10 Incredible Cities in Albania to Explore
Last Updated on April 9, 2023
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There are so many great cities in Albania that many have never heard of.
From port cities and UNESCO sites to beach paradises and architectural marvels, Albanian cities have so much to offer. And yet, Albania is still a relatively undiscovered country.
There’s a lot for visitors to enjoy when you visit Albania, from sandy beaches to a fascinating and dark communist past as well as a thriving slow food movement.
You’ll fall in love with the most most beautiful cities in Albania, and get swept up in the rich culture as you explore Albania further.
What I love about Albania is that all these cities are vastly different from one another and each offers its own unique experience.
Will you be heading straight to the most populated cities in Albania? Does the oldest city in Albania hold the most attraction for you? Or perhaps you’d like the best Albanian cities for nightlife?
Just how many cities does Albania have anyway?
The answer is: lots! And whatever your preference, here are the best 10 cities in Albania you should think about visiting.
🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. My #1 recommendation is SafetyWing!
Table of Contents
10 Incredible Cities in Albania to Explore
1. Tirana
When discussing the best cities to visit in Albania, we must begin with Tirana – the main city in Albania.
The beating heart of Albania and the capital of the country has evolved so beautifully over the past few years. It’s full of beautiful cafes, colour, art installations, murals and some great restaurants too.
As well as being the biggest city in Albania, Tirana is an interactive city and it’s so unique compared to other cities within Europe.
If you want to learn more about the dark communist past of Albania then you have to check out Bunk Art 1 & Bunk Art 2.
Both are set in underground bunkers and lets you see what communism was really like in Albania.
Another notable museum is House of Leaves which lets you dive even deeper into Albania’s communist times.
If museums are not your thing, how about a cooking class to learn about Albania’s food scene?
Learning more about the country through food is a great way to learn more about the Albanian way of life.
Read more: Amazing things to do in Tirana, Albania.
🛌🏼 Find the best accommodation in Tirana
2. Saranda
The seaside city of Saranda is a favourite of mine (I have lived here for over 2 years!). During the summer, this is by far the most popular hangout for tourists because of its beautiful beaches nearby.
Saranda is one of the main cities in Albania, and the gateway to the Albanian Riviera, which holds some of the most beautiful beaches in Albania.
💡PACKING TIP: Make sure you bring a good snorkel, water shoes and a fast-drying towel for all of the beach-going you’re about to do!
While visiting Saranda you must visit Lekuresi castle to catch the most fantastic sunset. Also, don’t forget to visit the ‘Maldives of Albania’ Ksamil and the nearby UNESCO site of Butrint.
There’s also a couple of beautiful beaches just outside the city called Mirror beach and Monastery beach. These are some of the best places in Albanian riviera!
Read more: Best things to do in Saranda.
🛌🏼 Find the best Saranda accommodation
3. Durres
Only 30km away from the capital and situated on the coast is the Port city of Durres. This Albania city is known for its history, which dates back almost 3000 years ago.
It’s one of the biggest cities in Albania – in fact it’s 2nd on the list – which means it makes sense for it to have the second biggest amphitheatre in the Balkans, which holds over 15,000 people.
Durres is a port city so it’s not exactly the most beautiful city in Albania but its history, beaches and chilled urban vibe makes it a popular stopover for tourists.
🛌🏼 Find the best Durres accommodation
4. Berat
The city of a thousand windows, Berat is a UNESCO protected Albanian city which is not far from Tirana also. It’s definitely one of the most striking south Albania cities.
How many cities are in Albania that have a setting as formidable as this?!
This beautiful destination is one of the most notable cities in Albania because of its Ottoman architecture and charm.
Berat is one of the best Albanian cities to visit for photographers. When visiting Berat make sure you walk (or drive) up to the castle for some incredible views.
Take some time to wander through the cobbled streets of the old town and maybe take a trip out to one of the local wineries for a tasting and a platter. Çabo is my favourite!
Read more: Best things to do in Berat, Albania.
🛌🏼 Find the best accommodation in Berat
5. Vlora
Vlora is another beachside city like Saranda and is the other ‘gate’ to the Albanian Riviera. For many, this makes it the best city to stay in Albania.
The city is much bigger than Saranda and has some great nearby beaches to check out. Radhime Beach is a nice pick – it’s one of the best places in Albanian coast!
Vlora is an important city for Albania because it hosted the first assembly which then declared Albania independent from the Ottoman Empire on November 28th, 1912.
Another great thing to do nearby is to take a visit to Sazan island. This island was a secret military base and home for military and their families but after communism fell the island was left abandoned.
Now, they have opened a part of it for tourists to see during the summer.
🛌🏼 Find the best accommodation in Vlora
6. Korce
Korce is a quaint city famous for its brewery Korce, one of the best Albanian beers on the market. But, not only that, Korce holds the largest festival which is held just before the Orthodox Easter.
