A week in Albania does not need a new destination every morning. This Albanian Riviera campervan itinerary follows the coast south, leaves two nights for Himarë, and gives you a full day to travel back north. There is room for a swim, a village walk and a coffee that lasts a little longer. Start with an early campervan collection in the Tirana area, and treat the stops as a flexible outline rather than a timetable.
Your week at a glance
Tirana → Vlorë and Zvërnec → Dhërmi → Himarë (two nights) → Durrës → Tirana. This is a coastal week, so save the northern mountains for another trip.
Day 1: Tirana → Vlorë
After the handover, head south to Vlorë and ease into the trip with a stroll along the Lungomare waterfront. Pick up groceries before settling in for the evening. Campervan tip: agree your collection time in advance. If you arrive late, stay near Tirana and shorten the next coastal stop instead of rushing south.
Day 2: Zvërnec and Narta Lagoon
Keep your base around Vlorë and make a gentle outing to Zvërnec, where a wooden walkway leads towards the monastery island. The lagoon makes a lovely change from the open coast. Campervan tip: use established parking and explore on foot; a scenic viewpoint or beach access track is not automatically a suitable overnight spot.
Day 3: Vlorë → Dhërmi
Continue towards Dhërmi for a village wander and some beach time. Choose one place to enjoy rather than trying to stop at every bay. Campervan tip: check the current route before leaving, including whether navigation sends you through the Llogara tunnel or over the pass. Ask about beach-road access before taking a large vehicle downhill.
Day 4: Dhërmi → Himarë
Move on to Himarë and find your base for two nights. An afternoon by the water is enough of a plan; Livadhi Beach is one nearby option. Campervan tip: confirm a campsite space before arriving, especially during busy periods, and ask about fresh water and waste disposal rather than assuming every site provides them.
Day 5: A slower day around Himarë
Leave most of today open. Walk, swim when conditions suit, or make a short outing to Porto Palermo Bay and its castle. There is no need to fit all three into one day. Campervan tip: ask your campsite host about local parking and access before moving the van; exploring one area well can be more enjoyable than constantly repacking.
Day 6: Himarë → Durrës
Make this your main return journey, with breaks along the way. Durrës gives you a final seaside evening before returning to Tirana. Campervan tip: leave a generous buffer for traffic and stops, and choose your overnight place before setting off. Keep the afternoon flexible instead of adding another major sightseeing detour.
Day 7: Durrës → Tirana
Head back towards Tirana and return the campervan at the agreed location. If your schedule allows, finish with a coffee and a final walk. Campervan tip: leave time for refuelling, packing and the handover, and follow the return instructions in your booking. Keep flight connections separate from an optimistic driving estimate.
Two useful things to know
Where should we stay overnight?
Use established campsites or places where overnight stays are explicitly authorised. Check opening dates, access and facilities directly. Parking permission and overnight permission can differ; a photo or app listing alone does not confirm either.
What should we expect from the driving?
Plan for winding coastal sections, town traffic and time spent finding suitable parking. Check current conditions and choose roads appropriate for your campervan. Keep daylight for unfamiliar stretches, and let the route change if the weather or your arrival time calls for it.
Choosing your dates? Read our seasonal guide. For a wider inland circuit, see the longer seven-day itinerary, or explore the WildGoat campervans for your coastal week.
Seasonal guide · Longer seven-day itinerary · WildGoat campervans
Photography and sources
Photos resized for this article; original scenes unchanged.
Destination background: Albania’s official tourism guide.
- An evening at Livadhi Beach on the Riviera. — Liridon · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Start gently with a walk along Vlorë’s Lungomare. — Leeturtle · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leave the van parked and explore Zvërnec on foot. — Flladina Zilja · CC BY-SA 4.0
- The coast below Dhërmi, with the mountains behind. — Albinfo · CC BY 4.0
- Livadhi Beach is one option near your Himarë base. — Liridon · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Porto Palermo makes an optional outing from Himarë. — Quii77 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- One last seaside stop in Durrës before Tirana. — Redon Skikuli · CC BY-SA 4.0