The 14 Best National Park Trips in Albania

1.Day Trip to Saranda and Butrint National Park from Corfu

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 847 reviews · 10 hours · from $68Our pick

Cross from Corfu to Saranda by boat, then ride along Albania’s southern coast to Butrint. A local guide leads you past the theater, Roman baths, baptistery, Venetian castle, and Cyclopean walls. Choose the guided option for entry tickets and buffet lunch, or explore Saranda independently.

“Aferdita was a brilliant guide, very knowledgeable and very funny. We had a great day, Butrint is definitely worth visiting if you can at all, and the lunch and time for drinks in Saranda was lovely! perfect day trip for anyone staying in Corfu for a few days :) I'd recommend bringing plenty of water and some snacks. For anyone that meets the group at the port rather than getting a pick up, make sure to pick up your physical boarding pass from the guide outside of the port building!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Vjosa River National Park Guided Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 291 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $49

Raft the Vjosa near Permet with guides such as Emil, Mikkel, and Genny leading you through gentle and lively rapids. Stop to swim, jump from rocks, learn about the river, and collect photos and videos. The route suits beginners, families, and experienced rafters who want scenery as well as action.

“Was great fun! Emile our guide made it a great experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $96Top rated

Ride for about four hours with Funky Adventures through the hills and valleys near Përmet. Avenir, Avi, and Lilly help beginners and experienced riders follow old trails past Leusë, Lengarica Canyon, stone bridges, ruins, springs, and villages. Snacks, fruit, drinks, wine, helmets, and transport are included.

“WOW! First it was a delight to see such happy and well loved and cared for horses. They are free to roam the countryside when not working. They are strong well cared for animals. Really a highlight of over a month in Albania. The area is stunning and Avi and his partner are excellent guides. Thank you”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Theth National Park Day Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 188 reviews · 11 hours · from $76

Travel from Shkoder into Albania’s Alps with local guide Marjan, stopping at Qafa Thores, Nderlysa, the Blue Eye, Grunasi Waterfall, Theth Church, and the Lock-in Tower. The small-group tour includes transport and guiding, but not lunch or the optional €20 zip-line.

“What an incredible day trip from Shkodër to Theth! We got to experience the Blue Eye and the beautiful Theth waterfall, and enjoyed a delicious lunch along the way. Our guide, Marjan, was truly awesome, such a welcoming host, excellent driver, clearly loved by everyone in Theth, and has the freshest fade in the Alps. He impressed us with his knowledge and heartfelt passion for Albania and its culture. The group we traveled with made the day even more special, such kind, friendly, and respectful people. I’d definitely recommend this tour to anyone wanting to explore Theth in a meaningful and fun way with a fantastic guide and great company.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Speed Boat Tour to National Park and Grama Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 159 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $87

Set out from Vlore at 10:30 a.m. on a fast coastal boat to Haxhi Ali Cave, the Blue Cave, Grama Bay, and beaches along the Karaburun Peninsula. Expect swimming, snorkeling, music, and a full day on the water. Drinks and food may be available for an extra fee.

“We had a truly great day on the speed boat with friendly staff. We stopped at several beaches for great swimming, and went into two caves with the boat. But best of all was swimming into that magic blue cave, that was simply stunning!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Rafting Tour in Vjosa Wild River National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Meet Vjosa Explorer in Përmet for a 3.5-hour rafting trip through Vjosa Wild River National Park. Guides including Irma lead you through rapids, swimming spots, cliff jumps, and quiet channels, with gear, transport, snacks, and photos included.

“This is a great experience. The instructors are top professionals and capture the fun along the way. I recommend it if you’re travelling or away with friends, partners etc.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Theth National Park Day Tour from Shkoder with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $78

Travel from Shkoder into the Albanian Alps with local guide Marjan, stopping at Boga, Qafë Thore, the Blue Eye, Grunasi Waterfall, and Theth village. Expect a long day, two moderate hikes, mountain roads, optional home-cooked lunch, and a small group of up to eight.

