Albania's capital is perfectly positioned as a launchpad for some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Balkans, and the only way to truly experience it is with your own wheels. Whether you're chasing turquoise coastlines, ancient ruins, or dramatic mountain landscapes, renting a car in Tirana unlocks a side of Albania that buses and tours simply can't reach.
These are the best day trips from Tirana in 2026, all reachable by rental car and all absolutely worth it.
Why a Rental Car Makes All the Difference
Public transport in Albania has improved, but it still leaves most of the country's highlights either inaccessible or exhaustingly slow to reach. With a rental car from Makina me Qera Shehu in Tirana, you leave on your own schedule, stop wherever you want, and reach places that would take half a day by furgon.
The road network has seen real investment in recent years:
- The main highways connecting Tirana to the south and the Adriatic coast are modern and well-maintained
- Mountain roads require more patience, but they are part of the experience
- Most day trip destinations on this list are reachable on paved roads with any standard vehicle
1. Berat — The City of a Thousand Windows (1.5 Hours)
Berat is the most rewarding day trip from Tirana by some distance. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sits in a river valley framed by mountains, its iconic Ottoman houses stacked up the hillside with rows of large windows that give the city its famous nickname.
How to get there:
- Drive south on the A2 highway toward Fier, then cut east toward Berat
- The route is straightforward and well-signed
- Park near the bridge at the entrance to town. The old city is best explored on foot
What to see:
- The castle and its sweeping views over the valley
- The Onufri Museum inside the castle complex
- The old Mangalem and Gorica quarters
- The riverside walk at golden hour
Allow at least four to five hours in the city itself. The views from the castle walls in late afternoon are worth planning your departure around.
2. Durrës and the Adriatic Coast (40 Minutes)
Albania's main coastal city is less than an hour from Tirana on a modern dual carriageway — the easiest and fastest day trip on this list.
Highlights in Durrës:
- The Roman amphitheatre, one of the largest in the Balkans, sitting right in the city centre
- The Archaeological Museum, essential for understanding the city's Greek and Roman past
- The long beach and promenade are perfect for an afternoon walk
From Durrës, continue south along the coast toward Golem and Kavajë for quieter beaches, or head back via the old road through Vora for a different perspective on the landscape.
3. Krujë — The National Hero's Mountain Town (45 Minutes)
Krujë sits on a steep ridge north of Tirana and carries enormous historical weight for Albanians. It was here that Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg held off Ottoman forces for decades in the 15th century.
Why Krujë is worth the drive:
- The castle and the striking Skanderbeg Museum inside it
- One of the best-preserved Ottoman bazaars in Albania, full of antiques and handmade crafts
- Dramatic hairpin bends on the approach road with panoramic views over the plain
The road up to Krujë is genuinely fun to drive — exactly the kind of road that makes having a rental car worthwhile.
4. Apollonia Archaeological Park (1 Hour 45 Minutes)
Ancient Apollonia is one of the most impressive and least overcrowded archaeological sites in the Western Balkans. Founded by Greek colonists in the 7th century BC, it later became one of the most important cities in the Adriatic region.
What you'll find there:
- Extensive ruins spread across a gentle hill surrounded by olive groves
- The 13th-century Monastery of St Mary, built using ancient columns and stonework
- A small but excellent on-site museum
Drive south on the SH4 toward Fier, then follow signs for Apollonia. Combine this with a stop at the coast at Seman for a complete day out.
5. Shkodër and Lake Shkodër (1 Hour 45 Minutes)
Albania's northern cultural capital sits at the edge of the largest lake in Southern Europe, with the Rozafa Castle rising dramatically above the meeting point of two rivers.
Don't miss in Shkodër:
- Rozafa Castle and its views over the lake and mountains
- The pedestrian boulevard lined with cafés and cycling locals
- The historic mosque and Catholic cathedral standing within blocks of each other
- Lunch at Shiroka on the lake shore with views across to Montenegro
The drive north from Tirana on the A1 motorway is one of the most scenic in the country, mountains closing in on both sides as you approach the north.
6. Vlorë and the Start of the Albanian Riviera (2 Hours)
Vlorë is where the Albanian Riviera begins, and also the city where Albanian independence was declared in 1912.
Plan your day:
- Stop at the Independence Museum in the centre of Vlorë
- Continue south on the SH8 coastal road toward Orikum
- Climb the Llogara Pass — the viewpoint at the top is one of the most dramatic in Albania
- If time allows, descend to Dhermi or Palasë for a swim on the Ionian coast
The drive south from Tirana follows the A2 motorway most of the way, fast, comfortable, and easy in any of the vehicles available from Shehu Rental Cars.
7. Gjirokastër — The Stone City (2 Hours 30 Minutes)
Gjirokastër is a serious commitment for a day trip, but it rewards every kilometre. This UNESCO-listed city in the south is built almost entirely from grey stone — the houses, the roofs, the castle, the lanes. It looks like no other city in Europe.
Make the most of the day:
- Set off from Tirana no later than 7 am
- Visit the castle and its bizarre collection, including a captured American Cold War aircraft
- Explore the Skenduli and Zekate tower houses, beautifully preserved Ottoman mansions open to visitors
- Allow at least three full hours in the city before heading back
Practical Tips for Day Trips From Tirana
Before you set off, keep these points in mind:
- Fuel up in Tirana — petrol stations become sparse on mountain routes
- Start early — leaving before 8am makes a real difference to how much time you have at your destination
- Check your rental agreement — some agencies restrict travel on unpaved tracks; Shehu Rental Cars will advise you clearly on what's covered before you drive away
- Download offline maps — Google Maps and Maps.me both work offline once downloaded; mobile signal drops in valleys and mountain areas
- Return before dark on mountain roads — roads are safe but poorly lit after sunset
- Bring cash — smaller towns and roadside restaurants often don't accept cards
The Freedom a Rental Car Gives You
Every destination on this list is technically reachable by public transport. None of them is as good that way. A rental car means stopping at the viewpoint nobody else stops at, eating at the roadside restaurant with no name but extraordinary grilled lamb, and arriving at Apollonia at opening time before the tour groups.
Albania is one of Europe's great undiscovered road trip countries, and Tirana sits right at the centre of it. Everything described above is within a half-tank of fuel in any direction; all you need is the right car and an early start.
Albanian 
English