Albania is full of surprises. It’s a perfect place to explore if you like diverse countries (like me) with history, culture, traditions, and stunning landscapes.
I was so curious and didn’t know what to expect from Albania. So I went to explore it for almost 2 weeks. It blew my mind after seeing it, and it’s now one of the top 3 most beautiful countries in Europe. And I want to help you explore it, too.
So here are 23 best things to do in Albania. Choose some and have fun!
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List Of The 23 Amazing Things To Do In Albania & Map
Let’s now explore the best activities and places I recommend visiting in Albania.
Here is a list of 23 best things to do in Albania to help you plan your perfect trip:
- Explore History & Bunkers In Tirana
- Admire Berat
- Relax In Ksamil & Albanian Riviera
- Enjoy The Beaches In Dhermi & Himare
- Explore Gjirokaster
- Go Hiking In The Albanian Alps
- Immerse Into Albanian Culture in Korce
- Cruise On Lake Komani
- Enjoy Albanian Food At The Agrofarm Mrizi I Zanave
- Visit Zvernec Island
- Visit Cape Of Rodon
- Stay In A Traditional Hotel
- Swim In The Blue Eye
- Drive Through The Albanian Canyon
- Explore Rozafa Castle
- Go Camping & Kayaking In Lake Shkodra
- Go On A Multi-Day Hike In Valbona
- Taste Local Wine & Olive Oil
- Have Fun In Vlore
- Enjoy Permet & Thermal Baths
- Visit Kruje
- Explore Butrint National Park
- Stay In Sotira Eco Farm
1. Explore History & Bunkers In Tirana
Tirana, the capital city of Albania, is a very unconventional city. It has an interesting history, colorful buildings, bunkers, and a unique culture.
It’s the perfect place to get insights into Albania and its history. One of the highlights is visiting the Bunk’Art, where you can learn about the communist regime and the harsh life locals had to experience.
In the evening, you can enjoy the city’s great nightlife.
HIGHLIGHTS IN TIRANA: Skanderbeg Square, Clock Tower, Tanner’s Bridge, Piramida, Bloku District, and cable car to Dajti Mountain.
FUN FACT: Tirana is the only European city (with Vatican City) that doesn’t have McDonalds.
➡ Join this walking tour of Tirana with a local guide.
2. Admire Berat
Visit the city of thousands windows. Legend talks about two brothers who fell in love with a local girl, Osum. Due to their fight for the girl, they both died, and Osum cried so much that her tears turned into the river.
Nowadays, Berat is built between two mountains, where each reminds us of the two brothers and the River Osum flows in the middle.
Take your time and enjoy the history of Berat. Visit its castle and scroll the streets.
HIGHLIGHTS IN BERAT: Berat Castle & Citadel, Lead Mosque, Bulevardi Republika, National Ethnographic Museum, and Iconography Museum.
➡ Explore Berat with a guide on this organized tour from Tirana.
3. Relax In Ksamil & Albanian Riviera
Welcome to the Caribbean of Europe. Ksamil is the most popular vacation spot in Albania.
No wonder it’s turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and beautiful views with luxury resorts… who would think you could find this in Albania? People often refer to it as the Turkoise Pearl of Albania.
If you want to go on a cheap beach holiday, Ksamil is the place to be. But be careful, it gets very crowded, especially in July and August.
If you don’t like crowds, check out these beaches on the Albanian Riviera, which are less popular among travelers but still beautiful:
🏖 Buneci Beach
🏖 Lukova Beach
🏖 Plazhi I Shpelles
🏖 Krorëza Beach
4. Enjoy Beaches In Dhermi & Himare
Dhermi and Himare are perfect places for your beach trip to Albania. If you’re looking for relaxation with fewer people, these two places are a great match. Besides, there are some great hotel resorts where you can stay.
I suggest some of these beaches for your holidays:
🏖 Pepperon the Beach – Dhermi – quite popular
🏖 Dhermiu Beach – near Dhermi, remote one
🏖 Gjipe Beach
🏖 Palasa Beach
5. Explore Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster was my favorite city in Albania that I visited. It’s also known as the Stone City, and you’ll see why once you visit.
It’s the birthplace of the former Albanian communist leader, Enver Hoxha, who made the city Albania’s most notorious political prison.
Explore its castle and ethnographic museum, walk through its tiny streets, and have Raki and something nice for dinner. Don’t forget to explore the Cold War Tunnel, which locals used to transport goods during the Cold War.
HIGHLIGHTS IN GJIROKASTER: Castle, Cold War Tunnel, Ottoman-Style Houses, Zekate House & Museum.
