30+ BEST Albania Activities & Things to do
These 30+ best activities in Albania made my 1.5 month backpacking trip here very special. There’s lots of things to do in Albania from beaches, mountains, and ancient cities to delicious food, a social atmosphere, and untouched nature.
In addition to variety, the activities and things to do in Albania are much cheaper than elsewhere in Europe. This will not last forever though. Albania is quickly becoming a popular destination. Referred to as “the next Greece” and “the next Croatia” prices for things to do in Albania will surely rise as time progresses.
Here’s my guide for the 17 best places in Albania to complement the Albania activities listed below.
Skip Ahead:
- Best time of year to visit Albania
- Public transportation in Albania
- BEST things to do & activities in Albania
- What to pack for Albania
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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 Time of Year to Visit Albania
Based on the the activities in Albania you opt to do there are certain times of year that may be better to visit than others.
April is a bit early for most things to do in 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 mid May to plan a trip to Albania.
May is a good time of year to visit Albania if you’re looking to beat the crowds. 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 a trip to Albania. Temperatures are not too hot and not too cold making every activity in Albania perfectly enjoyable during this time.
July and August are easily Albania’s hottest and busiest months. These are excellent months to hit the beach or try any water-based activity in Albania. 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 Activities for travellers
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Public Transportation in Albania
Before I tell you about things to do in Albania, I’ll outline how the public transportation system works here as you’ll likely be using it to get around.
There’s no passenger train in Albania and there’s only one international airport in Tirana. This may change in the semi-near future as Albania is gaining popularity fast as a travel destination.
The main methods of entry into Albania are flying into the Tirana International Airport, catching a ferry from Corfu (Greece) into Saranda, or taking a bus from Montenegro.
Once you’re in Albania the best way to get around is the bus. It’s the cheapest transport method too; less than 1€ for intracity routes and 6€ – 12€ for regional routes which are mainly run via mini bus. There are taxis, however they can be pricey in comparison to the bus.
The bus system is Albania is a bit chaotic compared to what you may be used to if you’re visiting from North America or other parts of Europe. Schedules and routes are just starting to appear online/on Google Maps (as of 2024), however they’re not 100% trustworthy. I’d recommend asking your lodging providers about the bus to ensure your information is correct. The bus drivers don’t usually speak English, however the locals are very friendly and are always happy to help.
There are no bus transit hubs, but rather large parking lots with destination signs in the windows or weird pickups on the side of the road with minimal signage. It can be confusing, I won’t lie.
Some tips to help you with the bus in Albania:
- Driving can be fast and rough. If you experience motion sickness, bring peppermint oil or motion sickness pills – whatever works for you.
- Talk to your hotel/hostel staff to find out when and where the bus routes run. I have important major bus stops marked in my Albania map which you can download here.
- Bring extra water and food for the bus. You never know if the bus pickups/drop offs will be on time. Best to be prepared.
- Buses don’t always have air conditioning and you may have to walk a distance to the bus stop. Travelling early in the morning will help you beat the heat.
- Don’t rely on the last bus of the day. Ever. Just in case.
These are the best things to do in Albania and the best albania activities.
BEST Activities in Albania
These best things to do in Albania range from adventurous hiking trips to historical endeavours to relaxing on the beach to suit every type of traveller. Aside from paid activities in Albania there are free things to do like walking tours and enjoying an evening stroll at sunset (“xhiro” as the locals call it).
You can also take advantage of cheap activities in Albania like seeing the castles located in each large city or ancient town as they only cost a few euros to enter.
For planning purposes I’ve divided each of the Albania activities below by the nearest “big” city.
I’ve also marked every activity in Albania mentioned below in my Albania map.
Albania activities for all travellers.
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
Things to do in Permet, Albania
I’ve decided to start this post of best activities in Albania with Permet as there’s many fun things to do here. Permet was one of my favourite cities I visited during my 1.5 months in Albania.
Here’s my 2 Day Permet Guide + Itinerary with more detailed information regarding the Albania activities mentioned below.
Things to do in Albania for adventurous travellers.
Trek Through Lengarica Canyon & Visit the Benja Hot Springs
Near Permet exists natural hot springs said to have healing powers and an impressive canyon. Unfortunately there’s no public transportation to the hot springs so you’ll either have to hitchhike there (what I did), rent a bike and do the gruelling uphill climb, or go on a tour. I linked the best tour I could find via the button below.
