Albania is so much more than sun, sea and sand. In fact, beaches only make up a tiny portion of this Balkan beauty; three-quarters of Albania consists of mountains, forests and rivers – just right for an activity holiday or hiking trip somewhere different.
There’s something so refreshing about a holiday in Albania. The sheer variety and volume of natural spaces is something you just don’t find in over-developed Western Europe anymore. The Accursed mountains are peppered with time-warp shepherd villages like Theth and UNESCO protected Ottoman towns such as Berat. And the capital of Tirana is a real melting pot of Ottoman, Socialist and Western European styles.
Shkodër Lake should definitely be on your Albanian holiday to-do list. This glorious body of water straddles the border between Albania and Montenegro and is home to several endangered wildlife species such as the Dalmatian Pelican. On many of our Albania activity holidays, you’ll get up close and personal with this lake as you SUP or kayak and wild swim in it.
Our founders have lived at Albania’s border for 18 years, personally working on the ground with local tour guides, activity providers, accommodation owners and restaurants to bring you an authentic taste of Albanian culture. So whether it’s the food, the landscapes, the architecture or all of the above you’re coming for, we have the perfect handcrafted adventure waiting for you.
Albania Adventures
Discover Albania's lakes, mountains & sea on this multi-active adventure!
Follow the Via Dinarica across Montenegro and Albania's awe-inspiring mountains!
Explore North Albania's incredible scenery on this extraordinary adventure week!
Explore the secrets of Southern Albania on this multi-active adventure!
Hike the newest long-distance hiking trail in the Balkans!
Homestay hiking holiday in Southern Albania's Zagoria Valley
Family-friendly trekking in the legendary Dinaric Alps
Experience the very best of Albania's outstanding gastronomy and culture!
Stephen Rosser04/09/25
North Albania Trip - August 2025 This was our third family holiday with Undiscovered Balkans (after Croatia and Montenegro) and once again it was outstanding. We explored Northern Albania on a three-centre trip – glamping by Lake Shkodra, staying in a traditional house in Theth high in the Alps, and finishing in Krujë with breathtaking views across the plains.
The activities were brilliantly organised – from paddleboarding and cycling to hiking and wild-river swimming – and everything ran smoothly. We had three excellent guides: Aurora, Elsa, and Albert, with Albert standing out for his exceptional attentiveness. His knowledge of local history and geography was superb, and he went above and beyond to make sure every member of the group was well looked after.
Albania itself is a beautiful country with amazing food, landscapes, and warm hospitality. We can’t recommend Undiscovered Balkans highly enough – they’ve given us three unforgettable holidays in a row!
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Farzana Bi01/09/25
We spent 7 magical days in Albania on a family adventure. The tour was brilliantly organised and the local guides were knowledgeable with a passion for their local culture and all that Albania has to offer. The landscape was breathtaking. Paddle boarding/hiking/wild swimming and cycling. You name it we did it. The bespoke tour really fit with our family and the tour leader demonstrated how making she was when arranging for a new pair of glasses within an hour for my daughter who dropped her only pair in the lake while paddle boarding. Above and beyond and definitely recommend for thrill seeking families
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Rachel and Annie31/08/25
Northern Albania Just back from a week in Northern Albania with my teenage daughter. We were blown away by the beauty of the country and the variety of activities offered was perfect for us. ( please note this is not the holiday for you if you want to sit back and chill). All the accommodation was thoughtfully chosen and nothing could beat our mountain guest house where the bedroom window framed the majestic cursed mountains. However the real highlight was our guide Albert. By the end of the holiday we felt immersed in Albanian culture and history. His passion for his country was infectious and his stories of growing up in the mountains kept us entertained in the evenings. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he managed the differing needs of the group with great skill, kindness and flexibility. Thank you
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Hazza A25/08/25
Our first holiday with Undiscovered Balkans and Albania has been amazingly beautiful. Our tour guide was brilliant, always managing to keep the interest of the teenagers and adults in our party. The tour itself was a great mix of outdoor activities with history, culture and towns. There were more tourists in some areas than I was expecting but the locals were always friendly and our guide was brilliant at translating and teaching us phrases to get the best out of our time here. Definitely recommended! A selection of photos to give you some ideas.
