Is Albania Worth Visiting? 

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Are you wondering “is Albania worth visiting?” 

Whether you are planning a long-term Balkan trip or just looking for the perfect beach getaway, Albania should definitely be on your radar. 

With a gorgeous coastline, friendly locals, fascinating history, great value for money and breathtaking mountain views, this off-the-beaten-path destination has it all.

Albania still doesn’t receive a large number of visitors, so now is the perfect time to visit this hidden gem before the secret gets out and its popularity skyrockets. 

I spent a month backpacking around Albania and fell in love with its charm and beauty. 

Now I encourage you to do the same!

Here are 27 reasons why Albania is worth a visit. 

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Is Albania worth visiting?

So, is it worth visiting Albania? The answer is a resounding yes!

Albania is home to some of the most stunning natural scenery in Europe, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and swimming.

There are also many historical sites to explore and discover, including ancient ruins and fortresses. The vibrant culture offers an interesting mix of traditional customs and modern amenities, making it a great destination for travellers who want to experience something different.

For those looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, Albania is the perfect place to explore! With its warm hospitality and beautiful landscape, Albania is sure to be a trip you won’t forget.

27 reasons to visit Albania

There are so many reasons why you should visit Albania. 

From the fascinating history, to the incredible scenery, to the friendly locals, Albania has so much to offer. 

Vacationing in Albania is an adventure, and in my opinion, should be on everyone’s bucket list. 

Let’s get into the reasons to visit Albania.

1. The Albanian Riviera

So why is Albania worth seeing? Let’s start with the beautiful beaches of Albania. 

Spending a day (or several) on the beaches of the Albanian Riviera feels like you’ve been let in on a huge secret and is absolutely one of the best reasons to visit Albania. 

You’ll have a gorgeous paradise all to yourself!

In some places you can see the Greek islands in the distance, you are sharing the same ocean and same climate but for a tiny fraction of the price.

My favourite beach in Albania is Borsh. It has a super relaxed vibe and is big enough that you will have a large section of the beach all to yourself. 

I wild camped under the stars on Borsh beach and woke up to the sound of dolphins splashing about in the sea.. It was absolute bliss.

Some other great beaches are Dhermi, Himarë, Gjipe and Ksamil. 

Ksamil beach in particular is one of the best places to visit in Albania.

2. Bunkers in Albania

Seeking out abandoned bunkers is a fun and unique travel experience that you can only find in Albania.

During the rule of Stalinist dictator Enver Hoxha, 173,000 concrete bunkers were built all around the country. 

There are now around 6 bunkers per square Km (That’s around 15 per square mile!). You will literally see them everywhere you go. 

Some bunkers have been repurposed into funky cafes and even Airbnbs, but the majority of them are derelict. 

For an excellent introduction to Albania’s recent history and an interactive look at the bunkers be sure to visit BunkArt. 

3. Castles 

Albania has several castles that are well worth a visit.

Unlike other European countries, there will be hardly any other tourists to compete with so you will most likely get to explore these places in peace. 

Best castles to visit in Albania:

Durrës Castle – 5th-century castle in the port city of Durrës.

Rozafa Castle – Perched high up on a hill above the town of Shkodër, This was by far my favourite castle to explore in Albania.

Gjirokaster – The incredibly well-preserved 12th-century citadel. Don’t forget to check out the cold war American ‘spy plane that is displayed within the grounds of the fortress. 

Krujë Castle – This place was completely deserted when we visited. For a few coins, the friendly groundskeeper will give you an unofficial ‘tour’ up to the top of one of the towers.

Berat Castle – Located in Berat, the city of a thousand windows. Berat Castle is recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site and undergoing restoration. 

4. Albania is cheap to travel

One of the most common questions I get asked about travel in Albania is “Is Albania cheap to travel to?” 

Yes, Albania is incredibly cheap and great value for money. Especially when compared to other places in Europe, such as the nearby Greek islands or Italy.  

