Best Hostels in Albania for Backpackers
Natural landscapes, great social atmosphere, delicious food, and cheap prices make Albania a backpacker’s paradise. One of my favourite things about backpacking Albania was the hostel scene and in this guide I’ll tell you the best hostels in Albania for backpackers.
Over my 1.5 month backpacking trip to Albania I stayed in hostels every night – aside from a few guesthouses in the north. Albania’s hostels come in at a great price point, often include delicious traditional breakfasts, they offer tours, and they usually have great social atmospheres.
In this post I’ll go over the best hostels in Albania divided by location to better organize the options.
Skip Ahead:
- Best hostels in Albania Summarized
- About Albania’s hostels
- 3 best hostels in Albania
- Best hostels in: Tirana | Shkoder | Saranda | Berat | Gjirokaster | Himara | Vlora | Permet | Albanian Alps | Shala River
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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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
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
Best Hostels in Albania Summarized
Don’t have time to read? Here are my top hostel recommendations per city in Albania.
- Tirana: Trip’n’Hostel (party) or Tirana Backpackers
- Saranda: Saranda Backpackers
- Gjirokaster: Stone City Hostel or Friend’s Hostel
- Berat: Berat Backpackers
- Permet: Funky Guesthouse & Adventures
- Vlora: Vlora Backpackers
- Himara: Himara Hostel or Sun Baker’s Hostel
Best hostels in the Albanian Alps:
- Shkoder: Wanderer’s Hostel
- Theth: Shpella Guesthouse
- Valbona: Villas Jezerca
- Shala River: Komani Lake Guesthouse or Bee Eco Guesthouse
About Albania’s Hostels
- Hostels in Albania are cheap. If you choose to stay in dorms, you can usually find accommodations for 10-15 euros/night.
- Most hostels have space for last minute bookings (as of 2022) which means you can travel day-by-day without a plan. This will change in the future as Albania is only becoming more popular.
- Most hostels in Albania include a delicious breakfast – don’t book a hostel unless they offer this!
- Most hostels in Albania offer complimentary towels.
- Not all hostels in Albania have air condition. If they do, it’ll be displayed on their booking page.
- In some places like the Shala River or the Albanian Alps you’ll find guesthouses rather than hostels.
- Hostels in Albania are oftentimes run by families. This means you’ll see generations working together to provide you with a comfortable and memorable experience.
- Most of the hostels in Albania are shockingly nice for the amount you pay.
- Most hostels in Albania offer laundry facilities.
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Taylor ♡
3 Best Hostels in Albania
Albania is known for having a great system of hostels, but the 3 Albania hostels below stood out to me as being the absolute best options around the country.
Wanderer’s Hostel in Shkoder
Wanderer’s Hostel in Shkoder is easily the best hostel in Albania for a few reasons. The employees are friendly and they help travellers plan and book their hiking trips to Valbona and Theth. The hostel is also clean, spacious, and has air conditioning. There are curtains on the beds, storage lockers, a beautiful outdoor garden space, events, and one of the best included breakfasts I had during my entire trip in Albania.
Check prices & availability for Wanderer’s Hostel.
Berat Backpackers in Berat
Berat Backpackers also makes the list of best Albania hostels due to the ample amount of outdoor space, large breakfast, and tours offered. This hostel had so many rooms and private spaces. As someone who appreciates personal space, this was a real plus.
Check prices & availability for Berat Backpackers Hostel.
Stone City Hostel in Gjirokaster
If we’re talking luxury, Stone City Hostel is just that (for a hostel, at least). The outdoor garden space is beautiful, the decor and furniture inside is very homey, there are tours available to nearby attractions, and it’s located just steps from Gjirokaster’s bazaar/patio scene.
Check prices & availability for Stone City Hostel.
Best Hostels in Albania – By City
Unless otherwise specified, all hostels on this list offer: included breakfast, storage lockers, linen & towels, internet, laundry facilities (for a fee), air conditioning, and a communal kitchen.
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
Best Hostels in Tirana, Albania
Tirana is the capital city of Albania and the only one with an international airport meaning you’ll likely enter and leave the country from here. In Tirana you’ll find plenty of museums, rich history, restaurants, and services/amenities. If you need to do any shopping plan to do it in Tirana as shopping resources are limited elsewhere.
