Travel to Albania
Unspoiled beaches, UNESCO towns and one of the sunniest climates in Europe: Albania packs a lot into a small Balkan country, at prices that still feel low. Here is what to know before you go.
Albania in numbers
Capital
Tirana
Population
~2.4-3M
Area
28,748 km²
Currency
Albanian lek
Language
Albanian
UNESCO sites
Several
Continent
Europe
Time zone
UTC+1
Airports covered
1
Why visit Albania
A Mediterranean coast the way it once was
One of Europe's sunniest countries
Albania has unspoiled beaches, mountain scenery, traditional cuisine and a wild countryside, and welcomed over 11 million visitors in 2024.
Ancient Greece to the Ottomans
The country was part of Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire, which means ruins like Butrint, Apollonia and Illyrian sites sit alongside Ottoman-style old towns.
Berat, the city of 1001 windows
One of the oldest towns in Albania, UNESCO-listed, with a well-preserved castle where residents still live.
Bunkers and mountains
Thousands of bunkers from the communist era dot the country, and the Albanian Alps in the north offer bare rock, rain and scenic views.
Places to see
Tirana, Berat, the Riviera and the Alps
Tirana and Mount Dajti
Trees and mountains surround the capital, and Mount Dajti is a popular tourist site with a great view of the city. Tirana is the main gateway and has the country's only major international airport.
Berat, Gjirokastër and Durrës
Berat is known as the city of 1001 windows for its Ottoman-style architecture, and Gjirokastër is another UNESCO city in the south. Durrës is the second-largest city and the largest port, with ruins and beaches; Fier lies about 8 km from the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia.
The Albanian Riviera
With crystal-clear water and picturesque villages, the Riviera runs from Vlorë to Saranda. Dhërmi is among the finest of its beaches, Llogara Pass gives a view of the coast from above, and Butrint, the largest Greek-era archaeological site in Albania, lies in the far south near the Greek border.
The Albanian Alps and national parks
In the north, the mountains on the Montenegrin border are rich in rainfall, sheep and bare rock, and you can be less than 10 km from the nearest village and still have a day-long trip. Lura National Park covers 20,242 hectares of high mountains, meadows and glacial lakes.
Food and drink
Ottoman roots, Italian twists
Albanian cuisine has a primarily Turkish influence, the result of more than 400 years of Ottoman rule, and since the early 1990s it has also taken on Italian and Western European touches. Most of what you find in Greece or Italy is available in the bigger Albanian cities.
Restaurants are easy to find and local fruit and vegetables are cheap in markets; grapes grown around houses are often turned into raki.
Getting around
Roads, buses and the Corfu route
Tirana's airport is the country's main international gateway; Pristina in Kosovo is 3 to 4 hours away by road. A cheaper way to reach the Riviera is to fly to Corfu and take the hydrofoil to Saranda.
Albania has speed limits, but most people do not follow them, so if you are not an experienced driver the bus is recommended. In some towns such as Berat there are no traffic lights, which makes crossing the road tricky.
Before you go
Three zones, three seasons
| Region | Climate | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal lowlands | Mediterranean, winters averaging about 7 °C and summers about 24 °C | June to September for beaches |
| Southern lowlands | About 5 °C warmer than the rest of the lowlands all year | April to June and September to October |
| Highlands and Alps | Mediterranean continental, cold winters | Summer for hiking |
Albania is not part of the Schengen area, so check entry rules for your passport. Stray dogs can be a concern when hiking in remote areas, and the country is otherwise generally safe.
To extend your trip, see also Greece next door and Italy across the Adriatic. Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are coming soon.
Flying to Albania
The Albanian airport tracked by SniperAir
Tirana International (Mother Teresa)
Albania's main airport, about 11 km northwest of Tirana, with a drive of roughly 20 minutes. It reached 10 million passengers in 2024 and is served by Wizz Air and Ryanair.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Albania
Which airport should I fly into for Albania?
Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa (TIA) is the main gateway and the one SniperAir tracks. It is served by Air Albania, Wizz Air, Ryanair and several major European airlines.
When is the best time to visit Albania?
April to June and September to October for cities and sights, and June to September for the Riviera. The country is one of the sunniest in Europe.
How long should I stay in Albania?
Four or five days cover Tirana and Berat. Allow eight to ten days if you add the Riviera and the Albanian Alps.
Is Albania expensive?
No, it is known for low prices compared with Western Europe. Your budget depends mostly on the season and where you stay.
Do I need a visa for Albania?
Albania is not part of Schengen. Entry rules depend on your nationality, so check your government's official travel advice before you book.
Can I reach the Riviera from Corfu?
Yes. A cheaper and convenient way to reach the Albanian Riviera is to fly to Corfu and take the hydrofoil to Saranda.
How do I get an alert when a flight to Albania drops below my budget?
Create a SniperAir alert profile with your departure airport and Tirana as the destination. We track prices for you and notify you as soon as an opportunity matching your criteria is detected.
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