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Albania

Albania travel guide

Coastline, mountains and old stone towns on a budget other European trips can't match

Best: Jun, Sep, Oct

Photo: Pudelek / Wikimedia Commons

Capital
Tirana
Language
Albanian
Currency
Albanian lek (ALL)
Time zone
UTC+01:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112

Why visit Albania

Albania suits travellers who want beaches, hills and historic towns without a packed itinerary of famous names. The coast around Sarandë, Durrës and Himarë gets busy in July and August, while Tirana, Shkodër, Berat and Gjirokastër are better explored in June, September or October, when temperatures ease. The main catch: coastal towns and inland cities peak at different times, so one trip rarely suits both at their best.

  • A coastline with two personalities

    Durrës, Sarandë and Himarë sit on the coast, with July and August as their busiest beach months. Sarandë and Himarë look across to Corfu, giving the Albanian Riviera a warm, late-summer feel through September.

  • Old towns built into hillsides

    Berat and Gjirokastër are inland towns known for stacked stone houses. Both have October listed as a best month, along with April, making spring and autumn good times to walk their steep streets without summer heat.

  • A capital with cooler shoulder seasons

    Tirana, home to 389,323 people, lists October, April, September and June as its best months. That spread lets visitors skip the hottest weeks and still get mild city weather.

  • Shkodër as a gateway to the north

    Shkodër, with 61,633 residents, favors April, October, September and May. Its position near Albania's northern lakes and mountains makes it a base for travelers heading beyond the coast.

  • A small country with wide variety

    Albania covers just 28,748 square kilometers but packs in a capital, coastal towns and mountain-adjacent cities like Shkodër and Berat. September, June and October stand out as the country's overall best months.

Is Albania right for you?

Great for

  • Beach trips to Durrës, Sarandë or Himarë in July and August, with only about 30 mm of rain
  • Old-town visits to Berat and Gjirokastër in October, when Tirana highs are around 22°C
  • Spring city breaks in April, with Tirana highs near 19°C and about 11 sun hours
  • Travellers in June or September who want warm days of 27–28°C with fewer rain days than spring
  • Compact road trips in a country of 28,748 km² with a single time zone

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in July and August, when Tirana highs reach about 32°C
  • Dry-weather seekers in November, the wettest month with 192 mm of rain over 11 days
  • Beach holidays in January, with highs of 11°C and about 12 rain days

Albania right now: November

5.7/10
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
9°C
Rain days
11

Averages for Tirana.

Weather by month

In Tirana, June, September and October bring warm days (27–28°C highs), fewer rain days and plenty of sun, making them the best mix of comfort and clear skies. January and December are toughest, with highs near 11–13°C, around 10–12 rain days each, and the year's heaviest rainfall (176mm and 137mm), while July and August turn dry but very hot, peaking near 32°C.

Average highs and lows in Tirana by month January: high 11°C, low 2°C , 12 rain days . February: high 14°C, low 4°C , 10 rain days . March: high 16°C, low 6°C , 12 rain days . April: high 19°C, low 9°C , 11 rain days . May: high 23°C, low 13°C , 14 rain days . June: high 28°C, low 18°C , 7 rain days . July: high 32°C, low 21°C , 4 rain days . August: high 32°C, low 21°C , 6 rain days . September: high 27°C, low 17°C , 9 rain days . October: high 22°C, low 13°C , 9 rain days . November: high 17°C, low 9°C , 11 rain days . December: high 13°C, low 5°C , 10 rain days . 11°C 2°C JAN 12d 14°C 4°C FEB 10d 16°C 6°C MAR 12d 19°C 9°C APR 11d 23°C 13°C MAY 14d 28°C 18°C JUN 7d 32°C 21°C JUL 4d 32°C 21°C AUG 6d 27°C 17°C SEP 9d 22°C 13°C OCT 9d 17°C 9°C NOV 11d 13°C 5°C DEC 10d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Tirana · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Albania: month-by-month weather →

Where to go in Albania

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Capital, Coast and Castles in a Week

  1. Day 1–2

    Tirana

    Start in Albania's capital, home to about 389323 people. Walk the central squares and get a feel for the mix of Ottoman, Italian and communist-era buildings before heading south.

  2. Day 3

    Berat

    Visit this hillside town known for its old houses stacked above the river, often called the city of a thousand windows. A good stop between Tirana and the south coast.

  3. Day 4–5

    Sarandë

    Relax on the coast at Sarandë, a small city of about 22613 people with warm summer temperatures from June to September. Use it as a base for beach days along the Albanian Riviera.

  4. Day 6–7

    Gjirokastër

    Finish in this hilltop town of around 16569 people, built on a steep slope with stone houses and a large hilltop castle. Spend your last days exploring the old bazaar and quiet streets.

