Mountain villages, Ottoman towns and a turquoise Ionian coastline.
Albania packs rugged mountains, stone towns and a bright Ionian shoreline into a small country. Berat and Gjirokastër, both UNESCO-listed, climb hillsides in tiers of Ottoman houses, and the ruins of Butrint sit in lagoon-side woodland near Ksamil. In the north, the Accursed Mountains around Theth and Valbona offer some of the Balkans' most dramatic hiking, while Tirana is colourful, busy and full of cafés.
Travel feels unhurried and good value, with generous hospitality, grilled seafood, byrek and olive oil from local groves. Roads have improved but mountain routes are slow, and buses and minibuses (furgons) run on loose schedules. May, June and September are ideal, with warm seas and fewer crowds; July and August are hot and busy on the coast, and winter is quiet.
Best time to visit Albania
May, June, September.
Places to visit in Albania
Tirana: Albania's lively capital, with painted façades, communist-era relics and a thriving café culture.
Albanian Riviera: A dramatic stretch of Ionian coast with turquoise coves, mountain villages and the ruins of Butrint.
Berat: An Ottoman town of white houses stacked on a hillside beneath a lived-in castle.
Gjirokastër: A hillside Ottoman town of stone-roofed tower houses below a vast castle.
Essentials
Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL)
Language: Albanian; Italian and English common in tourist areas
Plugs: Type C / F, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+1
Tipping: Round up; around 10% in restaurants is appreciated
Getting around: Buses and furgons link towns; a hire car makes the coast and mountains easier
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking