r/AlbaniaTravel

I spent nearly three weeks backpacking through Albania in May, travelling entirely by bus before continuing into Montenegro.

I’ll be honest…

Albania didn’t become my favourite country in the Balkans.

There were moments where I struggled to connect with it, and I actually enjoyed Montenegro more overall. But looking back, I’m incredibly glad I visited.

Some of my favourite memories weren’t necessarily the famous attractions. They were conversations in hostel gardens, wandering UNESCO old towns, swimming in crystal-clear water and meeting some of the kindest hostel owners I’ve come across while travelling.

If I were doing the trip again, this is exactly how I’d do it.

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Overall Thoughts

As a solo female traveller, I generally felt safe throughout Albania. I walked around during the day and in the evenings without any major concerns.

People were welcoming, food was affordable and transport was much easier than I expected.

One thing I didn’t expect was just how different each destination felt. Tirana, Berat, Himarë and Shkodër all had completely different personalities.

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Should You Rent a Car?

If your budget allows it…

Yes.

This is probably the one thing I’d do differently.

I travelled entirely by bus and while Albania’s bus network is surprisingly good, having a car would have made the Riviera so much more enjoyable.

You’ll be able to stop at beautiful little villages like:

* Dhërmi

* Vuno

* Qeparo

* Borsh

instead of simply driving past them.

If you’re travelling solo, I’d even recommend finding people at your hostel to split a rental car for a few days.

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Buses

Despite what you’ll read online, buses in Albania are actually quite straightforward.

The schedules just aren’t published very well.

Every hostel I stayed at knew exactly:

* where buses departed from

* what time they left

* roughly how much they cost

Most of the time I simply asked reception the night before and never had any issues.

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Food & Budget

One thing I loved about Albania was how affordable it was.

Most local meals cost between €2-4, so I rarely cooked.

Coffee was usually around €1-2.

The only places where I noticed prices increase were:

* Himarë

* Sarandë

which makes sense considering they’re Albania’s biggest beach destinations.

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Cash

Carry cash.

Many hostels still prefer cash payments and smaller restaurants occasionally do too.

I’d recommend withdrawing larger amounts rather than making lots of small ATM withdrawals.

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Tirana ⭐⭐☆☆☆

This will probably be my most unpopular opinion.

Personally… Tirana just didn’t click for me.

I know plenty of travellers who absolutely loved it, so take this with a grain of salt.

I found it busy and chaotic, and it never really captivated me the way some of Albania’s smaller towns did.

That said…

A lot of people’s experience seems to depend on where they stay.

Hostel Recommendations

If you’re travelling solo, I’d recommend:

* Trip’n Hostel

* Blue Door Hostel

* Bearded Dad Hostel

All three have great reputations for being social and organising activities.

Many backpackers I met ended up extending their stay simply because they loved the hostel atmosphere.

Things to do

* Skanderbeg Square

* Bunk’Art

* Blloku

* Dajti Cable Car

I’d personally spend 2-3 days maximum.

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Berat ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Berat was where Albania really started to grow on me.

Known as the City of a Thousand Windows, it’s one of Albania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and is incredibly photogenic.

Unlike Tirana, Berat has a much slower pace.

It’s the kind of place where the best afternoons are spent wandering narrow streets before sitting down for a coffee overlooking the river.

Stay

Berat Backpackers Hostel

A lovely backpacker hostel with a beautiful garden and relaxed communal atmosphere.

It wasn’t the most social hostel of my trip, but it was incredibly easy to meet people naturally.

Things to do

* Berat Castle

* Mangalem Quarter

* Gorica Bridge

* Onufri Museum

* Sunset viewpoints

Don’t rush Berat.

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Gjirokastër ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This ended up being one of my favourite places in Albania.

The stone streets, mountain backdrop and Ottoman architecture make it unlike anywhere else in the country.

The town itself only needs around 1-2 days, but…

I actually stayed 3 nights because I loved my hostel so much.

Stay

Stone City Hostel

Quite possibly my favourite hostel in Albania.

The owner and volunteers created such a warm, welcoming atmosphere that I genuinely didn’t want to leave.

If you’re travelling solo, I’d highly recommend staying here.

Things to do

* Gjirokastër Castle

* Old Bazaar

* Skenduli House

* Zekate House

* Sunset over the rooftops

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Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër)

This may be controversial…

I actually wouldn’t prioritise it.

