EmJust so you know: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also earn a small commission if you book a tour, hotel, or buy something else through these links. It helps me keep this blog running and full of travel tips. Thanks for your support!
If you’re planning a trip to Albania and find yourself with an extra day (or three) in Tirana—maybe waiting on a budget flight or simply looking to escape the city buzz—you’re in the right place. As someone who spent a full month living in Tirana and exploring the country in depth during June and July 2025, I know firsthand how many incredible day trips are just a short drive away.
From Ottoman-era towns like Berat and Gjirokastër to the Adriatic coastline of Durrës, the historic hillside castle in Krujë, and even cross-border adventures into Kosovo or North Macedonia’s serene Lake Ohrid, there’s no shortage of options for memorable day escapes. But with so many choices, it can be hard to figure out which trips are really worth your time—especially if you’re on a tight schedule.
In this post, I’ll break down the best day trips from Tirana based on personal experience, local insight, and practical travel tips—so you can make the most of your time and catch the hidden gems most tourists miss.
Tirana Hotels – find your perfect spot
Is it worth doing a day trip from Tirana?
Yes, day trips from Tirana are a great way to explore Albania’s UNESCO towns, historical landmarks, and scenic landscapes in a single day.
Tirana is a great city for a weekend away, offering lots to do in a couple of days. But we all know that if we’re searching for those budget flights, it might be cheaper to fly a day earlier or later and spend an extra day in a lovely location, rather than giving budget airlines (coughryanaircough) more of your hard-earned money. That’s where a day trip from Tirana comes in, giving you the opportunity to spend a day in a different part of beautiful Albania – or even in one of Europe’s less visited countries, like Kosovo or North Macedonia.
Tirana only became the capital of Albania in the 1920s, and one of the reasons it was selected was its central location. This means that there are lots of options for a day trip from Tirana, and you can cater to your specific interests, as well as choosing the level of intensity that you want.
For example, while I loved my visit to Kosovo, it was an intense 12 hour trip, and if you’re only visiting Tirana for a quick weekend getaway you might prefer something that has a later start and arrives back in Tirana in time for an early evening drink.
I spent a month living in Tirana in June and July 2025, and then travelled around the country for two weeks after. As a result, I did a few day trips while I stayed in Tirana, and visited some of the other popular day trip locations (such as Berat and Gjirokaster) while moving around the country. I also spent five days in beautiful Ohrid in North Macedonia, which is another great option for a day trip from Tirana.
In this guide, I’ll give you my honest review of the possible day trips from Tirana, including the providers I used (where relevant) and whether I think this is a good use of your time if you’re in Albania on a short getaway.
Want to plan your Albania Trip without feeling overwhelmed?
- Want a detailed, self-guided resource for inland Albania → Albania, Unlocked
- Want a free, culture-first introduction to thoughtful travel → Download the free guide
- Want a fully personalised itinerary planned for you → **Book my custom itinerary service**
Your options at a glance
| Trip | Duration | Cost | Best for? | Em recommended? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kosovo – Pristina and Prizren | 7am-7pm | £50 | Seeing Europe’s newest country and visiting a beautiful historic town | Yes |
| Berat | 9am start, 9.5 hours | £20 | Visiting the stunning Berat Castle and UNESCO listed Gorica area | Yes |
| Gjirokaster | 8am – 8pm | £50 | Visiting UNESCO listed Gjirokaster, the fascinating castle and shopping at the Old Bazaar | Yes, but even better to spend the night |
| Ohrid | 7.30am – 6.30pm | £51 | Visiting UNESCO listed Ohrid and driving around the lake to the beautiful St Naum Monastery | Yes, but even better to spend the night |
| Kruj Castle | 9am-5pm | £20 | Shorter, less intense trip. Finding out about Albania’s national hero Skanderbeg | If you want a more relaxed trip |
| Durres | Not a formal option – I recommend a half day | 200 LEK for bus | Visiting Roman ruins | No, there are more interesting day trips |
Made your decision? Make sure you get a coffee before your day trip at one of my favourite cafes in Tirana.