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Rachel Surgeoner09/08/25
Northern Albania - 7 day adventure What an awesome country and what a brilliant way to explore it! I’m so glad we chose undiscovered balkans. We have never done an adventure holiday with the kids before but we decided that it was a great way to see what Albania had to offer! It was a perfect week - our guide Aurora was a fantastic, friendly, fountain of knowledge! The kids adored her, we all did! We had jam packed adventure days - 20km paddle boarding, 900m vertical hikes, 20km bike rides, swimming in lakes, rivers and freezing water falls to name a few, and we all loved it. The boys are 10 and 7 and thought it was the best holiday! As a busy working mum it was such a treat to have the first week of our holiday organised for us. Someone else making the decisions, amazing!! I’ve never felt so present on a family holiday! The organisation was seamless, accommodation comfortable and varied, food brilliant and everyone was so friendly. We have been blown away by Albania and feel like we have really discovered what the country has to offer thanks to Aurora, Edis and the team at UB. Thank you for a holiday we’ll never forget!
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Lucy Samuels28/07/25
North Albania trip - If I could give this trip more than 5 stars I would. A wonderful visit to a beautiful and fascinating country. We had a fantastic time, thanks in large part to our excellent guide Alfie, whose knowledge of and passion for his country was such a bonus. We noticed how all the places we stayed/ate in were owned by locals, so we felt that we were genuinely feeding in to the local economy (hopefully!). It was an especial privilege to be able to do the Theth to Valbona hike. The best views I have earned with my own two feet!
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Claire13/07/25
7 Day Multi Actiivty Holiday in Albania This was a fabulous and well organised holiday across 3 locations in Albania. We swam, walked, paddle boarded and river hiked through some breathtaking scenery with our incredible guide for the week - Alfi. We learnt so much about the history of the country from Alfi during our week, leaving us all wanting to read more on our return. I remember one day in particular after a hot walk up to the incredible 'Blue Eye' pool we returned to the nearby village of Theth where we sat in the shade of a tree by the church and learnt all about the local blood feuds. Fascinating ! Since my return to the UK I have been recommending this holiday and Undiscovered Balkans to all my friends and family.
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Simon Rowlands08/07/25
REVIEW: 7-day Activity Holiday - North Albania - July 2025
Well where to start & what to say:
BEN @ Undiscovered Balkans (UB) handled our booking so well & our Guide ALFIE was simply a legend 💫 👏
We had so much fun, enjoyed stunning nature & outdoor activities we wouldn’t normally do such as ; Wild river swimming, epic hiking trails (Theth to Valbona) & SUP (paddle boarding) on lake Shkodar & rivers.
The accommodation personally selected by Ben / Emma of UB was amazing, so varied, the cuisine was a delight & the hospitality & warmth from local people was wonderful.
We learnt such a lot about history, culture & nature in this hidden gem in the Balkans 🇦🇱.
Will definitely be returning & can’t wait for our next adventure with UB 🤩
Very Best Wishes,
Simon & Marie (Spain / UK)
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Simon Rowlands07/07/25
REVIEW: 7-day Activity Holiday - North Albania - July 2025
Well where to start & what to say:
BEN @ Undiscovered Balkans (UB) handled our booking so well & our Guide ALFIE was simply a legend 💫 👏
We had so much fun, enjoyed stunning nature & outdoor activities we wouldn’t normally do such as ; Wild river swimming, epic hiking trails (Theth to Valbona) & SUP (paddle boarding) on lake Shkodar & rivers.
The accommodation personally selected by Ben / Emma of UB was amazing, so varied, the cuisine was a delight & the hospitality & warmth from local people was wonderful.
We learnt such a lot about history, culture & nature in this hidden gem in the Balkans 🇦🇱.