Yes, it’s beautiful.

But it’s also:

* crowded

* touristy

* heavily regulated

You can no longer swim there, which took away a lot of its appeal for me.

Personally, I’d save my nature day for Theth and the Blue Eye in northern Albania, which felt far more immersive.

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Optional: Përmet

I didn’t visit Përmet myself, but almost everyone I met who did absolutely loved it.

It’s known for:

* natural hot springs

* rafting

* excellent local food

* a quieter atmosphere than the Riviera

If you have an extra couple of days, I’d definitely consider adding it.

Sarandë ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Sarandë is probably Albania’s most famous beach destination.

Personally…

It wasn’t my favourite.

I can completely understand why people enjoy it. The water is stunning, there are endless restaurants along the promenade and it has a fun holiday atmosphere.

But compared to Himarë, I found it far more commercialised. It reminded me a little of Ibiza or a typical Mediterranean resort town.

I visited in May and even then it was busy. I can only imagine how crowded it gets during July and August.

Most of the beaches in town are occupied by paid sunbeds, although we did find a small public section near Bora Bora Beach Bar.

Things to do

* Walk the promenade

* Swim if you can find a public section

* Visit Lekursi Castle (personally I found it underwhelming as it’s now largely a restaurant with viewpoints)

If you’re choosing between Sarandë and Himarë…

I’d choose Himarë every time.

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Himarë ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was easily my favourite stretch of coastline in Albania.

If you’re travelling for beaches, crystal-clear water and a more relaxed atmosphere…

Spend your time here.

Some of the most beautiful beaches I visited were:

* Filikuri Beach ⭐

* Aquarium Beach ⭐

* Livadhi Beach

The water is absolutely stunning.

Stay

I stayed at Natural Hostel.

The owner was genuinely lovely and the hostel had a nice communal atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the facilities just weren’t for me. The bathrooms felt quite basic, shower pressure was weak and overall comfort wasn’t quite what I was looking for.

If I visited again, I’d stay at:

* Himara Downtown Hostel

* Oasis Hostel

* Trip’n Hostel (if you’re after a younger, more social crowd)

Things to do

* Beach hop

* Explore Himarë Old Town

* Sunset by the waterfront

* Rent a kayak or paddleboard

* Drive to nearby villages if you have a car

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Vlorë ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

After several days on the coast, I decided to stay in Vlorë’s city centre rather than near the beach.

I’m really glad I did.

It gave me a completely different side of Albania to experience and was the perfect place to slow down for a couple of days.

Stay

Queen V Hostel

One of my favourite hostel stays in Albania.

The hostel is part of Nico’s family home and genuinely feels like a home away from home.

Spotlessly clean, comfortable and incredibly welcoming. I actually extended my stay because I enjoyed it so much.

Things to do

* Wander the Old Town

* Visit Independence Square

* Cycle around the city

* Walk the waterfront

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Shkodër ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Probably the biggest surprise of my trip.

I expected Shkodër to simply be the gateway to Theth.

Instead…

It became one of my favourite cities in Albania.

Beautiful pedestrian streets, colourful Italian-style buildings and a much more relaxed atmosphere than Tirana.

Walking Tour

Book a GuruWalk.

Honestly one of the best walking tours I’ve done while travelling.

Learning about northern Albania’s history gave me a completely different appreciation for the city.

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Komani Lake & Shala River

Absolutely worth it.

I booked through GetYourGuide because I wanted a guide explaining the history and geography throughout the journey.

The real highlight is the boat ride through Komani Lake.

Shala River itself has become fairly developed for tourism, but it’s still an incredibly scenic day out and we managed to find a quiet spot to relax and dip our feet into the freezing water.

If you’re in Shkodër…

I’d definitely recommend doing this tour.

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Theth & Valbona

If you enjoy hiking, this is Albania’s most iconic adventure.

Most people organise everything directly through their hostel.

I’d recommend doing the same as you’ll travel with other backpackers rather than random tour groups.

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Hostel Recommendations

Wanderers Hostel

Probably the most social hostel in Shkodër. Great younger crowd, communal dinners (included!) and easy to meet people. The only downside is that the hostel is spread across multiple buildings, so where you’re allocated can affect your experience.

Shkodra Hostel & Day Tours

This is where I stayed.

