Guides & itineraries
Ready-made road trips, honest comparisons and the practical things worth knowing before you go.
Ready-made itineraries
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Seven days down the Albanian coast
From the ancient city of Apollonia to the white sand of Ksamil, this is the whole coast in a week by car — two nights in Himarë in the middle, and the best of the north and south either side.
7 daysThree days in Himarë
Himarë is the best base on the Riviera, and three days lets you see the best of it without spending all day in the car.
3 daysA weekend in Fier and Vlorë
Two easy days from Tirana: ancient cities, a monastery, long sandy beaches and a lagoon full of flamingos.
2 daysGuides
The best sandy beaches in Albania
Most of the famous Riviera is pebbles — that's why the water is so clear. If you want soft sand underfoot, you need to know where to look: the long Adriatic beaches around Fier, and Ksamil in the far south.
The best beaches in Albania for families
With small children, the best beach isn't the most photographed one. You want shallow water, parking close to the sand, shade and somewhere to eat. These are the beaches that tick those boxes.
Ksamil vs Himarë: where should you stay?
They're the two most popular bases on the Albanian coast, and they suit different trips. Ksamil is about one famous beach and Butrint; Himarë is about having a dozen beaches within half an hour.
The Llogara Tunnel: toll, times and tunnel vs pass
The 6 km Llogara Tunnel under the mountains between Dukat and Palasë has changed the drive from Vlorë to the Riviera. Here's what you need to know — and why the old road is still worth it.
The Albanian coast in June
June is one of the best months on the Albanian coast: long, hot days, the sea warming up, beach bars opening for the season — and only a fraction of August's crowds.
The Albanian coast in September
September might be the best-kept secret on the Albanian coast. The sea is at its warmest after a whole summer of sun, the August crowds have gone home, and the light turns golden.
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