👉 Berat, Gjirokaster, Prizren and Ohrid are all my list of top cultural highlights — discover why in my full guide to the Top 10 Cultural Experiences in Albania, North Macedonia & Kosovo.
Top 3 Recommended Day Trips from Tirana
Visit one of Albania’s most amazing UNESCO Heritage Castles in Berat
Cost: around £20/25 euros
Duration: 9.5 hours – 9am start
Mode of transport: will depend on tour and group size
Group size: up to 30 people
Accessibility: some efforts have been made to ensure that Berat Castle is accessible, with ramps in some areas. If you have limited mobility, you’re likely to find the steep and uneven paths tricky.
Berat is probably the most popular day trip from Tirana, and for good reason. It’s a UNESCO-listed town, mostly built during the Ottoman period from the 13th century onwards.
Berat has a central medieval core, with a beautiful small mosque and religious complex near the river. Then it’s an extremely steep climb (or guided bus drive!) up to the main attraction: Berat Castle, stretching along the hill and offering fantastic views.
Heading back down, you find Gorica, filled with Ottoman-era houses and the beautiful St Spridon Orthodox Church. Gorica is more relaxed than Berat, and a great stop for lunch directly on the river.
I spent two nights in Berat while travelling around Albania in July 2025, but it could easily be visited in a day – I was going to do this before I extended my stay in Albania. This is the day trip I initially booked, which included a morning coffee stop at beautiful Lake Belshi, as well as everything listed above, and is really highly rated (with over 1.7k reviews!). This is a great way to see everything in Berat really efficiently, cutting out a lot of the steep walking I did on my visit.
Recommended: I definitely recommend a Tirana to Berat day trip. Berat is a UNESCO town for a reason, and it’s incredibly beautiful. While I stayed for two nights, I actually struggled to fill my time – I think it’s the perfect amount town for a day trip. In addition, doing a guided day trip to Berat is an excellent option if you have accessibility or mobility needs, as you won’t have to do the incredibly steep climb to the castle (although there’ll still be uneven and potentially steep walking inside the castle).
Visit Kosovo, Europe’s newest country and home to Prizren, site of UNESCO listed monuments
Cost: around £50
Duration: 7am-7pm
Mode of transport: Deluxe car
Group size: my group had 5 people, but could have taken up to 7
Accessibility: I walked about 12k steps, so a reasonable amount of walking, but all city walking on good pavements. However, my group chose not to visit the fortress in Prizren – this is an extremely steep 15 minute walk that might not be suitable for everyone.
Practicalities: You’ll need your passport. Check your visa status for Kosovo using your government website – UK, EU and US visitors don’t need a visa.
On this Tirana to Kosovo day trip, you’ll visit two cities in Europe’s newest country:
- You’ll visit the capital Pristina, where many of the sights relate to the war, including the Madeline Albright statue, the Bill Clinton statue and Bill Klinton (with a K) Boulevard.
- Our second stop was picture-perfect Prizren, a historic town with many monuments are on UNESCO Heritage lists. This town is absolutely gorgeous and looks like a town from a fairy tale.
- We also stopped for coffee on the way to Pristina. This was just at a service station, but given the early start and long drive, it’s important to know that you’ll get a chance to grab a coffee and a croissant (and a toilet break) early on.
For me, the highlight of this Tirana to Kosovo day trip was undoubtedly Prizren. This town would probably have full UNESCO status if there weren’t controversy around Kosovo’s status as an independent country, which impacts their UNESCO status and recognition. I’d have loved more time in Prizhen, and I struggle with whether the visit to Prishtina was worth the time – but ultimately, the quietness of the city drove home the impact of the war.
Recommended: Absolutely – check out my full guide here. While you could visit independently, the organised tour offered enormous convenience on what is ultimately a long journey for one day. However, if you have a short amount of time in Tirana, it was an intense day and I very tired the next day – bear this in mind when planning your trip. This highly rated trip is the one I used:
Kruje Castle – famous for being the last stand of Albanian national hero Skanderbeg
Cost: around £20/25 euros
Duration: 9am-5pm
Mode of transport: mid-size bus
Group size: my group had 30 people
Accessibility: Limited walking, but the pavement in Kruje is so slippery that it could be dangerous if you have limited mobility. There are steep stairs at the Sari Salltik shrine.
