10 Day Journeys from Tirana: High Sights and Actions

There are such a lot of nice day journeys from Tirana; making it among the best bases in Albania to get out and discover the nation.

Not solely will you expertise Albanian tradition within the metropolis, and a few of the finest meals and historical past to be present in Albania, however you’ll be able to benefit from the lovely shoreline or go to the extra quaint and historic cities and cities which are close by when taking one of many many day journeys from Tirana.

I spent 2 months in Albania and was based mostly in Tirana for 1 month. Throughout that point, I visited the coast and noticed a few of the most gorgeous surroundings by venturing out on day excursions from Tirana. So, learn on for my high 10 day journeys from Tirana.

Finest Day Journeys from Tirana

There are some unbelievable day journeys from Tirana. Because the capital metropolis and residential to the busiest worldwide airport within the nation, it’s the proper place to base your self and discover the remainder of this lovely nation.

Listed here are a few of the finest day journeys from Tirana.

1. Berat

A go to to the unbelievable metropolis of 1,000 home windows is considered one of my favourite day journeys from Tirana. Town is constructed on a hillside, and its stone homes seem like they’re stacked on high of one another. The home windows within the homes are all the identical uniform sq. form, giving town its well-known nickname.

Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Website and so you’ll be able to look forward to finding loads of superbly preserved historic buildings which provide a captivating perception into life by the ages in Albania.

The fortress in Berat is a must-visit. It’s actually spectacular and gives unbelievable views over town. Equally, take a stroll down the attractive Bulevardi Republika which is stuffed with cafes good for slightly people-watching.

Town is framed by the Tomorr Mountains at one finish and the Citadel on the different making it a extremely spectacular place to take a break.

One of the best ways to go to Berat from Tirana is with a tour, and this full-day guided tour actually helps benefit from your time on this nice metropolis. You’ll be picked up in Tirana and set off for a few of the highlights of Berat, together with the fortress, the Crimson Mosque, and St Trinity Church.

Berat is considered one of my favourite day excursions from Tirana and visiting is an incredible option to spend a day attending to know the guts of Albania.

Getting There: There are common buses from Tirana bus station to Berat leaving roughly each half-hour, so it’s among the best day journeys from Tirana by bus. The journey will take round 2 hours and 45 minutes every approach.

2. Mount Gamti and Lake Bovilla

For these on the lookout for energetic day journeys round Tirana, it is best to make sure to add a go to to close by Mount Gamti and Lake Bovilla to your record of issues to see.

Situated round 20 kilometers north of Tirana, Lake Bovilla is gorgeous. It’s blue and turquoise in shade and is surrounded by peaks and mountains on all sides, making it seem like one thing out of a film. It’s unsurprising that the encircling Gamti Mountains are massively standard with hikers and climbers.

For those who love exploring nature, then head into the mountains on one of many marked trails. From the peaks, you’ll have uninterrupted, breathtaking views over Lake Bovilla and past.

This 1-day mountain climbing tour of Lake Bovilla and Mount Gamti features a non-public switch from Tirana to the dam which crosses the lake. From right here, your information will take you on a comparatively straightforward hike into the Gamti Mountains. The hike lasts round 40 minutes and takes you to an unbelievable viewpoint over the lake.

After the hike, you’ll be able to take a refreshing dip within the lake to chill off and benefit from the perspective of the mountains from under. You’ll then be pushed again to your lodging for a well-deserved relaxation.

Albania has some unbelievable nature ready to be explored simply exterior its capital metropolis and this is likely one of the most enjoyable day journeys from Tirana.

Getting There: The start line for hikes into the mountains is mostly the dam at Lake Bovilla which is round 20 kilometers north of Tirana. One of the best ways to get right here is by rent automotive, non-public taxi or by taking a day tour. A tour will embody a information that can assist you navigate the mountains for one of the best views.

3. Kruja and Durrës

Durrës is Albania’s second metropolis, and it’s most historical at over 3,000 years previous. Its location on the coast, to the west of Tirana, presents a magical mix of historical historical past with seashores and the ocean.

One of the spectacular historic points of interest in Durrës is its Roman Amphitheater which is nestled amongst high-rise buildings and different fashionable contrasts.

One other of Albania’s most historical cities is Kruja, which is legendary as the middle of the resistance towards the Ottoman Empire, led by the hero of Albania, Skanderbeg, in addition to for being dwelling to a preferred bazaar promoting all types of handicrafts.

If you wish to study extra about each the traditional and fashionable historical past of Albania, this is likely one of the finest Tirana day journeys during which you’ll get to see an enormous quantity in sooner or later.

Getting There: Each Durrës and Kruja might be reached by bus. The buses depart from the Tirana Bus Station. The bus to Durrës takes round 45 minutes, with common departures all through the day. A ticket will price you round 130 lek/€1.

The bus to Kruja will take round 55 minutes and can price round 100 lek/€0.80. There are 15 departures a day making these straightforward day journeys from Tirana. Or, mix each with this epic non-public day tour.

4. Blue Eye

One of the unbelievable sights in Albania, the Blue Eye (situated within the south of the nation) is likely one of the finest day journeys from Tirana by automotive.

