A guide to summer in Albania: The best hikes, places to visit and food
How to have the perfect trip in Albania: a 5-day itinerary
Before moving to Montenegro, I had no idea to visit Albania. It is worth saying that my knowledge about this country was extremely scarce, based only on some fragmentary knowledge and stereotypes. However, living in Podgorica, just half an hour from the border with Albania, I naturally went there to get to know this country in person. And I will tell you that this is the most underrated country on my list. Everything is combined here: the amazing beauty of nature, delicious and very unusual restaurants and places to eat, stunning clean beaches and, oh my God, the azure sea, the real Maldives in Europe.
After my first trip there, every time I returned to Albania with great pleasure and even took my brother there when he came to visit me in Montenegro. Below I will share my favorite places that you should definitely visit and try! You won't regret!
After my first trip there, every time I returned to Albania with great pleasure and even took my brother there when he came to visit me in Montenegro. Below I will share my favorite places that you should definitely visit and try! You won't regret!
What to do
The first thing worth noting is that for traveling around Albania it would be best to rent a car. This way you can visit all the necessary places. Because in my experience, local public transport is not yet so highly developed and it will be quite difficult to plan all the nuances.
Just below is my personal top of places to visit if you only have a few days in Albania. What is most entertaining is that this is a country that can satisfy every type of traveler.
Become a beach bun in Ksamil
Not far from the border with Greece is the beach resort of Ksamil. Oh, these snow-white beaches and the azure expanse of the sea, even the Maldives can envy! What is noteworthy, Albania is not as popular as Croatia or Montenegro, which attract thousands of tourists annually to their resorts, that for sure is reflected in the level of hotels and service in the country, but at the same time it gives you a unique opportunity to see very beautiful places, swim in the purest sea and taste the revelry of seafood for very affordable and somewhere even little money.
If you want to enjoy the sea, lie down and sunbathe, without drowning in a crowd of tourists and not overpaying crazy money for a vacation, then I highly recommend taking a closer look at the beaches of Albania.
The first thing worth noting is that for traveling around Albania it would be best to rent a car. This way you can visit all the necessary places. Because in my experience, local public transport is not yet so highly developed and it will be quite difficult to plan all the nuances.
Just below is my personal top of places to visit if you only have a few days in Albania. What is most entertaining is that this is a country that can satisfy every type of traveler.
Become a beach bun in Ksamil
Not far from the border with Greece is the beach resort of Ksamil. Oh, these snow-white beaches and the azure expanse of the sea, even the Maldives can envy! What is noteworthy, Albania is not as popular as Croatia or Montenegro, which attract thousands of tourists annually to their resorts, that for sure is reflected in the level of hotels and service in the country, but at the same time it gives you a unique opportunity to see very beautiful places, swim in the purest sea and taste the revelry of seafood for very affordable and somewhere even little money.
If you want to enjoy the sea, lie down and sunbathe, without drowning in a crowd of tourists and not overpaying crazy money for a vacation, then I highly recommend taking a closer look at the beaches of Albania.
Enjoy the views from Gjirokaster castle
Gjirokaster is a treasure of Albania and a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. It all started in the 4th century with a castle, and now it is the main castle of the whole country and one of the most attractive tourist sites of the country.
For me, the most surprising thing was that, firstly, there are about 600 'monumental' Ottoman-era houses in the city, secondly, for many Albanians, the city is primarily associated with the birthplace of their former dictator - Enver Hoxha, and thirdly, I did not expect to see such amazing beauty enclosed in a mountain ring.
From here I strongly advise you to get to this place, walk around the fortress, look at the ancient buildings and monumental mountains, eat a hot burek in a local bakery and drink everything with dhalle - a cold savory yogurt-based beverage. It's the number 1 soft drink in Albania!
Gjirokaster is a treasure of Albania and a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. It all started in the 4th century with a castle, and now it is the main castle of the whole country and one of the most attractive tourist sites of the country.
For me, the most surprising thing was that, firstly, there are about 600 'monumental' Ottoman-era houses in the city, secondly, for many Albanians, the city is primarily associated with the birthplace of their former dictator - Enver Hoxha, and thirdly, I did not expect to see such amazing beauty enclosed in a mountain ring.
From here I strongly advise you to get to this place, walk around the fortress, look at the ancient buildings and monumental mountains, eat a hot burek in a local bakery and drink everything with dhalle - a cold savory yogurt-based beverage. It's the number 1 soft drink in Albania!
Enjoy the most delicious farm food in Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizëm
A place that my colleagues accidentally discovered and then told everyone in the office in Montenegro, a place for which you could go to Albania for the weekend, a place where you can eat the most delicious farm food, and even buy some tasty jams, honey, snacks with you, all this - is Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizëm.
Why exactly this place? For ourselves, we nicknamed this place - a Michelin restaurant in Albania. It has its own farm and its own production, the menu is seasonal, everything that is served to you is grown on this very farm. To verify this, you can simply walk around the territory, there are rooms with cheeses, and vines, and pens with ducks, chickens and other animals, as well as fields with vegetables and fruits. The food is really served very exquisitely, everything is very tasty, while the price is absolutely small for such a level of production.
What is important, there is no such menu here, there is a general price per person for a whole meal, which includes starters, salads, main courses and dessert. You will be asked what kind of meat you would prefer for the main course and what kind of drinks you want. Everything else will be a mystery to you until the dishes start to endure.
