Ultimate Guide: 17 Best Places to Stay in Albania

Planning a trip to Albania? You’ve come to the right blog! I spent 1.5 months backpacking Albania and I can confidently say I’ve seen all the country’s highlights. From the beaches of the Albanian Riviera to the northern alps these are all the best places to stay in Albania.

Travelling Albania gives you the full European experience – unspoiled nature, rich history, delicious food, friendly people – all on a backpacker budget. It’s one of the last “untapped” countries in Europe for tourism, but this won’t last forever. Albania is said to be “the next Greece” or the “next Croatia.”

My guides for where to stay in Albania: Albania’s Best Hostels | Luxury hotels in Albania

As you read this post, please consider clicking the links throughout. These are affiliate links which means when you book a hotel or purchase a product, I make a small commission at no additional cost to you (full disclosure). These commissions fund The Holistic Backpacker and help me write more blog posts.

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~ Taylor ♡

Albania Google Map – 200+ pins

Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?

Then my Albania map is for you!

Get my 200+ recommendations all in one place for:

• Outdoors: hiking trails, waterfalls, secret beaches & national parks
• Places: ancient cities, beach towns & historical sites
• Things to do: viewpoints, unique activities & tours
• Planning: lodging, restaurants, bus stops & tedious details

DOWNLOAD ALBANIA MAP

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Quick Albania Travel Guide:

**Find my recommended Albania itineraries linked in the section below**

Travel Insurance: ALWAYS purchase reliable travel insurance before your trip. This insurance is trusted by backpackers and adventure sport enthusiasts around the world. You can also use my link to receive 5% off SafetyWing policies. Here’s a blog post with more trustworthy travel insurance options you can compare.

Best Time to Visit: May to September.

Best Activities: Looking for the best tours and activities around Albania? See my Viator shop for my top recommendations.

Currency: Albanian LEK (aka ALL). This is a closed currency so you’ll need to wait until you’re in Albania to withdraw/exchange money. Make sure you exchange any leftover money before you leave the country too. Credins ATMs don’t have a service charge.

Transportation: to enter the country you’ll find 1 international airport in Tirana, 1 port in Saranda (daily ferry arrivals/departures to Corfu, Greece), and a bus line from Montenegro. Buses are very cheap here, but unreliable and taxis are pricey in comparison. Driving is chaotic and there are no trains within the country.

Phone: purchase a local SIM card from Vodafone – the plans are cheap and they include lots of data, however international minutes are typically not available. Vodafone storefronts can be found in bigger cities (Tirana, Saranda, Shkoder, etc).

Language: Albanian, however you can get by with English. Google translate is recommended for smaller cities/villages.

Safety: I found Albania to be very safe. I and my fellow travellers had no trouble with theft and I felt comfortable walking around as a solo female at night. People are generally very welcoming here, but always keep your wits about you – no matter where you travel.

Helpful Info: don’t drink the tap water or bring a purifying bottle like this one. Most hostels/guesthouses/hotels have laundry facilities.

Purchase my Albania map which is downloadable to google maps on your phone. It has 200+ pinned locations around the country – all available at your fingertips.

Packing Guide: here’s my ultimate packing guide/travel essentials.

Albania is one of the last “undiscovered” countries in Europe. Plan your trip while prices & tourism levels are low!

Helpful Albania Blog Posts

Albania Itineraries: 1 week south | 1 week north | 2 weeks whole country | 1 month for backpackers

• My Ultimate Albania Backpacker Guide
• 15+ Helpful Tips You Should Know BEFORE Travelling Albania
• 30+ Best Things to do in Albania: Excursions, Tours, and Destinations
• 17 Best Places in Albania
• Hiker’s Guide to the Albanian Alps
• Valbona to Theth Hiking Guide
• 10+ Albania hikes Worth Doing
• Lodging: best hostels for backpackers | luxury hotels

Regions in Albania

I recommend spending minimum 2 weeks in Albania to give yourself time to see each area of Albania. The south, north, and inland areas each offer something unique so the more time you spend here the better.

Albania Itineraries: 1 week south | 1 week north | 2 weeks whole country | 1 month for backpackers

Northern Albania

If you’re searching for the best place in Albania to go hiking, go straight to the national parks in the north. Valbona and Theth are located in the Dinaric Alps and the mountains here are referred to as the Accursed Mountains. Their peaks soar well above 2,000m.

