In recent years, Albania’s tourism industry has undeniably improved, with the country attracting more and more tourists each year. The contribution of tourism to the country’s economy is very significant, as it increases the gross domestic product (GDP) by more than 8%, creating more job opportunities.
With the evolution of tourism also came the many
tour operating companies, facilitating every tourist’s experience. In this article, we’ll be counting down the
10 best tour operators in Albania, helping you choose the best holiday plan that fits your preferences.
To start, we’re going to list a few
criteria that you should keep in mind while selecting your tour operator:
Expertise and local knowledge go a long way when it comes to tourism and hospitality. You have to make sure the operator you’re going to pick knows how to deal with a client’s requests and needs.
Furthermore, they have to know the ins and outs of the places you’re visiting, their traditions, and what makes that destination unique.
Safety comes first when you’re planning a trip, so of course the tour operator you’re going to choose needs to be a reliable and stable company, ensuring dependable services. The safety of the clients during their tours builds confidence and fosters positive feedback, leading to the long-term success of a tour operator.
Tour operators are very diverse, providing countless packages to different countries and locations and featuring a wide range of fun activities. When selecting your tour operator, you have to check their available tours and activities and make sure they all fit your preferences and budget.
#4. Customer Feedback
Ratings are important for every business, but especially for tour operators. If you see a negative comment under a certain activity, it’s only natural that you’re going to have doubts about it, while the opposite happens with the positive feedback—it makes you instantly click that “book” button.
Different tours offer different experiences and activities, thus varying in price. There are tours with significantly higher prices, but you have to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. You should be able to see exactly what’s included in the price and decide if the tour is worth it.
Now let’s get right into our list of the
best tour operators in Albania:
Kalemi Travel has been in the tourism business for more than 13 years and managed to become one of the most prestigious tour operators in Albania. It also operates abroad in countries like Turkey, Greece, Germany, and Kosovo.
It’s widely known for its unique and immersive tours in Albania, taking you through all the beautiful places in the country. Kalemi Travel gives you the opportunity to build your own tour as well, where you can specify every place you’d like to visit.
Based in Tirana, Choose Balkans is also a very popular tour operator in Albania. With more than 200 tours in 15 different countries, this company has been in the business for more than 15 years.
Their mission is clear—to offer every tourist a taste of the ideal Balkan experience, filled with adventures, culture, history, and traditions. The tour guides are always kind and knowledgeable, letting you know all about the places you’re visiting.
Symbolizing quality, comfort, and reliability, Global Travel started its journey in the tourism industry in 2003. Since then it has become one of the best tour operators in Albania, taking its clients to more than 120 destinations, widely known for its all-inclusive packages in the most luxurious hotels in Turkey.
Their hard work and dedication are what they’re most proud of, with client service available seven days a week, even during off-hours.
Among the most beloved tour operators in Albania, Discover Albania gives its clients the opportunity to explore each and every beautiful corner of the country. Founded in 2007, this company has attracted more than 48,000 participants.
They operate only in Albania, providing tours in North and South Albania, as well as in the big cities like Tirana or Durres. Their goal is to encourage tourists to visit the country, cultivating their interest in its amazing nature.
Established back in 2004, Albanian Eagle Tours has built up a high reputation in the tourism industry. Known for their wine-tasting tours and special tourist packages, they also provide tours abroad, in places like India, Dubai, and Turkey.
Albanian Eagle Tours also offers self-guided tours, where a tour guide isn’t included. This way, you’ll be provided with a route, information about the area, and recommendations on where to spend the night if you’re taking a multi-day tour.
Next up on our list is Albania Explorer, which not only provides travel and tour packages for holidays in Albania but also organizes team-building programs, congresses, seminars, and other special events.
Every month, new tours are added to their list, expanding the opportunity to explore the best places to visit in Albania.
Albania Express Travel is committed to safe, responsible travel, guaranteeing its clients unforgettable experiences, either in Albania or its neighboring countries like Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They provide historical tours in cities like Ohrid or Korca, as well as culinary and wine-tasting activities. The most recommended destinations by Albania Express Travel are North Macedonia and Croatia, both countries with outstanding natural beauty and crystal waters, which have a lot to offer to curious travelers.
Having a very professional approach combined with experience and kindness, Tours Albania & Balkans guarantees only the best for its clients. This tour operator was established about 15 years ago, attracting more tourists with each unique tour they add to their list.
With them, you can visit not only Albania but also nearby countries, expanding their tour opportunities. They have a multilingual and dedicated team, enabling a travel experience that’s way more than just business!
Although it has been in the Albanian tourism industry for just five years, Go as Local offers some of the best tours across Albania, from the magical Albanian Riviera to the wonderful village of Theth.
According to the many customer reviews, the guides are always skilled, charming, and enthusiastic, making sure you have an entertaining yet educational experience.
As the name itself suggests, this tour operator will make you feel like a true local, letting you engage with the country’s culture and traditions.
Finally, we have Albania DMC—another prestigious tour operator that offers more than 50 tours in Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. It’s known for its best-selling tour, the Albanian Classic, taking you through all the best places to visit, including Shkodёr, Krujё, Vlorё, Gjirokastёr, and more.
You can also participate in birdwatching, culinary, or hiking tours. These tours are available all year, and you can contact Albania DMC anytime for answers to any questions you might have.
If you’re not yet sure why you should consider a tour operator for your trip, here are
a few reasons to take into consideration:
Going with a tour operator for your vacation is an ideal choice because it saves you a lot of time. Instead of wasting time wondering what to visit, you can simply book a tour to your favorite destination and let the tour operators handle the rest!
From thinking about time management to the destinations you’re going to visit and handling your budget, planning a trip is stressful. By opting for a tour operator, you will be guaranteed a well-planned and organized trip, taking you through every place you may be interested in.
It’s not easy for tourists to navigate a foreign country, so it’s very helpful to have someone who knows how to get around and who speaks the same language as you.
After you’ve decided on your tour, there are a few
important steps you need to take:
The most important step in planning a trip with a tour operator is, of course, booking the tour. Be sure to book well in advance since there might be limited quotas for each tour.
Before booking, you might want to check the cancellation policies, as they may vary from one tour to the other; some operators have pretty strict policies when it comes to refunding or last-minute cancellations.
If the tour webpage hasn’t already specified any special request policies, you can contact and ask them about any specific requests you might have, like dietary restrictions for meals, language requirements, or wheelchair accessibility.
Albania is a country worth visiting because of its beautiful destinations and the rich culture and history it has to offer. Being a place with so much to see, tour operators come in very handy.
There are many to choose from in Albania; you just have to see which one
fits your preferences the most. By booking a tour with one of the best tour operators in Albania, you’ll get to
explore a certain destination while also learning all about that place’s
history
and
background.