Finding a place is also not so easy, it is located outside of any city, so you will have to come specially, but I assure you that the taste, quality and experience will pleasantly surprise you and you won't regret it.
Since the place is unique, it is better to book a table in advance. I always booked a few weeks before the trip. It is better to write to them in messengers, all contacts are on their Facebook page.
A place that my colleagues accidentally discovered and then told everyone in the office in Montenegro, a place for which you could go to Albania for the weekend, a place where you can eat the most delicious farm food, and even buy some tasty jams, honey, snacks with you, all this - is Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizëm.
Why exactly this place? For ourselves, we nicknamed this place - a Michelin restaurant in Albania. It has its own farm and its own production, the menu is seasonal, everything that is served to you is grown on this very farm. To verify this, you can simply walk around the territory, there are rooms with cheeses, and vines, and pens with ducks, chickens and other animals, as well as fields with vegetables and fruits. The food is really served very exquisitely, everything is very tasty, while the price is absolutely small for such a level of production.
What is important, there is no such menu here, there is a general price per person for a whole meal, which includes starters, salads, main courses and dessert. You will be asked what kind of meat you would prefer for the main course and what kind of drinks you want. Everything else will be a mystery to you until the dishes start to endure.
Finding a place is also not so easy, it is located outside of any city, so you will have to come specially, but I assure you that the taste, quality and experience will pleasantly surprise you and you won't regret it.
Since the place is unique, it is better to book a table in advance. I always booked a few weeks before the trip. It is better to write to them in messengers, all contacts are on their Facebook page.
Swim in the purest Lake Ohrid
Lake Ohrid - it is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, with a unique aquatic ecosystem of worldwide importance. The lake is located in the mountainous border between the southwestern part of North Macedonia and eastern Albania.
We studied the lake from two sides - Albanian and Macedonian. And if you find yourself in these places, then below is my top ideas of what to do around the lake.
Lake Ohrid - it is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, with a unique aquatic ecosystem of worldwide importance. The lake is located in the mountainous border between the southwestern part of North Macedonia and eastern Albania.
We studied the lake from two sides - Albanian and Macedonian. And if you find yourself in these places, then below is my top ideas of what to do around the lake.
- Go to the springs of river Drim, take a short boat ride near the Monastery of St. Naum, it's right next to the Albanian border. They also have paddling boats on the river springs - it's beautiful experience.
- Check out the beach in the Trpejca - it's a small village on the way to Ohrid town. The water is pure as angel tears and no tourists around.
- Take a walk through the old town in Ohrid - all the way to Church of Saint John the Theologian. Beautiful views are included.
- Visit the Bay of Bones - it's a reconstructed village of stilt houses displaying Bronze & Iron Age items recovered from Lake Ohrid.
Enjoy the nature and historical views of Shkodra
Shkodër or Shkodra is a city on the border of Albania and Montenegro. For me, this was the main entrance window to Albania on the way to national parks or coastal towns. But don't underestimate Shkodra. There is also something to see and do here.
Rozafa Castle - dates back to the 14th century and legend has it that it was built by three brothers. In order for the castle to stand one of the brother needed to sacrifice his wife to be buried within the walls. The entrance to the fortress costs about 1.5 euros, where you can walk along the ruins of the fortress, learn the history of the place and check the incredible views around.
Ride a boat on a Shkodra Lake. Before that, I told you how beautiful this place is from the side of Montenegro, but you should not miss its greatness from the side of Albania. Here you can also rent a boat or SUP, take a walk along the shore or enjoy bird views during the nesting season.
Shkodër or Shkodra is a city on the border of Albania and Montenegro. For me, this was the main entrance window to Albania on the way to national parks or coastal towns. But don't underestimate Shkodra. There is also something to see and do here.
Rozafa Castle - dates back to the 14th century and legend has it that it was built by three brothers. In order for the castle to stand one of the brother needed to sacrifice his wife to be buried within the walls. The entrance to the fortress costs about 1.5 euros, where you can walk along the ruins of the fortress, learn the history of the place and check the incredible views around.
Ride a boat on a Shkodra Lake. Before that, I told you how beautiful this place is from the side of Montenegro, but you should not miss its greatness from the side of Albania. Here you can also rent a boat or SUP, take a walk along the shore or enjoy bird views during the nesting season.
Visit Albania’s famous Blue Eye
The Blue Eye (Syri i kaltër) is a water spring and natural phenomenon that each visitor should witness with extremely light blue water bubbles in a more than 50-metre deep pool.
The place is located near the city of Gjirokastra, so if you are not far from it, I highly recommend dropping by and admiring this fascinating natural phenomenon. You can also check cafes nearby with a view of the stunning nature.
The Blue Eye (Syri i kaltër) is a water spring and natural phenomenon that each visitor should witness with extremely light blue water bubbles in a more than 50-metre deep pool.
The place is located near the city of Gjirokastra, so if you are not far from it, I highly recommend dropping by and admiring this fascinating natural phenomenon. You can also check cafes nearby with a view of the stunning nature.
Start planning your trip!
- Accommodation. From cosy guesthouses in the mountains to lavish beachside hotels, there’s plenty of accommodation options in Albania to suit every style of traveller and budget. Check accommodation rates in Albania here!
- Car rentals. Exploring Balkans by car is a great way to cover a lot of places quickly. You can compare car rental prices here or check this budget company.
Feel free to contact me
