Where to Stay in Albania: 8 Best Towns + Map
Wondering where to stay in Albania? Relax on the most beautiful beaches of the Albanian Riviera, explore historic towns, then get off the beaten path and hike in the Albanian Alps.
It is important to plan how many days you will spend and where to stay in Albania, so you don’t miss anything. In our opinion, the Riviera is the best choice if you’re short on time and can stay in different cities, but if you’re coming for several weeks, add the north to your list.
This post will help you find the best places to stay in Albania, whether you’re a first-time visitor, a beach lover, or looking for the best hiking destinations.
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Where to Stay in Albania
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are our favorite places and towns in Albania to stay in.
Albanian Riviera: Everyone loves to escape to the beach when they travel somewhere. It offers stunning pebble beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, hidden coves, and exciting water activities.
Northern Region: If you like hiking, you should definitely visit this place. The two most popular villages are Theth and Valbona, which are the best starting points for hikes.
Charming Towns: There are many smaller towns in Albania where you can stay, but these towns are definitely worth adding to your list if you are visiting the country for the first time.
- Best authentic town: Berat
- Best traditional Albanian dishes: Gjirokaster
1. Stay in the Albanian Riviera
Where to stay for beach life in Albania? The Albanian Riviera offers stunning pebble beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, hidden coves, and exciting water activities.
It is a stretch of coastline in southwestern Albania along the Ionian Sea, covering the towns and villages between Vlore and Sarande. We recommend renting a car if you want to get to several towns and explore other beaches and hidden gems.
Wake up to the sound of the waves and welcome the salty sea breeze through the windows in these fabulous beach towns. They offer privileged views and are places where you will be happy to wake up every morning. We first stayed in Himare, and from there we explored the Dhermi area by car. Afterwards, we spent 3 days in the popular Ksamil.
The town of Saranda is also a popular destination and a good choice if you are arriving by boat from Corfu or if you want to go on boat trips. You can also get to Ksamil quickly either by public transport, and spend a few days on the popular beach, explore the Ksamil islands, or just enjoy a picturesque sunset.
Recommended post → Where to Stay in the Albanian Riviera
These are the best seaside towns to stay in Albania for the first time, whether you’re travelling with family, friends, or a partner.
Embarking on a journey to Albania?
With our guide, you will not only save a lot of time, but you will also make sure that don’t miss out on any spots.
Himare
Himare is a small town and is much quieter and more cozy than other seaside towns. We stayed here for 3 nights and it was one of our best choices when travelling on the Albanian Riviera as it had the most and best beaches to explore.
Around the Himare beach, you will find many restaurants, bars, local vendors, and shops. You can easily book epic boat tours and water taxis or rent kayaks at the beach. So even if you arrive with or without a car, there is plenty to do in Himare. The best place to stay in Albania is if you’re a beach lover.
Read our detailed post → Where to Stay in Himare
Ksamil
Wondering where to stay in Albania? Look no further. Ksamil is famous for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and stunning islands. Whether you enjoy a picturesque sunset in the evening or want to party on the beach, the town provides the ideal environment for relaxation and a taste of the essence of beach life.
We arrived in the city after Himare and stayed here for 3 days. In our opinion, you can spend more than a few days in this town. There is plenty to do in Ksamil, whether taking a day trip to the Blue Eye or exploring the town or the surrounding beaches, you won’t be bored.
It is one of the most popular seaside towns in Albania, where you can stay. So whether you’re looking for a trip with friends, a romantic getaway, or a family holiday, Ksamil is the ideal place to stay on the Albanian Riviera.
Recommended post → Where to Stay in Ksamil
Saranda
Where to Stay in Albania for Nightlife? One of the largest cities in the southern region, Saranda has a fantastic nightlife especially in the summer months. The seafront promenade has several excellent restaurants and beach bars.
There is plenty of affordable accommodation in the port area, and hotels such as Hotel Mano are close to the bus station and the port. But there are also beach hotels like Da Luz Boutique Hotel that offer unforgettable moments of relaxation.
2. Where to Stay in Albania for Hiking
The best place to stay in Albania for hiking is in the northern region. The two most popular villages are Theth and Valbona, which are the best starting points for hikes.
The locals, known for their hospitality, will welcome you in their cozy family hotels/guesthouses and offer delicious traditional Albanian food. For the best experience, stay in a rustic wooden or stone house.
Many people only visit the village of Theth and do not hike across the Albanian Alps to Valbona. It was a really tiring and exhausting hike, although we hiked from Valbona to Theth, and it was a good decision as the landscape was incredibly beautiful.
To get to Valbona, we first took a minivan from Shkoder to the Komani ferry terminal, then crossed the lake, then we took another minivan, and finally we arrived in Valbona.
We have a detailed post about Komani Lake and the Shala River, as you can easily visit them too.
Although you can stay in many other villages in Albania where you can take a hike, these two are the most popular for first-time visitors.
Theth
Theth is one of the most beautiful small mountain villages in the north. If you are coming by car and have limited time, we recommend Theth as it has the most popular hikes. As the road is well maintained, there is no need to rent a 4×4 car if you’re driving to Theth.
Discover the epic hiking trails, visit Grunas Waterfall, see the iconic church, swim in the Blue Eye Theth, and experience the idyllic atmosphere.
We stayed at Bujtina Zemra Tradites outside the village of Theth and enjoyed the quiet atmosphere. There were pigs, horses, and sheep around our accommodation. This village is the best place to stay in Albania if you like hiking and arrive by car.
Recommended post → Things to do in Theth
Valbona
It’s the perfect place for hiking and nature lovers, and it was one of our favorite charming little villages where we stayed in Albania. Explore Albania’s most beautiful remote mountain villages and enjoy unparalleled views while hiking between Valbona and Theth.
