What to do in Albania: Wild Beaches, Ottoman Cities, and Majestic Mountains

Albania is the country everyone talks about… after they’ve been there. Between electric blue waters, dramatic mountains, stone villages, and generous cuisine, it checks every box for a successful trip at a gentle price. And the good news is, it’s a simple destination to organize, whether you’re going for a week or a fortnight. To help you build your itinerary, choose the best time to visit, and stay connected without the hassle, here is a complete and up-to-date guide. And if you want to prepare your connectivity now, the GoMoWorld Albania eSIM page provides ready-to-use data plans.

Why Albania Seduces

The first thing that strikes you is the diversity within a compact territory. In just a few hours of driving, you go from the beaches of the Riviera (Vlorë, Himarë, Ksamil) to the alpine valleys of Theth and Valbonë. The light is superb, the people welcoming, the cuisine Mediterranean with a Balkan touch, and the prices remain very reasonable, especially outside of July and August.

Tirana, the modern and colorful capital, is a great entry point with well-designed museums and a rising culinary scene. Further south, Berat and Gjirokastër are UNESCO World Heritage sites known for their terraced Ottoman houses. Along the coast, the SH8 road offers grandiose panoramas over the Adriatic, and in the far south, Butrint National Park plunges you into over two millennia of history.

Quick tip: Aim for May-June or September-October to enjoy ideal weather, lower prices, and smoother roads. July-August is beautiful but very busy, especially around Ksamil.

Must-See Spots from North to South

Tirana, Energetic Capital

Tirana surprises with its dynamism. Around Skanderbeg Square, the Opera, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower set the tone. Don’t miss the House of Leaves (museum of surveillance) to understand the country’s recent history, or Bunk’Art 2, located in a former nuclear shelter.

The Blloku district is packed with cafes, restaurants, and concept stores. To get a view from above, take the Dajti Ekspres cable car up Mount Dajti and walk along the ridges: at sunset, Tirana lights up like a mosaic.

Berat and Gjirokastër, Ottoman Jewels

Berat, the "city of a thousand windows," displays its white houses on the slopes of a hill dominated by a citadel. Lose yourself in the paved streets of Mangalem and Gorica, visit a few churches, then head to the bridge at sunset for the best photo of the city skyline.

Further south, Gjirokastër charms with its stone roofs and massive fortress. Craft shops display weaving, ceramics, and wooden objects. Both cities are perfect for quiet evenings, a glass of raki, and a dinner of local specialties.

Good to know: Ancient cobblestones can be slippery. Good closed-toe shoes make all the difference for enjoying the old towns without twisting an ankle.

The Albanian Riviera, from Vlorë to Ksamil

The SH8 road, which winds along the cliffs between Vlorë and Saranda, is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Stop at Llogara Pass for eagle-eye views, then descend toward Dhermi and Jale, where the water takes on surreal hues. Himarë has kept a coastal village atmosphere, with coves accessible by foot or boat.

In the far south, Ksamil and its white sand islets are ultra-photogenic. It is a popular spot: go early in the morning or at sunset, or prefer September for better conditions. Also, don’t miss the "Blue Eye" (Syri i Kaltër), a deep blue karstic spring perfect for a refreshing stop.

Butrint and Apollonia, Ancient Sites

Butrint National Park gathers Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian remains in a setting of lagoons and forests. Theater, baptistery, basilicas: allow two to three hours for the visit, more if you like to take your time. Apollonia, near Fier, is less crowded but splendid, with its columns standing on a windy hill facing the plains.

Timing tip: Arrive at Butrint at opening time or two hours before closing to avoid groups and enjoy the low light hitting the ruins.

The Albanian Alps: Valbonë and Theth

In the north, mountains take center stage. The hike between Valbonë and Theth has become a classic: about 6-8 hours of walking via a pass, with breathtaking views. Theth also seduces with its waterfalls, its own "Blue Eye" (this time in the mountains), and its lock-in tower.

Logistics are easier than before: shuttles, minibuses, and private transfers have developed, and many guesthouses include dinner and breakfast. The famous Lake Koman ferry, connecting Koman to Fierza, is often used to reach Valbonë from Shkodër: fjord-like views guaranteed.

Lake Koman and the Shala River

Lake Koman is a reservoir with the appearance of a fjord, tucked between green cliffs. The ferry trip is not just a means of transport; it’s an experience in itself. From certain docks, you can go up the Shala River—of an almost surreal turquoise—for lunch in a stilt restaurant and a refreshing swim.

