ALBANIA
ALBANIA
Albania Group Tour For Solos 30s & 40s !
Albania is a “you-really-need-to-go-before-everyone-finds-out” type of country. On this 8-day Albania group tour, we explore Tirana’s creative corners, taste homemade food in hillside villages, raft down the rapids of the Osumi Canyon, visit picturesque Berat, step inside Gjirokastra’s stone time-capsule world, and chase that Ionian-coast sparkle on a private boat trip around Saranda. It’s history, nature, sunshine, and that cozy “everyone at the table’s becoming friends” energy wrapped into one quietly epic little country.
Tirana + Berat + Osumi Canyon + Gjirokastra + Saranda + Albanian Riviera + Durres!
Highlights
- Explore TIRANA through street food, murals, and hidden local spots
-
Go WINE-TASTING and wander centuries-old streets in BERAT
- RAFT/TUBE the dramatic OSUMI CANYON surrounded by cliffs and greenery
- COOK traditional recipes and enjoy stone coffee in GJIROKASTRA
- EXPLORE the IONIAN COAST by SPEEDBOAT and swim at Kakome and Krorez beaches in SARANDA
- Drive the ALBANIAN RIVIERA coastal path with cliffside villages and sunset views in DURRES
Included
- 8-days / 7-nights: 2 Tirana, 2 Berat, 2 Saranda, 1 Durres
- Accommodation in hand-picked 4-star hotels (based on sharing twin room)
- Meals – all breakfasts, 6 lunches & 3 dinners
- Airport pickups & drop-offs
- All transportation & activities within itinerary (excluding optional activities)
- A trip host plus various local experts
- Note – international flights not included (we will recommend best options)
Highlights
- Explore TIRANA through street food, murals, and hidden local spots
-
Go WINE-TASTING and wander centuries-old streets in BERAT
- RAFT/TUBE the dramatic OSUMI CANYON surrounded by cliffs and greenery
- COOK traditional recipes and enjoy stone coffee in GJIROKASTRA
- EXPLORE the IONIAN COAST by SPEEDBOAT and swim at Kakome and Krorez beaches in SARANDA
- Drive the ALBANIAN RIVIERA coastal path with cliffside villages and sunset views in DURRES
Included
- 8-days / 7-nights: 2 Tirana, 2 Berat, 2 Saranda, 1 Durres
- Accommodation in hand-picked 4-star hotels (based on sharing twin room)
- Meals – All breakfasts, 6 lunches & 2 dinners
- Airport pickups and drop-offs
- All transportation & activities within itinerary (excluding optional activities)
- A trip host plus various local experts
- Note – international flights not included (we will recommend best options)
Our Route Through Albania
Itinerary
Day 1
HELLO ALBANIA!
Welcome to Albania, where the coffee is strong, the conversations are loud, and everyone has an opinion on “raki”. After landing, you’ll be whisked to your hotel to settle in and shake off the travel dust. Tirana will greet you with pastel colored buildings, murals that look like they’ve been created by a rebellious artist, and mountains casually photobombing the skyline. In the evening, we gather for our first group dinner at a local restaurant. Expect warm hospitality, fresh local dishes and drinks — the perfect intro to Albanian flavors and the people who make them.
Day 2
TIRANA + STREET FOOD + MUSEUM BUNKERS
We kick off the day exploring Tirana’s boisterous streets. Along the way, we sample local street food (crispy “byrek”, anyone?), quirky cafés, charming streets of Blloku, and street art. You’ll also see Skanderberg Square, Tanners Bridge, the Clock Tower of Tirana, and Mosque of Namazgah. Then comes a unique olive oil tasting, followed by a powerful visit to Bunk’Art 1, the massive underground bunker that blends history, emotion, and eerie Cold War relics. In the afternoon, we feel the thrill at Tirana Zipline before a free evening to dive into Tirana’s bars, rooftops, and fun nightlife.
Day 3
BERAT + WINE TASTING
We leave Tirana behind and head to Berat, a city that looks straight out of a storybook, with whitewashed Ottoman houses climbing up the hillside like layered tiles of history. On arrival, we go straight to Berat’s iconic castle, wandering its stone paths and pausing to admire centuries-old icons at the Onufri Iconographic Museum. Lunch is enjoyed inside the castle walls, where history and local flavors share the same table. Afterward, we take a short orientation walk through Berat’s old town. The late afternoon is yours to soak in Berat’s calm atmosphere at your own pace before we regroup in the evening for a wine tasting and dinner in Roshnik.
