Albania, located along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, is home to some of the most beautiful and pristine beaches I’ve ever seen. From secluded coves to bustling strips, the country’s coastline offers an array of experiences for beach enthusiasts and adventurers alike. In this guide, we’ll cover a few key topics to consider when visiting Albania, plus our full 7-day itinerary.
Where To Go in Albania: North vs. South
Whether you should go to Northern or Southern Albania depends on your interests, preferences, and what you hope to experience during your trip.
Northern Albania: for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers
Northern Albania offers breathtaking scenery, including mountains, pristine lakes, and picturesque valleys. There are several national parks located in this region, which offer many hiking, camping, and exploration opportunities. Northern Albania is also steeped in history and culture, with ancient towns like Shkodra and Kruja providing insights into Albania’s rich past. Northern Albania’s cultural heritage combined with its stunning landscapes make it an ideal destination for travelers interested in both history and nature.
Southern Albania: for the ultimate beach vacation
Southern Albania, on the other hand, is more about its coastal attractions along the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. Many beautiful beaches dot the coastline in popular destinations such as Saranda, Ksamil, and Dhermi. Travelers to Southern Albania can also indulge in delicious Mediterranean cuisine, with fresh seafood, locally sourced produce, and traditional dishes adding to the region’s appeal. Overall, Southern Albania offers a perfect blend of coastal beauty, historical richness, and culinary delights for travelers seeking a diverse and immersive experience.
Southern Albania Weather
To fully enjoy the coastline, plan during the summer or shoulder seasons. While Albania remains relatively untouched (not for long though!), they do have their busy seasons as tourism is on the rise. Like all summer destinations in Europe, avoid traveling during August as this is peak travel season. We visited Albania in September and the weather was perfect. Plus, the crowds were more than manageable. Below are the average temperatures of southern Albania (more specifically, Himare, which is likely one of the main cities you’ll be basing your stay in) from May to September.
- May: High of 70ºF/21ºC and low of 58ºF/15ºC
- June: High of 79ºF/26ºC and low of 66ºF/19ºC
- July: High of 87ºF/30ºC and low of 68ºF/20ºC
- August: High of 84ºF/29ºC and low of 64ºF/18ºC
- September: High of 79ºF/26ºC and low of 67ºF/19ºC
Transportation in Albania
Public transportation isn’t a thing in southern Albania, and renting a car to get around is best. There are many rental options are close to Tirana Airport, one of Albania’s main international airports.
Renting a Car in Albania
To rent a car in Albania, we opted for ACE Rent a Car. This company was recommended to me by a local, so we decided to give it a try. We had no issues with our car when returning/picking it up, and we were not charged any random “damage fees” like some of their reviews mention. You do need to pay for insurance though, which I highly recommend doing. They even provided transportation to their rental car lot, since they are located a little farther away from the airport.
Other companies to rent a car from are Albania Rental Car (which has good Google reviews) and Sunny Cars, which includes insurance already in their pricing.
Our Driving Route
Our driving route was Tirana -> (A) Berat -> (B) Himare (2 nights) -> (C) Sarande -> (D) Gjirokaster -> Tirana. We unfortunately did not have time to fit Ksamil, but if you have more than a week in the south, I highly recommend adding Ksamil to your itinerary.
While we were a little nervous about what driving conditions were like in Albania, we were pleased to find that driving in Albania was pretty easy. You drive on the right side and most roads are pretty well-kept. In more historic towns such as Berat or Gjirokaster, there are a few narrow, cobbled roads that are tougher to navigate. For the most part though, driving in Albania was pretty simple.
Where to Stay in Albania
We opted to spend a few days in separate towns as we continued along our planned route, which worked well for us. Accommodation in Albania is very affordable, and you can find adequate, clean hotels for very affordable prices. We ended up going the affordable route, but we considered a few higher priced hotels as well. Below I’ve listed out all the hotels we’ve stayed at, plus a few other options we considered.
Where We Stayed in Albania:
- Berat – Hotel Colombo – our price: €150 per night for 4 person room
- Himare – Janakis Apartments – our price: €82 per night (would opt for a hotel in the area if possible – the Airbnb was clean enough, but did not look nearly as nice as the photos.)
