Gjirokaster, also known as the City of Thousand Steps, is another UNESCO site in Southern Albania that offers a wide range of awesome things to do and see. From the mighty Gjirokaster Castle to the beautiful lush green landscape of the surrounding area, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Some may consider Gjirokaster as a twin city to Berat, another UNESCO site known for its thousand windows. However, if someone tells you that you can only choose one of the two to visit, do not believe them.
Both cities have their charms that cannot be substituted. The architectures are different, the things you can do are different, and even the local food is different, so I would recommend you visit both cities when you are in Albania.
Enough about Berat. Today, we are going to explore the beautiful historical city of Gjirokaster and all that the city has to offer with this complete backpacking guide on things to do in Gjirokaster for solo travelers. Without further ado, let's begin with the Gjirokaster things to do itinerary map:
- Gjirokaster Things To Do Itinerary Map
- Where to Stay in Gjirokaster, Albania?
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8 Best Things to Do in Gjirokaster, Albania
- Explore Gjirokaster Castle
- Learn About the History of Gjirokaster in Gjirokaster Museum
- Explore Gjirokaster Old Bazaar
- Take a Tour Around Skenduli Traditional House
- Watch the Sunset at Gjirokaster Obelisk
- Hike to See Shepherds Crossing the Old Ali Pasha Bridge
- Go On a Free Walking Tour with Walter from Stone City Hostel
- Explore the Surrounding Landscape of Gjirokaster in a Jeep
- More Gjirokaster Activities
- What to Eat and Drink in Gjirokaster?
- Other Things to Do in Gjirokaster
- Where to Go After Gjirokaster?
- Albania Travel Video
- When to Visit Gjirokaster, Albania?
- How to Get to Gjirokaster, Albania?
- How to Get Around Gjirokaster, Albania?
- How Many Days to Spend in Gjirokaster, Albania?
- How Much Money Do I Need for Gjirokaster, Albania?
- Is it Safe in Gjirokaster, Albania?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Albania?
- What to Pack for Gjirokaster, Albania?
- Further Reading for Albania
Gjirokaster Things To Do Itinerary Map
8 Best Things to Do in Gjirokaster, Albania
1. Explore Gjirokaster Castle
One of the most iconic landmarks in Gjirokaster is the Gjirokaster Castle, the second largest castle in the Balkans that sits atop a hill overlooking Gjirokaster Old Town.
The citadel has existed in some form or another since the 12th century, but the two largest expansion and renovation efforts to the castle were done during the Ali Pasha and King Zog eras in the 19th and 20th centuries, respectively.
The castle is big, so spare at least 2-3 hours to walk around the castle and check out all the structures, like the Clock Tower, a church, museums, a captured United States Air Force plane to commemorate the Communist regime's struggle against imperialist powers, and many more.
- Stone City Hostel (Budget)
- Stone City Hostel (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Hotel Bebej Tradicional (High-End)
- Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet (4 hours)
- Rafting Vjosa River Gjirokastër Albania ARG (3 to 4 hours)
- Rafting Tour in Vjosa Wild River National Park (3 hours 30 minutes)
The castle was also built atop a dominating plateau, making it the perfect viewpoint to see Gjirokaster Old and New Town converge among the stunning landscape that surrounds the city.
The castle opens at 9 AM and closes at 7 PM, and I would recommend you visit as early or as late as you can to avoid crowds. The entrance fee is 200 LEK, and you will have access to all the structures within the Castle's walls, except the museums where you will have to pay extra.
There are 2 museums within the Castle Wall: one is the Arms Museum, which you can skip as it does not have English descriptions; the other is the Gjirokaster Museum, which I highly recommend.
Where to Stay in Gjirokaster, Albania?
2. Learn About the History of Gjirokaster in Gjirokaster Museum
Gjirokaster Museum is a great place for you to visit if you are interested in the history of Gjirokaster and how it played a role in the conflicts around this region.
The museum delves deep into the legends surrounding the origin of the name, where the city acquired its "Stone City" name, what it was like under the rule of Ali Pasha, the Ottoman Lord, how the tug of war between empires impacted the city, and many more facts that will make you appreciate the city and its people even more.
