Balkan Beaches

Southern Albania & Corfu, Greece

12 Days, 11 Nights

Trips start at $5,000 - including flights, accommodations, and more!

This 12-day route covers the best of Albania’s southern coast — from beach clubs and a castle sunset in Sarandë to a boat day exploring Grama Bay’s hidden coves from Himarë, a scenic drive with hilltop coffee stops and paragliders above Vlorë, and beach club and spa time at Marina Bay.

The trip also includes an extended detour across the water to Corfu, Greece, with time to explore Old Town’s history and shops, enjoy a beach day in Paleokastritsa, and spend a final day discovering the island’s north. The trip wraps up with a day in Tirana for coffee, culture, and one last night out.

Perfect for a group looking for beach time, boat days, a taste of Greece, and great nights out at every stop.

  • Albania Bay View

  • Albania flag

  • Cliffs along the ocean with greenery, rocky formations, and clear skies.

  • Cliffs and rock formations along a turquoise cove with a small sandy beach, overlooking an ocean under a clear sky.

  • A scenic view of a historic city with colorful buildings along a river, featuring a large white and gray castle and churches on a hill under a bright blue sky.

  • Colorful buildings, including a white structure in the foreground and yellow buildings with red roofs and balconies in the background, under a clear blue sky.

Itinerary

12 days, 11 nights

Day 1: Fly into Tirana, drive south to Sarande

Land in Tirana and pick up the drive south — about three hours down to Sarande, the gateway to Albania's southern coast. Take it easy once you arrive: unpack, grab dinner along the waterfront, and get an early night before the trip picks up.

Day 2:  Sarande promenade

Stroll the palm-lined waterfront promenade, with Ionian Sea views, cafes, and seafood restaurants. For an inland escape, visit the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a stunning turquoise freshwater spring.

Day 3: Beach club by day, castle at sunset

Spend the day at the Grande Hotel's beach club and pool — one of Sarande's best setups for lounging. As the afternoon winds down, head up to Lekursi Castle for sunset, with sweeping views over the bay and Corfu in the distance. Come nightfall, Lost Seaside is the move — it's Sarande's go-to for a proper night out.

Day 4: Ferry to Corfu, full day in Old Town

Take the ferry to Corfu, Greece, and explore the charming Old Town, with its historic fortress, winding streets, and hidden squares. Enjoy a leisurely waterfront lunch, browse boutique shops and local markets, then spend the evening wandering the town and enjoying dinner.

Day 5: Day trip to Paleokastritsa

Head across the island to Paleokastritsa for a full beach day. Start with a morning swim or snorkel before relaxing on the beach, then spend the afternoon soaking up the sun, enjoying the beautiful coastline, and unwinding by the water.

Day 6: North Corfu — Porto Timoni, Canal d'Amour, and Kaiser's Throne

Spend your last full day exploring northern Corfu, hiking to Porto Timoni’s famous double bay and visiting Sidari’s unique Canal d’Amour and the dramatic cliffs of Cape Drastis. End the day at Kaiser’s Throne in Pelekas for panoramic sunset views across the island.

Day 7: Back to Albania — Himare

Catch the ferry back across to Albania and make your way to Himare. Check in, get settled, and ease into the evening. Explore Himare's charming promenade for rooftop dining and sunset views.

Day 8: Boat day to Grama Bay

Spend five hours cruising the wild Karaburun coastline from Himarë with a local skipper, exploring hidden coves, sea caves, and beautiful beaches. Swim through the magical Blue Cave before arriving at Grama Bay for time to swim, sunbathe, and explore before heading back.

Day 12: Travel home

What’s included?

  • Flights in and out of Lisbon, with detailed tips for navigating your destination cities, plus pre-arranged train or bus transfers between localities.

  • Enjoy private hotel rooms, apartments, or rental homes, tailored to your destination and preferences.

  • See the highlights of this itinerary at the bottom of the page.

Trips begin at $5,000*

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Day 11: Tirana

Make your way to Tirana, Albania’s vibrant capital. Start with coffee near the Opera or inside Tirana Castle, then visit Bunk’Art to explore Albania’s Cold War history. In the evening, head to Blloku, the city’s lively bar and restaurant district, for one last night out.

Day 10: Spa day at Marina Bay

A slower day — treat yourselves to a spa day at Marina Bay before moving on to Tirana. For the evening, book a private chef to come to you — a hands-on class in dishes like byrek and tavë kosi, ending in a shared meal with wine or raki.

Day 9: Scenic drive to Vlore

The drive from Himarë to Vlorë takes about two hours and is one of the most scenic stretches of the trip. Break up the journey with a stop in Dhërmi for a freddo cappuccino at a family-run hilltop café, then watch paragliders launch from the cliffs above Vlorë as you make your way into town.

Itinerary Highlights

Beach clubs and castle sunsets in Sarande · Exploring Corfu Old Town & Grecian ruins · A boat day to Grama Bay and Himare's hidden beaches · A scenic drive to Vlore · Decompress in Marina Bay with a spay day · Cold War history in Tirana

* All itineraries are priced per person for groups of 2, prices are subject to change.