Day 4
OSUMI CANYON
This morning we trade stone streets for river currents as we go to the Osumi Canyon region for a rafting or tubing experience (depending on the water levels) surrounded by untouched wilderness. Glide through emerald waters, look up at towering cliffs draped in greenery, and soak in a side of Albania that feels raw and a little wild. It’s equal parts energizing and serene, and a pretty unbeatable way to spend the day outdoors. After time on the river, we enjoy a relaxed lunch stop. The evening back in Berat is yours to wander, eat, sip wine, or simply unwind.
Day 5
SOUTH TO SARANDA
Today we make our way south toward Saranda, following one of Albania’s most scenic coastal routes. The drive itself feels like part of the adventure: winding roads, dramatic sea views, and stretches of untouched landscape that make you quietly reach for your camera. Along the way, we stop for a relaxed seaside lunch, where fresh flavors and Ionian views set the tone for what’s ahead. By afternoon we arrive in Saranda with plenty of time to settle in and enjoy it properly. Whether that means claiming a sunbed by the pool, heading straight for the beach, or simply unwinding with a drink overlooking the water, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy.
Day 6
SPEEDBOAT DAY
After breakfast, we trade land for sea and head straight for the marina, where our private speedboat awaits. The Ionian coast unfolds in shades of deep blue and turquoise as we cruise past hidden coves, dramatic cliffs, and untouched stretches of shoreline. We anchor at Kakome and Krorez beaches, where the only real decision is whether to swim, snorkel, or simply float under the sun a little longer. Lunch is a relaxed meal at Krorez Bay, with fresh seafood and local flavors, and that unmistakable “why don’t we live like this?” feeling. Then it’s back to port to enjoy Saranda’s lively waterfront, local cafés, and catch the sunset as it slips quietly into the Ionian.
Day 7
GJIROKASTRA + DURRES
Today’s first stop: Gjirokastra, the striking stone city set against the mountains. We explore its dramatic castle, perched high above the old town with sweeping views and centuries of layered history built into its walls. From there, we roll up our sleeves for a hands-on cooking class: a chance to impress someone with your new Albanian culinary skills, and enjoy a traditional lunch. Next is a traditional stone coffee experience. By late afternoon we arrive in Durres, where we pass by its impressive Roman amphitheatre. Our final evening is spent by the sea, where good food, and a celebratory atmosphere set the scene for one last dinner together toasting the week, and the people who made it what it was.
Day 8
A COASTAL FAREWELL!
After one last breakfast by the Adriatic, it’s time to head to the airport. Suitcases are a little heavier, hearts a little fuller, and our camera rolls are officially out of control. From cliffside villages to hidden beaches, canyons, and cities with stories bigger than their size, Albania has been full of surprises, laughs, and moments worth repeating. Whether you’re already plotting your next visit or just savoring the memories, it’s a relaxed ending to a trip that somehow managed to be wild, beautiful, and unexpectedly charming all at once.
Trip Price
We have guests join us from all over the world but predominantly from the UK, US, Canada, Europe, Australia & New Zealand. As standard we sell in both GBP and USD – however if you prefer to switch to your local currency you can do so during the checkout process.
United Kingdom
- Includes all items mentioned in “Included” above.
- Deposit = £200, to reserve your spot.
- Remaining balance due 70 days before departure.
- Private room = + £450
- Payment plans possible – get in touch to arrange.
USA + Rest of World
- Includes all items mentioned in “Included” above.
- Deposit = $250, to reserve your spot.
- Remaining balance due 70 days before departure.
- Private room = + $600
- Payment plans possible – get in touch to arrange
- Convert to local currency (inc CAD, EUR, AUD) during checkout.
Dates & Booking
Select your preferred departure date, currency and pay your deposit now to reserve a spot!
22 – 29 May 2027
11 – 18 September 2027
Hotels
We know that accommodation is important to you and it’s important to us too. We’ve therefore carefully hand-picked a selection of our favourite 4-star hotels for this itinerary. These are the hotels we typically use (please ensure you are comfortable with them before booking).