Gjirokaster is also the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the infamous communist leader who built over 170,000 bunkers across the country during his reign. The museum talks about his rise and fall as well.
The entrance fee to the museum is 300 LEK on top of the 200 LEK entrance fee to get inside the castle. With the content of the museum, as well as all the stories written in English, it is definitely worth the cost, in my opinion.
3. Explore Gjirokaster Old Bazaar
Gjirokaster Old Bazaar has been the center of commerce in the city since the Ottoman era. Surrounding the area, you will find plenty of beautiful and charming Ottoman-style houses, as well as many great restaurants for you to indulge yourself in.
The Old Bazaar is especially lively at night, so be sure to spend some time walking around the streets of the Bazaar after sunset. If you are looking for a place to dine in the Old Bazaar, Odaja and Taverna Kuka are highly recommended. For more information about these two restaurants, check out our What to Eat and Drink in Gjirokaster section.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
If you are looking for more activities to do here, be sure to check out some of the available tours and day trips:
- Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet (4 hours)
- Rafting Vjosa River Gjirokastër Albania ARG (3 to 4 hours)
- Rafting Tour in Vjosa Wild River National Park (3 hours 30 minutes)
4. Take a Tour Around Skenduli Traditional House
Gjirokaster used to be home to one of the wealthiest families in the area, and there are several traditional houses that are still standing today. One of the traditional houses that is open to the public is Skenduli House where you will be able to have access to all the rooms, from the wedding room to the bunker.
The daughter of the family will be able to guide you through each room, explaining all the functions and unique features of the house. There is a dedicated room for the newlyweds, and it is definitely the highlight of the Skenduli house visit.
Unfortunately, they have no official opening time as the operation is mostly run by the family themselves. However, I was there at around 10:30 AM, and the daughter was available to guide us through each room.
The entrance fee is 200 LEK, which I think is worth it as you will be able to learn what life was like back then. Plus, the view from the houses overlooking the city is pretty epic.
5. Watch the Sunset at Gjirokaster Obelisk
If you are looking for a great viewpoint for sunset, Gjirokaster Obelisk is a great place to be. It's not too far from the Old Town, and you do not have to climb to get to it like other viewpoints in the city.
From Gjirokaster Obelisk, you will get a 180° panoramic view of the mountains around Gjirokaster, as well as all the Ottoman-era houses, making it one of the best photo spots in the city.
6. Hike to See Shepherds Crossing the Old Ali Pasha Bridge
Away from the bustling city of Gjirokaster, there is an old Ottoman-era stone bridge that has been used by shepherds for many generations, and you can hike to it.
The Ali Pasha Stone Bridge is located only a 30-minute hike from Gjirokaster Old Town. The trail is marked only when you are already on the outer rim of the Old Town, so I would recommend you follow the route on Maps.me from your hostel to the trailhead.
If you are there at the right time, around 6 PM every day, you will be able to see a shepherd and his livestock crossing the stone bridge into the city, which is not something you see every day. You can also go on the "The Old Bazaar, Cfake, Dunavat, Ali Pasha Bridge" walking tour if you want to learn more about the history of the city and the stone bridge.
7. Go On a Free Walking Tour with Walter from Stone City Hostel
If you are staying at the Stone City Hostel, which I highly recommend, at 5 PM, Walter, the owner of the hostel, will take his guests and give a free walking tour around the city.
He will explain to you the significance of all these traditional houses, as well as take you to a real hidden nuclear bunker - not the one they made a museum out of, but a real hidden one that you might think twice before walking into.
He will also explain the history and tradition of Gjirokaster that you wouldn't have observed, such as the tradition of using flat dressed stones to construct the roofs. Some of the roofs of the stone houses can weigh as much as an airplane!
The tour is completely free, and it will take around an hour to complete. Unfortunately, he doesn't do it every day, and only the hostel guests are allowed to join. The more reason to stay at Stone City Hostel!
