Tirana is a great place for a base in Albania – both for short trips and as a starting point to explore various destinations in the country without renting a car.
In this guide, I’ll reveal the best day trips departing from Tirana to explore other parts of Albania, for all kinds of travellers.
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The 7 Best Day Trips from Tirana, Albania
Tirana is the capital of Albania, and as such, it’s a great destination for a city break and for learning about Albanian history, culture, and food. The city is also strategically located so that it’s fairly easy to reach various historical towns as well as mountains and beaches from its centre.
For travellers visiting on a short trip, travelling solo, or for those choosing to avoid driving in Albania, taking day trips from Tirana is a great way to explore more of the country with fellow visitors and knowledgeable guides leading the way.
For those unafraid of long travel days, it’s even possible to take day trips spanning the length of the country down to Albania’s most famous beaches, or up north to the country’s beautiful Alps.
Keep reading below for my easily-categorised shortlist of the best day trips from Tirana:
Historical Town Day Trips from Tirana
Tour option 1: Berat City and Belshi Lake Day Trip 🕌🏞🏰
4.8 ★ | 8-9 hours | Wheelchair accessible: No | Hotel pick-up: Yes | From €20
Starting with the ‘creme de la creme’ of the sightseeing tours from Tirana!
Top Highlights: Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of my favourite places in Albania – and this day trip even includes a short stop at Belshi Lake for sightseeing on the way.
The tour guide will explain all the interesting details of the city’s rich history and well-preserved Ottoman architecture: from the castle to its Old Town, and with the option to visit a museum.
There is also free time to wander on your own, take photos, and have lunch: I highly recommend dining at a restaurant on the Gorica neighbourhood to get the iconic view to The City of a Thousand Windows.
Tour option 2: Kruja Castle, Old Bazaar & Sari Salltik Day Trip 🕌🏞🏰
4.8 ★ | 7-8 hours | Wheelchair accessible: No | Hotel pick-up: Yes | From €29
If you’d like to go slightly off-the-beaten path, Krujë is a historical town close to Tirana that is less visited than others like Berat and Gjirokastër.
Top Highlights: This guided tour with Smart Tour Albania includes a visit to Krujë Castle, Skanderbeg’s Museum, and the Old Bazaar. There is decent free time included for shopping and having lunch, with the option to visit the Ethnographic Museum.
On the return to Tirana, you’ll have a stop at the holy site of Sari Salltik, with amazing views from the top of the mountain.
Tour option 3: Gjirokastra Old Town and Ardenica Hill Day Trip 🕌🏞🏰
4.9 ★ | 13 hours | Wheelchair accessible: No | Hotel pick-up: Yes | From €38
This day trip is a good option for a visit to Gjirokastër for those who don’t have a lot of time to visit the south of Albania and who don’t mind a longer travel day.
Top Highlights: Gjirokastër’s town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll visit its Castle and Old Bazaar, and have the option to learn about its rich history and beautiful Ottoman architecture at Skenduli House Museum.
The tour also includes a short stop at Ardenica Monastery for a break on the way from Tirana to Gjirokastër.
Nature and Hiking Day Trips from Tirana
Tour option 4: Bovilla Lake and Gamti Mountain Hiking Day Trip 🏞⛰🥾
4.9 ★ | 6-7 hours | Wheelchair accessible: No | Hotel pick-up: Yes | From €21
If you need to satisfy your nature cravings close to Tirana, a day trip to Bovilla Lake and Gamti Mountain is the right choice!
Top Highlights: This tour includes a guided hike on a Gamti Mountain trail and beautiful views over Bovilla Lake. The guide also shares interesting information about Albania’s history and tips for exploring the country.
Important: The hike is 2-2.5km (1.2-1.5 miles) long, with a challenging ascent, especially in hot weather. A good level of fitness is recommended for this tour.
