Albania Two Week Itinerary: Tirana, Kruje, Berat, Gjirokaster, Lake Ohrid, Korca and Shkodra in 14 Days
Fourteen days in Albania give a first time visitor the whole country at a slow pace. This Albania two week itinerary runs from Tirana to Kruje, south to Berat and Gjirokaster, inland to the Blue Eye spring and the ruins of Butrint, east to Lake Ohrid and Korca, north to Shkodra and the Albanian Alps,…
Fourteen days in Albania give a first time visitor the whole country at a slow pace. This Albania two week itinerary runs from Tirana to Kruje, south to Berat and Gjirokaster, inland to the Blue Eye spring and the ruins of Butrint, east to Lake Ohrid and Korca, north to Shkodra and the Albanian Alps, and back to the capital, with every leg by public bus or hire car.
The route stays inland from start to finish. Two days in Tirana and Kruje open the trip, two days in Berat give the old town time to breathe, two days in Gjirokaster cover the stone city and the Permet valley, one day at the Blue Eye and Butrint adds the ancient south, two days on Lake Ohrid slow the pace, two days in Korca add the cultural capital of the south east, and two days in Shkodra open the Alps. No day needs more than one move.
Use this guide day by day. The tables at the end compare bus travel with a hire car, cost the fortnight at three budgets, and set out shorter and longer versions.
Stay here: Rogner Hotel Tirana
Rogner Hotel Tirana stands on the main boulevard at Bulevardi Deshmoret e Kombit 9, Tirana 1010, a short walk from Skanderbeg Square. The hotel holds a 30,000 square metre garden in the heart of the city, with a spa and a restaurant, and it suits the first two nights of this Albania two week itinerary. Rooms from $159.43 per night.
Albania Two Week Itinerary at a Glance
Albania is a compact country with slow roads, so the secret of a good fortnight is to move little and look long. The capital Tirana holds the main airport, the main bus terminals and the largest choice of hotels, restaurants and mosques, while Berat, Gjirokaster, Kruje, Elbasan, Pogradec, Korca and Shkodra each sit within a few hours by road.
Quick Picks for an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best Albania Two Week Itinerary for First Time Visitors
- Start with two days in Tirana and Kruje, since the capital gives museums and the cable car, and Kruje gives the castle and the bazaar
- Give Berat two full days, since the castle and the old quarters deserve slow time
- End the first week in Gjirokaster, since the stone city gives the finest days of the south
Best Two Week Albania Itinerary by Bus Without a Car
- Take the furgon to Kruje for about 200 lek, and the bus to Berat for about 700 lek
- Take the direct afternoon bus to Gjirokaster, and the early bus to Pogradec
- Change buses in Tirana for the long leg to Shkodra, and confirm every departure the evening before
Best Albania Two Week Itinerary for Halal Food and Prayer
- Order byrek, tave kosi, grilled lamb and grilled fish
- Ask staff about halal sourcing before ordering meat dishes
- Plan prayer around the Ethem Bey and Namazgah Mosques in Tirana and the Bazaar Mosque in Gjirokaster
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | Tirana, Kruje, Berat, Gjirokaster, Blue Eye and Butrint, Pogradec, Korca, Shkodra, return to Tirana |
| Best for | First time visitors, castle towns, mountain lakes, halal friendly food, slow travel by bus |
| Ideal pace | Two nights Tirana, two Berat, three Gjirokaster, two Pogradec, two Korca, two Shkodra |
| Getting there | Tirana International Airport, 17 kilometres from central Tirana, Rinas Express bus to Skanderbeg Square |
| Getting around | Intercity buses and furgons, Gjirafa Travel for times, hire car |
| Best months | May to June and September to October |
| Halal food | Byrek, tave kosi, grilled lamb and grilled fish, ask staff about halal sourcing |
| Prayer | Ethem Bey and Namazgah Mosques in Tirana, Bazaar Mosques in Kruje and Gjirokaster |
Fourteen Days of an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Work through the fourteen days in order. Days 1 to 7 follow the southward route to Gjirokaster and the ancient sites of the south, Days 8 to 11 run east to Lake Ohrid and Korca, and Days 12 to 14 turn north to Shkodra and the Alps.