8. Explore the Surrounding Landscape of Gjirokaster in a Jeep
Another benefit of staying at Stone City Hostel is that Walter will also offer a one-day excursion to explore the untouched landscape of Gjirokaster mountain with his jeep, providing you access to many hidden gems of Gjirokaster that even the locals are unaware of and that you typically wouldn't be able to reach.
He also changes up the trip all the time, mixing activities so that what you experience may differ from what I experienced with them. But one thing is guaranteed: you will surely have an action-packed day.
The tour costs 3,000 LEK per person and it leaves the hostel at 9 AM, with a return time of 6 PM. The day trip includes a delicious family-style lunch at a local restaurant. He can only accept 6 people per tour, so be sure to book it in advance.
For my trip, Walter took us first to Hadrianopolis, a recently discovered ancient Greek ruin, before taking us into the mountains to explore the Zagori region, northeast of Gjirokaster.
We visited many remote ancient churches, an abandoned communist school, a beautiful stone bridge, and a hidden watering hole where one can jump off a waterfall.
A lush green forest, high mountains, and stunning waterfall that I had seen on this trip are something I would not have imagined seeing in a place like Gjirokaster.
From the outside, the landscape around Gjirokaster looked so dry and barren. However, once you hop in a jeep and go behind the facade, you will find all this beautiful nature tucked away in the mountains, waiting for you to discover.
This day trip with Stone City Hostel is what made it memorable, and if you are looking to really go off the beaten path in Gjirokaster, a day excursion with them is a must.
What to Eat and Drink in Gjirokaster?
1. Eat Traditional Food and Try the Rice Pudding at Odaja Restaurant
One of the best local restaurants that I highly recommend is Odaja Restaurant, located in the Old Town of Gjirokaster. They serve delicious Albanian dishes like Musaka, as well as Qifqi, an Albanian Rice Ball that originates from here. It is something you should definitely try when you are in Gjirokaster.
Their traditional stuffed peppers and pies are also recommended, but there is one dessert dish that is to die for: the Rice Pudding. The sweet and tasty rice pudding served at Odaja is one of the best desserts I've tried in all of Albania. It was so tasty that they almost ran out when we were there at the end of a long day, looking to reward ourselves with some delicious dessert.
On top of all those delicious homemade dishes, they are also very affordable, with the food costing around 300 - 500 LEK per dish. With such a price and portion, I would recommend you come to the restaurant with people and order several dishes to share with each other, tapas-style.
2. Dine at Taverna Kuka
Another great restaurant with a stunning view of Gjirokaster is Taverna Kuka. They serve local dishes such as Qifqi, Albanian meatballs, and Albanian Pie, as well as heartier options like grilled and garnished dishes such as Kebabs and grilled lambs, etc.
They are more expensive than Odaja, with prices ranging from 500 - 1000 LEK, but it has a nice vibe and a large selection of wine to choose from. Their outdoor seating with a view of the city is also a great place to sit at night and drink your night away in Gjirokaster.
3. Try a Lime Tart at Sweet Cellar
If you are looking for a Western-style cafe with a cozy atmosphere, a friendly owner (Brenna, the Busy Baker, is what I called her 😂), and pastries that are to die for, Sweet Cellar is the place to be.
Brenna bakes everything herself, and she serves many delicious cakes, ice cream, as well as the best lime tart in the biz. Seriously, the tasty yet not too sweet lime tart is like heaven in your mouth, especially after a long day exploring the city.
The café also has WIFI if you are looking for a place to relax a little and stay connected with your friends and families at home. If you are there, say hi to Brenna, the Busy Baker for me 😄.
Other Things to Do in Gjirokaster
1. Visit the Blue Eye
The Blue Eye is a natural water spring located between Gjirokaster and Sarande. It is a good place to visit, although a little crowded for my liking if you have an extra day in Gjirokaster.
The clear turquoise water is a popular place for people to go swimming, even though there is a clear sign prohibiting it. Personally, I was not interested in swimming in such a crowded place. The place almost felt like a music festival, rather than a natural water spring, in my opinion.
