I came across itineraries to Albania when looking for hidden gems of Europe, somewhere with a history I didn’t know about but a rich culture like no other. Albania was never on my radar, I just wanted to visit Europe and go somewhere I had never been before. Albania was one of the only countries staring back at me, a big mystery and I’m incredibly glad we planned and booked this trip. With coastlines as majestic as Croatia, Ottoman-era towns that echo Istanbul, Roman ruins that rival those across the Adriatic and a coffee culture that would rival anywhere in Europe, Albania is a country I will recommend time and time again.
With Albania slowly becoming the jewel of the Balkans, I’m sharing my must visit places for any traveller. We spent two weeks exploring the country, making our way across the Albanian Riviera. We flew into the capital city of Tirana but you can find more flight options if you head to Corfu and get a ferry over to Saranda. I’d recommend that you hire a car when you are out there, which is easy to do, as relying on public transport may add more time to your trip and limit your stops throughout the country. Please note, I haven’t covered the Albanian Alps, as we focused our trip towards the South of the country but I’ve heard amazing things and have added that trip to my bucket list.
1. Tirana
The capital of Albania, and the only place that genuinely feels like a city. Lively and colourful, Tirana has transformed the city from its Communist-era prisons and and interrogation centres into a vibrant whirl of traffic, brash consumerism and unfettered fun. Buildings are painted in primary colours and the city is surrounded by ever-changing bars and restaurants. At weekends, ride the cable car up Mount Dajti to join the locals for a spit-roast lamb lunch with a view down over the city. Make sure you visit Bunk’Art, a massive Cold War bunker built as a hideout in the event of a war, is now a museum and an incredible insight into Albanian history.
2. Berat
Berat is a truly special town, with an easy-going charm and friendly atmosphere. A town of two distinct halves, you’ll find Ottoman houses along the riverbank, clustered up tight against the side of a forested hill, earning it the title of ‘town of a thousand windows’. Take the steep climb up towards the summit of that hill though and you’ll arrive at Berat’s other – and much older – half. A restored medieval gateway leads into the Kalaja, or castle, where wildflowers sprout from crumbling walls and a clutch of centuries-old churches and mosques have been turned into museums. We wish we had spent longer here, rather than passing through, so I’d definitely recommend spending 2-3 days here.
3.Ksamil
Known as the ‘Maldives of Europe’, Ksamil is Albania’s quintessential beach spot and is reminiscent of British seaside towns, although much prettier. But there is an air of unbridled fun, salt and more amazing seafood. It is now far from undiscovered, but the town of Ksamil sweeps around a series of low headlines and you’ll find a number of bays, beaches and islets to explore. You can also keep your eyes out for Corfu across the way, it’s amazing to see how close the two countries are. If sunbathing isn’t your thing, check out the Greek and Roman ruins of Butrint National Park just a stone’s throw from the coast (around 20 minutes) . Inland from this little oasis, you’ll find the Blue Eye, a deep natural spring named for its mesmerising colour, which is a great way to spend a morning walking.
4. Dhërmi
If you’re looking for a destination where you can lay about, get a sun tan and enjoy a dip in the sea, then you need to visit Dhërmi. It’s one of the pearls of the Albanian Riviera and home to many summer music festivals, including the Kala festival and ION festival. We used Dhërmi to break up our trip, and have a couple of days to relax. It has strong Santorini vibes, with hidden coves, amazing seafood and boutique accommodation options. Order a plate of fish, fries and tzatziki. Wash it down with a local beer whilst you watch the sunset.
5. Gijrokastër
The story of the small hill town of Gjirokastër, in southern Albania, stretches back at least 2,500 years. Defined by its castle, most people today come here to see the 600 or so stunning Ottoman-era manor houses that dot the town and surrounding hillside. The pretty-but-touristy centre of town (Gjirokastër is a favourite with bus tours on a day trip from Corfu) is all cobbled streets, arty cafes and less arty souvenir shops.
Must Knows Before You Go
When is the best time to visit?
As with many Mediterranean destinations, the cooler off-season periods of April to June and September to October are a good time to visit. We went in September, which was a great choice – it was quieter than the high season, the sea was still warm and the weather enjoyable. We did have a few rain showers but that didn’t dampen anything and we could still visit the beach if we wanted to.
Is Albania expensive?
We found Albania to be an extremely affordable place, particularly compared to other European destinations. Hotels were about £50 per night, include those by the beach. A meal with wine was well under £10, we were looking to find some tasting meals and food & wine experiences that also came under £20. Admission to museums and ancient sites, we are good value vs. other European countries main sites. The currency is the Albanian lek.
How many days do I need in Albania?
We felt that we experienced a lot of Albania in two-weeks, we choose to skip the Albanian Alps so that we could focus on Tirana and do a slow road trip across the Riviera and the historic towns of the south. I do think it is possible to include the North of Albania in a two-week trip but we wanted to make sure that we weren’t spending more that 3-4 hours driving per day, it was important to us to stop and enjoy the various towns rather than be on the road all the time. Albania also works as part of a coastal road trip along the Adriatic between Montenegro and Greece. A few tourists also take the short ferry ride from Corfu to explore the south over a few days.