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South Albania Experience

Tirana - Tirana

Nine days of canyons, castles, Blue Eye springs and Riviera beaches.

  • 9 Days
  • 6 Places
  • 10 Activities

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South Albania Experience
Save U$590 From U$1,475 U$885 / person Check Dates →

From U$1,475

U$885 / person

Just U$98.00 per day

Save40% Off Save U$590
Next Departure 16 Jul 2027
Duration 9 Days
Check Dates →
Flexible payments

Pay a U$280 deposit and spread the rest interest-free.
Balance due 60 days before departure.

ATOL Protected ABTA — Travel With Confidence

Albania: Europe's best-kept summer secret

Nine days through southern Albania, from Tirana's quirky streets to the turquoise water of the Riviera. Tube through Osumi Canyon, hike to the Blue Eye spring, wander the stone towns of Berat and Gjirokastër and boat between sea caves off Himarë. Beach clubs, raki, sunsets and a crew you'll be planning reunions with. This is the Euro summer before everyone else finds it.

classic travel style logo

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 activities, transport and accommodation included.

What You Get

Included As Standard

Meals
8 x Breakfast
Local Legend
Not your typical guide, more like a mate who happens to know the way.
Accommodation
8 Nights Accommodation Mix of twin share rooms in hotels and mixed-sex hostel dorms
Transport
All internal transport

Included Activities

5 Experience Types · 1 Intentional Journey

Local Lens

Experiences

Direct connections with local culture, traditions, and communities. Cooking with families, exploring neighbourhoods with locals, and participating in generational cultural practices.

Rise Up

Experiences

Intentional challenges in supportive settings. Summit hikes, independent navigation, and experiences that push your limits.

Bucket List

Experiences

World-famous landmarks, extraordinary landscapes, and universally recognised destinations that inspire travel aspirations.

Tru-ly Unique

Experiences

The moments you won’t get anywhere else! These experiences are exclusive to Tru trips and really are something special!

Unplugged

Experiences

Intentional slowness, presence, and tech-free moments in nature or group settings enable reflection and authentic connection.

Tirana walking tour
Day 2

Explore Albania's quirky capital on foot, from grand Skanderbeg Square to colourful painted buildings and the trendy cafés of the Blloku district. The perfect introduction to a city full of surprises.

Osumi Canyon Tubing
Day 3

Jump into the cool water of Albania's Grand Canyon and ride the currents between towering limestone walls and waterfalls. A splash of courage, a bit of teamwork and a lot of laughing.

Bazaar Visit & Skenduli House
Day 4

Wander the cobbled Old Bazaar of Gjirokastër, lined with stone houses and craft shops, then step inside Skenduli House, an Ottoman-era home still owned by the same family, to hear the stories behind its secret rooms.

Berat Castle Visit
Day 4

Climb up to Berat's hilltop castle, still lived in today, and look out over the town of a thousand windows, where white Ottoman houses stack up the hillside above the river.

Blue Eye natural spring walk
Day 5

Stroll through the forest to the Blue Eye, a mesmerising natural spring where deep blue water bubbles up from a pool that seems to have no bottom at all.

Beach time in Sarandë
Day 5

Kick back on the beach in Sarandë, soaking up the Riviera sun and cooling off in the clear Ionian Sea. Grab a cold drink, put the phone away and enjoy the slow pace.

Butrint Ruins Entrance
Day 6

Explore Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian ruins sit side by side in a lush national park. Stand in its ancient theatre and feel the centuries.

Relax on Ksamil Beach
Day 6

Swim in the turquoise water of Ksamil Beach, often called the Maldives of Europe, with tiny islands just a short swim away. Pure Riviera feeling, no passport stamp for the Indian Ocean required.

Qeparo Old village hike
Day 7

Climb the stone paths to half-abandoned Qeparo Old Village on Mount Kastani for mountain-to-sea views. Then stop at a family-run tavern for local raki, cold drinks and homemade snacks above the Ionian.

Himarë Boat Trip
Day 7

Head out on the water from Himarë to Pigeon's Cave, Crystal Bay, Gjipe Beach and the stunning Pirate's Cave. The best way to reach the coastline's quiet coves and swimming spots.

Itinerary

1

Touchdown In Tirana

Welcome to Albania. Touch down in Tirana, unpack and meet the rest of the group. We'll kick things off with a short tour around Skanderbeg Square, then spend the evening soaking up the sun on our first night together. Expect icebreakers, great food and maybe a touch of raki to get the stories flowing.

