Albania cycling tour

Individual arrival in Tirana. If your arrival time and curiosity permits, downtown Tirana offers several historical and archaeological sites all to discover, such as the National Museum or the Bunkart… Lively, colourful Tirana is the beating heart of Albania, where this tiny nation’s hopes and dreams coalesce into a vibrant whirl of traffic, brash consumerism and unfettered fun. Having undergone a transformation of extraordinary proportions since awaking from its communist slumber in the early 1990s, Tirana’s centre is now unrecognizable, with buildings painted in primary colours, and public squares and pedestrianized streets that are a pleasure to wander.

To end the day on a high note, go to a cozy typical Albanian restaurant where you will be treated to traditional family-style food. Here you will have the opportunity to try for the first time the exquisite cuisine the country has to offer.

The group tour has a meeting with the guide in the lobby and dinner in a cozy typical restaurant in town

Overnight stay and breakfast in Tirana (dinner included for group tour)

The day begins with a transfer of approximately two hours to the northern shore of Lake Ohrid. After unloading and adjusting the bicycles, we will start cycling along the scenic panoramic route that follows the lakeshore towards Pogradec. We will reach our hotel in Tushemisht, just 4 km east of Pogradec, and enjoy lunch at a lakeside restaurant within Drilon National Park. In the afternoon, the cycling continues with a crossing into North Macedonia and a visit to the Monastery of St. Naum, one of the most important cultural sites in the region. Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world, is a unique natural treasure, home to over 200 endemic species, and is considered one of the richest biological reserves in Europe.

Overnight stay and breakfast in Pogradec (dinner & lunch included for group tour)
Distance 40 km / 24.8 mi
Ascent +174 meters

Leaving Lake Ohrid, we begin climbing towards a mountain-framed plateau, following a scenic gorge for part of the route. The landscape then opens onto a vast agricultural plain, a colourful patchwork of cultivated fields, vineyards and small farms, with time for a coffee stop before getting back in the saddle. We arrive in Korçë, known as the “Paris of Albania”, one of the country’s most elegant and vibrant cities. Depending on our arrival time, there will be the opportunity to visit the old bazaar with its cobbled streets and enjoy a guided walk through the historic centre. Highlights include the impressive Orthodox cathedrals, museums and the city’s most iconic landmarks. Korçë has been an important trading and handicraft centre since the 18th century and for centuries served as a major religious hub for both Orthodox Christians and Muslims. During the Ottoman period, it became one of the cradles of the Albanian cultural revival: the first school teaching in the Albanian language was founded here in 1887, followed by the first school for girls in 1891. The day ends soaking up the refined and cultural atmosphere of this fascinating city.

Overnight stay and breakfast in Korçë (dinner & lunch included for group tour)
Distance 51 km / 31.6 mi
Ascent +412 meters

Today we leave the flat agricultural plateau of Korçë and head into the mountains along the Greek border, riding through a landscape that changes with the seasons—cultivated fields, wildflowers or even snow-capped peaks. The route crosses a series of passes and valleys, with a steady climb leading to Barmash Pass at 1,160 m, in the heart of the Grammoz Mountains. Midway through the day, we stop for lunch in Ersekë, the highest town in Albania, where there is time to enjoy local cuisine surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. The day ends in Sotirë, where we stay at a welcoming family-run farm set in a peaceful valley. After checking into the woodland bungalows, there is time to relax by the fish ponds with freshly caught trout, accompanied by a glass of local red wine produced at 1,000 m above sea level, while enjoying the tranquillity of the surrounding nature.

Overnight stay and breakfast in Sotire. (dinner in trout farm & lunch in Erseke included for group tour)
Distance 72 km / 44.7 mi
Ascent +1170 meters

Leaving Sotirë, we tackle a short climb to a pine-covered plateau surrounded by soaring peaks, before reaching the source of the Vjosa River, the longest river in Albania. A spectacular descent through the Vjosa Gorge leads us to Leskovik, and then continues on to Çarshovë—a thrilling 17 km downhill ride through breathtaking scenery, considered one of the most enjoyable and scenic stages of the cycling tour. We then follow the corniche road high above the river to Përmet, a town famous for its excellent cuisine and strong raki. After lunch at a guesthouse in the village of Bënjë, those who wish can continue cycling for another 4 km to the famous Langarica thermal pools, set beneath a 16th-century Ottoman bridge. Adventure seekers may also hike upstream into the Langarica Canyon, discovering crystal-clear waters and natural pools built by local residents—one of the most spectacular canyons in Europe.

