Holidays in Albania - what must you see?

What should you know about Albania?

Albania lies in the Balkans, on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Holidays in Albania can look unique depending on where you stay. Durres has wide beaches and easy access to Tirana, Ksamil is known for its bright blue water, while the north of the country swaps sun loungers and beach bars for lakes, winding roads and mountains.

Albania weather

Summers on the coast are hot and dry. July and August are ideal for those who mainly want to relax on the beach, swim and spend evenings by the sea. This is when Albania shows its most summery side.

If you enjoy sightseeing, May or September may be a better choice. It is still warm, but it is easier to walk around an old town, climb a castle, or go trekking.

The weather in the mountains follows its own rules. In places such as Theth, Valbona or the area around Lake Koman, even in summer you will need comfortable shoes, something warmer for the evening and a plan B in case conditions on the trail change.

When is the best time to go on holiday to Albania?

If you are planning a classic seaside holiday, the best time to visit is from June to September. July and August are the hottest months.

However, if you want to combine beach time with sightseeing, May, September and early October are good choices. The water may be cooler at the beginning of the season, but travelling is more relaxed.

Albania airport and transport

For tourists, the most important airport is Tirana International Airport “Mother Teresa”. It is the main arrival point if you are planning to visit Tirana, Durres, Shkodra, Berat, Vlora or travel farther south. A regular 24-hour bus service runs between the airport and Tirana, with departures every hour in both directions.

Getting around Albania requires a little patience. Buses run between the larger cities, but timetables are not always up to date. In practice, it often works like this: first you need to find the right bus station or stop, then ask around, and finally allow yourself some extra time.

If you want to see more in a short time, a car or an excursion will be more convenient. This is especially true if you are staying at a hotel and only have one day to visit a particular attraction.

Tips for sightseeing in Albania

Albania is a destination worth approaching with an open mind. Not everything will work according to a perfectly organised plan, but that is part of the charm of travelling around the Balkans.

A few simple rules will come in handy:

• carry cash with you, especially outside large cities and popular resorts,
• do not squeeze too many attractions into one day,
• check travel time, not just the number of kilometres,
• bring water shoes for rocky beaches,
• head to popular places in the morning,
• check local conditions before nature trips.

If you do not feel like planning the route, transport, and tickets yourself, a tour with local guides is an ideal solution. A lake cruise, jeep safari or a visit to a UNESCO-listed town - choose what best suits your holiday.

Where to go on holiday in Albania?

It all depends on whether you are looking for beaches, a city, a convenient base for day trips or a more road-trip-style holiday. Discover the most popular cities and resorts in Albania.

Ksamil

Ksamil is a small town that appears in many of Albania's most popular photos. Clear, light-coloured water, small islands close to the shore and sun loungers lined up along the beaches make it the place where many people start planning their trip.

It is worth knowing, however, that Ksamil is no longer a hidden secret. It can get crowded in high season, and prices at the best-known beaches may surprise travellers expecting Albania to be very cheap.

One of Ksamil’s biggest advantages is its location close to major attractions. Butrint, Saranda, the Blue Eye and Gjirokastra are all within easy reach. If you want to combine beach time with sightseeing in southern Albania, it is a practical base.

Durres

Durres is one of the oldest and largest cities in Albania. It is wholly different from Ksamil - a large coastal city close to Tirana and the airport. You will not find the same postcard-perfect coves as in the south, but you do get convenience: hotels, beaches, restaurants, shops and easier transport.

Durres is a good choice for a first trip, especially if you would rather not spend hours travelling after your flight. It also works well for families who prefer everything close at hand. From Durres, you can plan trips to Tirana, Berat, Kruja or Apollonia.

Tirana

Tirana is the capital of Albania, yet it is often treated simply as a stop after landing. That is a shame because it shows how different Albania can be from the typical holiday image. It is loud, colourful, and sometimes chaotic.

It is worth seeing Skanderbeg Square, walking around the centre, stopping at a café and seeing what everyday life looks like beyond the resorts. Tirana is a good choice for one full day or a short city break before heading to the coast.

Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera is a stretch of coastline where the road runs between the mountains and the Ionian Sea, passing smaller towns, beaches, and viewpoints along the way.

Dhermi, Himara, Jale, Borsh and the area around Llogara Pass regularly appear on itineraries. It is a good destination for travellers who like to move around during their holiday, stopping along the way and seeking beaches beyond the one next to their hotel.

The Riviera has one drawback: without a car or well-planned transport, it can be less convenient. Attractions and beaches are spread out, so spontaneous sightseeing takes time.

Vlora

Vlora lies where you can feel the transition between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The city can be a good compromise between convenience and access to more interesting parts of the coast.

From Vlora, you can head towards Llogara, Dhermi and Himara. You can also plan a trip to Apollonia or treat the city as a stop on a longer route south.

Shkodra

Shkodra is the gateway to northern Albania. It has a calmer pace than Tirana, lies close to Lake Shkodra and is well positioned for trips to Lake Koman, the Shala River or Theth.

In Shkodra itself, it is worth visiting Rozafa Castle and taking a walk around the centre. It is also a place where you can slow down before a more demanding part of your journey.

What is UNESCO-listed in Albania?

Albania has several places that are a good reminder that the country is about much more than the sea. UNESCO-listed sites include Butrint and the historic centres of Berat and Gjirokastra.

Berat

Berat is known as the “City of a Thousand Windows” because, due to its hillside layout, most of the windows face in the same direction.

It is worth exploring the castle area - a medieval Byzantine fortress - as well as the mosques and Orthodox churches, and visiting the Onufri Iconographic Museum. If you want to see something beyond the beach in Albania, this is one of those places worth adding to your itinerary without much hesitation.

Visit Berat with a guide and discover one of Albania’s most atmospheric and historic cities. As you walk through the city, you will see its most important landmarks and learn about its history.

Butrint

Butrint is an archaeological park near Saranda and Ksamil, making it easy to add to your itinerary during a holiday in southern Albania. The history of the site began in the 7th/6th century BC, when a Greek colony was established here - according to legend, by refugees from Troy. Today, you can see traces of cultures that influenced one another here over the centuries.

You do not visit it like an ordinary museum, but rather as a large, open site best explored at a relaxed pace.

Gjirokastra

Gjirokastra, known as the “City of a Thousand Steps”, lies on a mountainside above the Drino Valley. Its location alone gives it a distinctive atmosphere: steep streets, stone houses with slate roofs and a fortress with sweeping views of the surrounding area.

It is a good choice for a day trip from Saranda, Ksamil or the Blue Eye area. After a few days at the beach, Gjirokastra offers a pleasant change: less holiday bustle, more history, and a local atmosphere.

Albania attractions

Attractions in Albania are spread across the country. This is important because you cannot see everything in one day without turning your holiday into a marathon. It is better to plan by region: the south separately, the north separately and the area around Tirana separately.

Lake Koman and the Shala River

Lake Koman is one of the most popular places on many travellers' must-see lists. It does not have the beach atmosphere of the south, but instead offers steep slopes, water surrounded by mountains and landscapes best seen from a boat.

The Shala River often appears on itineraries alongside Lake Koman. It attracts visitors with its clear water and mountain surroundings. It is a viable option for travellers who want to see the natural beauty of northern Albania but are not planning a multi-day trek through the Albanian Alps.

Take a cruise on Lake Koman with a guide. Spectacular scenery, a cruise across a mountain lake and a chance to relax away from the seaside resorts are waiting for you.

Osum Canyon and Holta Canyon

Osum Canyon lies in the Çorovodë area and stretches along the Osum River. It shows Albania at its wildest, with an untamed river, forests and waterfalls. The canyon is as long as 26 km, while its limestone walls rise over 100 metres and reach a maximum height of 450 metres.

In spring, Osum Canyon is best known for rafting, but not everyone has to jump straight into a raft. For many visitors, the numerous viewpoints, a walk, and the drive through the surrounding area are more than enough.

