We first visited Albania during a big Balkan road trip, and ever since then I’ve had that very familiar feeling – like I watched an amazing movie trailer, but never got to see the full film.
We saw a lot, loved a lot, but didn’t have enough time to do the country justice. Since then, I’ve wanted to come back properly – not for a rushed stop, but for at least a week or two, with a car, a flexible route, and enough time for spontaneous detours.
Albania is technically Europe, yes. But in terms of vibe, rhythm, atmosphere and travel experience, it feels like its own world. It can be beautiful, chaotic, charming, messy, generous, and wildly photogenic – sometimes all before lunch. And honestly, that’s exactly why it sticks in your memory.
Over time, I’ve built a long list of places to see and things to do in Albania – not just beaches and sunbeds, but all the stuff that makes the country worth a proper trip. To keep this useful (and not turn it into a travel encyclopedia), I’ve grouped everything into clear sections: places to see, activities, food & drinks, and a short note on language.
🏛️ Landmarks and Places Worth Seeing
🪟 Berat – the town of a thousand windows (UNESCO)
Berat is one of those places where you can simply walk around with no plan and still have a great time. It’s often called the “town of a thousand windows,” and for once, the nickname is not just tourism poetry – it actually fits.
The Ottoman-era houses stacked along the hills create one of the most recognizable cityscapes in Albania. It feels cinematic, but not fake. Berat is not a museum set – it’s a real town with everyday life, cafés, restaurants and people actually living there.
Spring is an especially good time to visit: fewer crowds, milder weather, and much better conditions for long walks without melting.
Where to stay in Berat:
– Guest House Panorama – great if you want a traditional stay, lovely views and a proper breakfast.
– Berat Backpackers – a good option for backpackers and anyone who likes a more social vibe.
🏰 Gjirokastër – a stone city with character (UNESCO)
Gjirokastër is one of those towns that pulls you in fast. Stone houses, cobbled streets, a dramatic hilltop castle, mountain views – it has all the ingredients, and somehow it still feels authentic rather than over-polished.
It may look small on the map, but it can easily take over a couple of days if you let it. And I’d recommend that. This is not a place to “do in 90 minutes” and move on.
Stay at least a night or two if you can. Gjirokastër gets better when you slow down.
Where to stay in Gjirokastër:
– Boutique Hotel Musée or Hotel Bebej Tradicional – great if you want a traditional Albanian-style stay.
– Kerculla Resort – if you want more hotel comfort, a pool, and a great view over the city.
– Stone City Hostel – a solid backpacker-friendly option.
🏺 Butrint – ancient history without the boredom (UNESCO)
If archaeological sites usually make you think, “Cool… more rocks,” Butrint may surprise you.
This is one of Albania’s strongest historical sites, and it’s not just famous on paper. The place has a layered history – Greek colony, Roman city, bishopric – and it’s all surprisingly engaging to explore.
The site is well preserved, the setting is beautiful, and the walk itself feels rewarding rather than educational punishment.
Bonus: the views around the fortress tower are excellent.
💧 The Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)
Not far from Sarandë, you’ll find one of Albania’s most famous natural attractions – the Blue Eye.
It’s a natural spring with an unreal color and a depth that still fascinates researchers. We know it goes beyond 50 meters. How much further? Still unclear. Divers have gone down, but not all the way.
So yes, Albania also does mystery – and does it in bright turquoise.
It’s a protected site, so swimming is not allowed (even though people still do it). If we want places like this to stay beautiful, it’s worth respecting the rules.
🌊 Ksamil and its less obvious beaches
Ksamil is Albania’s beach superstar in the south. It’s genuinely beautiful – one of those rare cases where online photos are not massively lying to you.
That said, most visitors stick to the main central beaches, and in peak season those can feel very crowded. Think paradise… with a queue.
My advice: don’t stop at the obvious spots. Just north of Ksamil, you’ll find beaches where the scenery is just as impressive, but the vibe can feel less like a beach train station. Start with Mirror Beach and Monastery Beach.
🌅 Sarandë from above – go for the view, not the castle
I’ll be honest: the castle above Sarandë itself is not exactly a life-changing architectural masterpiece.
But the view? Absolutely worth it.
From up there, you get a panoramic look over Sarandë, all the way toward Ksamil and the mountains. It’s one of the best viewpoints in southern Albania, and one of those places where you plan to take “just a couple of photos” and leave with 60 sunset shots.
There’s also a restaurant at the top, so this can easily become a perfect late-afternoon stop: food, raki, views, sunset. Hard to complain.
🏞️ Bugovë Waterfalls
If you want a break from the classic “town – beach – restaurant” routine, the waterfalls in Bugovë, near Berat, are a great detour.
