Best time to go to Albania for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 27/05/2024When is the best time to go to Albania?
The best time to visit Albania starts in April and ends in late October, but if you really want to enjoy the beach and swim in the Adriatic Sea, you will have to wait until June.
The country indeed has many beautiful beaches that stretch from the north to the south of its western coast and are particularly attractive for summer holidays. The rest of Albania is mostly made up of the Dinaric Alps, a mountain range that rises in the Balkans. They will delight nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in July and August, when temperatures are pleasant. If you are a history buff and enjoy architectural heritage, you can take advantage of the mild spring days in April/May to enjoy your stay in peace.
When is the best time to visit Albania to avoid crowds? Unsurprisingly, the high season runs from June to October, with a peak in August. It is also during this time of the year that prices are the highest, whether for flights or accommodation. If you prefer to visit the country with as few tourists as possible, opt for the months of April and May. The weather is very pleasant along the coast, but still quite cool in the mountains. It is also a good time for hiking, as the risk of rain is quite low.
Fall, in October and November, is also a good option to visit Albania, with the added bonus of being able to swim late into the season. Although temperatures drop quickly in the mountains, the landscapes are beautiful with trees displaying vibrant colors. This is the period to choose if you want to recharge in the magical setting of the mountains. However, it is best to avoid the northern part of the country from early November onwards, as rain is often present.
In winter, even if temperatures can be mild on the Adriatic coast, the atmosphere is often humid and not conducive to strolls, unless you opt for a city break of a few days in Tirana, the capital, Gjirokastra, Berat, or Durrës.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Central Albania
Tirana, Elbasan, Kavajë...
Northern Albania
Durrës, Shkodër, Kukës...
Southern Albania
Saranda, Vlore, Pogradec (Ohrid)...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Albania for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Albania in january Albania in february Albania in march Albania in april Albania in may Albania in june Albania in july Albania in august Albania in september Albania in october Albania in november Albania in december
Best time to travel to Albania by cities
Climate and Weather in Albania
Albania is a country in Southern Europe, located on the Balkan Peninsula. It shares land borders with Greece, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro, as well as a maritime border with Italy. Durrës is actually located almost directly across from Bari, and Vlora is only a short distance from the heel of the Italian boot. The Adriatic coastline stretches for approximately 360 km, and 70% of the territory is mountainous.
Albania's climate encompasses several types. Here are the main trends:
- A hot Mediterranean summer climate covers 57% of the country and is particularly prevalent in the capital, Tirana.
- A temperate Mediterranean summer climate is more common in inland areas, especially around Elbasan.
- A humid continental summer climate with no dry season is found in the far north of the country, near Shkodër.
Overall, Albania's weather is influenced by the presence of the sea to the west and mountains to the east. Temperature variations are very significant throughout the year, with four distinct seasons.
Climate in Albania during the summer
Between June and September, it is hot and not very humid in the coastal plains. It is the perfect time to go to the beach and enjoy swimming in water with temperatures ranging between 23 and 26°C (79°F) . In July and August, temperatures are particularly high with averages varying between 30 and 35°C (95°F) during the day and around 26°C (79°F) at night. Heatwaves above 40°C (104°F) are not uncommon, especially in Shkodër, in the north of the country.
If you wish to visit Albania in July and August, the ideal is to head to the mountains. By gaining altitude, temperatures are milder. For example, it averages 28°C (83°F) in Kukës at the height of summer, and nights are even cool with minimums rarely exceeding 13°C (56°F) in the region.
In June and September, the climate is milder along the coast. Expect averages between 25 and 29°C (85°F) and a few degrees less in the highlands. However, while July and August are generally dry, September is rainier throughout the country.
Climate in Albania during the autumn
Albanian autumn is mild and quite rainy:
- In October, temperatures are still very pleasant: around 22°C (72°F) during the day on the coastal plain and 17°C (63°F) in the eastern mountains. However, rain is often present, especially in Southern Albania, around Saranda or Vlore. When the sun reappears, it is still possible to swim, with water temperatures around 23°C (74°F) .
- In November, averages drop to around 18°C (65°F) in the plain and 12°C (54°F) in the highlands. Rain intensifies in the north and south. The adventurous can still attempt a swim, as the sea water is 1 to 2°C (36°F) warmer than the air at this time.