1. Days 1 to 2 in Tirana and Kruje on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best for
First time visitors who want a gentle start, families who prefer a walkable capital, and travellers who want prayer and halal food settled first. Tirana is compact, and Kruje gives the national story in a single morning.
Day 1 starts on Skanderbeg Square, the wide heart of the capital, where the Ethem Bey Mosque stands beside the Clock Tower. The mosque dates from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Visiting windows run roughly 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:00. From the square walk to BunkArt 2 on Rruga Abdi Toptani, inside a former Cold War bunker.
The afternoon suits the Pyramid and the Blloku district, then the New Bazaar. The Namazgah Mosque on Rruga Kavajes near parliament opened on 10 October 2024 with four minarets and room for about 10,000 worshippers. In the evening ride the Dajti Ekspres cable car to the Dajti plateau, a climb of about 15 minutes.
Day 2 is the half day in Kruje, about 32 kilometres north of Tirana and about one hour by furgon, with a fare of about 200 lek each way. Kruja Castle stands on a rocky ridge above the plain, and the Skanderbeg Museum inside the castle walls tells the story of Gjergj Kastrioti and 25 years of resistance from 1443 to 1468, with original swords from the 15th century among the displays. Allow one to two hours, and confirm hours and admission on the day. Below the castle, the Old Bazaar runs along the cobbled road to the castle, with shops selling filigree silver jewellery, copperwork and kilim rugs, and the Bazaar Mosque stands in the bazaar itself, completed in 1533. For a fuller account, the guide to things to do in Kruje covers the castle, the museums and the bazaar in depth.
Address: Ethem Bey Mosque, Sheshi Skenderbej 1, Tirana 1001. Kruja Castle, Rruga Kala, Kruje 1501.
Do not miss
The frescoes of the Ethem Bey Mosque, the rampart views from Kruja Castle, and the Dajti Ekspres cable car.
Practical info
Airport to city: Rinas Express bus, 400 lek, about 30 minutes, to Skanderbeg Square. Tirana to Kruje: furgon about one hour, about 200 lek each way. Dajti Ekspres: closed on Tuesday, tickets at the lower station only. National History Museum: closed since 15 March 2024, reopening expected 2028.
Insider tip: See Kruje in the morning, since the castle light is best before midday.
2. Days 3 to 4 in Berat and the Osumi Canyon on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best for
Travellers who love old towns, families who want a slow afternoon, and anyone who wants the most beautiful town in Albania. Berat sits about two hours south of Tirana by bus, and the white Ottoman houses of the Mangalem quarter climb the hillside below a living castle.
Take a morning bus from the South and North Bus Terminal in Tirana, on Rruga e Kavajes. The ride takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, with a fare of about 600 to 700 lek. Spend the afternoon in the Mangalem quarter below the castle, where whitewashed houses with rows of windows stack up the slope. The Lead Mosque and the Gate of the Pasha stand among the lanes, and the promenade along the Osum River gives the classic evening walk. Berat Castle still holds homes, churches and a mosque inside its walls, and the climb from Mangalem takes about 20 to 30 minutes on foot.
Inside the castle, the Onufri Museum sits in the castle church and holds icons by Onufri, the 16th century master of icon painting. Entry to the castle is listed at about 300 lek. Stay the night in a family guesthouse in Mangalem or Gorica.
Day 4 suits the Gorica quarter in the morning, across the Gorica Bridge on the far bank of the Osum River, where stone houses climb the slope below the Tomorr mountain ridge. The quarter holds the Church of Saint Spiridon, built in 1864, and its lanes give the finest view back across the river to the Mangalem windows. In the afternoon take the road south to the Osumi Canyon, a river gorge about 13 kilometres long, starting just south of the town of Corovode, about an hour drive from Berat. A car, a taxi or a guided tour is the practical way to reach it, since buses run to Corovode and the canyon mouth still sits about 8 kilometres beyond the town.
Address: Berat Castle, above the Mangalem quarter, Berat. Gorica quarter, across the Gorica Bridge, Berat.
