Forget what you think you know about Albania…
All preconceptions of Albania go out the window when you visit. Closed off from the world for so long, this spectacular part of the Mediterranean is home to some of the most beautiful coastline you’ll see, mesmerising old towns and towering mountains.
However, it’s not a hidden gem. In high season, Albania’s about as busy as anywhere we’ve ever seen.
Quick Summary
Top Tip: Cash is king in Albania, and while a lot of places accept card, the vast majority (including a lot of hotels) will only take cash as payment. You can use Euros or Lek, but be prepared to keep taking out cash and suffering the €6-7 atm fee to do so.
Currency: Lek or Euro
Visa: 90 day on arrival for most countries.
Safety:
When to go: Shoulder season (May / June & September / October) is ideal as you’ll hopefully get good weather but not quite as many people (it will still be busy though). High Season is incredibly busy and you run the chance of seeing a lot of places close between November and April.
Peak Season: July & August
Off Season: November - April.
Walk My World Cost Index: $$ - Albania isn’t cheap, but it is one of the cheapest coastal countries on the med. We found you could get a good hotel for €60-70 a night and a decent meal for €10-12 per person.
Planning your trip
All of our top tips for visiting Albania, including how busy it is really, what the prices are like, how it is to drive and so much more.
Things to do in Albania
Berat
A turquoise pool and canyon awaits anyone willing to take on the adventurous walk to Gjiri I Kades, which is definitely a type 2 adventure! We’re sharing how to get there, what to expect from the ‘trail’ and exactly why we termed them the ‘Turquoise Pools of Doom’.
Venturing into the otherworldly Holta Canyon is one of the best adventures Albania has to offer. We’re sharing how to get there, what the hike is like, how deep the water gets and everything else you need to know to plan an epic trip.
A thick layer of dust covers the crumbling remains of a set of abandoned bunkers and tunnels hidden in the hillside just outside the beautiful city of Berat. We’re sharing how to find them and what to expect when you do.
Bogove Waterfall is breathtaking, it’s like a scene straight from a fairy tale. The waterfall cascades between sculpted canyon walls and into a shimmering blue green pool. We’re sharing what the walk to it is like, how to escape the crowds and what it’s like to swim in its icy blue waters.
Gjirokaster
The Ali Pasha Bridge walk is the most popular trail in Gjirokaster and feels very remote despite being so close to the city. It’s a short walk, but offers stunning scenery as you head through a rugged gorge to reach the famous bridge. We’re sharing directions and what to expect from the trail.
Exactly what to expect from a visit to the Blue Eye today, including details on all activities and walking tracks, the truth about swimming and whether or not it’s still worth visiting.
The dramatic canyon and waterfall complete with deep emerald swimming hole would make Nivice Canyon a must visit alone. Add in the fact it’s still wonderfully off the beaten track and you’re highly likely to get it to yourself and you have one of the best adventures close to Gjirokaster. We’re sharing how to find it and what to expect from the trail and swimming at the falls.
Himare
Everything you need to know about hiring a boat and exploring the epic beaches and sea caves of Himare without a guide. We’re sharing exactly what we paid and what to expect as well as all the stops you can make and tips for avoiding the crowds.
All the unmissable things to do in Himare, from exploring the beaches and sea caves, to hunting out the eerie submarine bunker, catching a sunset from the castle and dining at one of Albania’s best restaurants.
The most spectacular beaches in all of Albania can be found in Himare. The water colour is up there with the most beautiful we’ve seen anywhere in the world, ranging from turquoise to electric blue. But it’s not just the water colour that’s special, many are backed by majestic cliffs and peppered with sea caves, one even leads through to a huge canyon! We’re sharing which beaches are the must visits, how to get there and what to expect when you do.
Filikuri Beach is the kind of beach you dream about visiting when you’re planning a trip to Albania, with vibrant turquoise water and giant stripey cliffs, it’s picture perfect. This is a wild beach without a sunlounger in sight and all the more spectacular for it if you ask us! We’re sharing how to get there, including a few options you might not have thought about yet, and what to expect from the beach itself.
We’re sharing how to find Himare’s submarine bunker and a stunning hidden beach along the way, including where to park, what the walk is like and what to expect from the bunker and the beach.
Everything you need to know to visit Gjipe Beach, from what the walk/boat in is like to the best swim spots, accessing the incredible canyon and more.
The water colour at most of Albania’s beaches is exceptional, but even with that in mind, Aquarium Bay stands out. We’re sharing how to get there, including what the road is like and the quickest route to reach it on foot.
Shkodër
All the best things you can do in Shkodër, from swimming in a secret blue karst spring, to exploring hidden canyon pools, dining on fresh fish beside the lake, sipping espresso in one of the many excellent cafes and learning some of Albania’s dark history when walking through the old communist prison cells.
The emerald swimming holes of Shkodar are absolutely spectacular yet you won’t find a single tourist there. Whether you’re looking for a wide sun drenched stretch of river to bask on, or a tight canyon swim, you’ll find it along the Kanioni i Kirit. We’re sharing a few of our favourite spots with directions and what swimming in the pools is like.
Everything you need to know about Shkodër’s secret Blue Eye you can actually swim in! No fences, no crowds, just pure cold water therapy! We’re sharing how to find it and what to expect when you do.
Theth
All our top tips for visiting Theth’s Blue Eye, including how to beat the crowds, what it’s like to swim there, the trail conditions and other more secluded blue pools along the way.
Everything you need to know about the spectacular turquoise canyon pool in Theth, Vaskat Nderlysaj Canyon, as well as how to find the secret pools above.
Everything you need to know about the easiest route to the spectacular Grunas Waterfall in Theth. We’re sharing directions, trail conditions, difficulty level and what it’s like to swim at the falls.
Our top tips for hiring a car and driving in Albania. We’re sharing some of the common car rental scams to watch out for and what to expect on the roads.