There are also restaurants, as well as a few disappointingly short walking trails if you do not feel like swimming. Do not expect that there will be any hiking trails here. We thought there would be one, but as it turned out, there is not much to do here other than swimming.
That said, the nature around it is still very impressive, and if you are looking to get there from Gjirokaster, you can follow these steps:
Getting from Gjirokaster to the Blue Eye
To get to the Blue Eye, you will have to get on an hourly Gjirokaster-Saranda bus that leaves from Gjirokaster Bus Stop and tell the driver to drop you off at the entrance of the Blue Eye. The bus will cost you 400 LEK each way.
From the entrance, you can continue and walk along the dirt track for about 2 km, and you will arrive at the Blue Eye. I do not recommend doing this if you have luggage. The road is long, dusty, and in the summer, it can be blazingly hot.
To get back, you will have to walk back the same way and flag down a bus going to Gjirokaster from the same road where you were dropped off upon your arrival. You can also flag down a bus going to Tirana, as they will often pass through Gjirokaster. To be sure, ask the driver before you get on.
2. Tour Around Zekate Traditional House
Zekate House is another traditional Ottoman-era house that is open to the public, and you can visit it in case it gets too busy at Skenduli House or if it is not open on the day you are there. From what I've heard, they are both quite similar, so either one is fine if you do not have a lot of time. The entrance fee is 200 LEK, the same as Skenduli House.
3. Learn More About Gjirokaster Tradition at Ethnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum is another great place to visit if you are looking to learn more about the history and traditions of the people of Gjirokaster. The museum contains traditional dresses, household items, and artifacts that show what life was like for a wealthy family in 19th-century Gjirokaster.
I would say, if you have already visited the houses I recommended above, you can easily skip this one. Otherwise, the entrance fee is still 200 LEK. Additionally, if someone claims that this is the actual house of Enver Hoxha, the infamous communist leader, do not believe them. His house was indeed located here, but it burned down a long time ago. They have since built a much larger museum on top of the original site.
Where to Go After Gjirokaster?
Himara
Himara is a great place to use as a base for you to explore the Albanian Riviera. It is located right by the beach, and its quiet and less crowded nature of this seaside town makes it a much more attractive destination than Sarande.
There is currently no direct bus from Gjirokaster to Himara, so you will have to take a bus to Saranda and get a bus from Saranda to Himara. There are only 2 buses from Saranda to Himara (10 AM and 1 PM), so you will have to take the 8 AM - 11 AM bus from Gjirokaster, which will take about one hour.
Once you arrive at Saranda Bus Stop, you can then get on the 1 PM bus to Himara, which should take around 1.5 hours.
The bus from Gjirokaster to Saranda costs 400 LEK, and from Saranda to Himara is an additional 500 LEK.
Saranda
Saranda is a big city and the main hub for traveling in Southern Albania, as well as a place to stop before going to Greece. The city is busy, with not a whole lot of places to chill in my opinion, so I would skip it. However, if you are planning to travel further to Greece, Saranda is a required stop after Gjirokaster.
There are several buses that go through Gjirokaster and end at Saranda Bus Stop from 6 AM to 8 PM every hour, so you should have no trouble getting to Saranda by bus.
The bus from Gjirokaster to Saranda costs 400 LEK and takes one hour for the trip.
When to Visit Gjirokaster, Albania?
The best time to visit Gjirokaster is from April to October, when the weather hovers around 15°C in spring, 28°C in summer, and 17°C in autumn.
The weather can get quite dry and hot in the summer, and most of the streets in Gjirokaster are built with white rocks that reflect light, making it even warmer to walk outside. If you are visiting in June-August, make sure you are prepared to be out in the sun.
Gjirokaster is pretty quiet and inactive during winter, and it might even snow from December to January, making the cobblestone streets a little harder to walk on. Some accommodations and restaurants are closed during this downtime as well, so I would recommend you avoid visiting in winter.
How to Get to Gjirokaster, Albania?
How to Get to Tirana?
