In short
With a week, pair Tirana with Berat and the coast or go north to Shkodër and Theth. Allow two weeks to combine the Albanian Alps with the Riviera.
At a glance
- One week
- Tirana, Berat and the Riviera, or north to Shkodër and Theth
- Two weeks
- Combine the Alps and the coast
- For the coast
- June or September
- For towns
- May or October
- Getting around
- Buses and minibuses, or a hire car for smaller beach towns
- Money
- Albanian lek (ALL); carry some small notes
Where to start your Albania trip
Fly into Tirana if you want to explore inland or head north. The airport bus into the city stops behind the Opera and Ballet Theatre, off Skanderbeg Square. The airport lists the city-centre fare at 400 lek one way; check the fare before you travel. There's a separate airport bus to the South and North Bus Terminal for onward travel, so check which stop you need before boarding.
The ferry from Corfu to Sarandë can make sense for a trip centred on the southern coast. Price the flight, transfer to the ferry terminal and crossing together. Ionian Seaways asks passengers to arrive at its international terminal at least an hour before departure. Ferry timetables use local times, and Corfu is an hour ahead of Albania. Leave a generous gap if your flight and ferry are on separate bookings, and check the entry rules for both countries.
How many days do you need in Albania?
These are sample loops for a return flight through Tirana. The numbers are nights in each place. Keep the last night in Tirana or near the airport if you want an easy start on departure day.
| Trip length | Where to sleep | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days for the coast | Tirana 1, Berat 2, Himarë 2, Tirana or airport 1 | A full day in Berat and a full day by the sea. |
| 7 days for the mountains | Tirana 1, Shkodër 2, Theth 2, Tirana or airport 1 | Time in Shkodër and a day to explore the Theth valley. |
| 10 days for southern Albania | Tirana 1, Berat 2, Gjirokastër 2, Himarë 3, Tirana or airport 1 | Two historic centres and two full days on the Riviera. |
| 14 days for the Alps and the coast | Tirana 1, Shkodër 1, Theth 2, Berat 2, Gjirokastër 2, Riviera 4, Tirana or airport 1 | Room for a full travel day between Theth and Berat. |
In Tirana, Skanderbeg Square and the Bunk'Art 2 museum make an easy first outing from a central hotel. The museum uses a former bunker to tell the story of state surveillance during Albania's communist period. In Berat, cross the Osum to Gorica for a view back towards Mangalem, then set aside time to climb to the castle. In Gjirokastër, start at the bazaar and make your way up to the fort. If your room is in the old town, ask your host where a taxi can drop you and how far you'll need to walk with bags.
Where to stay on the Albanian Riviera
| Base | What you can plan around it |
|---|---|
| Himarë | Stay by the town beach if you want to swim before breakfast and walk to dinner. Plan Livadhi as a separate beach outing. |
| Sarandë | Start here if you're arriving by ferry from Greece. Compare accommodation by the harbour with places uphill, especially if you'll be carrying luggage. |
| Ksamil | Choose it for a beach stay with a trip to nearby Butrint, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site. Ask your host how beach access and sunbed charges work near the property. |
Pick the base you'd enjoy on a day with no excursions. A central address can be worth more than a balcony view if you want to come back from the beach for lunch and go out again later.
Can you travel around Albania without a car?
Yes. Build the trip around towns with confirmed connections. From Tirana, start with Berat for an old-town stay or Shkodër for the Alps. Visit Shkodër lists minibuses to and from Theth. Ask your guesthouse to confirm the pick-up point and the return journey before you book. Use eTransport for intercity buses, then check your departure terminal and the last service for the date you're travelling. For the two-week loop, consider breaking the trip from Theth to Berat in Tirana if the bus connections leave a long gap.
A hire car earns its keep when you want to visit several beaches or stay away from town centres. Check parking at each overnight stop and ask the hire company which documents, insurance and payment card it requires. Allow extra time for winding roads and plan rural drives for daylight. If you intend to take the car across a border, get the hire company's authorisation and check the insurance before you book.
When to go for beaches, towns and hikes
June and September are good starting points for a coastal trip. July and August suit travellers who want the height of summer and can book their preferred beach base early. For old towns and museums, consider May or October. If you include the Riviera in those months, check which restaurants and beach services will be open.
In the Albanian Alps, plan around trail conditions. With two nights in Theth you can spend a day in the valley, where the Grunas waterfall is one option when paths are in good condition. The Theth–Valbonë hike crosses a high pass and ends in a different valley. Check the weather and snow with a local guide or your guesthouse, and arrange onward transport and luggage before committing to the crossing.
What to sort out before you leave
Entry requirements. Start with the Albanian foreign ministry's visa checker for your nationality and passport type. The ministry says visa-exempt travellers need a passport or travel document issued within the previous ten years and valid for at least three months after their intended departure from Albania. Keep your accommodation details and onward booking handy in case border officers ask for them.
Cash and trip costs. The local currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). Carry some small notes for snacks and minibuses, and confirm how a guesthouse takes payment before you arrive. Compare costs for your exact dates. On a coastal stay, check the room price alongside the cost of local rides, parking or sunbeds you plan to use.
Mobile data. Check Albania in your provider's roaming list, especially if you're also visiting Greece or another EU country. The European Commission opened talks to bring Albania into the EU roaming scheme in November 2026. Download your maps and booking details before setting out.
Insurance and travel advice. Read your government's current advice before leaving and steer clear of demonstrations. Check that your policy covers medical treatment, getting home in an emergency and any mountain activities you have planned. Save 112 for emergencies.
Last checked: .
Sources: Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; UK FCDO, Albania travel advice; Government of Canada, Albania travel advice; Albanian National Tourism Agency; UNESCO, Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra; UNESCO, Butrint; Tirana International Airport; eTransport; Visit Shkodër; Ionian Seaways; Bank of Albania; European Commission; Lonely Planet; Bunk'Art.