Tour option 5: Albanian Alps and Theth Village Day Trip 🏞⛰🥾
4.8 ★ | 11-13 hours | Wheelchair accessible: No | Hotel pick-up: Yes | From €49
In my opinion, the Albanian Alps are one of Europe’s best hidden gems and it’s where I did my first-ever hiking trip!
As such, I’d always recommend planning a dedicated trip to visiting this beautiful part of the country, however, this day trip is a great option for those that don’t have a lot of time to explore the northern region of Albania but still want to visit and hike in its beautiful mountain towns.
Top Highlights: The tour includes a visit to the beautiful mountain town of Theth, and a hike to The Blue Eye of Theth – the main hike in the area. Lunch is also provided.
Important: The hike to the Blue Eye of Theth is 2.5km (1.5 miles) long, with a challenging ascent, especially in hot weather. A good level of fitness is recommended for this small-group tour.
Beach Day Trips from Tirana
Tour option 6: Saranda, Blue Eye and Ksamil Day Trip 🏖⛰🏞
4.9 ★ | 17 hours | Wheelchair accessible: Unsure | Hotel pick-up: Yes | From €80
The Albanian Riviera is a great summer destination with lots to explore.
As such, I’d always recommend planning a dedicated trip to visiting this beautiful part of the country, however, this tour from Albania Local Vibe is a great option for those that don’t have a lot of time to do so, or who prefer the convenience of a day trip.
Top Highlights: This tour includes round-trip van transport with a stop in Sarandë on the way to Ksamil, swimming time, and free time for photos, kayaking, lunch, and wandering.
Tour option 7: Komani Lake and Shala River Day Trip 🏞🛶🏖
4.8 ★ | 14 hours | Wheelchair accessible: No | Hotel pick-up: Yes | From €59
The Shala River is one of the places in Albania that I absolutely needed to include in my itinerary when I went hiking in the Albanian Alps. While it can be difficult to access without a tour, you do get the option to visit from Tirana if you’re up for a long day that’s totally worth the ride!
Top Highlights: The day trip includes round-trip van transport and boat on the lake and river with Smart Tour Albania. You get to ride a boat in what’s known as “the Thailand of Albania” and soak up the sun at the small riverside beach in the remote Shala River.
Where to stay in Tirana
If you’re using Tirana as a base for a city break and to take day trips from here to other parts of the country, you’ll want to stay centrally-located.
Staying near the bus stations is only important if you plan on doing day trips from Tirana on your own by bus. Most tour operators offer hotel pickup, which is very convenient and doesn’t restrict your choice of hotel.
When visited Tirana I chose to stay at Areela Boutique Hotel, a modest yet vibrant boutique hotel in a central location (only a 13-minute walk to Skanderbeg Square).
The breakfast was tasty and plentiful, and the staff were kind. What else might we need?
Other hotels I recommend in Tirana:
Budget ($)
Mosaic Home
This is the most popular hostel in Tirana, and it’s easy to see why – the polished and clean interiors make this place look more like a modern hotel than a hostel!
Budget ($)
Vanilla Sky Boutique Hostel
If you have hostel budget but don’t want to skimp on style, this boutique hostel is just what the doctor ordered! The rooms are clean and modern, and the location is very close to the nightlife area of Blloku.
Boutique ($$$)
The Crown Boutique Hotel & SPA
Tirana is a great city for finding nice hotels at sensible prices, and this is one such example. The building was designed by Austrian architects over 100 years ago and has royal history – that’s even before saying it has a small spa and a terrace with amazing views!
Luxury ($$$)
Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana
If you seek a bit of luxury during your city break, this is the perfect city hotel with high-rise views over the city, comfortable rooms, and modern amenities!
Last thoughts
I hope this post helps you plan your next trip to Albania and deciding which day trips to take from Tirana. There are some really nice options, but no matter what you pick, I’m sure you’re going to have a good time!
Feel free to let me know in the comments if you have any questions regarding any part of this post – I’ll do my best to help.
Check out my other Albania guides:
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