- Sarande – Palma City Hotel – our price: €144 per night for 4 person room
- Gjirokaster – Hotel Fantasy – our price: €138 per night for 4 person room
- Tirana – Green Terrace Square View Apartment – our price: €148 per night
Albania: Other Hotel Options
- Dhermi (a stop on the way to Himare)- La Brisa Hotel – price: €240 per night (highly recommend staying here – we went to their beach club and loved it)
- Himare – Rea Boutique Hotel – price: €213 per night
- Ksamil – Arameras Beach Resort – price: €240 per night
Helpful Tips for Visiting Albania
Language
Most people in Albania speak English, especially the younger generation. The official language of Albania is Albanian, and is among one of the oldest languages in the world. We experienced virtually no language barrier with English in Albania. Restaurants, hotels, excursions, car rentals, etc. are all easily done in English.
Duration
We spent 7 days in Albania, which I think was enough. You could easily extend it to 8-10 days though, and use that time exploring the lesser-known beaches and towns of the southern coast. I don’t recommend shortening this trip at all though, and 7 full days should be the minimum amount of time you spend in Albania.
What I Wish I Did
Don’t skip Ksamil. We skipped Ksamil thinking it was too touristy and the crowds would ruin the experience. Looking back, I would’ve easily traded my day in Tirana for a day in Ksamil! Ksamil is probably the most popular destination in Albania, and it’s popular for a reason. While Ksamil gets crowded, we visited Albania at the end of September when there are usually fewer crowds. Additionally, I didn’t exactly love Tirana, so I think an extra day at the beach would’ve been a better exchange.
Our 7-Day Albania Itinerary
Day 1 – Fly to Tirana, Drive to Berat
Berat
Berat, Albania is renowned as the “City of a Thousand Windows” due to its distinctive Ottoman architecture. Its white Ottoman houses, stacked along the hillsides like a cascade of windows, create a unique skyline. Berat origins date back to the Illyrians, later becoming a significant Byzantine stronghold and subsequently falling under Ottoman rule. The city’s well-preserved castle (Berat Castle), mosques, and churches reflect its diverse heritage. Berat’s UNESCO World Heritage status underscores its enduring significance as a cultural gem in Albania.
Day 2 – Dhermi Beach
Dhermi Beach was the first beach we visited on our planned itinerary of Albania beaches. This pebbly beach has crystal-clear waters and is lined with a few tranquil beach clubs, making it an easy stop if you’re heading to Himare. Framed by rugged cliffs and lush greenery, this stretch of coastline has breathtaking panoramic views and is a lovely first taste of the beauty of Albania beaches.
Dhermi Beach is also conveniently located next to Gjipe Beach (which I talk about next) and Drymades Beach, another stunning beach along the same coastline as Dhermi. If you want to make a day of it, you can beach hop between Drymades and Dhermi to experience both beaches.
La Brisa Hotel
There are a lot of beach clubs located along Dhermi Beach, but the one I recommend is La Brisa. La Brisa is a relatively new boutique hotel located on Dhermi Beach. The beach club is extremely well-priced (I think we paid only 40 euros for 1 umbrella/two beds!) for what you get. I would go as far as recommending booking a full night at La Brisa Hotel. With prices starting at around $250 for a night, this luxury boutique hotel is more than worth it. Since the area has a few beaches to explore, you’ll have plenty to do to justify staying one night at La Brisa. My proposed plan? Arrive in Dhermi and hop between Drymades and Dhermi Beach, stay a night at La Brisa, and hit up Gjipe Beach first thing the next morning.
Hot Tip: Stay overnight at La Brisa Hotel and explore Dhermi Beach, Drymades Beach, and Gjipe Beach from there
We didn’t make it, but an Albanian friend recommended Zoe Hora for lunch. Zoe Hora is another luxury hotel in Dhermi, but their rooftop is particularly beautiful for a mid-day lunch if you can make it.
Day 3 – Himare & Gjipe Beach
Gjipe Beach
Tucked between 2 towering cliffs, Gjipe Beach is a serene retreat that can only be reached by foot. Of the 5 Albania Beaches I mention in this blog post, this Gjipe Beach is unskippable. Gjipe Beach is a secluded, white sandy beach located just 30 minutes away from Himarë. To get there, you’ll have to drive to this Gjipe Beach parking lot and hike a relatively easy 20-minute descent. The hike itself is quite scenic, and is actually where I got the above photos of Gjipe Beach! The views from the hike are incredible so make sure to stop and take a few photos instead of rushing down to the beach.
Despite being well known as one of the most beautiful Albania beaches, Gjipe remains relatively unspoiled by mass tourism, preserving its charm. I recommend carving out at least half a day at Gjipe Beach to enjoy this secluded spot to the fullest!
