ULTIMATE Guide to Solo Travel in Albania | Destinations & Tips

Albania is a Balkan gem, filled with adventure activities, crystal clear water, great food and incredible beaches. Here are eight activities I would recommend any solo traveller to try on their visit to Albania:

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1. Rent a bike and explore on two wheels 

Many places in Albania are best discovered in two ways, by foot and by bike. You can find bikes to rent at various locations in towns and cities, such as at hostels or guesthouses, or at a local rental store.

Grab a helmet, saddle up, and spend some time exploring by bike. It’s a great way to head a little further out of town than you would by foot, and makes the journey just as much fun as the destination! It’s my fav mode of transport in Albania.

2. Go to the beach

If you’re new to solo travel, chances are you’ve never been to a beach alone before, and it can be daunting! But, I’m here to tell you to do it! Try not to overthink it, and just grab a beach bag, pack some snacks, water, a book or music and head down to the closest beach for some time to relax in the sand.

3. Try hostels; Make new friends 

If you read the previous activity and thought, ‘I’d rather have some friends to go with’ – Make some! Albania is a country filled with hostels and traveller guesthouses, so you won’t have a hard time making some new friends to join you on your adventures. If you aren’t sure where to book, read the reviews and check for positive reviews around social and common areas, and book the one that sounds the best! 

4. Go hiking

One of Albania’s most popular activities is the Theth – Valbone hike (or Valbone – Theth, depending on which way you choose to hike).

Make sure you don’t miss out just because you don’t have someone to hike with, because I can almost guarantee you will meet people on the transport to the hike, the guesthouses or even the hike itself!

If you’re a confident solo hiker, there are a huge number of hikes in the north of Albania. 

5. Join a free walking tour

Ahhh, the classic free walking tours, you can find one in just about any major city, or tourist town that you stay in Albania – so why not add it to your list?

I always recommend doing a free walking tour within the first few days of your arrival, for two main reasons: It gives you a great basic understanding of the area, as well as history and information, and gives you a small taste so you know where to head back too for longer, and secondly, it can be a great way to meet fellow solo travellers!

6. Take a boat trip to a remote beach

One of Albania’s biggest charms is its untouched beaches with crystal blue waters! Often these places are accessible by hike or by boat. Research into which one you want to do, and spend the day exploring a new destination, who knows – you may even meet a fellow solo explorer on the journey!

Some recommendations for which boat trip you could do are: 

• Lake Komani
• Gjipe beach
• Grama bay
• The hidden coves around Jale

7. Cafe hop 

Who doesn’t love a main character moment? Sat in a cute cafe by the window, people watching as you sip your coffee (or matcha if you’re like me and actually hate coffee). Cafe hopping – or even just a singular cafe, no need to hop! It’s such a great chill day activity. It gets you up and out of your accommodation, exploring the city a little, whilst taking it slow.

The perfect time to catch up on some work for those digital nomads reading, or just the opportunity to finish your book, journal, or sit and watch the world go by. 

8. Take an organised tour 

For those of you craving a little more adventure, taking an organised tour is a great middle ground. You can explore and get out of the city, without having to do much prep or planning! You will most likely be joined by other solo travellers too! The perfect chance to make some friends.

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Albania is a small country with a huge variety. When you compare it to other countries, you will really understand the scale. For example, it’s around the same size as the US state of Maryland… Hopefully, understanding that it really isn’t THAT big will boost your confidence in conquering the country solo! 

Regardless of its size, Albania is home to such a variety of landscapes, from the mountains, caves and waterfalls to the sandy beaches, crystal water and historic cities.

Here are 8 beautiful places in Albania that you should visit as a solo traveller:

1. Tirana 

Of course, the capital city makes a great destination for solo travellers. Capitals are usually the best starting point for any country; they are diverse, accustomed to tourists, often have a higher English understanding, and are generally pretty easy to navigate. 

Tirana is a city perfect for your starting point to explore the country. In the city, you have things such as the Bunk’Art museums (war museums), Bazaars, and mosques, as well as quiet green parks, and cosy cafes – a great mix of culture and comfort. 

It’s a popular tourist spot, so there is no shortage of accommodations, with hostels being the most popular choice for us broke backpackers, but hotels and guesthouses are also an option. 

Tirana is a great spot to start exploring deeper into the country, with buses running from the city to the north and the south of the country, so whichever way you decide to head, you can get there without too much of a hassle! 

2. Shkoder

If you’re making your way North to the mountains, Shkoder is probably your next destination. A charming city surrounded by adventure, from blue water canyons, lakes, castles, and the most popular spot to stay before hiking in the national park. 