Modern, comfortable, fantastic café downstairs and excellent facilities. A great choice if you want comfort while still having a social atmosphere.

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My Favourite Hostels

🏡 Best Overall: Stone City Hostel (Gjirokastër)

🤝 Most Social: Wanderers Hostel (Shkodër)

🌿 Most Relaxing: Queen V Hostel (Vlorë)

🌸 Best Garden: Berat Backpackers

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Things I’d Skip Next Time

* Blue Eye near Sarandë (beautiful but very crowded)

* Spending more than 1-2 days in Sarandë

* Choosing accommodation based only on facilities instead of atmosphere

* Trying to optimise every stop instead of slowing down

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Things I’d Do Differently

* Rent a car for at least part of the Riviera.

* Spend longer in Shkodër.

* Base myself in Himarë instead of Sarandë if beaches were my priority.

* Explore more of the small villages like Dhërmi, Vuno and Qeparo.

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Suggested Routes

5-7 Days

* Tirana

* Berat

* Himarë

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10 Days

* Tirana

* Berat

* Gjirokastër

* Himarë

* Vlorë

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2 Weeks

* Tirana

* Berat

* Gjirokastër

* Optional: Përmet

* Sarandë

* Himarë

* Vlorë

* Shkodër

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3 Weeks

* Tirana

* Berat

* Gjirokastër

* Përmet

* Sarandë

* Himarë

* Vlorë

* Shkodër

* Theth

* Valbona

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Final Thoughts

Looking back, I realised my favourite memories weren’t necessarily the famous attractions.

They were conversations in hostel gardens, owners who welcomed guests like family, wandering old towns with a coffee in hand and spontaneous swims in unbelievably clear water.

Albania isn’t a country I’d rush through.

Slow down.

Stay an extra night if you’re enjoying a hostel.

Talk to people.

Take the recommendation from the volunteer who’s lived there for a month.

And if your budget allows…

Rent a car.

I genuinely think that’s the one thing that would have made my trip even better.

Lastly, don’t judge Albania by Tirana alone.

For me, the country truly came alive in Berat, Gjirokastër, Himarë and Shkodër—and those are the places I’d return to in a heartbeat.

Hi everyone! I'm planning a 2 days trip to Albania. What are the best places to visit? I'm interested in beaches, mountains, nature, good food, and local culture. Any must-see places or hidden gems? Thanks!

Hi everyone!

Im solo traveling Albania for 8-10 days 25th of July to 4th of August and i have done alot of research on car rentals.

I would like a cheap(?) rental car and think the big companies are way to expensive for what i would want to pay

I've been looking at places like: Rent from locals, Cria al , javarentals and a bunch more.

I would want 80% insurance if not full insurance.

Are these companies legit enough or should i stay away from them?

Would very much like some input or personal experience :))

hello my friends i am staying in tiranë and my next stop is himarë i am just wondering if there are any easy busses to get on i.e. someone standing around saying himarë?? i just came from shkodër where i was easily able to find someone on the street and get a cheap (500 lek) bus over here so just wondering if there are any similar heading to himarë from tiranë? thanks!!

Hi
I’m coming next week to Albania, I’m in Vlore for 3 nights. How is the nightlife and clubs? I like to dance drink have fun. Would you recommend of any other towns that is good going for a party?

Hey everyone, I will be visiting Albania next week. But I have heard about the protesting going on there. I cannot find much information about it, are they mostly peaceful protests? Should I as a tourist expect any problems, confrontation or violence? I hope that things get better for the Albanian people

Hi there, I will be travelling to Albania next week for 1 week. Ideally I will set up an eSIM before I arrive so I don’t have to wait at Vodafone in the airport.

What are the best eSIMS in terms of connectivity, signal service and price in Albania? I will mostly be in Tiranë, Durrës and Vlorë.

Thank you so much.

Every place I go to have price per night listed in euros and when trying to pay with card the readers are always broken. Then they ask to pay with cash but obviously I dont have hundreds of euros with me. So I end up paying using lek but with the common 1:1 conversion rate prices are actually higher than listed and it quickly adds up. Is this just a scam to make tourists pay more than what was listed or is there some understandable reason behind this?

Hello! Traveling to Albania in July, and am after some food recommendations for Tirana please :) I have looked at google maps, and picked a few out based on reviews/stars, but I'm sure there will be a few hidden gems that are missed. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack recommendations welcomed! (we are planning to put on a few kilos haha) Also any must try coffee places would be much appreciated!

