Some say that visiting Albania is as close as you'll get to traveling back in time. It wasn't until the collapse of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania in 1991 that the world got its first glimpse of the country within. Huge snow-capped mountains, inviting beaches, pretty rural villages, a genuine subsistence culture and an exceptionally friendly welcome is what you will find here. We ride through the very best of Europe's beautiful unknown.
Albania – The Cycle Albania Bike Tour (2025)
10 Days 9 NightsOverview
Itinerary
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Day
01Arrival in Tirana
Rendezvous at TiranÃa airport and transfer to hotel in TiranÃa city centre. Meet the rest of the tour group over a relaxing dinner. After check-in in at the hotel, depending on the arriving flights, we will have the chance to do a tour of Tirana and visit the nuclear bunker of Enver Hoxha, the fruit and vegetable market and the national museum of history next to the newly build city centre of Tirana. Before the welcome dinner, your tour guide will go with you, through all the tour details and tell you everything you need to know about the amazing tour you are about the journey. Panniers will be given to you at this point that you will use for the duration of the tour as well as a set of maps with details about each riding day.
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Day
02Tiranë – Pogradec 29 km (driving 120 km/2hrs) + 70m
We will start the morning with a two hour transfer to the northern side of Lake Ohrid. From where, after we have unloaded the bicycles and fitted them to everyones comfort we will start cycling along the scenic shore of lake Ohrid towards Pogradec. After reaching our hotel in the town of Tushemisht, just 4 km east of Pogreadec, lunch will be served at a waterfront restaurant at Drilon national park. After checking in the hotel we will continue cycling in the afternoon, crossing over into Macedonia, and visiting the monastery of St Naum. Lake Ohrid is ,one of the oldest lakes in the world, came into existence during a remote geological ages as a result of tectonic shifts and with its unique flora and fauna the lake is one of the largest biological reserves in Europe
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Day
03Pogradec to Korce (51 km +412m)
Leaving Lake Ohrid, we climb to a high plateau bounded by mountains. We continue following the gorge for a while until the hills open up, leading to a vast plain and a colourful patchwork of individual farms. Depending on our arrival at the city, we will have the time to visit the old market and its quaint cobblestone streets run between and behind the main streets. Day ends with a short walking tour of Korcë, the Paris of Albania
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Day
04Korce to Sotire (72 km +1170m)
We leave behind the agricultural plateau of Korcë, ascending steadily into the Border Mountains through a landscape of barren rock interspersed with wild flowers. Numerous cols and valleys lie ahead, climbing into the heart of the Grammoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass at 1,159m. We will stop for lunch in the town of Ersekë, the highest city in Albania at about 1000m above sea level. Overnight at Sotirë farm, nestled in its own tranquil valley with all kinds of animals a family farm can have. After checking in one of the wooded bungalows, relax by the fish ponds with a glass of the families’ special red wine made from grapes growing at 1000m of elevation.
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Day
05Sotire to Benje (66 km +661m)
A climb out from Sotirë to a high grassy plateau surrounded by soaring peaks, before reaching the source of the River Vjosa and descending through its spectacular gorge to Leskovik. The 17 kilometer long descend to Çarshovë is both a pleasure and a thrill to cycle in one of the most scenic rides of the tour. We follow the corniche route high above the river to Përmet, famed for its cuisine and strong raki. After arriving at our guesthouse for lunch, in the village of Bënjë, we will there after continue cycling for another 4 kilometer to the thermal pools of Langarica and its canyon. A 16th century ancient ottoman bridge marks the spot and the end of the road. If you feel adventurous and want to swim alone in one of the more secluded pools, built every spring by the locals, hike upriver through one of the most magnificent canyons in Europe.
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Day
06Benje to Gjirokaster (70 km +427m)
We continue along the valley towards Këlcyrë, the distant shark's tooth peaks, which guard a further gorge. Ride between them to the confluence of the Drinos, following yet another gorge. This opens out into a wide plain with the town of Gjirokastër (city of 1,000 steps) high above on the right. Gjirokastër, a ‘museum’ town, is perhaps the most beautiful in Albania. After checking in our hotel we will go on exploring on a guided tour, the charming cobbled alleyways between the white-walled buildings and the fascinating traditional houses of Skenduli and Zekateve. Last but not least we will visit the citadel of Gjirokaster nestled on the cliff, with its history and amazing view of the city from.