Overnight stay and breakfast in Bënjë (dinner & lunch included for group tour)
Distance 66 km / 41 mi
Ascent +661 meters

We leave the Vjosa River to follow the Drino River, crossing the Drino Valley and the Lunxheri mountain range, until Gjirokastër comes into view—the first UNESCO-protected city on our tour, perched on a steep cliff. After checking in at the hotel, we will explore the city on a guided walking tour, wandering through cobbled streets, traditional white-washed houses, and the citadel atop the hill. Highlights include a visit to the Skenduli House, perfectly preserved and dating back to the Ottoman period, and a stop at the local bazaar, ideal for purchasing authentic souvenirs. With a bit of luck and timing, we may also experience one of the cultural festivals that animate the city, such as the famous Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival, held since 1968 and regarded as one of Albania’s most important cultural events.

Overnight stay and breakfast in Gjirokastër ( lunch included for group tour)
Distance 70 km / 43.4 mi
Ascent +427 meters

After breakfast, a short transfer takes us to the top of Munzina Pass, where we begin cycling towards Sarandë along the stunning Ionian coast of southern Albania, between towering mountains and crystal-clear sea. A short ride on a charming wooden ferry brings us to Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the country’s most important archaeological treasures.

Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been a Greek polis, a Roman city, and a bishopric, experiencing periods of prosperity under the Byzantines and a brief Venetian rule, before being abandoned in the late Middle Ages due to marshland formation.

During the guided tour, we can admire ruins and historical remains from each period of the city’s development. The day concludes with a scenic coastal ride, with the beautiful island of Corfu always visible to our left, enjoying the sea, sun, and breathtaking panoramas.

Overnight stay and breakfast in Saranda (lunch included for group tour)
Distance 70 km / 43.4 mi
Ascent +525 meters

Following the Albanian Riviera Road, the day is a true adventure of thrilling climbs and descents, like riding a rollercoaster. Along the route, you will enjoy mountain scenery on one side and the crystal-clear coastline on the other, passing hidden bays and dramatic headlands. In Porto Palermo, we stop for a delicious lunch in front of the picturesque Venetian castle, a building steeped in local mysteries and legends. The day concludes in Himarë, an ancient fishing village, where there is time to relax on the beach, take a swim in the clear waters, or stroll through the town center enjoying a refreshing gelato, soaking up the charm of the Albanian Riviera

Overnight stay and breakfast in Himarë (dinner & lunch in Saranda included for group tour)
Distance 52 km / 32.3 mi
Ascent +1064 meters

Get ready for one of the most spectacular and challenging days of the tour. Starting from sea level, we gradually climb up to 1,000 m, passing through forests, gorges, and hairpin bends, and encountering ancient villages along the way. After lunch in the stunning Llogara National Park, the descent takes us towards Vlorë and the Ionian coast, where a well-deserved seaside relaxation awaits. You can enjoy a mojito at sunset, admiring the Albanian Karaburun Peninsula. Historically, these mountains played a key role: in 48 BC, Julius Caesar landed near the beach of Palasë and crossed the Llogara Pass to pursue Pompey, isolating this part of the coast for centuries and making sea connections with Corfu and Greece easier than by land with inland Albania.

You made it! An unforgettable day filled with nature, history, and breathtaking panoramas

Overnight stay and breakfast in Vlorë (dinner & lunch included for group tour)
Distance 64 km / 39.7 mi
Ascent +1590 meters

For those with a return plane will have a transfer that will take you to the airport in three hours, while for those planning to stay some more in Tirana there will be a drop off in town.