  • Tirana
2

Exploring Tirana

This morning we explore Tirana on foot and get to know its story, ticking off the Clock Tower, the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), Enver Hoxha's Pyramid and the Government building. The afternoon is yours to spend however you like. This evening we meet up for dinner and drinks, and find the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

  • Tirana
  • Tirana walking tour
  • 1 x Breakfast
3

Osumi Canyon Tubing

This morning we drive to Berat via the Belshi Lakes, stopping for that perfect photo. This afternoon we grab our tubes for a guided ride down the Osumi River, past dramatic rock formations and waterfalls. Later, we dry off and wander the 1001 windows neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica as the light softens over the old town.

  • Berat
  • Osumi Canyon Tubing
  • 1 x Breakfast
Rise Up
4

Berat Castle To Gjirokastër

We start at Berat's hilltop castle, then drive on to Gjirokastër, the City of Stone, where Ottoman-era houses climb the steep slopes of the Drino Valley. We wander the cobbled Old Bazaar and step inside Skenduli House to hear its family stories. The rest of the afternoon is yours, and your Local Legend has plenty of ideas.

  • Gjirokastra
  • Bazaar Visit & Skenduli House
  • Berat Castle Visit
  • 1 x Breakfast
Local Lens
5

Blue Eye And Sarandë Beach

This morning we hike to the Blue Eye, one of Albania's famous springs. It's not too hard, and we'll stop often to take in the views before reaching those impossibly blue pools. Afterwards we head down to Sarandë Beach for a lazy afternoon and sunset. Sarandë is the Albanian Mykonos, so tonight we'll go for drinks and see where it leads.

  • Sarande
  • Blue Eye natural spring walk
  • Beach time in Sarandë
  • 1 x Breakfast
Unplugged
6

Butrint Ruins And Ksamil Beach

After breakfast, it's a morning for history lovers at Butrint Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site wowing people since the 7th century BC. Wander the Acropolis, old fortifications, the theatre and Roman remains. Then we head to Ksamil Beach to explore the beach clubs, sip a cocktail and enjoy being by the sea.

  • Sarande
  • Butrint Ruins Entrance
  • Relax on Ksamil Beach
  • 1 x Breakfast
Local Lens
7

Qeparo Hike And Himarë Boat

Today we follow the Albanian Riviera with plenty of photo stops. This morning we hike to Qeparo Old Village, where on a clear day you can see Corfu. This afternoon we head out by boat from Himarë to Pigeon's Cave, Crystal Bay, Gjipe Beach and Pirate's Cave. We finish at a beach bar watching the sun go down.

  • Himarë
  • Qeparo Old village hike
  • Himarë Boat Trip
  • 1 x Breakfast
Tru-ly Unique
Bucket List
8

Llogara Pass Back To Tirana

Our final full day starts with a drive along the southern coastline and over the Llogara Pass, with big views all the way back towards Tirana. It's a travel day, but a scenic one. Tonight, back where it all began, we spend our last evening together reminiscing, sharing favourite moments and planning when we'll see each other next.

  • Tirana
  • 1 x Breakfast
9

Chilled Checkout In Tirana

It's checkout day in Tirana. Grab one last breakfast together, pack your bags and hug your new friends goodbye before you start planning the reunion. If you're travelling on, your Local Legend is on hand to help with onward travel plans. Nine days, six places and a whole lot of stories to take home with you.

  • Tirana
  • 1 x Breakfast
  • Help with onward travel

Map

Where You'll Stay

Reviews

FAQs

Can I book a pre-night/airport transfer?

You can book pre-nights, airport transfers and other extras at the time of booking or up to 7 days before the tour starts.

These can be booked:
-Through your online account area
-Through our sales team, you can contact them at 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 Essentials 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 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.

Do I have to arrive at a specific time?

You’re welcome to arrive at any time on Day 1 of the tour. Hotel/hostel check-in is usually from around 2 pm, so most people tend to plan their arrival for around this time. However, if you’d like to arrive a little earlier, we can also help arrange pre-nights at the starting accommodation.

There are no planned activities during the day on Day 1, giving everyone plenty of time to arrive, check in and settle in before the tour officially begins. In the evening, the group will usually head out for a welcome dinner at around 7 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet your group leader and fellow travellers. Your guide will also give you a quick overview of the trip and help break the ice, so everyone can get to know each other before the adventure begins!

Can I change the date of my tour?

Yes! If you are more than 60 days out from your tour you can change the date of your tour once. You can also switch to another tour which is the same value or more.

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