The hot springs get quite crowded midday so it’s best to arrive early. Directly next to the hot springs is Lengarica Canyon which ended up being one of my favourite activities in Albania throughout my entire stay. The canyon has tall walls, milky blue water, and it’s very quiet compared to the hot springs allowing you to get up close and personal with nature.
You can book the Lengarica Canyon & hot springs tour here
Where to stay in Permet: Funky Guesthouse Adventures (best option), Eljo’s House (where I stayed – great value), RAMIS Hotel (mid-range)
Adventure activities in Albania
Go Horseback Riding Through the Mountains
Another one of my favourite things to do in Albania – and a great adventure activity in Albania – is horseback riding. This horseback riding tour ventures through Fir of Hotova National Park where you’ll ride up mountains and cross rivers.
The guides are awesome and they’ll you all about the local area. It’s definitely the best horseback riding tour I’ve been on and I highly recommend it.
You can book the horseback riding tour here
Where to stay in Permet: Funky Guesthouse Adventures (best option), Eljo’s House (where I stayed – great value), RAMIS Hotel (mid-range)
Things to do in Albania for adventurous travellers.
Go Rafting in Europe’s Last Virgin River
The Vjosa River – Europe’s last “wild” river with no manmade structures – flows through Permet. An adventurous Albania activity you can add to your itinerary is rafting through the river.
The rafting route crosses class II and class III rapids which means the tour will be exciting – not like a lazy river. This tour is best completed earlier in the season when water levels are higher. The end of May and June are best.
Where to stay in Permet: Funky Guesthouse Adventures (best option), Eljo’s House (family-run/budget), Hotel Permeti (mid-range)
Best activities in Albania for backpackers.
Things to do in Tirana, Albania
Tirana is Albania’s vibrant capital city. Many travellers enter the country through Tirana’s airport as it’s the only international one in the country. There’s lot of activities in Tirana, however I wouldn’t recommend spending too much time in this city as Albania’s beach and mountain towns have much more to offer.
Here’s my 2 Day Tirana Guide + Itinerary
Albania activities in Tirana.
Hike Bovilla Lake in Dajti National Park
If you’re like me, escaping the city is the best part of visiting the city. Near Tirana there’s plenty of nature in Dajti National Park. A popular tour here is the hike up Gamti Mountain which overlooks Bovilla Lake – Tirana’s bright blue water reservoir.
No bus or taxi will take you to Gamti Mountain as the road there requires 4×4 so you’ll need to book a tour if you’d like to do this hike. Good news is the hike is quick – around 30 minutes – and well travelled meaning it’s easy and suitable for everyone no matter your previous hiking experience.
You can book the Gamti Mountain tour here
Where to stay in Tirana: Trip’n’Hostel or Tirana Backpackers (budget). Artistic Tirana Blloku or Hotel LONDON (mid-range hotels). Rogner Hotel or Maritim Hotel Plaza (luxury).
Adventure activities in Albania.
Dajti Ekspress & Maja e Tujanit Hike
On the topic of nature and adventurous things to do in Albania, there’s a local summit in Tirana called Maja e Tujanit which overlooks Bovilla Lake from the distance. The hike starts at the top of the Dajti Ekspress – Tirana’s gondola with views over the city.
The maja e Tujanit hike is low traffic and is not too difficult aside from a bit of route finding making this a great hike to do in Tirana.
More information about this hike can be found in my
Where to stay in Tirana: Trip’n’Hostel or Tirana Backpackers (budget). Artistic Tirana Blloku or Hotel LONDON (mid-range hotels). Rogner Hotel or Maritim Hotel Plaza (luxury).
Adventurous things to do in albania.
Top Tirana Tours – Albania’s Capital City
Since Tirana is Albania’s capital, there’s plenty of things to do here. To sum up a few other interesting Albania activities offered in Tirana you can:
- “Taste Albania” with these cooking classes & traditional food tasting.
- Explore nearby caves, canyons, and castles + go for a swim – this tour incorporates transportation & lunch.
- Spend the day riding horses on the beach in nearby Durres – book here.
- Go zip lining. Transportation to nearby Petrelë is included in this tour.
