Albania
The Albanian Alps, an unspoilt coast and old towns.
Where do you go when you want to head off with the kids, the car and the tent? On this page we've gathered everything about Albania for you: what there is to see, where to camp and what you need to know on the way.
Compiled and checked by Arjan (Zuidlaren) · sources are given with the text · updated 20 October 2026 · About this site
Introduction
To Albania with the family
Albania has become popular with car travellers in just a few years. In the north lie the Albanian Alps with the Theth valley, in the south a coast with bays and beaches, and in between towns like Berat and Gjirokastër with their stone houses.
Overview
In brief
- Travel time
- 10–14 days (our estimate)
- Best time to travel
- jun, Sep (our estimate · Full table)
- Distance from London
- ± 2,600 km to Tirana (approx., via route planner · plus the Channel crossing by Eurotunnel or ferry)
- Driving days
- 4 driving days (our estimate)
- Tolls and vignettes
- No vignette; toll on the Rruga e Kombit (Details and source)
- Paying
- Albanian lek (ALL)
- EU member
- no
Distances were calculated once with OpenStreetMap (OSRM) from London to the capital; your actual route may be longer or shorter. For London, the Channel crossing (Eurotunnel or ferry) is not included. Driving days assume at most about 750 km per day with children (our estimate).
Practical
Good to know
Money and payments
You pay with the Albanian lek (ALL); in tourist places the euro is often accepted too, but you don't always get a good rate (our experience). Cash matters more here than in most other countries: small campsites, restaurants and market stalls often don't accept cards. Withdraw from a cash machine and choose to pay in lek.
More about costs and saving money
Photo: Avij · Public domain · all photo credits
Language and handy words
A few words work wonders, even with the campsite neighbour's kids:
- Mirëdita: good day
- Faleminderit: thank you
- Ju lutem: please
- Mirupafshim: goodbye
Documents and border
At the EU's external border your passport or ID card is checked, and often your vehicle registration and insurance papers too. In summer, expect waiting time at the border (our estimate) and make sure the car's papers are in your name or that you have the owner's authorisation. Ask your car insurer whether your green card (international insurance card) is valid for this country.
Source: nederlandwereldwijd.nl (travel advice)
More about what is compulsory in the car
Photo: Horizon206 · CC0 · all photo credits
Health and safety
This country is not an EU member, so the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid here. Ask your health insurer before you leave what your cover is, and take out travel insurance with medical cover. Read the current travel advice of the Dutch government just before you leave; it also lists entry rules and emergency numbers.
Source: nederlandwereldwijd.nl (travel advice)
Photo: Friedrich Haag · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
Traffic rules that matter
In practice, Albania has an absolute ban on alcohol when driving (officially 0.1 per mille). During the day, dipped headlights only need to be on in poor visibility. Winter tyres are not mandatory but are recommended in the mountains. Must be carried: warning triangle, safety vest, first-aid kit and spare bulbs (not for xenon or LED). Children shorter than 150 cm may not sit in front and must use a suitable child seat.
Source: ANWB
More about tolls and vignettes
Photo: Igor123121 · CC BY 4.0 · all photo credits
Best time to travel
June and September are ideal: warm sea water and fewer crowds. In July and August the coast is hot and busy (our estimate).
Always check the current rules (tolls, vignette, entry requirements) just before you leave.
🚗 Getting there & distance from Utrecht (NL)
- Destination
- Tirana
- Distance
- ± 2,316 km (one way)
- Driving time
- ± 25.2 h (one way)
- Route via
- NL → DE → AT → SI → HR → RS → XK → AL
- Fuel (estimate)
- ± € 287 (return)
Estimate for the return trip: 6.5 l/100 km Euro 95 at each country's average price (EU Weekly Oil Bulletin, price date 19-10-2026). Fuel for Serbia, Kosovo, Albania not included (not in the EU bulletin). - Vignettes
- Austria: 10-day vignette: € 12.80
- Slovenia: 7-day e-vinjeta: € 16.00 (2 x)
- Tolls
- Distance-based tolls in Croatia Serbia Albania: not calculated, see the official toll operator.
Route: OSRM/OpenStreetMap, calculated 21-10-2026, without breaks or traffic. 2026 vignette prices from the official sellers, checked 21-10-2026. For an 8-day trip, 7-day vignettes count twice.
On the road by car
Tolls and vignettes
| What | Price passenger car | Where to arrange it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rruga e Kombit (Durrës–Kukës) | current price: see source | Toll gate at Kalimash | ARRSH (Albanian road authority) price checked Oct 2026 |
Destinations
Most beautiful places in Albania
Theth
Mountain village in the Albanian Alps; the road there is mountainous, so drive carefully.
Where are you going?
Regions explained
Albanian Riviera
The south coast between Vlorë and Sarandë, with clear water, pebble beaches and villages like Himarë and Ksamil. Warm and sunny; ideal for beach holidays.
Source: albania.al
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Berat and Gjirokastër
Two towns with Ottoman stone houses against the hills, together a World Heritage Site. Lovely for a day of culture between beach days.
