Albania

Join us for a captivating journey through Albania with our comprehensive guide. Discover what weather to expect and the ideal time to schedule your visit. Learn the best ways to get around the country, from public transport to car rentals. Explore Albania's must-visit cities and destinations, along with delicious local foods you shouldn't miss. Our guide also reveals hidden gems off the typical tourist path that will make your Albanian adventure truly special.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Coastal Albania (Durrës, Vlorë, Sarandë): June to September offers warm temperatures ideal for beach activities. July and August are peak tourist season with the hottest weather.

Tirana and Central Albania: April to June and September to October provide pleasant temperatures for sightseeing without summer crowds. Summers can be quite hot in the capital.

Northern Albanian Alps (Theth, Valbona): June to September is optimal for hiking and outdoor activities. The region is often inaccessible during winter months due to snow.

Southern Highlands (Gjirokastër, Berat): May to October offers mild weather, perfect for exploring the UNESCO sites. Spring brings lush green landscapes, while fall features beautiful autumn colors.

Lake Ohrid Region: June to September provides ideal conditions for enjoying the lake, with warm water temperatures and pleasant evenings.

How to Get to Albania

Albania has just two operational airports serving the entire country. Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) serves as the primary gateway, handling over 3.3 million passengers annually with flights connecting to numerous European cities. Located near the capital, this airport provides access to major destinations including Tirana, coastal Durrës with its historic walls, and the seaside town of Sarandë along the Ionian coast.

Kukës International Airport, situated in the northeastern mountains, operates as the country's secondary airport. Service becomes limited during the winter months when tourism to this region decreases.

These airports connect travelers to Albania's six main cities:

• Tirana
• Durrës
• Vlorë
• Shkodër
• Elbasan
• Sarandë

Each city offers distinct experiences and attractions. The Albanian government has plans to develop additional airports along the southern coast to improve access to more regions of the country.

How to Get Around

Albania's roads tell stories of coastal journeys and mountain adventures. Rent a car and drive along roads that curve between blue Adriatic waters and rocky cliffs, stopping whenever a beach calls your name or a village looks interesting. Some travelers prefer minivans called furgons — these small vehicles fill up with locals and their packages, creating impromptu communities as they travel between towns.

Buses connect most cities, though don't expect strict timetables. They leave when enough passengers arrive, not when the clock says so. If you're heading to the coast, ferries connect Albanian ports to Italy and neighboring countries from places like Durrës and Vlorë. Some travelers use van-ferries to reach small fishing villages tucked away along the shoreline.

In cities, taxis cost little and appear on almost every corner. Tirana now has more people pedaling bicycles through its streets, and a small but useful bus network. Many travelers find that moving around like locals creates memories that last far longer than monument visits.

For easier planning, Old Town Travel and Drita Travel can arrange transportation throughout Albania, letting you focus on the journey rather than logistics.

Food Scene

When people sit down to eat in Albania, they're tasting history. The food tells stories of Ottoman kitchens, Mediterranean fishing boats, and Balkan family recipes passed through generations. Try the tavë kosi, which arrives steaming at the table: tender lamb baked under a golden crust of yogurt, prepared just as Albanian grandmothers have for centuries.

Morning reveals the Pazari i Ri market in Tirana, bustling with farmers arranging mountains of peppers and tomatoes, while cheese sellers offer samples of sharp white cheese. Nearby, in the Blloku district, the aroma of grilling qofte draws people to street vendors who shape the seasoned meat by hand, serving it hot alongside byrek — flaky pastries filled with spinach and cheese that disappear in three satisfying bites.

Regional highlights:

• Along the southern coast, fishermen deliver their morning catch directly to places in Sarandë, where the seafood might still carry the scent of saltwater.
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• In the northern mountains, families gather around as flia cooks slowly outdoors in Valbona Valley, layer by delicate layer.
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• In central Albania, the rich Tave Elbasani simmers in clay pots, a specialty with deep roots in its namesake city.
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Hidden Gems

1. Bogove Waterfall

In southern Albania, water tumbles 20 meters down through a rocky canyon at Bogove Waterfall, collecting in clear pools where swimmers cool off on summer days. Trees and limestone walls frame the scene. Between June and September, the water level drops just enough for safe swimming while the weather stays warm. 