- There’s a daily free walking tour in Tirana as well which is led by a knowledgeable local guide. This is a great way to get to know the city.
- Similar to the walking tour, there’s also a bike tour which ventures further from the main attractions.
Where to stay in Tirana: Trip’n’Hostel or Tirana Backpackers (budget). Artistic Tirana Blloku or Hotel LONDON (mid-range hotels). Rogner Hotel or Maritim Hotel Plaza (luxury).
Best things to do in Albania on a budget.
Things to do in Vlora, Albania
Vlora marks the northernmost point of the Albanian Riviera. I’d describe Vlora as a stereotypical beachy “tourist” town as it’s characterized by many hotels and restaurants lining a long stretch of sandy beach. Vlora is often overlooked by travellers, however the boat trips here make this city worth a visit.
Here’s my 2 day guide to Vlora + itinerary
Things to do in Albania; boating.
Explore the Karaburun Peninsula via Boat
As I mentioned one of the best things to do in Albania when it comes to Vlora are boat trips. The boat trips in Vlora cruise along the Karaburun Peninsula making stops at beaches, caves, and Sazan Island which is an old military base you’ll have the chance to walk through.
The Vlora boat trips are a huge bang for your buck – I paid approx. 12 euros for a 10hr boat cruise. You can book a speedboat tour online in advance (which I have linked below) or book a tour on arrival at the port of Vlora. The speedboat tour is a great option if you’re looking to do the tour in a shorter amount of time.
I found the longer day trips on the boat attracted an older crowd.
You can book a speedboat tour here
Where to stay in Vlora: Vlora Backpackers (budget), Deluxe Apartment (mid-range), Maritim Marina Bay Resort & Casino (luxury)
Things to do in Albania.
Go Snorkelling in the Karabulut Marine Park
The Albanian Riviera has exceptional beaches and caves which equates to great snorkelling and swimming opportunities. If you’d like to explore Vlora’s surroundings underwater there are snorkelling tours available.
The tour linked below includes a rib boat trip to caves where you can explore the underwater life followed up by relaxing on the beach.
You can book the rib boat + snorkelling tour here
Where to stay in Vlora: Vlora Backpackers (budget), Deluxe Apartment (mid-range), Maritim Marina Bay Resort & Casino (luxury)
Beach activities 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
Things to do in Berat, Albania
Berat is one of Albania’s ancient cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Berat, also referred to as the “city of a thousand windows,” is characterized by old Ottoman neighbourhoods, a castle, and nearby natural attractions that adventurous travellers will love.
Here’s my 2 day Berat guide + itinerary
Visit the “Grand Canyon of Albania” and Polar Dip in the Bogove Waterfall
This tour ranks among one of the best adventurous activities in Albania.
Osumi Canyon has been deemed the “Grand Canyon of Albania.” The canyon has steep walls and milky blue water. You can hike/swim through the canyon as well as raft through it. There are opportunities for cliff jumping as well.
The tour linked below is led by a knowledgeable local who will drive you to the canyon and stop at all the best viewpoints along the way. The tour includes not only a tour of Osumi Canyon, but also a quick trip to the Bogove waterfall which has icy, blue water – the perfect place for a midsummer polar dip.
You can book the Osumi Canyon tour below
Where to stay in Berat: Berat Backpackers (budget), Guesthouse Have Baci (guesthouse), Hotel Colombo (5 star), Hotel Mangalemi (cultural)
Go Rafting in Osumi Canyon
If you’d like to go on the rafting tour through the Osumi Canyon you can book the tour below.
Where to stay in Berat: Berat Backpackers (budget), Guesthouse Have Baci (guesthouse), Hotel Colombo (5 star), Hotel Mangalemi (cultural)
4×4 in Mount Tomorr National park to Sotira Waterfall
Located near the city of Berat you’ll also find the holy Mount Tomorr. This 4×4 tour is one of the more unique things to do in Albania as it offers the chance to 4×4 through the national park, see various monuments, and take a dip in the icy cold Bogove waterfall – which is perfect on a hot day!
You can book this tour via
Where to stay in Berat: Berat Backpackers (budget), Guesthouse Have Baci (guesthouse), Hotel Colombo (5 star), Hotel Mangalemi (cultural)
adventurous things to do in Albania.