Holta Canyon is less well-known, but it can be an interesting alternative if you are looking for something beyond the most obvious routes. Before visiting, it is worth checking the conditions, as water levels and access through the canyon may depend on the weather.

Qafë Shtamë National Park

Qafë Shtamë is a good option for travellers who want to escape the heat and see a greener side of Albania. It is not as popular as Theth or Llogara, which is precisely why it may suit a quieter trip. The national park covers 2,000 hectares between the towns of Kruja and Burrel.

In Qafë Shtamë, you can see mountain peaks, including the highest peak, Maja e Liqenit (1,723 m above sea level), Vaja Canyon, the Droja River, and mineral water springs.

The easiest way to think of it is as an addition to a stay in Tirana or the Kruja area.

Blue Eye, or Syri i Kaltër

The Blue Eye is one of the most photographed places in southern Albania, thanks to its intensely blue water. Syri i Kaltër is the source of the Bistricë River, which flows into the Ionian Sea. It is located near the village of Muzinë, around 18 km from Saranda.

It is also worth remembering that the Blue Eye is a natural attraction, not simply a swimming pool. Likewise, it is best to check the current on-site rules and treat the place with respect, even if online photos make swimming look tempting.

Theth, the Albanian Alps and the Valbona Valley

Do you enjoy mountain trekking and think a holiday is a good excuse to get a little tired? Head to the Albanian Alps, where you will find mountains, valleys, rivers, stone houses and trails that require more preparation than a walk along the promenade.

It is not worth squeezing northern Albania into an already packed itinerary because this region deserves time of its own. However, if you have more time and enjoy active travel, this part of the country can stay in your memory for a long time.

Albania beaches

Beaches in Albania vary widely, so it is worth choosing a region that matches your holiday style.

If you are looking for clear water, small coves and classic holiday views, look south: Ksamil, the Saranda area, Himara, Dhermi, Jale, Gjipe or Borsh. Ksamil is often called the “Maldives of Albania”.

If you prefer a more Riviera-like feel, Dhermi and Himara are good choices. Gjipe can be more difficult logistically, but that is exactly what gives it a more adventurous atmosphere.

If you want a wide beach, easy access and good infrastructure, pick Durres and the surrounding area. The beaches are sandy, wide and more resort-oriented. It is a good choice if convenience, a shorter transfer and easier holiday planning matter to you.

Albania or Greece, Turkey or Croatia - which should you choose?

This is not a choice between a good and a bad destination - it is more about picking between different styles of holiday.

1. Greece will be a great choice if you dream of small islands, whitewashed towns, a classic Mediterranean holiday and highly developed tourist infrastructure.
2. Turkey stands out for large hotels, all-inclusive resorts, a wide range of leisure facilities and convenience for families.
3. Croatia has a beautiful coastline and is ideal for travelling by car, but popular places can be expensive and crowded.
4. And what about Albania? It is a good choice if you want to try something different. It can be cheaper, more rugged, and less predictable in terms of organisation, but also interesting and diverse. Furthermore, it is a destination for travellers who do not expect perfect infrastructure everywhere and enjoy discovering places before they become as popular as the region’s biggest resorts.

Albania excursion- see more with SeePlaces

Albania is a country where tours can make your holiday much easier. Attractions are spread across different regions, transport can be time-consuming, and some places are most convenient to visit with someone who knows the local history and culture. Instead of checking buses, parking, journey times and entry details, you can focus on the place itself: the cruise, the views, sightseeing or a walk around the city.

What to see in Albania?

• Lake Koman cruise
• Jeep Adventure to Shtame Pass National Park
• Rafting on the Vjosa River
• Guided tour of Tirana and Kruja

Choose a tour in Albania that suits your travel style!

Summary - Is Albania worth visiting?

Albania does not have to be better than Greece, Turkey, or Croatia. It is different, and that is exactly why it is worth considering.

It is a good choice if you want to combine beaches, mountains, history and a little curiosity about the world. Not everything will be perfectly organised. Sometimes you will need to ask around, wait, change your plans or give up an overly ambitious route - in return, you get a country that can surprise you not only with its prices, but also with its diversity.