➡ Join this organized tour to Gjirokaster with a guide from Tirana.
6. Go Hiking In The Albanian Alps
You might not think of hiking when planning a trip to Albania. But one place that can’t be missing on your itinerary is the Albanian Alps.
The entire atmosphere and remoteness are something you can barely experience anywhere else in Europe. Go hiking and get lost in the breathtaking nature, ride a jeep, and stay in one of the traditional houses in Theth.
➡ Book this guided tour to Theth & Blue Eye from Tirana.
👉 READ ALSO: Best Things To Do In Albanian Alps
7. Immerse Into Albanian Culture In Korce
Korce is named the cultural capital of Albania. Visiting its old bazaar, enjoying the Albanian cuisine with local brandy and Moravia honey, and the atmosphere is an incredible experience.
I recommend visiting the Café-Musem Komiteti and tasting Albanian raki (fruit liquor). Or enjoy a local beer tasting in the brewery.
The city also hosts the largest Orthodox cathedral in Albania, with Byzantine architecture dating back to 1995. Overall, this place was a big surprise for me.
8. Cruise On Lake Komani
Lake Komani must be the most beautiful lake in the country. It’s situated in the Albanian Alps and is a popular excursion from Shkodra.
You can make a multiple hike in the Vallbona Valley, where you’ll cross the Vallbona mountain and end up at the lake.
Enjoy the Lake Komani cruise and the Albanian mountains’ beauty. It’s a great experience.
➡ Join this organized tour to Komani Lake from Tirana with a guide.
9. Enjoy Albanian Food At The Agrofarm Mrizi I Zanave
Mrizi I Zanave, in Fishte village, is one of the best agrotourism farms in Albania. It used to serve as a prison during the communist era. The owner has changed it to a beautiful restaurant and a hotel, including a factory with local production.
Nowadays, they produce various products, including smoked meat, cheese (even wine cheese, which is their specialty), bread, dried tomatoes in oil, marmalades, pine syrup, and homemade wine.
The menu changes depending on the season and follows the slow food tradition.
You can also stay overnight in their stylish rooms and enjoy a delicious Albanian breakfast the next morning, which I highly recommend.
➡ Book a guided tour to Mrizi I Zanave & Shkodra here.
10. Visit Zvernec Island
Zvernec Island is one of the most beautiful places in Albania that I’ve explored. It’s a remote island connected to the mainland only with a tiny wooden bridge.
The island hosts the Monastery of St. Mary with its Byzantine architecture and a cemetery.
It’s close to Vlore City, so if you’re around, definitely visit it. You can also bike here, which I did – an incredible experience.
While driving towards the island, there is a hill on your right-hand side and, behind it, a lagoon. Check it out, as you might spot some pelicans.
11. Visit Cape Of Rodon
Cape of Rodon is still a less popular spot to visit in Albania. It’s located near the second biggest Albanian city: Dürres.
This cape a beautiful spot for hiking and photos, and you can also enjoy its beaches, which are less crowded than in other parts of Albania.
Another advantage is that it’s close to Tirana, so if you don’t have much time, you can at least visit it on a day trip. Here are some of the best beaches in this area:
🏖 Rera E Bardhe
🏖 Lalez Beach
🏖 Plazhi I Hamallaj
12. Stay In A Traditional Hotel
Exploring local culture and meeting people have always been my favorite traveling experiences. Albania has been a big surprise. I stayed in Hotel Tradita in Shkodra city, which was one of the trip’s highlights.
Hotel Tradita has a traditional setting, friendly people, and delicious food that you have to taste.
You can enjoy a meal in a backyard with live Balkan music; the atmosphere is incredible. Don’t miss this hotel when traveling to Albania.
➡ Book your stay in Hotel Tradita here.
13. Swim In The Blue Eye
Blue Eye is a natural phenomenon in Albania. It’s a beautiful blue lagoon with crystal-clear water, worth the photos.
In the Albanian language, it’s called Syri I Kalter. There are two spots in the country where you can see the eye – near Saranda (the Albanian Riviera) and the Albanian Alps.
The Blue Eye in Sarande is always super crowded and not as beautiful. There are also signs that you can’t swim, but people disregard it.
The Blye Eye in the Albanian Alps is stunning and worth the 30-minute hike. You can then chill in the water and enjoy the nature around you.
14. Drive Through The Albanian Canyon
One of Albania’s most beautiful road trips was the section between Permet and Korce. It’s not officially called Albanian Canyon. I called it this way after I saw the beauty.