Is there any nude beach in Albania , we are going to visit next month

Hi all, wanted to see if anyone is willing to look at our planned itinerary below to see if this sounds like a good plan. We’ll have a rental car the entire time.

Know we’re leaving out Tirana but we are prioritizing hiking and beach time for this trip, with fewer base transfers.

Thanks in advance!

Sept 19: land at 6 pm, staying near airport for an early morning start the next day

Sept 20-22 (Alps- 3 full days, staying in Theth): Drive Rinas-Theth; basing in Theth for hiking around the area

Sept 23 - Full day drive Theth-Himare

Sept 24-28 (Riviera - 5 full days, staying in Himare): day plans are,

1. Himara Old Town (morning) + relax day at Livadhi Beach
2. Llogara NP (morning) + Drymades Beach (afternoon)
3. Full day private boat charter to explore Karaburun Peninsula coastline, beaches
4. Gjipe Canyon hike (morning) + Dhërmi beach (afternoon)

Sept 29: Slow day Himare, drive to Vlorë (or drive up earlier and hang out in Vlore) + drop off rental car (already arranged), 11pm ferry to Brindisi, IT

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Hi I''m a 20-year-old from Vienna, Austria, and I'm planning a solo trip this summer.

Im considering Albania, but I'm also thinking about alternatives like Tunisia, Georgia/Armenia, or Turkey, so I'm still deciding between a few countries.

My idea for Albania would be traveling along the south coast, staying and moving between small coastal towns rather than staying in big resorts or cities.

I don't have a driver's license, so I'll be relying on public transport (buses, minibuses, etc.).

I'm mostly interested in culture, food, everyday life, and less touristy coastal places rather than resort areas. Albania really looks like a hidden gem and something completely different from what I'm used to in Austria.So If you habe any recommendation or anything that would help me or bring more interest in your Beautiful country then i already have i would be thankful.

Shot the the dark here, looking for a few hundred passengers in a sea of Reddit travelers.

We were on flight BA 378, night of June 24, 2026 from Heathrow to Albania. 730pm-1130pm: London-Tirana. It was delayed but that happens.

But the odd thing is that they left a good proportion of luggage behind in London. Many passengers were trying to get help in the wee morning hours upon arrival. It's weird as the flight delay was due to the pilots being late so they actually had tons of time loading the plane (flightaware says the incoming plane was on time).

I want to get in touch with other passengers of the flight and compare notes if possible.

We are still without any confirmation of when our bags will arrive. Air tags say they're still in Heathrow. The update emails we're getting are not accurate (they did not make it on the flights they said they would). It's difficult as we're driving all around Albania and not staying in any one place long, or places with concierges to drop bags off with.

So would love to share stories with the other passengers, if anybody has tips on getting through to BA, and maybe just general support. Can stay in DMs of course for privacy reasons. Thanks!

EDIT: Update 1. Got email at 3am that they'll put 3 of 4 bags on a taxi. But no time estimate. And the place we're at has no front desk. It's just a vacation rental complex with many units. Currently, air tags show two of bags in Tirana airport (two hours away) and one in Heathrow still. Will try to call or online chat with them to find out more.

EDIT: update 2. A staff at the place we're staying was able to call the taxi company for us. Looks like it is unlikely to make it today. He said they have 180 bags/passengers to deliver for from that flight. However we're gone to another city tomorrow and the system won't let us update the address anymore... at least our 4th bag looks like it somehow made it to Tirana.

EDIT: Update 3. We have our bags! No thanks to BA though. We were able to reach one of the airport lost luggage staff. They couldn't provide any certainty on delivery either. So we just made the 2.5h drive back to Tirana from Vlore to get it ourselves. We just couldn't trust the system to take care of it. 5h driving wasn't fun but at least we have our bags finally!

Anybody know if gate-checking luggage would have prevented this?

Hi! I am travelling with some friends to Albania in mid-July and wanted to ask for recommendations in itinerary and car rental. We will land in Tirana and have 4 full days from Thursday to Sunday. We were planning to go to the south but I read a lot of comments saying beaches are very touristy😅

We want to enjoy nature, snorkeling and local food.

If you have any recommendations on where to go/stay and a reliable place to rent the car in Tirana it would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance!!