Things to do in Albania

Best Things to do in Albania

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Albania? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 162 activities in Albania, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 1604, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Albania in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Top Things to Do in Albania for a Journey Through Coastlines and Mountains

About Albania

Albania is a country where rugged mountains meet the Adriatic and Ionian seas, giving you scenery that feels untouched yet inviting. You can spend mornings in cobbled Ottoman towns, afternoons on beaches with water so clear it looks unreal, and evenings where cafés are always bustling.

Among the most striking Albania tourist attractions are the stone city of Gjirokastër, the coastal stretch of the Albanian Riviera, and the serene Lake Ohrid. Each has its own mood, whether it’s history written into fortress walls, turquoise bays edged by cliffs, or the calm of highland villages where time slows down.

By the time you leave, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of things to do in Albania, with moments that shift between quiet discovery and full-on adventure. It’s a country that surprises you in the best ways.

Unique Experiences

Walking Tour with Local Food Experience in Tirana

If urban charm is more your pace, this activities-rich stroll in Tirana hits the spot. You can wander through vibrant bazaars, sip strong Albanian coffee, and sample flaky byrek pastries and spicy qoftë, all with a local guide who brings the city to life around you.

• Where: Central Tirana, starting at the city’s main bazaar area
• Pricing: It starts from INR 6,000 per person
• Timing: About 3 to 4 hours, with typical slots at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM
• When to Visit: April to October

Cooking Classes and Traditional Food Tasting in Tirana

If food feels like home, this class will feel like a warm welcome. You’ll roll up your sleeves with a local chef and learn to make Albanian delicacies and learn more about their cooking traditions as the food warms.

• Where: Central Tirana
• Pricing: It starts from INR 4,900 per person
• Timing: About 4 hours, with slots available typically at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM
• When to Visit: Year‑round, but April to October gives you good weather for wandering the city afterwards

Speedboat to Haxhi Ali Cave & Karaburun Peninsula

You can hop on a sleek speedboat and skim across turquoise waters to reach the mysterious Haxhi Ali Cave, a hidden cavern clinging to limestone cliffs, once a sailor’s refuge. The ride offers cinematic views of the coast.

• Where: Departs from Vlorë waterfront
• Pricing: It starts from INR 2,800 per person
• Timing: Around 3 to 4 hours, with departures commonly at 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 2:00 PM
• When to Visit: May to September

Top Attractions

Butrint National Park

Butrint is one of the most important historical sites in the country. You can walk through Roman ruins, old city walls, and even a theatre, all set close to the coast. It’s quiet, easy to move around, and one of the most rewarding things to do in Albania.

• Where: Near Sarandë, south Albania
• Pricing: It starts from INR 2,000 per person
• Timing: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• When to Visit: April to October

Berat and Gjirokastër

Both towns are UNESCO-listed and give you a real sense of Albanian life. Berat is known as the “city of a thousand windows”, while Gjirokastër is filled with stone houses and narrow streets. Spending time here feels like stepping into a living museum and is among the key Albania tourist attractions.

• Where: Berat and Gjirokastër, southern Albania
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,500 per person
• Timing: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• When to Visit: May to September

Osum Gorge

Osum Gorge is a natural highlight where cliffs rise on either side of the river. In spring, you can raft through the canyon, while summer is better for walks and swimming spots. It’s one of the outdoor activities that shows you a very different side of the country and counts among the best things to do in Albania.

• Where: Near Berat, south Albania
• Pricing: It starts from INR 2,200 per person
• Timing: 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM
• When to Visit: March to June or September to early October

Sightseeing Tours

2-Hour Walking Tour of Tirana

You can step into Tirana and within minutes, you’re in the middle of it, exploring its history, its squares, and its people. This tour gives you the city's landmarks up close: the old mosque, the clock tower, the museum mosaic, and more. It’s one of those things to do in Albania that sets you in the heart of the place right away.

