Where to Stay in Albania – Top Trending Places in 2024

Hello traveler, and welcome to your virtual tour across Albania! In this post, I’ll help you decide where to stay in Albania and share the best places to ensure you explore everything the newest European hotspot has to offer!

I vacationed in the country and was blown away by the natural beauty and hospitality of its people.

The Albanian Riviera, with its charming cities, is where to stay in Albania for beach lovers and really all first-timers to the country. But Albania has so much to offer, I’ll also tell you about the best destinations for history buffs and hiking enthusiasts!

I’ve cherry-picked the top-rated hotels to stay in each area and included options for all budgets so you can find your ideal place and book right away! And about that, I definitely recommend booking in advance to secure the best deals.

Quick picks for your stay

These are the best hotels to stay in the Albanian Riviera, the best region to explore for first-timers seeking beach vacation:

This map will help you visualize all the best areas to stay in Albania:

1. Albanian Riviera – where to stay in Albania for beach lovers

The very center of the country’s tourism and the ultimate destination for vacationers, the Albanian Riviera awaits. It boasts a 155 mile (250 km) stretch of stunning coastal cities starting from Durres, passing Vlora, then more South towards Sarande and Ksamil.

Calm azure waters, large well-organized beaches, ancient towns, picture-perfect sunsets, and delicious foods await across the North-South coast stretch.

NOTE: The best way to get around Albania is to rent a car, which will be much cheaper than in most other European destinations. You can pick up your vehicle whether you land in Tirana or dock in Saranda from Corfu and then drive around to different coastal (and inland) cities. They also have public transport like buses and taxis (which are cost-efficient only for traveling from one small village to another one nearby).

The Albanian Riviera is packed with attractions for active vacation seekers. But it’s also a paradise for lazy vacationers who just want to relax under the sun and eat in gourmet restaurants!

So, let’s go over the best areas to stay in the Riviera and see what they have to offer.

1.1. Durres – where to stay for a big city vibe

Durres is a lovely coastal city in the North of the Albanian Riviera with a population of around 200,000. This vibrant port city has everything you need for the perfect summer vacation: pristine beaches, eclectic food scene, accommodation for every taste and budget, and plenty of attractions.

Durres is Albania’s most ancient city, with a history spanning over 3,000 years!

From ancient amphitheaters to stunning ruins of Venetian castles and Byzantine forums, a walk around Durres will make you travel through time and explore different kingdoms that ruled over this strategic port in the Adriatic Sea!

We stayed in Durres for 3 days and absolutely loved the vibe. I mean, it’s the biggest coastal city in Albania with a good connection to the capital of Tirana, so it’s no wonder it’s always so lively!

The historic City Center is in the Northernmost part of the city, just by the port, while the beach stretches South for kilometers. We mostly walked during our stay in Durres, but you may need to take public transport or drive if you stay in the more Southern areas (which are packed with hotels, shops, and restaurants, too).

I loved the chic cafés, accessibility of restaurants by the sea, and the stunning sunset views from the port (map). The beach of Durres has a public and a private sector with loungers and umbrellas and it’s pretty huge, but make sure to arrive early to get a good spot as it can get crowded!

Prices for beach loungers and umbrellas change every year as Albania is rapidly developing and sees an increase in tourists every year. You can expect to pay around 1000 lek (€10) per day or higher across the Riviera in 2024.

LOCAL’S TIP: If you want to buy your own beach umbrella, get one at the Jumbo store by the port (map). Don’t buy from street sellers, those ones break quickly.

Other accommodation options in Durres

Things to do in Durres

• Explore all the cool restaurants by the port
• Walk around the Old Town and enjoy the views and architecture
• Sunbathe and swim at Durres’s large beach (map)
• Check out the Venetian Tower of Durres (map) and Durres Amphitheater (map)
• Drive to the nearby Castle of Cruja (map)
• Go on a half-day wine tour with food-tasting 

1.2. Ksamil – where to stay for the best beaches

Welcome to Albania’s most charming seaside town! Ever since the country started welcoming more and more tourists, Ksamil has reached the top spot in the popular seaside destinations list, mostly for its stunning beaches.

I chatted with Hristina, our travel writer who recently vacationed in Ksamil, and she confirmed that Ksamil is a top spot for beach vacation in the country. Even those who stay in Saranda (a bigger city just a 30-minute ride from Ksamil) end up going to Ksamil for the beaches.

