A visual journey through ancient castles, turquoise beaches, and timeless stone towns.
Albania has quietly become one of Europe’s most underrated gems — and a dream come true for photographers, storytellers, and first-time travelers looking for raw beauty, authenticity, and fewer crowds. We visited in the middle of summer with a group of four kids, two cameras, and zero expectations. What we found was a string of postcard-perfect locations that felt both untouched and cinematic.
Here’s a curated list of the 10 most Instagrammable places in Albania, complete with notes on location, entry prices, and personal anecdotes. Some locations made us sweat (literally), some took our breath away, and some — we kept going back to.
1. Gjirokastër – The Stone City
📍 Location: Southern Albania, 3-hour drive from Tirana
💰 Entry to Castle: 400 LEK (~€4)
This UNESCO World Heritage town instantly became one of our favorites. The entire city is built from stone — stone rooftops, stone streets, even stone staircases winding up steep hills. Every turn feels like you’ve stepped into a fantasy film set.
We wandered through its narrow alleys around sunset, camera in hand, barely able to put it down. The light bounced off the slate rooftops and painted the Ottoman-era houses in soft gold.
The Gjirokastër Castle sits proudly on a ridge, offering sweeping views of the Drino Valley. Inside, old cannons and a former prison tell the story of Albania’s layered past — but the real reason to go is for the shots from the walls at dusk.
We totally fell in love with it. I wish we had more time to explore the town. Even the souvenir shops looked charming through my lens.
2. Ksamil – Albania’s Tropical Surprise
📍 Location: Southern coast, 15 minutes from Sarandë
💰 Beach Access: Free public beaches; private sunbeds start at 1000–2000 LEK (€10–€20/day)
Often dubbed “the Maldives of Europe,” Ksamil looked unreal — almost too saturated to be true. Turquoise water, floating paddle boats with slides, and little white-sand islands just a short swim away.
But timing matters. We went during a 100+ °F heatwave and wildfires in nearby Corfu dimmed visibility. The main beach was overcrowded. Despite that, a quiet moment on the drive back saved the day.
On our way back to Himarë, we pulled over at a random cliff just in time for the sunset. That spontaneous stop ended up being the most Instagrammable moment of our day.
📸 Pro tip: Visit early in the morning or later in the evening for less crowd and softer lighting.
3. Livadhi Beach, Himarë – The Jewel of the Riviera
📍 Location: Himarë, southern Albania
💰 Free access, sunbeds from 1000 LEK (€10)
We kept coming back to Livadhi Beach. Not because we’re beach bums — we’re not — but because something about the place pulled us in.
Bright sun, clear water, and kids that finally forgot about screens. Photography-wise, I leaned into the harsh light I usually avoid. The strong midday sun actually made the turquoise color pop.
This is exactly what I teach in the Document Happiness travel photography course: embrace the elements instead of fighting them.
The northern side felt more local and gritty; the southern side leaned upscale. One evening, we had dinner at the Miamar Hotel restaurant (we weren’t staying there), and the design was sleek and modern. Even the bread looked good on camera.
4. Gjipe Beach – Secluded and Stunning
📍 Location: Between Dhermi and Himarë
💰 Free access; parking 300–500 LEK (€3–€5)
Possibly our favorite beach if it weren’t for the hike. No road leads directly to Gjipe Beach, so we parked and trekked in the scorching sun for 20 minutes — longer for me, as I had to double back to change shoes (my sandals literally melted).
But once we reached the shore, it was all worth it.
The beach is tucked between towering cliffs, creating a natural amphitheater. The water? Glass-clear. The light? Dreamy. The vibe? Remote and peaceful, with minimal facilities (aka no WiFi distractions).
I couldn’t stop clicking my camera during my lone hike. Each step felt like a discovery.
📸 Instagram tip: Best photos are taken from the trail above, looking down at the crescent bay.
5. Himarë Castle – Sunset Over the Ionian
📍 Location: Himarë town center
💰 Free
We saw it every day from our Airbnb patio but only climbed up on Day 5 — just in time for sunset. The ruins are modest but atmospheric. The view? Absolutely breathtaking.
I didn’t have a tripod, so I propped my camera on a railing. The photos weren’t technically perfect, but I still loved them. That golden hour light over the Ionian Sea — pure magic.
Sometimes it’s less about perfection and more about presence.