If you’re looking to meet people to share your adventures with, Shkoder is the best place to do so. Shkoder is arguably more touristy than Tirana, filled with backpackers craving adventure, and full of hostels running daily trips. 

In the city, make sure not to miss the old bazaar, Mesi bridge, Lake Shkoder and Rozafa castle. 

Getting around the city is easy. It’s a fairly walkable city; however, most people opt to use bikes to get around; they’re easily accessible and allow you to get a little further out of town to visit things such as the lake or bridge. 

3. Kruje

This small mountain town makes an easy day trip from Tirana; you can reach it via public bus in only an hour’s drive. If you have time and prefer slower travel, you can also stay overnight in a charming guesthouse and enjoy the panoramic views at sunset.

When you’re there, make sure not to miss the old bazaar, Skanderbeg museum or Ethnographic museum, as well as the most popular attraction, Kruje castle. 

Meeting travellers here may be harder, due to it being a more popular day trip; however, this is a great place to slow down and enjoy your own company! 

4. Mountain towns such as Theth

From Shkoder, your next spot is most likely a hike in Albania! Most people opt to do the Theth – Valbone, or vice versa, hike, an easy day hike between two charming mountain towns. 

Even if you don’t want to hike, Theth makes a brilliant spot to head for a few days. You can reach the town via a mini bus from Shkoder, and although bumpy, it provides you with stunning views! 

In Theth, there are a number of things you can do, such as book a quiet mountain cabin to relax, take a half-day hike to the famous blue eye, and go for a dip, wander around and take in the incredible mountain views, and even go for more intense hikes if that’s what you fancy! 

For those wanting to do the famous day hike between towns, you can either start or end in Theth, so make sure to allow a few extra days if you want to explore a little! At most accommodations in Shkoder, you can leave luggage, so there is no need to hike with your huge and overpacked bag (don’t pretend it isn’t), just take what you need!

Don’t forget to pack a first aid kit, rehydration sachets, plasters and anything else you may need. 

5. Berat

If you choose to head south from Tirana, Berat makes a perfect first stop. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site, nicknamed ‘the city of one thousand windows’ and has a warm and relaxed vibe about it – the perfect solo travel spot. 

The city is split by a river, and has two sides, with the main attraction being Berat Castle, a must-visit when here. You can spend hours exploring the historic centres on both sides of the city, watching the sunset from the castle, wandering down the narrow alleyways, and taking things slow. 

It’s also the wine capital of Albania, so for any wine lovers, make sure to add a wine tasting experience to your list when in Berat. For those craving a little more adventure, you can do a rafting experience down the Osum River during the spring months – it’s one of the best things to do in Albania.

There are backpacker hostels for a social vibe, but also cosy guesthouses if you’re looking for something more cosy, and a little bit of privacy for a while. The city is explorable on foot, so no need to worry about getting around. 

6. Himare

Now, I’m assuming the reason you’ve headed down south is for the beaches, so Himare is the perfect next stop for your itinerary. It’s a small beach town on the Albanian Riviera, small but lively, 

Accommodation here is similar to Berat, offering social hostels for backpackers as well as affordable guesthouses for more privacy. 

Whilst the city is walkable, you can rent scooters to get around, which is a fun alternative without breaking the bank! Himare is also a great spot to explore by boat, with trips running to various beaches along the coast, making it the perfect adventure. 

After a day at the beach, you can head up the Old Himare in the hills for an incredible sunset view, and wander through the cobblestone streets – a perfect evening for a solo traveller. 

7. Gjirokaster 

Another UNESCO heritage site, Gjirokaster, is known as ‘the stone city’. Similar to Berat, the draw to Gjirokaster is its castle, sitting above the old town, and a perfect way to spend the afternoon, and watch the sunset. On a clear day, you have mountain views too!

If you’re after a unique souvenir to take home from your trip, the old bazaar is the best place to head. The city is also home to the Cold War tunnel, an underground bunker, and another must-do in the city. 

I would say getting around is simple, due to it being a walkable city; however, Gjirokaster has some STEEP hills, so prepare for a bit of a workout when you’re out and exploring! 

8. Korçë

If you’re looking for somewhere off the normal tourist trail, then Korce is for you. It has a slow and authentic vibe to it, perfect for slowly exploring or sitting with a coffee and simply watching the world. 

If you have a car, it’s easy to reach; however, using public transport may be a little harder. It’s a direct train from Tirana; however, if you’re already down South, you may struggle to find a direct bus to get you there. Regardless, it’s worth the journey! 

