Best Time To Visit Albania

Well, Albania is a country that has something to offer throughout the year. However, if you are looking for that sweet spot where the weather is pleasant and there’s less crowd to deal with, then you can opt for September-October or March-May, which is the shoulder season in this country.

Beach enthusiasts can visit places like the Saranda Embankment for a relaxing time during the summer months between June and August. And if you want to stay away from the summer crowd, then you can choose to explore the cities and unbelievable landscapes of Albania during the winter months from December to February.

No matter what kind of holiday you are looking for - one with a beach in the itinerary or an adventurous trip to discover the ancient ruins or explore city life - having knowledge of Albania’s seasons will make your holiday a success. Even though Albania remains one of the less popular destinations in Europe, it is worth spending your time in, regardless of which part of the year you visit this Balkan country.

As mentioned above, there are multiple attractions in Albania, especially in its capital, Tirana, which can keep you occupied throughout different seasons of the year. You can even look for the best day trips from Tirana during the spring and fall seasons to experience the beauty of the landscapes by opting for hiking or road trips, depending on your taste and budget. The summer season is for partying along the beaches, and winter serves as the best time for winter sports.

-Peak Season in Albania

This season lasts between June and August and is the summer season in Albania. Both inland and coastal areas of the country get pretty warm during this part of the year. Most tourists flock to different Mediterranean beaches including Albanian Riviera, Ksamil, Borsh and Livadhi.

This is the part of the year when nightlife, festivities and parties are common in different parts of Albania, and it is also the most expensive and busiest time of the year so it will be costly and crowded during this season.

-Shoulder Season in Albania

Spring and autumn are the two seasons that comprise the shoulder season in Albania. While spring lasts from late March to early June, autumn is a short season that lasts between September and October.

While in the spring season, the prices are low and the places are less crowded, making it great for hiking and other outdoor activities, autumn is perfect for a swim in the sea as the weather is cool but the water is still warm.

-Low Season in Albania

The low season lasts between December and February, and it snows and rains with chances of mudslides and floods. However, this is the cheapest season to visit, and if you are looking for winter activities, like skiing, then this is the time to visit Albania.

Fresh snow is available from late January to mid-March along the slopes, which is ideal for skiing and snowboarding. If you are interested in the culture of Albania, you can visit historic places and museums, which remain crowded in summer.

-January in Albania

This month is when the winter season is at its peak, which makes it convenient to take part in winter-based activities. Again, you can visit all the tourist attractions in Albania without having to worry about the crowd, as this is not the peak tourist season in this country.

Average Temperature: 2°C to 11°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Tirana, for its festivities, concerts, fireworks and New Year celebrations.

• Llogara Pass, to see the snow combine perfectly with the seawater crystals.

• Korce and Brezovica for snowboarding and skiing experiences.

Things to Experience:

• Celebrate New Year in the Mother Teresa Square in Tirana.

• Visit the Butrint National Park to witness the historic ruins of the Roman and Greek Empires.

• Explore the coastal city of Durres for its feastings and cultural events.

-Albania in February

This is also another low season month in which you can explore the blend of Soviet-era and Ottoman architectural display in Tirana. Because of its exclusive location, you can travel to and from Tirana to enjoy the best day trips from Tirana to other parts of Albania.

Average Temperature: 2°C to 11°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Tirana for a visit to an underground bunker-based gallery and museum called Bunk’Art, Piramada and the sculptures surrounding Skanderbeg Square.

• Kruje, for witnessing the mountain views and exploring the mediaeval castle.

• The marvellous city and UNESCO heritage site, Berat, for its exclusive architecture.

Things to Experience:

• Ski or other snow adventures at the Morava Mountains, Voskopoje and Bigell/Dardhe.

• Soak in the view at Ngjallja e Krishtit Cathedral and visit the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korce.