Food on Gjipe Beach
The beach is small and only has 3 beach clubs to rent umbrellas and chairs for the day. The pricing is pretty much the same between all of them — just make sure to bring cash as none of the beach clubs take cards. There is food available, however, there isn’t much variety as all the beach clubs are mom-and-pop shops. We ended up eating a traditional Albanian soup on the beach, and while it was good, I’m not sure soup would’ve been my go-to option for beach food. Something to keep in mind before visiting Gjipe Beach!
Day 4 – Boat Tour to Pirates Cave + Drive to/Explore Saranda
Boat Tour to Pirate’s Cave
Pirates Cave is a secluded cave between Albania’s dramatic cliffs in Dhermi. The cave is below the cliff where the Monastery of St. Todhri (St.Theodore) stands and opens directly into the Ionian Sea. Legend has it that Pirates Cave once served as a haven for pirates (hence the name), who sought refuge amidst its rocky embrace. Today, it’s more of a tourist attraction — but the beauty of Pirates Cave remains the same. With its untamed charm and breathtaking vistas, Pirates Cave stands as a testament to Albania’s rich maritime history and unspoiled coastal allure.
How to Get to Pirates Cave
Here is the exact location of Pirates Cave. You can only get to Pirates Cave by boat, so we booked a tour with Himara Water Taxi. When you search “Pirates Cave tour” on Google, you’ll be surprised to see that not many options pop up. As Albania is still ramping up on tourism, I think services like boat tours are still rising. Ultimately, we found two main tours in Albania: Himara Water Taxi and Dhermi Boat Tours.
Here is the link to the exact tour we took with Himara Water Taxi
You can read my in-depth review of our boat tour here.
Sarande
Sarande is a picturesque seaside town located about 1 hour south of Himare. Originally a small fishing village, Sarande is now a popular tourist destination. The town’s promenade is lined with cafes, bars, and restaurants, inviting travelers to indulge in local cuisine and soak in the relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. You only need 1 night in Sarande, and we spent it enjoying our hotel’s amenities, exploring the promenade, and catching the sunset before heading in for the night
Day 5 – Visit the Blue Eye + Drive to Gjirokaster
The Blue Eye, a 30-minute drive from Sarande, is an underwater spring in the village of Muzinë. A popular tourist attraction, the spring is insanely clear, with vivid blue waters that can be seen down to 50 meters. Surprisingly, the spring’s depth remains unknown, and 50 meters is the maximum depth a diver has reached in the spring. The reason for its naming is because the natural colors of the spring resemble an eye. The black cave is the pupil and the bright blue water is the iris. Thus, the spring was called Syri I Kalter in Albanian, translating to “the blue eye”.
Note: signs say not to swim in the springs, however, you will see a few people going in for a quick dip. They don’t last long though, as the springs are cold and maintain a chilly 50ºF/10ºC year round.
You’ll have to walk about 10 minutes from the parking lot to the springs to get to the Blue Eye. The path is clearly marked and pretty easy, maybe coming to about 1.5km. The entrance fee is 50 LEK (€0.40) per person and the car park is 100 LEK (€0.80) per car. Payment is by cash only, so make sure to either come with LEK or Euro handy.
Note that there are actually two Blue Eyes in Albania: Blue Eye Albania and Blue Eye Theth. When navigating towards the Blue Eye I’m mentioning in this blog, make sure you route yourself to Blue Eye Albania. Here is it’s exact location on Google Maps.
Day 6 – 1/2 Day in Gjirokaster + Drive to Tirana
Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster, also known as the Stone City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. The city’s remarkably preserved cobblestone streets, traditional stone houses, and imposing castle provide valuable insights into the region’s cultural and architectural heritage.
One day was enough to walk all of Gjirokaster and check out Gjirokaster Castle, which had amazing views of the city. After visiting the castle, we mostly shopped, stopping at the many stores dotted around the city. In the heart of Gjirokaster, there is also the Gjirokaster Bazaar, which has a bunch of local stores featuring artisan crafts, food products, and other souvenirs.
Day 7 – Tirana/Fly Home
We drove to Tirana on day 6 and spent the night there because our flight was early the next day. We explored Tirana for about half a day in total, which I felt was enough. While Tirana is Albania’s capital, I think spending more time exploring Albania’s coastline, charming villages, and nature sites is worth it. If I could redo this itinerary, I think pushing our flight to a later time + exchanging a night in Tirana for Ksamil would’ve been a better way to spend our time on this trip.