The ‘eye’ is a freshwater spring that rises from a depth of at least 50 meters – it’s so deep that divers have been unable to battle the stress of the rising water to get any deeper than this to date.

The result’s a surprising blue lake in the course of a nationwide park. The spring brings chilly, contemporary water from deep underground and feeds a ravishing lake and stream. It’s set within the coronary heart of the forest and creates a magical and exquisite pure marvel.

There’s a viewing platform that folks usually leap from into the Blue Eye and when you’ve completed exploring, there’s a terrific little restaurant subsequent door serving meals and drinks that can assist you cool off additional.

It’s fairly a distance from Tirana to the Blue Eye, however completely definitely worth the journey. I like to recommend combining a day journey from Tirana to the Blue Eye with a cease at Sarandë and Ksamil. These two are often called the highlights of the Albanian Riviera and are dwelling to a few of the finest seashores in Albania.

Getting There: There are not any direct buses from Tirana to the Blue Eye nationwide park. For those who want to journey by public transport, it’s essential to take a bus to Sarandë after which from Sarandë to the Blue Eye. The bus to Sarandë leaves from the major bus station and takes round 5 hours. A personal taxi is an choice, however I like to recommend combining the taxi with this wonderful guided tour.

5. Gjirokastër

One other gem within the south of the nation is the staggeringly lovely UNESCO World Heritage Website of Gjirokastër. This hilltop city is called the Metropolis of Stone and gives an virtually fairy story look with cobbled streets, stone metropolis partitions, and a ravishing fortress and fortress wanting over the city.

It’s additionally situated in the course of the mountains and so has gorgeous 360-degree views throughout the farmland and peaks past.

Exploring the cobbled streets packed filled with cafes, native eating places, and boutique shops is likely one of the finest issues to do right here however the fortress is likely one of the major points of interest in Gjirokastër. From inside, you get to discover the depths of the fortress, and benefit from the unbelievable views over Gjirokastër and past.

For the last word expertise in Gjirokastër, this good full-day journey from Tirana comes extremely advisable. You get to tour the city, go to its fortress and bazaar, go to the household dwelling of Enver Hoxha and take a conventional Albanian lunch at one of many lovely household eating places on the town.

There’s one thing magical about Gjirokastër and it’s completely price a go to. It’s positively considered one of my favourite Tirana day journeys, and someplace I’d return to many times.

Getting There: There’s a bus from Tirana Bus Station to Gjirokastër, which takes round 4 hours relying on visitors. Alternatively, you’ll be able to rent a automotive in Tirana for round €20. The best option to go to is certainly to take this highly-recommended one-day non-public tour from Tirana to Gjirokastër.

6. Go to Montenegro

Tirana will not be solely a terrific base for exploring Albania, but it surely’s fairly near Montenegro too.

For those who like exploring, I like to recommend a day journey from Tirana to Budva or Kotor. These are two walled cities on the south coast, near the Albanian border.

Kotor is likely one of the prettiest locations in Montenegro, filled with historical past and Montenegrin tradition. It’s based mostly on the attractive bay of Kotor which affords the city unbelievable views over the water and surrounding mountains. The bay is gorgeous and is ideal for paddleboarding or kayaking.

I like to recommend taking a strolling tour of the Kotor Previous Metropolis as you’ll see the primary points of interest while having the prospect to study lots alongside the way in which. Factors of curiosity within the metropolis embody the Bay of Kotor, the Kotor Fortress, and the scenic view over the ‘Mediterranean Fjords’.

Budva is slightly completely different – it’s extra of a vacationer resort, but in addition has a big walled metropolis to discover and a few lovely seashores and enjoyable seaside bars. I like to recommend Mogren 2 seaside.

Getting There: To benefit from the day, I like to recommend taking this good tour. The information is tremendous educated, and also you’ll journey in consolation within the non-public bus. You may get a bus from Tirana to each Kotor and Budva. Nonetheless, it takes a very long time, and I like to recommend an in a single day keep. You possibly can view the timetables and costs right here.

7. Ksamil Seashore

You should take a day journey from Tirana to see Ksamil when you’re touring within the hotter months (Could-September). The seashores in Ksamil are a few of the finest within the nation – I usually felt like I used to be in Asia relatively than Europe.

The sand is white, the water is probably the most lovely turquoise shade, and it’s heat and crystal clear. It’s positively among the best locations within the nation to expertise the ‘Albanian Riviera’ at its finest.

There are additionally another implausible points of interest near Ksamil that are positively price a go to when you’re touring right here. Butrint Nationwide Park, Albania’s first UNESCO World Heritage Website, is simply 10-Quarter-hour from Ksamil.

If you wish to go to Ksamil, I like to recommend taking this 1-day non-public day journey from Tirana. You’ll loosen up on one of the best Ksamil seashores and go to lovely Gjirokaster, the Blue Eye, and Lekuresi Fort in Sarande – all superb locations within the south of Albania.

Getting There: To go to the Ksamil Seashores, you’ll must get a bus to Sarande (there aren’t any direct buses to Ksamil). It takes round 4.5 hours and from Sarande you’ll must get a taxi to Ksamil. The best option to go to Ksamil seaside on a day journey from Tirana is to take a non-public tour.