6. Butrint National Park – Ancient Among the Trees
📍 Location: Near Ksamil
💰 Entry: 1000 LEK (~€10)
History meets landscape in Butrint National Park. Ancient Greek ruins, Roman mosaics, and Venetian towers are all nestled among green forest and wetlands.
We didn’t explore as much as we wanted — over 100°F temps and cranky kids cut the visit short. But even the parts we saw were awe-inspiring. It’s one of those places where you pause your camera and just breathe it in.
If you’re into ruins and birds, this is your place. Just maybe not at noon in July.
📸 Best shots: Roman theater, Lion Gate, reflections in the lagoon.
7. Jale Beach – Laid-Back and Family-Friendly
📍 Location: Between Himarë and Dhermi
💰 Free entry, sunbeds from 800–1500 LEK
Jale Beach had a big, open feel similar to Livadhi but with more dining options. We spent the whole day there and had meals at Lemon, a restaurant tucked away at the far end with ping pong tables, foosball, and pool for the kids.
The water was that classic Ionian blue, and it was super easy to access — no hiking, no drama. Just park, walk down, and dive in.
Not the most “wow” visually, but sometimes ease and good vibes are the best backdrop.
8. Llamani Beach – Picture Perfect but Pricey
📍 Location: Just south of Himarë
💰 Premium: expect 2–3x the cost of other beaches
A spontaneous find. We saw it on the map and decided to go. It was labeled a “private beach,” and the prices reflected that — umbrellas were expensive, and food cost more than anywhere else we’d been.
But the beach was stunning, and something unexpected happened here:
Apollo, my 8-year-old, figured out how to swim. And just like that, we forgot the price tag.
We even lost Orion (our 5-year-old) for a nerve-wracking 20 minutes. Found him happy and sandy. Met two Albanian women from NYC. The best kind of random day.
9. Vlorë – Where History Meets Palm Trees
📍 Location: Central Albanian coast
💰 Free to explore; restaurants and cafes vary
Vlorë surprised us the most. Sleek buildings, palm-lined boulevards, and a waterfront that looked more like Southern California than the Balkans. It has the beachy charm and historical weight (this is where Albanian independence was declared).
It wasn’t on our original photo list, but we’re glad we added it. The golden hour walk along the promenade felt effortless — and so did the photos.
Tip: Walk to the far edge of the promenade for fewer people and uninterrupted sea views.
10. Bar Restaurant Marko – Sunset Over the Mountains
📍 Location: Near Vuno, inland from Gjipe
💰 Mid-range meals (1500–2500 LEK per person)
Not your usual Instagram hotspot — until the sun sets. We stopped here for dinner after a long beach day, and the view from the terrace made us pause mid-bite.
It was one of those meals where everything just felt right: the golden light, the cool breeze, the tired kids finally quiet, the plate of grilled fish that somehow looked like art.
Sometimes the best Instagrammable places are just really good dinners at the right hour.
📌 Summary Table: Most Instagrammable Places in Albania
| # | Place | Type | Location | Entry / Cost | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gjirokastër | Historical town | Southern Albania | Castle: ~€4 | Stone rooftops, castle views |
| 2 | Ksamil | Coastal village | Near Sarandë | Free / Paid beaches | Turquoise water, islets |
| 3 | Livadhi Beach | Beach | Himarë | Free | Best beach color, great light |
| 4 | Gjipe Beach | Secluded beach | Near Dhermi | Free + hike | Clear water, cliff views |
| 5 | Himarë Castle | Historic ruins | Himarë | Free | Sunset hilltop views |
| 6 | Butrint National Park | Archaeological site | Near Ksamil | ~€10 | Ruins + wetlands |
| 7 | Jale Beach | Family beach | South of Himarë | Free | Easy access, relaxed vibe |
| 8 | Llamani Beach | Private beach | South of Himarë | Expensive | Pretty + Apollo learned to swim |
| 9 | Vlorë | City + beach | Central coast | Free | Promenade + palm trees |
| 10 | Bar Restaurant Marko | Restaurant w/ view | Near Vuno | Mid-range | Sunset + peaceful dining |
Final Thoughts
Albania is full of surprises — visually, culturally, and emotionally. For first-time visitors, especially those who love photography or travel storytelling, it’s the kind of place that rewards curiosity and spontaneity.
Some shots you plan. Others just happen. Some views require a hike, others appear while you’re eating dinner with sand still stuck between your toes.
Bring your camera, yes. But more importantly, bring a wide-open heart. Albania has a way of filling it.
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