Your Guide on Where To Stay in Albania's Mountains, Coast and Cities

Albania is a country that refuses to be neatly defined. Spanning the Adriatic and Ionian seas, it offers pristine beaches, rugged mountains, Ottoman towns and a capital city buzzing with youthful energy. Whether you're drawn to the café culture of Tirana, the sun-kissed bays of the Albanian Riviera or the folklore-rich mountains of the Dinaric Alps, deciding where to stay in Albania is half the adventure.

In this guide, we'll help you choose the best places to visit and share tips on how to get there, what to experience and where to find a memorable hotel stay.

Albania's capital, Tirana, is more than just a jumping-off point: it's a destination in its own right. With its brightly painted buildings, lively markets and burgeoning culinary scene, it feels both Mediterranean and distinctly Balkan.

Stroll around Skanderbeg Square, dive into Blloku's bars (once exclusive to Communist elites) and take the Dajti Ekspres cable car for sweeping views over the city. For art and history lovers, the Bunk'Art museums – housed in Cold War bunkers – offer a sobering yet fascinating insight into Albania's recent past. As for where to stay, check out the Mercure Tirana, which offers a touch of modern chic with rooftop views, and is perfectly placed for discovering Tirana's museums and nightlife. In summer, many locals escape to the coast, making Tirana delightfully relaxed for visitors.

• Tirana's airport (Nënë Tereza International) is just 30 minutes by taxi or shuttle bus. From here, you can easily take buses or hire a car to explore other destinations.

Close to the Montenegrin border, Shkodër is your base for exploring the majestic northern mountains – part of the Dinaric Alps, which extend into Montenegro and Kosovo. Explore the pastel-coloured buildings of the picturesque Old Town, visit ancient Rozafa Castle for panoramic views over the Balkan's largest lake and spend an evening at the pedestrian street Kole Idromeno, the perfect spot for people-watching over an espresso or gelato.

Many travellers take the scenic ferry across Komani Lake to reach Valbona – an unforgettable journey through fjord-like gorges – before spending some time hiking in the beautiful Valbona Valley or Theth National Park.

• Shkodër is about two hours by road from Tirana. Public buses run frequently.

Just 40 minutes from Tirana, Durrës offers an easy Albania beach holiday with added Roman history. While the town itself is quite built up and the main city beach gets busy in summer, it's a great place for lively seafront walks and dining on fresh seafood. Don't miss visiting the impressive Roman amphitheatre – one of the largest in Europe – partially unearthed right in the city centre. Follow this up with a visit to the nearby Archaeological Museum. At the end of your day's exploring, bed down at the stylish Mövenpick Hotel Lalez Durres, which combines family-friendly facilities with easy access to both the beach and city centre.

• Frequent buses connect Tirana and Durrës in under an hour. It's also a popular first stop on Albanian coastal road trips.

No guide on where to stay in Albania would be complete without mentioning the south's dazzling beaches. The coastal stretch from Vlorë to Saranda is famously known as the Albanian Riviera for its turquoise waters, secluded coves and Mediterranean vibe.

Popular stops include Himarë for its laid-back vibe and charming hilltop town, Saranda for lively waterfront strolls and vibrant nightlife, and Ksamil with its picture-perfect beaches and inviting islets. Don't miss visiting Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient ruins surrounded by lush wetlands. For a sophisticated break, the Green Coast Hotel MGallery Collection in Vlorë offers elegant design, sweeping sea views and easy access to some of the Riviera's most stunning beaches.

• From Tirana, it's a three-hour drive south to Vlorë. Public buses also run.

This UNESCO-listed town is often called the City of Stone, thanks to its slate-roofed Ottoman houses that seem to tumble down the rugged hillside. Stroll the steep cobbled lanes of the Old Bazaar, try qofte (grilled meatballs) at a rooftop taverna with views over the valley and visit the imposing castle which hosts folklore festivals and even a Cold War-era American spy plane. About 30 minutes south of town, the Blue Eye is a natural spring where crystal-clear water bubbles up from deep underground, creating a mesmerising sapphire-coloured pool.

• Gjirokastër is about an hour's drive inland from Saranda, or four hours from Tirana. Public buses also connect.

Straddling the banks of the Osum River, Berat is another UNESCO-listed gem. The well-preserved citadel (old town), with its steep slope of graceful white Ottoman houses, has earned it the name 'Town of a Thousand Windows'. Explore the riverside quarters of Mangalem and Gorica (a good spot for sunset photographs), climb up to the fortress still alive with homes and chapels, and sample local wines in a nearby vineyard.

• Berat is two hours south of Tirana by car or bus, located in the Tomorri mountains.

Perched on a mountainside just north of Tirana, Krujë is a historic town forever linked with Albania’s beloved national hero, Skanderbeg. Its medieval bazaar brims with colourful carpets and filigree silverwork, while the hilltop castle houses a striking museum dedicated to Skanderbeg’s battles against the Ottomans. Stroll the cobbled lanes, take in sweeping views over the coastal plain and soak up the proud spirit of Albanian history.

• Kruje is just 45 minutes by car from Tirana, making it an easy half-day trip or overnight escape.

From the buzzing streets of Tirana to the silent peaks above Valbona, Albania offers a tapestry of experiences for every traveller. Whether you're craving a romantic seaside stay near Ksamil, a cultural escape to Berat or a city-and-beach combo with Tirana and Durrës, you’ll find this small country endlessly rewarding. Now you have some ideas for where to stay in Albania, why not start planning your adventure?