9 Best Things to do in Albania in 2026 (+ Map)

Albania is a destination that’s rapidly growing in popularity, and rightfully so. With a jaw-dropping coastline, picturesque scenery and historic cities, there’s so much to see you could easily spend months exploring it all.

I spent a week in Albania and managed to pack a lot in. I spent the majority of my time along the Albanian Riveria, but also explored Tirana and part of the Albanian Alps.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or you just like to lie on the beach, Albania has so much to keep you entertained.

From cold war bunkers to idyllic beaches, this is my guide to the 9 best things to do in Albania.

Bustling pedestrian street in Gjirokastër’s Old Bazaar, lined with white stone buildings, outdoor cafés, and souvenir shops. Tourists walk along the cobblestones, surrounded by colorful textiles, potted flowers, and hanging signs.

1. Shala River

The Shala River, called Lumi i Shalës in Albanian, is located in Northern Albania and flows through the Albanian Alps. It’s often called the “Thailand of Albania” and having visited Thailand I totally get the comparison.

Woman standing on a rocky riverbank beside colorful wooden boats docked on the clear green waters of the Osumi River in southern Albania. Towering forested cliffs rise steeply in the background, framing the peaceful canyon setting under a bright blue sky.

The river is crystal clear and surrounded by lush green mountains on both sides, which is really similar to the Phi Phi islands in Southern Thailand.

Shala River is only accessible by boat. From Tirana, Albania’s capital, it’s a three and a half hour drive to the boat terminal, then an hour boat ride to reach the river.

View from the front of a boat cruising through the green waters of Komani Lake in northern Albania, surrounded by steep, forested mountain cliffs under a bright sky. Thin clouds stretch across the blue sky, adding depth to the peaceful and scenic landscape.

You’ve got a few options for visiting Shala River:

A) Drive yourself

You’ll need to park at the boat terminal, and purchase tickets for the boat there. I wouldn’t recommend this option as the roads are very narrow and can be quite sketchy in parts.

It also gets very busy near the boat terminal so you might struggle to find parking.

B) Stay overnight

There’s accommodation on the river itself, and if you have enough time in your Albania itinerary, this is the option I’d recommend.

That way, you’ll wake up on the river and have it all to yourself before the day trips arrive.

Your accommodation will usually include return transfers to the river from Shkodër, a city in the north of Albania, where I’d also recommend spending a couple of days if your itinerary allows.

C) Take a day trip

If you don’t have loads of time in your schedule, a day trip to the river is your best option. This is what I did and it worked out brilliantly.

You’ll be picked up from Tirana, driven to the boat terminal, and then you’ll take a boat to Shala River. You’ll have a few hours to spend exploring, relaxing and enjoying the sights before heading back.

Aerial view of a narrow river flowing between steep, forested mountains with a pebble beach lined with umbrellas and colorful boats. The vibrant scene captures a lively riverside destination nestled in a dramatic canyon landscape.

Two people clink clear plastic cups filled with a bright orange drink near the edge of a rocky riverbank. Behind them, colorful wooden boats are docked in clear turquoise water, surrounded by lush green trees and steep cliffs.

It’s a long day but so worth it, my trip to the Shala River was one of the best things I did in Albania.

This is the exact tour I booked and I really recommend it. My guide was so friendly and informative, telling us loads of information about the area and Albania’s history.

2. Explore Tirana

Tirana is the capital of Albania and where the airport is, so you’ll most likely be starting your trip there.

Although it’s tempting to leave for the beaches or the mountains straight away, you should dedicate a day of your itinerary to exploring Tirana, as it’s a really important part of Albania’s history.

➡️ Read my 7 day Albania itinerary to help you plan the perfect trip to this incredible country

Tirana was founded by an Ottoman general in the 17th century, and was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for several centuries, before it became independent in 1912.

Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania, featuring the National History Museum with its iconic mosaic mural depicting Albanian historical figures. A few people are scattered across the spacious plaza under a partly cloudy sky.

During WW2, Albania was invaded by Italy and occupied by Germany, with Enver Hoxha, who later became the communist dictator of Albania, leading the National Liberation Movement to resist their occupation.

After the war, Germany withdrew and Albania became a communist dictatorship until the early 1990s.

During this time, Hoxha built thousands of underground bunkers throughout Albania as he believed the country was constantly under threat of invasion.

Two of these bunkers in Tirana are now museums, called Bunk’Art 1 and Bunk’Art 2, and visiting them gives you a really good understanding of communism in Albania and how it affected the lives of the people there.

If you’re short on time, a walking tour is a great way to see Tirana’s main sights and learn about its history. This one is really highly rated.

It’s also worth paying a visit to Skanderbeg Square in the centre of Tirana, which is dedicated to Gjergj Kastrioti (known as Skanderbeg), who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire and stopped them conquering Albania during his lifetime.

Wide view of Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania, with people walking across the open plaza. In the background, the modern green-glass Plaza Tirana hotel tower contrasts with older, historic buildings and tall trees.

For panoramic views over Tirana, take a ride on the Mount Dajti cable car, located just outside of the city.