This is a nice way to see a different side of Albania – greener, quieter, less touristy, and a little more raw. You can go independently or join a day trip that includes a few countryside stops along the way.
Either way, it’s a good switch of pace.
🕍 Monastery of the 40 Saints in Sarandë
This place is not only about the view (although the view is very good) – it’s also about the story behind it.
The Monastery of the 40 Saints, dating back to the 6th century, is linked to a dark legend about soldiers who were forced to renounce their faith and refused.
It’s a place with atmosphere and weight. Better to visit slowly than rush in and out in ten minutes.
🧱 Albania’s bunkers – unusual, but very Albanian
Yes, this sounds like a strange sightseeing recommendation: “Go see a bunker.”
But in Albania, it makes perfect sense.
The country is full of bunkers – a legacy of communist-era paranoia and fear of invasion. Hundreds of thousands were built, almost none were ever used, and today they’ve become part of the landscape and, in a weird way, part of Albania’s identity.
Some are abandoned, some are collapsing, and some have been repurposed into bars, hotels, and even tattoo studios.
At least once during your trip, look inside one. It’s a very Albanian experience.
🏚️ Old Qeparo – quiet beauty with a long memory
Old Qeparo is not a “big attraction” kind of place. It’s a mood.
This semi-abandoned village near Borsh emptied out after the fall of communism, when many residents left. What remains is a place that feels quiet, beautiful, and slightly melancholic in the best possible way.
If you like atmospheric places with history and character, this is a strong stop.
🧗 Activities and Experiences Worth Traveling for
🚗 Drive the coastal road from Sarandë to Vlorë
If you enjoy road trips, the Sarandë–Vlorë coastal drive is a must.
It’s one of the most scenic drives in Albania, and honestly one of the best road-trip stretches in the Balkans. This is the kind of route where “we’ll just stop for one photo” becomes a full afternoon.
That said, here comes the honest part: driving in Albania can be chaotic. The views are spectacular, but keep your attention on the road – especially on mountain curves and in peak season.
🥾 Hiking in the mountains (especially in the north)
Albania is not just about beaches. Its mountains are a serious reason to visit on their own.
Northern Albania is especially rewarding for hiking. One of the most famous routes is Theth to Valbona – a proper trek, not just a short scenic walk.
A good base for mountain adventures is Shkodër, where you can sort out transport, routes and timing more easily.
And yes – proper hiking shoes are not optional here unless you enjoy suffering for sport.
🪂 Paragliding in Llogara National Park
If paragliding has been on your bucket list for years, Albania can help you fix that in style.
Llogara National Park is one of the best places in the country for it. It’s not the first thing most people associate with Albania (the beaches usually get all the attention), which is exactly why it feels like such a cool surprise.
Beautiful park, dramatic road, unforgettable views from the sky. Strong combo.
🚤 Boat trip from Sarandë to Krorez and Kakome
Southern Albania is great for more than just lying on a beach. A boat trip to more secluded spots like Krorez and Kakome is a great way to experience the coastline differently.
This is one of those trips where the sea becomes part of the route, not just the background.
You can take a boat tour, combine it with some hiking, or keep it simple. Hard to go wrong either way.
🏰 Explore Gjirokastër Castle
Yes, I already mentioned Gjirokastër above, but the castle deserves its own “activity” section.
This is not a place where you look at the walls for five minutes and leave. You can spend hours here: tunnels, military exhibits, viewpoints, open areas to explore, and plenty of photo spots.
Come in the late afternoon if you can and stay for sunset – the views over the city and mountains are excellent.
🌙 Spend a night on the beach (camping)
If you want Albania with fewer filters and more real summer feeling, try beach camping for a night.
The Albanian Riviera has plenty of beautiful, more secluded beaches where this works well in summer. Warm nights, fewer people after dark, sea sounds instead of traffic – it’s a good reset.
One of the most popular options is Gjipe Beach.
🚶♂️ Xhiro – the Albanian evening walk
This is not an “activity” in the classic tourist sense, but it absolutely belongs on your list.
Xhiro is the evening walk tradition: locals head out around sunset, walk the main streets, meet friends, chat, and just be part of the town.
In many places, roads are even closed to cars for this. If you want to feel Albania as a living country – not just a list of attractions – go out for xhiro.
🍷 Food and Drinks in Albania – a Good Reason to Visit on Its Own
🐟 Seafood in Sarandë
Sarandë is one of those places where the food plan builds itself.
It’s a seaside town with fishing docks, fresh seafood, and lots of restaurants, so yes – this is a great place to eat well. If seafood matters to you, Sarandë will treat you nicely.
One good option is Fishland, right near the docks, where the odds of getting a very fresh catch are especially good.
Another great move: go to the docks at sunset and buy seafood directly from the fishermen. It’s not just dinner – it feels like part of the travel experience.
