The 8 Best Places to Visit in Albania

1. Berat — The City of a Thousand Windows

Berat is Albania's most photogenic city — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Ottoman-era white houses with their distinctive rows of large windows climb a hillside towards a medieval fortress that is still inhabited today. Walk the Mangalem quarter's cobblestoned lanes, visit the Onufri Museum inside the castle walls, and end the day with a riverside walk along the Osum. Berat is 2.5 hours south of Tirana on good roads — an easy day trip or an even better overnight.

2. Gjirokastra — The Stone City

Built on a steep ridge in a southern valley, Gjirokastra is one of the Balkans' most atmospheric cities. Its massive fortress houses an abandoned American reconnaissance plane from the Cold War. The old bazaar and Ottoman tower houses ('kule') are UNESCO-protected. The Blue Eye natural spring, just 20km away, makes a perfect day-trip add-on. Gjirokastra is also the birthplace of novelist Ismail Kadare and former dictator Enver Hoxha — a city layered with history.

3. Ksamil — Albania's Maldives

Ksamil, near the southern tip of the Riviera, is consistently rated the most beautiful beach destination in the country. Soft white sand (rare in Albania), crystal-clear turquoise water, and small offshore islands you can swim to make it genuinely special. The ancient ruins of Butrint National Park — a UNESCO site — are just minutes away. Ksamil is best visited in May or early June before peak-season crowds arrive.

4. Theth and Valbona — The Albanian Alps

For nature lovers, the Albanian Alps are a revelation. The villages of Theth and Valbona sit in glacially carved valleys surrounded by peaks reaching 2,600 metres. The Valbona-to-Theth hike is one of Europe's great day treks — 5–7 hours over the Valbona Pass with panoramic alpine views. Traditional mountain guesthouses offer home-cooked meals and local rakia. The Lake Koman ferry, a 2.5-hour boat ride through dramatic gorges, is the most spectacular way to arrive.

5. Himara — Hidden Riviera Gem

Himara occupies a sweet spot on the Albanian Riviera — less developed than Ksamil, more accessible than Dhermi, with good beaches, a charming old town on a hilltop, and Greek-Albanian cultural influences in the food and architecture. Nearby beaches like Filikuri, Jala, and the stunning Gjipe Canyon Beach reward those willing to explore. The drive from Himara south to Saranda along the coastal road is one of Europe's finest.

6. Shkodra — Gateway to the Alps

Albania's fourth-largest city is often bypassed by tourists, but it's one of the country's most rewarding. Rozafa Castle, perched above the confluence of three rivers, offers 360-degree views across Lake Skadar. The city itself has a relaxed, cosmopolitan feel with good cafés, restaurants, and an active arts scene. From Shkodra, the Lake Koman ferry and road to the Albanian Alps are easily accessible.

7. Saranda — The Riviera Capital

Saranda sits at the southern end of the Albanian Riviera, directly across the strait from Corfu. It's the most developed resort town in Albania — lively, with a long promenade, water sports, and good dining options. Lekuresi Castle above the town offers sunset views over Corfu and the Ionian Sea. Use Saranda as a base for day trips to Ksamil (15 min), Butrint (30 min), and the Blue Eye spring (45 min).

8. Dhermi — Dramatic Clifftop Beauty

Dhermi is the Albanian Riviera at its most dramatic — a village perched high on a clifftop above a long pebble beach of exceptional clarity. The descent to the beach is steep but rewarding. Nearby Gjipe Beach requires a 40-minute walk from a paid car park, but is one of the most unspoiled stretches of coastline in the whole Mediterranean. Palasa Beach to the north is calmer and family-friendly.

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