South Albania Experience - 9 Day Trip
A new kind of wholesome euro summer is here! 9 days of hikes, coastal views, beach clubs and historic cities!
Albania Backpacking Adventures in Summer 2026
Looking for a hidden gem to visit on your Euro Summer? Albania might still be flying under the radar, but trust us, it won’t be for long. We've created the perfect way to experience the best of the South in 9 amazing days. Think kayaking around the stunning islands, hiking through the mountains, exploring ancient cities and relaxing on some of Europe's best beaches, minus the crowds! We'll start with the colourful streets and culture of Tirana, and then step back in time in Berat and Gjirokastër, two UNESCO-listed must-visit spots. Then it’s down to the coast for laid-back vibes in Himarë and "beach-hopping" along Albania's coastline . Hello beach days and sunset beers!
Travel Style
Travel done Tru Style Our Classic tours have the perfect balance of culture, adventure, beaches and nightlife. Tru-ly authentic experiences from home-stays & beach huts to local cooking classes and off-grid adventures. Our Classic tours showcase the best of each destination with all your activites, transport and accommodation included.
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South Albania Experience
9 Days
tirana - tirana
Map
Bucket List
Itinerary
touchdown in tirana
Welcome to Albania! Are you ready for 9 days exploring this amazing European hidden gem. Touch down in Tirana, unpack and meet the rest of the group. We'll start our time together with a short tour around Skanderbeg Square. We'll spend the evening soaking in the sun and enjoying our first night as a group, expect icebreakers, great food and maybe a touch of Raki!
exploring tirana
Morning! Our first full day in Albania will be spent exploring Tirana and learning about the city's history. We'll tick off the Clock Tower, the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), Enver Hoxha’s Pyramid and the Government building. After a busy morning, you'll have the afternoon to spend as you like. We'll meet in the evening for some dinner and drinks, and we'll find a great spot to watch the sunset, of course!
osumi canyon kayaking
Ready for a day of culture and Kayaking in Berat? We’ll take a morning drive via the scenic Belshi Lakes, with a quick photo stop to capture that perfect Insta shot. Once in Berat, we’ll head out for an awesome afternoon kayaking the Osumi Canyon! This guided kayaking tour takes us along the stunning Osumi River, taking in the canyon’s dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, and scenery. In the later part of the afternoon, we'll wander through the 1001 windows neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica.
cobbled streets of gjirokastra
Today has stunning views, UNESCO sites, cobbled streets and more. We'll start the day by heading to a local castle in Berat. Then we'll drive on towards Gjirokastra (aka the City of Stone). The buildings in this city are from the Ottoman era, and the whole place has the epic backdrop of the steep slopes of the Drino Valley. This afternoon is yours to spend as you wish; your guide will have plenty of options for you to choose from!
beach club and blue eyes
Are you ready for something completely different today? Today we're going to see one of the most beautiful spots in the south. Albania is famous for its Blue Eyes, and this morning we're going for a hike up to one of them. The hike is stunning, it's not too hard, don't worry, and we'll stop along the way to soak in the amazing views. The Blue Eye pools are so stunning. Afterwards, we’ll head back down to Sarandë Beach and spend the afternoon on the beach before watching the sun set. This area is like the "Albanian Mykonos", so we'll go out for some drinks and see where the night takes us!
ancient ruins & unesco sites
This morning is a history lover’s dream. After breakfast, we’re heading out to the unreal Butrint Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s been wowing people since the 7th century BC. Think epic ancient ruins, wandering through the Acropolis, old fortifications, a theatre and Roman remains. After soaking it all in, we'll head towards Ksamil Beach and explore some of the beach clubs. We'll have time to relax, have a cocktail and enjoy being by the sea!
