World Guide

Albania

Country · Europe, Southern Europe

Apollonia
Pictured: Apollonia · Photo: Inkey, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Albania is a country in Southern Europe with a population of about 2.3 million and an area of 28,748 km2. Its capital is Tirana, and the country offers visitors a range of historic sites, cities, and natural parks.

Highlights

The site covers 19 sights across cities such as Berat, Durrës, Shkodër, Tirana, and Vlorë. Key locations include archaeological sites and parks like Apollonia, Butrint, Butrint National Park, Oricum, and Mesi Bridge. Visitors can explore architectural and historical points of interest such as the Pyramid of Tirana, Rozafa Castle, Berat Castle, Ish-Blloku, Resurrection Cathedral in Tirana, Amphitheatre of Durrës, Gjirokastër Fortress, Royal Villa of Durrës, Lead Mosque in Shkodër, Muradie Mosque, Kaninë Castle, and Great Mosque of Durrës. Natural features include Osum Canyon and Tomorr Mountain National Park.

Food and drink

Traditional dishes available in Albania include Tavë kosi, Ballokume, and Chickpea bread.

When to go

The climate at the capital features daily highs and lows based on data from 1981 to 2010. July and August are the warmest months with daily highs of 30 °C and lows of 19 °C, alongside lower rainfall of 43 mm to 48 mm. January and February are the coldest months with highs of 10 °C to 11 °C and lows of 2 °C. November experiences the highest rainfall at 175 mm over about 12 days.

Practical notes

The currency used is the Albanian lek. The official language is Albanian. Driving is on the right side of the road. Plugs of type C and F are used with a voltage of 220.0 V. The time zone is UTC+01:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Albania

  • Tavë kosi
  • Ballokume
  • Chickpea bread

Top sights in Albania

  1. ApolloniaApolloniaFier
  2. ButrintUNESCOButrint
  3. Pyramid of TiranaPyramid of TiranaTirana
  4. Rozafa CastleRozafa CastleShkodër
  5. Butrint National ParkButrint National ParkSarandë
  6. Berat CastleBerat CastleBerat
  7. Ish-BllokuIsh-BllokuTirana
  8. Resurrection Cathedral, TiranaResurrection Cathedral, TiranaTirana
  9. Amphitheatre of DurrësAmphitheatre of DurrësDurrës
  10. Gjirokastër FortressGjirokastër FortressGjirokastër
  11. Royal Villa of DurrësRoyal Villa of DurrësDurrës
  12. OricumOricumVlorë
  1. Mesi Bridge · Shkodër
  2. Lead Mosque, Shkodër · Shkodër
  3. Muradie Mosque · Vlorë
  4. Osum Canyon · Berat
  5. Tomorr Mountain National Park · Berat
  6. Kaninë Castle · Vlorë
  7. Great Mosque of Durrës · Durrës

Weather by month

The warmest month is August, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is November, with about 175 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C101115182326303026211611
Average low, °C225813161919161274
Rainfall, mm11412412712078644348103144175162
Rainy days129121012845891211

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Tirana (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories