Public transport in Albania covers the main cities and stops there. A bus will get you from Tirana to Sarandë; it won't get you to Butrint, the Blue Eye, the Llogara Pass viewpoint, or the valley below Theth. If you want to see Albania beyond the bus stops, you need a car. Here are the destinations that make renting one worthwhile.
The Albanian Riviera
The SH8 coastal road from Vlorë to Sarandë is the single best reason to rent a car in Albania. The road runs through Llogara National Park, over a 1,027m mountain pass, and down to a coastline with some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. Towns like Dhermi, Himara, Borsh, and Qeparo are all on this road — stop wherever looks good and move on. Bus services on this route exist but are infrequent and don't serve the small coves. With a car, you park above a bay and descend to an almost empty beach on a Tuesday in June.
Butrint and the Blue Eye
Butrint Archaeological Park, 22km south of Sarandë, requires a car or an expensive taxi. The park sits on a peninsula in a lagoon near the Greek border and contains ruins from the 7th century BC through the Venetian period. The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër) spring on the SH99 east of Sarandë is 25km away — these two together make a logical full-day car trip from a Sarandë base.
Theth and Valbona: The Albanian Alps
Theth is the most dramatic destination in Albania and the hardest to reach. From Shkodër, the road runs 67km — paved for the first 40km, then gravel through the Theth valley. The drive takes around 2.5–3 hours each way. An SUV is strongly recommended; well-maintained compact cars make it in dry conditions, but the gravel section is rough and the road crosses several river fords. The reward: a mountain village at 770m altitude, backed by peaks above 2,500m.
If you're going to Theth, stay at least one night. The drive alone — 2.5 hours each way — makes a day trip exhausting. Accommodation in Theth is basic guesthouses, €25–40 per person with half board.
Valbona is the other major Albanian Alps destination, accessed via the SH20 from Bajram Curri — 45km of paved mountain road in better condition than the Theth route. Many hikers do the Valbona–Theth trail (7–8 hours on foot) and arrange a car at one end.
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a UNESCO World Heritage city on the SH75, about 235km from Tirana. Buses run there but take 4+ hours. By car on the A2–SH75 route it's 3.5 hours, and you can continue south to Sarandë or east toward the Vjosa river valley. The castle's arms museum and the Ottoman bazaar are the main draws.
Lake Ohrid and the Eastern Shore
Lake Ohrid spans the Albanian–North Macedonia border. The Albanian shore — Pogradec and the Lin peninsula — is an easy 3-hour drive from Tirana on the A2 and SH3. Pogradec has a pleasant lake promenade and several fish restaurants. The Lin peninsula has a tiny Byzantine church and crystal-clear water. Genuinely underused by international tourists.
Osumi Canyon
The Osumi Canyon near Çorovodë — about 130km southeast of Tirana — runs for 26km with walls up to 80m high. In spring, the river is swimmable in sections accessible by dirt track. Driving to the rim viewpoints and walking sections of the canyon is free and easy with a car. Tour operators offer rafting in season (April–June).
How to Rent for These Routes
For any route including Theth, Valbona, or rough mountain roads, an SUV is the right call. For the Riviera, the UNESCO cities, and the eastern lakes, a compact handles it without problems. See our /rent-a-car-albania overview for available vehicle types by pickup location, and our dedicated guide to renting an SUV in Albania if your itinerary goes north.