterward, head to Ksamil for a beach break. While the water is beautiful, it’s noticeably more crowded than other coastal spots, with many private beach clubs and limited public space. Sunbeds typically cost €10–15 per day, but most beaches still have a public section where you can lay down a towel—perfect if you’re only staying briefly.
In the late afternoon, continue to Himarë and end the day at Livadhi Beach, where the calmer evening atmosphere and beachfront restaurants make for a perfect sunset stop.
🏡Lodging: Sea Cave Camping — We highly recommend, it’s an all-inclusive camping experience where they provide the tents, sleeping pads, blankets, toilets, and showers. The setting is beautiful, with ocean views and access to a private beach. Around $25 USD per night for two people
Fees:
Gjirokastër Castle: 400 lek
Blue Eye entrance: 50 lek
Blue Eye train (optional): 300 lek each way
Day 3: Himarë & Camping at Gjipe Beach
This was a day we were really looking forward to, as it was our first time sleeping in a tent directly on the beach at Gjipe Beach.
We started the morning snorkeling near our tent at Sea Cave Camping. While marine life was limited, the crystal-clear water and quiet setting made it a perfect start to the day.
Later, we joined a boat tour from Spile Beach in Himarë, visiting several beaches accessible only by boat. Our small-group tour lasted 3–4 hours with just seven people, which felt relaxed and personal. To book, simply walk along Spile Beach in the morning or early afternoon and compare operators—most offer similar routes but vary in group size and vibe.
In the late afternoon, we drove to Gjipe Beach, located at the end of Gjipe Canyon. From the parking area, it’s a 2.5 km hike down to the beach (about 45 minutes). Arriving at sunset meant most day visitors had left, and the beach felt peaceful and secluded.
You can either bring your own tent or choose the all-inclusive camping option, which includes a tent, bedding, and access to toilets and showers, similar Sea Cave Camping, just steps from the beach.
Tip: Check the weather forecast carefully. The hike back can feel much longer in bad conditions—we experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms the next morning, which made the walk significantly more challenging.
Fees:
Boat tour: €26 per person 2,600 lek
Overnight Parking Fees for Gjipe Beach : 800 lek
Own tent camping : Free
Day 4–7: Exploring Northen Albania - Teth to Valbonë
Transport
This is largely a travel day. If you camped at Gjipe, start by hiking 45 minutes back to the parking area.
From there:
Drive to Tirana (about 3 hours) to return your rental car.
Take a bus to Shkodër (about 1.5 hours). Buses depart from both the airport and the main bus station. You can book in advance or show up and ask for the next available option—we did the latter, and it worked out fine.
Day 4 : Journey to Shkodër
Shkodër is a very charming city, so if you have some extra time, it’s worth walking around to enjoy the views or even renting a bike. We noticed that many locals and travelers use bikes to get around, which looked like a really nice way to explore the city. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do this ourselves.
🏡Lodging: Wanderers Hostel — highly recommended. Dinner and breakfast are included, and the hostel can organize the entire Valbonë - Theth journey. They also organize games and social activities in the evenings, which adds to the fun atmosphere.
Tip: Leave unnecessary luggage in hostel storage and hike with a small backpack only—you’ll thank yourself on the trail.
Fees:
Bus from Tirana to Shkodër: €10 per person
Day 5: Journey to Valbonë
If you want to experience the Valbonë–Theth hike as a 3-day solo backpacking trip with your own tent, like we did, we recommend checking out our dedicated blog post, where we break down the entire journey in detail, including what to pack, what to eat, and where to sleep along the way.
For this itinerary, however, we suggest choosing the hostel-organized package, which makes the logistics much easier. This option typically includes transportation to Valbonë, accommodation with all meals provided before the hike, a pre-arranged guesthouse in Theth, and transport back to Shkodër afterward.
If you’re traveling solo, enjoy meeting other hikers, and want to experience the trail in the easiest and most stress-free way, this is by far the best option available.
So on day 5, the journey north is long but incredibly scenic. Here's the whole adventure breakdown :
Minibus: Shkodër → Koman (2 hours)
Ferry: Koman → Fierze (2 hours, departs at 9:00 am)
Minibus: Fierze → Valbonë (1 hour 15 minutes)
The ferry ride is a highlight, with dramatic mountain scenery throughout. Seating is limited, so line up early if you want a seat indoors.
Valbonë is spread along a 7 km main road, your accommodation chosen by the hostel is around 5 km away from the beginning of the trail. After arriving, enjoy a slow walk through the village or relax by the river—just be warned, the water is extremely cold.
Fees:
Total The Wanderers hostel trip package : N/A, you need to contact them for the price.
Day 6: Valbonë to Theth Hike
The iconic hike begins. From Valbonë, the trail is about 17 km, reaching 1,800 meters at the highest point, with 850–900 meters of elevation gain. Most hikers complete it in 6–8 hours.
The trail is challenging but manageable for anyone in decent shape—no technical skills required. The guesthouse will arrange a minivan to take you to the bottom of the mountain. Bring plenty of water, and take your time. The views from the pass are unforgettable.
The guesthouse will give you a packed lunch but you also have the option to stop at the many restaurant along the route to take a break and eat with a wonderful view.
After arriving in Theth, drop your bags and head to the river for a cold plunge—it’s the perfect recovery after a long day and it's near your guesthouse Dreni.
Day 7: Theth & Return to Shkodër
Spend the morning exploring Theth and visiting the Blue Eye of Theth.
To get there:
Hike: ~2 hours each way (mostly flat, 8 km from Dreni Guesthouse)
Taxi: ~€5 per person each way to Nderlysaj, then a 45–60 minute walk
The water is icy cold, but a quick swim is incredibly refreshing.
In the late afternoon (4–5 pm), take the arranged van back to Shkodër (about 2 hours). We stayed another night at Wanderers Hostel to pick up our stored luggage.
Fees:
Taxi to Blue Eye one way (optional): €5 per person
After that you have the option to either go to Montenegro/Croatia by bus or back to Tirana airport !
Budget
Category | Budget |
Transport (car, bus, ferry, gaz...) | 600$ USD |
Food | 400$ USD |
Accommodation (camping / Hostel) | 400$ USD |
Activity | 100$ USD |
Total | 1500$ USD / Couple / 7 days |
Final Thoughts
At the end of this journey, you’ll have experienced the best of Albania: stunning mountain hikes, crystal-clear rivers, charming villages, and breathtaking views at every turn. From the calm beaches in the south to the wild, rugged trails in the north, Albania offers an incredible mix of nature, culture, and adventure. It’s a country where every day brings a new discovery, and finishing this trip leaves you with unforgettable memories and a true sense of accomplishment.
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