Albania Unfiltered
Ten days through the Albania most tourists never see — from the wild north to the southern coast, off the beaten path the whole way.
This is a small-group, women-only trip through Albania — the real one, not the postcard version.
Over 10 days we travel the length of the country, from the southern coast to the wild north, deliberately choosing the destinations most visitors never reach.
Off the beaten path. Far from the tourist trail.
It’s less a checklist of sights and more a genuine look into Albanian culture.
So, why travel Albania?
Albania doesn’t get talked about the way it should.
This is a country shaped by the ancient Illyrians, one of the Balkans’ oldest peoples, then locked away from the rest of the world for 47 years under one of Europe’s strictest communist regimes.
That isolation is exactly why so much of it feels untouched.
The language itself is proof: Albanian is its own branch of the Indo-European family, unlike anything spoken in a neighbouring country.
And the hospitality isn’t a tourism slogan. It’s besa, a centuries-old code of honour that means protecting and hosting a guest, even a stranger, no matter what.
Albania isn’t a place you visit for polish. You visit it for what’s real.
Experiences You Won’t Forget
This is just a taste of the experiences waiting for you on this trip — a few of our favorites, not the whole list.
A Cooking Class Like No Other
Spend four hours in a real Albanian kitchen learning to make the dishes locals actually grew up on, not the tourist version. There’s a lot of chopping, a lot of laughing, and a meal at the end that you made yourself. Worth it just for the recipes you’ll take home!
Inside a Forgotten Prison Camp
Tucked into the northern Alps is a former labour camp that once held thousands of political prisoners during communism. It’s a heavy visit, and an important one. You won’t find this on a normal Albania itinerary, and that’s exactly why we go.
Meet the Family Behind Europe’s Most Underrated Olive Oil
This family has been pressing olive oil since 1993, using methods most producers gave up on decades ago. You’ll see the whole process from start to finish, then taste it yourself. I’ll go out on a limb here: this might be the best olive oil you’ve ever had.
A Nuclear Bunker Built for 15,000 People
Built during Enver Hoxha’s brutal communist regime, this underground bunker was designed to shelter 15,000 people from an attack that never came. Walking through it is genuinely eerie, in the best way. It’s one of those places that makes Albania’s history feel real instead of something you read about.
A Boat Day Through the Riviera’s Hidden Bays
We hop on a boat and spend the day chasing down bays and beaches you can’t reach by road, the ones most tourists never see because they stick to the main coastal towns. Bring your swimsuit and an appetite. We won’t be rushing.
A Village Communism Emptied, Slowly Coming Back to Life
High in the hills above the Riviera sits a village that was abandoned in the 90s after communism fell. It’s slowly being brought back to life, one house at a time. There’s something special about wandering through a place still in the middle of finding its way home.
A Cliff-Side Monastery You’d Never Find on Your Own
Carved straight into the face of a steep cliff, this monastery dates back to 1332, with later additions built between 1690 and 1770. Inside you’ll find centuries-old wall paintings and wooden furniture, and outside, a view over the valley that makes the climb up worth it. It’s still considered a pilgrimage site today, and it’s easy to see why.
Your Day-by-Day
Arrival in the South
We start our tour in the south of Albania. You’ll be greeted by our driver at the port and taken straight to your accommodation to settle in. In the evening, we head to a monastery built in the 6th century AD that a lot of tourists completely miss, to watch the sunset over the sea. Then, to meet your fellow travellers, we’ve organised a welcome dinner at one of my favourite restaurants in the city, run by a local family who cook incredible Sarandë style food.
Ruins, Olive Oil & the Coast
After breakfast, we head inland to an archaeological park that dates back over 2,000 years, along with a hilltop monastery most visitors never make time for. From there, we visit a family-run olive oil mill that has been pressing oil the traditional way for generations, and you’ll get to taste it fresh. In the afternoon, we head to the coast for a mussel tasting tour, or time on one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, before a fresh seafood dinner at the old port.
