In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about excursions in Albania: how they work, where to find guides, what types of tours are available, and how much they cost. You’ll also get practical tips that might not save you money, but will definitely save you time.
Excursions in Albania: General Overview
To put it briefly, while the excursion industry does exist in Albania, it’s still underdeveloped. Here’s why:
- There are no large tour agencies operating in the country — not even in Tirana.
- All tours are offered by small, independent companies, and not every city has them. In neighboring Montenegro, this industry is far more advanced.
At the end of this article, I’ll share two websites with the largest databases of tours in Albania, covering sightseeing, sea tours, gastronomic and wine-tasting experiences, workshops, adventure tours, waterfall hikes, and even multi-day trips.
Important to know:
Excursions in Albania are something you should plan in advance. You can’t just show up in a city and book a sightseeing tour from a beach vendor — they simply don’t exist. The only tours you can book on the spot are boat trips along the coast — these are offered directly on the waterfront, and there are usually several options.
Another key point is the language issue.
About 99% of tours in Albania are conducted in English. Italian is also common, as many ethnic Italians live here, and Italian is taught as a second foreign language in schools.
Types of Excursions and Prices
Below is a list of the most popular tours available both in Tirana and across the country. I’ll also share prices and, where possible, links to trusted platforms to book.
Types of excursions include:
- City walking tours (2–4 hours)
- Wine tours and tastings at local vineyards and wineries
- Boat trips along the coast
- Adventure tours, like hikes to Sotira or Bogova waterfalls (read a detailed article about waterfalls for DIY trips).
For example, Sotira Waterfall is difficult to reach even by car, which is why day tours from Tirana and Berat are popular.
Good to know:
The most popular format in Albania is one-day group or private tours. A typical route might take you from Tirana to Berat, then to Gjirokastër, on to the Blue Eye spring, and back to Tirana late at night. There are many variations of this itinerary, and it’s ideal for travelers without a car or with limited time, as public transport in Albania is not tourist-friendly.
- There are also multi-day tours, great for those who prefer fully organized trips. Prices for these tours are higher, but so is the level of comfort and organization. One popular option is hiking in the Albanian Alps with a guide.
- Finally, adventure activities — Albania offers a couple of exciting options:
- Paragliding with an instructor — Two main locations:
- Mount Dajti near Tirana
- Llogara Pass to the beach in Vlore
Prices start from €100, depending on the season and group size.
- Rafting on mountain rivers — Two main rivers:
- Osumi River (rafting in the Osumi Canyon), with tours departing from Berat
- Vjosa River (rafting near Permet, including Langarica Canyon)
Prices start from €40.
- Paragliding with an instructor — Two main locations:
City Walking Tours in Tirana, Berat, Saranda
Here are some great options for city walking tours — no long transfers or bus rides, just in-depth exploration with a local guide. These tours usually last up to 4 hours.
- Tirana: Excellent walking tours covering the city’s history, landmarks, and hidden gems.
- Berat and surroundings: Highly recommended is the Osumi Canyon tour, including Bogova Waterfall.
- Sarandë and nearby: The archaeological site of Butrint is a must-see with a guide to explain its ancient history.
Useful to know:
Many booking widgets allow you to read reviews, check full itineraries, message guides, view photos, and compare options — take advantage of these tools to pick the best experience for you.
Wine Tastings and Gastronomic Tours
Food and drinks hold a special place in Albanian culture. And believe it or not, many tourists come here specifically for gastronomic experiences. You can read all about Albanian cuisine and local alcohol in a separate article. But here, I’ll share some of the best gastro-tourism programs in the country.
Take a close look — there are pure wine tours, food tours to the best restaurants in Tirana, and mixed tours that combine both.
Boat Trips in Albania
I won’t include direct links here because boat trips are the easiest activity to book directly on the spot — just head to the main promenade of any coastal city. You’ll see plenty of signs like the one in the photo below. If no one is around, there’s always a phone number listed — just send a WhatsApp message and ask.
The choice is vast — from one-hour rides to full-day cruises. You can watch the sunset at sea, enjoy dinner on board, and much more. Prices for standard group boat tours visiting 2-3 beaches start at €40 per person.
Waterfalls, Canyons, and Mountain Tours in Albania
Personally, I love these tours even more than city walks — I’m a huge fan of nature, especially mountains. And Albania is a hiker’s paradise, with a vast number of trekking routes of varying difficulty. Just think — 71% of the country is covered by mountains — that says a lot.
Some routes take you through ancient roads, aqueducts, and bridges that have existed for thousands of years — all freely accessible.
Below, I’ve listed some of the best nature tours in Albania. One tour to highlight is Theth in the Albanian Alps (the “Accursed Mountains”) in the north. You’ll also find a link to our detailed 4-day hiking trip to these mountains — but since not everyone has the time or means to do it on their own, a guided tour is a great alternative. And trust me, this place is breathtaking.
Prices for these nature excursions start at €20 and can go up to €500–700, depending on the number of days, the level of service, group size, and so on.
Full-Day Sightseeing Tours from Tirana and Other Cities
This option is pretty straightforward. You’re in Albania, you have limited time and no car, but still want to see as much as possible — these tours are for you.
Typically, such excursions last 12–15 hours. A guide picks you up from your hotel early in the morning, and you’ll spend the entire day traveling around Albania’s highlights, returning late at night.
Prices usually start from €100 per person.
The main downside is that everyone tries to cram as much as possible into one day, which is simply unrealistic.
For example, even if you plan a relaxed day trip from Tirana to Berat, visiting all of Berat’s key sights will take the whole day, not to mention the drive back. So, multi-day tours are often a better choice — more on that below.
Multi-Day Tours in Albania
So, who are these tours for? Imagine you’ve read a list of Top 30 attractions in Albania and picked out those you absolutely must see. But you don’t have a driver’s license to rent a car, and organizing an efficient route feels overwhelming. That’s when multi-day tours save the day.
Yes, these tours aren’t cheap, but everything is included: transportation, accommodation, meals — all arranged for you. And while doing it on your own would be cheaper, you probably couldn’t organize such a smooth experience without local knowledge.
Below are some of the most popular multi-day tours in Albania, covering all the country’s must-see destinations.
In conclusion: excursions in Albania cater to every taste and preference. The only problem is the language. All the best programs are conducted in English. However, the sign language here is well-developed, and, for example, during boat trips or wine tastings, basic knowledge of the language is sufficient. In mountain hikes, you won’t need any language at all.
The only excursions where English or Italian is essential are those related to museums, castles, and historical landmarks. They will tell you about history, interesting facts, and much more. It’s essential to understand at least that.
Wishing you amazing adventures and unforgettable memories on your tours around Albania!
Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Albania
- Flights at the best prices with best discounts
- Car rental in Albania (cheaper – only by bus):
- DiscoverCars – a major international resource
- LocalRent – the leader in the Albanian car rental market. Very low deposits, even in cash.
- Hotels and apartments throughout the country:
- TripAdvisor – compares prices among dozens of platforms and offer you the best one.
- Trip.com – large online booking platform.
- Budget-friendly vacation packages: CheapOair.
- Tours, excursions and activities:
- GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
- Viator – 1050+ excursions and activities throughout the country
- Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
- Internet and Calls:
- Airalo eSIM in Albania from $4.5
- DRIMSIM – universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.
- Taxi and airport transfer: Intui.Travel