Our tour through Albania was exciting, thrilling, and varied. We traveled through beautiful mountain landscapes, past the Albanian Riviera and stunning beaches, all the way to the capital Tirana. We fell in love with Albania, especially because of its loving and friendly people.
Unfortunately, we weren’t so lucky with the weather, as it was a bit crazy. That’s why today we’re telling you everything about the best time to travel to Albania. Learn all about the climate in Albania, the weather, and the different regions in the country.
What else you should know:
- What else you should know:
- Best time to travel to Albania
- Best time to travel by region
- Climate on the Albanian Riviera (coast)
- Weather & climate for a city trip
- Best time to travel to the Albanian Alps
- Climate & weather for the south of Albania
- Conclusion on the best time to travel to Albania
Best time to travel to Albania
Albania is bordered to the west by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, while to the north and east the high mountain ranges form a natural border with Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Thanks to its southern location and proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, you can expect hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
The best time to travel to Albania is May, June, and September. During these months, it is pleasantly warm and there is little rain. July and August can be very hot and dry – if that doesn’t bother you, you can of course travel during these times, but expect higher prices and crowded beaches.
Spring and autumn are particularly suitable for hiking in the mountains. The high-altitude national parks in the north are also great to explore in summer, as it is somewhat cooler in the mountains. However, you should expect snow from November to March.
We were in Albania in April and had it all: warm days, cold days, lots of rain, little rain – the only thing missing was snow. The weather was quite changeable, and we wouldn’t choose April as a travel month again. Maybe we were just unlucky, but the “bad” weather didn’t stop us from exploring this beautiful country.
Best time to travel by region
Climate on the Albanian Riviera (coast)
The Albanian coast beckons with dreamy bays, beaches, and many highlights. The best time to travel is between May and September, and in some regions even until October. However, you should expect significantly more tourists in July and August, as these are holiday months. In spring, around April, however, you often have entire dream beaches almost to yourself – the same beaches are often overcrowded in summer.
In the very south, you’ll find the popular holiday resort of Ksamil. In summer, you can expect temperatures of up to 33 degrees Celsius and hardly any rainfall. In Vlora, the thermometer climbs to a pleasant 25 degrees Celsius as early as May and up to 29 degrees Celsius in June. Thanks to the sea breeze, the hot summers on the coast are usually bearable.
Weather & Climate for a City Trip
Up for a city trip to Tirana? Or how about a visit to the cities of Gjirokastra or Berat? The best time to visit the sights in Albania is between April and October. During these months, temperatures range from pleasantly mild to very warm. You can expect rain in April, May, September, and October.
If you don’t mind the heat, the rain-free months of July and August are also suitable. It’s not quite as hot in Gjirokastra in the summer. Due to its geographical location, the thermometer only reaches an average of 24 degrees Celsius. The best months for a trip to this city are June, July, and August. It’s also pleasant in May and September, but you should expect more rainfall then.
Best time to travel to the Albanian Alps
Would you like to hike in the Albanian Alps? The best time for this is between May and September. In the higher elevations, it doesn’t get too hot even in summer, although it often cools down noticeably at night. Be sure to check the weather forecast for the region you plan to visit beforehand.
We were there in April, but the weather was so bad that we didn’t even make it up into the mountains. There’s often still snow in the higher elevations at this time. In summer, this is no longer a problem. However, in the peak months of July and August, you will encounter more tourists than in May, June, or September.
Climate & Weather for Southern Albania
In the south of Albania, you will find, above all, beautiful beaches and bays. We started our trip in the very south, in Ksamil, and even in April, we had perfect weather: bright blue skies, sunshine, and deserted beaches – it couldn’t have been better.
The best time to travel to southern Albania is between April and October. However, during the holiday months of July and August, popular places like Ksamil get really crowded. If possible, you should avoid this time, as the idyllic setting disappears. Gjipe Beach is also said to be quite crowded in summer. Temperatures in Ksamil and Saranda often rise above 30 degrees Celsius in the summer months.
Conclusion on the best time to travel to Albania
Albania is a diverse and exciting country. Especially in the off-season, you can enjoy an incredibly relaxing trip here. Prices are incredibly affordable, the people are super friendly, and the weather is pleasantly mild to warm. If you want to take a tour of Albania, we recommend the end of May and June, as well as September.
During these months, temperatures are warm during the day, and there is significantly less rainfall. No matter what you choose, Albania is worth it. You won’t find mass tourism in Albania yet. Here, you still have the opportunity to DISCOVER a country!
Book a cool tour through Albania here or take excursions to the surrounding areas, for example, Tirana. Get your Guide offers a wide variety of options.