A Village Frozen in Time
Today we visit a coastal village that feels like it has been forgotten by time, tucked along a stretch of the Riviera most tourists never reach. From there, we head to a castle perched dramatically above the sea, with some of the best views on the entire coastline. Dinner tonight is at a small family run restaurant, one of my personal favourites in the area.
A Fortress, a Hidden Bay & the Forest
This morning we visit a fairytale fortress right on the water. From there, you’ll have the option to take a boat trip to a hidden bay only reachable by sea, or spend a relaxed afternoon in one of the coast’s liveliest towns. Tonight we head up into the mountains to sleep somewhere completely different, deep in a pine forest, at a retreat unlike anywhere else in the country.
Lagoons, Ancient Ruins & a Cooking Class
We start the day at a peaceful coastal lagoon with an island monastery you can only reach on foot at low tide. From there we visit an ancient archaeological site that was once one of the most important cities in the region. In the evening, you’ll get hands on in a private Albanian cooking class, learning to make dishes that have been passed down through generations.
Castles, Bazaars & a Night on a Working Farm
Today we explore a hilltop castle and its centuries old bazaar, full of traditional crafts and local sellers. In the late afternoon, we visit a second castle for one of the best sunset views of the whole trip. Tonight you’ll stay somewhere really special, a working agritourism estate, where dinner is made almost entirely from what’s grown and raised on site.
A City on the Water
This morning we visit a lakeside castle before a walking tour through a historic riverside city that most people outside Albania have never even heard of, despite it being one of the country’s most beautiful.
The Most Dramatic Lake in the Balkans
Today is one of my favourite days of the whole trip. We take a boat crossing through a lake surrounded by sheer mountain walls, one of the most dramatic landscapes anywhere in the Balkans.
History That Will Stop You in Your Tracks
We visit a former political prison, now turned into a museum, that tells the story of one of the darkest periods in Albania’s recent history. Then we go somewhere almost no tourist ever gets to see, an underground city built during communism to survive a nuclear attack.
One Last Drive & Goodbye in Tirana
On our final day, we take a scenic drive past a mountain reservoir in the middle of the mountains, on the way back to the capital to say our goodbyes.
- All accommodation (9 nights)
- Daily breakfast
- 7 lunches
- 7 dinners
- All entrance tickets to museums and archaeological parks we will visit
- All domestic transport
- Pick up at the local port on arrival day
- Drop off at your hotel on departure day
- Local guide throughout
- Flights or Visa Costs
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Costs for optional activities (Boat trip to secret beaches & bays)
- Meals not listed
- Tips for guides and driver
Homestays & Agrotourism Farms
This trip puts you in family-run homestays and working agritourism farms. The kind of places where dinner is often made from what’s grown or raised right there on site (you’ll stay at one of these on Day 6).
Think warm, simple, and real, with genuine local hospitality.
Rooms: Every guest gets their own private room by default. If you’d rather share and save some money or you’re coming with a friend, you’ll have the option to switch to a shared room.
Albania: South to North
Secure your spot with just a €750 depositThe remaining balance is due 2 months before the trip begins.
Before You Book
I’m ready! How do I book?
Excited to have you! Applications open first — this helps us make sure it’s the right fit on both sides before anyone pays. Fill out the application form here, and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours. If you’re a good match, we’ll send you a link to secure your spot with a 50% deposit. Spots are limited to a small group, so they go on a first-come, first-served basis once accepted.
Is this trip really women-only?
Yes. Albania Unfiltered is a small-group trip for women only, start to finish. It’s designed so you can travel somewhere completely new, without needing to know the language or navigate the logistics alone, alongside a group of like-minded women having the same experience.
Is Albania safe for tourists?
Yes — Albania is considered one of the safer countries in the Balkans for travelers, including women traveling in a group. That said, we’re covering rural roads, mountain areas, and some remote stops with limited infrastructure, so a sensible level of caution and flexibility is part of the experience. You’ll have a trip leader with you throughout who knows the country and route well.
Do I need a visa for Albania?
It depends on your passport: UK and EU/Schengen citizens can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. US citizens currently get visa-free entry for up to a year. If you hold a different passport, check your specific requirements before booking, since we can’t advise on every nationality.
