Albania Camping Itineraries + Best Campsites

Planning a camping trip in Albania is easier than it looks. Give yourself a loose plan, keep an eye on the weather, and you’ll have an amazing time.

I generally like to do a mix of quiet campsites with the odd wild night when the setting is too good to miss.

Here are two simple one-week routes, plus a shortlist of campsites that I rate. Use it as a framework, then tweak it on the road.

Need help planning your next trip? Hire me as your Personal Travel Planner!

One-Week Coastal Camping

Days 1–2: Sarandë

Start in the south and ease into things. Swim at local beaches, wander the waterfront, and take a half day to visit Butrint.

Days 3–4: Himarë and Gjipe Beach

Base yourself in/near Himarë for one or two nights. Spend the first day beach hopping.

On the second day, head to Gjipe. Either spend the night in the little eco campsite on the beach (this is what I’d do – see below), or return to Himarë.

Days 5–6: Llogara National Park

Head up into the pines for cool air and wide views. Sleep high and drop to the sea during the day. Short trails leave from the pass and you can be back on the beach by late afternoon.

Day 7: Ksamil or Tirana

If you want one last swim, finish in Ksamil. Otherwise begin the drive north. Keep a spare night for weather or a place that you really like.

Practical Tips

Shop for fuel and food before leaving Sarandë. Book in high season if you want a specific campsite.

Late June and September give you warm water and fewer crowds.

👉 See also: Wild Camping in Albania

One-Week Mountain Camping

Days 1–2: Theth National Park

Set up in Theth and find your pace. Walk to the Blue Eye or climb towards the Valbonë Pass for big views.

Mornings can be chilly even in July. A warm bag and a hot coffee make all the difference.

Days 3–4: Lake Koman

Drive to Komani and take the ferry through the gorge. Camp by the water and slow things down.

Swim in the late afternoon, cook a simple dinner, and enjoy a peaceful evening.

Days 5–6: Shkodër and Lake Shkodër

Pitch near the lake. Stock up on food, grab a proper meal in town, and plan your final kilometres. Kayaks and bikes are easy to rent if you want a rest day off your feet.

Shkodër is a great base for a trip into the Albanian Alps (including Theth).

You can also use it as a jumping-off point if you plan to explore Montenegro and Kosovo.

Day 7: Return to Tirana

Head back without rushing. Stop for viewpoints and village markets on the way.

If you have more time, Lake Ohrid is only a couple of hours southeast of Tirana. This is another awesome place to wild camp! I camped on the North Macedonian side and loved it.

Practical Tips

Again, top up fuel whenever you can. Signal drops in the valleys, so save maps offline.

The road to Theth is paved but steep and narrow. Avoid night driving (animals and potholes), and check conditions after storms.

Best Campsites in Albania

• Ksamil Caravan Camping: Small and friendly, just a short walk from the beaches. Clean facilities with shade for tents. It’s a handy first (or last) stop in the south.
• Camping Himara: Right by the sea with tree cover and easy water access. Simple setup, good vibes, and a solid base for nearby coves.
• Gjipe Eco Campground: Between Gjipe Beach and the mouth of the canyon. One of my favourite off-grid campsites. Fall asleep to the sound of the waves and wake to cliffs glowing at sunrise.

• Camping Freskia Theth: Relaxed pitches, hot showers, and Wi-Fi. A reliable base for the Valbonë–Theth hike.
• Boga Alpine Resort: Family run in the high country. Camp if the weather is kind, or grab a cheap room if it turns. Owners are helpful and knowledgeable on routes.
• Campania in Albania: Quiet campsite in Llogara National Park, high above the coast. Cool nights, hot showers, short trails from the pass, and incredible sunsets.

• Bar Restorant Camping I Love Koman: Low key and right on the water. Shady pitches, showers, electricity, fantastic views, and a restaurant serving fresh trout right on the waterfront.
• Lake Shkodra Resort: More comfort than most. Restaurant, hot showers, and shaded lakeside pitches. Great views of the lake. An ideal place to rest and recover after long days in the mountains.

Booking and On-Site Tips

Message ahead in July and early August. Ask for a shaded pitch and a quieter spot if you like early nights.

Arriving late is normally fine. Be discreet, set up quickly, and pay in the morning.

Expect showers and toilets in most organised campsites. Many sites have a small kitchen and a sink for washing up. Wi-Fi is increasingly common but not always reliable.

Keep cash on hand. Card machines go down more often than you’d expect, and some places are cash-only.

Supplies and Where to Buy

Tirana is the best place for outdoor shops and gas canisters. If you need a specific brand of fuel, get it here.

Shkodër and Sarandë are good for top-ups. You’ll find essentials in most supermarkets, bakeries, and fresh produce markets.

