Walking Albania's Coastal Trails

This escorted walking holiday begins in Tirana, Albania’s capital, where the early 90s Communist era has left a patchwork of architecture and a surprisingly lively café culture. After a free day to get your bearings, the group heads to Vlora, stopping for a short hillside walk from Sheriste Village to Kanina Castle, with views of the bay.

The core of the trip takes place on the coastline from Vlora to Himara Bay, combining boat trips, hikes along rocky paths and visits to quiet bays. Highlights include the Karaburun Peninsula in the maritime park, Gjipe Bay’s coastal trail and Old Himara’s Byzantine castle, remnants reaching back to the 5th century BC. Along the way, terraces of olive groves and citrus trees mark the landscape, interrupted by beaches where you can rest or swim.

Towards the end, the route climbs above villages like Kudhes and Old Qeparo, with views stretching to the island of Corfu. A stop at Porto Palermo’s Ottoman-era fortress precedes the return to Tirana, where a brief walk introduces the city’s growing restaurant and bar scene. This is a steady-paced holiday in less-visited Albania, with ample moments of quiet and unexpectedly varied scenery.