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 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 few of the most beautiful surroundings by venturing out on day excursions from Tirana. So, learn on for my high 10 day journeys from Tirana.
Greatest 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 below are a few of the greatest day journeys from Tirana.
1. Berat
A go to to the unbelievable metropolis of 1,000 home windows is one among my favourite day journeys from Tirana. The town is constructed on a hillside, and its stone homes appear like they’re stacked on high of one another. The home windows within the homes are all the identical uniform sq. form, giving the 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 an enchanting perception into life by means of the ages in Albania.
The citadel in Berat is a must-visit. It’s actually spectacular and affords unbelievable views over the town. Equally, take a stroll down the gorgeous Bulevardi Republika which is full of cafes good for somewhat people-watching.
The 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.
The easiest way to go to Berat from Tirana is with a tour, and this full-day guided tour actually helps profit 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 citadel, the Crimson Mosque, and St Trinity Church.
Berat is one among my favourite day excursions from Tirana and visiting is an incredible approach 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 among the best day journeys from Tirana by bus. The journey will take round 2 hours and 45 minutes every method.
2. Mount Gamti and Lake Bovilla
For these searching for lively 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.
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 in style with hikers and climbers.
Should you 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 climbing tour of Lake Bovilla and Mount Gamti features a personal 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 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 without doubt one of the most enjoyable day journeys from Tirana.
Getting There: The place to begin for hikes into the mountains is usually the dam at Lake Bovilla which is round 20 kilometers north of Tirana. The easiest way to get right here is by rent automobile, personal taxi or by taking a day tour. A tour will embody a information that will help you navigate the mountains for the very 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.
One of the crucial spectacular historic sights in Durrës is its Roman Amphitheater which is nestled amongst high-rise buildings and different fashionable contrasts.
One other of Albania’s most historic 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 house to a well-liked bazaar promoting all types of handicrafts.
If you wish to study extra about each the traditional and fashionable historical past of Albania, this is without doubt one of the greatest Tirana day journeys wherein you’ll get to see an enormous quantity in at some point.
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 personal day tour.
4. Blue Eye
One of the crucial unbelievable sights in Albania, the Blue Eye (positioned within the south of the nation) is without doubt one of the greatest day journeys from Tirana by automobile.
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 strain 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, contemporary water from deep underground and feeds a wonderful lake and stream. It’s set within the coronary heart of the forest and creates a magical and delightful pure marvel.
There’s a viewing platform that folks typically bounce from into the Blue Eye and when you’ve completed exploring, there’s an amazing little restaurant subsequent door serving meals and drinks that will help 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 house to a few of the greatest seashores in Albania.
Getting There: There aren’t any direct buses from Tirana to the Blue Eye nationwide park. Should you want to journey by public transport, you have to take a bus to Sarandë after which from Sarandë to the Blue Eye. The bus to Sarandë leaves from the most important bus station and takes round 5 hours. A non-public 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 called the Metropolis of Stone and affords an virtually fairy story look with cobbled streets, stone metropolis partitions, and a wonderful citadel and fortress wanting 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 stuffed with cafes, native eating places, and boutique shops is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do right here however the citadel is without doubt one of the most important sights in Gjirokastër. From inside, you get to discover the depths of the citadel, 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 really useful. You get to tour the city, go to its citadel and bazaar, go to the household house 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 value a go to. It’s positively one among my favourite Tirana day journeys, and someplace I’d return to repeatedly.
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 automobile in Tirana for round €20. The simplest approach to go to is unquestionably to take this highly-recommended one-day personal tour from Tirana to Gjirokastër.
6. Go to Montenegro
Tirana is just not solely an amazing base for exploring Albania, however it’s fairly near Montenegro too.
Should you 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 without doubt one of the prettiest locations in Montenegro, stuffed 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 primary sights while having the prospect to study lots alongside the best way. Factors of curiosity within the metropolis embody the Bay of Kotor, the Kotor Fortress, and the scenic view over the ‘Mediterranean Fjords’.
