There are such a lot of nice day journeys from Tirana; making it top-of-the-line bases in Albania to get out and discover the nation.
Not solely will you expertise Albanian tradition within the metropolis, and a number of the greatest 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 can be 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 number of the most beautiful surroundings by venturing out on day excursions from Tirana. So, learn on for my prime 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 right place to base your self and discover the remainder of this lovely nation.
Listed here are a number of the greatest 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. The town is constructed on a hillside, and its stone homes appear like they’re stacked on prime 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 fantastically preserved historic buildings which supply an enchanting perception into life by means of the ages in Albania.
The fort in Berat is a must-visit. It’s actually spectacular and affords unbelievable views over town. Equally, take a stroll down the gorgeous Bulevardi Republika which is stuffed with cafes excellent for a little bit people-watching.
The town is framed by the Tomorr Mountains at one finish and the Citadel on the different making it a very spectacular place to take a break.
The easiest way 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 number of the highlights of Berat, together with the fort, the Pink Mosque, and St Trinity Church.
Berat is considered one of my favourite day excursions from Tirana and visiting is an incredible technique to spend a day attending to know the center of Albania.
Getting There: There are common buses from Tirana bus station to Berat leaving roughly each half-hour, so it’s top-of-the-line 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 lively day journeys round Tirana, it is best to you should definitely add a go to to close by Mount Gamti and Lake Bovilla to your checklist of issues to see.
Positioned round 20 kilometers north of Tirana, Lake Bovilla is beautiful. It’s blue and turquoise in coloration and is surrounded by peaks and mountains on all sides, making it appear like one thing out of a film. It’s unsurprising that the encircling Gamti Mountains are vastly common with hikers and climbers.
If you happen to 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 simple 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 beneath. 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 among the most enjoyable day journeys from Tirana.
Getting There: The place to begin for hikes into the mountains is mostly the dam at Lake Bovilla which is round 20 kilometers north of Tirana. The easiest way 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 historic at over 3,000 years outdated. Its location on the coast, to the west of Tirana, presents a magical mix of historic historical past with seashores and the ocean.
Probably the most spectacular historic points of interest in Durrës is its Roman Amphitheater which is nestled amongst high-rise buildings and different trendy contrasts.
One other of Albania’s most historic cities is Kruja, which is known 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 well-liked bazaar promoting all types of handicrafts.
If you wish to be taught extra about each the traditional and trendy historical past of Albania, this is among the greatest 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 value you round 130 lek/€1.
The bus to Kruja will take round 55 minutes and can value round 100 lek/€0.80. There are 15 departures a day making these simple day journeys from Tirana. Or, mix each with this epic non-public day tour.
4. Blue Eye
Probably the most unbelievable sights in Albania, the Blue Eye (positioned within the south of the nation) is among the greatest 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 shocking blue lake in the midst of a nationwide park. The spring brings chilly, recent water from deep underground and feeds a fantastic lake and stream. It’s set within the coronary heart of the forest and creates a magical and delightful pure surprise.
There’s a viewing platform that folks typically soar from into the Blue Eye and when you’ve completed exploring, there’s an incredible 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 known as the highlights of the Albanian Riviera and are dwelling to a number of the greatest seashores in Albania.
Getting There: There aren’t any direct buses from Tirana to the Blue Eye nationwide park. If you happen to want to journey by public transport, it is advisable take a bus to Sarandë after which from Sarandë to the Blue Eye. The bus to Sarandë leaves from the essential bus station and takes round 5 hours. A personal taxi is an choice, however I like to recommend combining the taxi with this glorious 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 named the Metropolis of Stone and affords an virtually fairy story look with cobbled streets, stone metropolis partitions, and a fantastic fort and fortress trying over the city.
It’s additionally positioned in the midst of the mountains and so has beautiful 360-degree views throughout the farmland and peaks past.
Exploring the cobbled streets packed filled with cafes, native eating places, and boutique shops is among the greatest issues to do right here however the fort is among the essential points of interest in Gjirokastër. From inside, you get to discover the depths of the fort, 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 beneficial. You get to tour the city, go to its fort and bazaar, go to the household dwelling of Enver Hoxha and take a standard 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 might return to time and again.
Getting There: There’s a bus from Tirana Bus Station to Gjirokastër, which takes round 4 hours relying on site visitors. Alternatively, you’ll be able to rent a automotive in Tirana for round €20. The best technique to go to is certainly to take this highly-recommended one-day non-public tour from Tirana to Gjirokastër.
6. Go to Montenegro
Tirana isn’t solely an incredible base for exploring Albania, but it surely’s fairly near Montenegro too.