The Albania cost of travel is really good value for money. A bed in a hostel dorm will cost you around €7, a beer is as little as €1 and a three-course meal in a restaurant is around €10. 

5. Albanian food 

One of the best reasons to vacation in Albania is the delicious food! 

Albanian food is great as it tends to be a blend between Mediterranean and Balkans-style cuisine. 

I found that there were lots of veggie and vegan options available all over Albania. 

A few traditional Albanian foods that you should try when visiting Albania:

• Ferges – A stew consisting of tomato sauce, cottage cheese, green peppers, and garlic.
• Byrek – a sort of flakey pie. There are many different types of fillings that can go into a byrek. Such as meat, spinach & feta cheese, onions & tomatoes, or cottage cheese.
• Speca te Mbushur me Oriz – Stuffed bell peppers, filled with rice and tomatoes. 
• Petulla – Fried dough balls.

For a truly immersive cultural experience try taking a traditional Albanian cooking class. 

6. Tirana 

Is Tirana worth visiting?

Absolutely!

After the fall of the communist regime, the new Albanian prime minister (a former artist) decided to brighten up all the grim-looking brutalist architecture by covering the whole city of Tirana in art! 

Now almost every building in Tirana has been painted a fun bright colour. And there are street art murals and quirky touches all over the city. 

I particularly loved the bollards painted to look like Mario-style mushrooms!

I suggest you spend some time admiring the art whilst taking on a walking tour of the top sites of the city.

Things to do in Tirana:

Grab a sunset cocktail at the sky bar panoramic rooftop bar.

Get some fun Instagram shots at the cloud 

Explore Bunkart, for a fun and interactive look at Albania’s recent history

Climb the pyramid! Only for the most fearless. 

7. Dhermi 

One of the many beautiful coastal villages along the Albanian Riviera. 

Dhermi is a perfect spot for relaxation and soaking up the sun and is one of the best places to visit in Albania during summer. 

In Dhermi you will find affordable accommodation, fantastic food and plenty of chic beach clubs to keep you entertained. 

8. The Blue Eye 

The Blue Eye is a clear water spring with a more than 50-metre-deep pool. 

The water is an intense blue and turquoise colour and looks unreal! 

Divers have attempted to dive to the bottom of the Blue Eye to calculate its depth but it’s still unclear how deep It really goes.

There are signs around that ban swimming but that doesn’t seem to deter people from jumping in.

Just let me warn you… If you fancy a swim, the water is extremely cold! 

Getting to the blue eye can be a bit of a pain if you don’t have your own vehicle. So I highly recommend booking a tour to visit the blue eye on a day trip from Sarandë.

9. River rafting 

For a fun day to remember, try river rafting on the Vjosa river near the town of Permet.

The river has class III rapids so you should be prepared to get wet and possibly fall in the water! But it’s all part of the fun! The guides will provide you with safety gear so you will be perfectly safe.

There is also lots of stunning scenery around this area and opportunities to spot wildlife as you go whizzing past. 

10. Gjirokaster 

Gjirokaster is a fun little hilltop town to spend a few days in. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described as “a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman town”.

Head to the castle at the top of the hill, take in the views and appreciate the remarkably well-preserved 12th-century fortress. 

Be sure to check out the old cold war era American ‘spy plane’, displayed within the grounds.

There’s also an ottoman bridge located behind the castle, which you can hike to. Use the maps.me app to find the viewpoint (search for Ali Pasha’s bridge).

11. Hitchhiking 

If you have never hitchhiked before then Albania is a great place to start. 

I spent a month in Albania and only used public transport once or twice. The rest of the time I hitchhiked around the country and had a blast!

I hitchhiked with a friend and most of the time we rode with couples or families and always felt safe. 

We met some amazing people who often insisted on taking us to scenic viewpoints or stopping for snacks and coffee or showing us around old castles that we would have never heard about if it wasn’t for these friendly strangers. 