Her impression was that the beaches were really well organized, but they lacked free zones where you could place your own umbrella. The beaches are lined with sunbeds and she paid around 1,500 lek (€15) for 2 sunbeds and an umbrella, which is pretty standard for Albanian standards.

PRO TIP: Book your sunbed a day in advance if you’re visiting in the high season (July and August)!

Even though the beach vacation is on the expensive side, you’ll still find affordable accommodation, food, and drinks in Ksamil.

Hristina’s favorite beach was Pulebardha Beach (map) a bit outside of the town, but you’ll find plenty of other options, with Lori Beach (map) and Plazhi Ksamilit (map) being the most popular ones.

Other accommodation options in Ksamil

Things to do in Ksamil

• Go beach hopping across Ksamil
• Have lunch in Utopia, a stunning restaurant with a view (map)
• Visit the UNESCO-protected Butrint National Park (map)
• Sip cocktails in the Ohana Beach Bar (map)
• Take a day trip to Corfu, Greece (ferry departs from Saranda)

1.3. Saranda – where to stay for nightlife

Saranda (or Sarande) is another popular tourist destination with a thriving nightlife scene and plenty of late-night bars. It’s located just 15 km (9.3 miles) North of Ksamil, which is a 30-minute ride.

So, if you’re looking for a coastal city with a lively atmosphere, more nightlife, and dining options, Saranda is a good place to stay. Many people choose to stay in Saranda and then visit Ksamil’s beaches, as Saranda is livelier at night.

Saranda has its own beaches though, with the most popular being the long, pebble Saranda Beach (map) stretching along the promenade in the City Center.

The promenade (map) is one of the city highlights and it’s lined with bars, cafés, and eateries serving fresh seafood but also international cuisine. I’ve read multiple reviews that say that the restaurants here are even cheaper than Ksamil!

Saranda is also the closest town to Blue Eye (map), a stunning water spring considered a natural phenomenon. It has a pure, bright blue color that allows you to see all the way to the bottom (50+ meters).

NOTE: A daily shuttle to the Blue Eye departs from Saranda promenade every 30 minutes, and it costs around 1,400 lek (€14) for a round trip per person.

Saranda is also popular for its ferry to Corfu, a stunning Greek island nearby. There are multiple agencies and daily departures, and the ride can take from 30 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes.

If you have time, you can spend a day or two exploring all the natural beauty and historical sights of Corfu! We even have an article on the 11 most charming villages in Corfu, so you can check it out for more travel inspo!

Other accommodation options in Saranda

Things to do in Saranda

• Sip cocktails at the popular Jericho Cocktail Bar (map)
• Go on a boat tour to explore nearby islands on the Riviera
• Party at one of the many beach clubs
• Drive to Ksamil’s beaches
• Take a ferry to Corfu
• Check out the ancient Synagogue complex (map)

1.4. Vlora – the perfect base for exploring the Albanian Riviera

Vlora (or Vlore) is Albania’s third most populous city (after Tirana and Durres), and it’s located almost halfway between Durres (1 hour 30 minutes by car) and Saranda (2 hours).

The convenient location makes Vlora a great base to explore both the Northern and Southern parts of the Riviera. You can rent a car in Tirana, base yourself in Vlora, and then go on day trips to other cities without spending too much time in the car!

Vlora is also an important historic city, as this is where Albania declared independence from the Ottomans in 1912. You can even visit the National Independence Museum (map), but I only recommend it if you’re really passionate about Albanian history. The museum is really small and mostly contains pictures of important figures.

The city also has easy access to hiking routes, cultural attractions, boat tours, and plenty of restaurants along the promenade! However, if you’re looking for a typical beach vacation, you may prefer smaller towns like Saranda and Ksamil. The beaches in Vlora aren’t the cleanest.

PRO TIP: Stay at hotels in the nearby Uji i Ftohte area for the best panoramic views of Vlora Bay! You’ll still be a 25-minute walk (5-minute ride) from the City Center of Vlora!