-March in Albania

This month is when the shoulder season begins in Albania, so you can experience pleasant weather both along the beaches and in the mountains. March is when the ski season comes to an end, so if you visit Albania towards the end of March, you may not be able to experience skiing as the warm weather will result in the ski resorts closing down for the season.

Average Temperature: 6°C to 15°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Elbasan for its festivals, archeological sites and a castle that displays Ottoman architecture.

• Ski along the slopes of Korce, Morava Mountain and Voskopoje.

Things to Experience:

• National Festival of Urban Folk Songs held in Elbasan.

• Take part in the Islamic festival of Sultan Nevruz and Easter celebrations.

• Participate in the festivities of Dita e Veres.

-Albania in April

April is considered by many travellers to be the best time to visit Albania as the weather is favourable, both in the interior mountainous regions and the Mediterranean coastline. Part of the shoulder season, April is the right time to visit those places that get crowded during the summer months.

Average Temperature: 9°C to 17°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Visit Saranda to get the best experience of the Albanian Riviera minus the heat and the crowd, or explore the city and its greenery or opt for a tour of the 16th-century Lekuresi Castle.

• Hike the Accursed Mountains, the Ceraunian Mountains, Llogara National Park and the Thethi National Park.

Things to Experience:

• Cycle across the landscapes of Albania.

• Take part in the five-day South Outdoor Festival in Borsh.

-May in Albania

• May is towards the end of the spring season in Albania and ideal time to explore UNESCO-listed archaeological sites or hike the mountains. May is still an ongoing shoulder season, and during this time you can expect less crowd in the Albanian Riviera along with low cost for everything in comparison to the peak season.

Average Temperature: 13°C to 23°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Berat, for its Berat Castle, Byzantine Churches, museums and mosques, and Ottoman-era houses.

• Either head towards the Albanian Riviera or to witness the Adriatic Sea in the north, visit the Velipoja Beach, or alternatively you can find your way to the Albanian Alps through the Shkoder Lake.

Things to Experience:

• Hike across different trails, including Thethi National Park and the Ceraunian Mountains.

• Cycle across a diverse range of landscapes, including coastlines, mountains and small villages.

• Participate in the UNUM electronic music festival (open-air) that runs from the end of May into early June each year.

-Albania in June

This is the month when summer begins in Albania, and you should try to get your bookings in the early part of the month so that you can experience the Albanian Riviera without the place getting crowded. Most tourists rush towards the coastal areas during this month to spend time on the beaches.

Average Temperature: 17°C to 27°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Visit Saranda for the sea-front promenade, olive groves and archaeological remains.

• Visit the Adriatic Sea Coast, enjoy a relaxing time at the Velipoja Beach and explore the city of Shkoder.

Things to Experience:

Apart from hiking the mountains, you can also opt for multi-day expeditions across neighbouring Kosovo and Montenegro.

If you miss out on the UNUM festival, you can participate in the Kala Music Festival, which is Albania’s first international music festival.

-July in Albania

This is the busiest month of the year in Albania, as tourists flock from all over the world in July in this country. While the weather gets hotter along the coast, the temperature is a bit cooler in the mountainous parts of the country.

Average Temperature: 19°C to 29°C

Best Places to Visit:

The Albanian Riviera is among the best places to visit in Albania in summer, but restaurant and accommodation expenses can be as high as double the cost in the off-season.

If you want to avoid the crowd of Sarande and the Albanian Riviera, you can consider visiting Pogradec along Lake Ohrid’s shores for a quieter time.

Things to Experience:

• Participate in the Fustanella Festival in Gjirokastër, which celebrates the traditional culture of Albania.

• Enjoy music and songs of Albanian origin in the Za Fest, held in Theth.

• Give your taste buds a happy time at the Ice Cream Festival of Durres.

-Albania in August

August is the peak summer in Albania, and rainfall is scanty during this time of the year. However, it is ideal for lounging on the beaches or swimming in the sea. The good news is that though this is the peak season, the prices are not as high as those in the neighbouring countries like Italy, Croatia or Greece, and neither is it as crowded as these European counterparts.