Xheko Imperial Hotel & Spa, Tirana
White House Hotel, Berat
Demi Hotel, Saranda
Art Gallery Boutique Hotel, Durres
Xheko Imperial Hotel & Spa, Tirana
White House Hotel, Berat
Demi Hotel, Saranda
Art Gallery Boutique Hotel, Durres
Customer Reviews
Featured Blog Posts
Read these blog posts from Anoopa and Simona for more about what to expect on our OWR Albania trip.
My OWR Albania Trip: Some Experiences Only Become Complete When They’re Shared
In this blog, Simona, our Marketing Manager, reflects on her experience joining our very first OWR trip to Albania. I have a confession to make. For someone who lives in the Balkans, I'd done a surprisingly good job of overlooking Albania. Which, geographically speaking, is a little embarrassing....
Anoopa’s Albania Story: More Than Just a Destination — A Journey of Adventure, Friendship and Gelato
Albania had been on Anoopa's travel wish list for years, but the trip turned out to be about far more than just discovering a new destination. In her blog, she shares how OWR Albania became a journey filled with adventure, laughter, lifelong friendships... and a daily commitment to supporting the...
FAQs & Important Notes
Below are some of the common questions we tend to get asked – we’ve answered both in video format (general across all OWR trips) and written format (specific to this particular trip).
SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT THIS TRIP!
1. Travelling in Albania – Setting Expectations
Albania is one of Europe’s most exciting emerging destinations. While it has been growing rapidly in popularity over recent years, mainstream international tourism is still relatively new here. As a result, the tourism infrastructure, roads, hotel standards and service levels are generally not yet at the same level as more established destinations such as Croatia, Greece or Italy, which have welcomed large numbers of international visitors for many decades.
What does this mean in practice? You may experience things such as hotel check-ins taking a little longer than expected, slower service in restaurants, challenging road conditions or the occasional lack of polish that you might not encounter in more developed tourist destinations.
At Other Way Round Travel, we’ve carefully designed this itinerary and work closely with our local partners to minimise these challenges wherever possible. However, it’s important to understand that some of these experiences are simply part of travelling in a country that is still developing its tourism industry.
Rather than becoming frustrated by the occasional inconvenience, we encourage you to embrace it as part of the adventure. Albania’s appeal lies in its authenticity, spectacular landscapes, warm hospitality and the opportunity to experience a corner of Europe that still feels refreshingly undiscovered. We think that’s exactly what makes travelling here so rewarding
2. Some activities have a weight limit
The zipline has a limit of 130kg/286lb.
Tubbing/rafting has a limit of 100kg/220lb.
3. Our Final Stop – Durres
Our final night is spent in Durrës, chosen primarily for its convenient location close to Tirana International Airport. This allows for a relaxed final evening together and an easy transfer to the airport the following morning, rather than spending several additional hours travelling on departure day.
Durrës is a pleasant seaside city with a long waterfront promenade, beaches and plenty of cafés and restaurants. However, it is not intended to be the highlight of the itinerary in the same way as destinations such as Berat, Gjirokastër or Sarandë. We arrive in the late afternoon, enjoy our farewell dinner by the sea, and the tour concludes after breakfast the following morning.
If you’re planning to extend your time in Albania after the tour, we generally recommend spending those extra nights in another part of the country rather than in Durrës. If you’d like some suggestions, we’d be happy to help.
FAQ video timestamps
The above video takes just under 40 minutes. If you prefer to navigate to a specific topics then you can see the timestamps below.
00:00 Intro
00:33 How It Works
03:00 Demographics
07:25 What’s the Price?
08:04 What’s Included?
10:42 Which Hotels?
12:10 Are Airport Transfers Included?
13:31 Room Sharing / Private Rooms
16:02 Booking & Cancellation Terms
20:30 “I Found the Same Tour for Cheaper”
23:37 I’m an Introvert!
24:54 Is Every Activity Mandatory?
26:02 What Happens After Booking?
27:58 Can I Bring a Friend?
30:50 Are You a Good Fit for OWR?
32:42 Where Is OWR Based?
33:31 Why Should I Choose OWR?
37:35 More Questions?
Am I a good fit for an OWR trip?
We know it’s important to you to choose the right tour company for you.
And equally, for us, it’s super important that we get the right people joining our trips (people who are likely to get the most out of it).
We’d therefore appreciate if you could please read the following page carefully before signing up: OWR Trip Style
How does it all work?
For an overview of how it all works, you can go to this page here: How It Works
Are international flights included?
No.
International flights are not included in the price of our tours. This is something you would book yourself separately.
Which airports should I fly into?