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Day
07Gjirokaster to Sarande (via Butrint) (70 km +525m)
We will start the day with a brief transfer, skipping some road and starting our cycling at the top of Muzina pass towards Sarandë. The gateway to southern Albania on the Ionian coast, sandwiched between the high mountains and the sea. A short ride on a rustic ferry brings us to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, one of the country's most important archaeological treasures, where the influences of various ancient people are clearly visible. After a guided tour in Butrint, we will make our way along the coast heading north with the island of Corfu always in your sight.
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Day
08Sarande to Himare (52 km +1064m)
A rollercoaster ride, we leave as the early morning mist is burnt off by the sun, climbing steeply out of Sarandë to a rocky plateau. Then it's over cols into bays and around headlands, always with the stunning mountain scenery to the right and coastal views to the left before descending to the long beach and the bay of Himarë, where there’s plenty of time for a swim in the clear blue water.
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Day
09Himare to Vlore (64 km +1590m)
Today’s ride is not only the most challenging but also the most spectacular in Albania. You will gradually climb from sea level up to 1,000m through forests, gorges and hairpin bends. After lunch in the beautiful national park of Llogara we will descend towards Vlorë for an afternoon’s relaxation by the Ionian Sea.
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10Departure - Transfer to Tirana Airport driving 160 km (2.5 hrs)
Farewell day. Depending on your flight, right after breakfast we will transfer for two and a half hours to Rinas airport in Tirana. A separate transfer will be offered to those staying another night in Tirana or continuing on other adventures.
Cost Includes
- Accommodation for 9 nights
- 8 lunches and 7 dinners( dinners day 6 & 7 are not included)
- All breakfasts
- Multilingual tour guide
- Bike rental and water bottle
- Support van
- Snacks on the road
Costs Excludes
- Flights to/from Albania
- Drinks with meals
- Airport shuttle service
- Riding gear or helmet
- Gratuities for guides
- E-bike rental (0n request)
Route Map
Date and Pricing
Travel Season: Guided Tours 6 April; 14 April; 22 April; 26 April; 1 May; 5 May; 11 May; 19 May; May 29: 7 June; 16 June ;25 June; 30 June; Aug 24; 28 Aug ; 2 Sep; 4 Sep; Sept 6; Sept 9; Sept 11; 21 Sep; 26 Sept; Sept 30; 5 Oct; 9 Oct; 14 Oct and Oct 18
Price per Person: all prices subject to confirmation on booking
| Guided Double Occupancy | € 1390 |
| Single Supplement | € 230 |
| E-Bike Rental | € 200 |
| Extra nights Tiranna Double/single | €70/60 |
| Airport arrival transfer | €25 |
More Info
Route Technical Characteristics:
Tour Profile: Moderate to challenging. All the roads except for big cities are free of traffic and very well maintained. The drivers are patient and forgiving.
Distance: 485 km / 6023 m total climb
Bikes
Giant Roam for Men
Size: Extra Large (58.5cm) Large (53cm) Medium (48cm) Small (43cm)
ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum, Shimano Deore 27 speed, SR Suntour NCX-D LO 700C with remote lock-out, Shimano M395 hydraulic disc brakes.
Giant Rove for Women
Size: Large (53cm) Medium (47cm) Small (42cm) XSmall (37cm)
ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminum, Shimano Deore 27 speed, SR Suntour NCX-D LO 700C Shimano M446 hydraulic disc brakes, Giant tires P-R3, 700x23c.
Giant Explore E+ - E-Bike for Men
Size: Extra Large (55.5cm) Large (52.5cm) Large (50.5cm)
ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, SR Suntour NEX Hydraulik-Lockout, 180/160mm hydraulic disc brakes GIANT EnergyPakF Lithium-Ion battery pack, 36V-11.36Ah (409Wh)
Giant Explore E+ | E-Bike for Women
Size: Large (52.5cm) Medium (47.5cm) Small (46.5)
ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, SR Suntour NEX Hydraulik-Lockout, 180/160mm hydraulic disc brakes GIANT EnergyPakF Lithium-Ion battery pack, 36V-11.36Ah (409Wh)
This is a Partner Tour