Albania Hostel Recommendations
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Albania twice and there’s a lot of reasons it’s one of my favourite countries in the world. The locals are lovely, the diverse range of sightseeing opportunities are lovelier and the dirt cheap prices are loveliest of all!
There’s been a surge of interest in Albania the last few years and it’ll be a hotspot for 2024/, so here are my honest hostel recommendations for the cities worth visiting.
📍Berat, Albania
This UNESKO World Heritage site, also known as the 'City of 1000 Windows', is well worth the visit.
🏠 Maya Hostel Berat
💸 Av. €15 p/n for a dorm room
✅ Nice big outdoor area and they organise a great tour to a local winery. You can also do a canyon tour that’s meant to be amazing.
❌ I honestly can’t think of any
📍 Gjirokaster, Albania
It's no wonder that the best hostel in Gjirokaster is the namesake of this city's main feature.
🏠 Stone City Hostel
💸 Av. €15 p/n for a dorm room
✅ Perfect location, sturdy beds and great bathroom facilities. The owner Walter organises activities every day and leads a fantastic walking tour a few times a week.
❌ Literally no cons
📍Himare, Albania
Himare is hands-down my favourite town on the Albanian riviera with crystal clear waters that aren't overcrowded in the summer.
🏠 Sunbakers Hostel
💸 Av. €15 p/n for a dorm room
✅ Big rooms with air con and a beautiful beach at your doorstep. It’s super social and they organise sunset boat tours. They also have the most amazing free breakfast, you can choose from sweet or savoury French toast or an omelette.
❌ I'm not gonna sugar coat it, they often have loud music playing at night and it’s a bit of a drug den. No one will force you to do anything you don’t want, but just something to be aware of.
📍Tirana, Albania
Albania's eclectic capital holds some incredible history and quirky sites that aren't to be missed.
🏠 Trip’n’Hostel
💸 Av. €18 p/n for a dorm room
✅ Run by the same guys who own Sun Bakers in Himarë, so it’s a similar vibe and you get the same amazing breakfast. Central location with a nice garden to chill out in.
❌ Same cons as Sun Bakers
📍Sarande, Albania
You'll never be bored in the nightlife capital of Albania right on the coast.
🏠 Hasta La Vista Saranda
💸 Av. €18 p/n for a dorm room
✅ Has aircon, LOTS of bathrooms/toilets and is a 10 min walk to the beach and town centre
❌ Not much of a social atmosphere, even though they have a big chill out area downstairs
Shkodër, Albania
Arguably one of the most famous hostels in the country, I can assure you that The Wanderers lives up to its hype.
🏠 Wanderer’s Hostel
💸 Av. €15 p/n for a dorm room
✅ Central location with a nice outdoor area. Their free brekkie is v good and they help organise every for you for the Theth - Valbone hike. They have aircon and privacy curtains on all the beds, even the top bunks.
❌ I wouldn’t trust the bikes that they hire out, I had an accident on one because the gears kept changing by themselves. They can also book up weeks in advance, so it's not the best for last-minute bookings
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