Do not miss
The Mangalem windows from the Gorica side at dusk, the Onufri icons, and the canyon walls of Osumi.
Practical info
Tirana to Berat: bus about 2 to 2.5 hours, about 600 to 700 lek. Berat Castle entry: listed at about 300 lek, check on the day. Castle climb: about 20 to 30 minutes on foot from Mangalem, so wear shoes with grip. Osumi Canyon: about an hour by road from Berat, agree the taxi fare before leaving town.
Insider tip: Climb to the castle in the late afternoon, when the light is warmest.
3. Days 5 to 6 in Gjirokaster and Permet on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best for
History lovers, architecture lovers and travellers who want the most atmospheric old town in southern Albania. Gjirokaster is known as the City of Stone, and the grey stone roofs, white walls and steep cobbled lanes give a town that looks like no other in the country.
Take the morning bus from Berat, which runs about 3 hours over about 175 kilometres, with a fare in the range of 1,000 to 1,200 lek. Listings give departures at 8:00 and 14:00, while the Gjirafa Travel booking page lists a single daily departure at 14:00, so confirm the morning departure the evening before. The bus drops at the station in the lower town, and the walk uphill to the Old Town takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Start high at Gjirokaster Castle, one of the largest fortresses in the Balkans, with first walls from the 12th century, Ottoman capture in 1419, and expansion under Ali Pasha. The National Museum of Armaments holds arms from 1912 to the end of the Second World War. The castle opens daily from 9:00, with entry listed at 400 lek. Allow two to three hours. Walk down into the Old Bazaar, known as Qafa e Pazarit, a 17th century market quarter of stone arched shop fronts, where shops sell wood carving, silver filigree jewellery, local honey and mountain tea. The Bazaar Mosque, built in 1757, gives a place of prayer in the heart of the quarter. For a fuller account, the guide to things to do in Gjirokaster covers the castle, the bazaar and the tower houses in depth.
Day 6 runs east to Permet, a small town in the Vjosa River valley known for slow food and mountain air. The Benja Hot Springs sit beyond Permet beside the historic Kadiu Bridge, a series of warm mineral pools in a narrow gorge. Allow about 1.5 hours at the springs, and take the same road back to Gjirokaster for the night.
Address: Gjirokaster Castle, Rruga Elvia Celebi, Gjirokaster. Old Bazaar, Qafa e Pazarit, Gjirokaster.
Do not miss
The view from the castle ramparts across the Drino Valley, the painted ceilings of Zekate House, and the warm pools of Benja.
Practical info
Berat to Gjirokaster: bus about 3 hours, about 1,000 to 1,200 lek, confirm the departure the evening before. Gjirokaster Castle: open daily from 9:00, entry listed at 400 lek, museum 200 lek. Old Town: steep cobbled streets, stone slabs slippery when wet, so wear shoes with grip.
Insider tip: Arrive at the castle at opening time and walk the ramparts before groups build up.
4. Day 7 at the Blue Eye Spring and Butrint on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best for
Travellers who want the ancient south in a single day, nature lovers and archaeology lovers. The Blue Eye spring and the ruins of Butrint sit south of Gjirokaster, and both fit into one unhurried day by car, taxi or tour.
Start at the Blue Eye, known as Syri i Kalter, a deep natural spring about an hour from Gjirokaster by road, where clear water rises from a depth of more than 50 metres. A walk of about 2 kilometres runs from the parking area to the spring, and about 1.5 hours covers the visit. Some buses from Gjirokaster stop at the spring road, so ask the driver before boarding.
Continue south to Butrint, a UNESCO listed archaeological park near the Greek border, where ruins from Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian times stand among trees and old walls. The Great Basilica, built in the 6th century, gives the finest single ruin in the park, and the theatre, the baptistery and the castle above the site fill the rest of the visit. Allow two to three hours for the full circuit, and confirm entry and hours at the gate. A car, a taxi or a guided tour is the practical way to reach it from Gjirokaster.
Address: Blue Eye spring, Syri i Kalter, south of Gjirokaster. Butrint National Park, near the Greek border in the far south.
