Albania in Winter

For many travelers, Albania in winter remains a mystery. Most people don’t even know whether it snows here. And what to do in the mountains or at seaside resorts during the cold season is an even bigger enigma. This article will shed light on all these questions — and help you decide whether it’s worth visiting Albania for Christmas, New Year’s, or even for a skiing holiday.

Albania in Winter: All About the Weather

Today, trips to Balkan cities for Christmas have become quite popular. Many people head to Belgrade or Zagreb for 3-5 days — enjoying the mild weather, cozy atmosphere, low prices, and famous Balkan hospitality. If you look at the map, you’ll see that Tirana lies even farther south than these cities, meaning it’s just as warm, affordable, and full of things to do in winter.

• Albania on the world map and all you need to know about it.

Despite its small size, Albania has three distinct climate zones, which vary greatly, especially in winter.

Zone One: The Warmest Part of the Country

This includes the entire coastline and the capital city, Tirana — all cities located at sea level.

In the coldest winter months, average temperatures range from +5°C to +15°C (41°F to 59°F).

Some of the key cities in this zone are:

• Tirana
• Durrës
• Vlorë
• Dhërmi
• Himarë
• Saranda
• Ksamil

Here, temperatures rarely drop to 0°C (32°F), and snow is a very rare sight.

The farther south you go, the warmer it gets — by a few degrees. For a winter seaside vacation, Saranda is the best choice.

Zone Two: The Balkan Mountains

The second climate zone begins just 30 km (about 19 miles) inland from the coast, stretching deeper into the country.

On the map, this is everything south of Tirana but away from the sea — essentially, the Balkan Mountains, known for their moderate heights (peaks usually don’t exceed 2000 meters).

The towns here are not perched on mountain peaks but nestled at more reasonable altitudes.

The highest towns in Albania are Pogradec, located on the shores of Lake Ohrid, and nearby Korçë — both sitting at 700–900 meters (2300–2950 ft) above sea level.

Interesting Fact:

This applies worldwide, not just in Albania. Roughly every 100 meters (328 feet) of elevation gain lowers the air temperature by about 1°C (1.8°F). This is a general rule, but anyone who hikes mountains knows how real it feels. So, if the coastal average is +5°C to +15°C, here in the mountains you can expect -2°C to +8°C (28°F to 46°F).

Most of the time, temperatures stay above freezing, but snow is possible in both Korçë and Pogradec. Although it doesn’t usually last long, there are winters when snow can stick around for a month or more.

Another curious fact: There is no central heating in Albania. On the coast, people manage somehow, but in mountain towns where temperatures hover around freezing, it’s a different story — and you can see how they cope in the photos below.

Zone Three: The Albanian Alps

This is where Albania’s highest mountains are found — the northern part of the country, known as The Accursed Mountains (or Bjeshkët e Nemuna in Albanian). These peaks earned their ominous name because of their rugged, inaccessible terrain and sharp, fang-like summits that resemble the teeth of wild beasts.

• For more on these mountains and the famous hiking trails through them — in summer, not winter — check out the article linked here.

During winter, the valleys of the Albanian Alps are completely cut off. The few residents — about 30 houses in total — move to the city for the season. While some people remain in the village of Theth, Valbona Valley becomes buried under at least 3 meters (10 feet) of snow every year.

📌 Fun Fact:

You might think this would be the perfect spot for a ski resort — but no, the mountains are so rugged that there’s simply no space to build ski slopes or infrastructure.

Albania in Winter: Ski Resorts

Let’s be brief but honest: there are no real ski resorts in Albania.
Even though over 70% of the country is covered by mountains, Albania lies in a latitude where snow does fall, but not in large amounts — it melts quickly and is simply insufficient for a proper ski resort. As for the Accursed Mountains in the north, as you’ve already read, they are incredibly remote and difficult to access.

Interesting Fact:

Probably the closest real ski resorts to Albania are Kopaonik in Serbia and Kolasin in Montenegro. Further south, you won’t find any serious skiing infrastructure.

