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07 · Days·975 km·20–22 hours

North → South express.

Beaches, mountains & history in a week.

Albanian AlpsUNESCO townsHidden beachesCoastal drivesHistoric castles
7 nights
Duration
975 km
Distance
20–22 hours
Driving
8
Stops
The route, day by day

7 mornings.

  1. 01
    TiranaShkodër~2 hours
    Head north.

    Pick up the camper in Tirana and drive north to Shkodër — Albania's oldest city, tucked between Lake Shkodra and the Alps. Museum, castle, sunset.

    Do
    • Marubi Photography Museum
    • Rozafa Castle
    • Pedestrian streets
    • Sunset views
    See
    • Rozafa Castle
    • Gjuhadol Street
    Sleep
    • Wild camping near Lake Shkodra
    • Lake Shkodra Resort
    Shkodër100 km
    Head north.
  2. 02
    ShkodërTheth~2 hours
    Into the Alps.

    Winding mountain roads through the Albanian Alps to a remote valley of stone houses and dramatic peaks.

    Do
    • Blue Eye of Theth
    • Grunas Waterfall hike
    • Campfire evenings
    See
    • Grunas Waterfall
    • Blue Eye of Theth
    Sleep
    • Free public parking by the river
    • 360 Grade Camping
    Theth76 km
  3. 03
    ThethBerat5–6 hours
    South to Berat.

    Long transfer south to Berat — the "City of a Thousand Windows" — with its hillside houses stacked along the Osum River.

    Do
    • Mangalem quarter
    • Gorica quarter
    • Old stone bridge
    • Berat Castle at sunset
    See
    • Berat Castle
    • Mangalem district
    Sleep
    • Wild camping by the river
    • River Side camping
    Berat270 km
  4. 04
    BeratGjirokastër~2.5 hours
    Stone city.

    Through olive groves to Gjirokastër, the stone city built entirely from grey limestone. Cobblestone streets, Ottoman mansions.

    Do
    • Fortress exploration
    • Old bazaar
    • Qifqi & oshaf tasting
    See
    • Gjirokastër Fortress
    • Skenduli House
    • Zekate House
    Sleep
    • Wild camping near Çerçiz Topulli Square
    • Riverside Drinos camping
    Gjirokastër180 km
  5. 05
    GjirokastërBunec~1.5 hours
    Down to the Riviera.

    Mountain road down to the Ionian coast at Bunec — turquoise water, rugged hills, quiet evenings.

    Do
    • Swimming
    • Sunset viewing
    See
    • Lukova Beach
    • Buneci Beach
    Sleep
    • Wild camping across from Bunec beach
    • Camping Parknight
    Bunec75 km
  6. 06
    BunecGjipe~1.5 hours
    Hidden coves.

    North along the Riviera. Stop in Himara for the castle and the village of Vuno, then walk down to Gjipe — a hidden beach between cliffs.

    Do
    • Himara Castle climb
    • Coffee in Vuno
    • 20-min hike to Gjipe
    • Canyon exploration
    See
    • Porto Palermo
    • Himara
    Sleep
    • Gjipe beach camping (small fee)
    • Olive Camping Himara
    Gjipe45 km
  7. 07
    GjipeTirana~4.5 hours
    Return.

    Long drive back to Tirana. Optional last night on the coast at Golem, Durrës or Gjiri i Lalëzit before hand-off in the morning.

    Do
    • Last swim
    • Sunset over the Adriatic
    • Cook in the van
    See
    • Gjiri i Lalëzit
    • Golem
    Sleep
    • Agritourism Huqi
    • Sunset Camping
    —230 km