The best part about Albania as a holiday destination is undoubtedly the unknown. Not everyone has weighed in on their experiences, but those who’ve been there know what it’s like. Those who haven’t can only guess.

Hopefully, the following information will allow you to paint a clearer picture of the best of Albania and where to go in Albania.

Here are a few examples of how to spend the weekend exploring the top sites in Albania. We’ve also listed longer itineraries for travelers who appreciate fresh air and discovering some more of the many beautiful places in Albania for more than a weekend.

2 or 3 days: Start in Theth for a day, travel down to Schkodra for a day.

4 to 5 days: Start in Theth for a day, travel down to Schkodra for a day, and Kruja for a day before ending up in the capital city Tirana.

7 days: Start in Theth for a day, travel down to Schkodra for a day, and Kruja for a day. Drive to Berat and stay there for two days. Finish the trip by driving to Ksamil (the southernmost Albanian town on this itinerary) while stopping in Gjirokastra.

Unlike some of the other magnificent places to explore in the Balkans, Albania isn’t best left for the summer heat.

Instead, we advise traveling either between April and June or September and October. During these months, you will avoid the heat and what rush of tourism Albania is starting to receive. You will have the entirety of the country at your fingertips, most times in solitude.

Albania is a country with amazing great outdoors. In fact, many of the best places to visit in Albania are outside in nature. The Albania national parks feature natural scenery straight out of a movie, which means the more time you can spend outside, the better. July and August are the hottest months, but it usually rains the least during these months if you can withstand the heat.

The sea is best, believe it or not, in the late summer range. Toward the end of August and into September and October is when the sea finally reaches its peak warmth, and the beaches begin to cool off and clear out. That would be the best time to explore the stunning Albanian Riviera, including destinations like Saranda and Ksamil.