Backpacking In Albania: A Comprehensive Guide

Albania feels like it was made for backpacking. It’s affordable, fairly easy to move around, and packed with culture, wild scenery, and little corners most people never make it to.

I’ve spent weeks hiking in the north and beach hopping in the south and I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.

From quiet mountain villages to laid back coastal towns, the country still feels raw and real in a way that’s getting harder to find in Europe.

If you’re after somewhere cheap, adventurous, and a bit different from the usual Western Europe loop, Albania is a great shout.

Below I’ll share practical routes, budget tips, safety info, and a few things I wish I’d known before my first trip.

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

Why Backpack in Albania?

If you’re backpacking on a European budget, Albania feels almost ridiculously good value. Your money goes a long way, so you don’t need to live on instant noodles to keep costs down.

Hostel dorms, simple guesthouses and cheap eats make it easy to travel for longer without blowing your savings.

What really hooked me though is how varied the country is.

Jagged peaks in the north, clear rivers and lakes, quiet coves and beaches in the south. Plus a lot of space that still feels undeveloped compared with nearby Greece or Montenegro.

On top of that, you’ve got layers of history everywhere you go. Ottoman houses, Roman ruins, communist bunkers, colourful markets, and gritty little neighbourhoods all sitting side by side.

It’s the kind of place that makes me want to slow down, talk to people, and see what’s around the next bend in the road.

Best Time to Go Backpacking in Albania

Albania is one of those places where the best time to go depends a lot on the kind of trip you want.

For backpacking, I think the sweet spots are usually late spring and early autumn, when prices are a bit lower, temperatures are more comfortable, and popular places feel less hectic.

If your trip is mostly about the coast, summer makes the most sense, but July and August are busier and more expensive.

If you’re heading into the mountains, some higher routes are still affected by snow well into late spring.

For a fuller month-by-month breakdown, take a look at my guide to the best time to visit Albania.

How to Get to Albania

The easiest way to get to Albania is often to fly into Tirana. This works especially well if you’re starting in the capital or heading north.

If you’re coming from Greece, the Corfu to Sarandë ferry is a handy option for starting on the southern coast.

From Italy, overnight ferries run from Bari and Brindisi to Durrës, which saves a night of accommodation and drops you close to Tirana.

Overland arrivals from Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, or Greece might also make sense if you’re travelling through the Balkans.

The main thing is choosing the arrival point that fits your route rather than just the cheapest ticket.

👉 See more: Practical Information for Visiting Albania

Best Backpacking Routes in Albania

Southern Coast (Albanian Riviera)

The Riviera is where most people start if they want sun and sea. Think simple beach towns, clear water, and long stretches of coast that still feel low key outside July and August.

Saranda, Ksamil, Himara and Dhermi are the main stops, each with a slightly different vibe.

You can spend your days beach hopping, doing short coastal walks, or taking boat trips to quieter coves.

Butrint National Park is an easy day trip from Saranda and well worth it if you like a mix of nature and ancient ruins.

Syri i Kaltër (the Blue Eye) is another popular stop. It’s beautiful but can get packed in peak season, so go early if you want it to yourself.

Albanian Alps (Northern Albania)

The Alps feel like a completely different country. Shkoder is the usual base, and from there most travellers take the Lake Koman ferry to Valbona before hiking over the pass to Theth.

The hike itself takes around 5 to 8 hours, though you’ll want a couple of days in the region to enjoy the villages properly.

Expect dramatic peaks, cold rivers, and some of the friendliest guesthouses you’ll find anywhere.

Historic Towns (Berat and Gjirokaster)

Berat and Gjirokaster are both UNESCO listed and great if you want a slower few days.

Berat has bright white houses stacked up the hillside, while Gjirokaster has steep stone lanes and old Ottoman houses you can explore.

Both towns are walkable and full of little cafés, viewpoints and old castles that are easy to visit without a guide.

Tirana (Capital City Experience)

Tirana is changing fast. You’ve got colourful buildings, concrete blocks from the communist era, new towers, parks, and a growing café scene.

Skanderbeg Square, Bunk’Art 2 and the Pyramid are all easy to tick off in a day.

Blloku is where you’ll find most of the cafés and nightlife. From the city, you can also take quick trips to Kruja or up the cable car to Mount Dajti for a breather from the traffic.

