Lonely PlanetAug 18, 2026
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 ParkSightone of the deepest canyons in Europe, carved by River Tara
- Elsewhere
- 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 të Tiranes.Bunkart i…
- Bunk'Art 2MuseumTirana, AlbaniaProjekti BUNKART eshte ngritur brenda bunkerit atomike te diktatorit Enver Hoxha ne periferi të Tiranes.Bunkart i…