I didn’t come to Albania for beach clubs, I came to understand whether sustainable travel in Albania was still possible before mass tourism changes it forever. Travelling through Albania made me realise how fragile beauty can be, and why responsible travel in Albania matters now more than ever. Albania is on the brink of becoming the next mass tourism hotspot, unless we rethink eco-travel in Albania right now.
There’s a moment in Albania that stays with you. It’s not standing on a pristine beach or ticking off a viewpoint for Instagram. It’s sitting beside a quiet lake at sunset, watching locals wander past slowly. It’s sharing homemade rakia with a family who have never hosted tourists before. It’s realising that you’re seeing a country at a crossroads, and that how we travel here next will shape its future forever.
Albania is breathtaking. But right now, it’s also vulnerable.
The Albanian Riviera is fast becoming the next cautionary tale of European mass tourism, a coastline once defined by wild beauty now increasingly crowded with beach clubs, unchecked development and fast-money tourism models that prioritise volume over value. And the question we need to ask ourselves is simple: If we love a place, shouldn’t we protect it?
I was lucky enough to spend last summer exploring the length and breadth of Albania – first as part of an eco-tourism focused trip exploring lesser-known gems, and then I hired a car to explore some of the more well-known spots as a way of comparing my experiences. I've created this guide to sustainable travel in Albania, a thoughtful look at travelling beyond the Albanian Riviera, taking a slower pace and spreading tourism more consciously while connecting with local communities.
This part of my Albania trip was a press trip with Green Adventures In Albania – GAIA Albania, in collaboration with VIS - International Volunteering for Development, COSV - Coordinamento delle Organizzazioni per il Servizio Volontario and Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Sede di Tirana but all opinions remain my own.
The Sustainable Travel Guide to Albania – Here's where you'll find:
- Albania’s Tourism Boom: Opportunity or warning sign?
- Why the Albanian Riviera needs a rethink
- Albania beyond the Riviera: A Conscious Travel Alternative
- How to travel Albania responsibly (Practical Guide)
- 6 tips for planning a more sustainable trip in Albania
- Why sustainable travel in Albania matters now
- A Sustainable 2-Week Albania Itinerary: How to travel Albania
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Albania’s Tourism Boom: Opportunity or warning sign?
Before the pandemic, Albania welcomed around 6.4 million visitors per year which was already a staggering number for a country still building tourism infrastructure. From 2014 to 2019, visitor numbers jumped 67%, rising from 3.6 million to 6.4 million in just five years.
Then came the post-pandemic surge. In 2022, Albania welcomed 7.5 million visitors, and numbers have continued to rise since. For context, Greece welcomed close to 30 million visitors in the same year, but Greece has decades of infrastructure and regulation to support that scale. Albania does not.
During my travels, it became impossible to ignore the pattern unfolding. Albania is following the same trajectory Croatia once did through rapid development and coastal overcrowding. My concern is seeing the same rising prices for locals and fragile ecosystems pushed to the brink.
But, it doesn’t have to happen this way. Albania has a rare opportunity to build tourism differently, taking a sustainable and conscious approach, and in a way that benefits communities rather than displacing them.
Why the Albanian Riviera needs a rethink
The Riviera is beautiful with its crystal-clear water, dramatic cliffs and sun-bleached villages. But beauty alone doesn’t equal sustainability. Across parts of the coastline, beach clubs now dominate once-open stretches of sand. Plastic waste increases with each season, while local access is restricted. Tourism revenue concentrates in a handful of hotspots while inland regions remain overlooked.
This isn’t about shaming travellers, it’s about changing behaviour while we still can. Responsible travel in Albania means asking better questions:
- Do we need to visit the most overcrowded places?
- Who benefits from our money?
- What will this destination look like in 10 years if nothing changes?
Thankfully, Albania offers another path.
Albania beyond the Riviera: A Conscious Travel Alternative
If you’re willing to look inland, north, and east – Albania reveals a slower, deeper beauty. One rooted in lakes, mountains, food traditions and everyday life. Here are four regions that embody eco-travel in Albania, and why they matter.
Pogradec: Where Albania feels ancient and alive
Pogradec sits beside Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared with North Macedonia and home to some of the oldest and most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems in Europe. Arriving here feels like stepping into another rhythm entirely. Mornings begin with coffee by the lakeshore, while afternoons are spent drifting between villages and long lunches. Evenings always end with live music echoing along the promenade as the sun sets.
Why Pogradec matters for sustainable travel
Tourism here is slow and community-led, where small hotels such as Hotel Driloni and family businesses dominate. Nature and culture are protected, not packaged, and you have the opportunity to witness the older traditions and ways of life.
