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Table Of Contents
- Welcome To Albania
- Cities To Consider As A Digital Nomad
- Safety As A Digital Nomad
- Getting To & Around Albania
- And That’s A Wrap
- Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome To Albania
Albania is a scenic country in the Balkans that has been gaining more and more popularity as the days pass by. Albania’s rich culture, deep history, and beautiful beaches are the main reasons why most travellers are flocking here to spend their summers.
Though Albania is still managing to maintain its status as a hidden gem, it is only a matter of time before it becomes a mainstream travel destination. Based on my experience in Albania, I’d recommend you explore this Eastern European charm before the rest of the world finds out about it — I’ll give it till 2026 to blow up.
Moreover, because of its lower cost of living, Albania is becoming an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads as well. Its proximity to Greece and its convenient access to other nearby countries such as North Macedonia and Montenegro makes it all the more desirable to remote workers. Pair all of this with its picturesque summery seaside, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a stellar digital nomad hub.
Read on below to discover the different cities of Albania and their suitability for remote work life.
Lastly, before you dive deeper into this article, I’d like to give a shoutout to Sierra (@BelleTropics on Instagram) for co-authoring this post with me!
Cities To Consider As A Digital Nomad
Saranda
For The One Who Wants To Have A Good Time
Saranda - also known as Sarandë - is the heart and soul of the Albanian Riviera with good vibes, good seafood, daily convenience, and a buzzing seaside culture. Out of all the places I visited in Albania, Sarandë stole my heart. If I were you, I would make Sarandë my base and work from here - it is a guaranteed crowdpleaser!
Saranda is a great option for day trips to other beautiful cities on this list such as Ksamil and Gjirokaster — and also to Corfu in Greece. You can get here by taking a 4-hour bus from the capital Tirana or by taking a 30 min ferry from Corfu, Greece.
Verdict: this is 100% my number one pick as the top digital nomad city in Albania.
Tirana
For The City Dweller
Tirana/Tiranë is a hub for many remote workers and digital nomads. It’s also known as Europe’s Youth Capital. It's filled with culture and history — the most you'll get in Albania. Tirana is Albania’s biggest city with the most restaurants, cafes, bars, and workspaces compared to the other spots on this list.
It’s important to note that Tirana has the only airport in the country and all major bus routes through the Balkans run through Tirana so it's a solid choice for convenience.
Verdict: Tirana is a solid and convenient pick for digital nomads in Albania.
Ksamil
For The Beach Lounger
Ksamil has buzzing beach clubs filled with relaxing sunbeds and tropical cocktails. It’s definitely more on the fancy and expensive side. There are hidden remote beaches that are accessible if you have a car which is worth going to. You can find some beautiful properties here. Ksamil is a true gem of the Albanian Riviera though it is packed with tourists.
Ksamil is just 30 mins away from Sarandë and similar to Sarandë, Ksamil is also a quick 30 min ride from Corfu in Greece.
It’s important to note that Ksamil is much smaller and densely packed compared to Sarandë - if that’s the vibe you’re chasing.
Verdict: Come here if you like small cities with fancy beach clubs and vacation vibes. Alternatively, you could stay in Sarandë and come here as and when you please since they're so close by.
Himara
For The Small Town Vacation Vibes
Himara/Himarë is Albania’s diamond in the rough. This small seaside town sits on a stunning bay with a backdrop of mountains and olive groves. This area has some of the most beautiful natural views and stretches of coastline.
It maintains the heart of a small town with the growing potential of a vacation hotspot. New beach clubs and hotels have begun to pop up along the coast, but they’re balanced out by family-owned restaurants, quiet corners of paradise, and endless hidden gems to discover here. There’s plenty of local charm paired with the perks of a town that is eager to welcome tourists.
Pro tip: Don’t skip the short hike to Filikuri Bay to climb down a makeshift rope onto one of Albania’s best beaches! The adrenaline rush is totally worth it.
Verdict: Himare is the definition of the word “chill.” Come here if you’re looking for a few days of small town seaside vibes - without the higher energy crowd of Sarandë.
Durrës
For The Silent Beacher
Durrës, Albania’s main port city, lies right by the sea just 30 minutes away from the buzzing capital city of Tirana. Despite its amazing location, it doesn't have the excitement people may expect — which could be a good thing if you're seeking quiet seaside vibes to get work done. Durrës doesn't have the charm and energy of the Albanian Riviera but it surely has the convenience of location if you need a quick seaside escape.
Verdict: you'd rather stay in Tirana and come here for a day trip and work remotely from a beach restaurant.
Shkodër
For The Mountain Hermit
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Shkodër/Shkodra is a chill and quiet mountain town. It’s known for its scenic mountainous views including a 2-day hike to Theth, a boat trip of Lake Skadar, and the panorama of the city from the Rozafa Castle. If you like really really slow mountain towns with good restaurants and local cafes, you can come to Shkodër.
