ALBANIA
Albania Tour
Tirana, Vlora, Gjirokastër, Ksamil and Berat: Albanian Riviera history and coastline.
History and coast in Albania
This 3-night, 4-day tour flies from Istanbul to Tirana and follows Albania's western coast. City tours in Tirana and Vlora lead to Saranda, known for its turquoise sea, with day trips to UNESCO-listed Gjirokastër, the Blue Eye spring and the beaches of Ksamil. The tour closes with a visit to Berat before the return flight from Tirana to Istanbul. Flights, transfers, bed and breakfast accommodation and Turkish-speaking guiding are included.
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Experience the rich history and natural beauty of Albania on the Ionia Tour, which includes three nights in the charming cities of Berat, Ksamil, Saranda, and Tirana. Departing from Istanbul on Turkish Airlines, this tour invites travelers to explore a diverse range of landscapes and cultural sites.
During your stay, you will visit Berat, known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture, before heading to the coastal towns of Ksamil and Saranda, where you can enjoy the beautiful beaches. The tour concludes with a day in Tirana, the vibrant capital city, providing a comprehensive overview of Albania's cultural heritage.
01
Blue Eye and Ksamil
The turquoise Blue Eye spring and the white sand beaches of Ksamil.
02
UNESCO Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër's stone houses and hilltop castle are part of the programme.
03
Tirana and Vlora tours
Skanderbeg Square in Tirana and Independence Square in Vlora are visited.
Planning your budgetDeparture tax and travel health insurance are not included. City taxes plus guide and driver gratuities cost 50 EUR, paid to the guide on the first day; the Gjirokastër and Ksamil excursions are optional extras at 65 EUR each. See details →
OVER 4 DAYS
The route of the journey
01Istanbul to Tirana, Vlora and SarandaSkanderbeg Square, a Vlora city tour and arrival in Saranda.
Saranda · night 1
Tirana to Saranda
We meet at the Turkish Airlines counter in the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After check-in and passport control we board Turkish Airlines flight TK1073, departing at 08.00 for Tirana. We land at 08.45 local time and set off on a panoramic city tour in our waiting vehicle, taking in Skanderbeg Square, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the National History Museum and the Parliament Building.
We then head for the turquoise Ionian coast. On the way we stop in Vlora, the seaside city where Albania's independence was declared, for a panoramic tour of Independence Square, Flag Square and the seafront. From Vlora we continue to Saranda, the pearl of the Albanian Riviera, known for its turquoise sea. Transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel in Saranda.
02Optional Gjirokaster Tour from SarandaGjirokastër Castle, the historic bazaar and stone houses.
Saranda · night 2
Gjirokastër's stone streets
After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Gjirokaster tour (65 Euro). This full-day trip from Saranda leads to Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage city that still carries the marks of the Ottoman era.
With its stone houses and historic streets, Gjirokaster is one of the most distinctive towns in the Balkans. We see Gjirokaster Castle (panoramic view), the old bazaar and the characteristic stone houses, enjoy the view over the valley from the castle and walk the narrow lanes back through time. After the tour we return to Saranda. Overnight at the hotel.
03Blue Eye and KsamilThe Blue Eye spring, Ksamil's beaches and free time.
Saranda · night 3
Blue Eye and Ksamil
After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Ksamil tour (65 Euro). Our first stop is the Blue Eye, a spring known for its turquoise water and unusual natural form, and one of the most striking sights in the region, where we pause for photos.
We continue to Ksamil, called the pearl of the Albanian Riviera, with white sand beaches, a turquoise sea and small islands just offshore. Free time here lets you walk the shore, enjoy the sea or relax in the cafes and restaurants. After the free time we return to Saranda. Overnight at the hotel.
04Berat and Return to IstanbulA Berat city tour and the flight back to Istanbul.
Berat and the flight home
After check-out and breakfast we leave Saranda at 09:00 and drive through Albania's mountains and countryside to Berat, the UNESCO-listed "City of a Thousand Windows". A panoramic tour shows its Ottoman-era fabric, white stone houses and rows of windows climbing the hillside, with the Osum River, the historic Gorica and Mangalem quarters and Berat Castle (from outside). During free time you can stroll the old streets and browse shops selling local produce.
At the time set by our guide we leave Berat for Tirana Airport. After check-in and passport control we board Turkish Airlines flight TK1078, departing at 19:50 for Istanbul. We arrive at Istanbul Airport at 22:35 local time, and our tour ends.
Flight details
OutboundIstanbul08:00
TK 1073
Tiran
ReturnTiran19:50
TK 1078
Istanbul
Times are local, taken from the programme. Baggage allowance is given in your booking documents.
Where will you stay?
Hotels
Sold as: 4-star
Saranda3 nights
Places visited
Included and extra costs
Included in the price
6
- Istanbul - Tirana // Tirana - Istanbul flight tickets with Turkish Airlines
- Airport taxes
- Airport - hotel - airport transfers and intercity transfers
- 3 nights / 4 days bed and breakfast accommodation in 3* / 4* hotels
- Vlore and Tirana city tours
- Professional Turkish-speaking guiding service
Not included in the price
5
- Departure tax for travel abroad
- Travel health insurance
- Any service not expressly stated as included in the package price
- Museum and archaeological site entrance fees
- Extra tours and personal expenses
Optional tours
2
- Gjirokastër tour · 65 EUR
- Ksamil tour · 65 EUR
PAID TO THE GUIDE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE TOUR.
50 EURCity taxes and guide-driver gratuity
Good to know
Cancellation and change conditions
Cancellation and change conditions are set out in the Online Sales Agreement.
Guiding
All of our guides speak Turkish.
DIFFERENT TOUR OPTIONS
All toursOther tours in the same region.
Separate tours · Different programmes and inclusions.
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