Things to do in Saranda, Albania
Saranda is one of Albania’s busiest cities. It’s a popular place for tourists and backpackers alike as there’s plenty of interesting activities in Albania to do nearby, plus there’s a major port which easily connects travellers with Corfu Greece via ferry.
Here’s my 2 day Saranda guide + itinerary
If you’re short for time, the tour linked below includes all Saranda’s highlights in one day
Check out the Blue Eye of Saranda
One of the most iconic things to do in Albania is visit the Blue Eye. Although not in Saranda, the Blue Eye is best visited from this city. To get to the Blue Eye you can rent a scooter or hire a taxi for 50-60 euros and split the cost with other travellers (what I did), or use the Blue Eye Shuttle by KMG Tourism Group. This roundtrip shuttle runs multiple times/day. You can find timetables and more information on their Facebook page.
You can also take the public bus toward Gjirokaster. Upon boarding the bus tell the bus employees you’d like to go to the Blue Eye and they’ll stop the bus near the parking lot where you can walk the rest of the way.
What is the Blue Eye? The Blue Eye is the source of Bistricë; a 25km long river which empties into the Ionian Sea. No one knows how deep the Blue Eye actually is. The cold, blue water rising to the Earth’s surface still remains a mystery.
This tour to the Blue Eye includes transportation along with many other stops to places like Lekuresi Castle, Ksamil, and Butrint
Where to stay in Saranda: Saranda Backpackers (budget), Hotel Kanes (mid-range), Bouganville Bay Spa & Casino (luxury)
Things to do in Albania
Catamaran Boat Tour for Snorkelling
If snorkelling and swimming are on your list of things to do in Albania, consider this snorkelling tour – transportation via catamaran. The tour stops at Krorëza Beach with other possible stops at Kakome Beach, Plazhi i Ushtarit, and the Soldier’s Beach.
You can book the Saranda snorkelling tour here
Where to stay in Saranda: Saranda Backpackers (budget), Hotel Kanes (mid-range), Bouganville Bay Spa & Casino (luxury)
adventurous things to do in albania
Walk Through the Butrint UNESCO Site
Butrint is a UNSECO World Heritage site featuring ruins and a museum full of artifacts. The site is located in a national park and can be reached via bus from Saranda.
Again, if you’re looking for an all-in-one Saranda experience, the tour below has it all including Butrint
Where to stay in Saranda: Saranda Backpackers (budget), Hotel Kanes (mid-range), Bouganville Bay Spa & Casino (luxury)
adventurous albania activities
Spend the Afternoon in Ksamil
Ksamil is a beach destination just south of Saranda. It’s accessible by bus and visiting is a great thing to do in Albania if you’re looking for a louder, “party” style beach. There’s lots of loud music and beach bars around.
When you arrive in Ksamil you could opt to go paddle boarding
Where to stay in Saranda: Saranda Backpackers (budget), Hotel Kanes (mid-range), Bouganville Bay Spa & Casino (luxury)
Take a Day Trip to the Stone City
I’ll speak about Gjirokaster more below, however I’ll first link it up here with Saranda as there’s a day trip to Gjirokaster from Saranda. This is a great option for those with limited time who’d like to see Gjirokaster, but don’t have time to take public transportation and stay overnight.
This tour includes a trip to the Blue Eye, the Gjirokaster castle, the Gjirokaster bazaar, and the Skenduli House – the oldest stone house in Gjirokaster.
You can book the day trip to Gjirokaster (which includes a stop at the Blue Eye) here
Where to stay in Saranda: Saranda Backpackers (budget), Hotel Kanes (mid-range), Bouganville Bay Spa & Casino (luxury)
Things to do in Himara, Albania
Himara is a quiet beach town located centrally along the Albanian Riviera making it a perfect base to explore the nearby beaches. Himara is a place travellers come to relax as the calm atmosphere and beautiful nature have a serene effect.
Here’s my 3 day Himara guide + itinerary
Kayak the Albanian Riviera
The Albanian Riviera has a beautiful coastline characterized by caves, secret beaches, and sea cliffs. One of the adventurous Albania activities you can opt to do is rent a kayak to explore the shoreline.
