A road trip is one of the coolest ways to explore Europe, and Albania is one of the continent’s most underrated gems. With breathtaking scenery, turquoise beaches along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, mountains rivaling the Swiss Alps, delicious traditional food, and friendly people, it’s a country you’ll always want to return to.
We traveled through Albania by car for 7 days, not nearly enough to see it all. You could easily spend a whole summer here. The country is safe, driving is pleasant, and buses make getting around easy. Here’s how to see as much as possible in just 7 days.
When we came here a second time, we spent a total of 22 days in Albania. An itinerary is coming soon!
epic albania - one week, endless views, moments & adventures
Albania completely surprised us. Every turn was something new – lively streets in Tirana or Berat, quiet mountain villages in Theth and hidden turquoise beaches at the Riviera.
What we loved most? The easy life feeling, the warmth of the people, and the feeling that I was discovering a country still untouched by mass tourism. If you want adventure, culture and breathtaking landscapes all in one trip, Albania is a place that stays with you long after you leave.
We’ve arrived in Albania two very different ways and both times felt quite easy. The first time, we drove in with our own car through Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro, crossing the border and stopping in Shkodër. It was the perfect introduction: calm, welcoming and surrounded by mountains, but also a bit chaotic and hectic.
The second time, we flew into Tirana and started our road trip from there with a rental car. Tirana felt vibrant and full of energy, instantly pulling us into Albanian life. No matter how you arrive, Albania gives you that feeling of freedom from the very first moment and makes you want to keep going.
You probably will arrive in Tirana by plane. But of course there are many other ways to enter Albania. Most of you will probably come to Albania by plane, car, camper, bus or ship. The first time here we entered Albania in our own car via Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. The entry was very relaxed and offers a spectacular view of Lake Skadar. Our first place in Albania was the charming town of Shkodër. The city is located in the north of the country where we start our road trip through Albania.
Shkodër offers a great old town with an extraordinary flair. We recommend that you explore the city a bit on your first day. There are sights here such as the Rozafa Castle, which towers over the city with the best views of Lake Skadar, beautiful mosques and cathedrals, great excursion destinations and much more. A great place to get a first insight into the enchanting country of Albania.
The next morning we recommend checking out one of the good café’s and enjoying the delicious Albanian breakfast. We then continued on to the Mesi Bridge, around 8 kilometers away. The Ottoman arch bridge over the Kir River is a great photo spot that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Afterwards we went to one of the most beautiful places in all of Albania. Theth is a village in the Albanian Alps. It is approximately 2 hours by car from Shkodër. Bus tours are also offered from here to Theth. A true paradise for everyone who likes to be out in nature. The place is very original and there are only a few guest houses and locals who live there.
On the first day you can relax and marvel at the wonderful nature and the breathtaking panorama in Theth with its high two-thousanders. We stayed at Royal Land for 2 nights and can absolutely recommend it to you. The hosts were incredibly friendly, helpful and it felt like seeing an old friend again. From here you probably have one of the best views over Theth and the mountains.
The next morning we had a balanced breakfast (which was really delicious). We then drove to the Blue Eye of Theth, 9 kilometers (20 minutes by car) away. Of course you can also hike the path. You automatically come to a small parking lot where you also find two small restaurants. From here it takes around 40 minutes to get to the Blue Eye. We recommend that you wear sturdy shoes and bring enough water with you.
Back at the parking lot you can now drive to the center of Theth and take another hike to Grunas Waterfall. The path leads over some private land, but is very easy. You should take the path to the left of the waterfall because you will have a better view from here later.
Of course one building cannot be missed when visiting Theth. The church of Theth is a popular photo opportunity and is picturesquely surrounded by the mountains. It is located relatively in the center of the village and is a real must-do if you come to Theth.
On the way from Theth to Tirana you will pass Krujë, among many other beautiful places. Here you can stroll through the beautifully decorated cobbled market streets and treat yourself in one of the many traditional restaurants.
From Krujë it is around 40 kilometers to the colorful capital Tirana. Once you arrive, you first explore the city’s many sights and large parks. Of course, a visit to the famous Skanderbeg Square should not be missed.
In Tirana you can end the evenings particularly well and, especially in the summer months, sit outside, eat something and enjoy a few drinks. The city also impresses with its good nightlife. A really great place where you want to spend more time.
From Tirana it is around 100 kilometers to Berat, also known as the city of 1000 windows. The ride is very pleasant and there is a lot to see along the way. Untouched beautiful nature and cute villages. You will also drive past the city of Elbasan and it’s definitely worth making a stop here.
Berat is located at the Osum River. The most famous districts here are Mangalem, Gorica and Kalaja. We can absolutely recommend the Desaret Residence Hotel. From here you have one of the best views over the city.