One couple even took us out to dinner and then clubbing at an exclusive beach club. 

I’m still in contact with many of the friendly Albanians who gave us a ride.

I have incredible memories that I never would have got to experience if it weren’t for hitchhiking. 

I wouldn’t usually recommend hitchhiking in many countries but in Albania, it is very much a part of the culture and just comes naturally to a lot of people. Do as the locals do and give it a try. 

12. Safety in Albania

“Why do you want to go there?”

 “Is it safe to travel to Albania?”

“Where even is that?!” 

Expect a lot of these kinds of questions when you announce your Albania trip plans to your family and friends. 

Albania is not on a lot of people’s radar as a tourist destination, YET! So if you plan a trip to Albania, you’re likely to be met with a lot of curious questions from well-meaning friends/relatives who are wondering “is Albania safe?” 

Albania has got a bad reputation over the years. I don’t know if this comes from the old communist regime or the plot of the ‘Taken’ movies.

Those stereotypes couldn’t be further from the truth! 

I felt incredibly safe in Albania, even whilst hitchhiking and walking around after dark. 

13. Gjipe Beach 

Gjipe beach Is a gorgeous secluded cove not far from Dhermi. 

To get there you can either arrive by boat or hike down, either from the main road or from the parking lot halfway down. 

Personally, I hiked down from the main road and found the hike to be pretty easy (although hot) and very enjoyable! 

The views were incredible.

14. Komani Lake 

Komani Lake is a beautiful blue crystal clear lake surrounded by lush green vertical canyons. It is honestly too beautiful for words.

There are a few tourist boats that run tours of the lake.

However, the cheapest way to experience the lake is via the local passenger ferry that runs from Koman to Fierza. 

15. The Albanian language 

The Albanian language, called shqip, is completely unique. 

No other language can be conclusively linked to it and its unknown origins have long been a cause of disputes among linguists and historians. 

It is also thought to be one of the oldest languages in the world. 

Try to learn a few words, most Albanians you meet will be delighted to teach you a few phrases. 

16. Mopeds 

Renting a moped is a fantastic way to get around Albania.

My friends and I rented mopeds for around €12 each for the day and drove from Saranda to Gjirokaster and then stopped at the Blue Eye on the way back. 

It would have been a little tricky (though not impossible) to get to these places without our own transport. We were also able to stop off at some really nice viewpoints along the way.

Just make sure to look out for cows wandering into the road!

17. Hot springs 

The Benja thermal pools, just outside of the town of Permet, are natural geothermal springs that are said to have healing properties. 

Do as the locals do and grab a handful of mud and make yourself a facemask for super soft skin!

Also, be sure to spend some time exploring the nearby canyon for some amazing geology. 

18. Ottomans

Albania is a great place to see Ottoman architecture from as early as the 14th century.

Albania was part of the Ottoman empire from 1385 to 1912.

The best places to see Ottoman settlements are Gjirokaster, Berat, Permet and Kruje. There are loads of bridges, castles and old architecture to explore. 

19. The Tirana pyramid

Is Tirana worth visiting?

If crazy communist architecture is your thing, then Tirana is definitely worth a visit!

The enormous concrete pyramid that stands in the middle of Tirana was originally built during the communist regime to honour the former dictator Enver Hoxha. 

The pyramid then became a TV station for a while before falling into disrepair and becoming a derelict eyesore. 

Local kids soon started to use it as their personal playground by climbing to the top and sliding down. And you can join them if you are brave enough.

I attempted the climb one night after a couple of cocktails and somehow miraculously made it to the top of the 21m (~70ft) structure and back down without seriously injuring myself! 

Weirdly this was one of the most fun nights of my life.

20. Roman ruins 

Unlike the Roman ruins in nearby Italy, you will have Albania’s archaeological sites all to yourself. 

Check out Butrint archaeological park and the Roman amphitheatre in Durres. 

