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Delhi to Albania: Tirana, Berat and Gjirokastër

Delhi → Tirana → Berat → Gjirokastër

Tirana
"Skanderbeg_square_tirana_2016.jpg" by Photo: Chris Walts, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Skanderbeg square tirana 2016 (Tirana)
Photo: Photo: Chris Walts, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ottoman towns & Albanian mountains Best season (general guide): May–Jun, Sep–Oct

Albania was closed to most visitors for decades and is still one of Europe's less-visited countries. This route links its lively capital with two Ottoman-era towns listed by UNESCO. From Delhi you'll connect through Istanbul or another hub to reach Tirana. The itinerary spends two nights in Tirana, two nights in Berat and two nights in Gjirokastër.

Tirana is colourful and busy. Skanderbeg Square, the city's large central plaza, is surrounded by museums and the opera house. Bunk'Art, set in Cold War bunkers, tells the story of the communist period, and the Blloku district, once reserved for party officials, is now full of cafés and bars.

Berat spreads up both sides of a river valley. Its white Ottoman houses, stacked on the hillside with rows of windows, give it the nickname 'town of a thousand windows'. The castle at the top is still lived in, and its small churches hold painted icons.

Gjirokastër, further south, is built of grey stone, with stone slab roofs climbing the mountainside. Its castle looks over the valley, and the old bazaar sells local crafts. The Blue Eye, a deep, clear spring, is a short drive away. UNESCO lists Berat and Gjirokastër together.

May to June and September to October are the best seasons, with warm days and fewer visitors. July and August can be very hot inland.

Albanian food is simple and fresh, built around grilled meat, vegetables and cheese.

Good to know: Buses link the three towns, but schedules can be irregular, so a hire car or driver gives more freedom. Mountain roads are slow, so allow extra time. Cash is useful in small towns, and many guesthouses are family-run.

Suggested outline

  1. Delhi

    Start

  2. Tirana

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    The colourful capital: Skanderbeg Square, the Bunk'Art museums and the Blloku café district.

  3. Berat

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    The 'town of a thousand windows', with Ottoman houses below a lived-in castle.

    Berat
    "Berat_57.jpg" by Arianit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  4. Gjirokastër

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    A stone-roofed town on a mountainside, with a hilltop castle and the Blue Eye spring nearby.

    Gjirokastër
    "Gjirokaster_2016-2017.jpg" by Name: Armin Flickr: flickr.com/octopuzz/, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Tirana — Arrive; Skanderbeg Square· Delhi → Tirana (by air)
  2. Day 2 · Tirana — Bunk'Art and the Blloku district
  3. Day 3 · Berat — Road to Berat; Mangalem quarter· Tirana → Berat (overland)
  4. Day 4 · Berat — Berat Castle and its churches
  5. Day 5 · Gjirokastër — South to Gjirokastër; the old bazaar· Berat → Gjirokastër (overland)
  6. Day 6 · Gjirokastër — Castle and the Blue Eye spring
  7. Day 7 · Gjirokastër — Travel home from Gjirokastër· Gjirokastër → Tirana (overland), then Tirana → Delhi (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Tirana

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Berat

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