Local discoveries in CENTRAL Albania
In the central part of the country you can not miss the vibrant capital Tirana. The fast-growing metropolis has a modernization push behind it, as in no other major city in Europe. To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, the Mt. Dajti (1.600m), the mountain above Tirana, can be easily reached by cable car. Alternatively, make a detour to the mountain city of Kruja which is dedicated to the national hero Skanderbeg. Behind the mountain range then only high mountains and rural seclusion.
From Tirana you can quickly reach the Adriatic coast as well as most of the bigger cities in Albania: Durres, Shkodra, Elbasan, Berat, Vlore. In particular Berat, with its Ottoman Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage) and the attractive surrounding landscapes (Mt. Tomorri, pristine Osumi valley, Canyon of Skrapar, etc.) is worth a longer stay. In Central Albania we start our local discovery tours by default from the cities Tirana and Berat.
TIRANA: City Tours
Duration: 1 day
Profile: culture
Activities: sightseeing
Travel period: all year round
Take a stroll through the city center with a local guide and visit, among others, Skanderbeg Square, the Pyramid, the Blloku district. For lunch break excursion by cable car up to the Mt. Dajti, having lunch menu with breath taking views some 1.000m above the capital. In the afternoon visit to the Bunkart museum and of the National Historic collection. The standard offer includes the local guide, admission to various visits, transportation and a full lunch menu (without drinks). Duration and details can be individually adjusted, for example if interested in a themed tour.
TIRANA: Hiking to Pellumbas cave (incl. cave visit)
Duration: 1 day
Profile: nature/ leisure
Activities: hiking, sightseeing
Travel period: all year round
In the morning we start with a transfer from Tirana to the countryside. Here begins the short hike (walking for about 1h) to the cave entrance, together with a local guide. He will also guide you through the interior of the Pellumbas cave and provide the necessary safety equipment (helmets, lamps) for the cave tour. For the second part, enjoy a delicious lunch menu in the castle restaurant of the Petrela Fortress or nearby. Excursion requires some fitness and sure-footedness, but overall is easy.
TIRANA: Albania's Cultural Highlights 1 – NORTH: Shkodra/ Kruja
Duration: 1 day
Profile: culture/ leisure
Activities: sightseeing
Travel period: all year round
The guided tourtakes you from Tirana to the two main attractions NORTH of the country’s capital. In the city of Shkodra, you will visit the Illyrian fortress Rozafa, with stunning views of the new city and the Shkodra lake, and the attractions in the modern center, such as the famous photo collection of the Marubi brothers. After lunch at an upscale restaurant continue to the small city of Kruja, with its fortress of the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg and the traditional bazaar street. Includes transfers, upscale lunch menu (without drinks), local tours, authentic experiences and selected entry fees.
TIRANA: Albania's Cultural Highlights 2 – SOUTH: Berat / Apolonia/ Durres
Duration: 2 days
Profile: culture/ leisure
Activities: sightseeing
Travel period: all year round
This guided tour takes you from Tirana to some of the major attractions in the area SOUTH of the country’s capital. Coming along Elbasan you reach the UNESCO cultural heritage city of Berat. Here you will be most impressed by the Ottoman architecture on a guided walk through the old city quarters. On the second day we put focus to the heritage of antiquity: visit the two oldest Greek settlements in present-day Albania, the archaeological park of Apolonia and the city of Durres, with one of the largest amphitheaters in the Balkans. Including transfers, accommodation with half board in the old town of Berat (without drinks), locally guided tours, authentic experiences and selected entry fees. The category/ kind of your accommodation you can choose by yourself.
TIRANA: Albania's cultural highlights 3 – EAST: Lake Ohrid
Duration: 2 days
Profile: culture/ leisure
Activities: sightseeing
Travel period: all year round
This guided "Historic Highlights 3" tour takes you from Tirana to the main attractions EAST of the country’s capital. Of course, the lake Ohrid region is also worthwhile for a longer stay. We follow the ancient "Via Egnatia" route to the city of Ohrid (Macedonia). A local guide will introduce you to the old town of the city. After an overnight stay in Ohrid you will depart by ferry to Sveti Naum, a spiritual place close to the main springs of lake Ohrid. Back in Albania we make some more sightseeing stops (e.g. Lin village) then return to Tirana in the late afternoon. Including transfers, accommodation with half board in Ohrid (without drinks), locally guided tours, authentic experiences and selected entry fees. The category/ kind of your accommodation you can choose by yourself.