- In December, the risk of rain decreases significantly, but it is much cooler. Expect temperatures between 12 and 14°C (58°F) on the coast, an average of 9°C (49°F) in Elbasan, and already winter temperatures in the mountains with negative lows and highs struggling to exceed 5°C (41°F) , so snow is present.
Climate in Albania during the winter
January and February are the coldest months of the year in Albania. While the coast and nearby plains are relatively spared with highs between 10 and 13°C (56°F) , temperatures are much colder in the mountains, like in Korçë for example, ranging between -2 and 6°C (43°F) .
In terms of precipitation, these are also the rainiest months of the year, especially in the extreme south of the country. In the mountains, snowfall is frequent and roads are often blocked.
In March, the atmosphere is a bit milder, with temperatures 2 to 3 degrees higher, but rain is still present, making the atmosphere humid and not very conducive to visits.
Climate in Albania during the spring
In spring, temperatures gradually rise. They are still mild in April with averages between 17 and 20°C (68°F) in the plain and around 15°C (59°F) in the highlands. In May, they rise rapidly to reach 22 to 23°C (74°F) . By June, summer is here: temperatures range between 24 and 29°C (85°F) depending on the regions, and sea water reaches 24°C (76°F) .
Until the end of May, precipitation is still significant, but it becomes less frequent towards the end of the season.
Temperatures and rainfall in Albania
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Albania and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Tirana, Durrës, Saranda, Shkodër and Vlore, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Albania
Find out when Albania has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Albania
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, November and December. The number of visitors to Albania is high in: June, July, August, September and October.
- Very low season in Albania: January, February and March.
- Low season in Albania: April, May, November and December.
- High season in Albania: June, July, September and October.
- Peak season in Albania: August.
Figure: Visitor index for Albania month by month
Average price for flights to Albania
A return flight between London and Tirana is generally cheaper if you go in february ($ 71 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 199 more for your airline ticket to Tirana if you go in august.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Albania
Where to go in Albania?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Tirana | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F | 54°F |
| Durrës | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F | 54°F |
| Saranda | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 79°F | 70°F | 65°F | 58°F |
| Shkodër | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 68°F | 76°F | 85°F | 92°F | 94°F | 83°F | 72°F | 63°F | 54°F |
| Vlore | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 81°F | 85°F | 86°F | 79°F | 72°F | 65°F | 56°F |
| Elbasan | 45°F | 49°F | 54°F | 63°F | 72°F | 81°F | 88°F | 88°F | 76°F | 67°F | 59°F | 49°F |
| Kavajë | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F | 54°F |
| Kukës | 38°F | 43°F | 49°F | 59°F | 67°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 74°F | 63°F | 54°F | 43°F |
| Pogradec (Ohrid) | 41°F | 45°F | 52°F | 59°F | 68°F | 76°F | 83°F | 85°F | 76°F | 65°F | 56°F | 47°F |
| Apollonia | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 86°F | 88°F | 81°F | 72°F | 65°F | 58°F |
| Berat | 52°F | 56°F | 59°F | 67°F | 76°F | 83°F | 90°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F | 56°F |
| Bulqizë | 38°F | 41°F | 49°F | 58°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 81°F | 72°F | 61°F | 52°F | 41°F |
| Buneci Beach | 50°F | 52°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 86°F | 88°F | 79°F | 70°F | 61°F | 54°F |
| Butrint | 56°F | 58°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 86°F | 79°F | 72°F | 67°F | 59°F |
| Dajti Mountain National Park | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F | 54°F |
| Ersekë | 38°F | 43°F | 50°F | 59°F | 68°F | 76°F | 83°F | 85°F | 76°F | 63°F | 54°F | 43°F |
| Golem | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F | 54°F |
| Hamallaj | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 74°F | 83°F | 88°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 65°F | 54°F |
| Himarë | 50°F | 52°F | 56°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 86°F | 88°F | 79°F | 70°F | 61°F | 54°F |
| Karaburun Peninsula | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 81°F | 85°F | 86°F | 79°F | 72°F | 65°F | 56°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Albania
What can I do in Albania?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Albania reliable?
Climate data for Albania has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Albania allows us to determine the average for each month in Tirana, Durrës, Saranda, Shkodër, Vlore, Elbasan, Kavajë, Kukës, and 31 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.