Guide to Albania: where to relax and what to see

Solve the puzzle: a safe, exotic, and hospitable country with clean beaches and sea, as well as decent service that meets expectations. That's right! It’s Albania – a small mountainous country that has established itself over the past few years as an excellent alternative to the traditional beach holidays in Spain, Italy, Greece, or Croatia.

Features of beach holidays in Albania

Geography and location

The main resorts in Albania are Durres, Vlora, and Saranda. In addition to these, there are many small cozy towns along the entire coast, offering a huge variety of vacation options. According to many travelers who have visited Albania, the most beautiful and cleanest sea is in the southern part of the country, closer to the Greek border and the island of Corfu. There is also a noticeable difference in the color of the water: in the northern part, the country is washed by the Adriatic Sea, with deep blue water, while the southern part is washed by the Ionian Sea, with azure-blue water.

All resort areas in Albania can be conditionally divided into several categories:

• party destinations — such as Durres or Saranda, where there are many clubs and beach parties;
• quiet spots — small resort villages of the Albanian Riviera (Dhermi, Himara, Qeparo, Borsh, Lukove);
• places for family holidays — for example, the bays of Vlora, Ksamil, where there are entertainments for children and a comfortable family vacation is expected.

There is also a special area in Albania – the Albanian Riviera – a series of tourist coastal villages, starting from Pasalë and ending at Lukove.

The most popular beach resorts in Albania

• Shëngjin — a long sandy beach, washed by the Adriatic Sea. Located in a cozy bay, not far from the Montenegrin border.
• Durres — a wide beach with yellow sand, washed by the Adriatic Sea. A city with many historical attractions and a long coastline.

• Vlora — beaches with both pebbles and sand, washed by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Located at the junction of the seas, so you can easily move from one beach to another, separated by bays.
• Bay of Lalzi — beaches with soft, white sand. A quiet place where you can relax perfectly.
• Saranda — a pebbly beach, washed by the Ionian Sea. A lively place with many bars and nightclubs.

• Himara — a pebbly beach, washed by the Ionian Sea. Very clean and clear water, considered a top spot for diving.
• Ksamil — a bay with a white sandy beach, washed by the Ionian Sea. According to many guides, this is the best beach in the namesake town, which is part of a national nature park. The southernmost resort spot in Albania, often called the "Albanian Seychelles". The fantastic beaches of Ksamil are likely what Google will show you if you search for "Albanian beaches".

Accommodation

Hotels

Albania will delight you with a wide range of accommodation options in resort locations to suit all tastes. But keep in mind, in Albania, as well as along the entire Adriatic coast, there aren't many 5-star hotels. Albania is not about the usual Turkish all-inclusive, but rather about small, neat, and comfortable 2-3* hotels.

Prices in budget 2*-3* hotels range from €20-30 per night for two people. In luxury 5* hotels with private pools and terraces with sea views, prices start from €70. One thing is certain: accommodation in Albania is very affordable compared to prices at well-known European resorts and even compared to some Odessa hotels.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Camping

Another interesting option is camping — ideal for those who travel by car and love to sleep in nature. Along the coast, there are several official campsites with prices from €10 per night. These places have all the necessary infrastructure and amenities (including tents). The best campsites are located 15-20 km from Durres (3 campsites), 15 km south of Vlora (1 campsite), near Livadi Beach and Porto Palermo (6 campsites), one in Saranda, and two in Ksamil.

Guesthouses

Guesthouses are small family-run hotels or simply rooms in locals' homes, who seasonally rent out their apartments. Options are available in all coastal locations. Prices start from €15-20 per room. The price greatly depends on the length of the rental period.

Things to do in Albania

Standard beach activities in Albania: renting jet skis, boats, diving, snorkeling, excursions to Albanian and Greek islands, restaurants, nightclubs, beach parties. Want to see the local beauty from above? No problem. Many trekking trips to the mountains are offered here.