Here’s my 2 day Tirana itinerary
Tirana Backpacker’s Hostel
Tirana Backpacker’s provides all the basic amenities and has an in-house bar. Bike rentals, day tours, vegetarian meals (for an extra fee) are also available. The garden space, hammocks, orange trees make this Albania hostel very appealing to backpackers.
Tirana Backpacker’s fills up quickly so it’s recommended you book in advance!
Check prices and availability for Tirana Backpacker’s Hostel.
Trip’n’Hostel
Trip’n’Hostel is the second best hostel in Tirana. The hostel itself is somewhat grim, but it’s one of the few “party hostels” in Albania. Most of Albania’s hostels have a chill vibe rather than a party vibe
At Trip’n’Hostel you’re guaranteed to find a young crowd and a lively atmosphere.
Check prices & availability for Trip’n’Hostel.
Best hostels in Albania.
Best Hostels in Shkoder, Albania
Located in northern Albania, Shkoder is the gateway city to the Albanian Alps as well as Komani Lake and the Shala River. Shkoder is known as Albania’s “ancient city” and it’s the culture capital of the country. You’ll find a great social atmosphere, access to nature, a lively cafe/patio scene, as well as a biking culture here.
More: My Shkoder Guide | My hiker’s guide to the Albanian Alps | 1 week North Albania Itinerary
Wanderer’s Hostel
As previously mentioned, I think Wanderer’s is one of the best hostels in Albania. The staff are friendly and helpful, they host organized events (like karaoke), plus they offer luggage storage so you can leave extra backpacks here while you’re away hiking in the alps.
The hostel has a lovely garden space, nice sleeping facilities, a delicious and expansive included breakfast, and bike rentals.
Wanderer’s is another hostel in Albania that fills up quickly and requires advance bookings.
Check prices & availability for Wanderer’s Hostel.
Shkodra Backpackers Hostel – Mi Casa es To Casa
Shkodra Backpackers would be my backup hostel option if Wanderer’s was full. Shkodra Backpackers is built within a historic stone house in the centre of Shkoder and it has an outdoor garden space with fruit trees. The staff helps organize tours to the alps and has bike rentals and free walking tours.
My favourite thing about Shkodra Backpackers as a whole are their environmental practises. Shkodra Backpackers makes use of recycling, composting, solar energy, and they source their seasonal, vegetarian, organic menu from local farmers
Check prices & availability for Shkodra Backpacker’s Hostel.
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
Best Hostels in Saranda, Albania
Saranda is one of the more touristy destinations in Albania. City amenities, oodles of restaurants, tours, and various rental equipment is all available in Saranda. Clubbing is popular here too. Saranda is a great place to stay in Albania if you’re looking to visit the Blue Eye, Ksamil, and Butrint.
Here’s my 2 Day Guide to Saranda
Saranda Backpacker’s Hostel
Saranda Backpacker’s is the best hostel in Saranda – advance booking required. This Albania hostel has a great environment, central location near a bus stop and the ferry to Corfu, ATMS, car & bike rentals, etc.
Check prices & availability for Saranda Backpacker’s Hostel.
Wallaby Hostel
The Wallaby is the best alternative hostel in Saranda if you can’t get a room at Saranda Backpackers. The hostel is a bit grim and the owner is stingy when it comes to towels the free breakfast (if you can even call it that), but this hostel attracts a fun crowd.
After 11pm a quiet hour is enforced in Saranda, so to counteract this the owner has opened a bar downtown where he hosts frequent karaoke nights and serves $1 beers. You won’t find yourself living the high life at Wallaby Hostel, but it does offer a fun social atmosphere.
You can check prices & availability for the Wallaby Hostel here.
Saranda Hostels – Honourable Mentions
Hasta La Vista is another Saranda hostel that has so much potential, but hasn’t made the most of their facility. The hostel is huge and has lots of space where you can get away to find a quiet spot, but the environment isn’t great and it lacks character. I also found this Albania hostel in particular attracted a much older crowd.
Check pricing & availability for Hostel Hasta La Vista.