There are multiple kayak rental spots in Himara – I got cheap daily rentals from the Himara Hostel – and many things nearby to explore via the water. I personally kayaked to Gjipe beach from Himara and back in one day which allowed me to see a large part of the Riviera otherwise requiring a car to access.
There’s more information about the Himara-Gjipe kayak route in this post
Where to stay in Himara: Himara Hostel (budget), Sea View Hotel (luxury), Himara Castle (cultural experience)
things to do in albania
Scramble to a Hidden Beach in Himara
One of the “secret” beaches I alluded to above is called Gjiri Filikuri Beach. Although not necessarily a “secret” anymore, Gjiri Filikuri is the best beach near Himara to get away from the more touristy spots. The beach is surrounded by cliff walls and there’s not a chair or service in sight.
To get to Gjiri Filikuri Beach you’ll either need to kayak or walk – the walking route involves a bit of scrambling so proper footwear is encouraged.
This post has more information about Gjiri Filikuri Beach
Where to stay in Himara: Himara Hostel (budget), Sea View Hotel (luxury), Himara Castle (cultural experience)
adventurous activities in albania
Drive the Llogora Pass
Llogara Pass stands at 1,027m near the main road between Vlora and Himara. The pass offers vistas overlooking the Ionian Sea and the road to get there follows tight, steep switchbacks. Himara is the closest main city to the pass, so if you don’t have a car renting a scooter and making the drive up is a popular choice among tourists.
ps – I’ve marked everything mentioned in this post in my Albania Map.
Where to stay in Himara: Himara Hostel (budget), Sea View Hotel (luxury), Himara Castle (cultural experience)
Things to do in Albania.
Things to do in the Albanian Alps
The Albanian Alps as a whole is my favourite place in Albania. The big mountains, waterfalls, mountain village culture, and stunning valleys made me wish I’d booked more time there. There’s great hiking and view seeking opportunities in the Alps so if you’re looking for adventurous things to do, these Albania activities are for you.
Here’s my hiker’s guide to the Albanian Alps which has everything you need to know about Theth, Valbona, the Shala River, and Shkoder.
Visit the Shala River
Komani Lake is known as the “Thailand of Albania” for it’s green water and distinct jagged mountains. Attached to Komani Lake is the Shala River – a crystal clear river coming from the mountainous region of Theth National Park.
The Shala River is the perfect place to escape in nature as it offers kayaking and hiking opportunities. Additionally the area is beautiful – it sits between steep mountain walls and is surrounded by vibrant blue water. I spent 2 nights on the Shala River and had a lovely time, however you can take day trips rather than spend the night – I’ve linked a tour below.
Komani Lake is an essential part of the transportation route to Valbona, so it’s best if you spend a day or a night on the Shala River prior to going to Valbona.
More information about visiting the Shala River can be found in this post
Where to stay on the Shala River: Riverside Komani Lake (where I stayed – not directly on the Shala River, but quieter), Bee Eco Guesthouse and Blink Park are directly next to the Shala River
popular things to do in Albania
Hike Maja Rosit
This hike was one of my favourite things do in Albania. The Maja Rosit hike begins in Valbona then crosses the border into Montenegro where you’ll look into Prokletije National Park over a field of wildflowers (if you opt to hike in July).
More information about the Maja Rosit hike can be found in this post
Where to stay in Valbona: Upscale Option: Drino’s Guesthouse (upscale – where I stayed), Valbona Resort & Spa (luxury), Bujtina Albjoni (budget), Villas Jezerca (popular choice)
Polar Plunge into the Blue Eye of Theth
The Blue Eye of Theth is one of the best things to do in Albania. It’s ice cold which makes it possible to polar plunge even in the peak heat of July.
To access the Blue Eye of Theth you must hike – I have more information about the Blue Eye trail in this post.
You can book a day trip to the Blue Eye from Shkoder and Tirana here
Where to stay in Theth: Shpella Guesthouse (best all-around), Guest-house Villa Gurra (located in the centre of Theth), Guesthouse Rrashkadoli (where I stayed – lovely family operation), Bujtina Berishta Theth (“luxury”)
Albania activities
Hike from Valbona-Theth
There are two very popular national parks located in Albania’s north – Valbona and Theth. These two places on their own are very appealing to backpackers and tourists, however the trail connecting the two is one of the most popular, adventurous activities in Albania.
