Albania — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetSep 1, 2026

12 Months of Offseason Travel: Where to Go in Each Month of the Year

Discover 12 destinations to enjoy in the offseason, one for every month of the year, for fewer crowds, better value and more authentic travel.

23 things in this story

Riverside MuseumMuseumGlasgow, United KingdomIt forms part of the Glasgow Harbour regeneration project.
Wrigley FieldSightChicago, United Statesbaseball game at the very end of March
Torres del Paine National ParkSightPuerto Natales, Chileeasier to book accommodations in early fall
Willis TowerSightChicago, United Statesviews from the tower
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumMuseumGlasgow, United KingdomIt is located in Kelvingrove Park in the West End of the city.
Bunk'ArtMuseumTirana, Albaniatwo underground bunkers turned galleries
Sheshi SkënderbejSightTirana, Albaniacity's top attractions are centered around this square
Mt DajtiSightTirana, Albaniapeak is accessible via a scenic 15-minute cable car
Dajti ExpressPlaceTirana, Albaniascenic 15-minute cable car to Mt Dajti peak
Mt Dajti National ParkSightTirana, Albaniaroad to the park is not smooth
Union Oyster HouseRestaurantBoston, United Statescoveted restaurant for old Boston charm
Hotel NizaHotelSan Sebastián, Spainwaterfront accommodations with dropped room rates in winter
Día de San SebastiánFestivalSan Sebastián, Spainvibrant street celebrations on January 20
St John's Co-CathedralPlace of worshipValletta, Maltasee a painting of John the Baptist by Caravaggio
The PhoeniciaHotelValletta, Maltadancing spot for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip
Stash CaféRestaurantMontreal, Canadahearty meal of Polish pierogi, schnitzel and apple cake
Padang PadangSightDenpasar, Indonesialegendary location for good surf on the east coast
Chicago RiverSightChicago, United Statesdyed green on St Patrick's Day
Monte AlbánSightOaxaca, Mexicoancient site that feels magical at sunset
Glasgow CathedralPlace of worshipGlasgow, United KingdomIt was the cathedral church of the Archbishop of Glasgow, and the mother church of the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the…
The Clydeside DistilleryRestaurantGlasgow, United Kingdomwhisky tasting
Fort St ElmoSightValletta, Malta
National War MuseumMuseumValletta, Malta

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Lonely PlanetAug 25

9 of the Best Places to Visit in Albania

Plan your visit to Albania with our pick of the nation

11 things in this story

Blue EyeSightTheth, AlbaniaVibrant blue natural spring reached by a hike.
Theth to ValbonëTrailTheth, AlbaniaPopular, beautiful mountain route taking 6-8 hours.
Pazari i VjetërRestaurantKorçë, AlbaniaOld bazaar in Korçë with Ottoman-style architecture.
Rozafa CastleAttractionShkodër, AlbaniaCastle with a legend and magnificent 360-degree views.
Zekat e HouseSightGjirokastër, AlbaniaTraditional family home built 1811-1812.
Te Fuçitë (The Barrels)RestaurantGjirokastër, AlbaniaFamily restaurant and winery with vineyard views.
Kala FestivalFestivalDhërmi, AlbaniaSummer music festival in Dhërmi.
Restaurant LucianoRestaurantDhërmi, AlbaniaRestaurant with delicious food overlooking the water.
Alevra restaurant and beach barRestaurantDhërmi, AlbaniaOffers super-fresh seafood with a twist.
Vjosa RiverRestaurantPërmet, AlbaniaDesignated wild river national park, Europe's first.
Bënjë Thermal BathsSightPërmet, AlbaniaThermal baths next to an Ottoman-era bridge.

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Lonely PlanetAug 18

Montenegro vs Albania: how to choose between two Balkan beachfront countries

Montenegro and Albania should both be on your travel wishlist. But how do you decide which one to visit first?

