Ottoman Cities and Ionian Coast: Road Tripping from Albania to Greece

Today is all about discovering Albania’s vibrant capital, a city known and adored for its dizzying mixture of Ottoman, Soviet and Fascist-era architecture. In the company of a clued-up local guide, you’ll see some of the best sights in town, including Skanderbeg Square, the Hajji Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower of Tirana and the 18th-century Tabakkane bridge. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the National History Museum, which documents Albanian culture since the Paleolithic period. This afternoon is yours to play with. You can continue exploring the city at your own leisure or we can arrange for you to enjoy a guided hike on Mount Dajti.

Today you’ll be leaving the city and travelling to Berat, a beautiful Ottoman city on the banks of the Osum River. After a delicious breakfast at your hotel this morning, collect your hire car. The drive takes around an hour-and-a-half, however there’s plenty to see and do along the way. We recommend first making a slight detour to Kruje, a charming medieval town just 12 miles north of Tirana. Take a stroll along the well-preserved cobbled streets before visiting the Kruje Castle, an impressive fortress at the centre of Skanderbeg's historic rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. Continue south to the Archaeological Park of Apollonia, the largest of its kind in Albania. This ancient Greek city was founded in Illyrian land in around 620 BC. At its peak it was home to 60,000 inhabitants and was also an important site of culture. The city experienced a golden age in the second century AD, during which enormous prosperity led to architectural feats, such as a two-storied portico (temple entrance). The site benefits from an enchanting natural setting and offers a breathtaking view of the Acroceraunian Mountains and the island of Sazan. Round off the afternoon settling into your next accommodation: a classic hotel in the historic centre of Berat, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.

The splendid Ottoman city of Berat is nothing short of a time machine. Classic white houses and Byzantine churches line the streets of Old Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today you’ll be exploring the beautiful centre in the company of a knowledgeable local guide, admiring the many architectural and historic gems on display. You’ll visit the medieval hilltop fortress, the 13th-century Shën Mëri Vllahernës church and the 15th-century Xhamia Mbret mosque, to name just a few.

Your journey south towards Greece continues today. After a fuelling breakfast at the hotel this morning, hop back into your hire car and travel two-and-a-half hours to Gjirokaster, a beautiful city set in a valley surrounded by mountains. Check in for two nights in a traditional Ottoman hotel in the heart of the old town. Spend the rest of today relaxing in your new home ready for a day of exploring tomorrow.

Today is all about discovering the historic charm and beauty of Gjirokaster’s oldest districts. These neighbourhoods pay homage to the Turkish and Albanian heritages that mingle here, as well as the prosperous merchants who had their grand properties built in the 17th and 18th centuries. After breakfast this morning, head out with a friendly local guide to some of the city’s finest historic sites: the 13th-century citadel, the bustling bazaar, the Memi Bey Mosque and the birthplace of Ismail Kadaré.

It’s your last day in Albania and what better way to spend it than in one of its most beautiful coastal destinations: the Albanian Riviera? After breakfast this morning, jump back into your hire car and travel one hour to the charming resort town of Sarande. On arrival, check in for two nights in a small boutique hotel on the seafront. The rest of today is yours to spend soaking in the scenic and cultural delights of southern Albania. The waters of nearby Lake Butrint surround a dazzling hill and are connected to the sea by a natural channel. From here you can visit the archaeological ruins of Butrint, an ancient Greek city that was occupied by different civilizations and various empires before being totally abandoned at the end of the Middle Ages. The site is home to a range of beautiful monuments, including dwellings, Roman baths, chapels, a fortress-museum and a fourth-century basilica. You could also spend today lounging on one of the many beautiful beaches of southern Albania. Sarande is home to plenty of good options, or you could head south to Ksamil Beach, the justifiably-nicknamed ‘Albanian Caribbean’.

The time has come to bid farewell to Albania and hop across the Ionian Sea to the Greek island of Corfu. After a delicious breakfast at the hotel this morning, head to the port in Sarande to catch a thirty-minute hydrofoil ferry crossing to Corfu. On arrival, collect your hire car and travel to your final accommodation: an elegant hotel located in Kommeno, a few miles north of Corfu City. Spend the rest of today settling into your new Greek surroundings. We recommend heading to the beautiful nearby beach for an afternoon stroll and dip in the sea before enjoying a relaxing evening in the hotel’s fragrant garden.

The last two days of your holiday are all about soaking in the scenic coastal delights of Corfu. Nicknamed the ‘Emerald Island’ in reference to its crystalline waters and lush vegetation, Corfu is the largest and, for many, the most beautiful of the Ionian Islands. With picturesque countryside, calm bays and pretty houses emerging from forests of olive trees, Corfu is a real paradise on earth. Even during its most touristy months, there are always hidden gems to be found. Our local Concierge will be on hand to recommend the spots that most tourists don’t know about, be it a tucked-away beach, a charming restaurant or a quiet hiking trail.