If you happen to 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 among the prettiest locations in Montenegro, filled with historical past and Montenegrin tradition. It’s based mostly on the gorgeous 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 Outdated Metropolis as you’ll see the principle points of interest while having the possibility to be taught so much 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 a little bit totally different – it’s extra of a vacationer resort, but additionally has a big walled metropolis to discover and a few lovely seashores and enjoyable seashore bars. I like to recommend Mogren 2 seashore.
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’ll be able to view the timetables and costs right here.
7. Ksamil Seashore
You should take a day journey from Tirana to see Ksamil in case you’re touring within the hotter months (Might-September). The seashores in Ksamil are a number of the greatest within the nation – I typically felt like I used to be in Asia somewhat than Europe.
The sand is white, the water is essentially the most lovely turquoise coloration, and it’s heat and crystal clear. It’s positively top-of-the-line locations within the nation to expertise the ‘Albanian Riviera’ at its greatest.
There are additionally another implausible points of interest near Ksamil that are positively price a go to in case 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 Fortress in Sarande – all wonderful locations within the south of Albania.
Getting There: To go to the Ksamil Seashores, you’ll have to get a bus to Sarande (there aren’t any direct buses to Ksamil). It takes round 4.5 hours and from Sarande you’ll have to get a taxi to Ksamil. The best technique to go to Ksamil seashore on a day journey from Tirana is to take a non-public tour.
8. Komani Lake
That is indubitably top-of-the-line day journeys from Tirana for outside lovers. Komani Lake is barely accessible by boat, so that you attain it by crusing the Shala River, which traverses by means of 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 beautiful. If you happen to’re feeling courageous, take a dip in paradise, however be warned, the water could be very recent!
There are additionally mountain climbing alternatives within the mountains. If you happen to’re feeling lively, hike to the perspective for essentially the most spectacular views. It takes round 45 minutes and is medium issue, however the sights you’ll be rewarded with are so price it.
Getting There: Today journey from Tirana is barely actually doable in case you be part of a tour. It’s round a 4-hour drive and is barely 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 in truth tremendous near the border with North Macedonia. Positioned right here lies essentially the most lovely lake that the border truly runs straight by means of, 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 yr, that you will discover 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 numerous totally 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 advocate.
Getting There: There are direct buses that run from Tirana Worldwide Bus Station to Ohrid and price €15 every approach. If you happen to’re touring within the low season, you’ll have to get the bus to Struga, then onto Ohrid from there. You’ll be able to e-book on-line right here. The easiest way to discover Ohrid from Tirana is by a guided tour to benefit from the day.
10. Shkoder
The Albanian folks consider Shkoder because the ‘conventional’ capital of Albania for its arts, tradition, and spiritual variety.
Nonetheless, the principle cause folks go to Shkoder is that it’s the entry level to the Albanian Alps. If you happen to love mountain climbing and being out and about in nature, it’s a necessary day journey from Tirana.
One in every of my favourite issues to do in Shkoder is to hire a motorbike and go pedaling across the lake, cease for a swim, and luxuriate in trying 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 principle 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 essentially the most well-known church in Ohrid, St John at Kaneo, with its beautiful views over the water, take a dip within the glassy lake, and eat conventional Macedonian meals. This glorious 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 some of the lovely cities in Albania. From the surface, it appears magical with its 1000s of home windows looking 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 Fortress 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 greatest seashores in Albania when in Ksamil. As well as, you’ll go to the Blue Eye, which is an outstanding, pure surprise 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 glorious non-public day tour from Tirana. The tour will decide you up out of your lodging earlier than taking you on a guided journey by means of each cities.
You’ll go to the Preza Fortress, 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.
Gjirokaster and Berat are extremely popular day journeys from Tirana. Each are lovely, historic cities with fairly streets, historic castles, and virtually countless cobbled streets to discover.
You’ll be capable to do and see a variety of Tirana’s points of interest and study its tradition over a weekend, however I like to recommend round 3–4 days for a visit to Tirana. If you wish to embody just a few day journeys from Tirana, every week is an effective period of time to discover.
When you have a automotive, top-of-the-line day journeys is to Shkoder. The bus station isn’t near the principle points of interest, so entry to a automotive is an actual bonus.
There are only a few trains in operation in Tirana. If you wish to go on a day journey from Tirana, you’ll have to go by bus, taxi, or non-public switch. The buses are common and dependable.
There’s some beautiful nature near Tirana. Lake Bovilla could be very near Tirana and is a good place to go to to hike and see the gorgeous landscapes of Albania with out touring too far.
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 essential points of interest in Albania.
Tirana is the right base for exploring and experiencing the tradition and fantastic 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 totally different locations in Albania.
I hope this weblog put up helps you intend some thrilling day journeys from Tirana!