Highlights include:
- A boat trip to Maligrad Island, home to wildlife-friendly caves and the 14th-century cliffside Church of Saint Mary
- Visiting Tushemisht, known for its canals and traditional woodcraft
- Exploring Lin Village, an 8,000-year-old lakeside settlement still untouched by mass tourism
- Tasting rakia made by hand, learning traditions rather than observing them
- Wine tasting at Grabovac Winery
- Dinner at Hani i Gështenjave, a new agrotourism site
Shkodra: Albania’s cultural soul
Ask Albanians where their favourite city is, and many will say Shkodra. Set between mountains and the largest lake in the Balkans, Shkodra comes to life through the city's creativity and authentic charm. Here, tourism supports culture rather than replacing it, which is why you'll find lots of local businesses and family-run companies to support. Stay at Hotel Aleks.
- Walk the pedestrian streets at night and you’ll hear live music spilling from cafés.
- Cycle beside Lake Shkodra.
- Visit Rozafa Castle, where 2,500 years of history overlook the city.
One of the most meaningful meals I had in Albania was at Arti i Zanave, a social enterprise restaurant supporting women survivors of domestic violence, proof that tourism can be a direct force for good.
Lepushe & Theth: The Albanian Alps without the crowds
Northern Albania feels like Europe forgot to touch it. Villages like Lepushe and Theth sit deep in the Albanian Alps, where life still follows the seasons and hospitality is instinctive rather than performative. Here, eco-travel in Albania isn’t a trend, it’s simply how life works. This is tourism that sustains villages, not drains them. Here you’ll find:
- Locally owned guesthouses such as Vila Alpini Lepushe
- Meals made from ingredients grown meters away
- Slow walks through alpine valleys full of buzzing bees
- Traditions preserved because they still matter
In Lepushe, cheese like Mishavina (part of the Slow Food Presidia) isn’t a product, it’s heritage.
How to travel Albania responsibly (Practical Guide)
If you want to practice responsible travel in Albania, here’s how to make a real difference. It can be difficult to know how to make a genuine difference with the way you travel, but making small changes can really transform your trip into a more conscious visit.
Here's 6 tips for planning a more sustainable trip in Albania:
- Consider the time of year you travel – skip peak season when prices are higher and travel Albania in the shoulder season for cooler temperatures and to relieve pressure on busier spots.
- Choose local over luxury chains by staying in guesthouses, family-run hotels and agrotourism farms. Your money stays in the community.
- Travel beyond the Albanian Riviera and explore lesser-known spots along the coast, lakes and mountains. Spreading tourism reduces pressure on fragile areas.
- Support social enterprises – eat at restaurants and visit businesses with a social or environmental mission.
- Respect nature by leaving no trace and avoiding plastic. If hiking in nature, follow marked trails and remember that Albania’s wilderness is still wild.
- Slow down! The greatest gift you can give Albania is time, by travelling fewer places you'll make deeper connections with the country.
Why sustainable travel in Albania matters now
Albania is standing where Croatia once stood. The choices travellers make in the next five years will define whether Albania becomes another overcrowded coastline, or a leading example of conscious tourism done right. Travel has power. It always has.
Every penny we spend on exploring the world leaves an impact. When done thoughtfully, it protects landscapes, sustains livelihoods and preserves culture. When done carelessly, it erases the very magic we seek. Albania still has time, but only if we choose to travel differently.
This guide isn’t about avoiding Albania, it’s about loving it properly. It’s about choosing lakes over loungers, villages over VIP sections, conversations over consumption. If you believe travel should protect places, not exploit them, share this guide. And if you want more stories about destinations worth caring about, follow along, because the future of travel depends on what we do next.
A Sustainable 2-Week Albania Itinerary: How to travel Albania
This is not an itinerary designed to “see everything”. It’s designed to help you feel Albania, while travelling in a way that protects what makes the country so special in the first place. Instead of racing from beach to beach, this two-week sustainable Albania itinerary focuses on lakes, mountains, culture and community-led experiences, giving you time to slow down and spread tourism beyond the overcrowded hotspots. If you’ve been searching for a way to experience the real Albania, this is it.
If you'd like my more in-depth travel guides to these regions:
Days 1–2: Tirana → Pogradec
Start your Albanian adventure with lakes, culture and a softer introduction to the country. Start your journey in Tirana, Albania’s colourful and chaotic capital, but don’t linger too long. One night is enough to adjust, wander Blloku, and get a sense of the country’s energy before heading east.
From Tirana, travel to Pogradec (around 2.5 hours by car or bus), set on the shores of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and most biodiverse lakes. This is where sustainable travel in Albania begins to make sense. Stay at Hotel Driloni.
Best things to do in Pogradec:
- Walk or cycle the lakeside promenade at sunset
- Sit with a coffee by the water and watch daily life unfold
- Visit local cafés rather than tourist-focused restaurants
- Stay in a small hotel such as Hotel Driloni or family-run guesthouse
>> Find more fun things to do in Pogradec
Day 3: Lake Prespa & Maligrad Island
From Pogradec, take a day trip south to Lake Prespa, a culturally rich and environmentally important region often overlooked by travellers. Here you'll experience nature, history and living heritage as they intersect on the banks of Lake Prespa.
Highlights include:
- Lunch at a lakeside restaurant, Bar-Restaurant Panorama in Pustec, known for traditional fish recipes and deep-rooted traditions
- A boat trip to Maligrad Island, home to birdlife, wildlife-friendly caves and a 14th-century cliffside church
- Conversations with locals whose lives are shaped by the lake
Day 4: Tushemisht, art & local craft
Return toward Tushemisht, a village known for its canals, crafts and artists. Take the time to support living local culture and absorb the creativity this area is know for.
Spend the afternoon:
- Visiting the TASO Art Gallery, celebrating one of Albania’s most respected painters
- Exploring ICKA Handicraft, a multi-generational family business preserving woodcraft traditions
- Dining at Vila Art, a historic villa reimagined as a cultural dining space
Day 5: Lin Village and return to Tirana
On your journey back to Tirana, stop at one of Albania’s quietest gems, Lin. This ancient lakeside village is believed to be over 8,000 years old, and feels like you've stepped back in time. Wander its cobbled streets, admire stone houses, and learn about early Christian mosaics tucked away in silence. After lunch by the lake, return to Tirana for the evening.
- Visit the Golic Bridge and the Royal Tombs of Selce (Selcë e Poshtme), a significant Illyrian site dating back to the Iron Age and Roman period
- Learn how to make traditional rakia at The Tree House
- Enjoy lunch at Bujtina Pelion
- Wine tasting at Grabovac Winery
- Dinner at Hani i Gështenjave, a new agrotourism site
Days 6–7: Tirana → Shkodra
Travel north to Shkodra, often described as Albania’s cultural capital and beloved by locals. Experience creativity, culture and lakeside life in this thriving local hub in the north of Albania. This city is known for its relaxed pace and strong artistic identity, expect streets filled with music and students. Stay at Hotel Aleks.
Best things to do in Shkodra:
- Visit Rozafa Castle for sweeping views over Lake Shkodra
- Walk or cycle along the Lake Skadar
- Explore museums and independent galleries
- Spend evenings on the pedestrian street with live music
- Eat at Arti i Zanave, a social enterprise restaurant supporting women survivors of domestic violence, a powerful example of tourism creating direct positive impact.
Day 8: Zogaj Village & Lake Shkodra
The banks of Lake Shkodra are for fishing traditions and slow living, don't miss a short trip to Zogaj, a quiet fishing village on the Montenegrin border. Here your tourism can help to sustain traditions and preserve lakeside life, if chosen well.
Best things to do at Lake Shkodra:
- Eating freshly caught fish at the lakeside
- Visiting traditional weaving workshops
- Taking a boat ride with a local fisherman
- Learning about Lake Shkodra’s biodiversity
- Go kayaking or paddle boarding on the lake
Days 9–10: Lepushe (Malësi e Madhe)
Travelling to Lepushe via Malësi e Madhe is the perfect way to experience the Albanian Alps, without the crowds. Head into the mountains toward Lepushe, one of Albania’s most picturesque alpine villages. This is eco-travel Albania at its purest.
Here you can expect family-run guesthouses such as Vila Alpini Lepushe, who welcome you with home-cooked meals of bread, cheese, meat and honey produced just up the road, before sitting by a fire under the stars. Enjoy quiet walks through alpine meadows with views that make you gasp out loud, hiking in the Accursed Mountains, crisp mountain air and genuine hospitality.
Visit local dairy producers, sample Mishavina cheese (part of the Slow Food Presidia), and let yourself disconnect. There is very little to “do” here, and that’s the point.
Day 11: Tamara & the Cem River
On your way back toward Shkodra, stop in Tamara, set along the turquoise Cem River to stretch your legs, browse local crafts, and enjoy the dramatic mountain scenery before returning to Shkodra. There's a great spot for swimming here if you have time.
Day 12: Syri i Sheganit & Local Producers
Spend your final full day in the north visiting Syri i Sheganit, a natural spring near the Montenegrin border where you can enjoy a meal with beautiful scenery, and a boat ride to the "Blue Eye", you can even swim here. Then head to family-run business, Salvia Nord, a producer of medicinal herbs, lavender and sage. Enjoy the scent of lavender on the breeze as butterflies dance among the plants and pick up some essential oils. These experiences show how eco-tourism in Albania can protect land while creating livelihoods.
Days 13–14: Return to Tirana & reflect
Return to Tirana for your final days and learn about the city's Communist past, while supporting local cafes and artists. You could even book a rakia tasting with a local. Take the time to reflect on how different this Albania feels from the Riviera narrative and leave with a deeper understanding, not just of Albania, but of how travel can work when done consciously.