• Where: Central Tirana
• Pricing: It starts from INR 680 per person
• Timing: About 2 hours and 30 minutes, typically starting at 10:00 and 5:30 PM
• When to Visit: All year, though spring and autumn mornings feel especially pleasant

Full-Day Tour: Butrint, Blue Eye, Ksamil & Lekursi Castle

If your day can stretch longer, this tour sweeps you across southern Albania, passing through multiple sites that feel cinematic in real life. You can walk through ancient ruins at Butrint, peer into the turquoise Blue Eye spring, relax along Ksamil’s beaches, and end with sweeping views from Lekursi Castle.

• Where: Departures typically from Tirana or coastal towns like Sarandë
• Pricing: It starts from INR 11,600 per person
• Timing: Around 6 to 7 hours, tour starts from 9:30 AM
• When to Visit: May to September

Day Trips

Best of Berat and Durres Full Day Tour

If you want a mix of history and quiet water scenes, this is for you. You can leave in the morning, drive through Berat’s old town and castle, then head to Durres to spot the Roman amphitheatre. It’s a proper day of calming things to do in Albania that gives you history, coast, and countryside.

• Where: Departs from Tirana
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,100 per person
• Timing: About 8 to 9 hours; the tour typically starts from 9:00 AM
• When to Visit: April to October, when the weather is clear and warm

Hey Albania: Day Tour from Gjirokastër, Butrint & Blue Eye Spring

If you want your things to do in Albania to include architecture and water, this fits the bill. You can drive south to Gjirokastër, walk through stone streets, and check out the castle and bazaar. Then you head to the Blue Eye Springs. It’s a real taste of highland charm and natural wonder.

• Where: Departs from Tirana
• Pricing: It starts from INR 10,500 per person
• Timing: Around 6 to 8 hours; typically starts at 8:30 AM
• When to Visit: May to September, when roads are better and the spring’s colour is at its best

Boat Tours

Boat Tour to Kakome, Hidden Cave & Beaches (from Sarandë)

This hits the sweet spot: azure water, hidden coves, short swims, and one long beach break. You can hop on a boat from Sarandë harbour, then drift and dip at Kakome, Gremina, Soldiers Bay, and the secret Turtle Cave. Each swim stop lasts around 15 to 25 minutes. The big draw is Krorez Beach, where you have about 3 hours to soak it in, with sunbeds, umbrellas, and a simple local taverna nearby.

• Where: Departs from Sarandë harbour
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,800 per person
• Timing: About 6 hours; slots available at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM
• When to Visit: May to September, when the water is warm, clear, and the sun is overhead

Speedboat to Secret Blue Cave & Grama Bay (from Vlorë)

If you want something a bit wilder, this speedboat tour zips along the Karaburun Peninsula to the Blue Gem Cave, where sunlight turns the water a glowing blue. Then on to Grama Bay, where you swim in turquoise waters, catch marine life in view, or just unwind on shore with a drink.

• Where: Departs from Vlorë marina
• Pricing: It starts from INR 6,800 per person
• Timing: Around 7 to 8 hours, typically starts at 10:30 AM
• When to Visit: June to September

Getting Around

• Local Buses and Furgons: These minibuses run between towns and villages. They’re not always on a set timetable, but they’re frequent and cheap. Handy when you’re covering ground for different activities.
• Trains: Limited routes but slow scenic journeys. It is an option if you want to take it easy between major towns.
• Taxis: There are taxis found in all main towns and useful at night, especially after enjoying the livelier things to do in Albania in cities like Tirana.
• Car Hire: A car is best if you want freedom to explore remote areas like Theth or Valbona.
• Cycling: Good for coastal routes or short trips between beaches.
• Walking: City centres like Berat or Gjirokastër are compact. You can cover the main Albania tourist attractions on foot without much effort.

Traveller Tips

• Carry some cash. While cards are accepted in bigger places, small cafés and family-run shops often prefer notes and coins.
• Book your longer trips ahead, especially during summer. Popular day tours to places like the Blue Eye or Butrint fill fast, and having your spot secured means more time for you to focus on the actual experience.
• Slow down when you can. Some of the most rewarding things to do in Albania include sitting by a lake, wandering through a village, or chatting with locals.