Other accommodation options in Vlora

Things to do in Vlora

• Walk along the Lungomare promenade (map) by the sea
• Eat at the best fast food restaurant, Namma (map)
• Go hiking in the Llogara National Park nearby (map)
• Discover Vlora’s wild beaches on a boat tour
• Go paragliding to enjoy jaw-dropping views of the bay (map)
• See the stunning Haxhi Ali Cave on a speedboat tour

2. Inland – where to stay in Albania for history buffs

From the country’s fastly developing capital to perfectly preserved Ottoman-era towns (now UNESCO World Heritage Sites), a tour across inland Albania is the perfect opportunity to understand Balkan history, people, and customs.

I’d say Inland Albania is just as beautiful (if not even more) than the Riviera. Whether you’re into culture, history, hiking, or plain sightseeing, you have a lot to discover here!

Much like with the Riviera, the best way to get around is by car. Most cities are connected by bus lines, and the tickets are affordable, but I recommend rather renting a car. You can make small stops (trust me, you’ll want to do this to enjoy all the beautiful scenery) and have greater comfort.

Below, I reveal details about the top 3 most stunning towns in inland Albania that you need to see!

2.1. Tirana – the capital of Albania

Tirana is Albania’s capital city with a population of around 530,000. The main commercial, cultural, and gastronomical center of the country, Tirana has it all: stunning architecture, delicious restaurants, museums, charming cafés, and world-class hotels.

I stayed in Tirana for 3 days during my trip to Albania, and I remember being in awe of the architecture. Sometimes, it feels like home (I’m from Serbia, we have typical Balkan/brutalist architecture). At times, it feels Ottoman. And then, at times, you feel like you got transported across the Adriatic Sea to Italy.

I was also shocked to see so many bunkers across the city! But since Albania was under a really strict communist regime, its leader was in constant expectation of a nuclear attack. He built a network of underground tunnels across the country to prepare for the eventual attack!

My highlight of the city was the Tirana Castle (map) and area around it, a revived Byzantine-era castle that’s now an open-air mall with shops and cafés. There was a long leafy pedestrian street just next to it where we sat for coffee, the atmosphere was so cozy!

Overall, Tirana is now a city welcoming tourists from around the world with a really urban feel. We mostly got around walking since our hotel was in the City Center (I recommend you do this as well!), but taxis and buses are also affordable. They don’t have Uber in Tirana yet.

Other accommodation options in Tirana

Things to do in Tirana

2.2. Berat – a charming old town in Albania

Welcome to the town of a thousand windows! Berat is a charming old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site some 100 km (62 miles) South of Tirana, less than a 2-hour drive. It’s really close to Vlora, too!

FUN FACT: Albania has very few highways and they are all new. Enver Hoxha (communist ruler of Albania from 1944 to 1985) didn’t want to build highways because he thought that’d help the enemies in case of invasion. Can you imagine how much the lack of efficient transportation infrastructure harmed Albania’s economic progress all these years? If you want to learn about other weird things Enver Hoxha did, stop by the bunker museums in Tirana!

Anyways, this is why today, you’ll often have to take narrow mountain roads to get from one town to another, including a small series of narrow roads on the Tirana-Berat route. Once you’re off the highway and onto these roads, extra caution is needed due to potholes!

Once in Berat, you’ll be transported back in time to one of the most famous wood-carving cities of the Balkans. This is among the best-preserved Ottoman cities today, so it really feels like you’re in another era.

The old town of Ohrid in nearby Macedonia reminds me of this place, and I always used to say that Ohrid is the most charming city in the Balkans I’ve been to! When you look at the picture of Berat’s buildings, it’ll be clear why it’s called the city of 1000 windows!

From the old castles to charming, authentic shops and restaurants and beautiful landscapes, Berat is guaranteed to make you fall in love with Albania!

Other accommodation options in Berat

Things to do in Berat

• Visit the stunning Berat Castle and enjoy the panoramic views (map)
• Stroll in the Mangalem (map) area
• Drive to the nearby captivating Osumi Canyon (map)
• Try traditional sweets in the Old Quarter (map)
• Climb to the best viewing platform near Old Town (map)

2.3. Gjirokaster – where to stay for a journey back in time

Yet another Ottoman-era city and a UNESCO World Heritage site awaits in Albania! Gjirokaster is located 180 km (112 miles) South of Berat, and it’s really close to Saranda. The ride from Berat to Gjirokaster is around 2 hours and 40 minutes, partly because of the lack of proper highways.

