Albania rental car tour “Through the Balkan Peninsula”

About the destination: Tirana is by far the largest city in Albania and its administrative, cultural, economic, and industrial center. Today, it is an interesting and fascinating city, with a lively nightlife. Tirana is where old and new Albania meet. There is an imposing Ottoman mosque and its towering minaret near Skanderbeg Square, the main square of Tirana. The construction of the Ethem Bey Mosque began in 1798 and was completed in 1821. Closed under the communist regime, the mosque reopened as a place of worship in 1991. Look at the frescoes outside and in the porch depicting trees, waterfalls, Ottoman houses, and bridges, motifs rarely seen in Islamic art. The center of Tirana is a delightful area of wide tree-lined avenues and large squares, populated by unforgettable brutalist architecture and sometimes extremely colorful. It also has some great examples of heroic and socialist realism, such as the huge mural on the facade of the National History Museum. Tirana is a fascinating city and the capital of a fascinating country. It is very relaxing, with friendly and hospitable people, some great restaurants, and a lively nightlife. You can practically see everything the city has to offer in a day or two, but it's a great place to start exploring nearby places, like Durres and Kruja.

About the destination: Berat (pronounced [ˈbɛ:rat] in Albanian, and officially known as Berati in Albanian), is the ninth most populous city in the Republic of Albania. It serves as the capital of Berat County, one of the 12 counties that make up the country. In terms of distance, Berat is 71 kilometers (44 miles) north of Gjirokastër, 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Korçë, 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Tirana, and 33 kilometers (21 miles) east of Fier, when traveling by air. Geographically, Berat is situated in the southern part of the country, surrounded by mountains and hills, including the eastern Tomorr, which has been designated as a national park. The Osum River flows through the city for a total length of 161 kilometers (100 miles) before it drains into the Seman River in the Myzeqe Plain.

About the destination: Vlorë (in Albanian Vlora, in Italian Valona, in Greek Αυλών) is a port city and municipality of Albania, capital of the county of Vlorë. Located in the bay of Vlorë (with the famous island of Sazan or Saseno at the entrance), it is one of the important ports of the well-known Albanian coast and the second in the country after Durrës, with 93,812 inhabitants (data from 2006). Vlorë is the closest point to the Italian port of Bari and the coast of Salento, from which it is separated by the Otranto channel. The municipality includes, since the territorial reform of 2015, the administrative units of Novoselë, Orikum, Qendër Vlorë, Shushicë and the capital Vlorë. Previously, Vlorë was the capital of the now-defunct district of Vlorë.

About the destination: Saranda (Sarandë) is a quaint city situated in the southern part of Albania, close to the border of northern Greece. Recently, it has gained popularity in Albania due to the arrival of numerous cruise ships at its port. It's a peaceful city with a prime location, always bustling with activities. Cafes and terraces are open throughout the year, and its Mediterranean climate makes its beaches enjoyable. Unsurprisingly, it has been selected as a stopover for Greek island cruises.

About the destination: Gjirokastër is a city located in the southern part of Albania, nestled in a valley between the Gjerë mountains and the Drino river, at an elevation of 300 meters above sea level. Its historic district is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is noted as "a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town, constructed by large estate farmers." The city is dominated by the Gjirokastër Fortress, which hosts the Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival every five years. It is also the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the former communist leader of Albania, and the renowned author Ismail Kadare.

About the destination: Korçë (Korça) is the main city in the Korçë district in Southeastern Albania. Located just a few miles from the Greek border, this city is considered the cultural capital of Albania. It buzzes with activity during the summer, with couples and families leisurely walking through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can also hike to the peak of the stunning Morava mountain and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its surrounding landscape.

About the destination: Elbasan, a historic Ottoman city with massive walls, from which you can access the Lake District, traveling through Lin, Pogradec, and Korçë.

About the destination: Tirana is by far the largest city in Albania and its administrative, cultural, economic, and industrial center. Today, it is an interesting and fascinating city, with a lively nightlife. Tirana is where old and new Albania meet. There is an imposing Ottoman mosque and its towering minaret near Skanderbeg Square, the main square of Tirana. The construction of the Ethem Bey Mosque began in 1798 and was completed in 1821. Closed under the communist regime, the mosque reopened as a place of worship in 1991. Look at the frescoes outside and in the porch depicting trees, waterfalls, Ottoman houses, and bridges, motifs rarely seen in Islamic art. The center of Tirana is a delightful area of wide tree-lined avenues and large squares, populated by unforgettable brutalist architecture and sometimes extremely colorful. It also has some great examples of heroic and socialist realism, such as the huge mural on the facade of the National History Museum. Tirana is a fascinating city and the capital of a fascinating country. It is very relaxing, with friendly and hospitable people, some great restaurants, and a lively nightlife. You can practically see everything the city has to offer in a day or two, but it's a great place to start exploring nearby places, like Durres and Kruja.

About the destination: Albania is one of the final hidden gems yet to be discovered by tourists and travelers. It's a country rich in natural beauty and spiritual wealth, having spent over half a century in the 20th century completely cut off from the rest of the world. With its border just 20 kilometers from Ulcinj, Montenegro, we didn't hesitate to include a visit to Shkoder in our itinerary. Shkoder is one of the most significant and influential cities in Albania, and is, in fact, the country's second largest city.

About the destination: Durres (Albanian: Durrës), the second largest city in Albania with a population of approximately 161,800 (as of 2008), is the oldest city and one of the most economically significant due to its status as the largest port city. The beaches of Durrës are popular destinations for many Albanians and play a crucial role in the country's tourism industry. The city was colonized by settlers from Corinth and Korkyra in 627 B.C. and was originally named Epidamnus, later changing to Dyrrachium. From the 1st to the 3rd centuries, Durres served as a vital port and trading hub on the Via Egnatia trade route, connecting Rome and Byzantium (now Istanbul). After numerous earthquakes, much of ancient Durres either sank into the sea or collapsed and was subsequently built over. The city's most notable landmark is the amphitheater, which dates back to the 2nd century AD and has a seating capacity of 15,000. During the Middle Ages, Durres was a coveted target for various invaders from across Europe. The city's continuous habitation throughout history means that little of the ancient city has been excavated, as it lies beneath newer structures. Nevertheless, the city's archaeological museum boasts a rich collection and is well-curated. The renowned Roman orator Cicero praised Durres as an admirable city, while the poet Catullus referred to it as the tavern of the Adriatic. Today, Durres is famous for its beach resort, which features sandy beaches and warm sea waters. The resort stretches approximately 10.5 km and attracts both Albanian and foreign tourists from May to October.