Albania in Early Spring: What to See and Do in March & April
Early spring is my favourite time to be in Albania. There are no tourist crowds, everything is blooming, prices are lower and the weather is great for exploring.
I’ve spent a lot of time in Albania in early spring, and while it’s one of my favourite times to visit, there are a few things you should know before booking your trip. The weather is still changeable, not everything is open yet, and some mountain regions remain inaccessible until summer.
So which month is actually better, March or April? It depends on what kind of trip you want. Let me break it down for you.
Albania in Early Spring: What to See and Do in March & April
I’ve enjoyed both March and April in Albania, but if forced to choose I would pick April. April is just a little warmer, and everything is blooming. The air actually smells like flowers, even in Tirana.
I enjoyed March too, especially the more local feel without tourists, but I needed a warm jacket and jeans.
March vs April in Albania: Quick Comparison
If you’re trying to decide between the two months, here’s a quick side by side comparison:
Weather
- March: Cool and changeable. One of the wettest months. 10–18°C (50–64°F) in most cities. Snow still in the mountains.
- April: Warmer with less rain. 15–22°C (59–72°F). Mountain snow thaws.
Coast & Albanian Riviera
- March: Quiet, many businesses closed. Too cold for swimming in the sea.
- April: Still peaceful, but businesses start to re-open. Still cool for ocean swimming.
Albanian Alps
- March: Limited access and most businesses closed.
- April: Improving access, though changes year to year and most businesses still closed.
Prices & Crowds
- March: Very quiet, feels local and authentic. Hotels and restaurants are cheaper.
- April: Still uncrowded, but more visitors toward the end of the month. Prices slightly higher, but still affordable.
Festivals
- March: Dita e Veres (March 14), a lively national celebration.
- April: Easter (dates vary) – Albanian celebrates both Orthodox Easter and Catholic Easter. Spring Festival in the city of Korce.
What’s Open in Albania in Early Spring
Albania’s capital Tirana, and inland cities like Elbasan and Korce operate year-round, with restaurants, museums and hotels open in both March and April.
In March and April, much of Albania’s mountain region is still closed for the season. The Albanian Alps, including the villages of Theth and Valbona, have very limited services, and hiking is not recommended due to unpredictable weather and lingering snow. Mountain trails and guesthouses typically re-open in May.
Komani Lake and the Shala River are also generally inaccessible at this time of year, as the mountain road conditions can be unreliable.
Along the Albanian Riviera, smaller destinations such as Himare, Dhermi and Borsh are mostly closed in March and early April. A handful of local shops and cafes remain open year-round, but hotel and restaurant options are limited.
Larger coastal cities like Durres, Vlore and Saranda have significantly more open year-round infrastructure and are better bases in early spring. Ksamil, however, remains very quiet, with most businesses closed until later in the season.
Visiting Albania in March: Weather, Crowds & Things to Do
Albania feels very authentic in March. There’s hardly any tourists, and everyone is just going about their daily lives.
Many coastal towns are very quiet at this time of year. When I was in Saranda for the month of March it was peaceful, but a little chilly. I spent a few evenings wrapped in a blanket on the couch.
My dog Watson and I shared the beach promenade with the locals, and I took advantage of the off season to visit Gjirokaster, Syri i Kalter (a few brave visitors were actually swimming in the frigid thermal pools), Butrint National Park and Ksamil. There were no crowds anywhere. Ksamil was like a ghost town, the famous beaches deserted.
Visiting Albania in April: Weather, Blooms & Local Life
For me, April is when Albania is at its most beautiful. Wildflowers, poppies and cala lillies, verdant green mountain views, cherry and almond trees in full bloom, and the air heavy with the scent of jasmine – it’s heaven.
In April, you’ll notice the Albanian Riviera starting to come back to life. The weather is warmer, the days a little longer and locals linger over their coffees at sidewalk cafes. It just feels more lively.
I really enjoyed exploring Dhermi in late April. It’s such a pretty village, but so busy in summer. In April it felt like I had the whole place to myself, except for a few locals.
Early Spring Festivals in Albania
There are two main festivals in early spring in Albania: Dita e Veres on March 14th each year, and Korce Spring Festival.
Dita e Veres is a very old and traditional festival with roots in pagan beliefs, which celebrates the coming summer. The biggest celebrations are in Elbasan, but Permet is also great with a big market focusing on their status as a slow food destination.
Every April, Korce hosts Spring Festival for a week. The streets fill with outdoor markets, music and artisans. Korce is an under-rated gem, a beautiful and cultural city that also has a great food scene. It’s one of my favourite Albanian cities.
Here’s a 2-3 day Korce itinerary to help you plan your spring trip.
Easter is also celebrated in April, usually twice since Albanians recognize both Christian and Orthodox Easter. While not a festival, it is a public holiday.
Best Places to Visit in Albania in Spring (March & April)
In early spring, I recommend focusing on Albania’s cities and larger towns, where there’s enough year round life to feel vibrant even before summer begins.
- Tirana: Albania’s quirky capital city. One of the things I love the most is that you can see the sites in 2-3 days. Tirana is very walkable and most of the sites are in the centre. There’s cafes everywhere, great restaurants and wonderful street art. It’s got to be the most under-rated European capital. Recommended hotel: Hotel Colosseo.
- Durres: Located on the Adriatic Sea, Durres is only 40 km from Tirana, but feels completely different. There’s palm trees, beaches, an ocean front promenade and Byzantine ruins. It’s more laid back than Tirana, and much cheaper. Recommended hotel: Art Gallery Boutique Hotel.
