Albania in 5 Days: A Solo Travel Guide to Europe's Most Underrated Country

Albania wasn't on my radar until it was, and then it was all I could think about for two years. There's something about a country that spent decades completely sealed off from the rest of the world that I find hard to ignore.

Under Enver Hoxha's regime it was one of the most isolated states on earth, closed to outsiders, suspicious of everyone, dotted with 170,000 concrete bunkers built for an invasion that never came. That history doesn't just disappear. You feel it in the architecture, in the way the cities are laid out, in the conversations you have with people old enough to remember it.

I'm drawn to places like that. Places where the culture hasn't been sanded down for tourists, where you get a more honest picture of how people actually live. And increasingly, I'm drawn there by something else too; the growing unease around where we're all going instead.

As anti-tourism protests spread across Spain, Greece, and the Canaries, and as travellers start to question whether their presence is welcome in the places they love most, Albania feels like a different kind of answer. Tourism here has exploded; from 3.4 million visitors in 2014 to over 12 million in 2025, but it still hasn't tipped into the kind of saturation that's making other European destinations feel hostile. For now, you are still a guest rather than an inconvenience.

It's also warm, cheap, and surprisingly easy to navigate alone. Which helps.

I travelled solo, as I usually do, and never once felt unsafe or out of my depth. As a vegetarian I was braced for the usual Balkan meat-heavy spread, but Albania surprised me. Byrek, fergese, fresh salads piled with feta; there's enough on the table without compromise.

What follows is an Albania travel guide based on my own five-day trip, structured so that others can do the same. Tirana makes the perfect base. From there you can cross into four other countries on day trips without ever moving your bag. It's ambitious but completely doable, and honestly one of the best ways I've found to understand a region rather than just pass through it.

Albania Travel Guide: My 5 day itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival, Durrës and a cooking class A gentle start of arriving at 10am from London. From there, I spent three hours in Durrës, Albania's ancient Roman port on the Adriatic. You can get there either via the bus at the airport or catch the TR12 bus from Terminal A at the South and North Bus terminal for 200 Lek.

Its a walkable city, full of roman based architecture contrasting with new construction projects near the sea front.

Then back to Tirana for an evening cooking class that set the tone for everything that followed. → Read more: Durrës and my first Albanian cooking class

Day 2 — Kosovo and North Macedonia A 15-hour small group day trip across two borders. You'll cross into Kosovo first, with Prizren's Ottoman old town, stone bridge, and hilltop fortress earning a few hours before pushing on to Skopje, North Macedonia's capital and one of the stranger, more spectacular cities in the Balkans, with its neoclassical statues and riverside energy.

Two countries, two very different vibes, one long but very worthwhile day.→ Read more: Kosovo and North Macedonia in a day from Tirana

Day 3 — Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina Another long one at 16 hours, but it never drags. In Montenegro, the day takes you to Podgorica and out to the Cijevna River, where Albania's answer to Niagara Falls, a dramatic waterfall tucked into the canyon, is one of those stops that genuinely surprises you.

Then across the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina to Trebinje, a compact, unhurried town with an old bazaar quarter and a very different pace to everything else on the trip. The Balkans at their most varied.→ Read more: Montenegro and Bosnia in a day — is it worth it?

Day 4 — Berat and Belshi Lake The day that stole the trip. Berat is a UNESCO-listed Ottoman town often called the "city of a thousand windows", its signature stacked white houses climb the hillside towards a castle that overlooks the whole valley. It's unhurried and beautiful in a way that feels earned. Belshi Lake was a quieter, greener stop on the way back; the kind of place you'd never find on your own but wouldn't trade. → Read more: Berat castle and Belshi Lake — a day trip from Tirana

Day 5 — Tirana city tour Two hours to finally understand the city I'd been sleeping in all week. The Pyramid (a former Enver Hoxha mausoleum turned skatepark and cultural space), Skanderbeg Square, the colourful Blloku neighbourhood, and the bunkers dotted throughout Tirana has more personality than its reputation suggests, and earns its own day. → Read more: Things to do in Tirana

Albania travel guide FAQ: everything you need to know before you go

How long should you spend in Albania?

I did five days and I'd honestly recommend six. Five gave me a brilliant foundation but I didn't get to the north at all; Shkodër and its castle were on my list and didn't happen. If you can add an extra day, use it to get up there.

Can you eat vegetarian in Albania?

Better than I expected. Albanian cuisine leans heavily on vegetables, pulses, as well as traditional dishes like byrek (filo pastry filled with spinach or cheese), fergese (baked dish with tomatoes, peppers and cottage cheese), fresh salads, and more grilled peppers than I've seen anywhere in Europe. Meat is present but never the only option. The cooking class on day one helped enormously, as it gave me the language and confidence to navigate menus for the rest of the trip.

Is Albania safe for solo female travellers?

Very. Tirana is honestly one of the safest cities I've visited. Albanians are warm in a way that doesn't feel performed; helpful without hovering, curious without being intrusive. As with any city, stay aware of pickpockets in busier areas, but I never once felt unsafe or unwelcome.

What is the currency in Albania?

The Albanian Lek (ALL). As of May 2026, the exchange rate was approximately 1 Lek to £0.009 GBP, so 100 Lek is roughly 90p. Cash is widely used, especially outside Tirana. Euros are also widely accepted, though you'll often get change back in Lek.

How do you get from Tirana airport into the city?

Take the Luna bus. It runs directly between Tirana International Airport and the city centre every hour, costs 400 Lek (around £3.80), and you can pay the conductor on board or book online. Far better value than a taxi.

How do you get around Tirana?

City buses cost 40 Lek (roughly 40p). All you have to do is stand at a stop and pay the conductor on board. Some routes start as early as 5am, which was useful for early day trip departures. For taxis, use the Patoko app and it works like Uber and means you always know the fare upfront. The city centre is also very walkable.

How much does Albania cost per day?

I spent around £20 or less per day covering everything; accommodation, food, local transport, and entrance fees. Outside of the day trips, daily life in Tirana is remarkably affordable. A bus ride is 40p, a sit-down meal costs a few pounds, and even a glass of wine won't break the budget.

What is the weather like in Albania in May?

Warm, sunny, and perfect for walking. Temperatures were in the mid-to-high twenties throughout, meaning comfortable without the intensity of peak summer. May is genuinely one of the best months to visit.

Do you need a visa for Albania?

UK passport holders do not need a visa. You can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period with no advance paperwork. Always check the latest requirements before travel, but as of May 2026 it was completely straightforward.

Do people speak English in Albania?

More than you'd expect. English is widely spoken in Tirana, particularly among younger Albanians and anyone in tourism. I had no meaningful language barriers. A few basic phrases to help you whilst over there; faleminderit (thank you), ju lutem (please) will go a long way.

Do I need an eSIM for Albania?

Yes and something I highly recommend. Albania is not in the EU, which means it falls outside most UK mobile roaming plans. An eSIM is the easiest fix and buy one before you travel through an app like Airalo. Don't rely on your regular plan.

How easy is it to travel Albania solo?

Genuinely, surprisingly easy. Small group day trips meant company when I wanted it and space when I didn't. Tirana is small enough to navigate confidently and lively enough to fill an evening alone. If you've been putting Albania off because it feels too unknown; that's exactly why you should go!

Travelled May 2026. Based in Tirana throughout. All day trips booked through local small group operators.