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Abi is a Londoner who left a 10-year HR career and moved to Bangkok on her own. Through AGA Travel (Always Go Anywhere), she shares destination guides, solo female travel tips and honest advice on living in Thailand, and helps women go solo with confidence.
Albania is one of Europe's best-kept secrets - a country that flies under the radar but ticks all the boxes. Nestled between Greece, Montenegro and the Adriatic Sea, it's home to stunning beaches, snow-capped mountains, Ottoman-era towns, and a capital city that's full of colour and character. In this Albania travel guide, I share where I stayed in Tirana, what I loved, and what I would do differently next time.
Tirana is a charming introduction - a city that blends brutalist architecture with bursts of modern creativity, lively nightlife, and seriously underrated food.
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Where to go in Albania
These are the top places to visit in this Albania travel guide. Each one links to my full guide, and the dashed ones are coming soon.
Tirana
A charming capital that blends brutalist architecture with modern creativity, lively nightlife and seriously underrated food.
Berat
An Ottoman-era town in the hills.
Guide coming soonGjirokastër
Another Ottoman-era town, full of history.
Guide coming soonKsamil, Butrint and Sarandë
Beaches and ruins on the Ionian coast.
Guide coming soonTheth and Valbona
Hiking in the Accursed Mountains.
Guide coming soonBlue Eye
A natural spring and a popular stop in the south.
Guide coming soonAlbania for solo female travellers
If you are thinking about visiting Albania on your own, I never once felt unsafe during my time in Tirana.
Where I stayed
Tirana itself was quite compact and walkable. I chose to stay at the Rogner Hotel, which was in the centre of Tirana, just a short walk from Skanderbeg Square and most of the key tourist attractions. At the time, the rooms were a little dated, but the pool area was very modern and had a tropical feel to it. It was a great place to cool off after a day of exploring! For ideas on what to do nearby, see my best things to do in Tirana.
Getting around safely
I mostly stayed within the city centre, so I was on foot. When I did go further out, I took a local taxi, but I always got the hotel, or the cafe or restaurant I was at, to call it for me rather than hailing one down. Between towns, intercity buses connect the main cities, and car rentals are available if you want to reach more remote areas.
Feeling nervous about going solo? Grab my free solo confidence guide.
Money and transport bookings
Albania uses the Albanian Lek (ALL).
Dress and etiquette
Greet with a handshake; a nod is also common. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory, and rounding up the bill is customary.
My Albania highlights
I visited Albania in June for a long weekend getaway - and honestly? I was blown away. Not just by the weather, which was a perfect mix of sunny-but-not-scorching, but by the vibe. I stayed in Tirana, a city that's super walkable and surprisingly lively, with bougie cafes, colourful buildings, and a mix of old-school grit and up-and-coming creative energy. For more, see my best things to do in Tirana.
Tirana Park is just outside the city centre and wraps around a big, peaceful lake, which is lovely to walk around. You can book a Tirana Park experience through GetYourGuide. For city views, take the Dajti Express cable car. It's quite interesting, and a bit weird when you get to the top, because when I was there people had guns and you could shoot at tin cans. You can also take a horse ride around the park, which isn't something I was interested in, but I'll share it.
I also think Bunk'Art is really cool. It's interesting to learn about the communist era, and you can explore the bunkers on a Bunk'Art tour.
The city has a really good selection of restaurants and cocktail bars, and some club-type vibes if that's what you're looking for. I think there's a huge Italian influence in Albania, so the food is really quite exceptional. Artigiano Vila was 10/10 - food, cocktails, atmosphere, the whole lot. In the evening, Radio Bar and Colonial Cocktails are good spots for a drink.
Albania is a really underrated destination, and I would 100% go back. If I visited again, I would probably look at hiring a car and driving down south to explore the coast and the islands, including the Albanian Riviera beaches.
Best time to visit Albania
Whether you want beaches, hiking or a city break, the season you pick in Albania makes a difference. Here is how the year breaks down.
Summer
Ideal for beach activities and coastal exploration.
Spring and autumn
Perfect for hiking and sightseeing with milder temperatures.
Winter
Suitable for exploring cities and enjoying snow-covered mountain landscapes.
Getting there and getting around
Tirana is the easiest way into the country, and from there you can get around by taxi, bus or car.
How to get there
- The main airport is Tirana International Airport (TIA).
- Direct flights from London to Tirana take approximately 3 hours.
- I took a taxi from the airport to the main town. From memory, the roads were quite simple and seemed easy to navigate.
Getting around
- Intercity buses connect major towns and cities.
- Car rentals are available for exploring remote areas.
- Ferries operate between coastal cities and nearby islands.
Local dishes to try
Flaky pastry filled with cheese, meat or vegetables.
Baked lamb with rice in a yogurt sauce.
A hearty dish made with peppers, tomatoes and cheese.
Sweet pastry layered with nuts and honey.
Albania travel FAQs
Do UK citizens need a visa for Albania?
UK passport holders can currently visit Albania visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days, and your passport should be valid for at least 3 months after you arrive. Rules change, so check gov.uk before you book.Is Albania safe for solo female travellers?
I never once felt unsafe in Tirana. I stayed centrally, walked around the city centre, and had my hotel or restaurant call taxis for me. I share what I did in my guide to the best things to do in Tirana.When is the best time to visit Albania?
Summer, from June to August, is ideal for the beaches and coast. Spring and autumn are perfect for hiking and sightseeing with milder temperatures.How do I get around Albania as a solo traveller?
Tirana is compact and easy to explore on foot, and when I went further out I had my hotel, cafe or restaurant call a local taxi for me. Between towns, intercity buses connect the main cities, and car rentals are available for more remote areas.
Abi is a UK travel blogger, currently living in Thailand, sharing destination guides, solo female travel tips, and insider advice on exploring Southeast Asia. Through AGA Travel (Always Go Anywhere), she helps women discover the world with confidence, whether they’re travelling solo or joining one of her hosted group trips.
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