Other places worth noting: Haxhi, Taverna Kapitani, Demi, Paradise, Fish Filipi.
🥩 Meat grill platter (and yes, it’s worth it)
Albanian food is often simple in presentation, but very strong where it matters – flavor.
No unnecessary culinary acrobatics, just fresh ingredients, quality meat, and straightforward cooking. If you order raki, a meat platter is the obvious next step.
In Sarandë, Laberia is a solid pick. Their pork pancetta is especially worth trying.
🥃 Raki – Albania’s cultural code in a glass
Skipping raki in Albania is like skipping coffee in Italy. Technically possible, but a missed opportunity.
Raki is not just a drink here – it’s part of everyday culture. Often homemade, often very strong, and almost always served with some story, tradition or superstition attached.
Sip it slowly. This is not a speed test.
🍷 Wine tasting in Berat
Yes, Albania has good wine – and this catches a lot of people by surprise.
Berat is a great place to try it. If you want an easy, low-stress way to taste several wines, a tasting platter is the way to go.
At Cabo, you can pair local wines with cheese and get a very pleasant experience without a dramatic bill at the end.
🍕 Pizza in Albania (yes, seriously)
Albania is surprisingly good at pizza.
A lot of Albanians have worked in Italy and brought back actual skills, not just stories. The result? You can find genuinely excellent pizza in places where you might not expect it.
So yes, pizza can absolutely become part of your Albania itinerary. No shame in that.
🍺 Korca beer in Korçë
There’s something satisfying about drinking local beer in the town where it’s made. Korca beer in Korçë is exactly that kind of experience.
Prices are usually friendly, and Korçë itself is a pleasant town for slow walks, quiet evenings and nearby nature escapes.
Where to stay in Korçë:
– Hani i Pazarit Boutique Hotel
– Vila Eden Boutique Hotel
☕ Espresso with the locals
Coffee in Albania is not just a drink – it’s part of the daily rhythm.
People drink coffee often, slowly, and socially. It’s a small but very lovable part of the culture, and very easy to join in.
Another advantage: it’s affordable. In places like Sarandë, an espresso is usually around 50–70 lek (roughly €0.50).
🍯 Komiteti raki bar in Tirana
Even if you’re not a fan of strong alcohol, Komiteti in Tirana is worth visiting for the atmosphere alone.
It’s one of the city’s most characterful bars, with a huge selection of flavored raki – blueberry, honey, and plenty more.
It also has a great interior full of vintage objects and odd little details that make you want to stay longer than planned.
🗣️ Language in Albania – short but important
The Albanian language (shqip) is an experience in itself.
It doesn’t feel particularly close to most other European languages, which is part of what makes it fascinating – and a bit intimidating at first. You may hear a phrase and think, “I understood absolutely none of that, but it sounded impressive.”
Learning a few basic words and phrases is a very good idea. It helps on the road, in cafés, at petrol stations, and in general makes interactions warmer. Locals usually appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation is… creative.
❓ FAQ – Quick and Useful
1) Do I need a car to travel around Albania?
If you want to see more than just a beach and the nearest café – yes, a car is highly recommended. Especially for the coast, mountains, smaller towns and less obvious places.
2) Is Albania only a beach destination?
Not at all. That’s actually one of its biggest strengths. Albania also offers mountains, hiking, UNESCO towns, history, road trips, great food and plenty of hidden spots.
3) Is Albania safe for independent travel?
Generally – yes. Use normal common sense, as you would anywhere else. For many travelers, the biggest stress factor is not safety, but chaotic driving in some areas.
4) How many days do I need in Albania?
To avoid the “I just arrived and now I’m leaving” feeling, I’d say 7–10 days minimum. If you want beaches + towns + mountains without rushing, 10–14 days is much better.
5) When is the best time to visit Albania?
It depends on your travel style.
– Summer: beaches, Riviera, lively coastal atmosphere.
– Spring/Autumn: better for road trips, city walks and fewer crowds.
If you dislike heat and crowds, shoulder season is a very smart choice.
✍️ Final Thoughts
Albania is one of those countries that quickly messes with your expectations – in a good way.
You can arrive thinking it’s “just a beach trip” and leave with your head full of mountain roads, castles, bunkers, sunsets, coffee stops and a long list of places you want to come back to.
It’s not perfect – and that’s part of the charm. Albania feels alive, unpredictable, beautiful, and very rewarding for independent travelers. If you like road trips, countries with personality, and travel plans with room for improvisation, Albania is well worth your time.
Find Accommodation on Booking in Albania’s Most Popular Spots
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Useful Links for Trip Planning
- Aviasales — flights worldwide at clear prices
- Booking.com — accommodation booking worldwide
- LocalRent-Albania — car rentals in Albania (often with free cancellation)