Berat can easily be explored in a day. There are beautiful corners to discover and you can have a great meal here in the evenings. We recommend watching the sunset at Berat Castle. A great location with great views.
The next morning you can eat a good breakfast in Berat. Then drive to Gjirokastër, around 2.5 hours away. On the way there you will pass untouched nature with impressive mountains, beautiful rivers, lakes and great places.
The old town of Gjirokastër is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in a valley between the Gjerë mountains and the Drino. It is an absolut picturesque city in southern Albania. We stayed the night at Kerculla Resort, wich is an awesome hotel with probably the best view of the entire city.
You can spend your day wonderfully here and explore the sweet city. The highlights here definitely include Gjirokastër castle and the Bazaar. But there are also other great sights, excursions, destinations and culinary offerings here. The next morning you can enjoy a fantastic breakfast with a great view at the hotel.
Your first stop on day six is the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër). A place worth seeing, around 30 kilometers away from Gjirokastër. The country’s richest spring is a natural paradise. Entry fee here is around 0,50€ and you have to walk around 15 minutes to get there.
Around 45 minutes away by car is the dream destination of Ksamil, with beautiful beaches and turquoise blue water. Not far away from the border of Greece and opposite the island of Corfu, Ksamil is one of the most beautiful places in Albania. You can also wonderfully spend a complete vacation here.
On the way from Ksamil to Himarë you will pass countless beautiful beaches and bays, cute villages and picturesque nature. It takes around 1.5 hours to cover just 68 kilometers from Ksamil to Himarë, but the trip is worth every minute. The small town of Himarë lies at the coast of the Ionian Sea and is one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. There is also a lot to see here and you could spend several days here.
The people in Himarë were also very hospitable, like in the whole country. Along the coast your next stop is the port town of Vlorë. It is the third largest city in Alabnia and you can definitely spend a nice day here. Vlorë has a huge beach and a long promenade, but there are also beautiful sights to discover here.
The colorful city of Durrës is around 120 kilometers away. The big city on the Adriatic coast is a charming place worth seeing. There is also a long promenade, sweet streets, good café’s and restaurants, culture and history. This is the last place on your road trip through Albania. From here it is just 39 kilometers to Tirana.
On our first visit to Albania, we spent exactly 7 days here. Since Albania isn’t very large, it’s actually quite easy to see most of the country, or rather, most of the sights and places.
On our second visit, we spent about 22 days in Albania and can say that we saw almost everything, with only a few exceptions.
Albania is made for road trips. Distances are short, landscapes change fast, and every drive feels like part of the adventure. One moment you’re in a busy city, the next you’re on a quiet mountain road or parking right next to a turquoise beach. We loved the freedom to stop anywhere and discover places that weren’t even on our plan.
We experienced both:
Fuel is slightly more expensive than in some neighboring countries. If you drive through the country, you’ll quickly notice that there’s a gas station almost everywhere. So, gas stations are easy to find here.
Parking is simple: paid zones in cities, mostly free elsewhere.
Albania still feels raw, authentic and undiscovered. A road trip here isn’t just about getting from A to B – it’s about everything you find in between. We loved it here!
We booked our rental car through *Sunny Cars, and honestly, it made the whole process incredibly easy. The car itself was picked up at Tirana Airport, with Enterprise as the local provider.
At first, we weren’t sure about the car we got, a Citroën Berlingo. It wasn’t exactly what we had imagined for a road trip and we looked at each other thinking, “Really… this one?”
But that changed quickly. After the first few days on the road, the Berlingo turned out to be absolutely perfect for Albania. Spacious, comfortable, reliable and yes, we even gave it a nickname: Bulli. By the end of the trip, we couldn’t imagine a better car for our route.
One of the biggest advantages of booking through Sunny Cars was the full insurance coverage. Because everything was already included, we didn’t have to deal with any additional insurance offers at the counter – which made the pickup much less stressful.
The pickup area at Tirana Airport felt a bit chaotic at first, with parking and rental cars spread out, but once everything was sorted, the process was smooth.
Still, it’s important to check the rental conditions carefully, especially things like:
We took a quick look at the car before driving off, mainly checking for any major damage. Nothing serious, and we were ready to go.
Finding parking was never a real problem for us – not in cities, not in smaller towns. Sometimes it felt a bit unorganized, but it always worked out. Compared to other countries, parking in Albania was surprisingly relaxed.
The Berlingo handled everything well, very well, city traffic in Tirana, long coastal drives and mountain roads. It felt stable and comfortable, even on rougher sections.
