Albania, the way we'd do it again

Coast to mountains, south to north

This is the exact 2-week route we travelled, a road trip from the turquoise Riviera coast all the way up to the dramatic peaks of the Albanian Alps. Where to stay, where to eat, what to do and all the local tips we wish we'd known before going (including the rental car mistake that cost us a whole morning). Use it as a guide, not a rulebook, and stay longer where you fall in love.

The route

• Sarandë, 4 nights. Crystal Island Beach Club, Lëkurësi Castle at sunset, Lost Seaside dinner.
• Ksamil, 2 nights. Pulëbardha & Mirror Beach, Greg Restaurant for sunset.
• Himarë, 4 nights. Our favourite, a private boat tour, Eleni's country breakfast, the main town.
• Vlorë, 2 nights. A coastal stop on the way north.
• Shkodër & the Alps. The Theth to Valbona hike, the Shala River and the Theth Blue Eye.

What's inside the guide

• City-by-city plan: where to stay, where to eat and what to do
• Every spot with a clickable Google Maps link in the interactive Notion guide
• The Theth to Valbona hike, the boat tours and the hidden beaches, all sorted
• Getting around: car hire tips, the driving legs and what cards to bring
• Our 10 things to know before you go, with the prices we actually paid
• Lifetime updates

A glimpse inside