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Many results are in French, the community’s main language. English translations are added over time.

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Travel companion for trip to Albania in May, flexible dates
by Aswane78 · 2026-02-07 · 0 replies
Hi, I’d like to explore southern Albania in May and I’m looking for a travel companion for the period from May 8th to 17th, but I’m flexible on the dates. If you’re interested, feel free to get in touch!
Looking for a house or apartment rental in Corsë, Albania
by Stephdu83136 · 2026-01-16 · 0 replies
Hi, I’m looking for a house rental if possible, or an apartment with a garage, in Corsë, Albania, for the week of June 13–20 or June 20–27, 2026. Thanks\
Road and sightseeing questions for a 60-day van trip in Albania
by Pepino13 · 2026-01-11 · 8 replies
hi, I’m planning a trip to Albania in a camper van, most likely between May, June, and early July (2027), for about 60 days. On the way down, I’ll go as far as Bari (or Brindisi) and cross by ferry, and on the way back, I’ll go through the former Yugoslavia (or maybe take the return ferry?). Has anyone been there recently? What are the roads like, the must-see spots, and any general tips you can share? There’ll probably be two of us traveling together. Thanks
Three weeks in Albania with two older teens
by Caroki · 2025-12-23 · 10 replies
We went to Albania in August 2025. Our itinerary included adventure (sporty activities, site visits), naps on the beach interspersed with swims, incredible natural sites, and a bit of culture.

I booked all our accommodations on Booking.com. Note: almost all places ask to be paid in cash!! You can obviously withdraw from banks, but the fees are pretty high. Luckily, we had plenty of cash, and the country is very safe. You can pay in euros most of the time, which avoids exchange fees. We started in Tirana. I’d read a really interesting post about Albania’s bunkers (link in my profile). We chose to visit Bunk’Art with a guide from the agency that wrote the post. It was fascinating—not only to better understand the country’s history but also because her grandfather was repressed by the regime, and she shared her family’s experience with us.

Bunkers are everywhere! In Tirana, Bunk’Art is the most interesting and largest. You’ll see the dictator Enver Hoxha’s office, where he would’ve taken refuge in case of an attack on the country. Bring a sweater—it’s really cold in the underground tunnels and their huge corridors. You can visit other bunkers around the country, in Tirana and elsewhere. Almost all are just abandoned. The cable car up Mount Dajti is right next to Bunk’Art. The view is stunning—you realize Tirana is so close to the mountains and the sea... But otherwise, it’s not that exciting for older teens (17 and 19) and their parents. We picked up a rental car in Tirana—it’d be ours for the next three weeks. We used Goalbania’s agency to avoid any hassles. First, there aren’t many cars available in Albania in summer. Second, French credit cards can be a nightmare abroad. So we preferred to sort that out in advance. After Tirana, we headed to Permet. Just a heads-up: the roads are in great condition except in the mountains. And Albanian drivers aren’t stressful to deal with. Though you might suddenly encounter a herd of goats crossing the road—haha—but if you’re not going too fast, it’s fine. In Permet, I’d been dreaming of rafting on the Vjosa, one of Europe’s last wild rivers. And we did it with a local agency! It’s beautiful, accessible to everyone, not too physical but still a bit lively—just how we like it. You can even jump into the river in some spots. In Permet, we also hiked through a canyon and visited a lovely little church.



And we took a workshop to make their local culinary pride: gliko. It’s a jam with whole fruits inside. We’d seen it on Goalbania’s site, and it was really fun. We were with a family where the secret to making gliko has been passed down for generations... Next, we headed to Gjirokastër. A city we loved: its old traditional houses (Skendulli and Zekate), its grand castle, the Ali Pasha Bridge. Along the way, we stopped for artisanal ice cream at a little shop run by a grandmother who’s been making it herself for ages.



One afternoon, my husband *had* to go to the coast in the south, to Ksamil (he’d read it was better than Sarandë). Verdict: we didn’t like it. Parking is a nightmare, the beaches are super noisy and crowded. The sea is packed with jet skis, boats, pedalos, and ropes. Avoid it.

On the other hand, we really liked Himarë, where we went next. We stayed at a campsite where we rented tents with mattresses and sheets inside. Right by the sea, on a low cliff (about 2 meters high). You can hear the waves at night... Magical!! To swim, you either jump straight into the sea (almost from the tent) or climb down a ladder, which you’ll need to climb back up to get out.