Budva is somewhat 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 seaside bars. I like to recommend Mogren 2 seaside.
Getting There: To profit 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 personal bus. You will get a bus from Tirana to each Kotor and Budva. Nevertheless, 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 for those who’re touring within the hotter months (Might-September). The seashores in Ksamil are a few of the greatest within the nation – I typically felt like I used to be in Asia fairly than Europe.
The sand is white, the water is probably the most lovely turquoise coloration, and it’s heat and crystal clear. It’s positively among the best locations within the nation to expertise the ‘Albanian Riviera’ at its greatest.
There are additionally another improbable sights near Ksamil that are positively value a go to for those who’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 personal day journey from Tirana. You’ll chill out on the very 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 simplest approach to go to Ksamil seaside on a day journey from Tirana is to take a personal tour.
8. Komani Lake
That is for sure among the best day journeys from Tirana for out of doors lovers. Komani Lake is simply 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. Should you’re feeling courageous, take a dip in paradise, however be warned, the water may be very contemporary!
There are additionally climbing alternatives within the mountains. Should you’re feeling lively, hike to the perspective for probably the most spectacular views. It takes round 45 minutes and is medium issue, however the sights you’ll be rewarded with are so value it.
Getting There: At the present time journey from Tirana is simply actually doable for those who be a part of a tour. It’s round a 4-hour drive and is simply accessible by boat, so that you want any individual who is aware of the world, and the Shala river properly. I like to recommend reserving a guided tour to profit from this unbelievable day journey from Tirana by boat.
9. Lake Ohrid
Tirana is in reality tremendous near the border with North Macedonia. Positioned right here lies probably the most lovely lake that the border really runs straight by means of, which means that half is Albanian and half is Macedonian.
Ohrid as a city is completely charming. It’s house 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 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 suggest.
Getting There: There are direct buses that run from Tirana Worldwide Bus Station to Ohrid and price €15 every method. Should you’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 profit from the day.
10. Shkoder
The Albanian folks consider Shkoder because the ‘conventional’ capital of Albania for its arts, tradition, and non secular variety.
Nevertheless, the primary cause folks go to Shkoder is that it’s the entry level to the Albanian Alps. Should you love climbing and being out and about in nature, it’s a vital day journey from Tirana.
Certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Shkoder is to lease a motorcycle and go pedaling across the lake, cease for a swim, and revel in wanting on the lovely surroundings.
Getting There: You will 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 sights in Shkoder are fairly a distance from the bus station, for comfort and ease, I like to recommend reserving a guided tour.
Greatest Day Journey Excursions from Tirana
There are some unbelievable day journeys from Tirana. Listed below 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 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 profit 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 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 the very best of the town with a educated information. The view over the 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 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 glorious personal day tour from Tirana. The tour will choose 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 below are some solutions to generally requested questions on day journeys from Tirana.
Gjirokaster and Berat are very talked-about day journeys from Tirana. Each are lovely, historic cities with fairly streets, historic castles, and virtually infinite cobbled streets to discover.
You’ll be capable of do and see loads of Tirana’s sights and find out about its tradition over a weekend, however I like to recommend round 3–4 days for a visit to Tirana. If you wish to embody a couple of day journeys from Tirana, every week is an effective period of time to discover.
When you’ve got a automobile, among the best day journeys is to Shkoder. The bus station isn’t near the primary sights, so entry to a automobile 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 personal switch. The buses are common and dependable.
There’s some beautiful nature near Tirana. Lake Bovilla may be very near Tirana and is a superb place to go to to hike and see the gorgeous landscapes of Albania with out touring too far.
In Conclusion
Tirana is a improbable place in its personal proper to discover. It’s one among my favourite cities in Europe and one of many causes for that is that it’s so well-connected and near most of the different most important sights in Albania.
Tirana is the proper base for exploring and experiencing the tradition and fantastic thing about Albania. The buses run commonly and are dependable, and there are many good excursions which is able to transport you comfortably, and train you all about totally different locations in Albania.
I hope this weblog submit helps you propose some thrilling day journeys from Tirana!
