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10 · Days·950 km·20–22 hours

Balanced adventure.

Coastlines, castles, and van-friendly camping.

Adriatic & Ionian coastsZvernec MonasteryGjipe CanyonPorto PalermoKsamil & Butrint (UNESCO)Blue Eye springGjirokastër Stone CityLake ShkodërRozafa CastleTheth Alps
10 nights
Duration
950 km
Distance
20–22 hours
Driving
11
Stops
The route, day by day

10 mornings.

  1. 01
    TiranaGolem / Spille~1–1.5 hours
    First taste of the Adriatic.

    Pick up and head straight to the coast. Warm sand, shallow water, first sunset of the trip.

    Do
    • Beach relaxation
    • Sunset viewing
    See
    • Golem
    • Spille Beach
    Sleep
    • Wild camping
    • Denaldo Camping
    Golem75 km
  2. 02
    GolemVlorë~1.5 hours
    South to Vlorë.

    Where the Adriatic meets the Ionian. Byzantine monastery, lagoon birds, seaside dinner.

    Do
    • Monastery visits
    • Lagoon birdwatching
    • Swimming
    • Local seafood
    See
    • Zvërnec Monastery
    • Lungomare Vlora
    Sleep
    • Wild camping in Radhimë
    • Eco Camping Valona
    Vlorë110 km
  3. 03
    VlorëGjipe~1.5 hours
    Hidden coves.

    Tunnel through the Llogara pass, cliffside coast, then a 20-minute walk down to Gjipe Beach and its canyon.

    Do
    • Beach breaks
    • Canyon exploration
    • Cliff swimming
    See
    • Drymades Beach
    • Gjipe Canyon
    Sleep
    • Drimadhes Beach
    • Paid parking at Gjipe
    Gjipe60 km
  4. 04
    GjipeHimara~40 minutes
    Slow day in Himara.

    Short hop to Himara — swim, castle, long taverna evenings.

    Do
    • Historic fortress
    • Swimming
    • Beach evening
    See
    • Himara Castle
    • Vuno village
    Sleep
    • Livadhi Beach wild camping
    • Camping Moskato
    Himara15 km
  5. 05
    HimaraSarandë~1.5 hours
    Down to Sarandë.

    Fortress stops and coastal villages down the Riviera. Sunset in Sarandë.

    Do
    • Fort exploration
    • Swimming
    • Promenade strolls
    • Sunset viewing
    See
    • Porto Palermo
    • Butrint
    Sleep
    • Pulëbardha Beach
    • Ksamil Caravan Camping
    Sarandë55 km
  6. 06
    SarandëGjirokastër~1 hour
    Islands and ruins.

    Beach islands at Ksamil, then Butrint's ancient stones, then up into the mountains to the stone city.

    Do
    • Island visits
    • Archaeological exploration
    • Blue Eye spring
    • Fortress
    See
    • Ksamil
    • The Blue Eye
    • Gjirokastër Fortress
    Sleep
    • Çerçiz Topulli Square wild camping
    • Camping Family
    Gjirokastër52 km
  7. 07
    GjirokastërKrujë~3.5–4 hours
    North to Krujë.

    Long inland drive through the mountains to Krujë — bazaar, museum, castle-top views over the Adriatic.

    Do
    • Bazaar shopping
    • Skanderbeg Museum
    • Panoramic viewpoints
    See
    • Krujë Castle
    • Old Bazaar
    Sleep
    • Krujë Camping
    • Kruja Vista Camping
    Krujë235 km
  8. 08
    KrujëShkodër~1.5 hours
    Lakeside Shkodër.

    Farmland north to the old lakeside city between mountains and Lake Shkodra.

    Do
    • Castle exploration
    • Evening strolling
    • Lakeside relaxation
    See
    • Rozafa Castle
    • Gjuhadol Street
    • Marubi Museum
    Sleep
    • Lake Shkodra wild camping
    • Lake Shkodra Resort
    • Camping Legjenda
    Shkodër90 km
  9. 09
    ShkodërTheth~2–2.5 hours
    Into the Alps.

    Winding, dramatic climb from lowlands into the alpine valley of Theth.

    Do
    • Historic tower
    • Old church
    • Waterfall
    • Alpine hiking
    See
    • Old Church of Theth
    • Lock-in Tower
    • Blue Eye of Theth
    Sleep
    • Free wild camping
    • 360 Grade Camping
    • Freskia Camping
    Theth80 km
  10. 10
    ThethHikes: 7–9h to Valbona, 1.5h to Grunas
    A full day in Theth.

    Nothing but mountains today. Trek the Valbona pass or the shorter Grunas waterfall walk. Campfire and stars.

    Do
    • Alpine trekking
    • Waterfall swimming
    • Campfire under stars
    See
    • Valbona Pass
    • Grunas Waterfall
    Sleep
    • Lake Theth wild camping
    • 360 Grade Camping
    • Freskia Camping
    —15 km