Average Temperature: 18°C to 29°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Go hiking in the Prespa National Park in Korce, or the nearby Fir of Hotovë-Dangëlli National Park, where you will come across thermal springs.

• Hike, picnic or swim at Lake Bovilla, which is an hour’s drive from Tirana.

• Hike along the deep gorges and forested hills around Lake Koman in northern Albania.

Things to Experience:

Enjoy the local Albanian beer at the Korca Beer Festival in Korce.

Take part in the Kruja Mountain Festival in honour of the saint, Sari Salltik tekke, held in Kruje, Durres.

-September in Albania

September is when the crowd starts thinning and the shoulder season starts in Albania. This month is also when the temperature starts dropping after the hot summer days of July and August.

Average Temperature: 15°C to 26°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Valbona Valley National Park, 25 kms from Bajram Curri, for its spectacular and diverse flora and fauna.

• The Blue Eye National Park, for the largest natural spring in Albania called the Blue Eye.

Things to Experience:

• Kayaking, canoeing or rafting at the Osumi Canyons.

• Participate in the Tomato Festival held in Shengjergj.

• Get a taste of Albanian wine at the Festa ne Shesh wine festival of Shesh (near Tirana).

-Albania in October

The Autumn season sets in during the month of October in Albania. The crowds start thinning and some of the shops start closing for winter. This is the ideal time for outdoor activities as the weather is cool at night and warm during the day.

Average Temperature: 11°C to 21°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Permet, near Gjirokaster, for its wine, sweets and folk music.

• Hike in the largest National park of Albania, the Fir of Hotove-Dangelli National Park.

• Visit Berat to explore Ottoman architecture.

Things to Experience:

Dive into the past by visiting the Butrint National Park near Sarande.

Cruise across the manmade reservoir on Komani Lake.

-November in Albania

Since November falls under the low season, this is the time to visit Albania for its historic attractions without being suffocated by tourists. While some of the coastal resorts as well as restaurants may close down for winter, the cities remain open, especially Sarande is open to all visitors.

Average Temperature: 6°C to 16°C

Best Places to Visit:

• Tirana, for attractions including Piramida, Bunk'Art, Skanderbeg Square monuments and the National History Museum.

• Kruje, for the mountain view, the mediaeval castle and the National Skanderbeg Museum.

• Berat for the hillside well-preserved Ottoman architectural display.

Things to Experience:

• Take part in the Independence Day celebrations held across the country on 28th November every year.

• Watch intriguing and fascinating films at the Tirana Film Festival held in Tirana (mostly in November).

-Albania in December

December is when winter actually begins in Albania. The air is cold, and the crowds are almost non-existent. Since winter is when rainfall gets heavy in Albania, it can lead to mudslides and cause travel delays, so be prepared for inclement weather conditions if you are visiting Albania in December.

Average Temperature: 3°C to 12°C

Best Places to Visit:

The Valbona Valley in the Albanian Alps is one of the best places to visit in Albania in winter, where the National Park is covered in forest while the mountains are covered with snow.

Alternatively, you can visit the Morava Mountains to experience skiing and snowboarding.

Things to Experience:

• Celebrate Christmas at Mother Teresa Square along with the locals.

• Visit the Bunk’Art gallery and museum, which is located in an underground bunker.

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Albania, being one of less explored countries, is a must-visit for travellers who love to discover new places. Moreover, its location is exquisite as you can get to explore both the sea and the snow-peaked mountains within a single country. However, make sure to carry along your travel insurance for financial protection and safety of your belongings.

-How many days are enough for Albania?

A trip that lasts between 7 and 10 days is enough for exploring Albania.

-What is the best time of year in Albania?

The spring (April-May) and autumn seasons (September-October) are the best time of the year to visit Albania.

-How much will it cost to visit Albania from India?

Depending on the budget, itinerary and number of people travelling to Albania, an average cost of ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 can be estimated for a 7-day trip.