5-day
Specific Tour
Unlimited
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Albania is the easiest “foreign” destination for anyone travelling by their own car from Greece. Within a few hours of leaving Ioannina, you find yourself in a world of stone Ottoman towns, untouched beaches on the Ionian Sea, and mountains that drop straight into the water. The trip is entirely on your terms: you decide how long to stay at each stop.
The natural entry point is the Kakavia border crossing, north of Ioannina. From there, Gjirokaster is just a few kilometres away, so the first day can stay relaxed. The main route then descends towards Sarande and follows the coastal Riviera towards Himara and Durres. The main roads are in good condition; the mountain passes call for patience and daylight. You will need a green card insurance certificate and a valid driving licence.
Gjirokaster and Berat are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites: museum-towns of Ottoman architecture, with imposing stone mansions and castles. Butrint, south of Sarande, is an archaeological site with Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian layers — also a UNESCO site. The area is home to a historic Greek minority, and Greek is often heard spoken.
The castle of Gjirokaster overlooking the Drino valley; Berat, “the city of a thousand windows”; the archaeological site of Butrint; the “Blue Eye” (Syri i Kaltër), a spring with a striking colour; the beaches of Dhermi, Jale and Porto Palermo on the Riviera; and the Llogara Pass, with one of the finest views in the Balkans.
The cuisine is Mediterranean with Ottoman touches: grilled meats, byrek (savoury pie), yoghurt, fresh fish along the coast. In the mountains, lamb and local cheeses take centre stage. Prices are noticeably lower than in Greece, and hospitality is warm. Raki and local wine accompany almost every table.
In Sarande and Himara, the seafront comes alive in summer with bars and restaurants right by the water. Tirana has the liveliest nightlife, with the Blloku district full of bars. In Gjirokaster and Berat, evenings are quiet and traditional, spent on the old stone cobblestones.
Currency: Lek (ALL) — euros are accepted in many places, but it pays to use the local currency. Time zone: same as Greece. Border crossing: Kakavia (main) or Krystallopigi. You will need an ID card or passport, a driving licence, vehicle registration and a green card. Best time to visit: May–June and September, when the Riviera is not at its busiest.
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Price and availability last updated: 22 September 2026
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Optional tours, tickets and activities you can book for your days there. We arrange the trip — these you choose yourself.
Activities, experiences and local guides — book ahead and keep your days free of queues.
Compare prices from all major car rental companies, with free cancellation on most offers.
Attraction tickets, airport transfers, rail passes and day trips, booked in advance.
These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.
This is a tailor-made trip, so you choose the dates. We will gladly advise you on the best season for the destination and on how weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.
The main inclusions are:
Transport is not included — this is a self-drive trip in your own car. The full list of what is and is not included is in the “Included / Not included” section of this page.
Not necessarily. The “From X€” price is the lowest price available today, based on flight and hotel availability for those specific dates. As availability changes daily, the final price for your trip may differ. We will send you the final written quote before anything is charged, once you tell us the dates you are interested in.
Air fares and hotel rates change daily depending on the season, demand, the day of the week and how early you book. For this reason the price you see is indicative; the sooner you tell us your dates, the easier it is for us to secure the best possible price.
The single-room supplement varies by hotel and destination and is shown in the price/quote you will receive for your own dates. If you are travelling alone, let us know from the start so that your quote includes the correct single-room price straight away.
Payment is made at the time of booking. For certain properties with their own payment policy (e.g. a deposit or a specific deadline for the balance), we will inform you explicitly before you proceed, so that you know the exact terms.
Yes — once your booking is complete, the price is binding and is not affected by any later rise or fall in flight or hotel prices. Availability and price change only until your booking is confirmed.
As this is a trip in your own car, there is no departure surcharge — you set off from wherever suits you.
For your trip within Greece, a valid police ID card or passport is enough. If you are flying, you will need an official photo ID for the airport check. If minors are travelling, please check whether any additional documents are required.
Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and services booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure we are and on the rules of each fare. Let us know as early as possible and we will look for the least costly solution. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.
Travel insurance is not included in the price unless it is explicitly listed in the inclusions on this page. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the European Union, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange it for you — just ask when you book.
Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary or coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the overnight stays or the hotel category, add or remove destinations, and arrange transfers, car rental or private guided tours.
Send us a request through the form on this page, give us a call or visit our office. We will come back to you with availability and a written quote before anything is charged.