But actually… I have to confess — there is technically one ski resort in Albania. I’ve marked it on the travel map (link in the guide’s header). It’s called Bigëll, located in the small village of Dardhë, just 18 km from Korçë.

However, to give you a clear picture of what kind of “resort” this is, here are a few facts:

• Total length of slopes: 3 km — yes, that’s all!
• Great for beginners, but boring for pros.
• Vertical drop: less than 100 meters (330 feet).
• There’s even a ski lift — though it’s a simple T-bar (drag lift).
• Equipment rental: €18, ski pass for adults: €15 for a full day (cheaper for kids).
• The season is very short, lasting just 1–2 months, typically from late December to February — after that, the snow melts away.
• Popular mostly among locals and day-trippers from Tirana.

Author’s opinion:

Honestly, it feels more like a sledding hill back home than a ski resort. I’ve been there — and my impression is that someone simply rented a part of a slope, installed a lift, and decided to call it a resort. Perfect for kids on sleds, but since it’s in the middle of nowhere, I wouldn’t recommend it as a destination — unless you’re extremely curious.

Albania’s Seaside Resorts in Winter

Here it’s very simple: almost all tourist infrastructure is closed in winter, and there are practically no tourists.

The only seaside town that remains somewhat lively, where restaurants are open and you might even catch a bit of sun on a warm day, is Saranda.

And of course, Tirana is bustling year-round — but it’s not on the coast.

👉 Skip Ksamil — it’s a tiny village, and everything is shut down in winter.

Saranda, on the other hand, is home to many expats, and it’s the warmest region of Albania in winter. You can rent fantastic seafront apartments for just €300–400 per month. In summer, these same apartments are rented per night for €30–40.

• Everything about accommodation and types of housing in Albania and what to expect in winter — see full guide here.

Useful to know:

Saranda has one more advantage: daily high-speed ferries to the Greek island of Corfu, even in winter. The trip takes just 25 minutes, covering only 8 km (5 miles) of sea. You’ll be in Greece, where it’s even warmer. You can go for a day trip or a week, as long as you have a Schengen visa. All about ferries in Albania — check this article.

Christmas and New Year’s in Albania

Honestly? A fantastic idea!
The perfect place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Albania is Tirana.

• No snow, but comfortably mild — temperatures hover around +10°C (50°F) and higher.
• All the infrastructure you need for a great holiday is there.
• A vibrant, living city that’s much closer to Europe in spirit than people might think.

Author’s tip:

Here’s an ideal plan:
– Fly to Albania on December 30.
– Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Tirana. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, and both the food and hospitality will surprise you in the best way.
– On January 2, head for a relaxed winter seaside stay in Saranda. Sure, you may not swim, but you’ll soak up plenty of sun — Saranda has over 300 sunny days a year!

• By the way, here’s a link to everything about Albanian holidays — what they celebrate and how long the festivities last.

Final Thoughts

Albania in winter is still an undiscovered gem for tourists.
Sure, there are no real ski resorts.

In the end, it’s up to you. But one thing is certain — a winter holiday in Albania is original, unique, and full of pleasant surprises.

☀️ Wishing you more sunshine and warmth on your Albanian winter adventure!

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Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Albania

• Flights at the best prices with best discounts
• Car rental in Albania (cheaper – only by bus):
  • DiscoverCars – a major international resource
  • LocalRent – the leader in the Albanian car rental market. Very low deposits, even in cash.
• Hotels and apartments throughout the country:
  • TripAdvisor – compares prices among dozens of platforms and offer you the best one.
  • Trip.com – large online booking platform.
• Budget-friendly vacation packages: CheapOair.
• Tours, excursions and activities:
  • GetYourGuide – more than 800 tours
  • Viator – 1050+ excursions and activities throughout the country
• Comprehensive travel insurance: EKTA
• Internet and Calls:
  • Airalo eSIM in Albania from $4.5
  • DRIMSIM – universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.
• Taxi and airport transfer: Intui.Travel