- Berat: The first time I visited Berat was in April and it was so lovely I returned the next year for 5 more days. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of Ottoman era homes, cobblestone streets, medieval churches and one of the oldest living castles in Europe. It’s a postcard everywhere you look. Recommended hotel: Hotel Mangalemi.
- Elbasan: Elbasan is one of Albania’s oldest cities, with a historic centre and impressive castle walls. I haven’t visited yet, but it’s high on my list – especially during Dita e Veres in March, when the city hosts the country’s largest celebration. Recommended hotel: Hotel Guri.
- Vlore: Vlore works especially well in early spring because it has enough year-round life to feel lively, even before the Riviera season begins. It’s the largest city on the Ionian Sea, and although not as pretty as Saranda, it’s definitely more lively at this time of year. Recommended hotel: Hotel Brooklyn Vlore.
- Saranda: Saranda is one of the places I return to again and again, especially in the off season. This pretty, small city curves around a horseshoe bay on the Ionian Sea and has a definite Mediterranean feel – palm trees, almond blossoms and fresh seafood everywhere. It’s only 30 minutes from Corfu, Greece by fast ferry, which makes an easy day trip in calmer weather. Recommended hotel: Titania Hotel.
- Korce: Known as the cultural capital of Albania, Korce really does feel more refined, with wide leafy boulevards, European style mansions, cobblestone streets and many museums. I adore Korce – it’s beautiful, has a fantastic food scene and is very walkable. Korce hosts Spring Festival every April, a week long celebration of music, culture and food. Recommended hotel: Vila E’bel Boutique Hotel & Spa.
How to Get to Albania in March & April
There are two main ways to get to Albania in March and April: fly into Tirana or take the ferry from Corfu, Greece to Saranda.
I usually fly into Tirana because I’m coming from Asia or Canada, and I love spending time in Tirana, but a lot of visitors prefer to fly into Corfu, Greece and the take the ferry to Saranda.
The fast ferry (hydrofoil) is only 30 minutes, but they’re not regular in March and April, and the water can get choppy. There may be only one ferry per day from Corfu to Saranda in early spring, with schedules increasing as the weather improves. During the summer there are multiple ferries each day.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Albania?
This is always a tough question for me to answer, because I spend months in Albania at a time. But, you could see a lot with 10-14 days, and do a mini-trip with as few as 5 days.
Here’s a couple of 5 day itineraries I recommend, and a longer two week Albania itinerary.
What to Pack for Early Spring in Albania
If you’re travelling in March, I would absolutely bring warm socks, slippers, sweaters, a jacket and an umbrella.
April is warmer and towards the end of the month you might be in t-shirts and shorts during the day. So pack warmer weather clothes, but still bring a warm sweater and a cold weather outfit just in case.
5 Day Mini Itineraries for Albania in March & April
Here’s a couple of short itineraries that would work in early spring:
Quick 5 Day Itinerary for March
- Day 1: Tirana (communist sites and Skanderbeg Square)
- Day 2: Elbasan (Dita e Veres festival on March 14)
- Day 3 & 4: Berat (Berat Castle, medieval churches, UNESCO centre)
- Day 5: Durres (ancient amphitheatre, seafront promenade, Venetian tower)
Quick 5 Day Itinerary for April
- Day 1: Tirana (communist sites and Skanderbeg Square)
- Day 2 & 3: Berat (Berat Castle, medieval churches, UNESCO centre)
- Day 4 & 5: Saranda (Albanian Riviera coastal drive to Dhermi, Butrint National Park)
How to Get Around Albania in Early Spring
The best ways to get around Albania are by bus (furgon) or rental car. If you’ve got more time you can use the Albanian buses to get around, but if you’re on a tight time frame, it’s much better to rent a car.
Car rental in the off season is reasonable, especially if you don’t rent a big SUV. I always use Discover Cars to find the best prices. I recently found a great deal with them for a 4 day car rental in Durres in March for €17 (total cost), unlimited mileage.
When I’m not doing a road trip I usually take Albanian buses. Buses are very cheap, but they’re usually furgons (mini-buses or passenger vans) and nothing fancy. The bus network is extensive, but you have to expect unscheduled stops and an approximate departure and arrival time.
Check the Gjirafa Travel website for bus schedules. It may not be 100% accurate, but close enough to give you a good idea of the options. I use this website all the time.
FAQs About Visiting Albania in Spring
Here are common questions about visiting Albania in spring:
Yes, spring is a great time to visit Albania. The tourist crowds haven’t arrived yet, everything is blooming, prices are lower and the weather is great for exploring.
Yes, there is moderate to heavy rain in spring in Albania. Generally, March is the wettest spring month, April is much drier, and there is very little rain in May.
Spring is an excellent time to visit Tirana, historic cities like Kruje, Berat and Gjirokaster, cultural sites such as Butrint National Park or the ancient city of Apollonia, and enjoy the festival of Dita e Veres.
Last Words on Albania in Early Spring: What to See and Do in March & April
If you want fewer tourists, lush green landscapes, and don’t mind cooler, sometimes changeable weather, early March is ideal. For warmer days, blossoming flowers, and more hotel and restaurant options, April is perfect.
Personally, I prefer April for the warmer weather and blooming jasmine. It’s still quiet, and most places along the coast are opening up for the season. Both March and April are fantastic early spring experiences, just in different ways.