The scenery is fascinating, and the curvy roads going through the countryside are an adventure on their own.
I highly recommend making this road trip and stopping at the river to take some photos.
15. Explore Rozafa Castle
Rozafa Castle isn’t the most fairy-tale castle you might see when traveling. But I loved exploring it. This 4000-year-old ruin has a special charm.
It’s located above Shkodra in northern Albania and offers some of the area’s most breathtaking views. You’ll see the city and the Shkodra Lake; you might even spot Montenegro, just on the other side of the lake.
I recommend visiting the castle at sunset for an even better experience.
16. Go Camping & Kayaking In Lake Shkodra
Lake Shkodra creates a natural border between Albania and Montenegro. It’s one of the less popular spots to visit. If you’re an adventurous soul who loves walking, camping, and kayaking, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the lake.
If you have your own van, even better; imagine staying at the shores of the lake and enjoying a beautiful sunrise with a coffee from your bed. What a dream. Or do so in one of the camping spots from your tent.
17. Go On A Multi-Day Trek In Valbona
The Valbona Trek belongs to one of the best things to do in Albania, perhaps the top 3. It must be on your bucket list if you’re a hiking lover.
You’ll start the trek in the beautiful village of Theth. Have some delicious Albanian breakfast before heading to the trail. You’ll pass by stunning mountains until you reach the Valbona Valley, where you can stay overnight.
On the next day, add the cruise on Lake Komani to the itinerary and end your adventure in Shkodra at the Tradita Hotel.
➡ Book this 3-day hiking trip to Valbona Valley with a guide.
18. Taste Local Wine & Olive Oil
Are you a wine lover? Then, visit the family-owned Kantina Arberi. This beautiful winery is in the hills of Bukmira, close to Fishte village.
You can enjoy 100 hectares of vineyards and learn about the history of this incredible place after tasting local wines made from the Albanian indigenous grape varietals called Kallmet.
They often give you some homemade olive oil during the tasting, too.
19. Have Fun In Vlore
Vlore is the third biggest city in Albania and the only one (besides Tirana) hosting an international airport.
I loved the vibe of this city, from the nightlife to the streets, modern buildings, and beaches; it’s a great place for a vacation. There are also many attractions around, such as Zvernec Island, Pelican Bay, and stunning beaches.
If you’re looking for a beach vacation, Vlore could be a great place and less crowded than the Albanian Riviera. Here are some of my favorite beaches around Vlore for you:
🏖 Plazhi Jon 2
🏖 Narta Beach
🏖 Radhime Beach
🏖 Plazhi I Ri
20. Enjoy Permet & Thermal Baths
Permet got its name after the Albanian hero called Premt. It’s one of the towns that travelers skip, but you shouldn’t. It’s a cute town full of rose flowers, fruits, and vegetables in every single corner.
Just 8 km/5 miles away from Permet, you can bathe in the thermal baths. Locals say each pot has different benefits for your body. So go and try it out. They’re close to the picturesque Katiu Bridge.
21. Visit Kruje
Kruje is the former capital of Albania, which already explains the importance of this city and the reason to visit it during your holidays in Albania. It’s where Skanderbeg, an Albanian national hero, defeated the Ottomans, stopping them from further expanding to Western Europe.
The highlight is the Skanderbeg Museum inside Kruje’s Castle, where you can learn more about the national hero and how he fought against the Ottomans.
Then, walk down the Old Bazaar, and if you still need to buy souvenirs, this is also a great place to do so.
➡ Join this guided tour to Kruje from Tirana.
👉 READ ALSO: 12 Best Day Trips From Tirana Albania
22. Explore Butrint National Park
Butrint is the largest archaeological area you can visit during your trip to Albania. It used to be a Greek colony and a Roman city.
Nowadays, you can visit the archaeological areas with a theatre and walk up to its castle, from where you can spot another European country, Greece.
One of the things that drew my attention is the unique wooden log that takes cars from one side of the river to the other – it’s super cool.
23. Stay In Sotira Eco Farm
Enjoy untouched nature and organic food at Sotira Farm in the National Park Germenj-Shelegur. Their specialties include meat cooked in traditional ways, dried meat, fresh chicken and dug eggs, fish casserole, chicken, duck, goose with rice, homemade bread and cheese, and traditional pie.
In addition, you can do many activities such as horse-riding, camping, hiking, and admiring the Albanian Grand Canyon.
As for the accommodation, you can choose among three options. Do some camping if you want to have some adventure, stay in a bungalow or a traditional cabin.