There are lots of hiking trails and waterfalls in the northern national parks in addition to a mountain village culture where you get to stay in guesthouses and eat home cooked meals.

More: Hiker’s Guide to the Albanian Alps

Inland Albania

The inland areas are by far the best places in Albania to visit if you’re looking to experience history, ancient cities, and cobblestone streets. Many of the cities in the inner parts of Albania are jam packed with museums, bunkers from the communist regime, and other historic cites.

Berat and Gjirokaster are UNESCO World Heritage sites, inscribed as rare examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period.

Southern Albania

In the south you’ll find vibrant coastal cities and lovely beaches along the Albanian Riviera; a scenic coastline stretching approx 200kms from Vlora to Ksamil. The southern region is the best place in Albania to visit if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation along the Ionian Sea complete with cocktails, sun, and more of a social vibe.

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17 Best Places in Albania

In this guide to the 17 best places to stay in Albania, I’ll start with destinations in the north and work my way down south to keep things more organized.

ps – everything in this blog post has been marked on my Albania map with photos, descriptions, and booking links.

Popular Albania Tours

From Berat: 4×4 tour: Mount Tomorr & Sotira Waterfall | Bogove Waterfall & Osumi Canyon | Osumi Canyon Rafting

From Permet: Benja Hot Springs & Lengarica Canyon | Horseback Riding | River Rafting

From Tirana: Gamti Mountain & Bovilla Lake Hiking Tour | Bike Tour | Traditional Cooking Class | Zipline

From Tirana or Shkoder: Day trip to the Blue Eye of Theth & Grunas Waterfall | Shala River Day Trip

From Vlora: Boat tour to Haxhi Ali Cave & Sazan Island – Karaburun | Snorkelling

From Saranda/Ksamil: Paddle boarding the Islands | Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye, Lekuresi Castle – 1 Day | Day Trip to Gjirokaster | Catamaran to Korez & Kokomo Beach

UNIQUE: Multi-day hiking tour: Peaks of the Balkans

You can find more Albania tours I recommend here

1. Shkoder

The culture capital and “ancient city” of Albania is Shkoder. This city is vibrant, fun and has a cute centre full of outdoor patios which makes for the perfect xhiro location – evening walk. Shkoder has a huge biking culture with rental locations everywhere. You can grab a bike for cheap and explore the nearby Skadar Lake and Rozafa Castle.

Shkoder is also the gateway city to the Albanian Alps; Valbona and Theth. Every hiking trip to the alps begins in Shkoder as it’s the closest major city where all the public transportation connects.

Where to stay in Shkoder: Wanderer’s Hostel (budget), Hotel Carmen (mid-range), or Hotel Colosseo & Spa (luxury).

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best places to stay in Albania

2. Theth National Park

One of the most well known and beautiful national parks in Albania is Theth. Theth is one of the best places in Albania for hiking as there’s mountain peaks soaring above 2,000m, waterfalls, cold springs, canyons, and incredible valleys.

Theth can be visited as a day trip from either Shkoder or Tirana, however most people spend 2 nights in Theth exploring the Blue Eye and the local hiking trails. There’s a famous hiking trail which connects Theth with Valbona too. It’s the mainattraction of the Albanian Alps.

You can book a day trip to Theth and the Blue Eye here.

Where to stay in Theth: Shpella Guesthouse (best), or Guesthouse Rrashkadoli (budget).

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best places to stay in Albania

3. Valbona Valley National Park

Like Theth, Valbona is another national park and a great place in Albania for hiking. I personally find Valbona even prettier than Theth and therefore think it’s a great place to stay in Albania for a more extended period if you’re looking to bag a bunch of peaks.

My person favourite hike in Valbona is Maja Rosit, however the trail connecting Theth and Valbona is definitely the most famous hike overall in Albania.

Where to stay in Valbona: Valbona Resort & Spa (luxury), Drino’s Guesthouse (mid-range), Villas Jezerca (popular choice), and Bujtina Albjoni (budget).

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best places to stay in Albania

4. Shala River & Komani Lake

Komani Lake – known as the “Thailand of Albania” – is an important route of transportation in northern Albania. If you’re coming from or going to Valbona Valley National Park you must take a ferry across the lake to get to and from the larger cities like Shkoder.