Our trip starts in Tirana and ends in Durres both of which are nearby Tirana International Airport (TIA). You should organise your flights accordingly.
Ideally you should arrive at the hotel by 6pm on the first day. This is when we have our welcome meeting and afterwards go for dinner (although if you arrive later it’s fine to catch up).
You can leave at any time on the last day. There are no activities scheduled for that day.
If you need help researching flights, contact us at [email protected] or fill out the contact form on this page.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes, they are included at both the start and end of every trip.
Notes
- We only do transfers between airports and our selected hotels. No other locations.
- For those tagging on extra days, we will endeavour to include transfers up to 2 days outside of official tour dates.
Can I book a private room?
Yes.
Our standard prices are based on sharing a twin hotel room with one other person of the same gender.
However, if you prefer a private then you can select this option for £300 / $400 extra.
Just let us know at the time of booking.
(Note – we have limited availability of private rooms, these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis).
Can I book pre and/or post accommodation?
Yes, we can book you in for extra days at either our arrival hotel or departure hotel.
This is up to a maximum of 2 days on either side. If for longer, we suggest you book directly with the hotel.
As you book your trip spot through our website, during the checkout process you will be given the option to “add-on” the pre or post accommodation. You can also do this at a later point through our guest portal (you will have access to this after booking).
I’m traveling solo, will I be the only one?
No.
Our trips are specifically designed for solo travelers so you will fit in perfectly.
Some people may bring a friend but the majority will always be traveling solo.
How do I book?
On this page you will see a “Book Now” button next to each trip departure date. Simply click this to start the checkout process and reserve your spot.
You will need to pay a £200 / $250 deposit upfront and then the remaining balance must be paid by 70 days before the trip.
If your booking is within 70 days, then you must pay the full balance at that point.
What happens after I book? (next steps)
This is what you should expect in the lead up to your trip.
- Book trip (secure your spot with a deposit)
- Book international flights (these can be booked at any point after we’ve confirmed your spot – don’t leave too late as price will go up closer to trip)
- Purchase travel insurance (this will cover for issues leading up to trip as well as during)
> 70 Days Before Trip (cancellation penalties kick-in beyond this point)
- Full balance must be paid
- OWR sends survey: requests flight information, dietary requirements, health conditions, emergency contacts etc…(must be returned within 7 days)
> 10 Days Before Trip
- OWR sends day-by-day schedule, optional activity recommendations & some final info to prepare you for trip
> 3 Days Before Trip
- WhatsApp group created with all trip attendees + Tour Leader
> Trip Start Date
- Welcome meeting is typically scheduled for 6pm on first day. This is where you will meet your Tour Leader and other guests (note – we may change this time depending on overall group arrival times. If it changes we will notify you).
Is the deposit refundable?
No, the deposit is non-refundable.
However, if you can no longer make the trip you can transfer that deposit onto any other future trip.
Do you have payment plans?
Yes.
We can either split your balance into even monthly payments, or we can set it up so you can pay any smaller amounts as and when you like.
You can go ahead and book your spot through our website as normal and then afterwards email us at [email protected] to request we set up your payment plan.
Visas, vaccinations & packing lists?
Two months before your trip you will receive a comprehensive pre-trip pack which tells you everything you need to get prepared for the trip (including info on visas, vaccinations & packing lists).
In general, most of our guests don’t need visas to come to Albania.
Do you cater for special dietary requirements?
Yes.
We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and other dietary requirements. We will always make sure there are options available to you in the restaurants we visit.
Please be aware though that there will not likely be the same range of options as you have available in your home country.
Will I get to meet other members of the group before the trip?
Yes.
3 days before the trip we will create a WhatsApp group with all the people joining the trip. This is a great opportunity to connect ahead of the trip.
Are the hotels listed on the website the actual hotels you use?
Generally yes, it will be these hotels.
From time to time we may need to change a specific hotel if for example it’s not available on those given dates. But in such situations, we will always replace with another hotel at the same quality and notify you in advance.
What’s the cancellation policy?
The £200/$250 deposit is non-refundable. However, if you need to cancel at any point, you can put this towards any future trip you book with us (in any location).
The rest of the balance is refundable up until 70 days before the trip. From that point we have to start committing funds to local suppliers and so:-
> 30-70 days before trip – 50% refund
> 0–30 days before trip – 0% refund
But, we also recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover you for any unexpected last-minute cancellation.