A long weekend in Albania: a cheap flight to Tirana and three days in the north
Friday to Monday with Shkodër as a base. One day for the mountains, one for the sea, one for history. What we fitted in at the start of October and how to put it together.
You do not need a week off to see Albania. At the start of October we flew from Prague to Tirana on a Friday and came home on the Monday. The return ticket cost about 60 euros. In three days we fitted in the mountains, the sea and a castle, and it was glorious.
Why it makes sense right now
Albania as a whole is getting more expensive. The lek is strengthening, more tourists arrive every year, and prices for accommodation and food are going up, especially on the coast. Flights, though, are still cheap: you can still find a return from Prague for about 60 euros. How to do it is in our article on cheap flights to Albania.
The conclusion is simple. When getting there is cheap and staying is getting pricier, it pays to come more often and for a shorter time. A long weekend is ideal for that.
Why stay in Shkodër
Shkodër is an hour and a half from Tirana airport and close to everything, in every direction:
- the mountains are about two hours away,
- the sea at Velipojë is forty minutes,
- history in Krujë is a little over an hour.
The town itself deserves half a day. It is a good place to shop for clothes, the food is excellent and cheaper than in Tirana, and in the evening you can simply sit out on the pedestrian street. Where to eat is covered in What to eat and drink in Shkodër.
A day in the mountains: Lepushë and Vermosh
The discovery of the weekend. We had never driven the road to Lepushë and Vermosh before, and we already know we will be back next year with the kids. The road climbs in hairpins above the canyon of the Cem river, and at the top there is a viewpoint where absolutely everyone stops. There are nowhere near as many people here as in Theth.
We describe the route in detail in a separate article, Lepushë and Vermosh: a view into the canyon.
A day by the sea: Velipojë out of season
In October much of Velipojë is closed. Only a handful of shops and restaurants are open. It does not matter: you have the beach almost to yourself and in the sun it is gorgeous. We swam, even though the sea was already on the cool side.
A day of history: Krujë
We had not been to Krujë for a long time and it is as charming as ever. The castle, the old bazaar and above all the view: from a single spot you can see Tirana, Durrës and the Patok lagoon. Because Krujë is just a short drive from the airport, it fits nicely into your arrival or departure day.
Velipojë and Krujë get their own write-up in Velipojë out of season and Krujë.
How to put the weekend together
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Friday | fly into Tirana, transfer to Shkodër, dinner in town |
| Saturday | mountains: Lepushë and Vermosh, a full day trip |
| Sunday | sea: Velipojë, then shopping and a stroll around Shkodër in the afternoon |
| Monday | Krujë on the way to the airport, flight home |
Let the weather decide the order. Go to the mountains on the day that promises clear skies, for the views. The sea and Krujë can cope with a worse forecast.
With a car or without
We drove, and for this plan a car is the most comfortable choice. There is no sensible way to reach Lepushë and Vermosh without one.
The rest can be done without a car: a shuttle runs from the airport to Shkodër, minibuses go to Velipojë, and you can get around town on foot or by bike. We cover the details in From Tirana to Shkodër.
What to watch out for
- Flights: book ahead and try moving your departure by a day. Friday to Monday is not always the cheapest combination.
- Luggage: cabin baggage is enough for four days. The apartment has a washing machine.
- Cash: in the mountains and at markets you pay in lekë, and cards only work in the better restaurants.
- October is beautiful, but the days are short. Set off for the mountain trip in the morning.
Where to sleep
Our apartment in Shkodër is a five minute walk from the airport shuttle stop and comes with a washing machine and free bikes. For a long weekend it is a base from which you can manage all three directions. Have a look at the apartment and availability.