Mountains
The most beautiful drive from Tirana Airport to Theth (and back)
From Tirana Airport to Theth in the Albanian Alps, via Kruje and the Rozafa castle of Shkoder. Both directions in Google Maps.
See the route →The best drives from Tirana Airport
Landing at Tirana (TIA) and picking up a rental car? Albania is one of the finest and least discovered driving countries in Europe, and the arrival day is the first highlight. These three worked-out drives serve three kinds of trip: into the mountains to Theth in the Albanian Alps, along Ottoman heritage to Berat, and over the Llogara pass to the Albanian Riviera at Himare. Each is written out both ways, with every stop in Google Maps and a GPX.
Choose your destination
Culture
The most beautiful drive from Tirana Airport to Berat (and back)
From Tirana Airport to Berat via Durres, Apollonia and Ardenica. A culture drive through Albania, both directions in Google Maps.
See the route →Coast
The most beautiful drive from Tirana Airport to Himare (and back)
From Tirana Airport to Himare on the Albanian Riviera, via the Llogara pass and Dhermi. Both directions in Google Maps.
See the route →Which destination suits you
| Destination | Landscape | Distance and driving time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theth and the Albanian Alps | mountains | approx. 100 km · approx. 3 h | hiking, nature, mountain roads |
| Berat, city of a thousand windows | culture | approx. 180 km · approx. 3 h | culture, Ottoman heritage, easy driving |
| Himare and the Riviera | coast | approx. 200 km · approx. 3.5 h | beaches, coast road, the Llogara pass |
Picking up your rental car at Tirana
The rental desks are at Tirana International Airport (TIA), also known as Rinas, about fifteen kilometres from the centre. Book online in advance, almost always cheaper than at the desk. For these drives you usually go there and back from Tirana, so no drop-off fee. If you want to head into the mountains to Theth, ask whether unpaved side roads are covered and fill up at Koplik. Return the car full.
Advice for your landing time
With a morning flight you can take the mountain drive to Theth or the Riviera to Himare at ease. If you land in the afternoon, choose flat, easy Berat. After a late landing, do not drive a mountain road (Theth or the Llogara pass) in the dark: stay near Tirana, Shkoder or Vlore and drive the scenic route the next morning.
Frequently asked questions
Which drive from Tirana Airport suits my trip?
For mountains, hiking and nature, choose Theth in the Albanian Alps. For culture and easy driving, Ottoman Berat, the city of a thousand windows. For beaches and the finest coast road, the Albanian Riviera to Himare over the Llogara pass. The comparison table above sets them side by side.
Can you drive into the mountains to Theth in an ordinary rental car?
Yes. The SH21 mountain road to Theth has been paved in recent years, so an ordinary rental car can drive it; some ground clearance is nice. The inner streets of Theth are still unpaved and may fall outside your insurance; park on the paved road.
Do you need a 4x4 in Albania?
Not for these three routes. The main roads and passes (Llogara, the SH21 to Theth) are paved and drivable in any rental car. Only if you want to take unpaved side roads in the mountains does more ground clearance help.
How far is it from Tirana Airport to the Albanian Riviera?
To Himare it is about 200 kilometres, around 3.5 hours via Vlore and the spectacular Llogara pass. In July and August the coast road is busy, so allow extra time.
Are the routes and exports free?
Yes. You open each route free in Google Maps with every stop in it, and there is a GPX per direction for Garmin, Komoot or TomTom. You never pay us for exports.