Will definitely be returning & can’t wait for our next adventure with UB 🤩
Very Best Wishes,
Simon & Marie (Spain / UK)
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Wendy Robson and Jill Croskell29/06/25
Montenegro to Albania hiking holiday. We felt as if we’d been away for a month rather than just a week, because of the diverse experiences this trip offers. The walking is challenging, so you feel you’ve earned the stupendous mountain views! The national parks felt more remote than other parts of Europe we’ve walked in and the journey through north Albania, from mountain passes to the lovely city of Shkoder, was a revelation. Our accommodation ranged from basic to fabulous, always offering a warm welcome and good food, including for us veggies. Thanks to Ben and Emma and our passionate guides, Aurora and Edo, we have had a taste of the combination of physical challenge and cultural experience that Montenegro and Albania offer. There’s so much more to see and do - we’ll have to come back!
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Dawn16/05/25
Just returned from an incredible Undiscovered Balkans trip through southern Albania — and what an unforgettable experience! The itinerary was wonderfully diverse, taking us through breathtaking mountains, stunning beaches, tranquil lakes, and winding rivers. We hiked, rafted, cycled, kayaked, and explored everything from ancient fortresses and thermal springs to remote villages and hidden churches — and that’s just scratching the surface. We stayed an extra night in Tirana and would recommend spending a bit of time at the beginning or end of the trip to explore it.
The food in Albania is exceptional, every meal felt like a feast. As a vegetarian, I was especially impressed by how much variety there was for me. The hospitality throughout was truly heartwarming; in every place we stayed, we were welcomed like family.
Our guide, Alfie, was outstanding — deeply knowledgeable and passionate about Albania. He brought the country's history to life and made us excited for its future.
Albania is an extraordinary country with so much to offer. It's evolving quickly, so now is the perfect time to visit — before the crowds catch on.
An Undiscovered Balkans trip isn’t just an adventure holiday; it’s a deep, authentic journey into the heart of a place. If you're looking to get off the beaten path and truly connect with a destination, these are the experiences for you.
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belinda simpson16/05/25
We were lucky enough to travel to Southern Albania with Undiscovered Balkans in early May. And what a special trip with amazing memories made.
The holiday was completely stress free, all accommodation, transport to/from Tirana, activities and the majority of food were planned for us. All we had to do was arrive at the allotted place with towel/walking shoes/swim stuff/sunscreen ready to be whisked off for our next activity.
Besides kayaking, river trips, walking, visiting local villages and hot springs dipping we had a great commentary of the country and its history from the amazing, thoughtful and capable guide Alfie. A nicer human you will struggle to find!
All in all a well run trip with great activities.
Two complaints - the Albanians are so welcoming they feed you copious amounts at any opportunity, and, we now feel the need to explore the Balkans further 🤣.
We’ll be back !
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Linda and Peter Davies13/05/25
South Albania A fantastic week in Southern Albania - astounding scenery, friendly, welcoming people and delicious food. Undiscovered Balkans/Montenegro really know how to find the best places to show you the heart and soul of a country - uncrowded, off the beaten track, staying in beautiful local guesthouses, eating at small restaurants and in people's homes! And accompanied by our amazing guide, Alfie, who gave us a constant commentary on the history, culture and lifestyle of the country he so obviously loves (as well as looking after us and sorting everything out!). Highly recommended - this is our fourth holiday with Undiscovered Montenegro - we'll be back!
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DOUGLAS30/10/24
Albanian 7 day Activity Holiday As a family with children of 10 and 13 we're just back from an action packed week in this country of immense beauty and interest. Our inimitable guide Alfie infused us with his passion and knowledge of Albania's fascinating history and culture in addition to introducing us to the magnificence of The Accursed mountains, Lake Shkoder ( where we relaxed aboard paddleboards amid yellow lilies and an occasional pelican), the bountiful and varied cuisine including the freshest fish and plenty of walking opportunities along the way. Every day had a highlight, even the 300 hairpin bends to access our walk start point! Exploring the Osumi canyon clad in wetsuits, lunching al fresco on the slopes of Mount Tomorr with Arben's raki to toast the idyllic scenery and finally cooling off in the Ionian Sea as we reluctantly faced leaving one of our most rewarding holidays ever...to choose what we loved most would be like choosing between offspring! We encountered such engagingly welcoming people whose enthusiasm and authentic interest in visitors stands in contrast to other more apparently commercial destinations chasing the ultimate dollar. How refreshing.
