Albania
Albania spent decades cut off from the rest of Europe, and it shows in the best way: the Albanian Riviera still feels uncrowded, Ottoman-era towns like Berat and Gjirokastër are remarkably intact, and the Albanian Alps offer hiking that rivals better-known ranges at a fraction of the cost. Infrastructure has improved fast but is still uneven outside the capital, which is part of the appeal for travellers who like a place before it's fully discovered.
Quick facts
- Region
- Balkans
- Recommended trip length
- 7–12 days
- Best months
- May, Jun, Sept
- Climate
- Warm, Mild
- Crowd level
- Low
- Travel difficulty
- Moderate
- Value for money
- 93
- Public transport
- 35
Who it suits
- Road-trippers who want to plan their own route
- Beach lovers who dislike crowded resorts
- Budget travellers who still want variety
Who it may not suit
- Travellers who rely entirely on public transport
- Anyone wanting polished, all-inclusive resorts
Estimated budget
Per person, per day — excluding flights.
Budget
€35–€50/day
Comfortable
€60–€90/day
Premium
€110–€160/day
Estimated from manually maintained destination data. Flights and accommodation prices may differ. Estimates last reviewed 2025-06-01.
What this destination is good for
- Road trips85
- Beaches80
- Nature75
- Multi-country70
- History65
- Food65
- Adventure65
- Relaxation55
- Romance45
- Family45
- Nightlife35
- City life30
Main strengths
- Extremely low prices for food, transport and accommodation
- Dramatic coastline without the crowds of neighbouring countries
- Well-preserved Ottoman old towns
- Excellent, cheap seafood and produce
Honest downsides
- Public transport is informal and schedules are unreliable
- Coastal roads get congested and slow in August
- Tourist infrastructure is thinner outside the main towns
Essential places
- Berat old town
- Gjirokastër castle and bazaar
- Albanian Riviera (Dhërmi, Himarë, Ksamil)
- Llogara Pass
- Tirana
Worth adding if you have time
- Theth and the Albanian Alps
- Butrint archaeological site
- Lake Koman ferry
Transport guidance
- Public transport is limited — a rental car makes a meaningful difference here.
- A rental car is genuinely useful for reaching places public transport doesn't cover well.
Suggested itineraries
Albania in 8 Days
A loop from Tirana through Ottoman old towns to the Riviera coastline and back, best with a rental car.
Albania and Montenegro in 10 Days
Two of the Adriatic's most dramatic, least crowded coastlines combined into one cross-border road trip.
Combine with nearby destinations
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ottoman old towns, emerald rivers and mountain scenery, still one of Europe's best-value trips.
Montenegro
Fjord-like bays, walled coastal towns and alpine mountains packed into a country the size of a large city.
Greece
Ancient ruins, whitewashed islands and some of Europe's best food, at the cost of serious summer crowds.
North Macedonia
Lake Ohrid's old churches and a laid-back capital, among the cheapest and least crowded trips in Europe.