14 Things to Do in Albania: The Iconic Experiences

Snow-capped mountains, white sand beaches, serene lakes, UNESCO old towns, quirky and gritty cities, friendly locals, great coffee. Albania covers all travel tastes with its unique variety of things to do. After six weeks travelling the country by public transport, we managed to experience a lot of what this Balkan country has to offer.

So here are the best things to do in Albania according to a couple of serial adventurers and foodies!

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1. Hike the Mountain Pass from Valbona to Theth

The absolute best thing to do in Albania has to be hiking in the Accursed Mountains (AKA the Albanian Alps). Head there over the summer and you will be greeted with green pastures dotted with bright wildflowers, streams carrying the clearest water you have ever laid eyes on, and huge mountain peaks covered in snow. And if you’re really up for an adventure, try the multi-day hike: the Peaks of the Balkans that crosses Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro over ten days!

2. Learn About Albania’s Dark History at Bunk Art 1

In our opinion, the best museum in Tirana and the whole of Albania (though Bunk Art 2 and House of Leaves come in at a close shared second). Set in a large underground bunker with a network of passages and rooms, this is eerie. The museum is compelling and informative, and you’ll leave with a much better appreciation for what the Albanian people wen through under the brutal dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.

3. Take in the Panoramic Views from Rozafa Castle

Okay, so Rozafa Castle itself has fallen into disrepair, but it’s still interesting to wander round. The main reason to go here is to climb to the top for the views over Shkoder and the meandering rivers of Drin and Buna.

4. Cycle Around Shkoder Lake

Rozafa Castle and Shkoder Lake can be combined for a great day trip from Shkoder. Hire yourself a bike and cycle round the lake. Stop for lunch. Wander the cute villages. Just don’t go too far or you’ll end up in Montenegro!

5. Explore the Ruins of Butrint Archaeological Park

Right at the south of the country, near Ksamil, you’ll find Butrint Archaeological Park: a UNESCO site of Greco-Roman city ruins. The sits is large; it’ll take a good 2 or 3 hours to see it all. Oh, and make sure you keep an eye on the pools of water because they will likely have little turtles (or terrapins, I’m not entirely sure). This makes for a great half-day trip if you need to break from the beaches.

7. See the Windows of Berat

I know this sounds like a bit of weird thing to do, but they are beautiful. In Berat, traditional houses up the side of the hills almost appear to be stacked on top of each other, and the view of them all together is so unique! Explore the narrow alleyways of the town on both sides of the river and wander up to the top of the hill to see the castle ruins and panoramic views over the UNESCO town of Berat.

8. Tour Gjirokaster’s Grand Mansions

Another UNESCO listed old town, Gjirokaster also sits on the side of a hill overlooking mountains. The unique houses and roof structure of Gjirokaster’s houses have earnt it UNESCO status. Explore the cobbled streets, take a tour of one of the grand houses, see the aqueduct ruins, and eat! Gjirokaster’s local cuisine is delicious.

10. Eat Tres Leches and drink Coffee

You will find tres leches all over the Balkans, but we found a LOT of it in Albania. Tres leches is a sponge pudding drenched in three types of milk (hence the name). It’s creamy and decadent and sticky. Partner this with some classic dark, strong coffee, and you have the perfect afternoon pick-me-up!

11. Try Fergese

The infamous cheese and veg dip, fergese is a classic Albanian vegetarian dish that is rich and tasty and fresh. Served warm with some good crusty bread, it’s delicious!

12. Try Korca Beer in Korce

One of Albania’s favourite beers can be tasted fresh from the source! And we were even given a free tour around the brewery with a couple of tasters. Korce is a city that is well off the tourist radar, but has a unique mix of architecture, a fascinating medieval art museum, and several panoramic viewpoints across the city and the valley.

13. Visit the Beaches in the Off-season

The beaches have gained the name ‘Maldives of Europe’, and while they are pretty, they are also insanely busy and crowded if you visit in the summer. Full to the very edges with plastic sun loungers, the beaches definitely do not have the paradise vibe that the photos you seem on Instagram may suggest. So, try to get to the beaches in the off-season. June, July, August are just wildly overcrowded.

14. Take Part in a Xhiro

One of the essential things to do in Albania is to take part in a xhiro. Head down to any pedestrianised street in Albania around 7/8pm and everyone will be there, walking, catching up with friends, kids playing in the street, vendors selling corn. Xhiro, literally meaning ‘walk’ in Albanian, is when the towns and cities come alive in the evenings with everyone taking part in such a wholesome activity.

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