This is appropriate, because Korce is quite big. In fact, it would come third in an “Albania biggest cities” competition!
Like all big cities in Albania, Korce is steeped in tradition and is a new must-see city in Albania that many tourists are only just starting to discover.
🛌🏼 Find the best accommodation in Korce
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7. Shkoder
Shkoder is unlike any other city in Albania. The architecture is completely different from anything you’ll see in the country.
You’ll find Shkoder situated right to the north of Albania. It’s one of the most popular cities in Albania to be used as a base for people to explore the Albanian alps.
If you do stay in Shkoder, make sure to visit Rozafa Castle and listen to the legend of the woman in the wall. If you love the outdoors, then take a trip to Theth and do the Theth-Valbona hike.
It’s one of the most incredible things to do if you want to truly see the vast nature of Albania.
🛌🏼 Find the best accommodation in Shkoder
8. Kruja
It’s amazing how many cities in Albania are rich in ancient architecture, and Kruja is no exception.
The historic city of Kruja – or the city of Skanderbeg as it’s also called – is one of my personal favourite stopovers in Albania.
Skanderbeg is an Albanian hero who helped the country fight the Ottomans and take back control.
Within the castle walls is a museum dedicated to him where you can learn more about the history of this mountain town.
Kruja also holds the best Bazaar I have ever seen in Albania. They are the oldest, dating back to the 14th century.
You can find so many beautiful treasures, new and old, making it one of the top cities in Albania for collectables, antiques and souvenirs.
If you’re looking for accommodation in Kruja I 1000% recommend you stay at Emiliano Rooms. It’s a homestay which has a mixture of rooms and little bungalows which overlook the mountains.
This place is situated within the castle walls and the homestay itself is over 400 years old. They make you feel at home here. You can also opt for one of their dinners.
Read more: Things to do in Kruja, Albania: The City of Skanderbeg!
🛌🏼 Find the best accommodation in Kruja
9. Gjirokaster
Gjiorkaster is one of the smaller cities in Albania but the old part of the city is a must-see!
This city is UNESCO protected because of its history and beauty, and it’s truly one of the prettiest places in Albania!
The fortress is a must and possibly the best fortress to see in Albania. I highly recommend paying a little extra to visit the arms museum and the old prison.
You can also get a deeper look into history by doing this as there are lots more information in that part of the fortress.
Gjirokaster is only an hour away from Saranda so it makes for a great day-trip or an overnight stay.
If you want to stay the night check out Kerculla Resort which has fantastic views of the city as well as a pool.
Read more: Incredible Things to do in Gjirokastra, Albania
🛌🏼 Find the best accommodation in Gjirokaster
10. Lezha
Like many cities of Albania, Lezhe is not an obvious choice for tourists, but it should be.
As one of the largest cities in Albania, Lezhe is slowly becoming a more popular tourist destination and one of the best cities in Albania to visit.
One of the greatest things to see that can’t be found in other north Albania cities is Lezhe Castle, which is perched on top of a hill overlooking the city.
Within the city, you can go visit the tomb of Skanderbeg along with his helmet and sword.
If you want to relax in the sun then take a look at Shengjin Beach, a sandy beach only 8km from the centre. Nearby there’s also sand-dunes if you feeling like a bit of adventure.
Thinking about which Albania cities to visit? Well, if you love food then you should learn more about Albania’s slow food movement.
Albanian food is becoming increasingly popular because the ingredients are usually grown organically and the flavours are fresh, simple but delicious.
Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizëm is a must-see place. It is notably one of the best restaurants in the country and has been featured on many TV programs, one featuring the famous British chef Rick Stein.
🛌🏼 Find the best accommodation in Lezha
📚 P.S. Grab access to my Travelling Albania Guide on Amazon to get a comprehensive insight into the best places to visit in Albania (including secret spots that are not recommended in the usual guides!)
Frequently Asked Questions
In total there are 74 cities in Albania – not bad for such a small country!
Albanian is the main language of Albania. There are two main dialects (northern Gheg and southern Tosk) and they are both incredibly hard to learn!
Of all the cities in Albania, the capital city of Tirana is both the richest and the largest.
I hope you enjoyed learning about these 10 unique and beautiful cities in Albania. Tell me below which one caught your eye the most!
Other articles you will love:
- Traditional Albanian Food: Delicious Albanian Dishes to Try!
- How to Hire a Car in Albania (Everything You Need To Know!)
- Important Tips Before You Travel to Albania
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The Comments
Manuel Mendoza
I didn’t have an idea that there where so many beautiful places in Albania to go and know! I fall in love with the beach in Saranda and with the majestic landscapes that you can witness in Kruja! I would want to go and visit all of these places! Great article!