How many people are on the trip?
This is a genuinely small group — maximum 10 women.
Why is the deposit non-refundable?
The deposit for your trip is non-refundable. When you book your spot, we immediately begin planning and preparing for your trip — engaging guides, and committing to accommodation and other suppliers — and these preparations come with real upfront costs from the moment your booking is confirmed. Requiring a non-refundable deposit also helps make sure everyone joining is genuinely committed to the trip.
We understand plans can change, which is why we require all travelers to have travel insurance to cover anything unexpected that affects your ability to participate.
What about my other payments — are they refundable?
All payments other than your deposit are fully refundable if you cancel more than 3 months before departure. After that 3-month mark, any payments made are non-refundable, since we’re usually unable to fill your place on such short notice and have our own commitments to guides and suppliers to honor.
Again, we strongly recommend travel insurance so you’re covered if your plans change. We’re a small business and we want nothing more than to keep showing women this incredible country — thank you for understanding the importance of this policy.
How much money will I need for things not included?
Most breakfasts, and most lunches and dinners, are included in the itinerary — a few meals along the way are left open so you can choose your own spot, and those are noted in your day-by-day itinerary. Meals in Albania can range from 5-15 euros depending how fancy you get!
What currency should I bring?
The local currency is the Albanian Lek (ALL). Euros are accepted in some tourist areas like Sarandë, but you’ll often lose 5–10% on the exchange rate vendors give you, so it’s better to use Lek where you can. Cards are increasingly accepted in hotels and bigger restaurants in the cities, but you will need some cash, especially for smaller villages and tipping. You cannot buy Lke outside of Albania as it’s a closed currency so you can either withdrawal money at an ATM when you get here (and along the way), or bring Euros or USD to exchange.
How does tipping work?
Tipping isn’t expected in Albania the way it is in the US, but rounding up the bill by 5–10% for good service is appreciated. The places we go to are run by locals that have limited tourism opportunities and it’s a great way to support local Albanian communities. Meals that are covered in the itinerary do not include tips, so you can decide for yourself if you would like to leave some coins at the end of your meal if you thought the service and food was great!
How physically demanding is the trip?
This trip is active but accessible to most people in good general health. Expect walking and light hiking on uneven or mountainous terrain, time on rural and mountain roads, and a boat excursion. It’s not extreme, but a reasonable baseline fitness level will help you enjoy it fully. We will do our best to make sure that every traveller has an amazing time no matter what level of accessibility you have!
Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Yes — You will let us know your dietary needs after you have booked, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them with our local guides and restaurants. If you have a severe allergy, please flag it clearly so we can take extra care around it.
What if I want my own room?
Every traveller gets their own room by default on this trip — no assigned roommate, no pairing up. About 2 months before departure, once we know the final group, you’ll have the option to opt into sharing a room with a fellow traveller if you’d like, which comes with a discount off your remaining balance. It’s entirely up to you — stick with your own room, or opt in to share and save a little money. We’ll reach out with the details closer to the date.
What are the health and vaccination requirements?
There are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter Albania. It’s still smart to be up to date on routine vaccinations, and worth a quick chat with your healthcare provider before you travel.
Who’s leading the trip?
You’ll be accompanied throughout by Anita alongside an experienced local driver, Indrit, who knows the route, culture, and language. Along the way, we’ll team up with local guides on certain experiences.
What’s included, and what’s not?
Included: daily breakfast, 7 lunches and 7 dinners as listed in your itinerary, most activities (except the optional boat trip – which we HIGHLY recommend doing by the way) and entrance fees, accommodation every night, and ground transport within Albania.
Not included: flights to and from Albania, travel insurance, visa costs, a few meals marked as your own choice in the day-by-day itinerary, and the optional Grama Bay boat trip on Day 3.
I have a different question, how can i get in contact?
You can email Anita directly over at hello@intheknowadventures.com and she’ll be happy with any other questions or concerns you may have.
Where can I read your privacy policy and booking terms?
You can find our full Privacy Policy and website & booking Terms and Conditions here.