TIRANA: By mountain bike through the wild hinterland
Duration: 1 day
Profile: nature/ leisure
Activities: mountain biking
Travel period: all year round
The mountainous countryside east of Tirana offers excellent opportunities for easy to challenging mountain biking. In a personal talk we suggest to you the right individual tour that fits best your needs. For example, the picturesque village of Shengjergj is about 40km from Tirana, surrounded by mountains, green hills and fields. The day trip begins with a short transfer by minibus; the mountain bike is used to drive where it is most beautiful. For your safety, our partner guarantees best equipment and qualified instruction.
TIRANA: hiking and nature observation on the Adriatic coast
Duration: 1 day
Profile: nature/ leisure
Activities: hiking, bird watching
Travel period: all year round
From Tirana, the flat lagoon landscapes on the Adriatic can be reached in less than an hour's drive. Natural landscapes with a high biodiversity can be found in the lagoon of Karavasta (Diviaka national park) or in the lagoon of Kune-Vain (nature reserve). Especially for birders this habitat between river and sea is interesting. Go for a a soft hike through beautiful nature accompanied by a local park ranger.
BERAT: City tours (UNESCO heritage)
Duration: 1 day
Profile: culture
Activities: sightseeing
Travel period: all year round
Without a doubt, the old city of Berat is one of the highlights of a visit to Albania. Unique is the harmonious scenery of the hilly landscape and the built ensembles of the lower districts with traditional Ottoman architecture. Over the today’s city dominates the 2,000 year continuously inhabited Berat castle quarter, in which over 40 churches (as well as 2 mosques) are documented. On this day, you will learn about the long, extraordinary history of Beratis’ old city quarters, and also visit the contrasting modern center. Including local tour guide, selected entries, delicious lunch menu (without drinks).
BERAT: Excursion to the canyon of Skrapar
Duration: 1 day
Profile: Nature / Leisure
Activities: easy hiking, swimming
Travel period: all year round
Drive up the scenic Osumi Valleyup to Skrapar County. You pass the small towns of Polican and Corovoda and reach the canyon of Osumi. With a length of more than 20 km and up to 450 m depth it is about the longest Canyon of Albania. At the river you can go for a walk or swim. Lunch break in the shade of the trees of a nice restaurant, and a further walk to the waterfall of Bogova. Including transport, local hiking guide, lunch menu (without drinks). Even without hiking you will enjoy the beautiful landscapes of this tour. Before and after the daytour, we are also pleased to take care of your overnight stays in Berat.
BERAT: Rafting in the canyon of Skrapar
Duration: 1 day
Profile: Nature / Leisure
Activities: rafting, swimming
Travel period: ca. May to October
For this whitewater rafting adventure we take your safety no less serious than your rafting enjoyment: Professional equipment and well-trained, experienced team leaders are the standard, so you can enjoy the fun and beauty of the journey without hesitation. Before the beginning, there will be a briefing first. The rafting on the Osumi River takes about 3 hours. Including transfer from / to Berat, well-trained rafting guides and all necessary equipment, picnic lunch. Before and after the hiking tour, we are also pleased to take care of your overnight stays in Berat.
BERAT: Guided walks in Tomori National Park
Duration: 1 – 3 days
Profile: Nature / Leisure
Activities: hiking, encounter
Travel period: ca. May to October
Mt. Tomori (2,400 m) is also called the "Olymp of Albania". Majestically, he rises from the coastal plain. In about 800 m altitude you will find some mountain villages and the area of Tomori National Park begins. Here live many wild animals such as bears and mountain goats. It's a world out of time, the villages have been waiting for years on a paved road. Together with a local guide you can choose the daily program according to your own requirements. Also tours with overnight stays with private families or in a tent are possible. Each year, close to 20th of August, we also offer a guided 3-day tour (with overnight camping) to the annual Bektashi pilgrim to the southern peak of Tomori. Before and after the hiking tour, we are also pleased to take care of your overnight stays in Berat.