I spent a few days in Shkodër and it pleasantly surprised me because of its slow pace. I managed to work out of beautiful restaurants and cafes and got a lot of work done whilst exploring the nature in the surrounding areas.
Shkodër is conveniently located just 2 hours away from Albania’s capital, Tirana and Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica if you’re ever longing for a bigger city escape for the day.
Verdict: if you like the peace and quiet of the hills, this spot is for you
Gjirokaster
For The Authentic Culture Experience
Gjirokaster embodies old-school Albanian culture, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic Albanian experience. While you won't find big city resources or a thriving tech scene here, you can certainly immerse yourself in the traditional Albanian way of life and savour its unique charm.
Verdict: In my opinion, it is too small to live and enjoy. I'd recommend staying in Sarandë and visiting here for a day trip since it’s only 1.5 hours away.
Safety As A Digital Nomad
During my time in Albania, I had a safe and pleasant experience with no issues or concerns. Throughout my exploration of the country, I never felt out of place or uncomfortable. The locals were exceptionally kind and always ready to lend a helping hand when needed.
Additionally, I must mention that I encountered very few travel scams during my stay. For instance, taxi drivers consistently offered fair prices for their services without the need for lengthy negotiations. It was refreshing to experience such honesty and transparency during my travels. Just don’t look for trouble or do anything careless and you should have nothing to worry about.
As a woman travelling solo, Sierra was comfortable during her trip to the Albanian Riviera. She found the locals to be very welcoming and friendly to tourists, with plenty of safe options for tours, accommodations, and transportation. There is a strong female expat community in Sarande with women of all ages. She found that the bus system was a safe and easy way to get around, with the bus drivers being extremely helpful to tourists navigating the area. Hitchhiking is very common in Albania, but most female expats she met recommended against it when you’re not with a travel partner or group of people.
One thing that may surprise you is that Albanian locals, both men & women, are very comfortable staring at tourists! This is a common aspect of the culture and is just a signal of curiosity rather than danger. It may be uncomfortable initially (especially for women traveling solo), but it’s not as intimidating if you’re expecting it!
Getting To & Around Albania
Flight to Tirana
Tirana is home to Albania’s only international airport which is one of two main entry points into the country. From Tirana, you can get buses to almost every major city in Albania.
Flight & Ferry via Corfu
The other main entry point would be to fly into Corfu in Greece and take the 30 min ferry across to Saranda or Ksamil. This is definitely the better option if you want to spend most of your time in the Albanian Riviera.
Buses in the Balkans
Most of the time it's just about showing up to the station and inquiring about intercity bus timings. People usually buy their bus tickets on the spot so be prepared for some uncertainty and chaos - this is normal for travellers in the Balkans. This shouldn’t stop you from visiting.
Riviera Bus
The Riviera Bus is a pricey but comfortable & scenic route that takes you from Tirana to the south of Albania at €29.90. You can consider this one if the public bus system can get confusing or overwhelming for you.
Renting A Car
Thinking about renting a car in Albania? Travelling around Albania will be much easier if you have a car. It's a total game-changer compared to dealing with the local public transport hassle. Plus, having your own wheels lets you hit up those off-the-beaten-path beaches in the Albanian Riviera.
And That’s A Wrap
Albania offers digital nomads the perfect combination of culture, nature, and play. It is an ideal destination for digital nomads because of its vibrant culture, rich history, and laid-back lifestyle.
This blog post should give you the lowdown on various Albanian cities and how they match up with different traveller and digital nomad vibes. Cheers to your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best city in Albania for digital nomads?
Without a doubt, Saranda steals the spotlight as my top recommendation for digital nomads in Albania. The heartbeat of the Albanian Riviera, Saranda offers an unbeatable combination of good vibes, delicious seafood, daily convenience, and a buzzing seaside culture. In my personal experience, this city stole my heart, making it a 100% top pick as the ultimate digital nomad hub. With the added advantage of easy day trips to other picturesque cities like Ksamil and Gjirokaster, plus a quick 30-minute ferry ride to Corfu in Greece, Saranda is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for remote workers.
Is Albania safe for digital nomads?
Reflecting on my time in Albania, I can attest to a safe and pleasant experience, with no notable issues or concerns. The locals, known for their exceptional kindness, contribute to a welcoming atmosphere for tourists. My co-author Sierra, a solo female traveler, felt comfortable exploring the Albanian Riviera. Safety wasn't a major worry, with trustworthy options for tours, accommodations, and transportation. The limited encounters with travel scams and helpful locals makes Albania as a safe destination for digital nomads.
Is WiFi in Albania good?
Albania's growing popularity among digital nomads shows that the country has a reasonable internet infrastructure. In my experience, it was not hard to find accommodations and cafes with strong wifi. Not once during my stay did I have any major problems with internet connectivity. Internet is not a big concern if you're staying the heart of an Albania city.