8. Komani Lake

That is undoubtedly among the best day journeys from Tirana for outside lovers. Komani Lake is just accessible by boat, so that you attain it by crusing the Shala River, which traverses by lovely gorges and valleys.

The water of the river is crystal clear, and it’s described because the pearl of Lake Komani – it’s completely gorgeous. For those who’re feeling courageous, take a dip in paradise, however be warned, the water may be very contemporary!

There are additionally mountain climbing alternatives within the mountains. For those who’re feeling energetic, hike to the point of view for probably the most spectacular views. It takes round 45 minutes and is medium problem, however the sights you’ll be rewarded with are so price it.

Getting There: Today journey from Tirana is just actually doable when you be part of a tour. It’s round a 4-hour drive and is just accessible by boat, so that you want anyone who is aware of the realm, and the Shala river effectively. I like to recommend reserving a guided tour to benefit from this unbelievable day journey from Tirana by boat.

9. Lake Ohrid

Tirana is the truth is tremendous near the border with North Macedonia. Situated right here lies probably the most lovely lake that the border really runs straight by, which means that half is Albanian and half is Macedonian.

Ohrid as a city is totally charming. It’s dwelling to 365 church buildings, one for every day of the 12 months, that you could find squeezed in between buildings, hidden in backstreets, and even proper on the water. The Lake is crystal clear and the surroundings is unbelievable.

It’s additionally a spot with a number of completely different influences, with Turkish being an apparent one. Sip Turkish tea and check out the native meals within the city, or take a dip within the water. A day journey from Tirana into North Macedonia is one thing I positively suggest.

Getting There: There are direct buses that run from Tirana Worldwide Bus Station to Ohrid and price €15 every approach. For those who’re touring within the low season, you’ll must get the bus to Struga, then onto Ohrid from there. You possibly can ebook on-line right here. One of the best ways to discover Ohrid from Tirana is by a guided tour to benefit from the day.

10. Shkoder

The Albanian individuals consider Shkoder because the ‘conventional’ capital of Albania for its arts, tradition, and non secular range.

Nonetheless, the primary motive individuals go to Shkoder is that it’s the entry level to the Albanian Alps. For those who love mountain climbing and being out and about in nature, it’s a vital day journey from Tirana.

Considered one of my favourite issues to do in Shkoder is to hire a motorbike and go pedaling across the lake, cease for a swim, and revel in wanting on the lovely surroundings.

Getting There: You may get a direct bus from Tirana to Shkoder from the Regional Bus Station. The journey takes round 1 hour 45 minutes and prices 400LEK (round €3). As the primary points of interest in Shkoder are fairly a distance from the bus station, for comfort and ease, I like to recommend reserving a guided tour.

Finest Day Journey Excursions from Tirana

There are some unbelievable day journeys from Tirana. Listed here are a few of my favorites.

Group Tour of Ohrid from Tirana: See probably the most well-known church in Ohrid, St John at Kaneo, with its gorgeous views over the water, take a dip within the glassy lake, and eat conventional Macedonian meals. This wonderful tour contains transportation and begins at 8 am to benefit from this enjoyable day journey from Tirana to North Macedonia.

Day Journey from Tirana to Berat: This enjoyable day tour to Berat takes you to probably the most lovely cities in Albania. From the surface, it seems to be magical with its 1000s of home windows searching throughout the river. Inside, you’re transported again in time the place you’ll be able to uncover lots of Albania’s traditions.

Shkoder Day Journey from Tirana: Uncover Shkoder on this good 7-hour tour from Tirana. The tour contains pick-up and drop-off out of your lodge in Tirana, and also you’ll see one of the best of town with a educated information. The view over town from Rozafa Fort is unbelievable.

Blue Eye and Ksamil: That is an unbelievable day tour that takes you to the south of Albania and into the Albanian Riviera. You’ll get to see the finest seashores in Albania when in Ksamil. As well as, you’ll go to the Blue Eye, which is an outstanding, pure marvel within the coronary heart of a nationwide park.

Durres and Kruja: To maximise your time in Albania and see these two unbelievable and historically-significant Albanian spots, I like to recommend this wonderful non-public day tour from Tirana. The tour will choose you up out of your lodging earlier than taking you on a guided journey by each cities.

You’ll go to the Preza Fort, Skanderbeg Museum, and the well-known bazaar in Kruja and the Amphitheater, the Roman Discussion board, and its Venetian Tower in Durres earlier than being taken again to your lodging in Tirana.

Day Journeys Round Tirana: FAQs

Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on day journeys from Tirana.

In Conclusion

Tirana is a implausible place in its personal proper to discover. It’s considered one of my favourite cities in Europe and one of many causes for that is that it’s so well-connected and near lots of the different major points of interest in Albania.

Tirana is the proper base for exploring and experiencing the tradition and great thing about Albania. The buses run recurrently and are dependable, and there are many good excursions which can transport you comfortably, and educate you all about completely different locations in Albania.

I hope this weblog put up helps you intend some thrilling day journeys from Tirana!