To Alfie and to Undiscovered Balkans....Faleminderit!
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Amanda McNabb16/09/24
Montenegro-Albania Kayaking Absolutely great trip kayaking from Montenegro to Albania! Beautiful environment, and the perfect balance between adventure and comfort. The guides were very attentive and knowledgeable. I had a great day every day. So glad I found this trip!
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Anna Robinson19/08/24
Fantastic holiday with Undiscovered Balkans. We did the Northen Albania Activity holiday and would highly recommend it. We were a party of 6 with 2 adults, 3 teenagers and a 10 year old. All the activities were really good fun and well organised and nothing was too much trouble for our guide - Aldo who really made the trip. The scenery was amazing and the accommodation/ food was perfect. This is our second holiday with Undiscovered Balkans and we would love to do another one.
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Javan Herberg16/08/24
Family Hiking Holiday Peaks of the Balkans Family Hiking Holiday Peaks of the Balkans: Fantastic multi-day trek with guide Dino: our three children (6-11) loved it and him, and happily walked distances that we didn't think them capable of.
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Julie Craddock17/07/24
We have just returned from our activity holiday in Albania. We loved everything about it. 6 years ago we did the Undiscovered Montenegro multi-activity holiday. We had such a good holiday then it inspired us to explore more of the region. We knew we wanted to go again with Undiscovered Balkans/Montenegro as they had proved they were superb in providing a full action packed itinerary, with a personal touch. Our activity holiday in Albania again did not disappoint. Aldo, our guide, at the end of the holiday asked us which was our favourite activity/day. Neither of us was able to pick one out as each day was packed with something different and fun, and all had the backdrop of beautiful scenery, punctuated by very good local food and hospitality. Under Aldo’s guidance we felt comfortable and safe. Through his attention to detail and thoughtfulness Aldo made sure we had the best experiences every day and gave us a great insight into the history and culture of the area. Again we have had another very memorable holiday.
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Emma hesketh15/07/24
Accursed Mountain Trek From first contact with Ben back in October last year, right the way to the end of our trip, communication, organisation and support was fantastic. We were a group of 11, so Ben worked out a bespoke trip for us across the Accursed Mountains from Montenegro to Albania.
Our first guide Dino was a wonderful young man, dedicated to showing us his beautiful country Montenegro and Albania. He was great fun, knowledgeable and supportive. He got us down from the mountains safely when a bad storm came in (hail,wind,rain,lightening) and then put an alternative activity in place for us to enjoy. Our second guide Pav was also very knowledgeable about his country and the mountains. A special thank you for taking us to the wonderful wine estate after our trek finished, it was definitely on a par with any wine estate I have visited in other countries, especially South Africa!
The Accursed mountains are some of the most stunning we have had the pleasure of hiking across the world, and would recommend to anyone wishing to go somewhere a little different to the usual European summits.
Accommodation went from extremely basic to fabulous and the food was wonderful (never seen so much food!). The hospitality of the people of both countries was superb. We had a marriage proposal within our group, in the evening the restaurant we went to even managed to find champagne and presented the couple with a crocheted heart!
Our group had a fantastic time and would definitely recommend trekking with Ben and his team .
