50% Off Your Next Trip. Hurry Up For your new Tour! Book Your Tour

Welcome to one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. For nearly half a century, Albania was closed off to the world, hidden behind the Iron Curtain and shrouded in mystery. But when its doors finally opened in the 1990s, travelers discovered a destination overflowing with natural beauty, history, and heart. Today, it’s still refreshingly under the radar… and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Perched along the sparkling Mediterranean on the Balkan Peninsula, Albania is all about contrasts, rugged mountains and serene lakes, ancient ruins and lively beach towns, forgotten castles and vibrant city streets. Wander through the energetic capital Tirana, step into centuries-old Greek and Roman sites, and explore Ottoman-era fortresses that whisper stories of resilience. And because no adventure is complete without a taste of local life, we’ll bring you up close to Albania’s famously warm people, and its underrated cuisine that blends Mediterranean freshness with Balkan soul.
Travel with Pinoy Tourism and see the real Albania, raw, authentic, and absolutely unforgettable.

Trending Albania Tours

5 million happy guests and counting

LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS

5/5
★★★★★

Based on 1 rating(s)

Trip Rating (4/5)
Customer Experience (4/5)

Albania At-a-Glance

Albania isn’t just another stop on your European trip; it’s the kind of place that stays with you. Think snow-capped peaks, turquoise coastlines, crumbling castles, and a capital city pulsing with creativity. From Ottoman architecture to hearty home-cooked dishes, this is Europe as you’ve never seen it before.

Currency
Albanian lek
Capital City
Tiranë
Winter avg temp
7°C
Language
Albanian
Summer avg temp
32°C
Good morning
Miremengjes
Time Zone
GMT+1
Good evening
Mirembrema
Albania has the landscapes, history, and heart to rival anywhere in the Mediterranean. It’s beautiful, it’s bold, and it’s still a little bit secret, but not for long.
- Travel Director
Image

Our top 5 things to do in Albania

Visit the Palace of Culture in Tirana

Tirana’s Palace of Culture is the city’s artistic soul, home to the National Library and the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Built in the 1950s, it’s an architectural landmark that reflects Albania’s complex past and creative spirit.

Wander Around Skanderbeg Square

This massive 40,000-square-meter square is the beating heart of Tirana. Named after Albania’s national hero, it’s surrounded by the National Museum of History, the Clock Tower, and countless cafés where locals gather to catch up and people-watch.

Climb the Clock Tower

Built in 1822, this 35-meter Ottoman-era tower offers some of the best views in the city. Climb the spiral staircase, listen for the ringing bells, and come back at night to see it beautifully illuminated against Tirana’s skyline.

Explore Tirana’s Colorful Streets

Tirana is a city of contrasts, vibrant murals, leafy boulevards, and hip café corners. Join a guided tour, then take your time wandering through its markets and neighborhoods, where creativity and community thrive side by side.

Uncover Albania’s Communist Past

Albania’s modern freedom feels even more powerful when you understand where it came from. Visit the Bunk’Art museum, a vast underground bunker turned exhibition space, and stroll through the Blloku district, once reserved for the communist elite, now buzzing with bars, art, and youth culture.

Best museums in Albania

National Historic Museum

If you want to understand Albania, start here. The country’s largest museum walks you through everything from prehistoric times to modern-day independence. Highlights include the “Beauty of Durrës,” a stunning 4th-century BC mosaic, and exhibits revealing the harsh realities of communist rule.

House of Leaves

This small but powerful museum was once the headquarters of the secret police. Its exhibits tell the chilling stories of surveillance, interrogation, and resistance during the communist era. It’s not an easy visit, but it’s one you won’t forget.

Bunk’Art

Part museum, part time capsule, Bunk’Art is built inside an enormous underground bunker meant for Albania’s former leaders. With more than 100 rooms across five levels, it’s a haunting and fascinating look at the country’s past.

Best food in Albania

Byrek

You can’t say you’ve been to Albania without trying byrek, a golden, flaky pastry stuffed with everything from spinach and cheese to pumpkin or meat. Grab one fresh from a street vendor for the perfect on-the-go snack.

Tavë Kosi

Albania’s national dish, tavë kosi, is the definition of comfort food. Tender lamb baked with rice, garlic, oregano, and a tangy yogurt-egg topping, then finished with a golden crust. One bite and you’ll see why locals swear by it.

Fried Kaçkavall

This salty, melt-in-your-mouth cheese is beloved across the Balkans. Whether served fried, baked, or in a salad, it’s pure heaven for cheese lovers. Try it as a starter with a glass of local wine, you’ll be hooked.

What to pack for a tour in Albania

What to Pack

Layered clothing

Albania’s weather can change quickly, from hot coastal days to chilly mountain evenings.

Sun protection

Bring a hat, shades, and sunscreen — the Mediterranean sun is no joke.

Insect repellent

Especially if you’re heading to lakes or rural areas.

Albanian phrasebook

Even just a few words like faleminderit (“thank you”) go a long way with locals.

Comfortable shoes

Albania’s streets, ruins, and mountain paths are best explored on foot.

Sustainable essentials

Reusable bottles, straws, and shopping bags — travel light, travel kind.

Other things to know before you go

Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your travel date. Depending on your nationality, you might need a visa; check the latest requirements before booking.

Frequently Asked & Question

The local currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). Credit cards are accepted in cities, but cash is still king in smaller towns.

Rugged mountains, turquoise beaches, Ottoman towns, and legendary hospitality. Highlights include the Albanian Riviera, Gjirokastër, Berat, and the lively capital, Tirana.

Tipping isn’t mandatory, but always appreciated. Around 5–10% in restaurants or rounding up the bill is a nice gesture.

Most visitors can stay up to 90 days without a visa. Just make sure your passport is valid for six months beyond your arrival.

May to September for sunshine and beach days; spring and fall for cooler sightseeing weather.

Yes, especially in the mountains and Albanian Alps between December and March. The coast, though, stays mild year-round.

Albania uses plug types C and F (230V, 50Hz). Bring an adapter if your plugs differ.

Good in cities and towns, less so in remote areas. Always carry a bit of cash just in case.

Stick to bottled water, especially outside major cities. It’s cheap and easy to find.

Light clothes for summer, warm layers for mountain trips, and modest outfits for religious sites. Comfortable walking shoes are a must.

A long weekend is enough to explore Tirana or the coast, but give it a week if you want to combine city life, history, and nature.

Berat and Gjirokastër (both UNESCO towns), Butrint National Park, Lake Ohrid, the Llogara Pass, and the Albanian Riviera.

Rustic, flavorful, and hearty — think grilled meats, byrek pastries, fresh seafood, and homemade raki (brandy).

Yes, always a smart idea. Make sure it covers medical care, trip cancellations, and emergencies.