On this day trip from Tirana, you’ll visit three historic sights that are relatively near Tirana:
- Sari Salltik Shrine – Our first stop was at the Sari Salltik Shrine. The panoramic views were stunning – apparently on a good day you can see as far as beautiful Montenegro! We then descended steeps steps to the shrine, which is dedicated to Sari Salltik, and cut into a cave, and is incredibly atmospheric, despite the crowds of people trying to get in and out.
- Kruje Castle – You can’t move in Albania without finding a reference to Skanderbeg, Albania’s most famous hero. He fought against the Ottomans in the 15th century, trying desperately to unite the many smaller principalities of Albania into one united country. Kruj Castle was where he made his last stand against the Ottoman army in 1478. Unfortunately, the current castle has been extensively modernised and doesn’t feel historic at all. The main attraction is an incredibly detailed museum documenting Skanderbeg’s life.
- The Old Bazaar in Kruje – This beautiful but small shopping area in Kruje town was built in the 17th Century century, and has survived ever since. Originally a traditional market, it now hosts the usual souvenir shops. This was my favourite part of the tour, as while I didn’t want to buy much from the shops, the setting feels like a Christmas Market come to life – the bazaar is so immersive it really felt like stepping back in time. Just walk carefully – the extremely old stones are now extremely slippery.
I used a guided day tour for this Tirana day trip. Without an organised tour, you can get a bus to Kruj Castle to visit independently, but you’d need a car (and nerves of steel) to visit Sari Salltik. Our tour guide was excellent, offering lots of information about Albania’s history, but the tour itself wasn’t well scheduled. Despite starting at 9am, there was no break to even buy water until the lunchbreak at 2pm, and as a result a lot of people (including me) left the Skanderbeg Museum early and missed out on some of the historical information.
Recommended: This is the least intense day trip from Tirana, with limited driving and a later start time/return time. This makes it a good trip if you want a relaxed day outside of Tirana, with the opportunity to take in some beautiful views. However, it was my least favourite trip of those that I did – Kruje Castle isn’t impressive, and I just didn’t need to know that much about Skanderbeg.
However, the tours are very highly rated, and not everyone shares my view! If you’re interested, this is the trip I used:
A great day trip but even better if you can spend the night
Explore UNESCO-listed Ohrid and the stunning lake in North Macedonia
Cost: 60e in August 2025, with a discount applied
Duration: 11 hours
Mode of transport: air-conditioned van
Group size: 15
Accessibility: Like many historic towns in the Balkans, Ohrid has steep hills and slippery cobblestones, which may be challenging for those with limited mobility.
This day trip from Tirana to Ohrid is ideal for travelers looking to experience one of the Balkans’ most scenic UNESCO cities in a single day. Just across the border from Albania in North Macedonia lies Ohrid, a beautiful UNESCO-listed city on one of the world’s oldest lakes.
Ohrid is known as the ‘Second Jerusalem’. Its a beautiful, quintessential Balkan town full of cobblestone streets, historic houses and truly beautiful Orthodox Churches – a particular highlight given that so few remain in Albania after being destroyed during the Communist Era. One of the most spectacular is the beautiful St John’s Church, perched out on a promontory over the lake, offering stunning views and photo ops.
A trip to Ohrid also offers you the chance to drive the scenic route around the shores of Lake Ohrid, a stunning crystal clear body of water ringed by mountains. The highly rated tour below will take you to the amazing Bay of Bones museum, a prehistoric settlement found on the lakebed, where the water has preserved amazing details. You’ll head to the stunning St Naum Monastery, one of the most important religious sites in North Macedonia – and one of the most picturesque. On your return to Albania, you’ll stop at a local village with panoramic lake views—perfect for capturing unforgettable photos.
I couldn’t find a tour that also offers you a cruise on Lake Ohrid out to St Naum and the Bay of Bones – all took the group by car. If you want to do this, you’ll have to spend the night in Ohrid (which is definitely worth it).