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Ros G15/07/24
Fantastic trek through stunning countryside, accompanied by amazing food!! We are a group of 11 friends who all share a love of the mountains. We booked a private 5 day trek covering Montenegro and Albania and it was just an amazing experience. Our first stop was a little primitive and the food very basic, but the welcome we got from our host just couldn't be faulted. Every stop after that, the accommodation got better and better and the food got more and more delicious and was served in gigantic portions, We all expected to maybe lose a little weight with the kms we were putting in, but that was never going to happen with all the food we were putting away!! Our first guide was Dino and the night before we set off from our first point I think he was a little concerned about the volume of beer being consumed. However when we were all there bright and early for the start of the first leg I think he realised we were an OK bunch who knew what they were doing and we in turn loved him. For a guy so young he was very knowledgeable and he was always anxious to make sure we all stayed together throughout the dangerous sections of the routes. Pavi was our second guide for the Albanian leg of the trek and he was equally knowledgeable. Not only that, everyone in Albania seemed to know him and kept sending him drinks (raki) across. He was kind enough to share this raki with those in the group who had the bottle to drink it!!! At breakfas too! All in all we had a fabulous time on our trek and I for one was diappointed when it was over and we had to descend to the coast for the 4 days R&R which we'd tagged on to the end of our holiday. I'd have preferred another 2 or 3 days trekking!! Cant recommend them enough. Great communication throughout as well, via the Whatsapp group chat which they set up
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Penny Dimond10/07/24
7 day multi-activity holiday in Albania Albania is a truly stunning location, with hospitable people and this trip enabled us to experience so many beautiful spots. Each day was packed with active adventures - a whole days paddle boarding, drifting down a river, with no-one else on it in the sunshine, with coffee cups of fruit dangled down from a bridge for us. Hiking in the Accursed mountains and Mount Timorr with expert guides and tasty picnics. River wading, swimming, jumping off ledges in the stunning Osumi Canyon. A crash course in Albanian history and fresh, delicious food - cherries, watermelons, nectarines, seafood, meats, cheeses and homemade breads, filo pies and salads. A beautiful rest, swimming in the Ionian sea and relaxing on the beach. The accommodation at each location was great - clean with ensuite facilities and free wifi. Our thanks go to our guide Aldo - who drove for miles, educated us, kept us safe and facilitated such a fun week. A wonderful trip and highly recommended for anyone happy with early starts to fit in daily adventures.
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Susan Lamb08/07/24
What an amazing trip - had a fabulous time - highly recommend! As a family of 4 (with 2 adult children - one of whom has some physical limitations ) we wanted an active holiday that would suit us all - and this ticked all the boxes. Stunning scenery, safe well supervised activities, delicious local food and clean well appointed accommodation throughout the trip! We were expertly guided and looked after by our guide Aldo who is extremely knowledgable about Albania and its culture, history and geography - and couldn’t have been more helpful and attentive to our needs. Always willing to go the extra mile to make sure our holiday went smoothly. Albania is a lovely country with warm and friendly people. If you’re looking to explore new places whilst respecting nature and observing responsible tourism - don’t hesitate! Susan
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Dawn27/06/24
7 Day North Albania Activity Holiday - AMAZING! Having the opportunity to explore north Albania with Undiscovered Balkans was absolutely brilliant. It is such a stunningly beautiful country whose views will leave you speechless, and I recommend exploring it with this company - they are committed to making each of their trips truly memorable.
Our guide Aldo was excellent - he was friendly, fun and shared his passion for Albania with us while motivating us up mountains and not to fall off paddleboards! Eni was our wonderful guide for Kruje, generously sharing her knowledge and personal insight into Albania's history. Throughout the trip we learnt so much by immersing ourselves with local families staying in their homes, watching them work and learning about traditions, old and current.
I am a big fan of the holidays Undiscovered Balkans offer, they offer a varied mix of activities that allow you to get to know the locals and experience the country beyond the tourist trail. This was a fantastic holiday, I can't recommend it enough!
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Ross Cowan30/10/23
This was an excellent trip for all involved in Albania. We are a family of 4 with 2 adventurous/energetic girls (10 and 11). We did the Montenegro trip 2 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed both. Ben was great throughout the booking. Our tour leader Aldo was also great and accommodating to our needs/goals. Everyday was an exciting adventure and never a dull moment. We learnt so much on the culture and loved the cuisine. Next stop the Kosovo trip!
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Mark O25/10/23
Montenegro- Albania Hiking We were signed up to the Montenegro to Albania 7 day holiday. Our guide, Semir was fantastic. He tailored the walks to the needs of the group as our holiday progressed. He also felt a part of our group by the end of the week. Very knowledgeable about the areas we were visiting/passing through and took us to fantastic spots of the beaten track that we would have otherwise have passed by in complete ignorance! Our final day was spent in a farmhouse/restaurant/vineyard in Albania culminating in the best value meal we have ever had., bar none........ Get yourself to Mirzi i Zinave if you can! Already considering our return next year to continue the exploration of these fantastic destinations.
