Discover the Balkans: 2 week Albania road trip itinerary

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We never planned an Albania road trip. In fact, we hadn’t planned to visit Albania at all. But since we were already road-tripping through the Balkans with our car, curiosity got the better of us, and we decided to cross the border and see whether Albania would surprise us. What followed was a spontaneous journey through dramatic mountain passes, coastal villages, and surprisingly empty roads that quickly became one of the highlights of our entire trip. (Not the roads, but all the rest!)

In this post, I’ll share our Albania road trip itinerary that wasn’t very well thought out but ended up covering all the bases. If you’re considering the Balkans; do it and make Albania your starting point!

The rough itinerary

Because we had spent some time in Macedonia, Ohrid specifically, we crossed into Abania from there. If you’re coming from the north however, which is more likely, just reverse this itinerary! We did not do a loop, but drove south to north. Macedonia to Montenegro, essentially. If you’re looking to loop, pick any one destination as a start and finish.

🚙 Leskovik → Gjirokaster → Vlorë → Berat → Tirana → Krujë → Shkodër → Zogaj

2 week Albania road trip itinerary

Leskovik

The southern mountains of Albania were unexpectedly beautiful, and after coming through the very cute village of Ersekë, we decided to sleep somewhere wild. We ended up in Leskovik, where we camped out for free by the lake and a very good restaurant.

If you happen to come by Leskovik (I would not especially go there) do visit the Melesin distillery for raki and gin which is absolutely beautiful.

Gjirokaster

Gjirokastër is one of those places that feels frozen in time, in the best way. The stone houses, steep cobbled streets, and looming hilltop castle give it this moody, dramatic vibe that’s totally unique. We spent most of our time just wandering, getting lost in the alleyways, and sipping coffee with views over the valley.

Highlights;

• Exploring the castle and its Cold War-era tunnels
• Traditional Albanian dinner in a 200-year-old house
• Wandering the charming streets and boutique shops

Vlorë

There are a multitude of Albanian beaches to choose from, we chose Vlorë because it was convenient on our route. The drive from Gjirokastër to Vlorë took us through wide open valleys and past dusty little towns, with barely another car in sight. It’s not the most scenic stretch of the trip, but it builds anticipation, especially knowing the coast is waiting at the other end! Vlorë itself felt like a mix of gritty city and laid-back beach town. The promenade is perfect for an evening stroll, and the seafood is super fresh.

Berat

The next stop on our Albania road trip itinerary was Berat. Berat is all whitewashed houses, terracotta rooftops, and cobbled streets stacked along the hillside; it’s easy to see why it’s called the “city of a thousand windows.” The pace is slow, the sunsets are golden, and every corner feels like a postcard. We spent our time wandering between the old quarters, drinking wine, and watching life unfold from shaded terraces.

What we loved:

• Sunset from the castle
• Wandering the little neighborhood of Gorica
• Sipping wine and enjoying the view at Tradita E Bertit

We stayed at the cutest little hotel here, called Oda e Skulptorit. A small traditional guesthouse with gorgeous views, lots of home made arts and an amazing breakfast!

🚙 Compare rental cars here!

Tirana

We didn’t expect much from Tirana, we mainly went there to meet up with family that flew in, but we were wrong (again!). The capital is gritty, creative, and full of energy. Perfect for a post-or-mid-road-trip crash and get some big city stuff done.

Check out:

• BunkArt museum for Cold War history
• The Block (Blloku neighborhood/) for bars and nightlife
• A mix of brutalist, Ottoman, and Italian architecture that somehow works

Krujë

We didn’t make it to the village of Çudhi itself, but we drove up into the mountains above Krujë for the views—and they were absolutely worth it. The road winds through pine forests and open ridges, with glimpses of the Adriatic in the distance. It felt like a totally different side of Albania: quiet, wild, and refreshingly cool after the heat of the coast. Even without a set destination, the drive alone was a highlight!

Shkodër

We didn’t stay long in Shkodër, mainly because camping at 40 degrees celsius (28 at night) isn’t great in itself, but it turned out we had also found a very noisy spot. So, we left after 2 days but managed to catch the highlights of Shkodër:

• Rozafa Castle for panoramic views
• Shkodër Cathedral
• Ebu Bekr Mosque

Zogaj

Zogaj was well and truly the best surprise of Albania for us. Partly because we were so happy to have found a quiet spot after our camping mishap, but also because we spent 3 days by the lake, just swimming, eating and hanging out with the local family we stayed with.

It is just one of those places where time seems to slow down. There’s not much to “do,” and that’s exactly the point. It’s the kind of spot where you just sit, breathe, and enjoy how beautifully quiet it all is.

And that’s a wrap on our two-week Albania road trip itinerary! We honestly loved every minute of this adventure. From the wild mountain views to the quiet coastal towns and all the amazing food in between. If you’re thinking about hitting the road in Albania, we can’t recommend it enough. It’s the perfect mix of nature, culture, and spontaneity. Hope this guide helps you plan your own epic trip!

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