Rural Tirana city break

The capital of Albania is well-known for its vibrant lifestyle and high number of museums. The city tour of Tirana offers you different periods of history. Since the foundation of the capital, there has been the characteristic Ottoman Mosque of Et’hem Bey, and the symbol of Tirana Clock Tower.

After Tirana was elected the capital of Albania in 1920, started construction of the center city from Italian architects with the complex of Ministry buildings that is still today. It expanded with the main boulevard until Mother Theresa Square, where stands the University of Tirana. During the communist era, in the city erected other important buildings such as The History Museum, the National Opera, the National Art Gallery, The Pyramid of Tirana, the Palace of Congress, and more.

The walking tour takes you to the Block area and BunkArt, an underground bunker dedicated to the Minister of Internal Affairs in the communist regime. Accommodation in Tirana.

Meet with your tour guide in your hotel lobby and transfer to the cable car station. You will enjoy a 20-minute ride with stunning views of the capital of Tirana. This is the best way to escape the city rush and enjoy the green nature of the national park. On arrival, we prepare the hiking boots. Our destination of the day is Tujani Peak, 1524m above sea level.

The trail stretches through dense pine and beech trees. At the top of the summit, you will be amazed by the views of Bovilla Lake in the north, the national park in the east, and the Adriatic Sea in the west. After taking a break and some photos, we head back through the same trail.

The trail is 4.8 km long both ways. The level is considered easy, with a max elevation gain of 450m.

Additional information:

• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
• Bring with you water, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen on sunny days

**If this day is scheduled on Tuesdays, the cable car is closed. Alternatively, we will drive up through the asphalted road.

After breakfast, depart and drive to Pellumbas village. From the center of the village, we prepare to hike for around one hour to the Black Cave. The path goes along the Erzeni River, with clear blue waters and canyons. After 2 km walking we arrive at the entrance of the cave. The cave has a length of 360 m with a width that can vary between 10–15 meters and a vertical range of 45 m. The importance of the complex is due to the remains of ancient human culture which belongs back to the Paleolithic age. Inside the cave, you will be able to enjoy beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

After the visit to the cave, we head back to the village through a wonderful trail with amazing landscapes. We take the car and drive for 30 minutes to Petrela Castle. The town and its castle are built on a huge stone on top of a small hill. The castle has views of the Erzen Valley, the hills, olive groves, and surrounding mountains. Today Petrela is a very nice village and a tourist hotspot close to Tirana. In the afternoon drive back to your hotel.

Today you will explore the most captivating lake in Tirana. Meet with your guide and drive for an hour to Bovilla Lake. The reservoir was artificially created in the 1990s and supplies water to a big part of Tirana. We park the car at the dam and start walking up to an amazing viewpoint. The trail is easy and well-maintained. You will climb through some metal stairs to reach the panorama. Here you will enjoy some free time for photos and a picnic.

Later you continue back to the starting point and drive back to Tirana. Afternoon free time.

In the morning meet with your tour guide and drive south to UNESCO city of Berat. Founded back in the 4th century B.C., Berat presents a remarkable history through different ages from ancient Illyrians to the Roman Empire, Byzantine to Ottoman Empire. The city is most known by its nickname “The White City” or “one above another window”. Since 2008, Berat has been listed under UNESCO World Heritage.

The castle of Berat has been continuously inhabited for 2400 years. It is surrounded by high walls and inside are located about 200 houses, medieval orthodox churches, ruins of mosques, and water cisterns. You will visit the Iconographic Museum of Onufri founded inside the medieval orthodox church of St. Mary.

During the walking tour in the city, you will stroll along the cobblestone narrow streets of Mangalem and Gorica quarters. They are beautifully divided by the Osumi River, which can be crossed by the medieval Gorica Bridge or the Suspension Bridge. In the old town, you will visit the Bachelor’s mosque, King’s mosque, and Halveti Tekke.