Source: UNESCO: Berat and Gjirokastër
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
The Albanian Alps (Theth and Valbona)
Rugged mountains in the north with remote valleys. Beautiful, but the roads are narrow and winding; a normal car can reach Theth these days, with a large camper van it is difficult (our estimate).
Source: albania.al
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
Butrint and the south
Near Sarandë lies Butrint, an ancient city with Greek and Roman ruins in a nature park on a lagoon.
Source: UNESCO: Butrint
More about where to stay by country · More about campsites in this country
On the road
Suggested route by car
A 10 to 14-day route from north to south, possibly entering via Montenegro and returning via Greece (our estimate). Check the driving times in your route planner.
- Days 1-3: Shkodër and, with a suitable car, Theth.
- Days 4-5: Berat.
- Days 6-7: Gjirokastër.
- Days 8-14: the Riviera and Butrint.
Where to stay
Camping
Where do you camp?
Campsites on the Riviera
Along the south coast there are more and more small campsites, often run by a family and close to the beach (our experience).
Source: albania.al
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Campsites near Shkodër
Around Lake Shkodër there are campsites that make a good stopover on the way to or from Montenegro (our experience).
Source: albania.al
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Be careful at the border with Kosovo
Landmines may still lie in the border area with Kosovo; stay on roads and paths.
Source: nederlandwereldwijd.nl (travel advice)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping gear
Gear for this region → (tent, gas, mosquitoes, sleeping bag)
Outings
With kids
Butrint
Children can discover a Roman theatre, city walls and an old gate there, under the trees.
Source: UNESCO: Butrint
Gjirokastër Castle
A large castle above the town, with cannons and a view over the valley.
Source: UNESCO: Gjirokastër
Beach at Ksamil
Small bays with clear, shallow water and little islands nearby. Very busy in high season (our experience).
Source: albania.al
Outings
Fun activities with kids
Water parks, karting, trampolines, bowling, zoos and outings for a rainy day: concrete addresses, chosen with children of about 7 and 9 in mind. We only mention places with their own website, which we checked on 14 October 2026. Opening times and prices change: always check the website.
Our favourites
Dajti Ekspres
Cable car from Tirana to Mount Dajti; at the top there is mini golf, horse riding and a playground, among other things.
🎟️ Tickets/tour via Viator → 🎟️ Also on GetYourGuide → Ad · affiliate link
Photo: User:Albinfo · CC BY-SA 2.5 · all photo credits
AquaPark Albania (Blue Magic Water)
A water park with four pools and several slides, next to the Citypark shopping centre.
🎟️ Tickets & info → official website
Illustrative photo · Photo: Андрей Романенко · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
Bunk'Art
A museum in an enormous bunker from the communist era; exciting for children aged 9 and over (but serious history).
🎟️ Tickets/tour via Viator → 🎟️ Also on GetYourGuide → Ad · affiliate link
Photo: BBB2021 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
Tirana Zoo (Kopshti Zoologjik)
A small city zoo from 1966, renovated, in the Great Park by the lake: according to the website more than 80 animals of 30 species, such as lions, tigers, bears and farm animals. Free parking at the entrance; then run around in the park.
🎟️ Tickets & info → official website
Photo: BBB2021 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
BO Bowling Tirana
A large bowling centre with 24 lanes, plus table tennis, darts and a restaurant. It is on the same motorway as the water park, so easy to combine or as a rainy-day alternative.
🎟️ Book tickets → official website
Illustrative photo · Photo: Photographs by Radosław Drożdżewski (Use · CC BY-SA 4.0 · all photo credits
Winter
Winter sports in Albania
Albania is not a winter sports destination: we found no ski area with its own official website that we could check. Mountain roads are often difficult in winter; see the winter tyre rules below.
Winter tyres and snow chains
- Winter tyres are not mandatory, but recommended. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Albania
More rules per country: winter tyres and mountain passes.
Rules
Rules, fines and quiet places
Wild camping, fines, camper stops, quiet places, smoking, alcohol and nature rules in this country, only with a verifiable source.
Show all rules (14)
Wild camping and fines
- The Albanian tourism agency says camping is possible both in national parks and along the coast, but may be prohibited in some areas. Ask at the information point of the National Agency for Protected Areas or at the municipality. Source: akt.gov.al
Alcohol
- Drivers: total alcohol ban (officially 0.1 per mille because of medicines containing alcohol). Source: anwb.nl
Emergency numbers and breakdown
- Emergency number: 112. Police 129, ambulance 127, fire brigade 128. The numbers for specific services only work with an Albanian phone or SIM card. Emergency staff often do not speak English. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Albania
- Green card: recognised, but not mandatory. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Albania
Health, drinking water and ticks
- The EHIC is not valid here: the European Commission lists only EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. Take out travel insurance with medical cover. Source: European Commission: European Health Insurance Card
- Tap water is not safe to drink; boil it first or use bottled water. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Albania
Money and mobile
- Currency: Albanian lek (ALL). Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Albania
- Card payment works in most banks, large supermarkets, international hotels and at some petrol stations. Outside the town centres there are few cash machines; often you can only pay in cash. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Albania
- Euros (mainly banknotes) are often accepted; mind the exchange rate, because change is often given in local currency. Source: ANWB: travel preparation, Albania
- Roaming charges may still apply here: on 4 June 2026 the Council of the EU authorised talks on extending 'Roam like at home' to the Western Balkans. Check your provider's rate. Source: Council of the EU: 'Roam like at home' and the Western Balkans
Fuel and LPG
- This country is not in the adapter overview of Prins Autogassystemen: check on site and ask your LPG installer. Source: Prins Autogassystemen: refuelling LPG
Winter tyres and mountain passes
- Winter tyres are not mandatory, but recommended. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Albania
Children in the car
- Children under 150 cm may not ride in the front seat; they sit in the back in a suitable child car seat. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Albania
- A child under 4 may ride rear-facing in the front if the airbag is switched off. Source: ANWB: traffic rules, Albania
Rules and fines may change and confuse by municipality. Each line contains the source; see if you're in park management before you go. This isn't legal confuse.
