Albania

albania travel

Looking for honest, first-hand Albania travel tips? Come visit Albania with The Travel Bunny! This is my Albania blog archive. Every guide and article here was written from real travel experience, not Google guesses. I’ve crossed the country on a Balkan road trip, eaten in family-run restaurants, gotten lost on the way to Berat, and found the best views in Shkoder and Saranda. If you’re curious about what it’s really like to vacation in Albania beyond what brochures tell you, then start here.

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Who Should Visit Albania?

Albania is ideal for travelers who want Europe on a budget without losing the culture. It’s perfect for curious visitors, road-trippers, food lovers, history buffs, and anyone tired of overpriced capital cities. This is still a place where you can get lost in a castle, eat seafood by the Ionian Sea, and drive coast-to-castle without the traffic of other destinations.

Is Albania a rich country? No, but that’s part of its charm and challenge. Albania is rich in nature, history, and authenticity, but you’ll also notice gaps in infrastructure. That’s where travel smarts come in. This blog helps you make the most of it, with guides that show you what to expect, where to go, and how to avoid tourist mistakes.

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Albania Travel Tips

  • Bring cash. Card payments aren’t always accepted, even in bigger towns.
  • Don’t rush. The roads can be winding, and the distances longer than they look.
  • Stay flexible because transport and opening hours shift more than Google suggests.
  • Ask locals. The best food, beaches, and routes aren’t always online (though I’m trying my best here!)

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Featured guides from the Albania Travel Blog

Here you’ll find destination guides for Tirana, Shkoder, Berat, and Saranda, plus general tips, Albania tours, and advice for planning a Balkan road trip that includes the best of the region.

Check back often or sign up for The Travel Bunny newsletter to catch new guides as they go live.

albanian riviera vacation

Best Places to Visit on the Albanian Riviera on Your 2026 Vacation

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The Albanian Riviera, to the north of Saranda, is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Ionian Sea. There were few positive outcomes from Albania’s isolation and poverty under communism, but this pristine coastline was one. A few small resorts, provide families with the opportunity to spend a fortnight or so at the beach. Because of the submarine base at Porto Palermo, the coastal road between Himara and Borsh was a closed military zone. Himara was a sleepy village, and Saranda was only a small, low-rise city. However, during the last 20 years, the Albanian Riviera’s beautiful beaches have …

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Saranda Albania travel guide

Saranda Albania: Your Ultimate Summer Vacation Travel Guide

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Southwestern Albania features several must-see sights, including the magnificent archaeological site and national park of Butrint, the majestic Ottoman city of Gjirokastra, and the Riviera’s gorgeous beaches and crystalline seas. The Greek name for the town, Ayia Saranda, is related to a story about 40 Christian legionaries who were executed in the 4th century. A pilgrimage church dedicated to the 40 saints was built on a hill behind modern Saranda Albania in the 5th century, rebuilt in the early 9th century, and unfortunately used as a base by German troops during the Battle for the Liberation of Saranda in 1944, …

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Berat Albania travel guide

Visit Berat Albania: Best Places to See, Eat & Stay

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Berati or Berat Albania is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the Balkans. The panorama of its white cottages descending the mountain to the citadel is one of the country’s most iconic sights. The fortress walls enclose the whole summit of the hill. There are eight medieval churches inside, one of which has an exceptional collection of icons painted by the 16th-century artist Onufri. Berat Albania also contains an excellent Ethnographic Museum and a number of other significant structures, including two of Albania’s oldest mosques. Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that …

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komani lake ferry ride

Komani Lake Ferry Ride: Relax and Enjoy Beautiful Scenery

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After you have seen all there is to see in Shkoder, my advice is that you book a Komani Lake ferry ride. Bookings can be arranged via your host (at least that’s how it was at the Wanderers Hostel). You will actually pay for a trip on a small bus to the lake, plus the boat ride itself. You can book one-way or return tickets. Bus ride to Komani Lake You should have your breakfast early in the morning and be ready when the bus arrives. Make it a light breakfast, though, as you’ll be off on a bumpy ride! …

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Best things to Do in Shkoder Albania. Panoramic view over Shkoder, Albania, from Rozafa Castle, with the Buna and Drin rivers, city skyline, fields, and mountains at sunset.

Best things to Do in Shkoder Albania: My Practical Travel Guide + Shkoder Map

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The best things to do in Shkoder Albania go beyond a quick stop before heading Theth. In this guide, I share my own time in the city, from cycling to Lake Shkodra and eating twice at Vila Bekteshi to exploring the pedestrian center, Rozafa Castle, Mesi Bridge, and the Buna River. You’ll also find practical advice on Shiroka, Zogaj, Koman Lake, Shala River, where to stay, local transport, day trips, food, safety, and how many days to spend. I’ve included a Shkoder map with itineraries, current travel details, and the mistakes I’d avoid next time, including one memorable disagreement with a bicycle along the way.