7-Day Adventure Itinerary: Kruje, Theth to Valbona hike, Koman lake boat to Shkoder, Tirana

  • Day 1: Kruje
    30 minutes (20.1 km) from Tirana

    Visit the Kruje Castle which served as the headquarters of Skanderbeg, the national Albanian hero. Explore the Bazaar full of handcraft, traditional clothes, souvenirs and much more.

  • Day 2-4: Theth to Valbona Hike
    7 hours (18.5 km) from Kruje

    Embark on a 3-day trek from Theth to Valbona, passing through the Valbona Pass and the stunning alpine scenery of the Valbona Valley National Park. Take in stunning vistas, encounter local shepherds, and rest in the charming mountain guesthouses.

  • Day 5: Koman Lake Boat Tour to Shkoder
    3 hours (92.3 km) from Valbona Valley National Park

    Take a boat tour through Koman Lake and witness the breathtaking beauty of the Albanian Alps. The boat ride takes you to the city of Shkoder, one of the oldest and most historic cities in Albania.

  • Day 6: Tirana
    2.5 hours (106 km) from Shkoder

    Explore the capital city of Albania, Tirana. Visit the Sky Tower for a panoramic view of the city, and walk around the city to see the beautiful landmarks such as the Ethem Bey Mosque, National Museum of History, and the Bunk'Art Museum.

  • Day 7: Departure
    30 minutes (17.8 km) from Tirana

    Spend your last moments in Albania enjoying a final breakfast.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Kruje Castle (2-3 hours, €5)
  • Bazaar (1-2 hours, €10-20)
  • 3-Day Theth to Valbona Trek (7 hours per day, €120-150 for guesthouses)
  • Koman Lake Boat Tour (4 hours, €20-30)
  • Sky Tower (1-2 hours, €8)
  • Ethem Bey Mosque (1-2 hours, free)
  • National Museum of History (2-3 hours, €5)
  • Bunk'Art Museum (2-3 hours, €3)
  • Total Estimated Costs (excluding flights): €171-236

Transportation

Travelers will need to consider transportation by foot and by bus during the trip. The Theth to Valbona Hike requires walking an average of 7 hours per day, while the bus ride from Tirana to Kruje, Kruje to Valbona, and Valbona to Shkoder takes between 2.5-3 hours each.

Useful Tips

If travelers have more time, they can visit other cities in Albania such as Berat, Gjirokastra, and Saranda. If less time, they can shorten the Theth to Valbona Hike by hiking for only 1-2 days.

Airports

The Tirana International Airport (TIA) is located about 17 km from the city center. Other nearby airports include Podgorica Airport (TGD) in Montenegro, located about 100 km from Shkoder, and Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) in Croatia, located about 220 km from Tirana.

0