Last Updated on January 8, 2026 by Erin Donahue

Looking for a European destination where you get the ultimate bang for your buck? Then look no further than this Albania one-week itinerary! There’s no gatekeeping at this location anymore, mainly because the secret is out and travel to the Balkan Peninsula is becoming more popular.

I went to the Balkans a couple of years ago as part of a series of trips after I quit my job to become a full-time content creator and professional photographer. The other destinations I traveled to back included Lisbon, Savannah, and Miami. The main reason I wanted to go to Albania, and the Balkans overall, was because it’s a budget-friendly alternative to Greece, Croatia, Italy, and the South of France. Also, my friend is from Kosovo, so she showed me a local perspective. When given the option, I prefer to go on trips where my friends are from!

How to get to Albania

Albania is part of the Balkan region, which is in Southeast Europe. One of the biggest draws to European travel is the fact that there are so many ways to get around the continent. The deciding factor usually depends on budget, origin, and time.

Plane

If you’re flying in, there’s only one international airport, Nënë Tereza (TIA), which is in the capital city, Tirana. Since my friend is from Kosovo, I took a flight to Pristina (PRN) instead, with a layover in Istanbul. There are two airports in the city, with Istanbul Airport (IST) as the larger one on the European side. I flew on Turkish Airlines, and I definitely want to take advantage of their stopover program in the future because Istanbul Airport is the nicest airport I have ever stepped foot in!

Flying to this region is on the pricier side. I had a bit of sticker shock since I got a bargain for my flight to Lisbon. For this flight, I paid $818.95 out of pocket. It was peak season in the summer, though.

Ferry

If you’re departing from other countries in Southeast Europe, like parts of Italy or Greece, taking a ferry is a recommended way to get to Albania. Prices vary based on the time of year. I absolutely enjoy traveling by ferry, so I will have to try these routes in the future!

Bus

Other forms of public transportation, like buses, are also a feasible, budget-friendly option. However, distances can be long. If you’ve got time, then there are a number of cities around the Balkans that offer bus routes. Prices for bus tickets vary depending on your origin.

Car

Since I flew into Pristina, my friend and I rented a car because we were crossing the borders of different Balkan countries, and it was faster than the bus. The car we rented had 300,000 miles on it, and I was worried it might die on us, but thankfully, it was a champ and we had no issues. Something to note if renting a car: you’ll most likely get an older model.

Where to go & how to get around the Balkans

There are so many places to visit along the Balkan Peninsula. While not universally agreed upon, the Balkans are made up of ten countries, with parts of Greece and Türkiye too. Since I didn’t plan this trip, and didn’t have enough time to go everywhere, this was my Balkans travel guide with a one-week itinerary in and around Albania.

Two Days In Pristina, Kosovo

You heard it here first: Kosovo has some of the cutest cafes ever! I ate at a bunch of different spots in Pristina for around 10 euros a full meal. Tokyo, New York City, or Paris could never! The food there would be twice the price.

Two Days In Ulcinj, Montenegro

Located on the southern coast of neighboring Montenegro, Ulcinj is an old town with dirt roads and cobblestone streets. It’s also a beach town, and I got to see the Adriatic Sea for the first time here! Ulcinj is a party town, and I got to see why. Parties are spilling out into the middle of the main street by the seafront, even mid-week!

Three Days In Dhermi Beach, Albania

The trip ended in Dhermi Beach, a picturesque village on the Albanian Riviera. When I went, Dhermi was partly under construction as an up-and-coming coastal resort town. On the drive to get to Dhermi, I also passed Vlore, which had the clearest blue water I’ve ever seen! I can definitely see this place giving places like Positano, Mykonos, and Santorini a run for their money. There are so many beautiful beach towns like this along the Balkan Peninsula, and from what I’m aware, the people of the region want it to remain gatekept.

General things to know about Albanians

• The Balkans are carb heaven, and I’m here for it! There’s a bread bakery on practically every corner in each town.
• Albanians are very nationalistic. The Albanian flag is flown everywhere. The main color is red, which symbolizes strength, courage, and sacrifice, and is comprised of a double-headed eagle silhouette to represent Albania.
• The majority of Albanians adhere to Islam, making them Muslim.
• Due to the gruesome history of the region from the 1990s, Albanians intensely despise Serbians and absolutely love Bill Clinton. There is even a 10 ft. high statue of him in Pristina!
• Electricity sockets: Type C (also works with plug E and F) and Type F (also works with plug C and plug E). To keep international travel simple, I always bring a universal adapter with surge protection.

Albania is now becoming a popular tourist destination as an alternative to the more expensive places I mentioned earlier.

Always get travel insurance for international travel!

Whenever I travel internationally, I ALWAYS get supplemental travel insurance to the coverage I have from my travel credit cards. The main reason is for medical purposes, because if something happens while overseas, you don’t want to be SOL or stuck with some crazy bill. It’s not expensive and gives peace of mind to know medical expenses are covered should any negative situation happen. I typically shop around insurance companies to compare prices, and went with Safety Wing’s Nomad Insurance.

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