Five unique ways to experience Albania

For those in the know, Albania is no longer an up-and-coming travel destination; it has officially arrived. But even so, travel here often feels under the radar. If you venture outside of the main hotspots, you’ll find authentic village life, empty beaches, and mountain views that you could have all to yourself. Here’s a look at some of the more unique things to do in Albania, so that you can experience it from a wonderfully fresh and authentic perspective.

Find your perfect beach: Albanian Riviera secrets

Dreamy beaches abound in Albania. As well as party beaches and family-oriented resort towns, there are many more serene stretches of coastline to discover. Drymades Beach, although popular, is one of the prettiest beaches in Albania, with sun-bleached shingle lapped by azure waters and backed by olive groves.

North along the coast, the lovely Grama Bay is the quintessential hidden cove. Protected from the open ocean by two craggy headlands, the waters here are calm, clear and glinting in the sunlight. Head south to catch a boat to the cut-off Gjipe Beach, another enticing cove surrounded by high cliffs.

For more space to yourself, make a beeline for the nearby Karaburun Peninsula, a wild stretch of land surrounded by sea (the Adriatic and Ionian). The peninsula is studded with secluded beaches and hidden caves, and spending a few unhurried days here will be a sun-hazed joy.

Read more: Exploring the best beaches in Albania

Get active: mountain and outdoor adventures in Albania

The Dinaric Alps run the length of Albania, separating its coastline from the rest of the Balkan Peninsula. Taking up much of the interior, they create a wild and rugged expanse of precipitous mountains, remote river valleys and dramatic canyons, perfect for all sorts of outdoor adventures. If you’re wondering where to go in Albania for hiking, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Trailblazing in the Accursed Mountains

Way up north, the Accursed Mountains are one of the least visited Albania attractions. But this remote region isn’t as foreboding as it might sound. Here, you can hike quiet trails through untouched landscapes with nothing but the sounds of nature all around, and a passing donkey or two. It’s easy to forget you’re in Europe in this all-but-forgotten landscape dotted with age-old mountain hamlets where life moves at a deliciously slow pace.

Trekking from Valbona to Theth in the Accursed Mountains is one of the best things to do in Albania for serious hikers. It’s a full day hike of around ten hours, traversing some of the most spectacular mountains in the country. The route takes you through two national parks that aren’t connected by road. Hikers stay over in Valbona and catch a boat back, or vice versa, making it a 2- to 3-day excursion.

Water-bound in Albania

Also in the remote north, Lake Komani cuts a winding route through the mountains, connecting villages and hamlets in places where there are no roads. Join the locals on their daily commute and take a boat ride between the towering canyon walls.

At the other end of the country, the spectacular Osumi Canyon is part of the Vjosa River region, declared a wild river national park in 2023. This tumbling waterway flows through sheer cliffs in southern Albania and is a top destination for kayaking, canyoning and rafting.

Flying high in southern Albania

High above the Albanian Riviera, the Llogara Pass National Park tells a tale of two halves. Look in one direction, and there are sweeping views of densely forested mountains. On the other side, the most dramatic coastal views anywhere on the planet open up, with vistas out across the Ionian and Adriatic seas to Corfu and beyond.

This is a driving route to savor with its spectacular scenery. Be sure to pull over and take it all in, watching the weather and light dance across a vast amphitheater of sea and sky. To up the adrenaline, consider a paragliding experience from the pass.

Journey further: hidden natural wonders in Albania

Hello, Blue Eyes

The natural phenomenon of the Sarandë Blue Eye near Muzinë is well-known, and this mesmerizingly lovely pool is busy with visitors. Gaze into its depths, and you’ll see deep indigo and turquoise hues glowing with an almost otherworldly light. As beautiful as it is, there are other, more hidden Blue Eye springs and pools to visit on your trip to Albania.

The Syri i Kaltër (Blue Eye) of Theth in the Albanian Alps is one such place, and although it is getting more popular, its remote location makes it more challenging to reach. Fed by a plunging waterfall, the pool is a deep viridian blue and makes for an icily refreshing dip after the hour-long hike from the local village.

A wild spa experience

The Benja Thermal Springs are one of the most striking places to see in Albania, set in a wide river canyon with steep forested sides and an ancient Ottoman bridge spanning the river. Five manmade pools have been created using the natural stone found around the canyon. Each pool is said to cure a different complaint, and soaking in the balmy waters with the stunning backdrop of mountains and forest is a must.

Going in search of hidden waterfalls

Right in the center of the country, the lovely Sotira Waterfall is one of the most beautiful places in Albania. It’s tucked away in the heart of the Albanian countryside, so you’ll need a 4×4 to reach the trailhead, and from there it’s a 1.5-hour hike through meadows and woodland to reach the falls.

Read more: Tales from TravelLocal: Johanna’s Albania trip

Look back in time: historical gems to explore on your trip to Albania

The Greeks, Romans and Ottomans have all left their mark on the landscapes of Albania, and there are some dazzling ruins to wander through. Although these are some of the most important Albania attractions, they draw a fraction of the crowds of similar sites in nearby countries.

Both the Butrint and Apollonia Archaeological Parks impress with their great amphitheaters, mosaics, and stunning natural settings. Rozafa Castle in Shkodër brings the drama too, standing proud on a rocky outcrop with epic views for miles around.

Just a day trip away from Tirana, Krujë is one of the best places to go in Albania for medieval architecture. The fortified castle here is home to a museum, and the cobbled Old Bazaar has been sensitively restored with functioning workshops and traditional craft stalls to browse.

Albania for urban explorers: unique city experiences

Albania’s capital city, Tirana, juxtaposes old-world architecture with the neon whirl of contemporary capitalism. Italian architecture, mosques and minarets stand side by side with brightly painted fashion-forward neighborhoods where you can shop, dine, and sip cocktails to your heart’s content.

Don’t miss Bunk’Art 1 and 2, two Communist-era bunkers on the outskirts of town that have been transformed into contemporary art galleries and museums. The Pyramid of Tirana is another intriguing sight, designed in the 1980s by the daughter of the former Communist dictator, Hoxha.

Tasting notes: authentic Albanian food and wine experiences

When considering what to do in Albania, wine tasting might not immediately spring to mind. However, with its Mediterranean climate and mountainous topography, Albania is ripe for wine production. In fact, it is one of the oldest wine-making regions in Europe, with indigenous grape varieties to discover and a real breadth of vintages.

Discovering traditional Albanian cuisine is another welcome surprise, with its mix of influences from Mediterranean to Turkish. In the coastal villages, fresh seafood is bountiful, while inland, more hearty dishes of roasted meats feature on the menu.

Wherever you go, you’ll find the favored Balkan snack, byrek, at hand. This flaky, golden pastry snack comes stuffed with meat, cheeses and vegetables – the famous ricotta and spinach is arguably the best.

Make it happen

Ready to find out more? Our local experts can help you plan a tailored itinerary filled with even more unique things to do in Albania, suited to your travel style, interests and budget. Reach out to them to start planning.