How is this Albania Travel Itinerary? - 6 days / Beach focus
Posted by DoodlesTheWaffle@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 14 comments
Hello! I'm heading to Albania for 5 (6 including travel) days at the end of May. I'm flying in and out of Tirana, and will have a rental car for the trip. Hoping to get some feedback on the below. I'd like to focus on the beach/coast, and created the below itinerary.
Vlore was included as a stop as I thought driving from Himare to Tirana the day we fly out might be a bit stressful? Or is it actually very manageable?
Any alternate stops / suggestions welcomed! Thanks in advance!
Day 1 — Arrive late evening Tirana
Day 2 — Remote Work day / Explore Tirana
Day 3 — Himare
- Drive Tirana → Himarë
- Stops: Vlorë + Llogara Pass
Day 4 — Himare
- Full beach day
Day 5 — Himare / Vlore
- Beach stops + drive Himarë → Vlorë
Day 6 — Vlore / Tirana
- Morning beach in Vlorë
- Drive to Tirana airport
- Evening departure flight
caesarj12@reddit
Very doable. Have fun!
DoodlesTheWaffle@reddit (OP)
thanks for the feedback! I've heard mixed things about Vlore. I basically included it as its along the coast/Riveria and would break up the drive back to Tirana.
Do you think Vlore is worth the stop?
Alternatively, I could spending another night in Himare or add a night Sarande. My concern with this is that the drive back to Tirana on the final day when I fly out might be a bit stressful?
caesarj12@reddit
In May Vlore is 100% worth it. Just dont go to the beaches north of the Uji i Ftohte tunnel as they are not so clean. Just use the beaches in the south of the tunnel. Location of tunnel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GQ4gFEG3coCueqzF6?g_st=ac
It is a good stop as it is only a 2 hour drive from Tirana following the speed limits. Himare in end of May may feel a bit empty but still the beaches around there are beautiful. Saranda is very good also this period. Can't go wrong either way.
I would avoid it only in July and August as it gets very crowded.
DoodlesTheWaffle@reddit (OP)
Thanks so much for this info!! Okay I'm feeling good about this itinerary! I would love to see Sarande and Kasmil too, but didnt realize how far of a drive it is from Tirana. Am I making a mistake by not squeezing that in? I heard the beaches in Himare are very nice so I figured we would still get our nice beaches in.
caesarj12@reddit
Ksamil and Sarande are beautiful in this period. The problem is you have few days in your dispozition. You have 6 days, 2 of which will be travel days so 4 really. If you want you can split 2 for Himare and 2 for Sarande+Ksamil. However if It was me I would just stick with 1 destination. Plenty of beautiful places to see around Himara. If you don't mind hiking a bit, Gjipe beach and canyon are a must. You can also visit Akuariumi as in this period shouldn't be too crowded.
DoodlesTheWaffle@reddit (OP)
Yeah, unfortunately we're a bit short on time. I didnt realize how long the drives were, and I keep reading that the actul drive time is longer than what Google maps says. The alternative I was thinking is Tirana -> Kasmil -> Himara ->Tirana airport...but it just feels like im on the road a lot and the last day would be a bit stressful going Himara ->Tirana airport
The beaches around Hiimara look soo beautiful. I've added all the spots you mentioned, thank you!
Full-Rice-9287@reddit
It’s pretty solid. Doable, and great time to visit, before summer madness begins. Have fun!
DoodlesTheWaffle@reddit (OP)
thanks for the feedback! I've heard mixed things about Vlore. I basically included it as its along the cost and would break up the drive back to Tirana. Do you think Vlore is worth the stop? Alternatively, spending another day in Himare or Sarande and making the long drive back on the final day, or swapping Vlore with Berat?
Full-Rice-9287@reddit
There’s nice beaches in Vlora too, after “Uje i ftohte”, in Radhima for instance.
I haven’t been in Vlora since last year, so not sure of the construction situation now though. That could maybe be an issue, but you can assess it on your way to Himare.
Saranda is however also a nice option if you stay there the night after Himara. Distance to Tirana is no problem because there’s new highway, and it takes about 3.5h drive.
If you have booked the hotel in Vlora for the last night, and don’t feel like beaching, then Berat is great. Characteristic architecture, a mix of history and culture, from antiquity to Byzantium, to Ottoman times, and there’s restaurants with very good food. I would even recommend it, to get a different taste, after days at the beach.
Unable-Stay-6478@reddit
Finally, a trip that doesn't include all Balkan countries in 3 and a half days. Have fun in Albania!
DoodlesTheWaffle@reddit (OP)
lol I thought I would have gotten feedback that im rushing Albania!
Substratas@reddit
Looks great!
I recommend visiting the old town in Vlora & the bar at ”Le Palazzine” for a drink with a good view.
Salt-Wolverine-6367@reddit
Looks good. Vlore as in the city? I would personally do sarande instead.
DoodlesTheWaffle@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I’d love to include Sarande but was concerned that the drive back from Himare/sand are to Tirana the day we fly out might be a bit much? Or is that do able without being too stressful?