Korce is the birthplace of Albanian beer, so for any beer lovers, it’s a must-visit to add to your Albania itinerary! 

In our wonderful modern-day life, technology is key to a smooth trip. Here are the apps I recommend you download before your trip:

• Google Maps: You probably already have this one downloaded, and if you don’t – how?! Make sure to download the offline map of Albania, this will be a huge help when you’re out and about and don’t have a signal! 
• Hostelworld: For a solo traveller, Hostelworld has many perks. From the simple fact of booking hostels, to seeing reviews from other solo travellers, the chance to see how many people are booked at each hostel, and even the chat function, so you can make friends before you even arrive.
• Booking.com: The best alternative for hostelworld, and the place to use when you’re craving a little privacy and need a break from snoring and 5 am light switch-ons. Top tip: before booking on any site (including on hostelworld), check if the property is on Booking.com as it may be cheaper! 
• Jetpac: This is an eSIM app that is essential for all travellers. It allows you to buy data in most countries across the world in an instant. It has saved my ass many times.
• Google Translate: Being able to translate can come in handy, so having both the text translation as well as the camera translation available is highly recommended! No more trying to read another language on the food packet – a quick scan is all you need! 
• Get your Guide: The best place to book any day trips or activities! Using the app is much more convenient than using the website; it keeps you logged in and has any activity tickets on the app ready for you to use. 
• VrapOn and SpeedTaxi: Between these two taxi apps, you will be covered in the main towns and cities. You can use it to book and schedule taxis, both short and long distance, as well as check the prices to compare with public transport. 

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Grab an eSIM!

Staying safe whilst solo isn’t too complicated; it just takes some common sense and general safety practice in Albania.

Hitchhiking? Trust your gut, see a red flag? Politely decline the ride and wait for the next. 

Lie if you need to. If you’re approached by someone who feels off, say you’re waiting for a friend, or travelling with your partner/husband/ wife.

‘No, it’s not my first time, I’ve been here many times before, ’ even when you only arrived one hour ago, definitely for the first time.

Does your accommodation make you feel unsafe? Leave. 

• Organised day trips: If you’re after doing some activities, consider signing up for organised trips with hostels or on Get Your Guide. The chances are you won’t be the only solo traveller, and it’s a great opportunity to meet new people whilst doing something fun! 
• Stay in hostels: The home of the backpacker, a hostel is the number one solo traveller hotspot – and a great place to make new friends. Read the reviews before booking and pick a social hostel!
• Say hello and be approachable: It’s simple, but effective! Saying hello is the easiest and quickest way to break the ice, whether it’s in a hostel dorm or common area, on a tour, or even things like public transport, a smile and hello go a long way! 
• Join cultural tours: As well as organised day trips, things such as walking tours are a great way to meet fellow travellers! 
• Be okay with your own company: Solo travel is incredible, but it’s also unpredictable. Being happy with your own company will ensure you have a great trip, even if you aren’t always surrounded by other travellers. For those of you new to solo travel, and reading this thinking ‘BUT I’M NOT OK WITH MY OWN COMPANY!!’ don’t panic – solo travel helps you to learn how to be okay with your own company, and learning is all part of the fun! 

Truthfully, my biggest tip for solo travel in Albania is to travel with an open mind and a flexible schedule. Albania throws things at you: new experiences, an activity you hadn’t planned for, or a new group of friends who appeared overnight. Let your schedule be adaptable for whatever Albania gives you!

Of course, I do have more tips… 

• Visit the North and the South.

• Travel light; if you need anything extra, you will be able to pick it up on the way.

• Book the hostel. Save guesthouses and private accommodation for when you need a break from social and snoring!

• Try Cevapi, it’s the best budget meal! 

• Share your plans with someone back home. Whether it’s a parent or friend, let them know where you plan to be.

• Rent a bike and explore on two wheels.

One final tip from me, and this may sound a little mainstream… romanticise your life, be the main character and embrace it! Once you learn nobody’s watching, and allow yourself to experience fully, even when solo, you’re guaranteed an awesome trip! 

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for your Trip to Albania

Unfortunately, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This is why good travel insurance is essential before you head on your trip to Albania.

Well, I have now emptied my brain of every piece of information I had stored about solo travel in Albania, and hopefully, it’s now filled your brain with everything you need to know. 

If you want my personal favourite, don’t miss Valbone, the most charming and remote mountain village, somewhere I could live for months! 

Oh… and eat lots of cevapi!