Albania’s tourism sector is incredibly dynamic and the range of accommodation has been expanding rapidly in recent years. Authentic experiences await you in private accommodation or camping in the countryside. Higher-category hotels are also slowly starting to appear. If you want to book your accommodation in advance, use the global search engine Booking.com.
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The Albanian Riviera is experiencing a construction boom, with new hotels and guesthouses springing up like mushrooms in recent years. New accommodation is mainly in the mid and lower price range. Luxury five-star hotels are slowly finding their way to Albania, but you’ll already find a few in Tirana, Durrës or on the Albanian Riviera.
But the surge in tourism is not limited to popular locations; it is also reaching rural areas, where it is currently one of the only sources of income.
Accommodation in Albania is cheap compared to the rest of Europe, starting at 10 euros per person per night. As a rule, these are small guesthouses that have been established by locals setting aside part of their homes for guests. In this type of accommodation, you have the ideal opportunity to chat with your hosts and get a glimpse into the ins and outs of Albanian life.
In Tirana and other touristic cities such as Berat or Gjirokastër, hostels with dormitories for backpackers (prices from 15 euros per person with breakfast). The price of a two-room room in a small hostel in the metropolis usually starts at 20-25 euros per person and 50-60 euros in the mid-price level. More luxurious hotels charge around 100 euros per person.
Prices in Albanian hotels are often quoted per room, not per person. Owners don’t usually care whether you pay in euros or leks, other currencies such as dollars or pounds are not usually accepted.
If it’s worth it to you, don’t be afraid to negotiate the price. Especially with homestay accommodation, you can knock a few euros off the price.
Any haggling probably won’t help you on the coast, where prices go up rapidly during high season. Accommodation here tends to sell out quickly, so it’s a good idea to book well in advance. During the low season, many hotels are not open at all.
As far as private accommodation is concerned, hospitality and respect for the guest are central to the Albanian culture. Especially in the more remote areas where tourism has not yet developed, you may find that locals will invite you into their homes and treat you royally without asking for any money. After all, the guest room is traditionally the most beautiful room in the house.
Where there are no formal lodging options, most Albanians living in rural areas will be pleased to assist you in finding somewhere to stay. There is usually always someone among the locals who will put you up in their home.
Campsites are still a relatively new phenomenon in Albania, yet there are already several dozen of them throughout the country. Many guesthouses often allow people to build their tens in the garden, for a small fee.
But Albania is a paradise for free camping, which is generally tolerated, even in national parks. If you decide to set up camp near someone’s home, you should tell the locals and ask permission. Most probably they will have no problem with this, rather they will invite you to their home.