Best Time To Travel To Albania – When To Go?

Travel Resources › Best Time To Travel To Albania – When To Go?

By Dirk Pohlers, adventure traveler from Germany. I visit every place I write about & share real tips, photos, & advice from my trips.

To discover Albania, it is best to go between May and September, when the weather is more pleasant. August is extremely hot and very touristy. In the summer months of July & August, the water temperature is around 24 °C – perfect for a beach holiday! The months of May and September are ideal for active holidays and hiking. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature is between 6° C and 12° C.

Albania – When to visit?

The Republic of Albania is located in the east of the Balkan Peninsula. The country shares its northern border with Montenegro and Kosovo. Greece lies to the south of Albania, while Macedonia borders the country to the east.

Albania has a surface area of 28,747 square kilometres and a population of around 2.8 million. The capital of the Balkan state is Tirana. The Albanian coast is around 73 kilometres from Italy and just two kilometres from the Greek island of Corfu.

Albania is characterised by mountain landscapes and plateaus. In the north of the republic, you will find the Albanian Alps. At 2,764 metres, Korab is the highest mountain in the country, while the Drin, at around 282 kilometres, is the longest river in Albania.

The best time to discover Albania is during the low season, particularly in May and September. Temperatures and visitor numbers are at their highest in August, but if you book early, you can of course travel then too. In winter, it snows in the mountains for several months, while temperatures on the coast remain mild and rarely fall below freezing.

• Over the winter months, average daily temperatures between 12 °C and 20 °C are to be expected. It is warmest in November in Durrës, but noticeably cooler in January in Tirana.
• In November, precipitation can be expected on about 12 days, in December on about 12 days and in January on about 11 days.
• From November to January, the sun shines on average between 0 and 4 hours a day. The weather is sunniest in November in Tirana, while you have to expect less sun in Durrës in November.

Best Time To Visit Albania – By Activities

Depending on when you are planning your holiday, a different time of the year might be best suited for your adventure in Albania.

Beach Holidays On The Coast

• On the Albanian Riviera, you can hike along the cliffs and coves and relax on the secluded beaches. If you are looking for peace and quiet, this is the perfect place. In terms of sightseeing, you can discover the Greek site of Apollonia, the villages of Vuno and Qeparo, and the Ardenica monastery. Take the SH8 road that runs along the Albanian Riviera and relax on the beaches and in the mountains. If you travel to Albania between May and September, avoid the month of August.
• In Ksamil, for example, it gets very crowded during the holidays in July and August, as this holiday destination is extremely popular. You should definitely avoid these months. In summer, the temperatures in Ksamil and Sarande climb to an impressive 35 degrees Celsius and more.

Hiking In The Mountains

• If you are planning a hiking holiday in Albania, you should travel in low season (especially April, May, September, and October), because temperatures are usually moderate then, and the popular destinations are less frequented than in high season. August, on the other hand, is particularly hot and very busy.
• Generally speaking, if you want to go hiking in the mountains, spring and autumn are particularly suitable. You can also explore the popular national parks (especially in the north) in the summer months. It is not quite as hot at higher altitudes then. From November to April, you have to expect snow in the north of Albania.

Winter Sports

• December to February is the ideal time to travel to Albania for skiing and other winter sports, as this is when you can look forward to plenty of snow in the Albanian Alps.

Discover These Tours & Offers

from €30

Rental Car from Tirana (Airport)

For me, a rental car is the best option for travelling around Albania in a flexible and time-saving way. My recommendation: As Albania is very mountainous, hire a car with sufficient horsepower.

• (5/5)

1 Days

from €190

Theth Valbona Hike via Koman Lake & Shala River (4 days)

Experience Theth to Valbona Hiking and Lake Koman on a 4-day self-guided hike with private accommodation, meals and all transfers in the National Parks.

• (5/5)

4 Days

from €490

Peaks of the Balkans Trail Hiking Tour 7 days

Explore the peaks of the Balkans on your own, with transfers, accommodation in private rooms, meals in the mountains, GPS files & route description.

• (5/5)

7 Days

Best Time By Region

The following overview shows you the best time to travel depending on the region of the country.

• Tirana: May, June, July, August, and September
• Durrës: June, July, August, September, and October

Climate table for Albania:

Conclusion

Albania is a diverse and exciting country. Especially in the low season, you can enjoy an incredibly relaxed trip here. Prices are very low, the people are super friendly and the weather is pleasantly mild to warm. If you want to take a round trip through Albania, I recommend the end of May and June, as well as September and October. During these months, the temperatures are pleasantly warm during the day and there is significantly less precipitation.

No matter when you decide to travel, you are guaranteed to have an unforgettable time. I hope you enjoy planning your trip and have a wonderful holiday in Albania!

More Albania Travel Tips

MY ALBANIA ROADTRIP: THE PERFECT 10 DAY ITINERARY

10 Best Things To Do in Albania’s capital Tirana

Where To Stay In Tirana