10 days

Ten Days Through Albania's Cities and Coast

  1. Day 1–2

    Tirana

    Begin in Tirana, Albania's capital with a population of about 389323. Explore the city centre and use it as a starting point for trips north and south.

  2. Day 3

    Shkodër

    Head north to Shkodër, a city of about 61633 people near the lake of the same name. It's a good base for a day near the water before returning south.

  3. Day 4–5

    Durrës

    Spend two days in Durrës, a coastal city of about 101728 people. Walk along the seafront and enjoy the beaches, which are busiest from June to September.

  4. Day 6

    Berat

    Stop in Berat to see the old quarter rising above the river, with its rows of historic houses looking out over the valley.

  5. Day 7–8

    Himarë

    Continue to Himarë, a small coastal town of about 4596 people on the Albanian Riviera. Spend your days on the beach and exploring the quieter coastline.

  6. Day 9–10

    Gjirokastër

    End the trip in Gjirokastër, population around 16569, known for its stone houses and hilltop castle. Spend your last two days walking the old streets and the bazaar.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Qendra

Tirana

Good for first-timers, sightseeing, short stays

The city centre around Skanderbeg Square puts you within walking distance of the main museums, the mosque, the clock tower and the Pyramid. It is the easiest base for getting around on foot and for catching buses to other towns. The main roads around the square carry heavy traffic, so rooms facing them can be noisy.

Food to try in Albania

Tavë kosi

This is baked lamb with rice in a tangy yogurt and egg sauce. It is considered a national dish and shows up at family gatherings and in traditional restaurants across Albania.

Byrek

A savory pastry made of thin layers of dough filled with cheese, spinach, or minced meat. It is a common breakfast or snack food sold at bakeries throughout the country.

Fërgesë

A thick stew of peppers, tomatoes, and cheese, sometimes with added meat. It is a home-style dish often served with bread as a starter or light meal.

Qofte

Grilled or fried meatballs made from minced beef or lamb mixed with herbs. They are popular street food and a staple at casual eateries in cities and towns.

Raki

A strong fruit brandy, usually distilled from grapes, that is the country's traditional spirit. It is offered as a welcome drink before meals or shared socially in cafés.

Fresh seafood on the coast

Grilled fish, mussels, and other seafood are common along the Albanian Riviera and in coastal towns like Sarandë and Vlorë, reflecting the country's long Adriatic and Ionian coastline.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Albania uses type C and F plugs, the standard two-round-pin sockets found across most of Europe. Voltage is 220 V, so devices from the UK, US or Australia need a plug adapter.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in Albania. If you're renting a car and coming from a left-hand-drive country, give yourself time to adjust, especially on mountain roads.
  • Emergency number: Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in Albania. It's the single number to remember for any emergency.
  • Currency: The currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). Euros are widely accepted in tourist areas, but lek is the official money and useful to carry for smaller purchases.
  • Language: Albanian is the official language. In tourist areas and cities like Tirana, English and Italian are commonly understood, but a few Albanian words go a long way elsewhere.
  • Calling code: Albania's country calling code is +355. You'll need this if you're setting up a local SIM or calling home.
  • Timezone: Albania runs on UTC+1, the same zone as most of continental Europe, which makes planning calls and connections straightforward.

Albania: frequently asked questions

Is Albania good to visit in August?

Yes, August works well, with a score of 6.8 and a 'good' verdict. Expect hot weather: highs around 32°C and lows near 20.6°C in Tirana. Rain is rare, with only 5.5 rain days and 30 mm for the month, so beach destinations like Sarandë, Durrës and Himarë suit this time best.

What is the best time to visit Albania?

September, June and October are the top-rated months, based on the scoring data. September scores 8.1, October 7.8 and June 7.9, all marked 'best'. Tirana's weather in these months is warm but not extreme, with highs between 26.9°C and 28°C and fewer rain days than spring or winter.

Is Albania cold in winter?

Yes, winter is the coolest and wettest period. January has a high of just 11°C and a low of 2.4°C, with 176 mm of rain over 12.3 days and only 6.8 hours of sun. December is similar, with a high of 13°C and 137 mm of rain. Both months score low, 2.8 and 3.9, with an 'avoid' verdict.

When should I visit Albania's beaches?

Coastal towns like Sarandë, Durrës and Himarë list July, August, June and September as their best months. July and August are driest, with only 31 mm and 30 mm of rain, and sea-facing heat with highs of 31.8°C and 32°C in Tirana. June and September offer slightly cooler air, around 28°C and 26.9°C, with more comfortable nights.

Is spring a good time to visit Albania?

Spring is decent but mixed. April scores 6.1 ('good') with a high of 19.1°C and 116 mm of rain over 10.8 days. May scores 6.5 ('good') but is wetter, with 120 mm of rain across 13.7 days. March and February are cooler and score lower, at 4.7 and 4.4, both rated 'ok'.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Albania.