Your guide to Albania from the turquoise Riviera to the wild northern Alps and the old stone towns in between
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From Palasa to Ksamil: the beaches, the coastal towns and the turquoise water of the south.
The best spots on the Albanian Riviera, from the islands of Ksamil to the beach village of Dhërmi, hidden Gjipe, laid-back Himarë and lively Saranda, plus how to string them together.
A coast that runs from flat Adriatic sand in the north to Ionian coves under a mountain road in the south, and the beaches worth the drive.
Four small islands offshore, water the colour of the brochure, and a village that went from nothing to the busiest beach in Albania in about fifteen years.
A working port city with a long promenade, the square where the country was founded in 1912, and the road south that turns into the best drive in the Balkans.
A karst spring in southern Albania where the water comes out of the rock at an unknown depth and an impossible colour, half an hour from the coast.
Compare prices on hotels and rentals across Albania.
Our on-the-ground guides to the Alps, the trails and the wild corners of Albania.
A complete guide to the Albanian Alps: the villages of Theth and Valbona, the famous Theth to Valbona hike, when to go, where to stay, and how to plan the journey in.
A pass between two Alpine valleys, a gorge that ends at a beach, a national park at a thousand metres above the coast road, and very little mountain rescue.
Every destination, beach and town from our guides, on one map.
More than 100 of the best places in Albania, in one guide with photos and tips.
Most people pass through Shkoder on the way north and regret not stopping. A lake, a castle above it, a bicycle culture and the road to Koman all start here.
A honest three days in Saranda and Ksamil: a day by day plan for beaches, Butrint at dawn, quiet coves, and the five mistakes that swallow a short trip in Albania.
Where to stay on the Albanian Riviera: Saranda for restaurants and transport, Ksamil for the water, the quieter villages between them, and what a sea view actually costs.
The best things to do in Tirana, from the colourful main square and communist-era bunkers to the buzzing Blloku district, cable car mountain views and the city best cafes and food.
They share a sea and a border and they are not the same holiday. Where each one wins, where Albania is genuinely behind, and how to do both.
Sea view terraces in the south, a stone town lit at night, an empty cove reached by boat and dinner that costs less than a taxi at home.
The core guides to start from.
A complete guide to the Albanian Alps: the villages of Theth and Valbona, the famous Theth to Valbona hike, when to go, where to stay, and how to plan the journey in.
A clear breakdown of what Albania costs, with daily budgets for backpackers, mid-range and comfort travellers, plus money, cash and saving tips for Europe's best-value coast.
Everything you need to rent a car and drive in Albania: what it costs, what to know about the roads, insurance, fuel and parking, and why a car is the best way to see the country.
Albania month by month: sea temperatures on the Riviera, hiking season in the Alps, Tirana city weather, the crowded peak and the golden shoulder months. Pick your perfect window.
The best spots on the Albanian Riviera, from the islands of Ksamil to the beach village of Dhërmi, hidden Gjipe, laid-back Himarë and lively Saranda, plus how to string them together.
A guide to Albanian food, from flaky byrek and baked tavë kosi to fërgesë, fresh Adriatic seafood and homemade raki, plus what to order and where to find the best of it.
Pick a topic and get every guide that fits.
Most visitors can enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days with a valid passport. Albania is not part of the Schengen area, so time spent here does not count against the EU 90-day allowance. Always check the current rules for your own nationality before you fly.
May to mid-June and September to October are the sweetest spots: warm weather, a swimmable sea and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy on the Riviera beaches, while winter suits Tirana and the historic towns.
Albania is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe. Food, stays and transport are cheap: a meal at a local restaurant runs about 6 to 12 euros, and a good room costs roughly 40 to 70 euros a night in season.
The currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). Many places also take euros in cash, but it is better to withdraw lek from an ATM for a fairer rate. Cards work in cities and hotels, though villages and markets need cash.
Not essential, but a rental car gives you the most freedom, especially along the Riviera and to the hidden beaches. Cheap buses and minibuses (furgon) connect the bigger towns, but frequency varies and timetables are loose.
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