Recommended? While this will be a long day, it will 100% be worth it. I spent five days in Ohrid in July 2025 and fell in love with this picturesque city that’s absolutely dripping in multiple eras of history. And the lake – absolutely beautiful! But honestly, if you can extend your trip to spend a few nights here, I would highly recommend it!
Shop at the Old Bazaar and visit stunning the castle in UNESCO-listed Gjirokaster
Cost: around 58e
Duration: 10-12 hours
Mode of transport: airconditioned van
Group size: up to 30
Accessibility: Some parts of the castle have step steps and uneven flooring. Gjirokaster town is steep, and cobblestones are often slippery.
Of all the places I visited in Albania, Gjirokaster stole my heart. This gorgeous UNESCO town is perched on the side of a hill, leading up to a fascinating castle at the very top. The town is famous for the Old Bazaar area, where shops and bars cluster around a central crossroads. Cobblestone streets lead ever upwards, and once you reach the castle, you’re treated to panoramic views across the surrounding countryside.
There’s a lot to do in the town itself, from visiting traditional Ottoman houses like the Skenduli House that have turned into museums, to poring over Albanian antiques that survived communist purges. The castle is also incredibly interesting, with two infamous prisons, an iconic clocktower and the Gjirokaster Museum, which lays out the town’s history from ancient times to present day.
If you choose to do this as a guided tour, you’ll also visit the Blue Eye, a famous natural spring not far south of the town where you can swim in crystal clear water.
Recommended: I loved Gjirokaster and preferred it to Berat (there was so much more to see!), but while it is possible to do as a day trip from Tirana, it’s a very long trip. I highly recommend spending at least a night in Gjirokaster – find my full guide here. However, if this isn’t an option and you’re up for a long day, this tour is very highly rated and will help you to experience as much as possible in a short time.
However, if you have time to spend a night or two in Gjirokaster, check out these hotels:
Skip this one!
Visit Albania’s historic capital and relax on the beach in Durres
Cost: 300 LEK for Amphitheatre, 600 LEK for Venetian Tower, 200 LEK bus ticket between Tirana and Durres
Duration: best for a half day (unless you want to enjoy the beach)
Mode of transport: bus
Group size: not a formal tour
Accessibility: some areas of the amphitheatre have rough ground and there are steps, although good effort has been made to make the structure more accessible.
Durres is just a short bus ride from Tirana – about 40 minutes, with regular buses from Tirana’s North and South Bus Terminal. Check out my full guide to Albania’s buses if you’re planning to travel independently.
This makes it a popular destination for Tirana’s population to some sun at the weekend. But there’s more to see in this coastal town, which was Albania’s capital until 1920, when Tirana became the capital.
I also wanted to visit Durres as I read the incredible Free by Lea Ypi, a memoir about Albania’s transition to democracy in the 1990s. Ypi lived in Durres during the narrative and I was keen to visualise a book I’d just rad.
Durres has a long history, going back to Roman times, and they left plenty of sights in the town. The most spectacular is the amphitheatre, which is easily found in the centre of town and is now used as a theatre. There’s some historical information in the amphitheatre to help you make sense of what you’re seeing, and a beautiful post-Roman mural hidden under one of the arches.
You can also visit the Venetian Tower, an imposing structure near the seafront. I chose not to enter as the entrance fee felt steep for such a small structure, but it promises video and a VR experience. Finally, you can see the Byzantine Marketplace, a ruined structure in the centre of the city, which dates to the 5th century.
While Durres is a popular beach, I honestly don’t recommend visiting it. I spent three days there in July 2025, hoping to relax. The reality is that the beach is completely crammed with sunbeds – you can barely even see the sand, and the sea is crowded.
Durres is the holiday spot of choice for Albanians and Kosovans and it shows in the hectic vibe – like Brighton or Southend in the UK on a bank holiday. If you want to visit one of Albania’s beautiful beaches, I recommend looking for one a bit more off the beaten track.
One of my favourite books about Albania is Free, by Lea Ypi – a memoir set in Durres. Find out more in my guide to the best books about Albania.
Recommended: This is the least recommended day trip on my list, but it would make for a good short morning or afternoon trip if you’re desperate to get out of Tirana.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best day trips from Tirana, Albania?
