Albania is a Mediterranean gem. As simple as that. The beautiful landscape is lush and mountainous, the coastline presents crystal clear water that matches for instance Greece. Albania is also rich in archaeological treasures, castles and UNESCO heritage sites and Roman history. Definitely worth a visit. And if you rent a car, you can get around on your own terms and plan your own travel itinerary.
Photo by Dmytro Kuzmenko on Unsplash
If you have never been to Albania before you might need some inspiration to find the best destinations in Albania. What to see and experience and how to get around. We have chosen our favorites and hope you can use them for your upcoming trip.
Tirana is the capital of Albania and about half the country’s population live here. It is not the most scenic destination and often overlooked as a tourist destination. But it definitely has its own charm along with interesting historic attractions. You can easily spend at least a day in Tirana and visiting Skanderbeg Square – honoring the national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti (called Skanderbeg), who fought the Ottomans in the 15th century.
Bunk’Art2 is a former nuclear bomb shelter. Now it is a museum that shows the dark history of Sigurimi, the secret police that were active during Enver Hoxha’s dictatorship.
The Blloku neighborhood is an entertainment destination where you find boutiques, shops, restaurants, trendy bars, pubs and cafes 10-15 minutes by foot from the center of Tirana. During the communist period, Blloku was a restricted residential area for the central members of the Albanian labor party. Ordinary Albanians were not allowed – and it was not marked on maps. After the fall of communism in Albania the neighborhood became a very attractive area and you can still find the villa of the former dictator, Enver Hoxha.
The town of Kruja is just 30 km away from Tirana. It is one of Albania’s most historic places as it is known as the center of Albania’s resistance against the Otooman invasion in the 15th century. The resistance was led by Skanderberg and you can visit the Skanderberg Museum in Kruja Castle.
The castle itself is still partially inhabited, blending everyday life with historical surroundings. From the castle grounds you also get stunning views of the mountains, plains, and even the Adriatic Sea on a clear day.
Kruja’s bazaar is a popular place for finding souvenirs, offering everything from handmade crafts to more traditional items like carpets and jewelry.
The White City – that’s what Berat in Albania is called, thanks to its hillside houses with white facades and rows of windows stacked above one another. This unique look has also earned it the name “The City of a Thousand Windows.”
The old town is a relic of the Ottoman era, with narrow cobbled streets. Many houses have upper floors extending over the streets, creating more space without blocking the passage below.
Berat’s historic charm was preserved when it was designated a museum city in the 1960s. Today, visitors can wander through the unspoiled neighborhoods of Mangalem and Gorica, where people still live in these historic homes. Over time, many houses are being restored, adding to the area’s unique atmosphere. Berat is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Park your car on the outskirts of town and remember the good walking shoes if you intend to visit the Berat Castle.
Gjirokastër is a perfect destination for a day trip due to its small size. Like Berat, Gjirokastër ‘The City of Stone’ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The houses are carved out of stone and they are great examples of Ottoman architecture. Walk the beautiful cobbled streets, visit the tourist attractions of the Old Bazaar and the Gjirokastër Castle.
If you go a little beyond the beaten track, you will find one of the Albania unique places at The Cold War Tunnel Museum. The tunnel is an underground bunker that was built as an emergency shelter during the later years of Albania’s communist era (1944–1990). This bunker, along with the countless smaller ones scattered across the country, reveals the deep paranoia of Albania’s communist leader, Enver Hoxha, who was particularly fearful of a foreign invasion after Albania’s split with the Soviet Union in the early 1960s.
The main entrance to the tunnel is near the Municipality building, which was once the headquarters of the Party Committee. A guided tour of the tunnel takes about 20 minutes.
You should definitely include the Albanian Riviera to your travel plans. It is one of the best places to go in Albania. Especially Ksamil is among the most popular tourist destinations in Albania and you should of course be prepared for the beaches to be a little crowded. But you will still get the most beautiful clear water and you can go to one of the nice restaurants in the town for lunch or dinner. You can also take a short boat trip to the nearby Ksamil Islands with white sandy beaches.