Do not miss
The deep blue water of the spring, the Great Basilica of Butrint, and the theatre ruins.
Practical info
Blue Eye: about an hour by road, 2 kilometre walk, about 1.5 hours. Butrint: allow two to three hours, confirm entry at the gate. Return to Gjirokaster for a third night, and confirm the early bus to Pogradec the evening before.
Insider tip: Visit the spring in the morning, since the light on the water is clearest before midday.
5. Days 8 to 9 at Lake Ohrid and Pogradec on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best for
Travellers who want a slow lake day, families who need a rest after the hill towns, and anyone who wants one of the oldest lakes in Europe. Pogradec on the Albanian shore gives a lakeside promenade, grilled fish restaurants and a calm break in the middle of the fortnight.
Day 8 is the longest bus day of the fortnight, so take the earliest departure. Buses from Gjirokaster to Pogradec run about 5 hours and 38 minutes at fastest over about 290 kilometres, with five daily departures from 5:05 to 10:00. The early bus reaches Pogradec by late morning.
Spend the afternoon on the lakeside promenade, where the water runs clear to the far shore. Pogradec is famous for its grilled fish restaurants along the water, and the local Koran fish is the dish to ask for. The springs of Drilon, near the village of Tushemisht a short drive south of town, give a quiet walk among canals and willow trees. Stay two nights in Pogradec, close to the promenade.
Address: Pogradec lakeside promenade. Drilon springs, near Tushemisht.
Do not miss
The lakeside promenade in the late afternoon, the Drilon springs, and a grilled fish dinner.
Practical info
Gjirokaster to Pogradec: bus about 5 hours and 38 minutes at fastest, five daily departures from 5:05 to 10:00. Pogradec to Tirana: bus about 2.5 hours, about 5 to 7 euro. Pogradec to Korca: bus about 40 minutes, departures through the day.
Insider tip: Take the 5:05 bus from Gjirokaster, since the early departure gives a full lake afternoon.
6. Days 10 to 11 in Korca and Voskopoja on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best for
Culture lovers, food lovers, families who want a flat and walkable town after the hill climbs, and travellers who want the south east corner of Albania that most visitors miss. Korca is known as the cultural capital of Albania, with museums, stately mansions and a pedestrian centre.
Take the morning bus from Pogradec, a ride of about 40 minutes over a short mountain road, with departures through the day. Start in the Old Bazaar, a restored market quarter of stone lanes and low shops, then walk to the Resurrection Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in Albania. The National Museum of Medieval Art holds icons and religious art from the south east. The pedestrian centre suits an unhurried afternoon, with cafes and the old mansions of the town.
Day 11 runs to Voskopoja, a mountain village about 20 kilometres west of Korca, once a thriving centre of trade and learning with churches that still hold old frescoes. A taxi or a guided tour is the practical way to reach it, since buses are few. Walk the village lanes, visit the churches that stand open on the day, and return to Korca for a last evening in the Old Bazaar. The way food tourism is shaping modern travel shows in Korca, where family restaurants serve mountain dishes.
Address: Old Bazaar, Korca. Voskopoja village, about 20 kilometres west of Korca.
Do not miss
The Old Bazaar in the morning, the icons of the National Museum of Medieval Art, and the churches of Voskopoja.
Practical info
Pogradec to Korca: bus about 40 minutes. Korca to Voskopoja: about 20 kilometres, taxi or guided tour, agree the fare before leaving. Korca to Tirana: bus about 3.5 hours, confirm at the station.
Insider tip: Stay near the Old Bazaar, since the museums, the cathedral and the market all sit within a short walk.
7. Days 12 to 13 in Shkodra and the Albanian Alps on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best for
Walkers, photographers and travellers who want the north of Albania at the end of the trip. Shkodra is the gateway to the Albanian Alps, and the classic extension of this route runs north from the city to Theth and the Koman Lake ferry.
Day 12 is a travel day. Take the morning bus from Korca to Tirana, about 3.5 hours, then change at the South and North Bus Terminal for the bus to Shkodra, about two hours for about 5 to 6 euro. Travel light and confirm both departures the evening before. Arrive in Shkodra by evening and stay near the pedestrian street.