Some of the best day trips from Tirana include the UNESCO towns of Berat and Gjirokastër, the historic castle in Krujë, scenic Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, and Prizren in Kosovo. Each offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Can you visit Kosovo from Tirana in one day?
Yes, you can visit Kosovo as a day trip from Tirana. The drive to Pristina or Prizren takes about 3–4 hours each way. Tours typically last 12 hours and include major landmarks. A valid passport is required.
Is Berat or Gjirokastër better for a day trip from Tirana?
Berat is more compact and easier to explore in a day, making it ideal for a day trip. Gjirokastër offers more attractions but involves a longer journey—it’s best with an overnight stay if time allows.
Do I need a tour guide for day trips from Tirana?
A tour guide isn’t required, and many of these tours can be done independently.
However, it can enhance your experience—especially in places like Kosovo or Berat, where historical context adds depth. Travelling independently will mean getting local buses, and you might not be able to fit as much into your day as transport won’t be as efficient.
For harder-to-reach spots like Sari Salltik or Blue Eye, tours offer added convenience.
Whether you’re killing time before a flight or just craving a change of scenery from Tirana, these day trips offer the perfect mix of culture, nature, and history—all within reach. After a month exploring these spots firsthand, I can confidently say each one brings something unique to the table. Pick one (or a few), and you’ll see just how much Albania—and its neighbours—have to offer beyond the capital.
Planning a Trip to Albania?
If you want a culture-first travel guide to inland Albania — with realistic itineraries, destination deep dives, practical bus travel guidance, and advice on extending your trip into neighbouring countries — Albania, Unlocked is designed to help you plan a confident, well-paced journey beyond the beaches.
👉 Explore inland Albania thoughtfully with Albania, Unlocked
If you’re still in the early inspiration or research phase, you can also download my free Culture-First Traveller’s Guide to the Balkans, covering Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo & Bulgaria — focused on travelling with context, curiosity, and care.
👉 Get the free culture-first guide
And if you’d prefer someone to build a personalised itinerary for you — tailored to your time, interests, pace, and travel style — I also offer custom trip planning, including Albania and wider Balkan routes.
👉 Request a custom Albania itinerary
Albania has garnered considerable attention this year as a relatively new tourist destination in Europe. It was great reading your recommendations, considering you lived there for a month, and so can be classified as someone who has a good knowledge of the area, including tours, etc. I think I may have to pay a visit!
You should definitely visit! It’s changing very fast, but right now, outside of the beach areas, it still feels very genuine and the people are so friendly and pleased that you’re there. (I can’t speak for the beaches because I didn’t visit, but I know they’re busier).
Albania has been on my bucket list for a while, and these day trips from Tirana make me want to plan even sooner. Berat and Gjirokaster sound like incredible places to step back in time, and Kruje Castle’s history is fascinating. Visiting Ohrid in North Macedonia would be such a great cross-border adventure. I’d also love to explore Prizren in Kosovo and see its UNESCO monuments in person.
All of them were amazing, truly – though I would deprioritise Kruje if you’re short on time. But my absolute favourites were Gjirokaster and Ohrid – places that really stole my heart.
Albania has been on our list for a while, so appreciate this inspiration for our travels. Would you recommend visiting in July, or do these areas tend to get quite crowded with tourists during the summer season?
They definitely didn’t feel crowded – everyone is on Albania’s beaches during July – but they were scorching hot at times. As with all of Europe, I think May/June/September is the sweet spot.
I love the summary of all these tours – an easy way to see at a glance which ones might be good to do. I’ve been wanting to visit Tirana, and as part of my itinerary I already had my eye on some day trips. I’m much more of a fan of small group tours of 15 people or less, I find them much more enjoyable and you get a lot more time at a place rather than waiting for everyone to get back to the bus. Ohrid and Berat would be my top choices, but also eyeing up any of the ones with a fun bazaar to peruse
Ohrid and Berat were both amazing places and lend themselves really well to day trips from Tirana – Gjirokaster was my absolute favourite but it’s a bit of a more intense day trip. Feel free to reach out if you have any other Tirana/Albania qs – there is lots more content coming, I’m just working on a full guide to Ohrid.