7 Day Tour of Southern Albania

Day 1 Welcome to Albania

1. 1

   6 hours 30 min

   Option 1: For our guests arriving at the Rinas/Tirana in the morning, you will be met at the Airport and escorted to your private van.
   At which point, we will travel through the Albanian Riviera, making a few stops at some attractive locations, including an hour and a half stop to enjoy Gjirokastra, and then deliver you to your hotel, in Saranda, Albania.

2. 2

   3 hours

   Option 2: For those arriving to Saranda via the Saranda Port.
   The medieval village of Kamenica is located in the district of Delvina, at foot of the mountain of “Mali i Gjerw’.
   It is inscribed as a village in the Vajoneta vilayet, in the register of the years 1431-1432. At the time it had a total of 267 families. Certain data makes Kamenica one of the largest inhabited areas of the era. Rich in many characteristic construction studies that show these ruins will, without a doubt, give more accurate answers to many dilemmas that Kamenica hides in the future. Nowadays the village preservers a large number of buildings, where besides them are also the preserved remains of several churches. The medieval village offers a spectacular view.

3. 3

   2 hours 15 min

   Option 2: For those arriving to Saranda via the Saranda Port.
   The Mosque of Gjin Aleksi is a monument of cultural heritage in Rusan, in the district of Delvina.
   It was built in XVI century, on the ruins of a Byzantine Church. In its grounds you will find a church and teke. This Mosque was given the status of a cultural monument in 1963 and is currently restored to very high standards.
   In addition, you will enjoy an hour and a half of free time exploring Delvina, at which point you can visit the City's Castle, or a Cafe in the Town, etc.

Day 2 Visit Gjirokastra

1. 1

   Gjirokaster Castle

   5 hours Admission ticket included

   On Day Two we will explore Gjirokastra.
   Highlights of our tour will include visits to the Caste of Gjirokastra, the Ethnographic Museum (House of Enver Hoxha), The House of Zakat and Scendula (the oldest house in Gjirokastra) and the Museum house of Ismail Kadare.
   You will also have some free time, in Gjirokastra, to explore.

Day 3 Visit the Ancient City of Butrint & The Beaches of Ksamil

1. 1

   Butrint National Park

   2 hours 30 min Admission ticket not included

   The Ancient Site of Butrint was declared a museum town in 1961, thereafter in the year of 1992, it was inscribed on the National Heritage list of protected monuments, under protection of UNESCO.
   During the tour you will see the well-preserved Greek / Roman theater in honor of Asclepius (God of Medicine), the Byzantine Basilica, the museum within the castle, and many other antique objects.

2. 2

   Ksamil

   2 hours

   Ksamil, is one of the most attractive areas of Southern Albania.
   Blessed with its small little islands, not too far off shore, Ksamil is truly the pearl of the Ionian Sea and a destination that everyone dreams of as a vacation.
   On our tour, we will visit the beautiful beaches of Ksamil, and enjoy some relaxation time there.

Day 4 Visit the National Park of "Blue Eye", The Monastery of St Nicholas in Mesopotam & The Lekuresi Castle

1. 1

   The Blue Eye

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   We will explore the National Park of “Blue Eye” - an attractive tourist place, located in the village of Muzinë, near the national road Delvinë - Gjirokastër.
   It’s a very picturesque area, where crystal clear water gushes out from within the mountain Mali i Gjërë. This actual spring is the largest and a most interesting source among the other 18 springs that flow from Mali i Gjërë. It has been declared a Natural Monument and has oval shape similar to the shape of an eye.The spring has great depth, which goes up to 50m, and it’s surrounded by dense and lush vegetation. All in all, the area offers a great time out for adults, as well as for children.

2. 2

   Lekuresi Castle

   45 min Admission ticket included

   On this tour we will explore The Fortress of Lekuresi, believed to have been built in 1537, when Sultan Sulejmani attacked Corfu.
   The castle is located within the ruins of Lekuresi village, on the top of the hill, above the city of Saranda. It really is a strategic position where you can see the entire bay of Saranda, the road that leads to Butrint and the islands of Ksamil. In addition, you can also see the Island of Corfu.
   A place rich in history, and a fantastic view.

3. 3

   Monastery of Saint Michael

   1 hour

   On our tour we will visit the Monastery of Mesopotam (St. Koll's Orthodox Church), which is a 13th-century building.

Day 5 Visit to the Ancient City of Finiq (Phoinike) & Saranda

1. 1

   Phoenice Archaeological Park

   3 hours

   One of the stops on our tour will be the Archaeological Park of Finiq (Phoinike), located 8 km east of today's city of Saranda.
   In ancient times the territory belonged to the Kingdom of Epirus, while during the Byzantine period it was expanded.
   During the visit to Finiq you can see the ruins of an ancient temple, theater, some Helene homes, Roman baths and a Byzantine church.
   Time spent in Phoinike, for this tour includes the travel time, by car.

2. 2

   Saranda Embankment

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   We will visit The Synagogue, The Albanian Numismatic Museum, The Archaeological Museum, The Historic Museum, The St. Nicholas Church, and The City Mosque.

Day 6 Visit Qeparo Village & The Himara Beaches

1. 1

   2 hours

   We will explore the touristic village of Qeparo, which is a breathtaking location, right after the Palermo Bay.
   Qeparo Village is filled with beautiful traditional architecture, with cobbled alleys and old churches. Also, in the village, sits the Castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena, which was designed by the French Army architect and nowadays displays special architectonic and touristic values.
   Truly a fascinating and beautiful place!

2. 2

   Jale Beach

   2 hours

   On the tour we will also stop to enjoy some quality beach time, at one of the beaches in beautiful Himara.

Day 7 Departure Day

1. 1

   2 hours

   Today you will depart Saranda.
   We will meet you at your hotel to either take to the Saranda Port, or to the Rinas/Tirana Airport, to depart from there.