There’s no road connecting the two national parks, so the only way to visit both without spending multiple days backtracking to Shkoder and around is to hike.
More information about Valbona, Theth, and the connecting hike can be found in these posts
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
Things to do in Gjirokaster, Albania
Gjirokaster is another one of Albania’s ancient cities – aka the “Stone City.” As you can imagine the streets are cobblestone and all the structures in the old town are made entirely of stone. There’s a large castle here, multiple historic houses, and tasty restaurants.
Here’s my 2 day Gjirokaster guide + itinerary
Shop the Bazaar
Aside from being a historic city, the thing that makes Gjirokaster such a popular place for tourists is the bazaar. The Gjirokaster bazaar is full of artisan goodies like colourful rugs, tableware, clothing, jewelry, bags, and more.
This is a great Albania activity for those looking to bring home souvenirs or shop locally.
Where to stay in Gjirokaster: Stone City Hostel (budget), Old Bazaar 1790 (located the Old Bazaar), Hotel Domino (mid-range hotel),
Hike to Ali Pasha Bridge & Watch for Shepards
The Ali Pasha Bridge is an old aqueduct. The aqueduct is located in a canyon overlooking the mountains which makes it the perfect Albania activity for those looking for an activity involving some exercise.
The bridge can be found using Google Maps and the walk there takes just under an hour. If you’re lucky you may even see a Shepard herding his goats around the bridge – I was!
Where to stay in Gjirokaster: Stone City Hostel (budget), Old Bazaar 1790 (located the Old Bazaar), Hotel Domino (mid-range hotel),
Things to do in Shkoder, Albania
Shkoder is officially known as Albania’s “ancient city” though aside from the castle I personally found it didn’t seem much older than most other places in the country. There’s a few fun Albania activities to do in Shkoder, but the main appeal of this city is that it’s the gateway city to the Albanian Alps. If you want to visit Theth or Valbona you’ll need to transit through Shkoder first.
Here’s my Shkoder guide + itinerary
Shiroka & Lake Skadar
Shkoder has a mega biking culture which means you can get cheap rentals from almost every street corner. Nearby is the quaint town of Shiroka which lies next to Lake Skadar.
You can bike over to Shiroka, rent kayaks on the lake, and enjoy their local dish – carp – at a restaurant overlooking the lake.
Where to stay in Shkoder: Wanderer’s Hostel (where I stayed), Sol Hotel (mid-range), Hotel Colosseo & Spa (luxury).
Things to do in Albania
What to Wear & Pack for Albania
Depending on when you visit Albania and the things to do in Albania that you decide on, what you pack may vary slightly. Typically visitors flock to the mountains and beaches here during summer which is a HOT time of year. Light, flowy clothes are best. Leave the denim and hoodies at home.
Here’s my ultimate list of travel essentials
The locals dress slightly more conservative, however as a tourist I felt comfortable wearing whatever I wanted – and I always dress to respect the local culture. Bikinis and crop tops to dresses and skirts, you’ll be fine no matter what you wear. The locals may stare the more revealing your clothing is, however they’ll stare regardless, it’s part of the culture.
I often wore long skirts, lightweight pants, and thin cardigans I could tie up around my waist. This was solely for sun protection as I’m not a fan of sunscreen. Keeping my sweaty skin off chair surfaces and whatnot was also nice.
Make sure you pack at least 2 bathing suits, a travel towel, a couple dresses or skirts, comfortable shorts and tanks/tees. I brought trail runners and Crocs for shoes, but sandals would work too. I won’t list recommended quantities of these things as depending on the activities you’re doing packing will be different. However what I will say is less is more. Laundry isn’t too hard to do in Albania and carrying around a massive, heavy backpack in the scorching heat is not ideal. Especially if you’re travelling Albania for 2 weeks+.
If you’re visiting Albania during spring/fall or are hiking in the mountainous northern areas, a pair of hiking pants and a light sweater could be useful. When I hiked the alps in summer it reached 35C at altitude though so this was not necessary for me.
I also recommend packing all your skincare products and toiletries before you arrive. I’m an all-natural product maker and user. I found only one shop in Tirana that sold high quality skincare oils and I definitely would not have used the local products otherwise. Regretfully I can’t remember the name of the store to share for the other natural product users here. But one does exist!
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
Things to do in 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.
