If you’re looking for a destination where you can swim in crystal-clear turquoise waters, enjoy fresh seafood for just a few euros, and experience a bit of a culture shock along the way, Albania is the place to go.
Our six-day trip took us through Durrës, Vlorë, and Tirana. We discovered stunning beaches, hitchhiked with locals, took an unforgettable boat trip, watched spectacular sunsets, and found ourselves in several situations that still make us laugh today.
And yes… we did it all for less than €370 per person, including flights.
Day 1 – First Impressions of Durrës
After only three hours of sleep, we boarded our flight from Bratislava to Tirana. The flight was smooth, on time, and we even landed a little earlier than scheduled.
Our first surprise came at the airport. A SIM card with mobile data cost around €30, so we decided to embrace an unexpected digital detox instead.
We exchanged our first €50 (at roughly €1 = 95 Albanian Lek) and headed for the bus. Well… almost. On the way, a taxi driver approached us. He was already taking a few other Slovak travelers to Durrës, so we all shared the ride for €10 per person.
Once we arrived, we found an excellent exchange office called Aldis, offering a much better exchange rate than the airport. By 9 a.m., we had already checked into our accommodation.
Accommodation
Roza’s Apartment exceeded our expectations. It was a beautiful apartment with two balconies and a convenient self check-in available early in the morning.
Price: €117 for three nights for two people.
The only downside? It sat on top of a very steep hill. Every evening we joked that climbing back home counted as our daily cardio workout.
In the afternoon, we explored Durrës’ historic center, including the Roman Amphitheatre, the Great Mosque, the Venetian Tower, and the Volga Promenade.
For lunch, we tried local specialties at a self-service restaurant. Jufka, moussaka, and several traditional Albanian dishes cost around €20 for two people—a delicious introduction to Albanian cuisine.
We ended the day with dinner by the sea at Colombia Restaurant, followed by a breathtaking sunset at Sfinksi Point, where a DJ was playing music right on the promenade.
Day 2 – Durrës Beach and the Best Free Taxi Ride Ever
We started the morning with breakfast on our balcony and a short workout before walking about an hour to Durrës Beach. Under the summer sun, we quickly realized that Google Maps can sometimes be a little too optimistic.
We spent the afternoon swimming, filming videos, relaxing, and enjoying fresh grilled fish for lunch, which cost around €22 for two people.
The best part of the day happened on the way back. We asked a random guy where we could find a taxi. Five minutes later, we were sitting in his car. He refused to take any money. His name was Deni. He managed Airbnb apartments and even showed us one of his properties. He also introduced us to his artist friend, and just like that, we had made new friends in Albania.
That evening, we enjoyed another beautiful sunset, probably the best chocolate soufflé we’ve ever had, and then stumbled upon an incredible outdoor party featuring French DJ Charles B, a live violinist, and later a Latin bachata party. We finally made it back to our apartment around 1 a.m.—and somehow that hill felt even steeper than the night before.
Day 3 – The Wild Beaches of Kallmi
This day belonged entirely to nature. Thanks to Deni, we arranged a taxi to the Fisherman area and then continued on foot to the wild beaches of Kallmi. The first beach was full of sea urchins. The second? A hidden paradise. We spent hours swimming, filming videos, practicing acroyoga, and enjoying complete peace.
A small cultural lesson came when a local gentleman politely explained that sunbathing topless near families wasn’t considered appropriate. To make peace, he brought us two beers. So… all ended well.
On the way back, we stopped for an amazing iced coffee at Opulent Oasis Beach. The coastline was absolutely stunning. The amount of litter, unfortunately, was too.
That evening, we had dinner at Mema Restaurant, where we tried lamb baked in yogurt and traditional meatballs, before finishing the day with panoramic night views from King Zog’s Villa overlooking Durrës.
Day 4 – The Adventure to Vlorë
If you think bus stations always match Google Maps… Albania will quickly prove you wrong. First, we arrived at the wrong station. Then we were told to take a local bus to another one. Once we got there, we found out the direct bus didn’t actually exist.