Hiking from Valbona to Theth is the most beautiful and popular hike in the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps), as the two mountain villages are not connected by road.
There are few accommodation options in the village so we recommend booking in advance. If you stay in the middle of the village, you will have to walk an extra 30 minutes on the paved road to the hiking’s starting point. However, many hotels offer to pick you up in the morning for an additional fee. Or book the Hotel Margjeka which is at the start of the hike.
3. Best Charming Towns in Albania to Stay in
There are many smaller towns in Albania where you can stay, but these towns are definitely worth adding to your list if you are visiting the country for the first time.
We visited each place and loved being there, walking the cobbled streets, and enjoying the Albanian atmosphere.
Berat: Most people only take a day trip from Tirana, but for the best experience, spend at least 2 days there. Visit Berat Castle, explore the ancient neighborhoods of Mangalem and Gorica, try traditional Albanian food, see historic Ottoman houses, and enjoy the medieval atmosphere.
Gjirokaster: Albania’s Stone City has well-preserved Ottoman architecture and typical stone houses. The historic center of Gjirokastra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We loved exploring this charming hilltop town.
Kruje: Explore Kruja Castle, stroll around the Bazaar, visit museums, buy local handicrafts, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Due to its location, it is one of the best and most popular day trips from Tirana or Durres.
If you have time, spend at least 1 night in or near the old town in each city. Staying in these charming towns is a truly authentic experience in Albania.
Embarking on a journey to Albania?
With our guide, you will not only save a lot of time, but you will also make sure that don’t miss out on any spots.
Berat
Berat, also known as the City of a Thousand Windows. This is a must-see destination, and you should definitely stay in this town in Albania. It is not that far from Tirana, and you can easily get there by bus or even minivan if you are at Tirana airport or in the city.
Berat has 3 good neighborhoods, which are the best places to stay.
- Gorica: The best choice for those who want a direct view of the city of a thousand windows.
- Mangalem: Most restaurants are within walking distance.
- Near the Berat Castle: There are few accommodations, but this area has a truly authentic feel.
For the best experience, stay at Berati Castle Hotel or Hotel Klea.
Berat Castle is one of the best-preserved castles in the country and the most visited place in Berat. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at the castle, enjoy the landscape from the viewpoints, find the best photo spots, try traditional Albanian food, and buy some souvenirs.
Recommended post → Things to do in Berat
Gjirokaster
Where to stay in Albania when looking for the most charming towns? Most people come to Gjirokaster from Saranda or Himare. The Old Town has charming restaurants and cafés along the steep cobbled streets. It’s the perfect place to wander, shop, meet the locals, and take great photos of the old Ottoman buildings.
Visit Gjirokastra Castle, walk around the Gjirokastra Bazaar, hike to the Ali Pasha Bridge, see the tower houses, and take a guided tour of the Cold War Tunnel.
The best way to explore Gjirokaster is on foot, as most attractions are within walking distance. Although there is plenty of parking in the city, it is difficult to find parking near the old town. The streets were narrow, and we saw many cars that had scratches.
Recommended post → Things to do in Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster was one of our favorite areas where we stayed during our trip to Albania. For the best experience, we recommend staying at the Bed and Breakfast Kotoni or the Alsara Guesthouse near the old town. But if you are arriving by car, choose accommodation with parking like the “Villa 70” Guesthouse, which is also close to the old town on foot.
Kruje
The Kruja Bazaar is the best place to buy beautiful ceramics, antique pots, embroidered slippers, handwoven rugs, and wooden crafts. This is Albania’s oldest (approximately 400 years old) and one of the best bazaars. If you want to experience the charm of the old town and love shopping, this is the place to stay in Albania.
We started the day by exploring the old bazaar and then visited the castle, which is a few minutes walk away. As the castle is located on top of a hill, it offers a fantastic view of the surrounding area.
There is no entrance fee to Kruje Castle. So we recommend you take some time to wander around, read the information boards, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and sample traditional Albanian food in one of the nearby restaurants.
For the best experience, stay near the castle at Hotel Panorama and enjoy the stunning view of the Old Town.
Recommended post → One Day in Kruje
Albania: FAQ
Top Tours
Sazan Island, Haxhi Ali Cave, and Karaburun Boat Tour
Saranda, Ksamil Islands, Blue Eye Tour
Bovilla Lake & Gamti Mountain Hiking
Berat City and Belshi Lake Tour
When is the best time to stay in Albania?
The best time to visit is from May to September. The weather is sunny and dry during these months, perfect for swimming, boat trips, and exploring the attractions. The hottest and most crowded months are July and August. The northern region is much cooler than other parts of the country, so pack warmer clothes.
How to Get to Albania
It is a small country in Southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. There are many direct flights to Tirana from the UK, Dubai, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Germany, and other international countries.
Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza, known as Rinas Airport (airport code TIA), Albania’s only international air transport hub.
Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights.
How many days do you need?
Most people spend 7-10 days in the country and skip the northern region on their first visit. But if you can, we recommend you spend at least two weeks and explore the best places at your own pace.
Is north or south Albania better?
If you want to relax and unwind, stay on the Riviera and explore some charming little towns if you have time. If you like hiking, then be sure to visit the northern region.
Where to Stay in Albania: Map of the Best Places to Stay
We’ve categorized Albania into 3 areas to help you find the best places to stay.
We hope our post on the best towns and places in Albania helps you plan where to stay. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
More Travel Guides
- The Best Albania Itinerary for 2 Weeks
- 7 Best Things to Do in Ksamil
- How to Visit Lumi i Shales
- Best Things to Do in Gjirokaster
- Best Beaches in Himare
- How to Visit Butrint National Park
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