Tirana Highlights: Culture, Cuisine & Heritage

NOTE: Please be mindful about the length of the excursions should you wish to select more than one option.

Day 1 – Arrival and Tirana City Tour

Upon arrival at Tirana International Airport, meet your local transfer to your hotel for check-in.

Later, embark on a guided city tour of Tirana, exploring the vibrant mix of history and modern life in Albania’s capital. Visit Skanderbeg Square, the heart of the city; admire the Et’hem Bey Mosque, one of Tirana’s oldest landmarks; and see the National Historical Museum, home to treasures that tell the story of Albania through the ages. Continue to the Pyramid of Tirana, once a museum dedicated to Enver Hoxha, and stroll along the Blloku District, a lively area filled with cafés and boutiques.

Return to your hotel for overnight stay in Tirana.

Day 2 – Optional Excursion: Berat UNESCO City & Belshi Lake (approx. 9-10h)

After breakfast, join an optional full-day group tour exploring the UNESCO World Heritage city of Berat and the serene Belshi Lake.

Depart from your hotel with your driver–guide and enjoy the scenic drive to Belshi Lake, a beautiful natural spot perfect for photos and relaxation. Continue to Berat, known as the “City of a Thousand Windows,” where history and architecture blend harmoniously. Visit Berat Castle, Gorica Bridge, and stroll through the charming Ottoman quarters of Mangalem and Gorica.

Optionally, visit the Onufri Museum, home to a rich collection of religious art and Ottoman treasures.

Return to Tirana in the evening for overnight stay.

Day 2 – Optional Excursion: Kruja Castle, Old Bazaar & Sari Salltik Shrine (approx. 7-8h)

After breakfast, embark on an optional full-day tour to Kruja, a city steeped in Albanian history and national pride.

Travel from Tirana with your guide to Kruja Castle, the stronghold of Albania’s national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, known as the “Dragon of Albania.” Visit the Gjergj Kastrioti National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum to learn about the country’s rich past and heroic resistance against the Ottoman Empire.

Enjoy free time to stroll through the Old Bazaar, a colorful market filled with handmade crafts and local souvenirs, before continuing to the Sari Salltik Mosque and Shrine, located high on Mount Kruja, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

Return to Tirana in the evening for overnight stay.

Day 2 – Optional Activity: Traditional Albanian Cooking Class with Raki Tasting (approx. 4h)

Immerse yourself in Albanian culture through an authentic hands-on cooking experience in Tirana.

Join a friendly local chef who will guide you step-by-step in preparing traditional Albanian dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Learn about the country’s culinary heritage while sampling a variety of appetizers and enjoying a fun rakia tasting—Albania’s beloved fruit brandy.

Savor your creations over a hearty, full-course meal, paired with unlimited homemade wine. Along the way, enjoy cultural anecdotes and culinary tips that bring each recipe to life.

Vegetarian options available upon request.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon for leisure time and overnight stay.

Day 3 – Departure from Tirana: Farewell to Albania

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and transfer to Tirana International Airport for your departure flight.

End of services — take home memorable experiences, Albanian flavors, and cultural insights from your Tirana adventure.