To get to Gjirokaster, you will have to first fly into Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Depending on where you are coming from, there are several airlines you can choose from to get to Tirana.
From the US, you can fly into Tirana via Turkish Airlines through Istanbul, KLM Airlines through Amsterdam, Alitalia Airlines through Rome, and a few other routes that go through Europe.
From within Europe, you can go with low-cost airlines like WizzAir or RyanAir to get to Tirana. If you are coming from a place that doesn't have a low-cost direct flight to Tirana, it might be worthwhile to travel by land to a city that has one and fly from there instead of relying on expensive flights.
From Asia, the easiest way to fly to Tirana is through Istanbul via Turkish Airlines. If you want to minimize costs, you can find a way to Turkey and then, from there, you can fly with Pegasus Low-Cost Airline to Tirana. Keep in mind that you might have to change airports if you are switching from a regular carrier to a low-cost carrier in Istanbul.
To find a cheap flight to Tirana, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so that you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get to Gjirokaster, Albania?
From Tirana, there are 10 buses going daily from Tirana Southward Bus Station from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM. The bus will cost you 1000 LEK, and it will take around 4 hours. See above for the bus schedule from Tirana to Gjirokaster.
From Berat, there are 2 buses going daily from Berat Bus Terminal: one at 8:00 AM and another at 2:00 PM. The bus will cost you 900 LEK, and it will take around 3 hours.
The bus will drop you off at Gjirokaster Bus Stop (more like a gas station), and from there, you have a few options to get to Gjirokaster Old Town.
How to Get from Gjirokaster Bus Terminal to Gjirokaster Old Town?
From Gjirokaster Bus Stop, you can walk up to the Old Town. Keep in mind that even though it is a 20-minute walk, you are going up a steep cobblestone road for about 60% of the time. If you have a lot of luggage or if it is hot outside, you might want to rest halfway, as my travel friend TJ almost did 😅.
You can also take a local bus from one of the bus stops along Bulevardi 18 Shtator road. It costs 30 LEK, and it will take you from the New Town up to the Old Town.
Keep in mind that the bus will take you to the Old Town on a different road that goes directly to the castle than the one you can walk up through the Old Town, so be sure to stand on the left side of Bulevardi 18 Shtator road.
How to Get Around Gjirokaster, Albania?
Once you are in the Old Town, all the tourist attractions in Gjirokaster are within walking distance, so there is no need to take a bus or taxi.
As mentioned earlier, local buses are also a viable way to get from the New Town to the Old Town and vice versa. The bus costs 30 LEK per trip, and you can pay either to the driver or to a guy who will give you a ticket when you get on.
If you are staying at Stone City Hostel, Walter, the owner of the hostel, often offers a one-day excursion to see the untouched landscape of Gjirokaster with his jeep. This is the best way to explore the surrounding area outside of Gjirokaster.
How Many Days to Spend in Gjirokaster, Albania?
Two full days (3 nights) are recommended if you want to see Gjirokaster as well as all the nature in the surrounding area. Here is a breakdown of the itinerary:
Day 0: On your arrival day, rest at the hostel for a bit, and go on a free walking tour at 5 PM with Stone City Hostel, and end your day with local cuisine at Odaja Restaurant.
Day 1: On your first full day, you can go on a day trip with Stone City Hostel if Walter is organizing one.
Day 2: On your second day, you can spend the entire day exploring Gjirokaster itself, or you can squeeze in a half-day visit to the Blue Eye in the morning and come back to explore Gjirokaster Castle in the afternoon.
In the evening, you can hike to Ali Pasha Bridge to see the shepherd and his herd crossing this old Ottoman-era bridge just before sunset and come back to enjoy a nice dinner at Taverna Kuka Restaurant before retiring for the day.
How Much Money Do I Need for Gjirokaster, Albania?
Based on the 2-day itinerary above, we can calculate the minimum amount of money you will be spending in Gjirokaster as follows:
Accommodation: 11 USD x 3 nights = 33 USD (3,695 LEK)
Food: A good local meal costs from 300 - 600 LEK, and since most accommodations offer free breakfast, you can expect to spend around 1,000 LEK per day. For 2 and a half days, you will spend around 2,500 LEK on food.