Main facts about Albania:

• Albania has over 300 sunny days a year and 430 km of coastline, with sea water temperatures in summer reaching +25°C.
• 63% of Albania's population are Muslims, but there are no restrictions on clothing and behavior here.
• Albania is quite a safe country. According to many rankings, it is included in the top ten safest countries in the world with a population under 5 million. The murder rate here is 2.5 times lower than in Ukraine.
• Albania is a visa-free country for Ukrainians. You only need a foreign passport to visit it.
• Albania is an inexpensive country. Compared to Greece, Croatia, or Italy, Albania will seem the most budget-friendly.
• Albania is still not spoiled by tourists. Perfect for those who love secluded places. This is especially true for the Mediterranean (those who have been to Dubrovnik in peak season will agree).

Why you should visit Albania?

The Capital of Albania — Tirana

We recommend starting your acquaintance with Albania from its capital — here you can see the main features of the country, collected in one place. Tirana has many buildings reminiscent of Soviet-era constructions, but all this is mixed with Balkan and Turkish colors.

Be sure to visit several museums (to get acquainted with the archaeology, history, and fine arts of Albania), the Et'hem Bey Mosque, as well as the legendary Tirana Pyramid. But to truly feel the local atmosphere, you can stroll through the residential areas of the capital, away from the city center.

Nature of Albania

One of the main advantages of Albania is its nature. Low picturesque mountains, clean beaches, and azure sea water. But what sets it apart are its lakes. The largest and most beautiful are Lake Ohrid, Lake Shkoder, and Lake Butrint.

According to the Albanians themselves, the small mountain lake Koman is the most beautiful place in the country. The area is exceptionally picturesque, the lake is surrounded by mountains and forests, and the water has a special green-blue color. This area is often called the "Albanian Alps".

Lake Ohrid, located on the border between Albania and North Macedonia, is the deepest and oldest lake in the Balkans. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nearby are many interesting attractions, the most famous being the fortress of Samuil, one of the oldest fortifications in the country. Another border lake, Lake Shkoder (or simply Shkoder), is located on the border with Montenegro. It is a unique wildlife sanctuary, home to many wild animals, fish, and a vast number of lake plants.

History

Albania also boasts historical landmarks. It is home to one of the oldest cities in Europe — Durres, a city as old as Rome, Istanbul, and Naples. The city has preserved ruins of Venetian and Byzantine fortresses, an amphitheater, Roman baths, and many other monuments from later periods.

The historical gem of Albania is the small town of Berat. In 1961, it was declared a "museum city" by the Albanian authorities. There are about 200 historical monuments here, including 8 mosques, several old churches, 7 arched bridges, and a 13th-century citadel.

Active recreation in Albania

Thanks to its affordability, climate, and terrain, Albania offers a wide range of extreme sports: rafting, kayaking, hiking, paragliding, river hiking, bicycle tours of varying difficulty, and even winter snowshoe tours! What makes all this extreme activity particularly "tasty" are the prices: on average, they range from €22 to €35 per person. The price includes transfer, a small snack, and the necessary equipment.

Albanian Gastronomy

Mediterranean cuisine is very tasty, rich in seafood, fresh vegetables, and fruits. Albania is no exception. Here you can try all kinds of seafood delicacies, fish, and cheese. Of course, there are many local dishes that Albanians are proud of, but on the coast, they resemble Croatian or Bosnian cuisine. Albanian cuisine can be roughly divided into northern, central, and southern.

What makes Albania unique is that it is one of the few countries that has completely abandoned modified products in practice (not just formally), so the environmental friendliness of food in the country is maintained at the highest level. Be sure to try çomlek (stewed beef), tavë kosi (lamb with yogurt), fërgesë tirane (a dish of fried meat, liver, eggs, and tomatoes), baked trout, and eel.

Prices in Albania

As we have already mentioned, visiting Albania won't hit your budget too hard. For comparison, according to numbeo.com, rental prices in Odessa are 36% higher than in the Albanian resort town of Saranda, and restaurant prices are 10% higher.

In general, prices for accommodation in the resort area are quite low: a bed in a hostel starts at €7-8, a 3-star hotel room starts at €15, and a 5-star hotel room starts at €70 for two people. Transportation prices are also pleasing, for example, a bus ticket from Tirana to the resort of Durres costs about €1. A good meal in a cafe will cost €3-5.