I was a little worried the campsite wouldn’t be very comfortable, so afterward, I’d booked a small place in Gjilek. Turns out, the place was really tiny (one room for four, no kitchen) and pretty expensive (over 100 € a night). We’d drive to the beach or restaurants—it’s on a steep slope, so not very accessible. Parking near the sea is tricky. But the (private) beaches were nice—we’d rent an umbrella not too close to the music and spend the day there. We also went to a wilder beach, harder to reach, via a long path. Behind the beach, there’s an amazing canyon where we’d sometimes climb using ropes (already in place, no need to bring your own) over big boulders rolled around by the stream, which must swell a lot in spring. So, the sea in Albania: it’s nice if you like swimming and relaxing, but it’s not the most interesting part of the country. There are so many other amazing things to see and discover—so many stunning sites! Maybe an agency could’ve helped us find more practical accommodations and avoid Ksamil and its surroundings. We left the coast to head to the beautiful city of Berat and its "thousand windows." We explored the city, its fortress, and its icon museum.



Then we discovered the Osum Canyon—it’s incredible. The view from the top is breathtaking. And at the bottom, it’s magical. There’s little water in summer, so rafting isn’t an option. We weren’t tempted by the big-tube descent offered by an agency—it looked fun, but the group had 40 people. We preferred hiking on our own as a family of four. We scouted the area on Google Maps... and found where to descend. We walked in the water, then it rose to our waists, then our shoulders... We weren’t moving fast. And how to get back up?? Eventually, we followed a group with a guide—the path was hard to find.



After that unforgettable hike, we visited the Bogovë Waterfalls. It’s pretty, and we swam, but the water was *really* cold. We passed through Tirana again and then headed to Shkodër. We explored a bit—its charming little streets, the Rozafa Fortress. There’s a tiny museum where you can see *huge* Ottoman stone cannonballs. And they tell you the (charming) story of the young woman who was walled alive in the castle’s foundations to ensure its strength... Shkodër is mostly a stopover to head into the mountains and discover Theth. Our goal: hiking in the Valbona Valley, from Valbona to Theth. We organized the trip ourselves, without an agency, but it took some time to figure everything out. So I’ll save you the trouble—haha. Book your tickets on the Komanilakeferry website. The ticket includes: 🙂 minibus transfer from downtown Shkodër to Koman 🙂 ferry ticket from Koman to Fierze. This ferry ride is *gorgeous*—between mountain slopes covered in pine trees, and sometimes a little house with a few fields...



🙂 minibus ticket from Fierze to Valbona. Now you’re in the mountains! The minibus drops you off near your accommodation—pick one as close as possible to the start of the hike (if that’s your goal!). The ones at the far end of the village add up to 1.5 hours of walking. Our choice: Guesthouse Dioni. The host is really lovely, it’s in the woods, and it’s basic but great. After a day of hiking, we arrived in Theth. What beautiful mountains! Then we explored Theth and the surrounding area. It’s pretty busy, but you can still enjoy the Blue Eye of Theth and its swim. It’s *so* cold! But so beautiful!



🙂 minibus ticket from Theth back to Shkodër. After a night in Shkodër, we drove to Kepi i Rodonit. A guidebook (I forget which one) raved about its beauty. And it *is* beautiful!



But the view is ruined by plastic bottles and other trash in the bushes, along the paths, and of course on the beaches. The only peaceful spot: the private beach at Kepi i Rodonit, which is cleaned. You can rent an umbrella and have lunch there. That’s where we spent our last few days—very relaxing. In short... Albania turned out to be perfect for us and our teens!
Back from Albania (1,000km by car)
by Lucioles84 · 2025-11-23 · 4 replies
At the risk of drawing some harsh criticism, I’ll admit we were really disappointed: sure, this trip—taken at the end of September—was short (a week), but we’d planned this little road trip (1,000km by car) as a first scouting mission. We won’t be going back anytime soon!