Saranda is one of the top destinations in Albania since the coastal town has nice restaurants and town life and beautiful beaches nearby for day trips. Perfect for a summer vacation. The boardwalk is especially popular around sunset for a stroll or a meal with either Italian or Greek inspiration or traditionally Albanian cuisine. The best restaurants for fish are near the fishing port where the boats bring fresh fish directly to the kitchens.
In Vlorë you can visit the National Museum which is among Albania’s best tourist destinations for learning about the independence from the Ottoman Empire. Here you can feel the weight of history – and those who fought for freedom.
At the same time, Vlorë is a top destination in Albania because of the nice Mediterranean climate at the Adriatic Sea, the cozy town and the nice restaurants. Along the coastline you find one beautiful beach after the other.
Theth National Park is one of the must-visits in Albania. The views are stunning and you can hike in the mountains for instance to the get a refreshing swim in the lake, ‘Blue Eye’. It is a 45 minute walk from the parking lot. Even if you don’t want to dip, you can enjoy the beauty of the sapphire blue mountain lake.
The National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania. And the drive to Theth is through both challenging and scenic routes. The 55,5 km road from Koplik to Theth was not paved until 2021 and it has steep gradients of up to 15% and multiple switchbacks before reaching the Thore Pass at 1691 m.
Theth is also the name of a remote alpine village in the Albanian Alps – and even of the river in the valley. Unlike more crowded destinations in southern Europe this area has preserved some of its historic way of life. So it offers an authentic glimpse into traditional Balkan mountain life.
Tip number one is to book your car in advance with addCar Rental for pick up at Tirana Airport. Then you will be ready the moment you land. When you book in advance you will also have the most options to choose from in regards to prices, car size etc.
You can choose a traditional road trip where you pack up and go from destination to destination. Or you can stay in Tirana and do day trips as an alternative type of road trip.
If you have tried to rent cars before you will know how to rent a car in Albania. No differences there. It is a good idea to book your car in advance either in one of the online booking platforms like Discovercars.com or directly with addCar Rental. Then it will be ready when you arrive. You can also go to the office in Tirana Mother Teresa Airport or at the Toptani Shopping Center in the center of Tirana.
To rent a car you must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. When you pick up the car you bring the driving license, your passport, a credit card for the deposit and booking number if you booked online. Let the rental office know if you need a GPS, seats for children etc. preferably in advance so they can have it ready for you.
There are driving regulations and traffic rules in Albania but you should be ready to go with the flow. Especially in the cities it can seem unregulated for instance in roundabouts without marked lanes. Or in the country roads where other drivers can overtake several cars at a time. Local drivers can seem pushy so you should try to keep a good distance from the car in front of you. You will get used to it!
The speed limit in the cities is 50 km/h, outside city limits it is 90 km/h and on motorways you can drive 110 km/h. Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt and the driver is not allowed to use a mobile phone unless it is with a hands-free set.
You should never drink and drive and in Albania the legal blood alcohol level is 0.01 mg/ml which is less than in most countries. Please be aware of this.
When you are planning your trip to Albania you can check out websites where other travelers share their experiences and itineraries. And in navigation apps you can plan your own driving routes and for instance find the most scenic routes possible.
Then you can decide how far you want to go each day. You cannot always count on a good internet connection when you drive around the country so it is a good idea to download a map or even keep a paper/printed version.
And a pro-tip that does not involve apps for navigation or planning is to ask the locals. Not surprisingly they are the true experts and they are happy to help when they can. You might need a translator app, though, since not everyone speaks English.
Albania is perfect for road trips. The size of the country is manageable – meaning you can both see historic sites, explore the beauty of Albanian Alps and plunge into the crystal clear Adriatic Sea. You can either stay in one place and do day trips or plan your vacation as an adventure on wheels. Rent a car either at the airport or in the town of Tirana – just bring your valid driver’s license, passport and a credit card to pay the deposit. And you are good to go.