Day 13 starts at Rozafa Castle, about 3 kilometres from the centre, on a hill where the Drin, Buna and Kir rivers meet below Lake Shkoder. The climb is steep and the views repay it. Walk back through the old town on Rruga Kole Idromeno, the pedestrian street of pastel buildings and small shops, then visit the Marubi National Museum of Photography, which holds more than 500,000 negatives and photographs dating back to 1850. The Ebu Beker Mosque, built in 1994, gives a place of prayer in the centre. For a fuller account, the guide to what to do in Shkodra covers the castle, the old town and the lake in depth.
The Alps themselves suit a day trip from Shkodra in the walking season, from June to early October. The minibus to Theth leaves early in the morning, takes about two hours over about 80 kilometres of mountain road, and costs about 12 euro. The village gives stone houses, the Grunas Waterfall and the Blue Eye of Theth, so allow a full day. The Koman Lake ferry gives the other classic day out: the Berisha ferry leaves Koman at 9:00 and Fierza at 13:00, every day from mid April to early November, with a passenger fare of about 9 euro online or 10 euro in cash.
Address: Rozafa Castle, Shkodra. Marubi National Museum of Photography, Rruga Kole Idromeno, Shkodra.
Do not miss
The view from Rozafa Castle over the rivers and the lake, and the Marubi photographs.
Practical info
Korca to Tirana: bus about 3.5 hours. Tirana to Shkodra: bus about two hours, about 5 to 6 euro. Shkodra to Theth: minibus about two hours, about 12 euro. Koman Lake ferry: leaves Koman at 9:00 and Fierza at 13:00, mid April to early November, about 9 euro online or 10 euro in cash.
Insider tip: Keep Theth for a separate overnight, since the mountain road rewards an early start.
Stay here: Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana
Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana stands at Rruga Abdi Toptani 18, Tirana 1001, a few minutes walk from Skanderbeg Square, with 190 rooms across 24 floors, a spa and a gym. The tower suits the final night of this Albania two week itinerary. Rooms from $200.73 per night.
8. Day 14 Back in Tirana on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Best for
Travellers with a late flight, families who want one slow day before departure, and anyone who wants to see the capital properly after the country days.
Take a morning bus from Shkodra to Tirana, with a ride of about two hours and a fare of about 5 to 6 euro. Spend the afternoon in Grand Park, the green lung of the city around the Artificial Lake, with walking paths and views back toward Mount Dajti. The New Bazaar suits a last browse, and the Pyramid gives a final viewpoint over the centre. For a fuller account of the city, the guide to is Tirana worth visiting sets the capital beside the rest of the route.
The road from Shkodra also passes Elbasan on the way south for travellers with a hire car, where the castle quarter holds the King Mosque and the Clock Tower inside its walls. The guide to things to do in Elbasan covers the castle, the museums and the mosques in depth.
Address: Grand Park and Artificial Lake, Tirana. Elbasan Castle, Castle Quarter, Rruga Xhaferr Kongoli, Elbasan.
Do not miss
The walk around the Artificial Lake in Grand Park, and a final evening on Skanderbeg Square.
Practical info
Shkodra to Tirana: bus about two hours, about 5 to 6 euro. Airport run: Rinas Express 400 lek and about 30 minutes, official taxi near 2,000 to 2,500 lek, allow an hour in traffic.
Insider tip: Keep the final day free of fixed plans, since the park, the markets and the cable car reward a slow last day.
More Worth Your Time on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Elbasan sits about 50 kilometres south east of Tirana on the Shkumbin River, on the line of the ancient Via Egnatia, and it gives a full half day of castle walls, mosques and museums. Elbasan Castle holds the King Mosque and the Clock Tower inside its walls.
Apollonia Archaeological Park, near Fier, holds the remains of a Greek and Roman city founded around 600 BC, with a small museum and a monastery church at the entrance. Adult entry is 600 lek, with 500 lek when bought online. In winter, from 1 November to 28 February, the park is open Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 to 16:00, last entry 15:45, and closed on Monday. Allow two to three hours.
