Wine Tour for 6 Days
A 5-night wine tour in Albania will allow you to explore the country’s rich winemaking traditions, visit beautiful vineyards, and enjoy some of the best wines in the region. Albania has a long history of wine production, and the country's unique climate and terrain contribute to the production of exceptional wines. Here’s a tailored itinerary to guide you through a wine-focused experience across some of Albania’s best wine regions.
Tips
This hiking tour includes moderate to challenging hikes, so a good level of fitness is required, especially for the Theth-Valbona hike.
Many of the guesthouses and hotels along the route offer a traditional, family-run atmosphere. Staying in small villages like Theth and Valbona will give you an authentic Albanian mountain experience
The best time for hiking in Albania is during spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October) when the weather is mild and the landscape is at its most beautiful.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tirana
Morning:
Arrive in Tirana, the capital of Albania. Check into your hotel and relax.
Afternoon:
Begin your wine journey with a visit to Cakran Olive Oil & Wine Winery, located near Tirana, about a 30-minute drive. This family-run winery produces excellent wines from indigenous Albanian grape varieties. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery, followed by a wine tasting session where you can sample different wines like Shesh i Bardhë (white) and Vranac (red).
Evening:
Dinner at a local restaurant in Tirana, such as Era Restaurant, which serves Albanian dishes paired with regional wines. Enjoy specialties like fërgesë (a creamy dish made with peppers, tomatoes, and cheese) paired with a local wine.
Morning:
Arrive in Tirana, the capital of Albania. Check into your hotel and relax.
Afternoon:
Begin your wine journey with a visit to Cakran Olive Oil & Wine Winery, located near Tirana, about a 30-minute drive. This family-run winery produces excellent wines from indigenous Albanian grape varieties. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery, followed by a wine tasting session where you can sample different wines like Shesh i Bardhë (white) and Vranac (red).
Evening:
Dinner at a local restaurant in Tirana, such as Era Restaurant, which serves Albanian dishes paired with regional wines. Enjoy specialties like fërgesë (a creamy dish made with peppers, tomatoes, and cheese) paired with a local wine.
Day 2: Tirana to Berat – Wine & Culture
Morning:
Drive to Berat, approximately 2 hours. Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its picturesque Ottoman-era architecture and surrounding wine regions.
Afternoon:
Visit Theber Wine, a local winery in the heart of Berat that focuses on both organic and traditional winemaking practices. Taste wines like Shesh i Bardhë (white) and Merlot (red), along with other local varieties. After the tasting, explore Berat Castle and enjoy panoramic views of the town and surrounding vineyards.
Evening:
Enjoy a traditional dinner at Mangalem Restaurant, pairing an Albanian meal with wines from the region, such as Kallmet, a red grape variety known for its bold flavors.
Morning:
Drive to Berat, approximately 2 hours. Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its picturesque Ottoman-era architecture and surrounding wine regions.
Afternoon:
Visit Theber Wine, a local winery in the heart of Berat that focuses on both organic and traditional winemaking practices. Taste wines like Shesh i Bardhë (white) and Merlot (red), along with other local varieties. After the tasting, explore Berat Castle and enjoy panoramic views of the town and surrounding vineyards.
Evening:
Enjoy a traditional dinner at Mangalem Restaurant, pairing an Albanian meal with wines from the region, such as Kallmet, a red grape variety known for its bold flavors.
Day 3: Berat to Gjirokastër – More Wine & Scenic Views
Morning:
Head to Gjirokastër, approximately 3 hours, another UNESCO-listed city known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture and surrounding rural landscapes.
Afternoon:
Visit Kocibelli Winery, located in the hills outside of Gjirokastër. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines from indigenous grape varieties such as Shesh i Zi and Merlot. Enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard and wine cellar, followed by a tasting session. After the wine tour, take a leisurely walk through the old town of Gjirokastër and visit Gjirokastër Castle for insights into the town’s history.
Evening:
Enjoy a traditional Albanian dinner at Cajupi Hotel Restaurant in Gjirokastër, where you can try local specialties like pashaqesh (a lamb dish) paired with a rich local red wine.