“Good tour and guide. Nice to the see the scenery and region. I did not do much of the hiking parts due to some limitation of my knee, but still glad I went on the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Guided Rafting Tour – Vjosa River National Park – Permet, Albania

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $45

Meet Enjoy Vjosa Rafting at the Vjosa River National Park base camp near Përmet. Guides Emil, Ari, and their team lead you through gentle and lively rapids, with safety gear, a swim stop, snack, photos, showers, and an English or Italian guide included.

“100% recommend this. It’s a must do in Albania & the best way to see one of the few natural flowing rivers in Europe. Had the most amazing time with EMIL! His abundant enthusiasm made the trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Kayak Experience – Vjosa River National Park Albania

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 40 reviews · 3 hours · from $57

Starting in Përmet, you’ll gear up with certified guides and follow the Vjosa through green valleys, canyons, and rapids. Emil is one guide praised for clear instructions and good humor. Expect swimming, a snack stop, photos, and a full 2.5-hour river run suited to beginners and experienced paddlers.

“We hebben erg genoten van de rafting tocht. Emil was een goede gids. Hij zorgde voor veel sfeer en gaf vaak informatie over de streek.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Visit The National Park of Blue Eye & Lekuresi castel

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 32 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $28Best value

Travel from Saranda to the Blue Eye’s brilliant freshwater spring, then climb to Lekuresi Castle for wide views of town and the Ksamil Islands. The advertised tour is private, lasts about three to four hours, and may include a driver rather than a full guide, so confirm that detail before booking.

“The forest and springs were beautiful. The pick up by the company was chaotic. The exit of port was chaotic and we had to wait for the company rep to pick us up for a while.When he arrived he didn’t introduce himself or say anything, just motioned for us to follow him and get in a Van. He got in and drove us for an hour, did not say a word, no explanation, we had no idea where we were going, what we were doing, or how long it would take to get there. When we got to the park, another person joined our group but did not introduce himself,…”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.River Tubing/Rafting at Vjosa National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 3 hours · from $51

Choose a lively raft or a relaxed tube on the Vjosa River near Permet. Guides such as Emil and Mickael lead the 2.5-hour river outing, with rapids, swimming, snacks, photos, and time to learn about this protected river.

“We loved rafting in the Vjosa. Our guide, Emil, was great and gave us lots of information whilst keeping it fun. Our 10 year old boy thoroughly enjoyed the experience too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Theth National Park Guided Day-Tour from Shkoder

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 20 reviews · 10 hours · from $77

Travel from Shkoder into Theth National Park with an English, Italian, or German-speaking guide. Stop at Qafe Thore, hike to the Blue Eye, visit Grunas Waterfall, the canyon, Theth Church, and the lock-in tower, with time for photos and mountain views.

“L'excursion était incroyable, et le groupe formidable. Nous avons passé une journée magnifique, avec des paysages à couper le souffle : montagnes, lacs, chutes d'eau, canyon... Bref, une excursion à faire absolument si vous êtes à Shkodër ! Attention, néanmoins, certaines randonnées peuvent être un peu difficiles, surtout pour les personnes âgées.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Day Trip to Bogë and Theth National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 8 hours · from $90

Travel from Shkodra into Theth National Park with a small group of up to 15 people. Guide Marjan is known for adapting the hikes to different abilities, while the day includes Qafa e Thores, the Blue Eye, Grunasi Waterfall, Theth Church, and the Lock-in Tower.

“I recommend this trip 100% Everything we saw was beautiful and worth visiting Our tour guide Marjan only made things much better. He was really welcoming and friendly. He adapted happily to our every need. There were older people in the trip, they wanted to go up the hill to see the Blue Eye and he helped them a long way up until it was clear they couldn't do it anymore. He even took his 4x4 to save us half of the hike to the blue eye so that we wouldn't be so tired to do the second hike up to the waterfall. In the end only I wanted to…”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Theth National Park & Blue Eye Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 12 - 13 hours · from $140

Leave Tirana early for Theth with an English or Italian-speaking guide such as Florian or Leonis. Visit the church and Lock-in Tower, hike 4.5 km to the Blue Eye, eat at a local guesthouse, and choose the optional Grunas Waterfall walk. Expect a long, active day.

“Florian was very supportive and helpful. Provided great advice and the scenery was magnificent.”

Check availability →Read our full review