Lately touted as the Maldives of Europe and a sizzling hot summer destination, Albania also offers visitors during the winter plenty to do, as well!
With a rich history, cozy mountaintop villages and unique natural sights, you’ll find plenty of things to see in Albania this winter.
These are the 5 most magical things to do in Albania in wintertime:
1. Spend a Cozy Weekend in an Ottoman-Style House in Gjirokastër
Picturesque views of snowcapped mountains? Cobblestone-laden streets leading to a bustling bazaar? A dramatic clocktower keeping guard over an ancient river valley?
Check, check and check. Gjirokastër has it all – and for prices as low as 15 euros a person a night during the winter season.
This former merchant-class city is home to Albania’s best museum and offers breathtaking views of Mount Nemërçka. Discover local dishes like oshaf, a sweet, condensed goat-milk dessert topped with cinnamon and figs, and qifqi, fried rice balls, at local restaurants in the town center. And don’t forget to try the different varieties of rakia, the signature Albanian spirit, on tap at Komiteti.
Hosts here gladly welcome visitors during the winter months into centuries-old homes that have withstood the test of time, offering warm hospitality, crackling fireplaces, and the chance to experience authentic Albanian traditions surrounded by the charm of stone walls and historic architecture.
2. Visit Skanderbeg Square’s Christmas Market
Back in Tirana, the liveliest place in all of Albania during December and the beginning of January is Skanderbeg Square, the capital’s famous thoroughfare hosting events throughout the year. In the month before Christmas and New Years, this pedestrian-only area is transformed into an open-air carnival full of roller coasters, food stalls, picture-taking booths and beebee gun shooting ranges.
Have you ever tried roasted chestnuts in the winter? Vendors and shops hawk these delicious, freshly baked snacks right off the fire to passersby, along with mulled wine, to keep you warm as you take in the lively and bright energy of the square.
Rides are affordable, the food is local and delicious, and the vibes are fun and spiritful.
While many foreigners have started to visit Albania during the penultimate two weeks of the year, you’ll experience a less touristy version of Albania during this period and interact mostly with locals out with their families.
After the square, head over to Albanian Night! Those looking for a cultural show in Albania to teach them about Albanian culture and history will find their one stop shop at our cultural center. Albanian Night offers a show every night at 19:00 that blends music, dance and a seven-course dish to immerse visitors in Albania’s timeless cultural heritage.
3. Watch the Fireworks over Tirana from Lapidari on New Years Eve
Have you ever seen a whole nighttime skyline light up with fireworks?
Buckle up, because this experience in Tirana is not for the faint of heart! Lapidari is a Communist-era monument overlooking the capital which offers panoramic views over the entire city and its environs. It gets cold here at night, so make sure to dress in layers. You can walk directly from the city; experienced hikers and fitness enthusiasts can make it to the top within 45 minutes or an hour.
Albanians love to celebrate, and New Years is considered Albanians’ biggest holiday of the year. The entire city sounds like a war zone if you aren’t used to this level of festivity, and the best views are to be found on the small hills just outside the city!
4. Hit the Beaches of Southern Albania
Seriously. The only thing better than the beaches of Southern Albania are having them all to yourself, and during the winter, you can stake out an entire beach and spend the whole day by yourself, journaling by the calm waters of the Ionian. The sun still shines in Albania even in the winter, so temperatures during midday are oftentimes pleasant.
Spending a serene day alone at the beach with loved ones or by yourself is a great way to meditate and disengage from hectic city life and reconnect with nature. Gjipe, usually extremely busy starting in March and April, is almost entirely deserted and offers a short hike into a gorgeous canyon full of birdsong and verdant greenery that is sure to help your nervous system hit the reset button.
5. Bathe in the Thermal Baths of Përmet
Imagine bathing in geothermal baths under a five hundred year old Ottoman arch bridge while looking out at the snowy Albanian alps in the distance.
This could be your Albanian winter: soaking in the sulfurous waters of southern Albania’s most famed springs, which are almost empty during the winter months.
Don’t forget to bring a towel and sturdy shoes for the short walk to the springs. Visiting in winter means you’ll likely have this magical spot almost entirely to yourself, making it the perfect place to unwind. Banjat e Bënjës, Përmet’s famed geothermal springs, are free and open all year round.
Don’t Miss Albania’s Signature Cultural Show!
Before you hop back on your flight home, don’t forget to experience Albanian Night in the heart of Tirana this winter at the country’s first-ever nightly cultural show. Dress in traditional Albanian attire, dance to UNESCO-recognized Iso-Polyphony and savor authentic regional dishes in Tirana’s top cultural show.
Plan your visit today for an unforgettable dive into Albania’s rich heritage!