Morning:
Head to Gjirokastër, approximately 3 hours, another UNESCO-listed city known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture and surrounding rural landscapes.
Afternoon:
Visit Kocibelli Winery, located in the hills outside of Gjirokastër. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines from indigenous grape varieties such as Shesh i Zi and Merlot. Enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard and wine cellar, followed by a tasting session. After the wine tour, take a leisurely walk through the old town of Gjirokastër and visit Gjirokastër Castle for insights into the town’s history.
Evening:
Enjoy a traditional Albanian dinner at Cajupi Hotel Restaurant in Gjirokastër, where you can try local specialties like pashaqesh (a lamb dish) paired with a rich local red wine.
Day 4: Gjirokastër to Vlorë – Coastal Wines and the Albanian Riviera
Morning:
Drive to Vlorë, approximately 3.5 hours, a beautiful coastal town where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. The region is known for its unique terroir and excellent wine production.
Afternoon:
Visit Torelli Winery, one of the best wineries in the Vlorë area. Located near the coast, Torelli produces high-quality wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and the indigenous Shesh i Bardhë. Take a tour of the vineyard and enjoy a tasting session paired with locally-sourced cheeses and snacks. After the tasting, explore the seaside town of Vlorë, visiting Independence Square and the Muradi Mosque.
Evening:
Dinner at a waterfront restaurant such as Restaurant Bar Ristorante. Enjoy seafood paired with local wines, including Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay from the region.
Morning:
Drive to Vlorë, approximately 3.5 hours, a beautiful coastal town where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. The region is known for its unique terroir and excellent wine production.
Afternoon:
Visit Torelli Winery, one of the best wineries in the Vlorë area. Located near the coast, Torelli produces high-quality wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and the indigenous Shesh i Bardhë. Take a tour of the vineyard and enjoy a tasting session paired with locally-sourced cheeses and snacks. After the tasting, explore the seaside town of Vlorë, visiting Independence Square and the Muradi Mosque.
Evening:
Dinner at a waterfront restaurant such as Restaurant Bar Ristorante. Enjoy seafood paired with local wines, including Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay from the region.
Day 5: Vlorë to Saranda – Wine, Beach, and History
Morning:
Drive to Saranda, approximately 2 hours, a picturesque coastal town along the Ionian Sea, known for its beaches and nearby historical sites.
Afternoon:
Visit Bova Winery, which produces some of the best wines in southern Albania. Bova specializes in wines from indigenous grape varieties like Vlosh and Shesh i Zi, as well as international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy a tasting session in the winery’s charming tasting room overlooking the surrounding vineyards. After the wine tour, relax at Ksamil Beach, known for its crystal-clear waters and islands, or explore the ancient ruins of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site nearby.
Evening:
Dinner at Restaurant 7Përla in Saranda, offering fresh seafood and traditional Albanian dishes paired with local wines from the south of Albania.
Morning:
Drive to Saranda, approximately 2 hours, a picturesque coastal town along the Ionian Sea, known for its beaches and nearby historical sites.
Afternoon:
Visit Bova Winery, which produces some of the best wines in southern Albania. Bova specializes in wines from indigenous grape varieties like Vlosh and Shesh i Zi, as well as international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy a tasting session in the winery’s charming tasting room overlooking the surrounding vineyards. After the wine tour, relax at Ksamil Beach, known for its crystal-clear waters and islands, or explore the ancient ruins of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site nearby.
Evening:
Dinner at Restaurant 7Përla in Saranda, offering fresh seafood and traditional Albanian dishes paired with local wines from the south of Albania.
Day 6: Departure from Saranda
Morning:
Spend some free time relaxing at the beach or exploring more of Saranda’s coastal charm.
Afternoon:
Depending on your schedule, either drive back to Tirana (approximately 4.5 hours) or take a ferry to Corfu for onward travel by plane.
Evening:
Conclude your journey with memories of Albania’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and exceptional wines.
Morning:
Spend some free time relaxing at the beach or exploring more of Saranda’s coastal charm.
Afternoon:
Depending on your schedule, either drive back to Tirana (approximately 4.5 hours) or take a ferry to Corfu for onward travel by plane.
Evening:
Conclude your journey with memories of Albania’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and exceptional wines.