Pogradec and Lake Ohrid

To the east, Pogradec borders one of the oldest lakes in the world, shared with North Macedonia. A peaceful atmosphere, fish markets, and superb sunsets over the water. Ideal if you are looking for a slower pace, off the beaten track.

Flavors and Local Life

Albanian cuisine is a marvel of well-executed simplicity. Try the byrek (stuffed puff pastry), tavë kosi (baked lamb with yogurt), grilled fish on the coast, and local olive oil, which is fruity and generous. Vegetables are sun-drenched, salads are crisp, and desserts, often made with walnuts and honey, conclude the meal sweetly.

Cafes are institutions: people meet there at all hours, and the price of a cappuccino will remind you that you are not in Paris. On the wine side, indigenous grape varieties (Shesh, Kallmet…) are pleasantly surprising, with estates rising in quality.

Local etiquette: A smile, a "Faleminderit" (thank you), and an effort to say a few words are enough to open doors. Albanians are warm and proud of their country: don’t hesitate to ask for advice; they will give you plenty.

Getting Around and Organizing Your Trip

Albania can be explored by car, bus, or a combination of both. Renting a car offers great freedom, especially for the coast and mountains. Main roads have improved significantly, but some secondary roads remain narrow and winding. Drive defensively and give yourself time: here, you drive at the pace of the landscape.

In terms of public transport, buses and furgons (minibuses) serve major routes well: Tirana–Shkodër, Tirana–Vlorë, Tirana–Saranda, etc. Schedules are more "indicative" than strict, but it works. For the Theth–Valbonë hike, many accommodations organize transfers and connections with the Koman ferry.

Regarding the season, May-June and September-October remain the best compromises: warm sea, accessible mountains, reasonable crowds. In winter, the coast slows down and mountain passes can be snowy. In the height of summer, book accommodation and cars in advance, especially in Ksamil, Himarë, and Theth.

Smart road trip: The SH8 road between Orikum and Saranda is spectacular. Plan regular photo stops, bring a bottle of water, and start early to drive with a light heart before the heat.

Stay Connected Easily with GoMoWorld

Traveling connected changes everything: navigation, bookings, translations, taxis, messaging… With GoMoWorld, you install an eSIM once in the app, and that’s it: the same eSIM works in over 200 destinations. Then, you buy and activate the data plans you need, when you need them, without reinstallation.

Specifically, you can buy on the website or directly in the app, then install the eSIM exclusively via the application (there is no QR code). Once the eSIM is installed, you manually activate the plan when you want, and you can share your connection as a hotspot at will. A nice bonus: an integrated VPN helps you secure your connections on public Wi-Fi, practical for cafes and airports.

Unactivated plans do not expire: you can therefore buy in advance to leave with peace of mind. And if you travel through several Balkan or Mediterranean countries, you keep the same eSIM and only change the data plan. Simple and efficient.

GoMoWorld Rates for Albania

To stay online in Albania with GoMoWorld, you have several flexible options. For a 30-day plan, you can choose 25GB for €29.99, 16GB for €19.99, or 7GB for €10.99. For a short stay, the 7-day plan with 1.7GB is €3.99. The volumes easily adapt to a two-week road trip, a week at the beach, or a city break.

Pro-reflex: Activate your data plan in the app as soon as you land (or at the border) to start the timer when it suits you. And if you extend your stay, buy a new plan in one click, without reinstalling anything.

Budget, Safety, and Etiquette

Albania remains very affordable: comfortable accommodation at low prices, tasty meals without breaking the bank, museums and parks at modest rates. The currency is the lek (ALL). Cards work increasingly well in cities and seaside resorts, but keep cash for small shops, buses, and rural areas.

Regarding safety, the atmosphere is relaxed. As everywhere, use common sense: watch your belongings in tourist areas, avoid driving at night on small roads, and check the weather before a big hike. For swimming, respect the delimited areas and local instructions, especially on very busy beaches.

Smart money: Withdraw from ATMs of well-known banks, refuse the "dynamic conversion" offered by some terminals, and keep a few bills for tips and small purchases.

Suggested Itineraries

Here are three flexible outlines, easy to adapt to your desires and pace.

One week: The Coast and a Touch of Culture

Start with Tirana (1 night) to capture the capital's energy, then head to Berat (1 night) for a dip into Ottoman architecture. Reach the coast at Vlorë and slide along the SH8 to Himarë (2-3 nights) to alternate between coves and small villages. Finish toward Saranda (1-2 nights) for Butrint and Ksamil. If you like sunrises, take a detour to Llogara Pass before heading back down.

Want an easy extension? From Saranda, shuttles and boats connect to the island of Corfu in Greece. Perfect for a day or two of Ionian atmosphere while keeping the same GoMoWorld eSIM.