Eventually, we boarded a shared minibus to the town of Lushnjë, where two friendly locals picked us up and drove us all the way to Vlorë.
Hitchhiking in Albania turned out to be surprisingly easy.
Our apartment in Vlorë Vila Martini was beautiful, new and only a few minutes from the beach. And the price? €30 per night per 2 people. The afternoon was all about relaxing. Sunbeds and an umbrella cost only €5. In the evening, we walked along the promenade and sampled even more local dishes.
And then came the “romantic” part.
One of the drivers who had picked us up while hitchhiking started sending me messages. He told me he loved me. That he’d pay for me. That all I had to do was come into his arms. To this day, I’m still not sure whether he was a hopeless romantic or the future villain of a Netflix thriller.
Day 5 – Sazan Island: The Best Day
Without question, the highlight of our holiday. For just €25 per person, we booked a full-day boat tour – and it exceeded every expectation. There was music. Dancing. Traditional Albanian folk dances. An incredible atmosphere from start to finish.
Our first stop was Sazan Island, a former military base with an abandoned town. Next came a cruise past the famous sea cave. Finally, we spent three relaxing hours on the breathtaking Karaburun Peninsula, surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise water and hardly any crowds.
That evening, we celebrated with steak, fresh fish, cocktails, and yet another unforgettable sunset in Vlorë. If you only have one day in Vlorë, don’t miss this boat trip.
Day 6 – Finishing in Tirana
We made the most of our final day. The bus from Vlorë to Tirana ran smoothly, and along the way we met Johnny from California. In Tirana, we explored Skanderbeg Square before taking the bus to the Dajti Express Cable Car. A return ticket cost €15 per person, and the panoramic views over the city were absolutely worth it.
At the top, we enjoyed a traditional Albanian lunch, went for a short hike, and later grabbed coffee back in the city while waiting out a thunderstorm.
That evening, we caught the airport bus. No stress. No delays. Almost suspiciously smooth for the end of an Albanian adventure.
Practical Tips
✔ Don’t buy a SIM card at the airport – it’s much more expensive.
✔ Exchange your money in the city for a better rate.
✔ Bolt and Uber don’t operate in Albania. Locals mainly use the Patoko app or regular taxis.
✔ Hitchhiking is far more common than we expected, and we had nothing but positive experiences. I even found my future husband there… 😂
✔ Eating at restaurants is often cheaper than buying groceries.
✔ Service can be slower and staff may seem less friendly than you’re used to. Don’t take it personally.
✔ Locals really appreciate it if you say “Faleminderit” (“Thank you”).
✔ If your accommodation is on a hill, congratulations—you’ve just signed up for free daily cardio.
✔ Watch out for sea urchins on the wild beaches.
Total Budget (Per Person)
| Expense | Cost |
| Flights | €62 |
| Accommodation | €88 |
| Transportation in Albania | €35 |
| Food | €133 |
| Activities (cable car, boat trip, sunbeds, etc.) | €50 |
| Total (excluding flights) | €306 |
| Total (including flights) | €368 |
In just six days, we visited three cities, took a boat trip, explored hidden beaches, enjoyed several beach parties, and ate out almost every day. For approximately €368 per person, we think Albania offers incredible value for money.
Is Albania Worth Visiting?
Absolutely—but it’s important to know what to expect.
If you’re looking for perfectly organized public transport, flawless customer service, and smiling staff everywhere you go, Albania might disappoint you.
But if you dream of turquoise seas, untouched beaches, authentic experiences, fantastic food, and the kind of adventures you simply can’t plan, Albania will give you far more than you expect. And that’s exactly why we’d love to come back one day – and explore the beautiful south of the country.
If you want to receive all articles which I publish, feel free to sign up below.
And if you liked the article and you want to contribute for my future MiliMundo travels (hopefully accident free), don´t hesitate and do it now.
If you want to know more about CENTRAL AMERICA – click HERE. About SOUTH AMERICA HERE.
PS: Looking for great travel insurance with great prices for your future travels? Insurance which you can book even when your journey has already started? Have a look at The True Traveller. I am more than happy with them.
