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 number of the greatest meals and historical past to be present in Albania, however you may benefit from the stunning 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 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 unimaginable 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 stunning nation.
Listed below are a number of the greatest day journeys from Tirana.
1. Berat
A go to to the unimaginable metropolis of 1,000 home windows is one in all my favourite day journeys from Tirana. 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 the town its well-known nickname.
Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and so you may look forward to finding loads of fantastically preserved historic buildings which provide an interesting perception into life by the ages in Albania.
The fort in Berat is a must-visit. It’s actually spectacular and provides unimaginable views over the town. Equally, take a stroll down the gorgeous Bulevardi Republika which is stuffed with cafes excellent for a bit people-watching.
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.
One of the simplest ways 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 a number of the highlights of Berat, together with the fort, the Crimson Mosque, and St Trinity Church.
Berat is one in all my favourite day excursions from Tirana and visiting is a tremendous strategy 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 means.
2. Mount Gamti and Lake Bovilla
For these in search of lively day journeys round Tirana, you must remember to add a go to to close by Mount Gamti and Lake Bovilla to your record of issues to see.
Situated round 20 kilometers north of Tirana, Lake Bovilla is beautiful. It’s blue and turquoise in colour 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 well-liked 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 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 unimaginable viewpoint over the lake.
After the hike, you may 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 unimaginable nature ready to be explored simply exterior its capital metropolis and this is likely one of 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. One of the simplest ways 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 vital spectacular historic sights 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 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 likely one of the greatest Tirana day journeys through which you’ll get to see an enormous quantity in in the future.
Getting There: Each Durrës and Kruja may 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 price you round 130 lek/€1.
The bus to Kruja will take round 55 minutes and can price 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 vital unimaginable sights in Albania, the Blue Eye (positioned within the south of the nation) is likely 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 stress of the rising water to get any deeper than this to this point.
The result’s a shocking blue lake in the course of a nationwide park. The spring brings chilly, recent water from deep underground and feeds a good looking lake and stream. It’s set within the coronary heart of the forest and creates a magical and exquisite pure surprise.
There’s a viewing platform that individuals typically leap 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 well 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 a number 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, it’s essential to take a bus to Sarandë after which from Sarandë to the Blue Eye. The bus to Sarandë leaves from the major 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 stunning UNESCO World Heritage Web site of Gjirokastër. This hilltop city is named the Metropolis of Stone and provides an nearly fairy story look with cobbled streets, stone metropolis partitions, and a good looking fort and fortress trying over the city.
It’s additionally positioned in the course 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 likely one of the greatest issues to do right here however the fort is likely one of the major sights in Gjirokastër. From inside, you get to discover the depths of the fort, and benefit from the unimaginable views over Gjirokastër and past.
For the last word expertise in Gjirokastër, this good full-day journey from Tirana comes extremely advisable. You get to tour the city, go to its fort and bazaar, go to the household house of Enver Hoxha and take a conventional Albanian lunch at one of many stunning 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 in all my favourite Tirana day journeys, and someplace I might return to many times.
Getting There: There’s a bus from Tirana Bus Station to Gjirokastër, which takes round 4 hours relying on visitors. Alternatively, you may rent a automobile in Tirana for round €20. The best strategy to go to is unquestionably to take this highly-recommended one-day non-public tour from Tirana to Gjirokastër.
6. Go to Montenegro
Tirana isn’t solely an important base for exploring Albania, but it surely’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 likely one of the prettiest locations in Montenegro, filled with historical past and Montenegrin tradition. It’s primarily based on the gorgeous bay of Kotor which affords the city unimaginable 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 Previous Metropolis as you’ll see the primary sights 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 a bit completely different – it’s extra of a vacationer resort, but in addition has a big walled metropolis to discover and a few stunning 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 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. 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 number of the greatest within the nation – I typically felt like I used to be in Asia slightly than Europe.
The sand is white, the water is essentially the most stunning turquoise colour, 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 unbelievable 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 Web site, 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 stunning 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 strategy to go to Ksamil seashore on a day journey from Tirana is to take a non-public tour.
8. Komani Lake
That is indisputably 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 by stunning 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 recent!
There are additionally climbing alternatives within the mountains. Should you’re feeling lively, hike to the point of view for essentially the most spectacular views. It takes round 45 minutes and is medium problem, however the sights you’ll be rewarded with are so value it.
Getting There: This present day 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 any individual who is aware of the realm, and the Shala river effectively. I like to recommend reserving a guided tour to take advantage of this unimaginable day journey from Tirana by boat.
9. Lake Ohrid
Tirana is actually tremendous near the border with North Macedonia. Situated right here lies essentially the most stunning lake that the border truly runs straight by, which 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 will discover squeezed in between buildings, hidden in backstreets, and even proper on the water. The Lake is crystal clear and the surroundings is unimaginable.
It’s additionally a spot with a lot of completely 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 value €15 every means. 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 guide on-line right here. One of the simplest ways 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 spiritual range.
Nevertheless, the primary purpose individuals 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 necessary day journey from Tirana.
Considered one of my favourite issues to do in Shkoder is to hire a motorbike and go pedaling across the lake, cease for a swim, and revel in trying on the stunning 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 primary sights 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 unimaginable day journeys from Tirana. Listed below 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 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 probably the most stunning cities in Albania. From the skin, it seems magical with its 1000s of home windows searching throughout the river. Inside, you’re transported again in time the place you may uncover lots of Albania’s traditions.
Shkoder Day Journey from Tirana: Uncover Shkoder on this good 7-hour tour from Tirana. The tour consists of pick-up and drop-off out of your resort in Tirana, and also you’ll see the most effective of the town with a educated information. The view over the town from Rozafa Fortress is unimaginable.
Blue Eye and Ksamil: That is an unimaginable 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 unimaginable 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 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 extremely popular day journeys from Tirana. Each are stunning, historic cities with fairly streets, historic castles, and nearly countless cobbled streets to discover.
You’ll be capable of do and see a number 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 number of day journeys from Tirana, every week is an efficient period of time to discover.
In case you have 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 non-public switch. The buses are common and dependable.
There’s some beautiful nature near Tirana. Lake Bovilla may 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 unbelievable place in its personal proper to discover. It’s one in all 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 major sights in Albania.
Tirana is the right base for exploring and experiencing the tradition and fantastic thing about Albania. The buses run repeatedly and are dependable, and there are many good excursions which can transport you comfortably, and educate you all about completely different locations in Albania.
I hope this weblog publish helps you intend some thrilling day journeys from Tirana!