Backpacker-Friendly Destinations in Albania

Saranda and Ksamil

Saranda and Ksamil are the obvious coastal bases. Saranda has more going on, while Ksamil is all about the beaches.

The water is unbelievably clear, but in July and August Ksamil gets very busy and starts to feel more like a small resort than a quiet village.

Both places have plenty of cheap restaurants, simple apartments and beach bars, so it’s easy to keep costs down.

If you visit outside peak season, you’ll get a much calmer, nicer version of both towns.

Shkoder

Shkoder is the gateway to the Albanian Alps and one of the most relaxed cities in the country. There’s a slightly bohemian feel, lots of bikes, and a big lake on the edge of town.

Rozafa Castle is worth the climb for the views, and there are loads of cafés and bakeries where you can fuel up before heading into the mountains.

If you’re planning the Valbona–Theth route, this is usually where you organise transport and the Lake Koman ferry.

Gjirokaster and Berat

These two towns are great if you want a break from the beaches and mountains.

Berat’s hillside houses and river views make it one of the prettiest towns in Albania.

Gjirokaster has steep stone lanes, Ottoman houses and a huge castle overlooking the valley.

Both are compact, walkable and full of small family-run restaurants. I spent longer than planned in these towns because they’re just really lovely.

Valbona and Theth

If you love hiking, Valbona and Theth are unmissable. They’re remote, simple villages surrounded by jagged peaks and cold, clear rivers.

Most travellers stay in guesthouses, which usually means hearty dinners, strong coffee and early nights.

The Valbona–Theth hike is the big draw. It’s a one day trail over a mountain pass, and even if you’re not doing the full loop, the area is worth visiting just for the scenery and quiet.

A Simple 7–10 Day Backpacking Route

If I were planning a first backpacking trip in Albania, I’d keep the route fairly simple.

Start in Tirana, then head south to either Berat or Gjirokastër for a slower change of pace.

From there, continue to the coast around Sarandë or Himarë, where you can spend a few days swimming, exploring the beaches, and taking day trips.

This route gives you a good mix of city life, historic towns, and time on the coast without trying to rush across the whole country.

If You Want More Beaches

If your main goal is beach time, you could easily spend most of your trip along the southern coast – AKA the Albanian Riviera.

A popular backpacker route is Tirana → Sarandë → Himarë.

This gives you access to some of Albania’s best beaches while still keeping travel distances manageable.

If You Want Hiking and Mountains

If you’re travelling mainly for hiking, you might want to focus on northern Albania instead.

A common backpacker route is Tirana → Shkodër → Valbona → Theth.

This area includes some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country.

For more routes and alternative itineraries, read my full Albania itinerary post.

Accommodation Options

Hostels

Hostels are easy to find in places like Tirana, Shkoder and Saranda. Most have big common rooms, simple kitchens and staff who’ll help you sort buses or organise trips.

They’re also the easiest way to meet other travellers.

If you’re heading to Gjirokaster, I always recommend Stone City Hostel. It’s one of the friendliest hostels I’ve ever visited, and the location in the old town is spot on.

Guesthouses

Guesthouses are everywhere, especially in the Alps and smaller towns. They’re usually family run, with big home cooked meals and a warm, low key atmosphere.

In places like Valbona and Theth, guesthouses make the whole experience.

You’ll probably end up chatting to the owners, drinking strong coffee (and stronger raki), and sharing stories and tips you’ll never get from a guidebook.

Budget Hotels

If you want a private room without spending too much, Albania has plenty of cheap hotels. Rooms are basic but comfortable, and prices stay reasonable even in summer.

You’ll find the best value in cities and larger towns where there’s more competition.

Camping and Wild Camping

Camping is a great way to enjoy Albania’s landscapes. There are official campsites near the coast and in national parks.

Wild camping is generally tolerated in rural and mountain areas. Just be respectful of local land, and always check you’re not near private property or protected zones.

Couchsurfing & Airbnb

Couchsurfing can be a fun way to meet locals and get a better feel for day to day life.

Airbnb is widespread too, with everything from cheap rooms to small apartments. It’s a good option if you want a little more space or a quiet base to work from.

Costs

Accommodation Costs

Albania is one of the easiest places in Europe to travel well on a budget. Dorm beds usually cost around €10–20, and private rooms in simple guesthouses often sit between €15–30.

Budget hotels in cities tend to be €25–40 for a basic double.