13 things in this story

Durmitor National ParkSightDurmitor, Montenegroone of the deepest canyons in Europe, carved by River Tara
Stari BarNeighborhoodBar, Montenegroold town ruins up in the hills above Bar
River TaraPlaceTara, Montenegrofor white water rafting
Morača MonasterySightMorača, Montenegrofeatures 13th-century frescoes
Bay of KotorSightKotor, Montenegrowildly indented coastline encloses a bay shaped like a double anvil
Lake SkadarSightSkadar, Montenegrolargest lake in the Balkans, amazing birdwatching area
Crmnica wine regionPlaceCrmnica, Montenegrotry reds from small-scale producers
Dafina CaveSightDafina Bay, Albaniasnorkel here
Pyramid of TiranaAttractionTirana, Albaniacultural hub with panoramic city and mountain views
Hora VertikalePlaceTirana, Albaniasustainable residential development made of 13 stacked cubes
Bond TowerPlaceTirana, Albaniaballet-inspired building with bent shape and zigzag towers
Bunk'Art 1MuseumTirana, AlbaniaProjekti BUNKART eshte ngritur brenda bunkerit atomike te diktatorit Enver Hoxha ne periferi tÃ« Tiranes.Bunkart i…
Bunk'Art 2MuseumTirana, AlbaniaProjekti BUNKART eshte ngritur brenda bunkerit atomike te diktatorit Enver Hoxha ne periferi të Tiranes.Bunkart i…

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Lonely PlanetAug 12

11 things to know before heading to Albania

Albania is neither dangerous nor “undiscovered“ – but it is fabulous. Read our crucial pointers and tips before you set off for your next trip there.

9 things in this story

Albanian RivieraNeighborhoodSummer crowds pack this coast; visit in May, June, or September.
Accursed MountainsTrailHike between Theth and Valbonë on the Peaks of the Balkans trail.
Peaks of the Balkans trailTrailCan get dangerously crowded; hike in spring or fall.
Elsewhere
Skanderbeg SquareSightTirana, AlbaniaCentral square in Tirana.
Tirana International AirportSightTirana, AlbaniaAlbania's only international airport.
Do TaxiPlaceTirana, AlbaniaElectric-car taxi company in Tirana.
Pazari i RiMarketTirana, AlbaniaNew Bazaar in Tirana with traditional barbecue restaurants.
Xhamia Et’hem BejMuseumTirana, AlbaniaMosque in Tirana.
Rr KavajaNeighborhoodTirana, Albania

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Atlas ObscuraAug 7

Skanderbeg Memorial in Lezhë, Albania

Gjergj Kastrioti, better known as Skanderbeg, was an Albanian nobleman who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century and is now regarded as a national hero. In 1444 Skanderbeg founded the League of Lezhë, an alliance of noble Albanian families to fight against the Ottomans. This event started a long resistance against the Ottoman Empire that lasted even after his death in 1…

2 things in this story

Skanderbeg MemorialMuseumMausoleum dedicated to Skanderbeg, built over old cathedral.
League of LezhëPlaceAlliance of Albanian noble families founded in 1444.

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Condé Nast TravelerNov 6, 2025

The Best Hotels in Albania, the Next Big Balkan Destination

Traditional guesthouses, boutique boltholes, heritage properties, and more.

11 things in this story

Tirana MarriottHotelA seamless hotel experience in the heart of Albania's capital city.
Life Gallery N’SokakHotel
Radisson Collection Morina HotelHotel
Miamar TiranaHotel
Marriott Saranda beachHotel
Vista Boutique HotelHotel
Life Gallery Hotel & SpaHotel
N’SokakHotel
MiamarHotel
Saranda beachSight
LaFe Boutique Hotel SarandeHotel

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Condé Nast TravelerOct 31, 2025

The 30 Most Underrated Cities in Europe

Seasoned travelers let us in on their secret spots, from Norway to Portugal and beyond.