Transportation: You don't have to spend anything if you walk, but in case you want to take the bus to and from the Old Town, you will spend 60 LEK for a round trip.
Activities: A day trip excursion with Stone City Hostel costs 3,000 LEK. The entrance fee for Gjirokaster Castle is 200 LEK, whereas for the Gjirokaster museum, you will have to pay an additional 300 LEK. For a guided tour around Skenduli Traditional House, it is another 200 LEK. So in total, you will pay around 3,700 LEK for activities.
Total Budget for one full day in Gjirokaster: 9,955 LEK (89 USD).
Is it Safe in Gjirokaster, Albania?
Gjirokaster is very safe, and we did not encounter anything out of the ordinary, except for the kindness of the Albanians who kept inviting us in.
We were in front of a house, trying to get a photo of the castle at night, when the owner saw us and invited us inside to check out the view. She also fed us her homegrown pears without asking for anything in return.
Even though we saw a few beggars in Berat, we didn't see any in Gjirokaster, and we found the locals that we have encountered to be genuinely friendly here. Not saying it wasn't friendly in Berat or anywhere else in Albania, but I found the people of Gjirokaster to be extra friendly.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Albania?
Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Gjirokaster, Albania without having to switch out your physical SIM card.
Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Gjirokaster, Albania:
You can find reliable WiFi almost anywhere in Gjirokaster, from the hostel you are staying at to the restaurants in the Old Town. Sweet Cellar is also a great Western-style cafe to enjoy a cup of coffee and stay connected while you take a break from exploring the city.
A local SIM card is also a great option if you want to stay connected all the time. It is especially useful to have a local SIM card if you are planning to travel around Albania for a while.
For the local SIM card, if you are staying in Albania for more than 2 weeks, I would recommend getting the Vodafone Z package. It offers a one-month validity SIM card with 5.5 GB of regular data, 10 GB for social network usage, 400 minutes, and SMS. The cost is 1500 LEK + 100 LEK for a new SIM card.
If you are traveling in Albania for 2 weeks, I would recommend getting the 14-day validity Vodafone Tourist SIM that gives you 10 GB of data and 500 minutes of calls for 1300 LEK.
For more information about Albania local SIM card: Albania Prepaid Data SIM Card.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
What to Pack for Gjirokaster, Albania?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Gjirokaster, Albania:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Albania
Looking for more information for your trip to Albania? Here are a collection of articles about Albania that will help you with your trip planning.
- Want to plan a trip to the Balkans, but not sure where to go? Here is the 31 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Balkans.
- For a complete itinerary to the Balkans, check out: 2 Months Backpacking Balkans Itinerary.
- Albania, a country once isolated, has now opened up to travelers to uncover the beauty that has been hidden for a century. Here is a travel guide to help you uncover it: 2 Weeks Itinerary for Albania.
- First time visiting Albania and looking for awesome things to do? Here are the 15 Best Things to Do in Albania.
- Tirana is an excellent place to start your journey in Albania. Here’s a complete guide on things to do in Tirana.
- Berat, the city with a thousand windows, and even more cool things to do. Here are: Top 8 Things to Do in Berat.
- Albanian Riviera is a place where you will find hidden beaches, pristine coastline, and one of the best places to see the sunset in Albania. Here is a complete 5-day itinerary and travel guide on backpacking the Albanian Riviera.
- "Is this really Albania?" is a question you will ask yourself the moment you set foot into the Albanian Alps. Here is a complete hiking guide on the Theth-Valbona and the Albanian Alps.
- My words aren't convincing you about traveling to Albania? How about you see it for yourself with my Albania travel video? Adoralbania, the Albanian Adventure Travel Video
- For all articles about Albania, visit the Albania Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3-Month Itinerary for Europe.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Looking to travel the Balkans? Check out all my articles about the region here: The Balkans Travel Guide page.
- You can see all of my Eastern Europe-related articles on my Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
- You can also see all my Europe-related articles here: Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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