Love this? Share it!

Are you looking for inspiration on how to travel across Albania and Greece for 10 days? Two incredibly wonderful (and affordable) countries, I’m sharing my beach-filled, 10-day Albania and Greece itinerary. With helpful details on where I went, how long I spent in each destination, transportation tips and more, it’s the ultimate Albania and Greece guide. Keep scrolling to read!

The Wanderful Me's guide on how to spend 10 days in Albania and Greece.

Psst, this post contains affiliate links. Read our disclosure.

Albania wasn’t on my list to visit but when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t say no… and I’m so glad I didn’t! Not only is Albania now one of my favorite countries, after visiting I feel as though it’s going to swiftly become the next “it” destination.

With its affordability, insane beaches, sparkling blue waters, dramatic landscapes, great resort towns, and fantastic food, it’ll be no surprise to me if Albania begins to garner the attention that Croatia has received over the past five or so years!

If you’re looking to visit Albania before it becomes super popular, definitely consider this 10-day Albania and Greece itinerary. Combining Albania with Greece is the perfect way to hit two amazing countries that ooze beauty, culture, food, and fun.

Here’s how I spent 10 days in Albania and Greece, starting in Tirana and ending on the magical Greek island of Corfu. (Corfu is ideal to end this trip in, as you can easily grab a flight to Athens or many other destinations around Europe.)

How to Spend 10 Days in Albania and Greece

This 10-day Albania and Greece itinerary features the following destinations:

  • Tirana (1 night)
  • Himarë (2 nights)
  • Sarandë (3 nights)
  • Gjirokaster (optional day trip)
  • Ksamil (optional day trip)
  • Corfu (4 nights)

To help you plan the best trip, here are some notes regarding my suggested itinerary!

Note 1: In this 10-day Albania and Greece itinerary, you’ll find that I say “X nights” instead of say “X days” because I think this makes it easier in understanding how long I recommend you should actually be in a destination. Sometimes, I find that using the term “days” can be confusing, as it doesn’t really stipulate when you should depart said destination.

Note 2: This Albania and Greece itinerary is flexible! Don’t think you have to visit each and every destination on the list. Mix and match based on your personal preference.

Note 3: With the note above on flexibility, I recommend keeping your schedule a little open! When I traveled Albania and Greece, I booked one to two nights in advance, just in case I really liked a place and want to stay an extra day or two, or if I totally disliked somewhere, I had the option to leave.

Note 4: This Albania and Greece itinerary can be done in reverse, too! If you want, you could start in Corfu and end in Tirana.

With that said… let’s get into it!

Tirana (1 night)

You will most likely begin in Tirana to kick off your Albania and Greece trip. Depending on when you arrive, you may have some time to explore this cool city!

Unfortunately, I arrived late at night and grabbed the early morning bus to Himarë, so I didn’t have time to really see Tirana in full. However, I did look into some fun things to do in the city that may interest you!

Cool Things to Do in Tirana, Albania

  • Skanderbeg Square: The heart of the city, featuring a statue of the national hero, Skanderbeg.
  • Et’hem Bey Mosque: A beautiful 18th-century mosque with intricate frescoes.
  • Bunk’Art 2: A fascinating museum located in an old nuclear bunker, detailing Albania’s communist past.

Where to Eat in Tirana, Albania

I had one evening in Tirana, during which I ate a traditional Albanian restaurant called “Oda – Traditional Albanian Restaurant.” HIGHLY recommend if you’re looking for some cheap and delicious food!

Stuffed peppers from Oda – Traditional Albanian Restaurant! SO GOOD. (And cheap!)

Where to Stay in Tirana, Albania

Tirana → Himarë

The best way to get from Tirana to Himarë is using the local bus. It’s cheap, easy, and you get some great views of the Albanian countryside on the journey.

To hop on the Tirana-Himarë bus, you’ll need to take an Uber, taxi or local city bus from your accommodation to “South and North Albania Bus Terminal (Bus Station).” Find it here on Google Maps.

Once you get there, walk through the line of buses until you see one that says “Himarë.” This journey should cost around 1000 LEK (around $11/£8) and will take around 4.5 to 5 hours.

I believe there are multiple buses that go throughout the day — 6:15 AM, 7 AM, 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Please confirm with your accommodation before choosing one of these times though because the schedule changes throughout the year.

I recommend getting the earliest bus so you can have the afternoon in Himarë!

