Albania is an emerging destination for travelers. While it's currently not overpopulated with tourists, I believe that in a few years, it will be on everyone's bucket lists. I spent two weeks traveling around Albania and created an itinerary of the best places. This itinerary includes Tirana, Sarandë, Berat, Shkodër, Theth, and Valbonë.
● The most common ways to reach Albania are by flying to the country or traveling overland from neighboring countries. If you fly into the country, you will likely land in Tirana and continue your journey from there. Upon arriving at Tirana airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the city center. I had initially planned to take the bus (goes every 30 minutes) as it was the cheaper option (it's 5 euros). However, while waiting, a taxi driver approached and offered a ride, mentioning that he would find other people to fill the empty seats. True to his word, he found a few other travelers, and we ended up sharing the taxi, which turned out to be the same price as the bus.
Day 1. Tirana
● My journey around Albania started in Tirana. I arrived early in the city, providing an excellent opportunity to explore before heading to the seaside towns. In my opinion, Tirana is not the main attraction of Albania. While it is a nice city, there are not many things to do, and it feels quite busy. In Tirana, I mostly spent time learning about the history of the country and visiting history museums:
If you are a history fan or just want to learn a bit more about Albanian history, this is the place to go. It's a unique Albanian history museum inside a preserved, Communist-era nuclear pit bunker. There's actually another bunker a bit outside of the city center if you want to do a bit of exploring, called Bunk'art.
It's a lovely square – quite huge and a popular place for people to take pictures, thanks to the 'I♥T' sculpture. So, you have to come here to have proof that you were definitely in Tirana.
If you are a huge history fan, I believe you would enjoy this place a lot. Just make sure to plan your visit during the opening hours, unfortunately, when I came, it was already closed.
The whole atmosphere of the bar makes this place such an attraction. After a day of exploring Tirana, this is definitely a place to come for a few drinks.
Add to
Details
Day 2. Tirana → Sarandë
● I started my day early because I knew it would be a busy one. I visited some attractions in Tirana and then headed off to Sarandë, looking forward to enjoying the crystal-clear water and getting a tan 😜. Here are the things I did before leaving Tirana:
To continue exploring more about the Soviet era, visiting this place is a truly interesting experience. It's a former Cold War bunker, now transformed into an underground contemporary art and history museum spanning several floors.
As there is so much traffic in Tirana, it was really nice to spend some time in the park where all the noise fades away. I was actually so surprised by how the park made the city feel completely different and how huge it was.
Add to
Details
● After visiting these places, I went back to the hostel to pick up my bags and took a taxi to reach the bus station to go to Sarandë.
While this place will probably be filled with tourists, it's actually a really good spot with excellent food for breakfast or brunch, so don't be scared if you hear a lot of foreign languages around.
Although this place looked fancy in pictures at first, the prices were really affordable and the food was good, so it is worth coming here for lunch or dinner.
Add to
Details
Day 3. Sarandë
● Many people choose to go to Ksamil and skip Sarandë, which, in my opinion, isn't the best option. Ksamil has a lot of people, it's a smaller place, and the prices are higher. So if you are debating which place to choose, don't worry—you won't make a mistake choosing Sarandë.
To start off the day, I really wanted to visit this castle. From the castle, you get an amazing view of the city. I imagine coming here in the evening for the sunset would be even more amazing. I just wanted to get hiking out of my way, so for the rest of the day, I would have easy activities. To reach this place, you can hike for about an hour (that's what I did), or you can rent a moped and drive up here.
If you don't want to visit Kalaja e Lëkurësit, you can go to the monastery. I've heard the views are also really good from there and there are fewer people. So it's up to you what you choose.
It's really nice to take a stroll by the embankment. There are plenty of nice places to take aesthetic photos. If you're not interested in that, it's just a pretty location to walk past with a lot of cafes, bars, and souveniers.
It's a perfect way to spend your afternoon. The beach is practically in the city center, and the water is really clear. There is also a small, not high platform that you can jump off into the water.
I really liked the location of this bar. I didn't have any big meals at this place, just had a dessert, but it was really nice sitting by the water and seeing all the fishes in the water while enjoying my cake.
I really liked the setup of this place. Everything felt modern and reminded me of being in Tulum, Mexico. The food here was mainly fish dishes, but they also had vegetarian options.
Add to
Details
Day 4. Beach day
● While the initial plan was to go to Ksamil for a beach day, as it is one of the most popular destinations in Albania, my guesthouse host told me about a few different beaches that are way less touristy and way nicer. To reach these beaches, you need to take the same bus that goes to Ksamil, just get off the bus a few stops before Ksamil. The timetables are available online, and you can find them by doing a quick search. When you get on the bus, you pay inside, and there's no need to purchase any tickets beforehand. Upon reaching the bus stop, you'll need to walk maybe 10-20 minutes, but it's a pleasant walk in nature, so don't be afraid, it's worth it.
It's a lovely beach, the only annoying part is that the restaurant by the beach tries to claim the whole beach. Even if you don't want to take a sunbed and just decide to lay on the sand, they kinda force you away, claiming it's their property. So, you need to find a corner where you could lay down on the ground. Still, that doesn't ruin the experience, and it's an amazing beach.
This beach is right by Plazhi i Pasqyrave. I would say I enjoyed this beach more because there weren't that many sunbeds, and there was more space to lay down. The only catch with this beach is that if you want to access it from Plazhi i Pasqyrave, you need to go into the water and pass this curve/hill formation. When you come to Plazhi i Pasqyrave, go all the way to the left, and when you reach the end, you just have to get into the water. Don't worry, it's not that deep, and you can do it. ;)
The restaurant gets quite lively in the evening and it creates a really nice atmosphere. Their prices are quite affordable considering the location, and for food, there were a lot of options to choose from.
