Located in Southern Europe, part of the Balkan countries, Albania is an incredibly underrated destination offering everything from drool-worthy beaches in the south to towering mountains in the north.  Albania shares its borders with Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.  It’s a country that has a fascinating history of war and communism, a place with friendly locals, so many outdoor adventures to be had, charming towns, and small mountain villages; all while being incredibly affordable. Tirana, the capital, is a blend of bustling markets and landmarks such as the Et’hem Bey Mosque. The Albanian Riviera enchants with its pristine beaches, while the ancient town of Gjirokastër is a UNESCO gem with Ottoman architecture. The ruins of Butrint, a UNESCO site, offer a glimpse into centuries past.

Albania is best visited during the spring (March-April) or the autumn time (September – October). During these times, the conditions are highly favourable for tourism.

Albanian cuisine is an exciting and unique blend of flavours, reflecting the country’s diverse history and culture. From seafood to the delicious byrek, Albania is full of flavourful, hearty dishes that are easy to please everyone.

Dishes, such as Byrek, Grosh, Lakror, and Tavë Kosi, are staples in Albanian households. The unique mix of flavours and textures definitely make Albanian cuisine worth exploring by every tourist visiting.

Byrek – baked pie, made with thin layers of phyllo dough, filled with cheese, spinach, meat, pumpkin or beetroot

Tavë Kosi – lamb and yoghurt/egg casserole with rice, garlic, oregano and other spices, baked in a clay pot

Koftë – ground lamb meatballs flavoured with fresh herbs and spices

Fërgesë – a vegetable dish made with red peppers, tomatoes, and onions, and baked with local white soft cheese, similar to feta

Baklava – This sticky sweet treat of walnuts, layered between phyllo pastry sheets and covered in honey syrup, reflects the Turkish influence in Albania’s culinary history.

The best place in Albania to shop for traditional crafts is Kruja, less than an hour from Tirana. The Ottoman bazaar there has rug-weavers and antique dealers. Many of the Kruja shops sell small souvenirs such as alabaster, copper crafts, traditional Albanian clothing and embroideries. Apart from Kruja, there are a few souvenir shops in Tirana, arts in Gjirokastra and a souvenir stall at Butrint. Goods are generally inexpensive, so there is always the chance that you will walk away with something unexpected.

The official language of the country is Albanian which is spoken by the vast majority of the country’s population. There are two main spoken dialects of Albanian, southern Tosk and northern Gheg, and they are mutually intelligible.

1. BERAT

Considered as one of the prettiest towns in Albania, Berat is popularly known for its Ottoman style houses. It is often called the “city of thousand windows” because of the windows which peep out from the perfectly aligned hilltop houses. Situated at the hillside, the Ottoman style mosques and Byzantine churches which makes it unique and stand out from the other Balkan cities. Due to its historic reverence and picturesque beauty this little town is considered one of the best places to visit in Albania.

Places to visit in Berat: Berat Castle, National Ethnographic Museum, Gorica Bridge

2. HIMARE

Settled across the Albanian Riviera, Himare is secluded beach town which is known for its sparkling beach waters and hilly coastline. Driving to the north of Saranda, this town majorly attracts the water babies who are willing to spend a day under the sun. Apart from the spectacular beach, this place also has steeps from where travellers can enjoy the entire view of the town. Along with this also don’t miss out on a tour of the countryside and explore the ancient churches and monasteries.

Places to visit in Himare: Porto Palermo Castle, Gjipe Beach

3. GJIROKASTER

Gjirokaster is a beautiful old town located at the southern side of the country. Perched on the side of the hill which overlooks the valley and the narrow cobbled streets which are lined up with beautifully architectural buildings. Often called the ‘city of stone’, this old town is a home to around 500 homes and buildings which are preserved as ‘cultural monuments’. Apart from its stoned architectures, this place is also home to the massive Gjirokaster castle which is built on the perch of a mountain above the Old Bazaar. If you;re a history buff, then this historic town will be your perfect retreat.

Places to visit in Gjirokaster: Zekate House, Skenduli House, Gjirokaster Castle

4. SHKODRA

Located just close to the Lake Skadar, Shkodra is known as the cultural capital of Albania. Shkodra is the largest town in the north of Albania which is situated close to the Montenegro-Albania border. This little town hosts exciting events like the carnival, Lake Day, children’s day festival and the famous Shkodra Jazz fest. Apart from this, the town is also home to the famous Rozafa castle which holds great importance historically. The ruins of the castle compliments the backdrop of the lush-green surroundings. Along with this the town also has many other historical architectures like the Ebu Beker Mosque, Orthodox Cathedral and a historical museum which is a paradise for the history buffs.

Places to visit in Shkodra: Rozafa castle, Lead Mosque, Marubi National Museum

5. TIRANA

Albania’s charming capital Tirana is nestled within the Skanderbeg Mountain range and only 23 miles from the coast at Durres. The city is packed with interesting things to see and do from Skanderbeg Square to the bunkers that used to act as government buildings and prisons during the reign of Enver Hoxha.

This place is a home to many interesting art galleries and incredible museums which cannot be missed out. And one of the highlights of the town is the Bunk’ART which is government bunkyard and now hosts famous art installations.

Places to visit in Tirana: Skanderbeg Square, BunkArt Museum, Mount Dajti, Et’hem Bay Mosque, National Museum

6. VLORE

Holding a strong historical importance, Vlore is a coastal city which is quite vast in area as compared to the town of Sarande. This is the place where Albania claimed independence in 1912. This 6th century city is quite a hyped location in the country and offers plenty of things to experience. From the historic castles to the isolated yet beautiful islands, this coastal city has a lot to offer. Despite being a military zone, this place opens up for the public during the summer season.

Places to visit in Vlore: Albanian Riviera, Muradie Mosque, Kanine Castle

7. SARANDE

Resting alongside the stunning location of Ionian Sea, Sarande is a year-round tourist destination. One of the beautiful places to visit in Albania, this town showcases an impressive blend of modernity and past. With the seafront blocks lined up with apartments to the streets filled with varied options of bars, restaurants and souvenir shops this place has something for every kind of traveller. On one side as there many options to relax and chill, other side of the town also has some historical monuments and natural beauty which can be witnessed on a one day tour.

Places to visit in Sarande: Lekuresi Castle, Port of Sarande, Monastery of 40 saints

Browse Albania Tour Packages