First mistake: we flew into Tirana (from Marseille) when it would’ve been better to fly to Corfu and rent a car in the south of the country instead of staying in the capital, which frankly isn’t all that interesting. From Tirana, we headed east toward Lin, by Lake Ohrid (a very poor region facing Macedonia), then to Korça, which guidebooks call "the most pleasant city in Albania." From there, we drove to Gjirokastra, an old Ottoman town (170km of mountain roads that took us nearly 5 hours...), then further south to Butrint, near Greece. The goal of these stops? To visit UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Lin, 6th-century mosaics; in Korça, a remarkable icon museum; in Gjirokastra, the citadel. At Butrint, we fled at the sight of all the tour buses parked in front of "this major archaeological site in the Mediterranean" and headed back north! The entire Adriatic coast is undergoing severe overdevelopment: developers are destroying the coastline to attract even more tourists (11 million visited in 2024, while Albania only has 3 million residents). We preferred to leave the coastal road (in excellent condition, a future highway) to visit Berat, an Ottoman town topped by a citadel. Our favorite spot. Why were we so disappointed? Villages without charm, outskirts of major cities in advanced decay, trash along the roads... The weight of the communist dictatorship and forced industrialization over forty years is still felt everywhere. The country is recovering but betting on tourism. The result? Newly built villas for the newly rich, beaches near the capital already polluted... Too bad, because the natural landscapes are often stunning, the locals are welcoming (young people learn English, though their parents speak little), and prices remain very reasonable—except in the capital. We’d chosen to stay with locals as much as possible, but like in Croatia, families are turning their homes into guest houses (~35 € per night, hearty breakfast included). Renting the car cost us 312 € for a week (with an international rental company—it’s probably cheaper with a local one, but I prefer understanding the contract I sign), and we cautiously took the optional insurance. Just so you know: Albanians drive fast, seem unfamiliar with traffic rules, overtake before curves, ignore yellow lines, and rarely use turn signals...)
2-week Albania itinerary with Theth to Valbona trek
by Mathildelps · 2025-11-14 · 0 replies
Hi there, if you're looking for info on a 2-week itinerary in Albania, I’ve detailed everything in this post: https://worldseenbymathilde.blogspot.com/2025/09/itineraire-de-15-jours-pour-faire-le.html

> how to do the Theth to Valbona hike and return via Lake Koman > what to visit across the country > our favorite spots and what we don’t recommend > the budget > where to rent a car

PLUS tons of other useful tips!!
Are there any flights from Tirana to Corfu?
by Stefcar · 2025-08-08 · 10 replies
Hi there,

We’re renting a car to explore Albania in September/October. We’ll start in the north and finish in the south. We’d love to drop off the car near Saranda and take the ferry to Corfu on foot, but it seems we’ll have to return it to Tirana since there’s nowhere else to drop it off. From there, we’d like to take a direct flight to Corfu, but I can’t find any direct flights... I really don’t want to connect through Athens and backtrack when we’re so close! Any suggestions on what to do? Thanks, Carole (Canada)
Your tips for renting a car near Durrës
by Latitfamille · 2025-08-03 · 4 replies
Hi,

I’m in Albania for 2 weeks, specifically in Durrës, with my daughter and her friend (both 14), and I was planning to mostly use public transport. But I’m worried it’ll limit our sightseeing and exploring around the country. I’d like to rent a car but I’m not sure how to go about it since I don’t speak the language, and English isn’t always enough to understand all the details and rules around renting a vehicle. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Stéphanie
Karaburun in Albania - a must-visit!
by MaximeSa · 2025-07-13 · 1 reply
Hi everyone,

I just got back from a 10-day trip to Albania, and I wanted to share a great discovery for those looking for spots still untouched by mass tourism: the Karaburun peninsula.

It’s a pretty wild area, with impressive cliffs, coves only accessible by boat, and water in an incredible shade of blue. It’s easy to get there from Vlora, by water taxi or on an excursion.

For accommodation, we preferred staying in Vlora itself, which makes it easy to explore the region without moving around too much.

