Cycle Tour in Albania: 8 Days — 293km from Tirana to the Albanian Riviera

Tour Overview

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrive Tirana — Bike Fitting & City Exploration

Arrive at Tirana International Airport (TIA). Transfer to your hotel in Tirana. Meet your cycling guide and support team for an orientation briefing and bike fitting session. Alb Expeditions provides quality hybrid or road bikes adjusted to your measurements, complete with helmet and repair kit. The afternoon is free to explore Tirana independently. Walk through Skanderbeg Square, visit the Bunk’Art 2 museum for Cold War context, and explore the colorful Blloku district. Welcome dinner at a traditional Albanian restaurant with your fellow cyclists and guide team to discuss the journey ahead. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 2: Tirana to Berat (Ride: ~55km + Transfer)

Brief transfer out of Tirana to the countryside near Elbasan. Ride begins through the fertile agricultural plains of central Albania, past olive groves and vineyards toward the hills. The route follows scenic rural roads through villages where horse-drawn carts are still common and farmers work fields by hand. Cycling is on well-paved secondary roads with light traffic. The terrain undulates gently as you approach Berat. On arrival, park the bikes and walk through the Mangalem Quarter to Berat Castle. The cycling day ends with a tour of the Onufri Museum and wine and raki tasting at a Berat winery. Total cycling: approximately 55km with 400m elevation gain. Overnight in Berat.

Day 3: Berat to Permet (Ride: ~65km + Transfer)

Morning transfer to the start point near Corovode, in the heart of the Osum Canyon. Today’s ride is one of the most scenic in Albania, following the canyon road through spectacular river gorges. The road winds through narrow passes with vertical walls rising hundreds of meters on either side. Pass the famous canyons and natural hot springs that emerge from the canyon walls. The ride continues south into the Vjosa River valley, one of Europe’s last wild rivers, completely undammed and free-flowing. The Vjosa was declared Europe’s first Wild River National Park in 2023. Arrive in Permet, Albania’s charming “City of Roses,” famous for its thermal springs, wine, and the traditional gliko (fruit preserves). Afternoon: visit the Benja Hot Springs beneath the Ottoman-era Katiu Bridge — natural thermal pools where you can soak your cycling legs in 26-30°C mineral water among dramatic rock formations. Total cycling: approximately 65km with 500m elevation. Overnight in Permet.

Day 4: Permet to Gjirokaster (Ride: ~45km)

Morning transfer out of Permet to start the ride through the Drino Valley toward Gjirokaster. The route passes through traditional villages, olive groves, and farmland framed by the dramatic Mali i Gjere mountain range. The approach to Gjirokaster is unforgettable — the castle appears on the hilltop first, then the city of slate-roofed Ottoman houses unfolds against the green mountainside. Today is a shorter ride to allow time to explore the “City of Stone.” Afternoon: visit Gjirokaster Castle, the Cold War museum with the captured American spy plane, the Old Bazaar, and the Zekate House. Evening: dinner with live iso-polyphonic singing, Albania’s UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition. Total cycling: approximately 45km with 350m elevation. Overnight in Gjirokaster.

Day 5: Gjirokaster to Saranda (Ride: ~50km)

The route today heads southwest from Gjirokaster, crossing the Muzina Pass before descending toward the coast. The ride starts with a steady climb through limestone hills, then a rewarding descent through olive groves with the first glimpses of the Ionian Sea. Stop at the Mesopotamian Monastery (Shen Koll monastery), an 11th-century Byzantine church nestled in a valley. The final descent into Saranda reveals the turquoise Ionian coastline with the Greek island of Corfu visible across the channel. Afternoon free in Saranda: walk the seaside promenade, visit the ancient synagogue ruins with their mosaic floors, or just rest your legs at a waterfront cafe. Total cycling: approximately 50km with 450m climbing and a coastal descent. Overnight in Saranda.

Day 6: Saranda to Ksamil & Butrint Loop (Ride: ~35km)

A lighter cycling day along the coastal road south of Saranda. Ride past olive and citrus groves to Ksamil’s paradise beaches. Stop for a swim in the turquoise shallows between the islands — the perfect reward for the week’s cycling. Continue to Butrint National Park, cycling through the lake-shore forest to the archaeological site. Lock up the bikes and spend 2 hours exploring 3,000 years of history: the Greek theater, Roman baths and forum, the spectacular early Christian baptistery mosaic, and the Venetian fortress overlooking Lake Butrint and the Corfu Channel. Then cycle back to Saranda, with the option to stop again in Ksamil for an afternoon swim. Total cycling: approximately 35km, mostly flat along the coast. Evening: celebration dinner at Saranda’s best seafood restaurant, toasting the journey so far. Overnight in Saranda.

Day 7: Saranda to Himare via Llogara (Ride: ~43km + Transfer)

This is the most spectacular cycling day — and the most demanding. Transfer to the start point near the coast. Then ride north along the legendary Albanian Riviera coastal road. The route hugs the mountainside as it climbs through Llogara National Park, reaching the pass at 1,027 meters. The views from Llogara Pass are among the most dramatic in Europe: the Ionian Sea stretching to Greece in the south and the Adriatic coast disappearing north into the haze. The pass is dominated by towering pines, including the famous “Flag Pine” bent into a flag shape by relentless winds. After celebrating the climb at the summit, descend the coastal side through hairpin turns with the sea on your right and sheer mountain walls on your left. The descent leads to the village of Dhermi, where a final short ride takes you to Himara. Total cycling: approximately 43km with 800m climbing and a long rewarding descent. Celebration dinner on Himara’s beachfront. Overnight in Himara.

Day 8: Himara Morning & Transfer to Tirana

Sleep in or take one last morning swim at Livadh Beach. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the Ionian Sea. Mid-morning transfer to Tirana (approximately 3.5 hours). Stop en route at the Llogara Pass viewpoint for one final look at the stunning coastline. Arrive in Tirana with time for last souvenir shopping before transferring to the airport for your departure flight. Take with you the memory of 293km through Albania’s most beautiful landscapes, conquered under your own power.

What’s Included

• 7 nights accommodation (boutique hotels, cyclist-friendly guesthouses)
• Daily breakfast + 4 dinners (welcome, Gjirokaster, celebration x2)
• Quality hybrid or road bike rental with helmet and repair kit
• Support vehicle following the group throughout with luggage, snacks, and bike spares
• Professional cycling guide and driver
• All transfers as per itinerary
• Onufri Museum and Berat Castle entry
• Benja Hot Springs thermal baths visit
• Gjirokaster Castle and Zekate House
• Butrint National Park entry and guided tour
• Llogara National Park
• Airport transfers

What’s Not Included

• International flights to/from Tirana
• Travel insurance (cycling-specific insurance strongly recommended)
• Most lunches and some dinners (~$10-15 per meal)
• Bike spare parts beyond basic repairs
• Personal cycling gear (clip-in shoes, pedals, cycling clothing)
• Personal expenses, souvenirs
• Tips for guide and support team
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions