2-Day UNESCO Tour: Berat, Gjirokastra & Butrint from Tirana

Three UNESCO sites, two days, one journey through 2,500 years of Albanian history

This 2-day UNESCO Heritage tour from Tirana visits Berat, Gjirokastra, and Butrint: three World Heritage Sites showcasing Ottoman architecture, medieval fortresses, and ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine ruins. Day one covers Berat's castle and quarters, then Gjirokastra's stone houses and fortress. Day two includes the Blue Eye spring, Butrint's archaeological park, and ends at Ksamil Beach on the Ionian coast.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Berat and Gjirokastra

• Depart from Tirana to Berat
• Visit Berat Castle
• Explore Mangalem and Gorica Quarters
• Drive to Cold Water Tepelenë
• Lunch at riverside restaurant in Cold Water
• Drive to Gjirokastra
• Visit Gjirokastra Castle
• Free time at Old Bazaar
• Visit Skenduli House
• Visit Zekate House
• Overnight stay in Gjirokastra

Day 2: Discover Butrint and Albanian Riviera

• Breakfast in Gjirokastra
• Drive to Blue Eye spring
• Explore Blue Eye natural spring
• Drive to Butrint National Park
• Visit Butrint archaeological site
• Drive to Ksamil Beach
• Relax and explore Ksamil Beach

The experience

The tour departs Tirana early and drives through the Albanian countryside to Berat, the "City of a Thousand Windows," one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Albania. You'll visit the Castle of Berat and walk through the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, where Ottoman-era houses line narrow streets. After exploring Berat's historical core, the route heads south through winding roads toward Tepelenë, where you stop for lunch at a local riverside restaurant with views of the mountains and the crystal-clear river. The drive to Gjirokastra takes about an hour from there.

Gjirokastra, known as the "Stone City," fills the afternoon. The Gjirokastra Castle (one of the largest in the Balkans) sits above the city and offers panoramic views across the Drino River valley. You have free time to explore the Old Bazaar and visit preserved Ottoman-era houses like the Skenduli House and the Zekate House, which showcase the defensive architecture and merchant lifestyle of centuries past. You stay overnight in Gjirokastra, where the old town's stone streets and traditional hospitality set the pace for the evening.

Day two begins after breakfast at 8:30 with a drive to the Blue Eye, Albania's most striking natural spring. Located about 30 minutes from Saranda, this crystal-clear pool is famous for its intense blue center, the exact depth unknown, surrounded by dense forest. The water is cold enough to refresh but clear enough to photograph. From there, the route heads to Butrint National Park, an archaeological site that layers Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian ruins across more than 2,500 years. You'll walk among the amphitheater, basilica, city walls, and the Lion's Gate. The final stop is Ksamil Beach on the Ionian coast, a 45-minute drive away, where white sand and turquoise water meet the Albanian Riviera.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Tirana.
• accommodation for one night in Gjirokastra.
• breakfast both mornings.
• lunch at a riverside restaurant in Tepelenë.
• entrance tickets to the Blue Eye and Butrint Archaeological Park.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• parking fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Two-day tour in Tirana, AlbaniaGuide in English · 08:30Four-star hotel, breakfast included, air-conditioned car or minivan, with pickup included

Three-day tour that includes GreeceGuide in English · 08:30Hotel Relax Gjirokastër included, with a visit to Corfu Island: this is the same tour, extended, and also includes a visit to Corfu Island in Greece, reached by a 45-minute ferry from Sarandë. Duration: 3 days. Day 1: Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, with an overnight stay in Gjirokastër. Day 2: Sarandë, Corfu Island, Greece. Day 3: Sarandë, Butrint, Ksamil. Breakfast is included. Your route: Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, Corfu, Sarandë, Butrint, Ksamil. Transport by car or minivan. About the stay in Corfu: the ferry fare and one night's accommodation in Corfu are not included, and you can book them from your own country. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (9 to 80 years) · Under 9: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Guidealbania

Is this one for you?The fixed two-day schedule packs three UNESCO sites and a natural spring into one journey, so you see Berat's Ottoman architecture, Gjirokastra's stone fortress, and Butrint's ancient ruins without splitting them across separate trips. If you have only two days and want to cover Albania's main historical sites in one arc, this itinerary does it without backtracking.

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Top questions

What's the drive like from Tirana to Berat on the first morning?

The scenic drive through the Albanian countryside takes you from Tirana to Berat, where you arrive ready to explore the castle and the old quarters. The route is paved and the vehicle is air-conditioned.

Can I swim or wade at the Blue Eye?

Yes. The Blue Eye is a natural spring surrounded by forest where visitors walk scenic trails and can dip their feet into the water, though it's icy cold. The exact depth of the source is unknown, adding to its mystique.

How much time do I spend actually walking around Butrint?

A visit to Butrint National Park lasts about an hour, enough to see the amphitheater, basilica, city walls, and the Lion's Gate without rushing.

Does the tour end at Ksamil Beach or do we return to Tirana?

The itinerary ends at Ksamil Beach on the Ionian coast after visiting Butrint. Hotel drop-off in Tirana is included in the tour.

What's included in the meals during the two days?

Breakfast is included both mornings. Lunch on day one is at a local riverside restaurant in Tepelenë with mountain and river views. Dinner and other meals are not included, though Ksamil has restaurants serving fresh seafood and traditional Albanian dishes.