Attached to Komani Lake is the Shala River which is a series of guesthouses along a crystal, clear blue mountain stream coming from Theth. There are horses, beach bars, a beautiful hiking trail, plus an unimpeded view of the stars at night here. This is one of the best places to stay in Albania to escape in nature.

The Shala River can be visited as a day trip from Tirana or Shkoder or you can stay overnight. I spent 2 nights at the Komani Lake Guesthouse and had a lovely experience. I highly recommend spending a night on the Shala River prior to visiting Valbona.

Where to stay on the Shala River: Bee Eco Guesthouse and Blini Park are directly on the Shala River. Riverside Komani Lake (where I stayed) is just around the corner and offers a quieter getaway from the day visitors.

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best places to stay in Albania

Albania Google Map – 200+ pins

Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?

Then my Albania map is for you!

Get my 200+ recommendations all in one place for:

• Outdoors: hiking trails, waterfalls, secret beaches & national parks
• Places: ancient cities, beach towns & historical sites
• Things to do: viewpoints, unique activities & tours
• Planning: lodging, restaurants, bus stops & tedious details

DOWNLOAD ALBANIA MAP

see what other travellers are saying about my map

5. Tirana

Tirana is Albania’s capital city and the best place in Albania to learn about the country’s history. There are plenty of museums in Tirana (some in underground bunkers), cafes, restaurants, and nightlife.

Some popular activities in Tirana are taking the Dajti Ekspress, a hiking trip to Bovilla Lake & Gamti Mountain, this city bike tour, traditional cooking classes, and this zipline.

Tirana also currently has the only international airport in Albania which makes it an important transportation hub for travellers. Although most people first enter Albania via Tirana, I wouldn’t recommend spending more than a few days here as it is similar to other large cities. “Authentic” Albania is found in the small mountain villages up north or in the beachside communities along the Albanian Riviera.

Where to stay in Tirana: Tirana Backpackers or one of the many mid-range hotels.

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best places to stay in Albania

6. Berat

Berat is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the best places in Albania to see Ottoman architecture. There’s a large castle here which offers an excellent place to watch sunset, a delicious ice cream shop (Pasticeri Tori you’ve stolen my heart), nice views of the surrounding mountains, and close proximity to natural attractions like Osumi Canyon and various waterfalls.

If you’re looking for something unique to do in Berat, there’s a 4×4 tour up Mount Tomorr (the holy mountain) to the Sotira waterfall. You can book the tour here.

Where to stay in Berat: Berat Backpackers, Guest House Hava Baci (mid-range), Hotel Colombo (luxury).

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best places to stay in Albania

7. Osumi Canyon

Speaking of the Osumi Canyon – this spot is known as the “Grand Canyon” of Albania. The Osumi Canyon is one of the best places in Albania for adventure tourism. You can hike through the canyon, go on rafting tours, and even do some cliff jumping.

Best places in Albania for backpackers.

8. Vlora

At the northernmost point of the Albanian Riviera you’ll find Vlora. Vlora is often a place in Albania that’s overlooked by travellers and backpackers, however if offers a vibe similar to what you’d find in a resort town. Long stretches of beach, palm trees, a strip of restaurants and bars along the seaside. Basically, if you’re looking for easy-breezy beach vacation destination, Vlora is one of the best places to stay in Albania.

Snorkelling tours are popular here, plus there’s a unique boat tour I talk about next.

Where to stay in Vlora: Vlora Backpackers (hostel), Hotel Artisti (mid-range), Maritim Resort (luxury).

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best places to stay in Albania

9. Karaburun Peninsula

The Karaburun Peninsula is a stretch of land jetting out into the sea near Vlora. There are private beaches, caves, and even an old military base you can explore by boat.

You can book the Karaburun boat trip here

Best places to stay in Albania for travellers and backpackers alike.

10. Himara

Himara is hands-down the best place to stay in Albania if you’re looking for nature and a relaxing beach atmosphere. Himara is a small coastal town along the Riviera surrounded by tall mountains.

You can go kayaking in Himara, walk to hidden beaches, rent scooters, etc. If beach hopping is your thing, Himara is one of the best places to stay in Albania as many of the Albanian Riviera’s best beaches are within walking, driving, and kayaking distance.