You don’t need to book far ahead outside July and August, although guesthouses in the Alps do fill up quickly in peak season.

Food Costs

Eating well on a budget is easy. Byrek, qofte and other street food usually cost €3–6, and a proper sit down meal in a local restaurant is often €6–12.

Portions are big, especially in family places.

Seafood is more expensive on the Riviera, but still far cheaper than neighbouring Greece or Italy. I’ve eaten some incredible grilled fish in Himara and Saranda without spending much.

Transportation Costs

Buses and furgons are cheap. Most city to city routes cost a few euros, and the longer journeys rarely cost more than €10–15. It’s not slick, but it works.

If you prefer flexibility, renting a car is still good value compared with much of Europe. Just remember that driving in Albania can be unpredictable, especially in the mountains.

Taxis and Apps

Bolt and Uber don’t operate in Albania. In Tirana, use local taxi apps like Merr Taxi, Speed Taxi or Ups Taxi. They’re cheaper and safer than hailing random cabs, and the pricing is clear.

What to Eat

Eating well in Albania on a backpacker budget is surprisingly easy.

Albanian food is simple, hearty and filling, which is ideal when you’re on the move.

Byrek, grilled meat, salads, fresh bread, and simple local dishes are widely available and usually inexpensive. Especially if you eat where locals do rather than sticking to obvious tourist spots.

Guesthouses in the mountains are often especially good value, since dinner and breakfast are sometimes included (and portions tend to be generous).

Getting Around Albania

Getting around Albania as a backpacker is generally cheap, but it does require a bit of patience.

Buses and furgons connect most of the main destinations. Just remember that they don’t always run to the kind of neat timetable you find elsewhere in Europe.

For most backpackers, public transport is good enough.

I wouldn’t hire a car unless your trip is focused on flexibility, remote beaches, or other harder-to-reach areas.

Albania is very doable on a budget without one, as long as you accept that some journeys will take longer than you expected.

Safety Tips

Albania is generally a very safe and friendly country to backpack through. In my experience it feels far less intimidating on the ground than some first-time visitors expect.

Basic common sense still matters, of course. Especially in cities, at night, and when travelling between places with all your gear.

For backpackers, the main thing is to stay aware in the same way you would anywhere else.

Keep an eye on your belongings, carry some backup cash, and take mountain conditions seriously if you’re hiking.

Budget Tips

How to Save on Accommodation

Hostels in Tirana, Shkoder and Saranda are usually the cheapest beds you’ll find. Dorms often start around €10, and you’ll meet other travellers without trying.

Guesthouses are another solid option, especially in smaller towns. They’re usually family run, friendly and often include dinner for a small extra cost.

Couchsurfing is possible in the bigger cities, although availability can be spotty. It’s a good way to meet locals if you’re comfortable with it.

Food on a Budget

Eating cheaply isn’t hard. Street food stalls, bakeries and small family restaurants serve filling meals for a few euros.

Fresh pastries and byrek are everywhere and make easy snacks on travel days.

Saving on Transportation

Buses and furgons are the best value way to get around the country. Most journeys cost a few euros, even if you’re covering a fair distance.

Taxis add up quickly, so walk when you can or use local apps in Tirana. If you’re travelling with others, renting a car can work out cheaper overall, especially for remote areas.

Free Activities

There’s plenty to do without spending anything. Free walking tours run in Tirana, Berat and Gjirokaster.

The coast has endless public beaches, and the mountains are full of hiking trails that don’t require permits.

If you like photography or just wandering, Albania’s old towns and markets are perfect for slow, budget friendly days.

Packing Essentials

You don’t need loads of gear to backpack in Albania, but a few things make a big difference.

Good footwear matters, especially if your trip includes cobbled old towns, mountain trails, or beaches that aren’t easy to reach in flip-flops.

I’d also think carefully about layers.

Even if you’re travelling in warm weather, mountain areas can be much cooler. And trips that mix the coast with hiking need a bit more flexibility than a straightforward summer beach holiday.

For the full version, including seasonal packing advice and hiking gear, check out my Albania packing list.

Final Thoughts

Backpacking in Albania is a brilliant mix of mountains, coast, old towns and low costs.

It’s easy to travel around, people are welcoming, and you can switch from hiking to beaches to historic cities without long travel days.

If you want more ideas, take a look at my other Albania posts!

Like this post? Share it with others!