10 Incredible Cities in Albania I Think Are Worth Visiting
There are so many great cities in Albania that many have never heard of.
I’ve lived in Albania since 2017 so I’ve visited nearly every city in Albania and I’m sharing with you the best ones to visit.
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 although these days it is getting more traction in the media.
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 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?
🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. My #1 recommendation is SafetyWing! Me and thousands of other travellers use it to stay safe on the road. Click here to check it out.
Or perhaps you’d like the best Albanian cities for nightlife?
Just how many cities does Albania have anyway?
Stop guessing your Albania route. Get 420+ personally recommended places, hidden gems and ready-made itineraries from someone who lived in Albania for 8+ years.
GET MY ALBANIA MAP + ITINERARIES →The answer is: lots!
And whatever your preference, here are the best 10 cities in Albania you should think about visiting.
1. Tirana -Best city for nightlife
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.
🤫 Insider Tip: The best way to explore Albania and get off the beaten track is to hire a rental car and explore the area 🚗 Our #1 recommendation is Discover Cars which caters to over 145+ countries around the world. Click here to get an instant quote.
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.
2. Saranda – Best city for a southern base
The seaside city of Saranda is a favourite of mine (I have lived here since 2017!).
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.
While visiting Saranda you must visit Lekuresi castle to catch the most fantastic sunset.
After living in Albania for 8+ years, I’ve saved the beaches, restaurants, viewpoints, villages and hidden gems I genuinely recommend — all in one easy-to-use map.
SEE MY 420+ ALBANIA PICKS →Also, don’t forget to take a day trip to Ksamil and the nearby UNESCO site of Butrint.
There are also a couple of beautiful beaches just outside the city called Mirror Beach and Monastery Beach.
These are some of the best places on the Albanian Riviera!
P.S. I actually rent out my apartment during the year, so if you’re looking for a trustworthy and large accommodation option with fast WiFi only a few minutes walk to the beach, you can check it out and book here.
3. Durres – Best beach city near Tirana
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.
🎟 Get access to thousands of airport lounges with ONE discounted pass. Grab your Priority pass today.
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 make it a popular stopover for tourists.
4. Berat – Biggest UNESCO city in Albania
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!
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.
Beach trip? Mountains? Food? Hidden gems? Use my 420+ location map and ready-made itineraries to pick what interests you and create an Albania trip that actually suits you.
BUILD MY ALBANIA TRIP →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 on the 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 the 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.
6. Korce – Most underated city in the south
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.
7. Shkoder – best city for culture in albania
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.
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. Click here to see availability.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
✅ How many cities are there in Albania?
In total there are 74 cities in Albania – not bad for such a small country!
✅ What languages are spoken in Albania?
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!
✅ What is the richest city in Albania?
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!
Love this post? Pin it for later!
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!