BONUS: Albania Road Trip Itinerary
I’ve designed a full road trip for Albania, so follow it if you want to skip planning and see the country’s highlights. It has a variety of activities; you’ll enjoy the beaches, explore culture and history, and relax in the Albanian Alps.
Click on the image below to get my Albania road trip itinerary for free:
Practical Tips For Visiting Albania
To help you plan your visit to Albania even further, here are my tips for you:
Where Is Albania?
Albania is located on the Balkan peninsula in southern Europe. It borders Greece, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
One popular travel route for visitors is visiting Albania from the Greek island of Corfu, which is just a short boat ride from Sarande on the Albanian Riviera.
Here is a map of Albania and its neighboring countries:
Getting To Albania
You can get to Albania by plane, bus, or by car. There are no train connections to Albania.
The country has 2 international airports, in Tirana and Vlore. It’s the most convenient and fastest way to get to Albania, as you’ll skip the exhausting border controls. Check out the best flight deals here.
There are also many bus connections to Albania from nearby countries like Greece, North Macedonia, and Serbia. But be prepared for long border controls.
It can take up to 2 hours until the police check the entire bus; you have to go through a scan with all your luggage and wait until everyone has passed through.
Similarly, you’ll be waiting long at the border if you travel by car. While it’s not as long as with the bus, you’ll have to be patient.
Getting Around Albania
The best way to get around Albania is by car. You can either take your car or a van or rent a car. This way, you’ll have the flexibility and can visit all the beautiful places difficult to reach by bus.
You can also take local buses or taxis to travel around Albania. But the buses don’t have a fixed timetable.
So it’s unpredictable and sometimes even the staff at the bus station doesn’t know when the bus leaves for your destination. You would have to skip some places as the buses aren’t the most reliable. Yet, it’s possible.
👉 READ ALSO: How To Get Around Albania: Buses, Taxis & Prices
RENT A CAR FOR YOUR ITINERARY
Rent A Car Via Discover Cars – best prices and big selection of car rentals.
PRO TIP: Check ratings of the company you choose before booking (ratings can be off). Go on Google, see ratings of the car rental company, then book on Discover Cars.
What To Pack For Albania
I recommend visiting Albania in late spring, early summer (June), and autumn. This way, you’ll enjoy mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
Generally, pack clothes for warm weather – all dresses, shorts, huts, good trekking shoes for the Albanian Alps, a swimming suit with flip-flops, and everything you need for high temperatures.
Safety In Albania
Albania is a safe country. It ranks n. 54 on the Safety Index created by Global Residence, which is safer than some of the popular touristy countries such as Canada, Germany, Italy, or the Netherlands.
I traveled as a solo female and felt safe all the time. People told me I was crazy and that something would happen to me.
But I went to explore it and fell in love. Locals are super friendly and hospitable, and it’s a safe country overall.
Is Albania Safe For Solo Females?
Yes, Albania is safe for solo female travelers. I traveled to Albania as a solo female for almost 2 weeks, visiting all the corners, and felt safe all the time.
👉 READ ALSO: Is Albania Safe For Solo Female? My Experience
FAQs: Visiting Albania
I’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked questions. Check my answers below:
Is Albania Worth Visiting?
Yes, Albania is 100% worth visiting. I was curious about the country and explored it on my own. After seeing it all, I’ve ranked it among the top 3 most beautiful European countries on my personal travel list. All the beauties and diversities are worth exploring.
What Is Albania Best Known For?
Albania is best known for its white-sand beaches in the south, great beach vacation, stunning Albanian Alps in the north, unique culture, delicious food, and interesting history due to the communist regime it was under for such a long time.
Is Albania Friendly To Tourists?
Yes, Albania is super friendly to tourists. Locals are lovely and hospitable and want you to try everything and get to know their culture. I felt welcomed in Albania and already plan to come back. It’s a wonderful country.
WRAP-UP: 23 Amazing Things To Do In Albania
These are the best things to do and see in Albania. It’s truly one of the most stunning countries in Europe, and the best thing about it is its diversity. Every traveler will find something that he loves. So, pick a few things you want to do, and plan your trip.
If you have any questions or need a customized travel itinerary, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you.
Happy Travels!
More Tips For Albania Travel
Looking to visit more places in Albania? Check out my related articles:
Epic Albania Road Trip Itinerary: 1 – 2 Weeks In Albania
21 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Albania
How To Get Around Albania: Local Buses, Taxis & Prices
Albanian Alps: Complete Guide For Your Visit & Itinerary
About the author: Nicoletta is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.
ALBANIA: Interested in more articles for Albania?
Check out my Albania Travel Page:
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