Best Hostels in Berat, Albania
Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Ottoman architecture. The city is filled with historic houses, there’s a large castle, and it’s situated near the Osumi Canyon (aka the “Grand Canyon” of Albania) and Mount Tomorr National Park.
Here’s my 2 Day to Berat.
Berat Backpackers Hostel
I deem Berat Backpackers to be one of the best hostels in Albania. It’s located in the historic Gorica quarter of Berat which overlooks the entire city. The garden space outside is cozy and there’s ample space in the basement – essentially it’s easy to find solitude at Berat Backpackers.
Berat Backpackers offers an included breakfast with all the local favourites and they also offer Osumi Canyon trips.
Check prices & availability for Berat Backpackers Hostel.
Maya Hostel
Maya Hostel is the sister hostel to Berat Backpackers and they operate same tours. I personally would try to book Berat Backpackers over Maya Hostel only because I like the layout and the many cozy spaces at Berat Backpackers. Aside from this they’re identical in what they offer.
If you have mobility issues Maya Hostel is more suitable than Berat Backpackers. To get to Berat Backpackers you have to walk through narrow walkways – you cannot simply be dropped off in front of the building.
Check prices & availability for Maya Hostel.
Berat Hostels – Honourable Mention
If both Berat Backpackers and Maya Hostel are full, hostel Mangalem is the alternative hostel I recommend booking. Hostel Mangalem is located across the river from Berat Backpackers in the Mangalem quarter which puts you a bit closer to the restaurants, “nightlife,” and attractions of Berat.
Check prices and availability for Hostel Mangalem.
Best Hostels in Albania for Backpackers
Best Hostels in Gjirokaster, Albania
Gjirokaster – another UNESCO World Heritage Site – may have been the quaintest & cutest city I visited in Albania. Nicknamed the “city of stone,” the streets of Gjirokaster are made of ancient cobblestone and the entire “city centre” is a bazaar filled with artisan crafts, local vendors, and patios. You can also find a castle, hiking trails, river rafting, and museums/old bunkers here.
Here’s my 2 Day guide to Gjirokaster
Stone City Hostel
Stone City Hostel – another one of the best hostels in Albania – is located just steps away from Gjirokaster’s bazaar. The owners of Stone City Hostel have literally poured their hearts and souls into this place and it’s clearly reflected in the decor, activities they offer, and the hostels popularity – advanced booking required.
Breakfast here is community style where everyone sits at a large table which allows backpackers to make friends before they head out for the day. The woman who runs Stone City also makes her famous cake for breakfast each day.
Check prices & availability for Stone City Hostel.
Friend’s Hostel
Friend’s Hostel is run by a generational family – you’ll see them all working together to cook and serve meals, do laundry, change bedding, etc.
Friend’s hostel is spotless, the beds have curtains (a rarity in Albania), the bathrooms are nice and spacious, plus the owners make traditional meals at a very affordable price. Friend’s is a little quieter than Stone City, which makes this Albania hostel the perfect place to hideout if you’re looking for a quieter experience in Gjirokaster.
The only downfall to Friends Hostel is that there’s no communal kitchen.
Check prices & availability for Friends Hostel.
Best hostels in Albania.
Best Hostels in Himara, Albania
Himara offers visitors a quiet beach experience along the Albanian Riviera. There’s tons of coast to explore, you can go kayaking, and relax on the beach surrounded by mountains.
Here’s my 3 Day Himara Guide
Himara Hostel
Himara Hostel is located in the heart of Himara. This Albania hostel has a chill vibe; large garden space, hammocks, outdoor seating, and animals roaming around. When I stayed here there were 2 brand new litters of kittens on the property.
The hostel employees are very knowledgeable about the area, plus you can rent cheap kayaks here. The only downfall to the Himara Hostel was no air conditioning.
Check prices & availability for Himara Hostel.
Sun Baker’s Hostel
Sun Baker’s Hostel has a beautiful outdoor garden space where you’ll find views overlooking the sea and olive trees. The hostel is only a 100m walk to the beach and they have an in-house bar.
Check prices & availability for Sun Baker’s Hostel.
Best hostels in Albania for backpackers.