I put together a little practical guide for those interested (with info on access, beaches, boat tips, etc.): 👉 Karaburun

If you’ve also visited the area or have other little-known spots to recommend in the region, I’d love to hear about them! 😊
Looking for a local agency for a trip to Albania
by Claude48 · 2025-07-12 · 2 replies
Hi,

Albania is still a relatively new destination, but with its natural beauty and cultural richness, it won’t stay under the radar for long. Would it be possible to organize a discovery trip with a local agency (a reliable one, of course)... Thanks
Questions about the Peaks of the Balkans trek
by Aldaus · 2025-06-01 · 9 replies
Hi there, I’m ready to set off on the Peaks of the Balkans trek from June 18 to July 3. I’m used to long distances, elevation gain, and self-sufficiency. The last thing holding me back is overcrowding. Have any of you done it recently? Could you give me some insight on that and any other tips that might be useful? I’ll be arriving in Tirana, and any advice on getting to Theth would be a huge help too. Thanks for your replies. Alain
Driving in Albania
by Francis86 · 2025-04-15 · 3 replies
Hi everyone,

We’re planning a trip to Albania. We’ve heard that driving there can be challenging. What do you think? I’m also looking for interesting spots to take black-and-white photos—think local people and typical landscapes in the region. Any places you’d recommend? Thanks a bunch!
Albania end of May - early June 2025: 10 days, is that enough for a first-time visit?
by Francis86 · 2025-04-15 · 5 replies
Hi, We’re thinking of going to Albania at the end of May, early June 2025. We’re a bit hesitant because the timeline feels tight for planning this trip. We’re considering about ten days there. Does that seem like enough time for a first-time visit? Thanks.
Spain or Albania in the sunny days of 2025
by Drkz618 · 2025-01-21 · 2 replies
Hi there! I’d love to travel around Europe and I’ve been thinking about Spain—like Tenerife or other spots—or Albania to explore a bit of Europe. I’m a little nervous about going alone since it’ll be my first time traveling, but I’m friendly, a bit funny (or so I’ve been told), and really motivated. If any of you have specific destinations in mind and are looking for someone to join you anytime between May and August, let me know so we can chat! Looking forward to it! 🙂😇
Safety in Albania for two women
by Dd44 · 2025-01-20 · 12 replies
Hi, We’d like to spend about twenty days in Albania next July. We’re two women traveling together and we’re thinking of renting a small car. Does that sound reasonable, or should we avoid it? Thanks for your advice.
Active senior woman looking for travel companion for spring/summer
by Saones · 2024-12-29 · 13 replies
Hi! I’m a fit, sporty, dynamic, and enthusiastic woman looking for someone to join me in exploring Georgia, Albania, or Armenia (not all at once 😄). Traveling simply and positively is my style. I’m used to traveling with "strangers," and it’s always gone well, but this time, I don’t have partners for these destinations. Preferably leaving in April, May, or July–September. Thanks!
The Blue Eye Site (Albania): How to Turn Nature into an Amusement Park
by Attila · 2024-10-29 · 10 replies
I was expecting the worst when I went to discover the Blue Eye site between Gjirokastër and Ksamil—I definitely got my money’s worth...

What a terrible idea to turn a stunning natural wonder into a concrete cash machine!

Okay, so they built a parking lot and made it paid—that’s fine. And protecting the natural spring with a wooden barrier to keep it from turning into a public swimming pool makes sense.

But why dig a road all the way up to 10 meters from the site with an excavator?

Why allow a super polluting and stinky little train to run there?

Why let personal motorcycles use it?

Why rent electric scooters or mini motorbikes to cover the 1,500 meters on foot?

I have my answer: greed...

Thankfully, there’s still a trail on the other side that’s been spared from the money grab.
Looking for easy hikes starting from Valbonë (Albania)
by Attila · 2024-10-11 · 4 replies
Hi there,

I'm looking for hiking ideas starting from Valbonë.

No more than 500/600m of elevation gain, no more than 15 kilometers.

I don’t plan on doing the hike to Theth.

Thanks! 🙂
Cost of withdrawals in Albania, using euros and bank cards
by Attila · 2024-10-11 · 5 replies
Hi there,

I’ve read that Albanian merchants (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.) aren’t big fans of card payments and that the euro is widely accepted.

How is it these days? Should I plan to pay only in cash (which feels pretty unusual these days...)?

Also, all ATMs seem to charge a minimum withdrawal fee of 5 €. Which networks are the least expensive? And what’s the maximum amount you can withdraw?

Thanks to recent travelers for your answers! 🙂
Transport public et transport en commun
by Dacheu · 2020-06-29 · 13 replies
Bonsoir, Quelqu'un saurait il quand les transports publics vont ils à nouveau circuler ou à partir de quelle date cela est envisagé ? Merci pour votre réponse.

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