To find it, park in Bogove village and follow the path for half an hour. The drive from Permet is about 25 km (15 miles), with the last stretch bumping along unpaved roads that keep casual tourists away.

2. Blue Eye of Theth

Deep in the Albanian Alps, a natural spring forms a pool so intensely blue that visitors often sit silently, just watching how the sunlight plays on its surface. The Blue Eye of Theth sits surrounded by mountains, making the color seem even more remarkable. Hikers reach it most easily during July and August when snow has melted from the paths. 

The journey starts in Theth village and winds through forests and open meadows for about two hours, enough time to build anticipation for what waits at the end.

3. Black Cave near Pellumbas

Time stands still in the "Black Cave" near Pellumbas, where ancient humans once sheltered and bats now flutter through the darkness. Stone formations hang from above, shaped drop by drop over thousands of years. The cave welcomes visitors from April through October, when the approaching path dries out enough for comfortable walking. 

From Tirana, it takes just 45 minutes by car to reach Pellumbas village, followed by a 30-minute walk alongside the Erzen River that reveals the countryside's quieter side.

Scenic Routes

Albania's mountains rise from Mediterranean waters to Alpine heights, creating roads and paths that tell stories of both land and people. Around each bend, travelers discover a country where untamed nature and traditional villages exist side by side.

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• Bus route along the Albanian Riviera: The coastal road hugs cliff edges as the driver navigates turns that reveal new seascapes at every corner. Small villages appear and disappear as the bus continues south. Waves crash against the rocky outcrops below, while passengers press their cameras against the windows. Between May and September, the sea calms enough to spot the outlines of distant Italian shores on clear days. From the elevated bus seats, travelers see fishing boats returning to the harbor with the day's catch.

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• Komani Lake Ferry: Water laps against the ferry as it moves through a flooded canyon where walls reach hundreds of meters skyward. Passengers often fall silent, necks craned upward at the scale of nature surrounding them. During summer months, the morning mist rises off the water, revealing the green-covered slopes that plunge directly into the depths. Locals might point out eagle nests perched on inaccessible ledges.

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• Llogara Pass Bus Journey: The bus engine works harder as it climbs switchback after switchback. At 1,000 meters above sea level, the road finally crests, revealing the meeting point of mountain and sea. In the spring, yellow and purple wildflowers carpet the slopes, while autumn brings crystal-clear visibility that stretches to the horizon. Travelers often ask drivers to stop at the pass for photos where the wind carries the scent of pine and salt together.

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• Valbona to Theth Hiking Trail: Boots press into the earth that shepherds have walked for centuries. The trail connects remote villages where travelers find fresh cheese and bread offered by families whose homes dot the valleys. Snow-capped peaks stand guard overhead during summer months when the path stays clear enough for crossing. Walking here means hearing stories from locals who still maintain traditions their grandparents taught them.

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• Durrës to Pogradec Mountain Bus: The landscape transforms outside the windows, from coastal flatlands to central highlands to the shores of Lake Ohrid. The road passes by farmers working in the fields by hand and children who wave at passing vehicles. During May and September, orchards bloom and then bear fruit, and the temperatures allow open windows that carry in the changing scents of the countryside.

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Events, Festivals and Local Markets

Every November, companies from across Albania gather at the Tirana International Fair to share what they make and do. Walking through the exhibition halls in Tirana, visitors see everything from local foods to new technology under one roof.

When September arrives, movie lovers settle into theater seats at the Tirana International Film Festival in Tirana. The screens light up with stories from filmmakers who create outside the mainstream, bringing fresh perspectives from countries near and far.