Himarë (2 nights)

Himarë is one of my favorite destination on this 10-day Albania and Greece itinerary! It’s a quiet and beautiful seaside town that’s perfect for relaxing in the sun, eating your fill of delicious food, uncovering insanely gorgeous “hidden” beaches nearby, and swimming in the crystal clear, turquoise waters of the Ionian sea.

Awesome Things to Do in Himarë, Albania

  • Go on a Boat Tour: I went on a shared boat tour with some gals from my hostel but you can find boat providers along the beach! They take you to incredible beaches and swimming spots along the coast. Split between 12 people, it cost me €20 for a 4-hour tour.
  • Porto Palermo Castle: Just outside of Himare, this well-preserved castle offers panoramic views of the coastline.
  • Llamani + Filikuri Beaches: More secluded beachces known for its stunning blue waters and peaceful atmosphere.
  • Gjipe Beach: A beautiful beach situated at the end of a canyon. It features dramatic cliffs and gorgeous waters.

Where to Eat in Himarë, Albania

For being on the smaller side, Himarë has some really great places to eat! As a vegan, I personally loved To Steki sti Gonia for traditional Greek food and Pizzeria Bella Italia for cheap pizza (no cheese on the veg pizza).

Where to Stay in Himarë, Albania

Himarë → Sarandë

The best way to get from Himarë to Sarandë is either hopping on the local bus or hiring a private taxi. There were three of us heading to Sarandë so we ended up hiring a taxi and splitting the cost among us. This ended up costing around 6,000 LEK or about €20 per person, which was totally worth it. (It’s just under an hour and a half drive.)

If you want to take the bus, head to the Himarë Station in front of the Big Market. I’m not quite sure when the buses come but you can check with your accommodation for info on the bus schedule. (Or check out this Himarë to Sarandë transportation guide.)

Sarandë (3 nights)

After two nights in Himarë, head to the vibrant coastal city of Sarandë. Known for its lively promenade and proximity to beautiful attractions, Sarandë is an excellent base for exploring awesome southern Albania destinations, like Gjirokaster and Ksamil.

Things to Do in Sarandë, Albania

  • Walk the Promenade: One of the best things to do in Sarandë, the promenade features tons of restaurants, lively bars and clubs, swimming spots, tour options and more.
  • Lekuresi Castle: Overlooking Sarande, this ancient castle offers spectacular views of the bay and nearby Corfu. Highly recommended for sunset. (You can also hike to the top if you want to get in some steps.)
  • Chill at the Beach: Sarandë beach and Plazhi Era are two good central options.
  • Go on a Day Trip: Gjirokaster, Ksamil, and Butrint National Park are three exceptional day trip options from Sarandë. (More info on that below.)

Where to Eat in Sarandë, Albania

Some places I ate at as a vegan included Onhezmi Restaurant (highly recommend the stuffed vegetables with rice), Green Life Market (fully vegan cafe), and Tako Taco Pub.

Where to Stay in Sarandë, Albania

Sarandë → Corfu

Next up on this 10-day Albania and Greece itinerary is the gorgeous Greek island of Corfu! Getting to Corfu from Sarandë is just an easy, half hour to 1.5 hour ferry ride.

It costs either €15 or €25 depending on which ferry you take. There are two options: the more expensive speedboat, which takes 30 minutes, and the cheaper slow ferry, which takes 1.5 hours. Both go multiple times per day.

Personally, I saved €10 and took the slow ferry, which was a really nice and relaxing journey! (I don’t do well on boats with regards to sea sickness! So this was the better option.)

Also, I book all my ferries through Ferryhopper! It’s super easy to use and browse ferry tickets.

Gjirokaster (Optional Day Trip)

I’d recommend getting out of Sarandë for the day (unless you plan on sitting at the beach). It’s a pretty bustling city so it’s nice to escape the crowds and traffic! One great day trip option is Gjirokaster, a picturesque town located in the mountains of Albania.

Just an hour’s drive away from Sarandë and dubbed the “city of stone,” Gjirokaster is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with narrow, cobbled streets, historic Ottoman-era homes, and a majestic castle that offers breathtaking views of the Drino Valley.

Ksamil + Butrint National Park (Optional Day Trip)

Aside from Gjirokaster, Ksamil is another exceptional day trip from Sarandë! It’s one of Albania’s most popular beach destinations—and for good reason!

Often compared to the Caribbean due to its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, overwater sun beds, and restaurants with gorgeous seaside views, Ksamil is will worth a visit.

If you want to combine your day trip to Ksamil with a historical adventure, definitely go to Butrint National Park, which is just down the road from Ksamil. This UNESCO site is home to impressive ruins dating back to the Roman, Greek, and Byzantine eras.