I mean, just one look at the photographs of this place is enough to make me want to go there at this moment! If you’re also into traditional towns filled with history on every corner, you’ll love Gjirokaster!

I dream of strolling through the Old Bazaar (map) and sipping Turkish coffee in all the authentic coffee places around!

The highlight of the town is the Castle of Gjirokastra (map) built in the 12th century and offers panoramic views of the city. The castle is available for visits year-round, and the ticket is less than €2.

Much like Berat, Gjirokaster is a small town and you can tour it in less than 24 hours! So I suggest spending the night here and then heading to the Riviera’s Saranda and Ksamil for some seaside thrill!

Other accommodation options in Gjirokaster

Things to do in Gjirokaster

• Enjoy the views from the Gjirokaster Castle
• Walk in the Old Town and buy unique souvenirs
• Tour the Cold War tunnel nearby (map)
• Eat the most delicious traditional food with panoramic views at Zhuli (map)
• Snap a picture of the town’s Obelisk (map)

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3. Shkoder (The North) – where to stay in Albania for adventure seekers

Albania’s North is commonly called the Albanian Alps, and it’s for a good reason. Its surreal beauty with rugged mountains, waterfalls, caves, and even a few beaches makes this region a heaven for adventure travelers!

Notice how Riviera and Alps denominations are used to describe Albanian regions? This is mostly done to attract visitors by alluding to the beautiful landscapes of France that everyone knows about!

The largest city in the region is Shkoder, and this is where I recommend you base yourself so you can take hikes, tours and go sightseeing across the region.

FUN FACT: The Albanian Alps are known as accursed mountains in Albanian (they have the same name in Serbian), and there are numerous legends to explain this. One says that God himself cursed them, another says that it’s because of Slavic soldiers who died in large numbers trying to cross the mountains. Others say a woman cursed them because she had no water to feed her thirsty children.

IMPORTANT: Most of the hiking trails in the area are closed from late October through beginning of May due to snow, while the peak season to visit is in July and August.

The most popular hiking trail is the one from Valbona to Theth, it’s around 17 km (10.5 miles) long and has a 1080 m (3543 feet) elevation gain. If you decide to take this hiking route (good fitness required), look for accommodation closer to the starting point in Valbona or pick an accommodation that’s willing to offer you a ride there (I read online reviews that said Guesthouse Jezerca can do this). You can then take an organized minibus from Theth back to Shkoder.

Other accommodation options in Shkoder

Things to do in Shkoder

• Stroll along Shkoder Lake (map) or go kayaking there
• Check out the Rozafa Castle (map)
• Explore the town’s art galleries
• Enjoy the nice places at Kole Idromeno Street (map)
• Visit the local history museum (map)

FAQs about where to stay in Albania

🏖️ What is the nicest part of Albania?

The Riviera with seaside towns like Ksamil and Saranda is beautiful, but so is Northern Albania with its rugged mountain tops and beautiful wildlife.

❓ Is it better to stay in Ksamil or Sarande?

Ksamil is better for the beaches, while Sarande has a better nightlife. Sarande is bigger, while Ksamil is a mid-size village with not many attractions, but it’s the Riviera’s top beach destination.

🤔 What city should I stay in in Albania?

It depends. Stay in Tirana to explore the country’s modern culture, Gjirokaster for authentic history, and Durres for easy sea access.

🌊 Which part of Albania has the best beaches?

Southern part! The South of Riviera, notably Ksamil, has the best beaches in the country.

🧭 What is the best base to explore Albania?

If you want to explore the seaside, then Vlore. For exploring the mountains, choose Shkoder. And for day tours to most parts of the country, stay in Tirana.

Final thoughts on where to stay in Albania

You’ve reached the end of today’s virtual guide on where to stay in Albania! Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what this beautiful country has to offer!

I’ll remember my stay here for the hospitable people, beautiful sea towns, and the many stories of how Albania transformed from Europe’s most isolated country into a thriving seaside hotspot.

If you ask me, probably the 2 best cities to stay in Albania if you’re short on time would be Tirana and Ksamil. And these are the best places to stay there:

Before I let you go, a warm reminder to book your stay in Albania as soon as possible. And if you end up going to the beaches, book your chair loungers and umbrellas one day in advance during the peak season!

What place in Albania are you most excited to visit? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below, I’ll be happy to help!

Enjoy Albania,

Darija 

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