The city of Shkoder, often known as the gateway to the Albanian Alps, is an essential stop on any Balkan travel itinerary. To reach the mountainous national parks of northern Albania, one must pass through the charming city of Shkoder. Backpackers tend to skip big cities, but thankfully, Shkoder is much more than just a… Read More The Backpacker’s Complete Guide to Shkoder, Albania
Albania was full of surprises. Maybe it’s because I went into the country completely blind without knowing a single thing about it. So yeah, to be fair, everything was kind of a surprise. But like, Albania had Alps?!? It wasn’t until I had already spent a few days in Albania that I even found out… Read More The Complete Guide to Albania’s Valbona to Theth Hike | 2026
Albania, where do I even begin? This country is special. Albania is untamed, and overflowing with those unfiltered adventures that simply fill your soul. Adventures like diving into freezing waterfalls, floating down rivers flanked by towering canyons, and holding on for dear life as the guy you hitchhiked with swerves his way through the narrow… Read More The Ultimate Backpacker’s Travel Guide To Albania | 2026
A popular entry point for travelers heading north into the Balkans from Greece is through Saranda, a port town along the Albanian Riviera. Albania is an up-and-coming travel destination, having only opened to travelers relatively recently. Until the 1990’s, Albania was under a cruel Communist regime, and basically closed off to the rest of the… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide To Saranda, Albania
Monstrous mountains? Check. Ancient castles? Check. Cute Insta-worthy alleyways? Hellz yeah. The small village of Berat packs a punch for its small size. I fell in love with Berat immediately, and it’s really no surprise why it is one of Albania’s top destinations. At first, I wasn’t entirely sold on it just based on seeing… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Berat, Albania | 2026
Gjirokaster is one of my favorite little villages in Europe. It was my first introduction to the Albania that I would eventually fall in love with, and that I believe is one of the most underrated countries in Europe. Gjirokaster is charming, filled with history, and overflowing with character. With Albania being my first foray… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Gjirokaster, Albania | 2026