Corfu (4 nights)

Corfu is one of my favorite Greek islands! It’s incredibly lush and hilly; has a rich history, gorgeous Old Town, and cool fortress; and features some of the bluest waters and most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen.

For your four nights in Corfu, I recommend splitting it between Palaiokastritsa (aka Paleokastritsa) and Corfu Town (Kerkyra).

Personally, I did three nights in Palaiokastritsa and one night in Old Town, which worked great for both hanging out at the beaches, swimming and sun bathing, and exploring Corfu’s historic side in its Old Town (as well as the nightlife).

Alternatively, if you wanted a full day in Old Town, you could do two nights in Palaiokastritsa and two nights in Corfu Old Town. This would work well if you’re someone who more so likes to explore and walk around town.

Note that I didn’t rent a car. I got around the island via public transportation, which worked fine enough but we had little freedom in exploring the island to our heart’s content. If you want to make the most of your Corfu visit, I’d definitely recommend renting a car.

However, know that if you are not comfortable driving on teeny tiny roads with (sometimes) chaotic Greek drivers, this may not be the best option.

Personally, I tend to rent all my cars through Kayak.com. I find it gives the best prices.

Things to Do in Corfu, Greece

  • Explore Corfu Town (Kerkyra): Wander through the Old Town, visit the Old Fortress, and stroll along the Liston Promenade.
  • Palaiokastritsa: Visit the Monastery of the Virgin Mary and relax on the stunning beaches.
  • Achilleion Palace: Explore the beautiful palace and gardens built by Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
  • Glyfada Beach: Enjoy sunbathing and water sports on one of Corfu’s best beaches.
  • Day Trip to Paxos & Antipaxos: Discover pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. Check out this boat trip.
  • Kanoni Peninsula: Visit Mouse Island and Vlacherna Monastery, two iconic Corfu landmarks.
  • Mount Pantokrator: Hike to the island’s highest peak for breathtaking views.
  • Canal d’Amour (Sidari): Swim in the legendary waters known for their romantic myth.
  • Sunset at Loggas Beach: Catch one of the island’s most picturesque sunsets.

For an idea of what I did with my time in Corfu, check out this blog post.

Where to Eat in Corfu, Greece

Corfu has some incredible restaurants, cafes and bars to eat and drink at! In Palaiokastritsa, I can personally recommend Gran Aladino (amazing vegan gyros), Village Taverna Andreas (fantastic melitzanosalata, hummus, stuffed vine leaves and fried zucchini), and La Grotta Bar (fabulous for drinks).

In Corfu Town, I recommend Mouragia (vegan moussaka!), Aubergine Restaurant (lots of veggie options), and Bizou Café & Antiques (awesome vegan Greek salad—pictured above—and lattes with plant milk).

Where to Stay in Corfu, Greece

After your four days in Corfu, you can either fly to Athens and jet off to nearly anywhere in the world or fly from Corfu to many different places in Europe. (Book your flight with Skyscanner!)

If you do go to Athens, which I highly recommend, definitely check out my Athens guides!

In addition to reading up about Athens, don’t forget to read my blog on 25 important things you should know before going to Greece!

Albania and Greece Itinerary Map

Here’s a helpful visual of this 10-Day Albania and Greece itinerary route.

I hope you liked this guide on how to spend 10 days in Albania and Greece! If you’re looking to extend your trip further into Greece, check out my blog on the best one-week Greece itineraries!

If you have any questions, stick ’em in the comments section below! I’m here to help you plan the best possible trip to Albania and Greece.

Sophie xx

Not sure what to check out next? Readers love these posts:

Love this post on how to spend 10 days in Albania and Greece? Pin it!

Are you looking for inspiration on how to travel across Albania and Greece for 10 days? Two incredibly wonderful (and affordable) countries, I'm sharing my beach-filled, 10-day Albania and Greece itinerary. With helpful details on where I went, how long I spent in each destination, transportation tips and more, it's the ultimate Albania and Greece guide.
Are you looking for inspiration on how to travel across Albania and Greece for 10 days? Two incredibly wonderful (and affordable) countries, I'm sharing my beach-filled, 10-day Albania and Greece itinerary. With helpful details on where I went, how long I spent in each destination, transportation tips and more, it's the ultimate Albania and Greece guide.

As mentioned above, this post contains affiliate links. Which means if you make a purchase through the links, this site receives a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure here.


Love this? Share it!