24 things in this story

Church Nossa Senhora da Consolacao e dos Santos PassosSightGuimaraes, Portugalin Guimaraes, Portugal
Saint-Pierre cemeterySightAix-en-Provence, Francewhere Cézanne is buried
Terrain des PeintresParkAix-en-Provence, Franceoffers same views Cézanne painted
Villa Saint-AngeHotelAix-en-Provence, Franceeasy stroll to Cézanne sites
Âma TerraRestaurantAix-en-Provence, Francerun by Pierre Gagnaire, inventive Provençal cooking
Villa La CosteHotelAix-en-Provence, Franceclose by for art and vineyards
Lake OhridHostelOhrid, North Macedoniaone of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes
Church of St. John at KaneoSightOhrid, North Macedoniacliffside church with history
Tsar Samuel’s FortressSightOhrid, North Macedoniaadmire stunning vistas
Ancient Macedonian Theatre of OhridSightOhrid, North Macedoniadiscover history
Viva KsantikaRestaurantOhrid, North Macedoniaknown for hearty local cuisine
Kaj KanevcheRestaurantOhrid, North Macedoniago-to for waterfront eateries
Monastery of Saint NaumSightOhrid, North Macedoniaenchanting monastery across the lake
Tirana PyramidAttractionTirana, Albaniayouth-focused cultural hub
Skanderbeg SquareSightTirana, Albaniasit on sofa-esque benches with coffee
Grand ParkSightTirana, Albaniavast park near city center
Mount DajtiSightTirana, Albaniaflanks city, offers stellar views
MullixhiuRestaurantTirana, Albaniaculinary journey through Albania
Blloku neighborhoodNeighborhoodTirana, Albaniaexperience Tirana nightlife
RotundaSightThessaloniki, Greecefrescoes
BovesDeliPrato, Italysit outside and watch streets come alive
Telliskivi Creative CityNeighborhoodTallinn, Estoniagraffiti, galleries, dining, fashion
Potpesh beachSightOhrid, North Macedonia
Kaneo beachSightOhrid, North Macedonia

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Condé Nast TravelerOct 31, 2025

23 of the Caribbean’s Dreamiest Villas and Airbnbs to Book Now

Soak up those sunny island vibes in Barbados, St. Barts, Aruba, and beyond.

24 things in this story

Villa Saint-AngeHotelAix-en-Provence, FranceOFFICIEL✔️Villa Saint Ange · Hôtel Spa de luxe au centre d…
Lake OhridHostelOhrid, North MacedoniaIt is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, with a unique aquatic ecosystem of worldwide importance, with more than…
Church of St. John at KaneoSightOhrid, North MacedoniaSaint John the Theologian, Kaneo or simply Saint John at Kaneo is a Macedonian Orthodox church situated on the cliff…
Monastery of Saint NaumSightOhrid, North MacedoniaIt is named after the medieval Bulgarian writer and enlightener Saint Naum who founded it.
Skanderbeg SquareSightTirana, AlbaniaThe square is named after the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg.
MullixhiuRestaurantTirana, AlbaniaWelcome to our home.
BovesDeliPrato, Italysit outside and watch streets come alive
Telliskivi Creative CityNeighborhoodTallinn, EstoniaThe center serves as a platform for the Estonian creative community and is situated on the former site of the Baltic…
Museum of the Second World WarMuseumGdańsk, PolandIts exhibits opened in 2017.
WesterplatteSightGdańsk, PolandFrom 1926 to 1939, it was the location of a Polish Military Transit Depot (WST), sanctioned within the territory of the…
MalborkSightGdańsk, PolandIt is the seat of Malbork County and has a population of 36,709 people as of 2024.
Âma TerraRestaurantAix-en-Provence, France
Villa La CosteHotelAix-en-Provence, France
Potpesh beachSightOhrid, North Macedonia
Kaneo beachSightOhrid, North Macedonia
Tsar Samuel’s FortressSightOhrid, North Macedonia
Ancient Macedonian Theatre of OhridSightOhrid, North Macedonia
Viva KsantikaRestaurantOhrid, North Macedonia
Kaj KanevcheRestaurantOhrid, North Macedonia
Tirana PyramidAttractionTirana, Albania
Grand ParkSightTirana, Albania
Mount DajtiSightTirana, Albania
Blloku neighborhoodNeighborhoodTirana, Albania
RotundaSightThessaloniki, Greece

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