Best Hostels in Vlora, Albania
Many travellers overlook Vlora, however the city offers a great “vacation vibe” with long stretches of beach, tons of beachside restaurants, palm trees, etc. There’s a popular boat trip to the nearby Karaburun Peninsula here in addition to snorkelling opportunities.
Here’s my 2 Day Vlora Guide
Vlora Backpackers Hostel
Vlora Backpackers Hostel might be one of the worst hostels in Albania, but there’s something loveable about it. The building itself is grim and the included breakfast is sad, but the owners are lovely people with great local recommendations. You can clearly tell they love what they do which makes the otherwise icky hostel great.
You can also rent bikes here for just a few euros.
Check prices & availability for Vlora Backpacker’s Hostel.
If this hostel doesn’t fit your vibe you can check out the following mid-range lodging options: Deluxe Apartments or Hotel Artisti. For luxury options check out Hotel Aross or Maritim Marina Bay Resort & Casino.
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
Best Guesthouses in Permet, Albania
Permet is a great place to visit for adventure tourism. Here you can go horseback riding, canyon hiking, and visit natural hot springs.
Here’s my 2 Day Permet Guide
There are no hostels in Permet – only guesthouses.
Funky Guesthouse & Adventures
Funky Guesthouse & Adventures is THE place to stay in Permet. The guesthouse is located centrally in town, they offer great excursions, and they serve a delicious, buffet style breakfast.
Check prices & availability for Funky Guesthouse & Adventures.
Eljo’s House
Eljo’s House is where I stayed in Permet – it’s the best budget option and it’s the most wholesome. The guesthouse is run by a generational family who doesn’t speak much English, but can still somehow communicate with you. When I stayed here the grandmother brought me fresh flowers and fruit each morning. Plus when I arrived they had stocked the local traditional dessert – glicko – in the fridge.
The place is a total bang-for-your buck as you get an entire apartment space with a kitchen for dirt cheap.
Check prices & availability for Eljo’s House.
Best Albania hostels.
Best Guesthouses in the Albanian Alps
The Albanian Alps, comprised of Theth and Valbona, is located in the Dinaric Alps with peaks soaring well above 2,000m. This is a great place to base yourself for a while if you’re hoping to do some hiking.
In the Albanian alps you won’t find hostels, but rather guesthouses run by the locals. I feel the guesthouse owners go above and beyond in the alps to make your stay special.
Here’s my Hiker’s Guide to the Albanian Alps
Best Guesthouses in Theth
- Ultimate Budget Stay: Bujtina Terthorja
- Best all around: Shpella Guesthouse – requires advanced booking
- Where I stayed: Guesthouse Rrashkadoli. I cannot speak highly enough of the owners. They’re very kind and generous
- Located in the centre of the village: Guesthouse Villa Gurra
Best Guesthouses in Valbona:
- Ultimate budget stay: Bujtina Albjoni.
- Popular choice: Villas Jezerca
- Upscale: Drino’s Guesthouse – I stayed here one night and had a fantastic experience. Drino’s family owns a delicious restaurant next door
- Luxury: Valbona Resort & Spa
- Best campsite: Valbona Eco Camp.
Best Guesthouses on the Shala River
The Shala River is located just off Komani Lake (aka the “Thailand of Albania”). You can visit the Shala River as a day trip or spend a night at one of the guesthouses. Guesthouses here are located right next to the clear, blue river which originates in Theth National Park. There are beach bars here, kayaking, hiking trails, horses roaming, and the view of the stars at night is next level.
Here’s my Shala River Guide
Riverside Komani Lake
Riverside Komani Lake is located around the corner from the actual Shala River. This guesthouse is ideal as it’s located away from the busy tourist scene that exists in the day, but close enough that the guesthouse owners can quickly take you there by boat to check it out.
All food served here is homemade and locally sourced which I loved.
Check prices and availability for Riverside Komani Lake.
Bee Eco Guesthouse and Blini Park
The Bee Eco Guesthouse and Blini Park are two guesthouses located directly on the Shala River.
Check prices and availability for Bee Eco Guesthouse or Blini Park.
Albania hostels.
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
and that concludes my list of the best hostels in Albania for backpackers.
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.