The Albanian Alps deserve more than a day trip, so travellers with extra days should add a night in Theth and a night in Valbona, with the hike over the Valbona Pass between them. The pass runs about 17 kilometres, with most hikers taking six to eight hours, and the hike runs only from June to October.
Albania Two Week Itinerary Compared: Which Route Fits Your Trip
Use the table to choose the right shape for the trip.
| Option | Main Stops | Longest Leg | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| This two week route | Tirana, Kruje, Berat, Gjirokaster, Pogradec, Korca, Shkodra | About 5 hours and 38 minutes | First time visitors who want the whole country |
| One week version | Tirana, Kruje, Berat, Gjirokaster, Pogradec | About 5 hours and 38 minutes | Slow travel with a lake day |
| Five day version | Tirana, Kruje, Berat, Gjirokaster | About 3.5 hours | Short trips |
| Alps extension | Shkodra, Theth, Valbona, Koman Lake ferry | About 2.5 hours plus a hike | Walkers from June to October |
Suggested Itineraries for an Albania Two Week Itinerary
These itineraries build the same route into shorter and longer trips.
| Trip Length | What to See and Do |
|---|---|
| 3 Days | Day 1: Arrive at Tirana International Airport, Rinas Express bus to Skanderbeg Square, Ethem Bey Mosque and BunkArt 2. Day 2: Ride the Dajti Ekspres cable car. Day 3: Day trip to Kruja Castle by furgon. |
| 5 Days | Days 1 to 2: As above, plus a half day in Kruje. Days 3 to 4: Two days in Berat. Day 5: Gjirokaster, castle and bazaar. |
| 1 Week | Days 1 to 7: The full one week route. |
| 2 Weeks | Days 1 to 14: The full route in this guide. |
| 3 Weeks | Weeks 1 to 2: As above. Week 3: Two nights in Theth, the Valbona Pass hike, a night in Valbona, and the Koman Lake ferry back to Shkodra. |
Book Tickets on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Most sights in Albania take payment at the door, so booking matters only at the cable car and the lake ferry.
| Attraction | Tickets |
|---|---|
| Dajti Ekspres Cable Car | Tickets at the lower station only |
| BunkArt 2 | Tickets at the door |
| Apollonia Archaeological Park | Adult 600 lek, online 500 lek, student 180 lek, child under 12 free |
| Gjirokaster Castle | Tickets at the entrance, entry listed at 400 lek, museum 200 lek extra |
| Koman Lake Ferry | About 9 euro online or 10 euro in cash, mid April to early November |
Where to Stay on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Top 3 hotels in Tirana
Explore all hotels >- Rogner Hotel Tirana ★★★★★
- Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana ★★★★★
- Tirana Marriott Hotel ★★★★★
Tirana suits the first two nights and the final night, with the square, the mosques and the bus terminals all in easy reach. Stay central at first, then move to a guesthouse in the country towns for the rest of the trip.
Two hotels with verified official booking pages cover the main styles of stay in this guide:
- Rogner Hotel Tirana: A five star hotel at Bulevardi Deshmoret e Kombit 9, Tirana 1010, with a 30,000 square metre garden.
- Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana: A five star hotel at Rruga Abdi Toptani 18, Tirana 1001, with 190 rooms across 24 floors.
| Area | Best For | What Is Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Skanderbeg Square | First time visitors | Ethem Bey Mosque and Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana |
| Main boulevard south | Quiet stays and gardens | Rogner Hotel Tirana |
| Berat old town | Castle days and slow mornings | Berat Castle |
| Gjirokaster old town | Stone lanes and castle views | Gjirokaster Castle |
| Pogradec lake shore | Lake days and grilled fish | Lake Ohrid promenade |
| Korca centre | Culture days and flat walks | Old Bazaar |
| Shkodra centre | Alps days and lake mornings | Rozafa Castle and the Marubi Museum |
Where to Eat on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Albania eats like a country of small farms and family kitchens, with grilled meats, fresh vegetables, soft cheese, warm bread and lake fish on most menus. Meals are generous, and the best food sits in family tavernas.