Best beaches near Himara: Dhermi Beach (aka Dhërmiu), Drimadhes Beach (aka Drimadhë), and Palasa Beach to the north. In the southern direction Borsh Beach isn’t too far.

Where to stay in Himara: Himara Hostel (budget), Sea View Hotel (luxury), Castle of Himara (cultural experience).

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WHERE TO STAY ALBANIA.

11. Permet

Permet is flying under the radar in Albania, but that won’t last for long. Permet is one of the best places in Albania for adventure tourism; think hot springs, horseback riding, and canyon hikes. The horseback riding tour in Permet coupled with the hot springs and canyon hike easily made Permet one of my favourite places in Albania.

Something else I loved about Permet was the food scene. Sofra Permetare and Trifilia Restorant both serve delicious traditional dishes.

ps – try glicko. It’s candied fruit local to Permet.

Where to stay in Permet: Funky Guesthouse & Adventures (popular choice), or Eljo’s House (budget).

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WHERE TO STAY ALBANIA.

12. Lengarica Canyon & the Benja Hot Springs

To get more specific about the canyon and hot springs I just mentioned – Lengarica Canyon and the Benja hot springs near Permet fall within the Fir of Hotova National Park boundary.

The Benja Hot Springs are said to have healing powers. They are usually very crowded so I’d recommend visiting early or late in the day to see them. Lengarica Canyon is literally just steps away from the hot springs and seems to go on forever. The canyon is much quieter than the hot springs so I preferred it there.

Unfortunately there’s no form of public transportation to the hot springs so you’ll either have to rent a bike and do the gruelling uphill climb, hitchhike (what I did), or book a tour which I’ve linked below.

You can book the Lengarica Canyon tour here

Wondering where to stay in Albania? This post has your answers!

13. Gjirokaster

Gjirokaster – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is one of the best places to stay in Albania if you’re hoping to experience Ottoman-style cobblestone streets and stone buildings. The architecture in the old town here dates back to the 6th century.

The Gjirokaster bazaar which is full of rugs, colourful tableware, jewelry, and artisan goods is the main draw of Gjirokaster. There’s however also a lovely outdoor patio scene here, a castle, museums, and the Ali Pasha Bridge which is an old aqueduct. Shepards herding their goats occasionally wander by the bridge.

If you’re looking for something interesting to do in Gjirokaster, consider this rafting tour down the Vjosa River. The Vjosa River is the last virgin river in Europe which makes this extra special.

Where to stay in Gjirokaster: Stone City Hostel (budget), Old Bazaar 1790 (traditional), or Hotel Domino.

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this is where to stay in Albania.

14. Saranda

Near the south of the Albanian Riviera you’ll find Saranda – one of the best places to stay in Albania if you’re looking for nightlife, a social atmosphere, and the conveniences of a city.

Saranda has oodles of restaurants, great beaches nearby, and it’s the best place to stay if you’re hoping to visit the Blue Eye, Ksamil, and Butrint.

If you’re looking for interesting things to do in Saranda you can check out this catamaran tour or take a day trip to Gjirokaster.

Where to stay in Saranda: Saranda Backpackers, Hotel Kanes (mid-range), Hotel Butrinti (luxury).

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this is where to stay in Albania.

15. Blue Eye of Saranda

There are two Blue Eyes in Albania – one in Theth and one in Saranda. The Blue Eye of Saranda is a natural phenomenon where cold water rushes from underground toward the surface.

To get to the Blue Eye of Saranda you’ll have to rent a scooter, hire a taxi, or take the bus to Gjirokaster where you’ll have to get off at the Blue Eye stop and walk the rest of the way. I opted to hire a taxi and shared the cost with a few other travellers I met at my hostel. The taxi driver dropped us off, waited for us, then drove us back to Saranda.

If you’re short for time you can book a tour to the Blue Eye which includes Butrint, Ksamil, and the Lekuresi Castle. This tour is a bang-for-your-buck and saves you tons of time when it comes to taking public transportation.

You can book the Blue Eye tour here

Albania Google Map – 200+ pins

Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?

Then my Albania map is for you!

