Five days — one clear focus
Five days is enough for one region, not the whole country. Pick south coast and heritage, or an Alps sampler — not both.
South focus: base in Saranda or Ksamil, add Butrint and the Blue Eye, and a half-day in Gjirokastër if you drive inland. Alps focus: a Tirana overnight, then Theth or Valbona with a local guide so transfers stay simple.
Seven days — two regions
A week lets you link two regions without living in the car. Classic shape: Tirana (1 night) → Berat or Gjirokastër (1–2) → Riviera (3–4). Or reverse: coast first, then a heritage town on the way back to the airport.
Ten days — Alps, heritage and coast
Ten days is where Albania opens up. Add the Accursed Mountains (Theth / Valbona, often with the Lake Koman ferry) plus Berat or Gjirokastër, and still keep Riviera time. Put the mountains earlier so weather delays do not eat your last beach days.
Fourteen days — slow and complete
Two weeks suits hiking days that are not transit days, a fuller Riviera stretch (Himarë / Dhërmi as well as Ksamil), and buffer for a rest afternoon. Add Shkodër, a second night in Berat, or a Corfu ferry day without guilt — ideal for families and fewer hotel changes.
Quick chooser
5 days: one region only — avoid north and south in one loop. 7 days: coast plus one heritage town — avoid packing three mountain days and five beaches. 10 days: Alps, towns and Riviera — keep buffer for transfers. 14 days: slow hiking and a full coast — do not overpack “just because”.
Still unsure? Share your dates and pace — we shape private holidays around how you like to travel, not a checklist.
