Albania Complete Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Tirana: A Capital Like No Other

Start in Tirana, Albania's vibrant, colourful capital. Skanderbeg Square is the natural heart of the city — surrounded by the National History Museum, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, and the elegant Clock Tower. Don't miss Bunk'Art 1, a fascinating museum inside a real Cold War nuclear bunker, and the Dajti Ekspres cable car for panoramic views over the city and mountains beyond. Come evening, the local tradition of 'Xhiro' — a relaxed evening stroll through the Blloku district — offers a perfect window into Albanian daily life.

UNESCO Cities: Berat and Gjirokastra

Two of Albania's crown jewels are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Berat, the 'city of a thousand windows,' dazzles with its Ottoman-era white houses stacked up a hillside, topped by a still-inhabited medieval castle. Gjirokastra, built on a dramatic ridge in southern Albania, has a fortress containing an abandoned American Cold War reconnaissance aircraft and slate-roofed Ottoman tower houses that have barely changed in centuries. Both cities are within comfortable driving distance from Tirana.

The Albanian Riviera

The southern coastline between Vlorë and Sarandë is where Albania truly surprises. The SH8 road over the Llogara Pass at 1,025 metres is one of Europe's most dramatic drives, descending to a coastline of turquoise coves, pebble beaches and whitewashed villages. Himara, Dhermi and Qeparo each have their own character. Further south, Ksamil is nicknamed 'Albania's Maldives' for its crystal-clear waters and small offshore islands. Near Ksamil, the ancient ruins of Butrint — a UNESCO site — add a historical dimension to the beach days.

Practical Tips for Getting Around

Albania is best explored by car. Public transport (furgons — shared minibuses) exists but routes are unpredictable and schedules informal. A rental car gives you freedom to reach the hidden beaches, mountain villages and castle ruins that are impossible to reach otherwise. Roads have improved dramatically in recent years, though mountain routes can be rough — an SUV is recommended for the Albanian Alps. Fuel is widely available and the driving culture, while lively, is manageable once you adapt.

When to Visit

May and September are the golden months — mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower prices. Summer (July–August) is hot, lively and packed on the Riviera. Spring brings wildflowers to the mountains. Winter is quiet and atmospheric in the UNESCO cities, though the Albanian Alps are snow-bound and many mountain roads close.

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