21. Shkodër

Is Shkoder worth visiting? Yes, it definitely is! 

Shkoder is a really nice little town in the north of the country. The best thing to do here is to explore the amazing Rozafa castle and spend a day relaxing at the lake.

There are a lot of nice restaurants and cafes serving up traditional local cuisine and a few nice bars to grab a drink at too.

There’s a large population of stray cats and dogs around town but don’t worry they are very friendly and appreciate a bit of fuss! 

It’s also really east to take a day trip from Tirana to Shkoder.

22. Soviet architecture

I have to admit I have a soft spot for Brutalist architecture.

There’s a somewhat endearing charm to the looming concrete structures. 

Tirana, especially, is a great place to see some examples of brutalism but with an added modern twist in the form of a splash of colour. 

23. The Valbona to Theth hike

Hiking between the two mountain villages of Theth and Valbona was one of the highlights of my time in Albania. 

No words can describe the beauty of the mountains. The trails are all reasonably well maintained and not in the least bit crowded. 

The hike took around 7hrs, including an hour stop for lunch and a lot of photo stops. 

Spend the night at a lodge in Valbona and then be sure to catch the ferry across the beautiful Komani lake on your way back down south the next day. 

The logistics of getting to Valbona can be a bit tricky so if you want to make it easier on yourself then I recommend a guided tour.

24. Weather in Albania

Albania has characteristically warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters like other Mediterranean countries. 

The summers can reach scorching temperatures of up to 35℃ (95℉). 

The best month to visit Albania is in June. 

25. Friendly locals 

In my opinion, the top reason you should visit Albania is to get to know the friendly locals.

Albanians are some of the most incredibly friendly people I have ever met! 

Everywhere I went people wanted to stop and chat, to offer me help or directions (even if I didn’t need them) and in many places refused to let me pay for anything.

I was even invited to a wedding by a guy I met in a sandwich shop! 

Albania was under a communist regime, run by a dictator, until the ’90s. The people of Albania were essentially cut off from the rest of the world during this time. 

Tourism is still a relatively new concept to Albanians, so they are genuinely delighted to have you visit their country. 

Making friends with the locals is one of the best reasons to visit Albania.

26. Wild camping 

You should absolutely try out some wild camping whilst in Albania.

I wild camped on a few beaches in Albania and found it to be a safe and enjoyable experience. 

There’s a really great camp spot in Gjipe. You can also wild camp on the beach in Borsh and Himara. It can get chilly on a night so be sure to wear a sweater and have a decent sleeping bag. 

27. Very few tourists

Albania is a unique travel destination and Albania’s tourism is still relatively low.

So exploring Albania still feels like you’ve stumbled upon an off-the-beaten-path secret that no one else has discovered yet. 

I expect that it won’t be long before people start to realise that it’s a hidden gem and start flocking here!

That’s why I recommend visiting now before the tourist rush boosts prices and the beaches start to get crowded. 

Psssst… Need inspiration for your next adventure? Check out my travel store!

Albania itinerary

So hopefully by now I have convinced you that Albania is worth a visit. 

Below you can grab a copy of my perfect Albania itinerary. The itinerary includes everything you need to have a great vacation including:

• Where to stay
• Restaurant recommendations
• Hidden gems and unique travel experiences
• How to get around
• Day by day fully planned itinerary
• And much more! 

Grab your Albania travel itinerary now!

Is Albania worth visiting FAQs

Psssst… Need inspiration for your next adventure? Check out my travel store!

Wrap up – Is Albania worth visiting?

So, is Albania worth visiting? 

In a nutshell, Yes! 

Albania has plenty to offer anyone who is looking for adventure in a not-yet-popular destination. 

It has gorgeous beaches that could rival Greece, Roman ruins that are far less crowded than those in Italy and some of the friendliest people in Europe. All for a fraction of the cost of most European destinations. 

Albania is a real hidden gem but won’t stay hidden for long.