Ten days: Coasts and Mountains

After Tirana (1 night), continue to Shkodër (1 night) for the Rozafa citadel and a cycling warm-up around the lake. Board the Lake Koman ferry and reach Valbonë (1 night), then hike across to Theth (1-2 nights). Descend back to Tirana (1 night) and head to Gjirokastër (1 night) before finishing on the Riviera (2-3 nights in Himarë or Dhermi). Close with Butrint and Ksamil if you haven’t visited them yet.

If you continue north toward the Adriatic, you can enter Montenegro via Shkodër and Ulcinj. Bay of Kotor, Budva: the journey continues without changing your eSIM.

Two weeks: Grand Tour of Albania

Days 1-2: Tirana, Dajti, museums. Day 3: Shkodër and the lake. Day 4: Koman ferry and Valbonë valley. Day 5: Trek to Theth. Day 6: Theth, waterfalls, and Blue Eye. Day 7: Road to Berat. Day 8: Berat – tastings around Roshnik, visit Apollonia. Days 9-11: Riviera (Himarë, Jale, Dhermi), coves, snorkeling. Day 12: Butrint, Ksamil, Syri i Kaltër. Day 13: Gjirokastër. Day 14: Return to Tirana.

Want to visit another country? Ferries connect Durrës to Italy (Bari, Brindisi). Alternatively, head up the coast to Croatia via the Montenegrin littoral: Dubrovnik is not far. Thanks to the unique GoMoWorld eSIM, you have nothing to reinstall: just buy and activate a local plan for the next destination, and you’re off again.

Mountain hiking: Check the weather the day before, leave early, bring water, sun protection, a windbreaker, and download your offline maps before departure. Trails are well-marked, but visibility can change quickly.

Practical Pro Tips

If you drive, expect a mix of modern highways and more rustic roads. Parking is often free outside high season, more regulated in historic centers. For the coast, book your July-August accommodation in advance; elsewhere, same-day booking often works off-season.

For swimming, the sea is warm from June to October. Stone coves invite snorkeling: a pair of water shoes is a real plus. In the mountains, evenings can be cool even in summer: a light fleece won’t go to waste.

For cultural visits, Butrint and Apollonia are perfect for golden hours. In Berat and Gjirokastër, try to sleep within the old walls to enjoy the quiet streets once the day-trippers have left.

Useful app: Keep the GoMoWorld app handy to activate/deactivate your data plan in one gesture, track your consumption, and buy a new plan if needed. No QR code, no hassle.

Finally, keep a small travel kit: bandages, aspirin, mosquito repellent, sunscreen. Nothing exotic, but you’ll be glad to have it. And for your culinary souvenirs, olive oil, mountain honey, and dried herbs are always crowd-pleasers.

Hotspot at will: All GoMoWorld plans allow connection sharing. Handy for connecting a laptop or children's tablets on the road.

Connection and Nomadic Work

If you plan to telework, Tirana, Shkodër, and Saranda offer good cafes with Wi-Fi and a few coworking spaces. Rely on GoMoWorld for stability on the move: the solution relies on local mobile networks (often 2 to 3 partners per country) to maximize coverage. The integrated VPN adds an extra layer of security, and you remain in control of plan activation: you decide when it starts.

Data tip: If you combine coast and mountain, 4G/5G is excellent in the city and on the coast, more variable at altitude. Download your offline maps and playlists before the hike, then enjoy the scenery.

GoMoWorld in Practice, in Two Minutes

• Buy your eSIM and plan on the site or directly in the app with your bank card.
• Install the eSIM only via the GoMoWorld application (step-by-step guidance, no QR code).
• Manually activate your plan upon arrival in Albania, or later if you prefer.
• Share the connection as a hotspot if needed and monitor your consumption in the app.
• Repurchase a plan in one click. Unactivated plans do not expire.

And if you then head to Greece, Montenegro, Italy, or Croatia, keep the same eSIM: just buy the local plan and continue your journey.

Conclusion

Albania has that rare power to combine authenticity and ease. You come for its crystalline beaches, its Ottoman towns, and its high-altitude hikes; you stay for the welcome, the cuisine, and that feeling of still being one step ahead. With simple organization, good shoes, and a GoMoWorld eSIM ready to be activated, you have everything to enjoy every day without friction.

All that's left is to choose your stops, pack your swimsuit, and check your data plan in the app. And if you need a hand with connectivity, the dedicated offers for Albania are there to make your life easier. Have a great trip: from the Riviera to the Albanian Alps, adventure is just a road away.