People often ask us: what are the best day trips from Tirana?
Tirana is a great place to base yourself on your next trip to Albania. It’s centrally located, in the heart of Albania, and has excellent infrastructure, with buses connecting to all the remote corners of Albania as well as to neighboring countries.
If you like to hike, explore history and culture, want to hit the beach or discover a nearby country, Tirana offers plenty of day trip options for your next Balkan adventure!
Here are our four recommendations for day trips from Tirana:
Day Trip to Bovilla Lake – A Hiker’s Paradise
Electric-blue waters? Breathtaking views? Mountains overflowing with fragrant medicinal herbs whose aroma fills the air as you reconnect with nature?
Check, check and check. Bovilla Lake has it all – this reservoir, which provides freshwater to the capital, is just an hour north of Tirana and accessible by bus or car. The road is a bit rough, so going with a transportation company with experience accessing the bumpy paths that lead to this majestic slice of Albania may be best.
Many people like to head here to hike Gamti Peak. This trail can take about 1.5-2 hours each way and offers beautiful views of the reservoir below, culminating in an absolutely gorgeous panorama at the summit that looks out over the entire city of Tirana and the calm waters below. Don’t be surprised if you come across some wild mountain goats on your trek up the mountain!
For those who just want to relax and enjoy the views, there is a beautiful platform that offers the perfect spot to snap highly Instagrammable photos, as well as areas to sit and have a picnic. Access to the platform costs 2-3 euros. A nearby restaurant serves up delicious local cuisine with excellent views of the water, too, making a trip to Bovilla Lake comfortable and easily doable in a day.
Day Trip to Berat – A Cultural & Historical Wonder
Curious to see how Albanians hundreds of years ago used to live? Look no further than Berat, a small, Ottoman-style town an hour and forty minutes south of Tirana. There are plenty of public buses that leave from the city’s North South Bus Terminal. You can also book a private tour company, many of which leave from the city center.
A day trip to Berat is an excellent way to discover Albania’s ancient culture and history. The citadel of Berat is an open-air museum, providing plenty of ruins and picturesque panoramic views over the surroundings that will leave you hungry to discover more of the Albanian countryside.
This gorgeous town was originally named Antipatrea by Cassander of Macedon in 314 BC. Like many places in modern-day Albania, it underwent many changes of hands before taking the shape of the modern-day Berat we see today. In the 14th century, this town was a flourishing trade and commerce center that saw travelers from all over the Balkans congregate and build communities along the banks of the river.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site was declared a museum city due to its well-preserved Ottoman architecture, which has helped preserve the unique buildings and structures that dominate the citadel as well as the distinctive Mangalem and Gorica neighborhoods closer to the Ozumi River.
Whether you’re looking to discover ancient iconography at its famous museum, try local homemade food that can’t be found anywhere else or climb up to St. Michael’s Church, a house of worship built nearly seven centuries ago, Berat is the perfect stop for Albanian culture and history lovers. Go back in time as you wander the winding alleyways and admire the gorgeous Ottoman architecture that has turned this city into a must-stop for visitors to Albania.
Day Trip to Durrës – Accessible Beach Escapes
This beach town just 45 minutes away from Tirana is a tourism hotspot for those looking for a quick seaside escape from the concrete confines of the capital, known for its high-quality infrastructure and accessible beaches along the Adriatic Sea.
While the beaches inside the city are very easy to get to, we definitely recommend heading to Qerret or Golem if you have the time. Plazhi Qerret, near Golem (a twenty-minute drive south of Durrës) offers a sandy haven with easy access and shaded parking in a pine forest. Spille Beach is another great spot a bit further south from the city that provides some more quiet and long, sandy beaches that are perfect for relaxing by the water on a sunny day.
Sun-beds and umbrellas are relatively cheap here, costing between 5 and 8 euros for the whole day, and drinks and food along the beach are also low-cost compared to the country’s more glitzy southern beaches.
After hitting the beach, you’ll want to discover the city of Durrës itself, which is full of fascinating historical sights and picturesque little cafes. The Royal Villa of Durrës used to serve as the summer residence for King Zog I during the monarchy’s brief existence from 1928 to 1939 and can be admired from the outside. The historical city center boasts an impressive amphitheater from the Roman era. The Vollga Promenade is a picturesque waterfront walkway known for its scenic views and vibrant atmosphere in the heart of Durrës.
And don’t forget to snap your farewell pictures at the Venetian Tower, a monumental cultural site that has withstood the test of time since Emperor Anastasius I’s reign!
Day Trip to Ohrid – Serenity, Lake Views & Nature
Want to check off another country on your visit to the Balkans? Since the countries here are so small, it’s easy to cross the border and head to North Macedonia on a day trip and discover what many call the Jerusalem of the Balkans – Ohrid.
Just a two and a half hour drive from Tirana, this small city is packed with churches – 365, they say, to mirror the number of the days of the year. An ancient fortification originally named Lychnidos in the fourth century, this Illyrian and later Hellenestic settlement was strategically located along trade routes along the Adriatic and Aegean Sea land routes. In the tenth century, this city became the capital of the Bulgarian capital; subsequent centuries saw Serbian and then Ottoman conquests take control of the city.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, Ohrid and its gorgeous lake are popular tourist spots today that provide excellent views of the nearby mountains and incredible water sports spots. Known as one of the most ancient lakes in all of Europe, Lake Ohrid is home to the Bay of Bones, a recreated prehistoric village of stilt houses displaying Bronze and Iron Age items, as well as the monastery of Saint Naum, an incredible Orthodox monastery where peacocks roam freely among visitors.
The old town of Ohrid itself offers a maze of picturesque alleyways that lead to the lip of the lake, providing a trip back in time. The streets take visitors past ancient houses as well as ruins of former amphitheaters and churches that will make you feel like you’re walking among the ancient Greeks and Romans.
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Tirana serves as the perfect launchpad for exploring not just Albania but the wider Balkans. With its well-connected transport network and central location, travelers can easily embark on unforgettable day trips to stunning natural landscapes, historic cities, and even neighboring countries. Whether you’re drawn to the serenity of Ohrid, the cultural richness of Berat, the coastal charm of Durrës or the rugged beauty of Bovilla Lake, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences just a short journey away.
