Albania
"The Mediterranean coastline Europe forgot to price up"
Albania is the last stretch of Mediterranean where a beachfront lunch still costs less than a city coffee. The Riviera between Himarë and Ksamil is genuinely turquoise, the Ottoman towns of Berat and Gjirokastër are UNESCO-listed, and the Accursed Mountains in the north deliver alpine hiking with almost no queue for it.
Best Time to Visit
May to June and September to early October
Apr – Jun
Green hills, open mountain passes from late June, warm coast by June.
Jul – Aug
Peak beach season, packed Ksamil, still cheap by Mediterranean standards.
Sep – Oct
Warm sea, empty beaches, perfect hiking weather.
Nov – Mar
Wet and quiet; northern trails closed by snow.
Getting Around
Roads have improved fast, but mountain routes are slow and public transport is informal.
🚗 Rental Car
The best way to do the Riviera and the south. Drive defensively.
🚐 Furgon Minibuses
Shared vans that leave when full — cheap and surprisingly efficient.
⛴️ Komani Lake Ferry
A spectacular fjord-like crossing on the way to the northern mountains.
🚌 Intercity Buses
Reliable between Tirana, Shkodër, Berat and Sarandë.
💡 The Komani ferry, Valbona and Theth make a natural loop — book beds in the guesthouses in summer.
Suggested Itineraries
Arrive Tirana
City walk and a first byrek.
Berat
Castle quarter and Ottoman streets.
Riviera Drive
Llogara pass, then Himarë for sunset.
Beach Day
Gjipe or Jale beach, boat to a hidden cove.
Ksamil & Butrint
Ancient ruins in the morning, island swims after.
Gjirokastër
Stone city, castle, and a slow mountain lunch.
Departure
Drive back to Tirana and fly out.
✨ Feeling dizzy already? Breathe. This is a menu, not a to-do list — skip a stop, nap by a fountain, leave a couple of sparks for next time.
Highlights
Must See
- Ksamil islands
- Berat old town
- Blue Eye spring
- Valbona to Theth trail
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
Cash is still king outside Tirana — and rural petrol stations rarely take cards.