Get my 200+ recommendations all in one place for:

• Outdoors: hiking trails, waterfalls, secret beaches & national parks
• Places: ancient cities, beach towns & historical sites
• Things to do: viewpoints, unique activities & tours
• Planning: lodging, restaurants, bus stops & tedious details

DOWNLOAD ALBANIA MAP

see what other travellers are saying about my map

16. Ksamil

Ksamil, located just south of Saranda, has beautiful, sandy beaches. Some of the most striking beaches on the Riviera for sand and water colour.

Ksamil is loud so this is the best place to stay in Albania if you’re after the whole beach party vibe. There’s loud music, excursions like this paddle boarding trip, and beach bars everywhere.

Where to stay in Ksamil: Colosseum Hotel (luxury), Villa Oden (budget), or Hotel Divo Palace (mid-range).

17. Butrint National Park & UNESCO Site

Butrint National Park is located just south of Saranda and is accessible by bus. At Butrint you’ll find ancient ruins, a museum full of old artifacts, and beautiful views into the National Park. Budget a few hours to see Butrint or book this tour.

More Places to Stay in Albania

I personally did not visit the following places when I travelled Albania, however there are a couple more places in Albania that backpackers frequent.

Visit Pogradec and Lake Ohrid

Pogradec is one of the most Eastern cities in Albania. It’s located directly next to Lake Ohrid, so if you’re looking for one of the best places in Albania for fishing, boating, and swimming – look no further than Pogradec.

Pogradec is known as the “City of Flowers” as the local streets and balconies are full of them. A great way to explore the city is via bike tour. There are a few hiking trails nearby like Guri i Kamjes as well as viewpoints and a National Park.

Take a Trip to Korçë

Korca is known as the “City of Serenades” and it’s one of the prettiest cities in Albania. It’s a 40 minute drive south from Pogradec – many people visit Korçë as a day trip, however the area is best explored in 2+ days.

Korca has plenty of green spaces, beer gardens, a large university campus and several important institutions and cultural monuments. Plus, they have their own brewery.

Best Time of Year to Visit Albania

April is a bit early for a trip to Albania. Daily temperatures can still be cold making beach activities unenjoyable. There’s also still snow in the mountains making some hiking trails inaccessible. I’d recommend waiting until at least May.

May is a good time of year to visit Albania if you’re looking to beat the crowds – the best places in Albania mentioned in this post can be busy midsummer. Temperatures may be a bit chilly for the beach earlier in the month, but by the end of the month most of the snow will melt in the mountains making every activity in Albania accessible.

Tourism starts picking up in June which is one of the best months to plan an Albania trip. Temperatures are not too hot and not too cold making every activity perfectly enjoyable during this time. 

July and August are easily Albania’s hottest and busiest months. These are excellent months to hit the beach in Albania or try any water-based activity. Hiking is popular in the north of the country, but temperatures can be scorching hot – even at altitude – so you have to plan accordingly for that.

September and October are Albania’s shoulder seasons. September is similar to June for temperatures with the added bonus of fall colours beginning to change in the north. October is a bit unpredictable – some years pleasant travel in Albania is still possible, other years this marks the end of Albania’s tourism season.

Winter (November to March) is not a popular time to visit Albania as there’s heavy snowfall in the north and it’s much too cold to enjoy the beaches. Backcountry ski enthusiasts may enjoy the Albanian Alps for touring, however avalanches are possible and rescue resources are not widely available which adds an extra risk factor.

Albania Google Map – 200+ pins

Don’t feel like scrolling through blog posts trying to find things to do in Albania?

Then my Albania map is for you!

Get my 200+ recommendations all in one place for:

• Outdoors: hiking trails, waterfalls, secret beaches & national parks
• Places: ancient cities, beach towns & historical sites
• Things to do: viewpoints, unique activities & tours
• Planning: lodging, restaurants, bus stops & tedious details

DOWNLOAD ALBANIA MAP

see what other travellers are saying about my map

Best places to stay Albania

Happy adventuring!

Taylor ♡

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About the Author

HI, I’m Taylor – the voice behind The Holistic Backpacker.

After moving to Banff National Park in 2020 I became an outdoor adventure enthusiast and vowed to never stop exploring.

I now spend my days travelling the world, climbing mountains, and spending nights under the stars in the Canadian Rockies backcountry.

I created The Holistic Backpacker so I could share my adventures and help connect people like you with the same amazing experiences.

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