Tour of 3 UNESCO sites: Berat Gjirokastra and Butrint in four days

Tour of 3 UNESCO sites: Berat Gjirokastra and Butrint in four days

This culture and heritage tour of Albania combines the 3 UNESCO sites Berat, Gjirokastra and Butrint with some of the most picturesque sites of Southern Albania. This trip goes deep into the rich history, traditions, local culture and culinary wonders of these destinations. The tour of Albania takes us also through some of the best national parks such as the Blue Eye and Butrint National Park.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirana – Gjirokastra

Pass By: Choose Balkans - Albania Tour Operator, Rruga Reshit Çollaku, Tirana, Albania
Our professional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tirana at 9 am.

Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
. Our main destination for this day is Gjirokastra, also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage. Situated in Southern Albania on the eastern side of mountain “Mali i Gjere”, Gjirokastra resembles a fortified city where every single house is like a small fortress. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century A.D., and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans. Every five years Gjirokastra becomes the capital of the Albanian folklore and traditional music, where passionate folklore ensembles gather in the “stone city” and perform their traditional music, dances and costumes.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Gjirokastra Bazaar, Old town, Gjirokaster Albania
Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra, you will have to pass by the medieval bazaar. At around 12:30, you will get some free time on all three days of the tour to have some delicious lunch and to wander around by yourself till 14:00 pm. The atmospheric old town cascades down in graceful hill crammed with beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you will be amazed by the wide variety of handmade crafts from local artisans and producers.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjirokastra.

Day 2: Gjirokastra – Blue Eye – Butrint – Albanian Riviera

Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore 9706 Albania
From Gjirokastra, we will move towards Butrint, but not before making a stop at the natural wonder of the Blue Eye. You will not be able to keep your eyes off the mesmerizing crystal-clear blue water. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuits, because you might want to take a dive in it.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
Our tour continues to the National Park of Butrint. Part of the UNESCO world heritage, Butrint is the most important archaeological site in Albania. It was the first site in Albania that became part of the UNESCO list. The ruins combined with the stunning natural surroundings make it worth a visit.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Porto Palermo, Porto Palermo, Vlore County
We will drive along the coastline known as Albanian Riviera. Our next stop will be the beautiful castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo. While along the Albanian Riviera, we will pass some of the most beautiful beaches of Albania; Borsh, Llamani and Dhermi beaches. We will also pass some small villages one by one, clinging to rock faces by the seaside, all tumbledown stone walls and narrow pathways, overhung with vines full of grapes, and trees heavy with figs and walnuts.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight near the Albanian Riviera.

Day 3: Albanian Riviera - Berat

Stop At: Berat Castle, Rruga Mihal Komnena, Berat 5001 Albania
Our next destination is Berat, also known as the city of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: National Iconographic Museum Onufri, Located in the Inner Part of Saint Mary Church in Berat Castel, Berat Albania
Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Berat.

Day 4: Berat – Durres – Tirana

Stop At: Durres Amphitheatre, Rruga Kalase, Durres Albania
We head to the ancient town of Durres to explore the amphitheatre, the Roman ruins and the Venetian Tower. Founded as Epidamnos in the ancient region of Illyria in 627 BC by ancient Greeks, Durrës has been one of the most important cities in the history of Albania. Known also as the centre of Archaeology in Albania, it has the largest Ancient Roman-style Amphitheatre. The Geographic position lied in the shores of Adriatik Sea, turns Durrës into the main port and the second largest city of Albania as well. The transfer to Tirana marks the end of this amazing experience through history and adventure. We will arrive in Tirana in the late afternoon.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.