As summer heats up in July and August, music flows through the air at the Saranda Summer Festival. People gather on the beaches of Saranda, where the sound of guitars and traditional instruments blends with the rhythm of waves crashing against the shore.

June brings outdoor enthusiasts to the cobblestone streets of Berat for the South Outdoor Festival. Participants lace up their hiking boots and pitch tents among centuries-old buildings. During breaks between adventures, they learn dances passed down through generations and taste dishes made from old family recipes.

Best Places to Visit

1. Tirana

In Tirana, history sits on every corner. Ottoman mosques stand near Italian boulevards, while colorful buildings replace the gray of the communist era. People gather in Skanderbeg Square, sipping coffee at outdoor tables and watching city life unfold. The once-restricted Blloku district, formerly reserved for party officials, now houses cafes where students and professionals chat late into the evening.

From May through October, the Mediterranean weather creates long, sunshine-filled days. The amphitheater fills with music on summer evenings as locals and visitors sit on stone steps under open skies. November brings film enthusiasts to the Tirana International Film Festival, while art lovers find new exhibitions rotating through the National Gallery of Arts and COD center throughout the year.

How to get to Tirana

• -By Air: Tirana International Airport (TIA) with direct connections to major European cities
• -By Bus: Regular international and domestic bus services to the central terminal
• -By Car: Well-connected highways from Montenegro, Kosovo, and Greece

2. Shkoder

Shkoder tells stories from centuries past. Between the waters of Lake Shkodra and the rising peaks of the Albanian Alps, this ancient city holds memories in its stones. Italian-style facades line walkable streets, while Rozafa Castle watches from above, offering views across borders to Montenegro.

Spring days between April and June bring wildflowers and moderate temperatures, perfect for wandering the old town or cycling along lake paths. In autumn, September and October paint the surrounding mountains with gold and copper hues. The Migjeni Theater fills with performances while puppet masters continue centuries-old traditions at the marionette theater. In the old bazaar, craftspeople work with copper and wood using techniques passed through generations.

How to get to Shkoder

• -By Bus: Regular connections from Tirana (2 hours) and Montenegro
• -By Car: 90-minute drive from Tirana via the new highway
• -By Bicycle: Increasingly popular route along scenic roads from Tirana

3. Durres 

In Durres, Roman emperors once watched gladiators in the amphitheater that still stands in the city center. Today, children peek through ancient arches while archaeologists work nearby. The long seafront promenade fills with families strolling after dinner, the Adriatic waves keeping time with their footsteps. Sandy beaches stretch north from the city's edge, close enough to visit historical sites in the morning and swim in the afternoon.

Summer brings warmth to the water from June through August. Visit in May or September to find emptier beaches, but the weather is still warm enough for swimming. As evening falls in summer, musicians set up along the waterfront for weekend concerts. Restaurants fill with the scent of grilled fish and seafood stews, often celebrated in weekly festivals where fishermen showcase the day's catch.

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• How to get to Durres
• -By Ferry: Regular connections from Italy (Bari, Ancona, and Brindisi)
• -By Train: Daily services from Tirana (Albania's only passenger railway)
• -By Car: Just 35 minutes from Tirana via highway SH2
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Tips for Traveling to Albania

VISA & ENTRY

• EU citizens: No visa needed for 90 days
• US/UK/Canada: Visa-free for 90 days
• Passport must be valid 3+ months beyond the stay

CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

• Handshakes are common; modest dress at religious sites
• Nodding means "no"; shaking the head means "yes"
• Tipping: 10% in restaurants is appreciated

MONEY MATTERS 

• Albanian Lek (ALL); €1 ≈ 100 ALL
• ATMs are widespread in cities; less common rurally
• Major hotels accept cards; carry cash for small businesses

HEALTH & SAFETY

• Emergency: 112/127
• Travel insurance recommended
• Tap water: drink bottled water
• Crime rate is low; beware of pickpockets in crowds

TRANSPORTATION

• Furgons (minibuses) connect towns
• Taxis are affordable; agree on price beforehand
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