Halal Food on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Halal friendly eating in Albania starts with the dishes, not the labels, since few restaurants outside Tirana print a halal claim. Byrek with spinach, cheese or potato is halal friendly and available everywhere. Tave kosi, the baked lamb and yoghurt dish of Elbasan, suits halal eating when the kitchen confirms the meat source. Grilled lamb, grilled chicken and grilled fish fill the zgara menus, with salads and grilled vegetables alongside. Ask staff about halal sourcing before ordering meat.
Tirana holds the widest choice of stated halal restaurants, so plan the first meals in the capital. Korca and Pogradec hold family restaurants with mountain dishes and lake fish, and Berat and Gjirokaster hold tavernas with grilled meats and garden vegetables. The guide to how food tourism is shaping modern travel sets these family tables in the wider story of food led travel.
Local Dishes to Try on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Byrek leads the list, with flaky pastry and spinach, cheese or potato filling. Tave kosi follows, with baked lamb, yoghurt and egg from Elbasan. Grilled lamb and grilled chicken from the zgara, and grilled fish from Lake Ohrid, fill the rest of the table.
Mosques and Prayer Facilities on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Albania holds mosques in every town on this route, and prayer fits easily into a travel day with a little planning.
- Ethem Bey Mosque: At Sheshi Skenderbej 1, Tirana 1001. The historic mosque on Skanderbeg Square beside the Clock Tower, built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- Namazgah Mosque: At Rruga Kavajes, Tirana, near the parliament building. The Great Mosque of Tirana, opened on 10 October 2024.
- Bazaar Mosque, Kruje: In the Derexhiku Bazaar, completed in 1533. The central place of prayer in Kruje, a few steps from the castle route.
- King Mosque, Elbasan: Inside Elbasan Castle, built between 1492 and 1502, one of the oldest active mosques in Albania.
- Bazaar Mosque, Gjirokaster: In the Old Bazaar, built in 1757. The main mosque of the old town, with a stone minaret and a domed prayer hall.
- Ebu Beker Mosque, Shkodra: In the centre of the city, built in 1994 on the site of a historic mosque. The main mosque of the north, close to the pedestrian street.
- Lead Mosque, Berat: In the Mangalem quarter, a historic mosque of the old town.
Plan prayer around the day route, with the Ethem Bey Mosque on Skanderbeg Square, the Bazaar Mosque in Kruje, the King Mosque in Elbasan, and the Bazaar Mosque in Gjirokaster.
How to Travel Around Albania in Two Weeks
Every leg of this route runs by bus, so the fortnight works without a hire car. Carry lek in small notes and confirm each departure the evening before.
| Leg | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tirana to Kruje | Furgon | About 1 hour | About 200 lek |
| Tirana to Berat | Bus | About 2 to 2.5 hours | About 600 to 700 lek |
| Berat to Gjirokaster | Direct bus | About 3 hours | About 1,000 to 1,200 lek |
| Gjirokaster to Pogradec | Bus | About 5 hours and 38 minutes | Confirm at the station |
| Pogradec to Korca | Bus | About 40 minutes | Confirm at the station |
| Korca to Shkodra via Tirana | Two buses, change in Tirana | Full day | Confirm at the station |
| Shkodra to Tirana | Bus | About 2 hours | About 5 to 6 euro |
How Much Does Two Weeks in Albania Cost
Daily costs stay low by European standards, and the figures below are approximate planning ranges.
| Item | Budget | Mid Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay per night | Guesthouse, about 25 to 35 euro | Central hotel, about 50 to 70 euro | Five star hotel, 100 euro and above |
| Food per day | Byrek stalls and tavernas, about 10 to 15 euro | Restaurants, about 20 to 30 euro | Long lunches, 40 euro and above |
| Transport per day | Buses and furgons, a few euro | Buses plus taxis, about 10 euro | Hire car, about 20 to 25 euro a day |
| Daily total | 35 to 50 euro | 70 to 100 euro | 130 euro and above |
What Is the Best Time for an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Shoulder season gives the best fortnight, with warm days, mild evenings and fewer crowds.
| Months | Weather | Crowds | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| May to June | Warm days, mild evenings | Moderate | Walking and lake days |
| July to August | Hot, highest prices | Busiest | Long days |
| September to October | Warm days, cool evenings | Moderate | Old towns and hiking |
| November to April | Cool and wet | Quietest | City days |
Day Trips from Tirana on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Kruje sits about 32 kilometres north of Tirana, about an hour by furgon, with Kruja Castle and the old bazaar below it.
