My Favourite Photos of Albania to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on Updated on

Albania is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

Tucked away on the Balkan Peninsula, this small country has a huge amount to offer: dramatic mountains, stunning beaches, ancient ruins, and cities overflowing with culture.

The Albanian Riviera is the stuff of dreams, with its impossibly clear turquoise waters, untouched landscapes, and hidden coves. It easily rivals the most gorgeous coastal spots in Greece – but without the mass tourism and inflated prices.

That’s not all, though. Albania has a lot more to offer beyond its incredible coastline.

The rugged landscapes of the north are perfect for hiking and adventure. The Accursed Mountains (epic name) are wild, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Albania has a rich and varied history going back thousands of years. You’ll find crumbling castles, Ottoman-era towns, and ancient Greek and Roman ruins dotted across the country.

Exploring places like Gjirokastër and Berat, with their cobblestone streets and centuries-old houses, feels like walking through a living museum.

And, unlike the famous sights of Greece or Italy, you can enjoy most places without being surrounded by crowds of other tourists.

And then there’s the food. From freshly baked byrek (crispy, flaky pastries stuffed with all sorts of tasty things) to slow-cooked stews and honey-sweet baklava, Albanian cuisine is delicious.

Pair it with a glass or two of local raki or wine, and you’re set.

Albania is a beautiful place that rewards curiosity and a sense of adventure.

The photos below capture just a few of the reasons why I love this underrated gem. I hope they inspire you to explore it for yourself.

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A cityscape view in central Tirana featuring a modern high-rise building with a glass facade, a building under yellow scaffolding, and a traditional pink building with arched windows. A tree in the center contrasts the urban surroundings.

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A lively outdoor cafe scene with people seated under large trees, enjoying their time in a shaded garden area. The setting feels relaxed, with greenery and outdoor furniture adding to the atmosphere.
A mountain range in Albania bathed in soft, late-afternoon light. The valley below is crisscrossed by a winding river, with various shades of blue and green in the rolling landscape.
A sweeping view of a mountain landscape, with layers of ridges fading into the distance. The foreground features a grassy hilltop, and the sky is a mix of blue and soft clouds.
A serene sunset over the sea, with a silhouette of a distant island on the horizon. The sky transitions from orange near the horizon to deep blue higher up, creating a peaceful, tranquil scene.
Boats docked at a marina in Saranda during sunset, with a calm sea reflecting the orange hues of the sky. In the background, city buildings and a distant mountain range are softly illuminated by the setting sun.
A small concrete bunker with graffiti stands on a hillside overlooking a turquoise blue bay, with mountains in the distance and a beachside town below.
A dirt road lined with tall, slim cypress trees leads to the coast, offering views of rolling green hills and the distant blue sea under a clear sky.
A view of a coastal town nestled between the mountains and the sea, with a long sandy beach curving along the shoreline. The town is surrounded by greenery and hills.
A woman walking down a rustic path in a small rural village, surrounded by a flock of sheep. In the background, there are vineyards, hills, and distant houses scattered across the landscape.
A scenic view of a secluded beach with cliffs and dense greenery on one side. The clear blue waters stretch to the horizon, with a few small figures seen enjoying the sandy shore.
A mesmerizing view of an underwater spring, showcasing vivid green and blue colors with aquatic plants. The crystal-clear water highlights the intricate patterns beneath the surface.
A glimpse through several tall trees reveals a clear blue-green river below, with vibrant vegetation lining the banks.
The hillside city of Gjirokaster nestled among lush greenery, with traditional stone houses scattered across the slope, surrounded by trees and mountains in the background.
Two people walking through a long, arched stone tunnel lit by lanterns inside Gjirokaster castle. The stonework has a medieval feel, with cannons lining the walls.
A large open area with a stone clock tower and the framework of an amphitheater. Behind, rugged mountains rise under a bright blue sky.
A cobbled street in the Old Bazaar of Gjirokaster lined with small shops selling traditional crafts and textiles. People are seen walking and exploring the market, with vibrant red and white buildings in view.
Inside a colorful cafe with cozy furniture, a prominent mural of the Statue of Liberty adds a striking visual to the room. The ceiling is decorated with various patterns and papers.
A rural building in Himare, Albania with blue accents stands near the road, with an unfinished concrete building behind it and a backdrop of mountains.
A dramatic landscape with jagged red rock formations standing out against a lush green valley. The sky above is dotted with white clouds.
A wide view of a green, rocky mountain slope with sparse trees and a building near the top, under a cloudy sky. The distant peaks are partially obscured by mist.
A view from a rocky hilltop looking out over a coastline. A paraglider soars through the sky above the distant beach and ocean, with mountains in the background.
A panoramic shot of a mountain range with jagged cliffs and a view of a winding road along the coastline below. The sky is cloudy, with patches of sunlight on the landscape.
A view through a small rectangular window in an Albanian bunker, showing a mountainous landscape with rugged peaks and green forests.
Looking out from within a stone tunnel, framed by rough rocks, revealing a view of a steep, mountainous terrain under a bright, clear sky.
A road winding through a mountainous landscape on the Albanian Riviera, with steep, rocky slopes on either side. The mountains appear barren, with minimal vegetation.
An entrance to a bunker tunnel built into rocky terrain. Above the cave, a small building is perched with graffiti on its walls.
The shoreline of a beach at dusk, with gentle waves lapping against the pebbly shore. The sky is tinged with soft pastel colors as the sun sets.
A view from between two old stone walls, looking out over a beach and the ocean in the distance, framed by greenery and some red flowers.
An Albanian coastal village nestled between green hills and the shoreline. Houses and buildings are visible, along with a curving coastline stretching into the distance.
A person walking along a dirt path bordered by greenery, with rolling hills and mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.
A scenic view of a crescent-shaped beach with golden sand and turquoise waters, surrounded by green hills and a small seaside village.
A peaceful beach at sunset, with a stack of balanced stones near the water’s edge, framed by overhanging tree branches and vibrant orange and pink hues in the sky.
The small village of Dhermi nestled against rocky hills, with rustic houses and a white church tower visible under a cloudy sky.
An ancient stone fortress with a red Albanian flag flying above, overlooking a valley with green hills and scattered villages.
A view of a river winding through a lush green valley, with farmland and houses in the foreground, set against a backdrop of distant hills and clouds.

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Essential Travel Resources


🛏️ Book cheap hotels
I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗 Find cheap rental cars
Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍 Book the best tours
Viator and GetYourGuide have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️ Find cheap flights
I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights.

📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.

• World Nomads – for adventurous travellers, covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as skydiving, heli-skiing, rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here).

💻 Do I need a VPN?
YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.
Alex Tiffany

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.

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