Tours to Albania

Embark on a small group tour to Albania, one of Europe’s fastest emerging destinations, packed with dramatic landscapes, living history and dazzling Adriatic and Ionian beaches.

Dive into the heart of Albanian culture in the capital of Tirana – transformed since the fall of communism into one of the most vibrant and characterful cities in the Balkans. Explore the eclectic Kruja Bazaar the historic stronghold of national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, before tasting traditional byrek pastries and sampling the region’s famed red wine. Head south to the Benja thermal pools and restored Ottoman stone bridge at Permet, set against a dramatic backdrop of the Nemercka mountains, then wander the picturesque shoreline of Lake Ohrid - a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared between Albania and North Macedonia, and one of the oldest lakes in the world.

For an unforgettable hiking vacation in Albania, step into the Albanian Alps, known locally as the Bjeshkët e Namuna or "The Accursed Mountains” after the range’s prominent role in local folklore. Glide along the calm waters of Koman Lake, one of Albania’s most spectacular fjord-like reservoirs, before stretching your legs on a riverside walk through Valbona Valley National Park.

Experience the best of the Albanian Riviera on Explore Worldwide’s Walking Albania's Coastal Trails trip, where you'll hike along the unspoiled Karaburun Peninsula - where the Aegean and Ionian seas converge - through traditional stone villages and into the historic port city of Vlora. Vlora is home to the ancient Muradie Mosque and was the site of Albania’s 1912 declaration of independence. Wander the streets of this historic city and enjoy fresh seafood on the spacious terrace of your hotel.

Cyclists will love Explore’s Cycle Albania tour, following traffic-free roads past panoramic ocean vistas and ancient monuments. For a cross-country biking tour, join our Cycle the Balkans tour across Croatia, Montenegro and Albania.

Considering an Albania tour but new to Explore? Read our blog answering some of the most commonly asked questions about our small group tours.

Explore’s small group trips to Albania span a curated selection of hiking and cycling adventure tours, explorations of the country’s spectacular national parks, and stays in UNESCO-listed towns and cities where travelers will meet the communities that call them home. Here are a few of our highlights of Albania: 

1. Tirana

Today’s Tirana is worlds away from the isolation of the Enver Hoxha era. Lively, colorful and endlessly rewarding to explore, Albania’s capital is a city of contrasts - socialist-era murals alongside boutique bars, grand Ottoman boulevards, contemporary galleries and the buzzing Blloku district, once reserved exclusively for the communist party elite.

Explore Worldwide’s Highlights of Albania tour begins in Tirana with a guided walking tour - enjoy a leisurely stroll past government buildings, the large central plaza, old bazaars and Et’Hem Bey Mosque to get a feel for this dynamic city. In the evenings dive into Albanian cuisine, which blends Greek, Italian, Ottoman and Balkan influences: byrek (spinach and feta-stuffed filo pastries), grilled tave kosi (baked lamb and yogurt) and qofte charcoal-grilled meatballs , always accompanied by an excellent Albanian red wine.

2. Valbona National Park

Deep in Albania’s northern Alps, Valbona Valley National Park is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the Balkans, and is the highlight of Explore’s Balkans Discovery Tour. Part of the broader Peaks of the Balkans trail network, Valbona Valley boasts lush canyon trails, wildflower meadows and sweeping views across the Kukaj Valley and Accursed Mountains. Stop for a picnic lunch along the route and share a cup of freshly brewed mountain tea with a local shepherd’s family, before feasting on a traditional dinner of spit-roasted lamb. 

3. Butrint National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Balkans, Butrint has been continually inhabited since the Bronze Age, through Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian rule. Butrint’s large Roman amphitheater, thermal baths, baptistery mosaic floors and Venetian tower sit within a protected wetland landscape on the shores of Lake Butrint, close to the Greek border. Join your local guide on Explore’s Highlights of Albania Discovery Tour to learn how this remarkably site was only fully excavated in the 20th century.

4. Gjirokaster

Perched high above the Drino Valley, the UNESCO-listed "City of Stone" is one of Albania's most extraordinary destinations. Gjirokaster is dominated by an imposing Ottoman citadel housing a weapons museum and an American fighter jet captured during the Cold War. The town's steep cobblestone streets are lined with distinctive tower houses, including the birthplaces of former communist leader Enver Hoxha and novelist Ismail Kadare. Explore's small group tours include a leisurely exploration of Gjirokaster's old bazaar and a chance to take in extraordinary views across the valley.
 

Small group travel in Albania

Explore’s small group tours to Albania are designed to take travelers beyond the surface and into the heart of each destination, with immersive experiences shared alongside likeminded fellow travelers. Whether you’re walking of the streets of Tirana, exploring the cobbled streets of UNESCO-listed Gjirokaster, or sampling fresh watermelons in the ancient village of Voskopoja, every detail is taken care of by your experienced Explore tour leader.