All countries compared: rules, fines and quiet places → · Smoking and alcohol by country → · Practically by country →
Local cuisine
Food to taste
A few dishes you can try with the whole family:
Show all dishes (4)
Byrek
Savoury pastry with cheese, spinach or meat, sold everywhere for breakfast or lunch.
Tavë kosi
Lamb or chicken from the oven with a layer of yoghurt and egg.
Fërgesë
A warm dish of peppers, tomato and white cheese, to dip bread in.
Fresh fish on the coast
On the Riviera you eat grilled fish and squid, often simply with a salad.
Look further
Discover more
Campsites by name, day trips, events and things you had better avoid, each with a source.
Show all tips (4)
Featured campsites
ACSI Eurocampings lists, among others, Camping Familja (Velipojë), Camping Arbi (Pogradec, on Lake Ohrid) and Berat Caravan Camping (Ura Vajgurore, near Berat). Swimming pools are rare, small playgrounds are often there. The campsite often belongs to a hotel or guesthouse.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Albania
Butrint
An ancient city with Greek, Roman and Venetian remains, in a nature reserve near Sarandë. A World Heritage Site and a good morning out; bring water and a hat (our tip).
Source: UNESCO: Butrint
Berat and Gjirokastër
Two Ottoman towns on the World Heritage list: Berat with white houses against the hill and an inhabited citadel, Gjirokastër with stone roofs and a large castle.
Source: UNESCO: Berat and Gjirokastër
Avoid: driving in the dark
ACSI advises against driving in the dark: many roads are unlit, vehicles drive without lights and animals roam freely. There is no roadside assistance, so take some tools and spare parts with you.
Source: ACSI Eurocampings: Albania
Camping & on the road
Rules worth knowing
Passport or ID card
Albania is not an EU member. You need a valid passport or ID card that is still valid for at least 90 days when you leave the country. Read the current travel advice before you leave. Source: Travel advice Albania (NederlandWereldwijd)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Landmines at the border with Kosovo
Landmines or unexploded ordnance may still lie in the border area between Albania and Kosovo, not always marked with signs. Stay on roads and marked paths there. Source: Travel advice Albania (NederlandWereldwijd)
More about wild camping and campsites by country · More about camping for beginners
Photo: Darij & Ana · CC BY 2.0 · all photo credits
Sources
Where does this information come from?
- Travel advice Albania (NederlandWereldwijd)
- Travel advice Albania (NederlandWereldwijd)
- albania.al
- UNESCO: Berat and Gjirokastër
- UNESCO: Butrint
- UNESCO: Gjirokastër
- ANWB (traffic rules)
- ACSI Eurocampings: Albania
Checked on 14 October 2026. "Our estimate" is personal advice, not official information.
Affiliate disclaimer: Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book or buy through one, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Our experiences and tips remain independent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette in Albania?
No, no vignette; there is a toll on the Rruga e Kombit. Prices, where to buy it and the official source are in the ‘Tolls and vignettes’ block on this page. To tolls and vignettes
Can you wild camp in Albania?
Allowed according to ACSI, but not in national parks, nature reserves or on private land. Ask locally. (source: ACSI Eurocampings)
What is the best time to travel to Albania?
June and September are ideal: warm sea water and fewer crowds. In July and August the coast is hot and busy (our estimate).
How far is Albania from London?
From London to Tirana it is about 2,600 km (calculated with OpenStreetMap; check your route planner). The Channel crossing is not included: with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) it takes 35 minutes according to the operator; a Dover–Calais ferry is the alternative. With children, expect about 4 driving days (our estimate).
What must you carry in the car in Albania?
Must be carried: warning triangle, safety vest, first-aid kit and spare bulbs (not for xenon or LED). Source: ANWB. All traffic rules are on our Traffic rules & equipment page. To traffic rules · ANWB
Which travel documents do I need for Albania?
At the EU's external border your passport or ID card is checked, and often your vehicle registration and insurance papers too. In summer, expect waiting time at the border (our estimate) and make sure the car's papers are in your name or that you have the owner's authorisation. Ask your car insurer whether your green card (international insurance card) is valid for this country. Read the current travel advice just before you leave.