To visit a place is to see it. To stay is to finally understand it.
Albania Travel and Life Here
In 2020 I sent a $100 deposit for an apartment in Saranda I had only seen in photos, in a country I had never set foot in. These are the guides I’ve written from actually living here: where to go on the Albanian Riviera, how to get around, what things really cost, and what I’d tell any woman thinking about visiting or moving to Albania.
Albania Travel Quick Links
The Best Time to Visit Albania
Saranda & the Albanian Riviera, from someone who lives here
Why I love the off season here:
- The sea holds its summer warmth into September and October, often around 24°C (75°F), so you can still swim long after the crowds leave.
- Ksamil and the popular beaches actually have room to put a towel down.
- Accommodation drops well below the July and August rates.
- The heat is strong but not brutal, which makes day trips to Butrint and Gjirokaster far more pleasant.
- Boat trips, restaurants, and ferries are all still running, unlike the deep off-season when a lot of the coast shuts down.
- The light in September and early October is the best of the year for photos.
My experience: Living here year round, I watch the coast completely change character month to month. My honest advice for a first visit is to come in June or September. You get the warm sea and the long days without paying peak prices or fighting for a sunbed in Ksamil. August is gorgeous, but it is a louder, pricier trip that books out months ahead. If you want the Riviera I fell for, come in the shoulder season.
You can also check out Moving Abroad Tips and my Antarctica travel Series for more helpful information.