But honestly, my favourite thing to do in Tirana was just wander around and explore without a plan. It’s a really interesting place with great restaurants, cafés, shops and a brilliant street art scene!

3. Relax on the beaches in Ksamil

Ksamil is probably Albania’s most well known destination, thanks to lots of Instagram videos hailing it the “Maldives of Europe”.

It’s a coastal village in southern Albania, very close to Corfu. You can actually see Corfu from the shore in Ksamil, and the ferry across only takes around an hour.

The beaches in Ksamil are absolutely beautiful, the water is crystal clear and the sand is bright white, but they do get extremely busy.

The whole stretch of beach is covered by beach clubs, there’s only a tiny section that’s free for sunbathing. Everywhere else you’ll need to pay to rent sun beds.

Aerial view of a beach resort in Ksamil, Albania, with clear turquoise waters, white umbrellas and lounge chairs arranged on wooden decks and sandy shores, and several small boats floating nearby.

I’d recommend Guvat beach club, it’s on a nice section of the beach with a calm inlet perfect for swimming. My friend and I paid €30 for two sun beds.

Peaceful coastal view of Ksamil, Albania, during golden hour, with small boats floating on calm waters and rugged hills in the background. White beach cabanas and vibrant purple bougainvillea flowers frame the scene in the foreground.

Having visited the Maldives, I don’t agree with the comparisons to it, especially if you’re visiting in peak season, expect Ksamil to be very crowded. But it is a great place to visit for a couple of days of relaxation.

4. Visit Gjirokastër

Gjirokastër is one of the country’s most beautiful cities, and it was my favourite place I visited during my seven days in Albania.

It’s made up of a new town and a historic old town, and it’s the old town where you’ll want to base yourself.

This part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many of the buildings are protected by law, meaning you get to experience a really well preserved ancient city.

View of a cobblestone path leading uphill through the lush greenery of Gjirokastër, Albania, with traditional Ottoman-style white stone houses scattered on the hillside. The "Hotel Old Bazaar" sign is visible on one of the buildings near the center, and an open-air restaurant with empty tables sits in the foreground.

The best thing to do in Gjirokastër is to just explore with no real agenda. It’s like walking through a living museum and it’s incredible to see so many old buildings packed with character.

Wander through the Old Bazaar (Qafa e Pazarit), in the middle of the old town. It dates back to the 17th century and would have been the centre of life in Gjirokastër, where locals and travellers purchased and traded goods.

Busy cobblestone street in the historic center of Gjirokastër, Albania, lined with Ottoman-style white buildings, local shops selling handmade goods, and a view of the Gjirokastër Castle on the hill above.

Quiet cobblestone alley in Gjirokastër, Albania, shaded by leafy vines and lined with small cafés and rustic buildings with wooden windows and terracotta rooftops.

A fire in the 19th century destroyed a lot of the original bazaar, so what you see today is what’s been rebuilt in the same style, but it’s still an incredible place to explore, and to buy a souvenir!

Don’t miss the Cold War Tunnel, an underground bunker that runs beneath the city. Tickets are £2.00/200 Lek.

You should also visit Gjirokaster castle. It was built in the 12th century and has been used as a defensive fortress, military base and a prison during Albania’s communist era. Lots of the Ottoman-era fortifications are still standing and it’s a really interesting place to explore. Entry is £3.50/400 Lek.

The Ethnographic Museum is also worth seeing. Gjirokastër is the birthplace of Enver Hoxha and there’s a museum on the site of his birthplace, built to resemble the traditional houses of Gjirokastër, so you can experience what life is like inside a traditional Albanian home. Tickets are £5.00/500 Lek.

5. Boat trip in Himarë

Himarë is a coastal town on the Albanian Riviera and the perfect base for exploring hidden beaches.

It’s quieter than Ksamil with a lot less crowds, so it’s a good alternative option if you don’t have loads of time in your itinerary and prefer a more laidback vibe.

One of the best things to do in Himarë is a boat trip along the coastline, stopping at secluded coves and beaches that are only accessible by sea.

Secluded rocky cove with a tiny beach tucked between steep limestone cliffs along the Albanian Riviera. A few people relax under a red umbrella near the shore, with turquoise waves gently lapping the sand below the towering cliffs.

My friend and I hired a private boat for the afternoon but it is an expensive way of doing things. We paid €180 for the day but it meant we could go wherever we wanted and spend as much or as little time in each cove.

There are lots of affordable boat tours available too, like this one for only €36.

6. Himarë Castle

After your boat trip, make sure you visit Himarë Castle, a hilltop fortress overlooking the town and the Ionian Sea.

Despite the name, it’s not just a castle but also a living village. The old defensive walls surround Himarë old town, which has been continuously inhabited for centuries.

Inside, you’ll find stone houses, narrow cobbled paths, and the remains of several old churches. It’s pretty rundown in parts but it’s a very interesting place to see.

Narrow stone path lined with crumbling stone walls and overgrown vegetation in the ruins of an old village, with partial remains of buildings in the distance and green hills in the background.

Sunlit entrance to a peach-colored house in a quiet Albanian village, framed by leafy trees and a green metal gate, with potted plants and a stone path leading up to the doorway.