Add to
Details
Day 5. Kayaking day
● In Sarandë, you will find a lot of offers for water activities, and I definitely recommend trying something because the Albanian coast is spectacular. The colors of the water are something not to be missed, for sure. I chose to go kayaking and had a blast doing it.
I had such an amazing day with these guys. It was meant to be only a few hours tour, but it turned into a full day activity. The guys at this place are super friendly, they don't rush you, and they are really good at creating a fun atmosphere during the tour. The views that we saw were unbelievable. It was pure nature when we were kayaking by the coast, and we didn't see any houses or hotels built on the beach, which for me was unbelievable because nowadays it feels like every nice location is populated.
I received a recommendation that the best pizzas in town are here. While I did not try any pizzas at other places in Saranda, this one was actually really good. I also had some salad, and I felt really pleased and full after the dinner.
Add to
Details
Day 6. Sarandë → Berat
● This day was mostly spent on bus traveling to Berat. There are a few hours per day when the bus goes directly from Sarandë to Berat, but they are quite spread apart. The first one was at 8 am, and the next one was around 2 pm (the timetables change, so it's best to go to the bus station and ask to confirm when the buses leave). Unfortunately, I ended up missing the 8 am bus and had to take two buses instead.
The first bus goes to a village in the middle of Albania called Lushnjë, and then you have to change buses to go to Berat. Just make sure you tell your bus driver that you are going to Berat, because I didn't do it, and he drove me all the way to Lushnjë. Apparently, I had to get off before it to change buses. So, it turned into a longer trip than it should have.
This place is really close to most of the hostels, so it's very convenient. You don't have to walk far into the city if you are staying more in this part of Berat. The food they had was excellent, I couldn't complain about anything, and the prices are suitable for backpackers.
Add to
Details
Day 7. Berat
● Berat is a small but truly interesting city. It's called the "City of a Thousand Windows" due to the many small, cute houses built by the river with small windows. The city itself does not have that many things to visit, but it's definitely not something to miss. The most popular location is the Berat Castle, which offers a nice view of the city. After that, you can stroll around the city, taking pretty pictures and visiting churches.
It's interesting walking around the ruins of the castle and imagining how life used to be back when this place was flourishing. To reach the top you have to hike a bit, so make sure to bring water with you.
After doing all of your hiking, just for a relaxing afternoon, take a stroll in the old town, walking around the interesting houses and stopping at cafes.
Add to
Details
🥘 Where to eat?
● If you are visiting during the high season and plan to go out for dinner at one of the nice-looking houses, call the restaurant beforehand to make sure they will have space. Many places are quite small, and it can be challenging to get a table.
This is a bit bigger place. I did not go inside, but I saw many people there, and the food looked delicious as I passed by, so I thought it would be a nice place to come if I ever go back.
This is the most unique place in Berat. It's a hotel now that has been transformed from a university. I really recommend staying in this place because of how extravagant it feels and how cheap it is. I stayed here with a friend, so it was cheaper, but still, considering how the hotel looks, the price is not that high. Even if you don't stay here, just come and take a look.
Add to
Details
Day 8. Berat → Shkodër
● This will be a longer day on sweaty buses, but it's pretty straightforward and easy. To reach the Berat bus station, take a city bus from one of the many stops in the center, it will take you all the way to the station, which is the last stop. Buses leave quite frequently, so you don't have to worry about missing one. When you reach Tirana at the same bus station, ask about which bus goes to Shkodër and hop on it. Buses depart every 30 minutes, so you won't have to wait long. The prices of the buses are also very affordable, making it the cheapest way to travel, ranging from 5 to 10 euros.
I was so surprised by this place because it did not look like it could offer the best food, but when I got my meal, it blew me away with how delicious it was.
I loved this place because it had many unusual pasta choices, and I had pasta with asparagus, which was exactly what my soul needed. The staff was also super polite, and I couldn't remember the last time I had such high-quality service.
It's a cocktail place, with a really fun interior. I have a weak spot for places that have crazy designs, so if you're the same, you will enjoy this place.
Add to
Details
Day 9-13. Hiking
● The Albanian Alps are undoubtedly the most spectacular feature of the country. When you come to Albania, you might initially envision beaches and think that's the only interesting thing to do and see, but believe me, it's not. Considering the geographical location, I was surprised to see snowy mountains in the middle of the summer.
If you come to Albania, I definitely recommend visiting the mountains, particularly the main villages of Theth and Valbonë. You can hike from one to the other, and the hike is not that difficult, but the views you will experience are amazing. In my guide, 'Hiking the Albanian Alps,' I've detailed all the spots for hiking, provided tips, and included transportation information, so check it out on the link below.
Hey there, I'm Kotryna, a passionate adventurer who's been exploring the wonders of the world for the past 5 years.
My journey has been a thrilling blend of outdoor adventures, serene beach getaways, and immersive city explorations. As a dedicated traveler, I've embraced a dynamic style that encompasses thrilling hikes, lazy days by the ocean, and captivating urban tours. Also as a huge food person, I love finding the best unique places to eat vegetarian/vegan food.
My goal is to share my love for travel by crafting comprehensive itineraries for various countries, each tailored to fit seamlessly into a one or two-week timeframe. Whether you're yearning for the tranquility of nature's beauty, the refreshing ocean breeze, or the vibrant pulse of city life, my itineraries will provide you with a blueprint to make the most of your time.
Join me on this exhilarating journey as we unlock the world's treasures one itinerary at a time. Let's turn your travel dreams into reality!
DM me via Instagram (@kokustravel) or email me (kotrynakus@gmail.com) to learn more about my personalized travel planning services.