Don’t rely on small villages for camping gas or specialist gear. Stock up before you leave the main towns.

Roadside fruit stalls are brilliant. Tomatoes, peaches, and melons are sweet, fresh, and cheap.

Carry drinking water for the drive. In summer, keep a spare bottle in the boot in case shops are closed at siesta time.

Transport

Driving is the easiest way to get around. Stick to daylight in the mountains and watch out for animals (and insane drivers).

If you rent, walk around the car and take photos before you leave. A higher clearance vehicle helps on rough tracks and after heavy rain.

Buses and furgons connect most towns. They’re cheap, informal, and rarely run late in the day. For remote camps, arrange a pickup or a local taxi.

Packing

Pack light, then add an extra warm layer for the hills. Nights at altitude can be surprisingly cold, even in July.

Bring a freestanding tent that can handle wind, and a three-season sleeping bag with a proper mat. Your back will thank you.

I usually cook on a small Primus gas stove. Carry a spare lighter and an extra gas canister, just in case.

My head torch, power bank, and a simple first aid kit always live at the top of my bag. A filter bottle and/or purification tablets are also essential.

Wear trail shoes or sturdy trainers. Add sandals for rivers and beach showers.

Carry a paper map and download offline maps. Signal drops in the valleys and other remote places.

One-Week Budget for Two People

This assumes a mix of wild camps and simple sites, self catering most meals.

• Campsites: Four nights at an average of €16 per night. €64
• Wild camps: Three nights. €0
• Fuel: 700–900 km on mixed roads. €90–€130
• Food: Fresh produce, bread, cheese, basics for simple dinners. €80–€120
• Eating out: Three or four casual meals. €60–€90
• Ferries and extras: Lake Koman boat, parking, small fees. €40–€70
• Estimated total: €290–€430 for two, excluding car hire.

As a solo traveller, I’d expect to spend around 60–70% of that.

You can reduce costs even further by cooking every meal and choosing more wild nights.

Carry a small cash buffer. Card machines go down and some sites are cash only.

Navigation and Comms

Download offline maps. I save Google Maps areas for driving and use Maps.ME for hiking.

Signal drops completely in parts of the Alps and along the Shala River. Paper maps are excellent backups.

If you want to be really organised, consider plotting fuel stations, food shops, and likely water sources before you set off.

Share your rough route and itinerary with a friend or guesthouse host. If plans change, update them when you next get signal.

A power bank is worth its weight. Keep phones in flight mode on long trail days to stretch battery life.

If you use a GPS watch, preload routes and set breadcrumb navigation. I find this easier to use than my phone when the weather turns.

Carry a whistle and a first aid kit in your daypack. In remote valleys, help can take time to arrive.

Parking, Stealth Camping & Common Sense

Park out of sight of houses and away from farm tracks. Do not block gates. Leave space for tractors and trucks.

Keep it low key. No chairs, no awning, no music if you are stealthing. Arrive late and leave early.

Leave no trace.

If someone asks you to move, smile and go. There’s usually another quiet spot ten minutes down the road.

When to Go

Spring and autumn are ideal. Days are warm, nights are cool, and the coast is quiet.

In April and May, the hills turn green and rivers run fast. Trails are open, the sea starts to warm, and campsites are still quiet.

June brings beach weather without peak season crowds. Inland starts to get pretty hot, but you can escape it by sleeping higher in places like Llogara or Theth.

July and August are popular months for coastal trips, especially on the southern Riviera – for better and for worse.

Expect hot afternoons, traffic on the roads, and lively beaches. If you’re camping inland, plan early starts, long lunch breaks, and cooler evenings at altitude.

September is my favourite month in Albania. The sea is still lovely and warm, prices tend to drop, and hiking conditions are optimal.

October can also be brilliant, but it’s a bit more touch-and-go. You’ll need a warmer sleeping bag and might have the odd rainy day.

Winter is doable, but I wouldn’t really recommend it. There’s a lot of rain on the coast, mountain roads often close after snow, and many campsites shut down altogether.

Extra Tips

Stock up on cash and food before leaving major towns. Download offline maps and mark fuel stops in the mountains.

Also, treat the above itineraries as a suggestion rather than a strict schedule. I strongly recommend keeping your plans as flexible as possible.

That way, you can make adjustments for spontaneous plans, weather conditions, and spots that you fall in love with. 🙂

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Camping is an amazing way to immerse yourself in Albania’s stunning landscapes. With plenty of options for wild camping and campsites with facilities, it’s pretty easy to do too.

Keep your plans loose, leave no trace, and say hello to people you meet along the way. I’m sure you’ll have a fantastic time!

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