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Jenny Moore04/07/23
Albania was such a glorious surprise. The mountains were stunning, the weather was crazy, the people friendly and the food local and fresh. We did a few activities guided by our friendly guide, Arben, who shared his knowledge, stories and theories over our 3 days. We started in Theth Valley, a lush garden with waterfalls blocked in by the surrounding mountains; we hiked up the Valbona Pass to a 1800m break in the range with panoramic views and headed down into the Valbona valley. The ferry ride from Fierze up Komani lake to the dam was relaxing with a canyon backdrop most of the way. What we thought was going to be SUP turned into kayak-SUP through the rushes and water lillies of Shkodra Lake near Shiroka with a relaxing beer as we floating down river to Rozafa Castle! There is so much more to see, and we'll definitely be back to explore some more of the region - with Arben as our guide :0)
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Phil Walton03/07/23
We had a great week in Albania starting in the wonderful mountains of Theth before trekking on to Valbone, kayaking on the lake at Shkoda and three wonderful days in Berat enjoying rafting, hiking and sightseeing. Our guide Arben was superb throughout organising everything and ensuring that we had the best experience of this amazing country. Highly recommended.
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Moso0625/07/22
Family Activity Tour Albania We did a 7 day activity tour of Albania and we loved it. Albania is a beautiful country and the itinerary on this tour definitely gave us an opportunity to see many beautiful places and enjoy many fun activities. We started at Lake Shkodra at the fantastic campsite on the lake. Our 10 year old daughter loved jumping in. We did a lovely sup on the lake and visited the castle with amazing views. A real highlight was the short hike to the Blue Eye. And visit to Theth. The journey across the Accured Mountains had fabulous views. Our visit to Rhapsodia and the tasting menu was fantastic. The food, the restaurant and the staff were all fantastic. Then to Berat where the highlight was the hike in Mount Tomorr with 4 x 4 journey and opportunity for our daughter to ride a mile and the most picturesque picnic. The trip had many highlights Albania is beautiful. We are so glad we did the trip.
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Family holidays in Albania
Albanians adore children much like the Spanish and Portuguese do. In fact, to guests big or small, local people are very hospitable. There’s an ancient code of honour in Albanian culture called ‘besa’ which means they feel it is their duty to protect and welcome visitors.
With so many things to see and do, Albania is an ideal destination for families. While most of our trips are family-friendly, our North Albania Activity Holiday was specially designed with families in mind and we’ve minimised car time between locations and maximised adventure time.
Feeling unsure? Read what co-founder and mum of three Emma has to say about travelling in Albania with kids.
Getting to Albania
Several airlines including EasyJet, Wizzair and Eurowings fly direct to Tirana airport. In addition, Ryanair flies to Podgorica, just 30 minutes over the border in Montenegro. Transfers from Podgorica to your collection point in Albania start at €50 for a 4-person taxi.
No-fly options
You can travel to Albania by car, bus or train. From the UK, you can travel by rail across Europe and finish up in Durrës. Rome2Rio and The Man in Seat 61 are great resources for planning your journey. From there, there’s a public bus to Tirana. Alternatively, you can reach Durrës by coach using Flixbus.
Albania weather
The weather in Albania depends on where you go. Generally speaking, Albania enjoys a mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers.
The mountain regions are the exception. Temperatures range between -20ºC and 14ºC during winter and some places can get enough snow to ski on.
During the hottest months of June and July, temperatures can soar to 35℃ on the coast and high 20s in the mountains.
On the blog
Ever stood inside a Cold War nuclear bunker built to survive an atomic blast? Across the Balkans, these strange concrete domes have become a unique
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Wine, like rakia, is woven into any Balkan adventure. It is poured generously at guesthouse tables, shared after long hikes, and produced in vineyards that
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