What's the best time to visit Albania?
The best time to explore Albania is during the summer, specifically from June to August. This period boasts splendid weather, ideal for soaking up the sun on pristine beaches being outdoors. However, be prepared for higher prices and larger crowds, and be sure to book accommodations ahead to make the most of your visit.
Learn the best time to visit Albania, along with the cheapest, least busy, and overall worst time to go. We include tips to enjoy your stay even more in this guide!
The Overall Best Time to Visit Albania
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The best time to visit Albania is in June through August, which is the peak season on the popular Albanian Riviera.
You’ll be rewarded with perfect weather for beach days and strolling the streets in town, touring ruins and castles, and picnicking or eating at Albania’s best restaurants. Expect temperatures to be very warm, from the 80s to the 90s, on a summer day in Albania.
That’s great for swimming and water sports! Prices are higher during the peak season, but still affordable overall. We found cheap and mid-tier hotels ranging from $40-$110/night and luxury accommodations from $200-$530/night.
It’s the ideal time of year to pay a visit to the chilly Blue Hole, where you can cool off in the frigid water for a bit before lounging on the bank in the sunshine.
Cheapest Time to Visit Albania
Old bridge (Ura e Kadiut) at thermal baths in Bënjë 2-23-19/Robert Dobra/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Albania is from November through February, with hotel prices reaching an annual low during these cooler months.
How cool does it get? It depends on where you decide to stay. The mountainous areas can reach freezing temperatures in winter, while the coastal lowlands hover in the low 40s.
We found a range of hotels and apartments ranging from $47-$90 per night during November, December, January, and February in Albania. The amazing thing about visiting Albania is that the cost is never sky-high, even if you stay in the nicest hotels and resorts.
Since the price isn’t much higher to go during the peak season, don’t pick a winter visit to save a few dollars – you’ll enjoy yourself much more if you can head to the Riviera in summertime.
Least Busy Time to Visit Albania
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The least busy time to visit Albania is April to June and September to October, right before and after the peak summer season.
For fewer crowds, great value, and nice weather, you can visit during either of the shoulder seasons in spring or fall. Right before and after the peak summer season, fewer people travel to Albania and leave many of hotel rooms vacant with lower prices to entice people to come.
April to June is a little cooler, with temperatures around 60F-75F. September to October experience highs from 66F to 74F, which can be very pleasant.
If you’d like to head to one of the beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera, June and September are the best shoulder season months to come. Water temperatures are still nice enough for a swim.
Worst Time to Visit Albania
Downtown Shkodra in Albania on a rainy day in winter 2019/A Daily Odyssey/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Albania is November to December, when Albania (especially the mountainous regions) is cold and rainy.
November and December are the worst months to visit Albania overall. It’s exceptionally rainy in parts of Albania during this part of winter with 10-13 rainy days each month.
Apart from the increased rainfall, November and December leave tourists with fewer things to do. Since it’s cooler out, highs rarely rise above the 50s and it’s much colder in the mountains.
As a result, there’s a general dying down of the activity and bustle that accompanies the peak and shoulder seasons. If you can swing it, wait until April when the shoulder season begins and things start to warm up.
Things to Consider
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What else should you know about visiting Albania before you start planning your trip in earnest? Here are our best travel tips for this charming European country.
- Budget isn’t the main concern. Even if you’re all about traveling on a shoestring budget, picking the best time to visit Albania doesn’t really revolve around budget like it can in more expensive locales. The price difference between visiting during peak season and low season is minimal here, so pick your trip dates based on the weather and activities instead of the few-dollars price difference.
- Stick to the tourist areas. While some of the remote regions of Albania are gorgeous, those zones are where tourist-targeted crimes tend to happen more often. Instead, stick to the populated and busy tourist areas along the coasts and in larger towns to avoid crime.
- Yes means no (sort of). In Albania, the nodding customs are different. Shaking your head from side to side indicates “yes,” while nodding up and down means “no.” It’s the opposite in the United States, so try to keep this in mind while you’re there to avoid misunderstandings!
- Bring euros for spending. While Albanian business accept most major credit and debit cards, some businesses are cash only. Euros are the preferred currency aside from the Albanian Lek, which you can only exchange inside the country.
- Bring comfy walking shoes. The natural beauty of Albania will require some trekking to see in full, and castle and ruin tours often require some walking. Bring comfortable shoes that are already broken in to avoid blisters and foot pain during your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Have more questions about the best time to visit Albania, how safe it is, and how affordable it is? Check out the most frequently asked questions about visiting Albania below.
What is the best month to visit Albania?
July may be the best month to visit Albania, thanks to the warm air and water temperatures, more hours of sunshine, and bustling activity on the Albanian Riviera.
If you prefer a less-crowded trip, the best month to visit Albania may be June. It sees minimal rainfall, warm weather, and plenty of sunshine with fewer tourists than July.
Is it cheap to visit Albania?
Yes! Albania is one of the cheapest European countries you can visit. We found hotel rates as low as $40/night with shared hostel rooms as low as $15/night.
Accommodations aren't the only cheap thing - the food, drinks, and retail items are also priced very affordably in Albania. This a great place to come for an affordable European vacation!
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Albania?
Overall, the best time to visit Albania is anytime from June to August, when the country is experiencing summer and peak tourist season. Prices will be slightly higher, but it’s still incredibly affordable during this time of year.
If you have flexibility with your travel dates, this is when you need to go! When you visit, take time to see as much of this beautiful country as your schedule allows. Get outside, tour the castles and ruins, visit the beach, and try new foods.
You just might yourself planning your next trip to Albania soon after – travelers often can’t get enough of this friendly, scenic country. Happy travels!