himarë boat trip & qeparo hike
Today is all about jaw-dropping coastal views. We'll hit the road for a seriously scenic drive along the Albanian Riviera, with plenty of photo stops because trust us… You’ll want them. We’ll stretch our legs with a morning hike up to Qeparo Old Village, soaking up epic views. From here on a clear day, you can even see Corfu! In the afternoon, we'll drive towards Himarë and head out on a boat trip! We'll stop by Pigeon's Cave, Crystal Bay, Gjipe Beach, and the stunning Pirate's Cave. This is the best way to explore all the hotspots and hidden gems nearby. Afterwards, we'll head back to dry land and spend our evening watching the sun set from one of Albania's famous beach bars.
back to tirana
Our final full day in Albania starts with a drive through the stunning southern coastline, travelling along the Llogara Pass. As we head back towards Tirana, we'll be treated to some incredible views to round off the trip. When we arrive back where we started, we'll spend our final evening reminiscing about the trip, sharing our favourite memories and planning when we'll see each other next!
chilled checkout
It's checkout day! It's time to pack your bags, hug all your new friends goodbye and plan your reunion. What an amazing week it's been!
Where We Stay
FAQS
How much is a pre-night?
If you would like to arrange a pre-night please email info@trutravels.com.
IS MY MONEY PROTECTED?
Yep! You will never lose your money. You’re protected. TruTravels is both ABTA and ATOL registered meaning your money is safe.
Do you have age limits for your tours?
Most of the people that join us on tour are 18-thirtysomethings! We do have an upper age limit of 45 on our tours. If you are over 45 and have travelled with us before please contact our sales team at info@trutravels.com.
Our Backpacker trips are exclusively built for travellers aged 18-29! Don't worry if this isn't you - our incredible Classic, Flashpacker, Limited Edition, Multi-country and Ski tours are open to everyone under 45! There's a perfect style of tour for everyone - happy browsing!
Can you cater for my dietary requirements on this trip?
Yes! Let us know when you are booking your trip about any requirements you might have we can plan ahead and make sure this doesn’t affect your trip!
Do many TruTravellers travel alone?
Yes, the majority of our travellers will be travelling on their own! Roughly 65% of our TruTravellers come solo! We have designed our trips specifically with solo travellers in mind, so you can be assured you’ll meet lots of others travelling alone like yourself along the way. This of course doesn’t mean our trips are only for solo travellers, but it does mean that you don’t need to worry you’ll be surrounded by a group that already knows each other.
Will my departure definitely run?
Unlike other tour operators, we always guarantee that your tour will 100% go ahead!
What time shall I arrive on Day 1?
You can arrive any time on Day 1 of the tour. There are no scheduled activities during Day 1 on our tours but there will be a welcome meal with the group at around 7 pm. During this first evening, your guide will give you a run-down on the trip, you'll get to meet all the group and of course, you'll do some icebreakers to get to know each other a bit better! For more information on your arrival day contact the team at info@trutravels.com.
Will I be able to contact/meet people before the tour starts?
Yes, of course! You will receive a welcome email from your tour leader a week before your tour starts. This will include a QR code to join the group chat on WhatsApp and other important information before joining. In the meantime, you can join our Facebook group TruTravellers to connect with others.
Are TruTravels tours drinking and party-oriented?
No! Whether you love a sunset beer or prefer an early night in order to make the most out of every day, or even a bit of both, it's up to you how you spend your time on tour! Our guides are always on hand to suggest a range of evening activities on tour. From night markets to rooftop bars, fire shows and local cultural experiences, there's a huge variety of options! There's no pressure, ever - it's your adventure after all!
Where does the trip start & finish?
The trip starts and ends in Tirana.
Which airport do I need to fly into?
You will need to fly into Tirana International Airport (TIA/LATI.)
What is the closest airport to the end destination?
You will need to fly out of Tirana International Airport (TIA/LATI.)
What kind of accommodation is included on this trip?
The accommodation on this trip is a mix of hostel dorms and twin-share rooms.
What is the currency?
Albanian Lek.
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