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 among the finest meals and historical past to be present in Albania, however you possibly can 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 primarily based in Tirana for 1 month. Throughout that point, I visited the coast and noticed among the most gorgeous 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 right place to base your self and discover the remainder of this lovely nation.
Listed here are among the finest day journeys from Tirana.
1. Berat
A go to to the unbelievable metropolis of 1,000 home windows is certainly one of my favourite day journeys from Tirana. The 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 possibly can anticipate finding loads of superbly preserved historic buildings which supply an interesting perception into life via the ages in Albania.
The citadel 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 crammed with 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 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 take advantage of your time on this nice metropolis. You’ll be picked up in Tirana and set off for among the highlights of Berat, together with the citadel, the Pink Mosque, and St Trinity Church.
Berat is certainly one of my favourite day excursions from Tirana and visiting is a tremendous 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 manner.
2. Mount Gamti and Lake Bovilla
For these in search of energetic 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 listing of issues to see.
Situated round 20 kilometers north of Tirana, Lake Bovilla is gorgeous. It’s blue and turquoise in coloration 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 vastly widespread with hikers and climbers.
In case 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 mountaineering 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 possibly can 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 among the most enjoyable day journeys from Tirana.
Getting There:Â The start line 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, non-public taxi or by taking a day tour. A tour will embody a information that can assist you navigate the mountains for the most effective views.
3. Kruja and Durrës
Durrës is Albania’s second metropolis, and it’s most historic at over 3,000 years previous. 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 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 in opposition to the Ottoman Empire, led by the hero of Albania, Skanderbeg, in addition to for being house to a preferred bazaar promoting all types of handicrafts.
If you wish to study extra about each the traditional and trendy historical past of Albania, this is among the finest Tirana day journeys through which you’ll get to see an enormous quantity in sooner or later.
Getting There: Each Durrës and Kruja will 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
One of the unbelievable sights in Albania, the Blue Eye (positioned within the south of the nation) is among the finest 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, 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 marvel.
There’s a viewing platform that individuals usually bounce from into the Blue Eye and when you’ve completed exploring, there’s an important 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 generally known as the highlights of the Albanian Riviera and are house to among the finest seashores in Albania.
Getting There: There are not any direct buses from Tirana to the Blue Eye nationwide park. In case you want to journey by public transport, it’s essential take a bus to Sarandë after which from Sarandë to the Blue Eye. The bus to Sarandë leaves from the predominant bus station and takes round 5 hours. A personal taxi is an possibility, 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 gives an nearly fairy story look with cobbled streets, stone metropolis partitions, and a fantastic citadel and fortress wanting over the city.
It’s additionally positioned in the midst 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 among the finest issues to do right here however the citadel is among the predominant points of interest 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 sensible 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 undoubtedly certainly 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 possibly can rent a automobile in Tirana for round €20. The best option to go to is unquestionably to take this highly-recommended one-day non-public tour from Tirana to Gjirokastër.
6. Go to Montenegro
Tirana is just not solely an important base for exploring Albania, nevertheless it’s fairly near Montenegro too.
In case 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 among the prettiest locations in Montenegro, filled with historical past and Montenegrin tradition. It’s primarily based 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 Outdated Metropolis as you’ll see the principle points of interest while having the prospect to study loads 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 in addition 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 take advantage of the day, I like to recommend taking this sensible 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 may 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 (Could-September). The seashores in Ksamil are among the finest within the nation – I usually 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 undoubtedly 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 undoubtedly 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 non-public day journey from Tirana. You’ll chill out on the most effective Ksamil seashores and go to lovely Gjirokaster, the Blue Eye, and Lekuresi Fort 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 option to go to Ksamil seashore on a day journey from Tirana is to take a non-public tour.
8. Komani Lake
That is no doubt among the best 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 via 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. In case you’re feeling courageous, take a dip in paradise, however be warned, the water could be very recent!
There are additionally mountaineering alternatives within the mountains. In case you’re feeling energetic, 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 barely actually doable for those who be part of a tour. It’s round a 4-hour drive and is barely accessible by boat, so that you want someone who is aware of the realm, and the Shala river properly. I like to recommend reserving a guided tour to take advantage of this unbelievable day journey from Tirana by boat.
9. Lake Ohrid
Tirana is in truth tremendous near the border with North Macedonia. Situated right here lies probably the most lovely lake that the border truly runs straight via, that means that half is Albanian and half is Macedonian.
Ohrid as a city is totally 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 plenty of 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 undoubtedly advocate.
Getting There: There are direct buses that run from Tirana Worldwide Bus Station to Ohrid and value €15 every manner. In case you’re touring within the low season, you’ll have to get the bus to Struga, then onto Ohrid from there. You may e book on-line right here. The easiest way to discover Ohrid from Tirana is by a guided tour to take advantage of the day.
10. Shkoder
The Albanian individuals consider Shkoder because the ‘conventional’ capital of Albania for its arts, tradition, and non secular variety.
Nonetheless, the principle cause individuals go to Shkoder is that it’s the entry level to the Albanian Alps. In case you love mountaineering and being out and about in nature, it’s a vital day journey from Tirana.
One in all my favourite issues to do in Shkoder is to lease a motorbike and go pedaling across the lake, cease for a swim, and luxuriate 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 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.
Greatest 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 glorious tour consists of transportation and begins at 8 am to take advantage of this enjoyable day journey from Tirana to North Macedonia.
Day Journey from Tirana to Berat: This enjoyable day tour to Berat takes you to one of the lovely cities in Albania. From the skin, it appears magical with its 1000s of home windows searching throughout the river. Inside, you’re transported again in time the place you possibly can uncover a lot of Albania’s traditions.
Shkoder Day Journey from Tirana: Uncover Shkoder on this sensible 7-hour tour from Tirana. The tour consists of pick-up and drop-off out of your lodge in Tirana, and also you’ll see the most effective 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 glorious non-public day tour from Tirana. The tour will choose you up out of your lodging earlier than taking you on a guided journey via 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.
Gjirokaster and Berat are extremely popular day journeys from Tirana. Each are lovely, historic cities with fairly streets, historic castles, and nearly countless cobbled streets to discover.
You’ll have the ability to do and see lots of Tirana’s points of interest 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, per week is an efficient period of time to discover.
When you have a automobile, among the best day journeys is to Shkoder. The bus station isn’t near the principle points of interest, 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 non-public switch. The buses are common and dependable.
There’s some gorgeous nature near Tirana. Lake Bovilla could be very near Tirana and is a superb place to go to to hike and see the attractive landscapes of Albania with out touring too far.
In Conclusion
Tirana is a implausible place in its personal proper to discover. It’s certainly 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 predominant 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 sensible excursions which can transport you comfortably, and train you all about totally different locations in Albania.
I hope this weblog publish helps you intend some thrilling day journeys from Tirana!
