Discover Albania
like a local
From the turquoise beaches of Ksamil to the Cursed Mountains. Hotels, restaurants, beaches and hiking trails — curated and reviewed by travellers, not algorithms.
4 airports in Albania — how to get here
Tirana (TIA) handles most arrivals, Vlorë opens for commercial flights in 2026, Kukës serves the north — everything you need to fly in.
Riviera, Alps, culture & coast
From the Mediterranean blue of Ksamil to the limestone walls of the Albanian Alps — pick your corner of the country.
Pick your next move
Sleep, eat, swim, hike — explore Albania one category at a time.
Hotels
From boutique riviera stays to family guesthouses in the Alps.
Restaurants
Seafood on the coast, byrek in the cities, lamb in the mountains.
Beaches
Caribbean turquoise in the south, wild Adriatic sand in the north.
Hiking Trails
Theth–Valbona, Cursed Mountains, coastal cliff paths and more.
Clubs
Beach clubs on the Riviera, rooftop bars and dance floors in Tirana.
14 national parks to explore
Pine forests, glacial valleys, marine reserves and the country's wildest corners — all in one place.
Top hotels
The best-rated stays based on real traveller reviews
Tirana5.0PIN Apartments Tirana
Set in Tirana on the capital region, PIN Apartments Tirana is a place to base yourself for the area. A practical place to sleep while exploring the surroundings. Works for couples, small families and short-stay travellers.
KorçëKoa Apartment Korçë
Koa Apartment Korçë sits in Korçë, in inland Albania. A practical place to sleep while exploring the surroundings. Works for couples, small families and short-stay travellers.
KorçëElite Apartment Korce
Elite Apartment Korce is one of the hotels travellers consider when staying in Korçë, inland Albania. A small, locally-run option of the kind common across Albania. A solid mid-range choice for most trips.
KsamilHotel Lula Ksamil
Hotel Lula Ksamil is a hotel in Ksamil, on the Albanian Riviera. A typical mid-scale property for the area. A balanced pick for visitors who want comfort without splashing out.
PogradecGuesthouse Bimbli, Pogradec
Guesthouse Bimbli, Pogradec sits in Pogradec, in inland Albania. A typical mid-scale property for the area. Works for couples, small families and short-stay travellers.
ShkodërTraveler Hostel
Traveler Hostel is one of the hotels travellers consider when staying in Shkodër, inland Albania. A typical mid-scale property for the area. Works for couples, small families and short-stay travellers.
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Top beaches
Hidden coves and famous bays — the Albanian Riviera at a glance
DhërmiPlazhi i Gramës
Plazhi i Gramës sits on the coast at Dhërmi, the Albanian Riviera. A mix of sand and pebble. Recommended if you want fewer crowds.
ShkodërPlazhi i Rragamit
Plazhi i Rragamit sits on the coast at Shkodër, inland Albania. The shoreline is pebble. Recommended if you want fewer crowds.
VlorëPorto Novo Beach
Porto Novo Beach sits on the coast at Vlorë, the Albanian Riviera. A mix of sand and pebble. Suits a slow morning or sunset visit.
DhërmiPlazhi publik
Plazhi publik is a beach in Dhërmi, on the Albanian Riviera. A mix of sand and pebble. Best for travellers seeking a quieter spot.
QeparoGjiri i Këndesave
On the Albanian Riviera near Qeparo, Gjiri i Këndesave is one of the area's beaches. A mix of sand and pebble. Suits a slow morning or sunset visit.
VelipojëGjoleka
Gjoleka sits on the coast at Velipojë, the Adriatic coast. A mix of sand and pebble. Suits families with kids.
12 castles to walk
From UNESCO Berat and Gjirokastër to Skanderbeg's mountain stronghold at Krujë.
Top hiking trails
From Theth–Valbona to the Cursed Mountains and beyond
VermoshRoute "Qafa Bordolecit - Vukel"
Route "Qafa Bordolecit - Vukel" is a hiking trail in Vermosh, on the Albanian Alps. Best between May and October. Best for travellers comfortable with longer walks.
KorçëRruga e Kaurëve
Rruga e Kaurëve runs through Korçë, in inland Albania. Open trail season runs roughly May to October. Suitable for casual walkers.
ShëngjinHazelnut path (SH-MR-004)
Hazelnut path (SH-MR-004) runs through Shëngjin, in the Adriatic coast. Best between May and October. Best for travellers comfortable with longer walks.
ValbonëCurraj i Eperm - Qerec
Curraj i Eperm - Qerec runs through Valbonë, in the Albanian Alps. Open trail season runs roughly May to October. A moderate route — best for fit walkers.
ValbonëShpella e Zeze
Shpella e Zeze is a hiking trail in Valbonë, on the Albanian Alps. Best between May and October. A demanding hike — pack proper gear.
KrujëHigh Scardus Trail
High Scardus Trail is a hiking trail in Krujë, on inland Albania. Walkable May through October; check snow conditions earlier or later. A moderate route — best for fit walkers.
20 historic sites to visit
Roman ruins, Byzantine churches, Ottoman bridges and Cold War bunkers — Albania's full timeline.
Top restaurants
Where locals and travellers agree on the food
BeratPiccolo Grande Amore
In Berat on inland Albania, Piccolo Grande Amore is one of the spots locals and travellers head to. Pricing sits in the comfortable middle for the area. Good for both a quick bite and a longer dinner.
TiranaBuffalo Restaurant
Buffalo Restaurant sits in Tirana, on the capital region. Mid-range pricing — count on €15–€25 per person for a sit-down meal. Fits a mid-trip dinner plan or a relaxed lunch.