We rented the car for 22 days and with everything included, we paid around 50€ per day. Considering the flexibility, comfort and freedom it gave us, it was absolutely worth it.
Would we do it again?
100%. Booking through Sunny Cars, picking up at Tirana Airport and traveling Albania with our “Bulli” turned our trip into a true road trip experience – easy, flexible and unforgettable.
To travel to Albania works surprisingly well in different seasons. We’ve been here twice, once in May and once in September and both trips were amazing in their own way.
May felt fresh and relaxed. Nature was green, temperatures were perfect for sightseeing and road trips, and popular places were still quiet. It was ideal for exploring cities, driving through the mountains and stopping wherever we liked. It was still a bit cold for swimming to be honest.
September was warmer and more summery. The sea was perfect for swimming, the days were long and it felt like a calmer version of summer without the peak-season crowds. We were here for about three weeks and it only rained for half a day during that time.
June – August is peak season here. Ideal for beach lovers. The Albanian Riviera shines with turquoise water, long sunny days, and a lively atmosphere, especially along the coast. However, it’s also very crowded, particularly in popular spots along the Riviera like Ksamil, Dhermi, or at Blue Eye. It can also get brutally hot here in the summer, with midday temperatures around 35°C.
Spring (April – May) and autumn (October) are our favorite months for a road trip. Temperatures are pleasant, cities are less crowded and nature is at its best, ideal for exploring towns, mountains, swimming and scenic drives.
Winter is a completely different experience. It can get quite cold, especially in the mountains and some regions even see snow. Coastal cities stay milder, but many tourist spots are very quiet. Fewer restaurants and accommodations are open, yet that’s also part of the charm. Albania feels calm, local and untouched.
Let’s say, summer is best for beaches, spring and autumn are ideal for road trips and cities (but also swimming) and winter offers a slower, more authentic side of Albania (but its cold).
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⌀7°C
Jan
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⌀9°C
Feb
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⌀12°C
Mar
🌤️
⌀16°C
Apr
🌤️
⌀21°C
May
☀️
⌀26°C
June
☀️
⌀30°C
July
☀️
⌀30°C
Aug
🌤️
⌀25°C
Sep
🌥️
⌀19°C
Oct
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⌀14°C
Nov
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⌀9°C
Dec
Before traveling to Albania, we kept asking ourselves one question:
Is it really that cheap?
After spending several weeks on the road, we can honestly say: yes – but in a very good way. Albania is affordable without feeling low-quality, and that’s what makes traveling here so enjoyable.
Here’s a realistic breakdown of what we spent and what you can expect.
The rental car was one of our biggest expenses and also the most important one. The prices depend on the season and provider.
For the freedom and flexibility it gave us, the price felt absolutely fair but still a bit expensive tho. Albania is made for road trips and having a car allowed us to reach places public transport simply doesn’t.
Accommodation in Albania is very budget-friendly, especially compared to other European countries.
We stayed mostly in a mix of guesthouses and small hotels and were surprised by how comfortable and welcoming most places were.
Eating out in Albania was one of the highlights of the trip and very affordable (often more expensive in tourist regions).
Portions are generous, the food is fresh, and dining out never felt expensive, even when we did it daily.
💡Tip: Don’t order too much at first, as the portions here are often huge, in our opinion. An appetizer can easily be the size of a regular meal.
Fuel prices are slightly higher than in some neighboring Balkan countries, but still reasonable.
Fuel added up over time, but distances in Albania are relatively short.
Entrance fees were generally low.
Museums & castles: 2-5€
National parks: often free or very inexpensive (some like Butrint National Park cost around 10€ per person.
Guided tours: affordable compared to Western Europe
Many of the best experiences like beaches, hikes or viewpoints were completely free.
On average, we spent around 70-120€ per person per day, including:
You can easily travel cheaper through Albania, but this budget gave us comfort, flexibility and freedom.
We didn’t know what to expect when we arrived in Albania, but it surprised us instantly. Life here feels slower and more relaxed, especially when coming from Germany. Everything seems simpler, more carefree.
What stayed with us most was the mix of untouched nature, constant change and incredibly warm, curious people. Albania feels raw, welcoming and real – a place that doesn’t try to impress, but somehow does anyway.
We often get asked if Albania is safe and from our experience, yes, absolutely. We didn’t have a single bad moment during our entire trip.
What stayed with us most were the people. Everywhere we went – cities, small towns, remote areas we met incredibly friendly, curious and welcoming locals. People helped us without hesitation, started conversations and made us feel genuinely welcome.
Even driving felt safe once we got used to the local rhythm. Overall, Albania felt relaxed, open, and easy to travel, a country where you can simply enjoy the journey without stress.