Elbasan sits about 50 kilometres south east of Tirana, about an hour by bus, with the King Mosque and the Clock Tower inside the castle walls, and tave kosi for lunch.
Practical Tips for an Albania Two Week Itinerary
- Carry lek in cash from the first day, and keep small notes for bus fares.
- Check the visa free stay for your passport before departure.
- Buy a local SIM at the airport, and download offline maps before a mountain day.
- Ask the hotel receptionist where the morning bus leaves from.
- Ask staff about halal sourcing before ordering meat dishes.
- Plan prayer around the Ethem Bey Mosque and the Namazgah Mosque.
- Visit in May to June or September to October for the mildest walking weather.
Final Thoughts on an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Fourteen days in Albania work best when the route stays simple: two nights in Tirana, two in Berat, three in Gjirokaster, two in Pogradec, two in Korca, and two in Shkodra, with a final day back in the capital. The buses run, the fares stay low, and the food stays generous.
Base the trip in Tirana, then let the route grow outward: Kruje for the castle and the bazaar, Berat for the old town, Gjirokaster for the stone city, the Blue Eye and Butrint for the ancient south, Pogradec for the lake, Korca for the culture of the south east, and Shkodra for the Alps.
The fortnight also shows why Albania rewards the traveller who arrives prepared. Cash in small notes, a confirmed bus time, and a question about halal sourcing before ordering all make the difference between a smooth trip and a trip of small frictions.
Go in May or June, or in September or October, while Albania is still affordable, still welcoming, and still changing fast. Two weeks give the full country, with room for the Alps and the lake to grow into a third week.
Keep Exploring
- Is Tirana Worth Visiting?
- Things to Do in Kruje, Albania: Castle, Skanderbeg Museum, Old Bazaar and Mountain Views
- Things to Do in Elbasan, Albania: Castle, Museums, Mosques and Via Egnatia
- Things to Do in Gjirokaster: Castle, Old Bazaar and Stone Tower Houses
- What to Do in Shkodra: The Ultimate Guide to the Northern Gem of Albania
Frequently Asked Questions About an Albania Two Week Itinerary
Is two weeks enough for Albania?
Yes, two weeks in Albania are enough for the whole country at a slow pace: Tirana, Kruje, Berat, Gjirokaster, the Blue Eye and Butrint, Lake Ohrid, Korca, and Shkodra.
What is the best two week Albania itinerary?
The best two week Albania itinerary starts in Tirana: Days 1 to 2 in Tirana and Kruje, Days 3 to 4 in Berat, Days 5 to 6 in Gjirokaster, Day 7 at the Blue Eye and Butrint, Days 8 to 9 at Lake Ohrid, Days 10 to 11 in Korca, Days 12 to 13 in Shkodra, and Day 14 back in Tirana.
Can I do an Albania two week itinerary without a car?
Yes, every leg of this Albania two week itinerary runs by bus or furgon, with fares paid in cash lek to the driver. A hire car saves time on the long legs.
How much does two weeks in Albania cost?
Two weeks in Albania cost far less than two weeks in most of western Europe. A budget trip runs about 35 to 50 euro a day, a mid range trip about 70 to 100 euro a day, and a comfortable trip about 130 euro a day.
What is the best time to visit Albania for two weeks?
The best time to visit Albania for two weeks is May to June and September to October, when warm days suit walking in the old towns.
Is Albania good for halal food for families with children?
Yes. Albania suits halal friendly eating for families, with byrek, tave kosi, grilled lamb, grilled chicken and grilled fish on menus across the country.
Do I need a visa to visit Albania?
Most western travellers do not need a visa. United States citizens may stay visa free for up to one year, while citizens of the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand may stay visa free for 90 days.