ShëngjinLeodori Restaurant
You'll find Leodori Restaurant in Shëngjin, on the Adriatic coast. Pricing sits in the comfortable middle for the area. Works well as a beach-day food stop.
ShëngjinAra Shëngjin
In Shëngjin on the Adriatic coast, Ara Shëngjin is one of the spots locals and travellers head to. The kitchen leans toward bar-and-grill cooking. Right for a long lunch between swims.
TiranaRestorant Tymi
Restorant Tymi sits in Tirana, on the capital region. The kitchen leans toward Mediterranean cooking. Works for casual meetings or solo meals.
PogradecTaverna KOÇO
Taverna KOÇO is a restaurant in Pogradec, inland Albania. Pricing sits in the comfortable middle for the area. Works for casual meetings or solo meals.
11 lakes to discover
Ohrid's UNESCO depths, Komani's fjord-like canyons, Shkodra's reed-fringed shores.
Top clubs
Beach clubs on the Riviera, rooftop bars in Tirana, the country's nightlife scene
SarandëTropicana Lounge
Tropicana Lounge is a cocktail bar in Sarandë, on the Albanian Riviera. A cocktail-focused bar with a curated drinks list. A solid pick for an evening out with friends.
HimarëFolie Marine
Folie Marine sits in Himarë, on the Albanian Riviera. A daytime beach-club setup with sunbeds, drinks and music until late. Best for travellers chasing the local nightlife scene.
KsamilPearl Beach Club
In Ksamil on the Albanian Riviera, Pearl Beach Club is one of the area's beach club spots. A daytime beach-club setup with sunbeds, drinks and music until late. Best for travellers chasing the local nightlife scene.
BorshShkambo Beach
In Borsh on the Albanian Riviera, Shkambo Beach is one of the area's beach club spots. A daytime beach-club setup with sunbeds, drinks and music until late. Right for sundown drinks and a long evening.
KsamilBuzë Bar
Buzë Bar sits in Ksamil, on the Albanian Riviera. A cocktail-focused bar with a curated drinks list. Best for travellers chasing the local nightlife scene.
TiranaDukan Bar
In Tirana on the capital region, Dukan Bar is one of the area's cocktail bar spots. A cocktail-focused bar with a curated drinks list. Right for sundown drinks and a long evening.
The sound of Albania, always on
Press play. Albanian music, traditions and stories streaming non-stop — wherever you are.
An Albania you didn't expect
Two thousand years of history, a coastline rivalling the Caribbean, mountains that hide medieval villages, and a cuisine you'll talk about for months.
Stories from across Albania
Guides, traditions, recipes and itineraries — written by people who travel here, not just visit.
guideSarandë — gateway to the Albanian Riviera
Most travellers use Sarandë as a base — the promenade, ferry to Corfu, and easy day trips to Butrint, Ksamil and the Blue Eye.
guideHimarë — the Riviera's laid-back middle
Halfway between Vlorë and Sarandë, Himarë is the Riviera at half-volume — beach clubs by day, simple tavernas by night, and access to the most secret coves on the coast.
guideDhërmi — beach clubs, festivals and the Llogara plunge
White village, turquoise water and Albania's loudest summer parties — Dhërmi is the Riviera at full saturation.
guideVlorë — where the Adriatic meets the Ionian
Albania's third city is also its summer playground — long sandy beaches, the wild Karaburun peninsula, and the gateway to the Riviera.
Frequently asked about Albania
The questions every first-time visitor lands on.
Is Albania safe to travel to in 2026?
Yes — Albania ranks among the safest countries in Europe for travellers. Violent crime is rare, petty theft is below Western European city averages, and locals are famously welcoming. The biggest practical risks are aggressive driving on rural roads and stray dogs in remote areas. Solo female travellers consistently report feeling safe.
When is the best time to visit Albania?
Late May to early June and all of September are the sweet spots — warm sea, hiking-friendly mountains, manageable crowds, lower prices. July and August are peak beach season but the Riviera gets packed. October is great for cities and inland heritage sites. Winter (Dec–Feb) is quiet, best for Tirana culture and skiing at Dardha.
Do I need a visa to enter Albania?
Most travellers do not. Citizens of all EU countries (including Romania and Bulgaria), the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most Asian and Western Balkan nations enjoy 90 days visa-free. Some Gulf country nationals get a seasonal visa-free regime (April–November). Always carry a passport valid at least 6 months beyond entry.
What language is spoken? Will English get me by?
The official language is Albanian (Shqip), one of Europe's linguistic isolates with no close relatives. English is widely spoken in tourism (hotels, restaurants, tour guides) and by anyone under 35 in cities. Italian is common with older generations on the coast. A few Albanian phrases (Faleminderit = thank you) go a long way.
What's the currency and how much does a trip cost?
Albania uses the lekë (ALL); €1 ≈ 100 ALL. Many tourist businesses accept euros directly. Daily budgets: €35–55 for backpackers, €60–110 for mid-range travel, €130–220 for comfort. Riviera in August adds 30–50%. Cards work in cities and resort towns; bring cash for mountains and villages. ATMs charge ~€5 per withdrawal.
Which airports serve Albania and how do I get from them to the city?
Tirana International (TIA, Mother Teresa) handles 95% of arrivals. From TIA to Tirana centre: Rinas Express bus €5 (every hour, 30 min) or taxi €15–25. Vlorë International opens for commercial flights in 2026, putting the southern Riviera within 2.5 hours by transfer. Kukës International serves the north with limited schedules.
Is tap water safe to drink?
Yes in Tirana, Sarandë, Vlorë and most coastal cities. In rural Albania (mountain villages, smaller towns), bottled is recommended. A refillable bottle works in cities and saves plastic. The mountain spring water in Theth and Valbonë is famously clean and drinkable directly.
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