The best things to do in Albania run from the Riviera beaches at Ksamil to the stone towns of Berat and Gjirokastra, the mountains of Theth and the cafe life of Tirana. This is our local top ten, with the insider stops most guides skip and a sense of where each one sits, so you can plan a sensible route rather than zig-zag the country.
- Beaches: Ksamil and the islands, plus quiet Himara on the Riviera.
- History and old towns: Berat and Gjirokastra, both UNESCO.
- Mountains and hiking: Theth in the north, Bovilla Lake near Tirana.
- Food and drink: Shkoder for a long lunch, raki tasting in Tirana.
- City life: Tirana’s Blloku for cafes and nights out.
First-time visitors planning a route: beaches, UNESCO towns, mountains and food, grouped by region.
| Place | Region | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ksamil & Blue Eye | South coast | Beaches, clear sea |
| Berat | Central | UNESCO old town, wine |
| Bovilla Lake | Near Tirana | Short hike, views |
| Shkoder | North | Food, lake, culture |
| Gjirokastra | South | Stone city, castle |
| Theth | Northern Alps | Hiking, guesthouses |
Ksamil, Saranda and the Blue Eye
Start in the south. Ksamil has soft white-pebble beaches, water clear enough to see the bottom, and tiny islands you can swim or kayak to, ideal for a slow beach day and a seafood lunch. Nearby Saranda is the lively seaside city, with Lekursi Castle above it for sunset views. Inland, the Blue Eye (Syri i Kalter) is a deep spring that bubbles up an impossible blue. Together they make a full, easy day.
Insider tip: from Ksamil, take the Albanian Riviera Jeep Safari to reach the harder-to-find coves. It runs daily from Saranda.
The City of a Thousand Windows
Berat stacks white Ottoman houses up a hillside split by the Osum river. Walk the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, cross the old stone bridge, and climb to the castle, which families still live in, with its churches, mosques and a small museum. It is one of Albania’s UNESCO towns and an easy day trip from Tirana.
Insider tip: pair Berat with Roshnik, a nearby village for a wine tour and a long Albanian lunch that made the travel magazines in 2025.
Hike to Bovilla Lake
For a quick nature fix near the capital, Bovilla Lake sits among cliffs and green hills about an hour from Tirana. A short, easy path climbs to a viewpoint over the whole reservoir, the kind of walk that pays off without taking your day.
Insider tip: Bovilla is Tirana’s drinking-water reservoir, so swimming is not allowed, but ask your guide and they can take you to a clean river nearby for a dip.
Try raki tasting in the capital
To taste something truly Albanian, do a raki tasting in Tirana. Raki is the local spirit, poured when you visit someone’s home and whenever friends meet. A tasting walks you through several kinds, plain and aged, with cheese, olives and byrek alongside.
A good tasting pours about 7 of more than 100 varieties. Mine is “roasted raki”, golden and faintly sweet, and oddly it goes really well with sour food.
Eat your way through the north
Shkoder, between a big lake and the mountains, is the food stop. The cooking mixes fish, meat and fresh vegetables, with dishes like Tave Krapi (baked carp) and Corba Shkodrane (a hearty meat and rice soup). Eating your way through Shkoder is one of the tastiest things to do in Albania.
Insider tip: book the “taste food Shkoder” experience at Alma’s guesthouse, where she serves 23 home-cooked dishes in her garden, and every guest leaves amazed.
Walk the stone city
Gjirokastra is grey-roofed houses and steep alleys under a huge castle that holds a Cold War bunker museum. It is quiet and full of character, and at its liveliest during the National Folklore Festival.
Insider tip: in the bazaar, find the “coffee makers”, where you join locals to make traditional Albanian coffee and, while it brews, get pulled into the local gossip.
Drive the Llogara Pass to Himara
Drive the Llogara Pass, a mountain road that drops from pine forest to the sea with sweeping coastal views and places to stop for a photo or a coffee. Below it, Himara is smaller and quieter than the bigger beach towns, clean beaches and a laid-back town where you can relax without the crowds.
Insider tip: just before Himara, the lesser-known Livadhi beach has some of the cleanest water on the coast.
See the caves near Pogradec
By Lake Ohrid in the east, Pogradec is a calm lakeside town with caves nearby. St Mary’s Cave is the best known, a short hike to cool rock formations and a peaceful spot away from the coast crowds.
About an hour from Pogradec is St Mary’s monastery, and in the caves nearby you can find glowing white rocks that locals believe bring good luck. I keep one at home and one in the car. They do glow, so who knows.
Camp in Theth National Park
In the northern Alps, Theth is for anyone who loves the outdoors: mountains, rivers, waterfalls and small farms. Sleep in a small guesthouse or camp, and hike to the Blue Eye of Theth or Grunas Waterfall. It is a proper break from city life and one of the best things to do in Albania.
Insider tip: visit the “Kulla e Ngujimit”, the lock-in tower, a safe house during blood feuds under the old Kanun of Lek Dukagjin. The stories of how people lived under that northern Albanian code are part of what makes Theth feel so different.
Hang out in Tirana’s Blloku
Back in the capital, Blloku was sealed off to ordinary people in Communist times and is now Tirana’s liveliest quarter: cafes by day, cocktail bars, street art and music by night. It is the best place to sip coffee in the afternoon and see the city’s younger side after dark.
Common questions
When is the best time to visit Albania?
Late May to June and September are the sweet spot: warm sea, open mountain trails and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy on the coast, so book the Riviera early.
How many days do you need in Albania?
About a week for the highlights, or ten to fourteen days to add the north and the deep south at a relaxed pace.
Do you need a car or a guide?
You can self-drive, but a guide handles the mountain roads, ferry timings and the insider stops above. We offer group, private and tailor-made options.
Is Albania good for families?
Yes. The beaches, easy walks and short drives near Tirana suit families well; the longer mountain days are better for older kids and active travellers.
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