There’s a small entrance fee of £3.00/300 Lek to access the castle, and free parking right outside. The castle is located off a main road so your best bet is to drive up there.

Speaking of driving, I’d recommend hiring a car to make the most of your trip to Albania. I booked mine through Discover Cars, which compares every provider to find the cheapest option for your trip.

Don’t miss Cafe Butterfly for a bite to eat. It has the most incredible views over Himarë and delicious homemade food.

Stone terrace with wooden bar stools and potted red geraniums overlooking a calm blue sea and distant islands under a clear sky. A rustic pergola with bamboo roofing and a hanging light fixture adds charm to the coastal view.

Cozy round table with four black chairs set on a stone terrace shaded by a grapevine pergola, with a scenic view of the ocean and lush green cliffs below. Sunlight reflects off the water, creating a serene, inviting atmosphere.

7. Dinner at Zoe Hora

Zoe Hora is a luxury hotel and restaurant located in Dhërmi, a coastal village thirty minutes from Himarë.

Even if you’re not staying in the hotel you can eat there, and it was actually the only restaurant reservation I made before visiting Albania.

It was very much one of those “seen it on Instagram” reservations, which usually I try to avoid as I always think the food won’t be as good as the aesthetic, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Outdoor dining tables with white linens and wooden chairs are arranged on a stone patio surrounded by greenery, with a rustic stone building and steep rocky cliffs in the background.

A serene pool lined with white-clothed dining tables and wooden chairs stretches alongside a stone building, set against a dramatic backdrop of lush greenery and rocky cliffs.

The setting is definitely the best part of this place, the restaurant is next to the hotel swimming pool with views of the mountains surrounding you. It’s so peaceful and the perfect place to enjoy dinner whilst the sun sets behind the mountains.

For that reason I’d recommend booking about one hour before sunset so you can enjoy the golden hour glow.

The menu is varied, with local dishes alongside salads, pasta and seafood, and they have an excellent cocktail menu, their espresso martini in particular was delicious.

It’s more expensive than other restaurants in Albania, but it’s worth it for a special meal.

I’d recommend staying in Dhërmi or Himarë after visiting Zoe Hora, there’s lots of affordable accommodation options in both places

8. Discover Berat

Berat is another UNESCO World Heritage city and one of Albania’s most iconic destinations. It’s often called the “City of a Thousand Windows” because of the rows of white Ottoman houses on the hillside, each built with lots of large windows.

Hillside view of the historic Ottoman-era houses in Berat, Albania, known for their uniform white façades and large windows, stacked closely together on the slope beneath a rocky hill. The architecture and layout give the appearance of a “city of a thousand windows.”

The Osum River runs through the centre of Berat, with the two neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica on either side.

Exploring these neighbourhoods is the best part about visiting Berat. They’re made up of narrow, winding streets, and it’s so easy to get lost in them and discover amazing shops, restaurants and cafes.

Charming stone staircase in a narrow alleyway in Berat, Albania, decorated with colorful chairs, potted plants, and hanging string lights. The cozy setting features rustic stone walls, wrought iron railings, and small pumpkins scattered along the steps for an inviting, lived-in feel.

You should also pay a visit to Berat Castle, a fortress that overlooks the city. It’s a really unique place as people actually live inside the castle walls, so there’s a whole neighbourhood to explore, as well as churches, museums and the ancient castle fortifications.

I visited towards the end of the day and watched sunset from the castle which I’d really recommend doing. Afterwards, you can grab a drink from one of the bars inside the castle walls.

Silhouettes of visitors walking and sitting atop the ancient stone walls of Berat Castle in Albania at sunset. The warm glow of the sky highlights the weathered textures of the fortress, with a prominent arched gateway leading up a cobbled path.

Large Orthodox church in Berat, Albania, with twin bell towers and red-tiled domes, framed by cypress trees and backed by a hillside of traditional houses and greenery. The golden hour lighting casts a warm glow across the church facade and the surrounding town square.

Woman in a white top and yellow skirt walks up a stone stairway inside the ancient ruins of Berat Castle at sunset. A man with a camera stands on the fortress wall nearby, silhouetted against the glowing orange sky and distant hills.

9. Eat lots of food

The food in Albania really surprised me. I wasn’t sure what to expect but everything I had was delicious.

You’ll find lots of grilled meats, fresh seafood, local cheeses and bread, as well as Albanian specialities like Qofte (grilled meat kebabs), Burek (flaky pastry stuffed with different fillings) and Tave Kosi (baked lamb with rice, yogurt and eggs).

Close-up of two stuffed cabbage rolls topped with grated cheese, served on a decorative ceramic plate with blue patterns. The dish is part of a traditional Albanian meal, accompanied by side dishes including yogurt with olive oil and herbs. — Hotel and traditional food Ansel

I’ve listed some of my favourite restaurants in Albania below:

Amalia Homemade Food – Berat
Hotel and traditional food Ansel – Berat
Te Kubé – Gjirokastër
Cafe Butterfly – Himarë
Zoe Hora – Dhërmi

Albania Google Map

This Google Map has the locations of all the places I’ve mentioned in this post. Click on the rectangle on the right hand side to make it bigger.