Albania weather by month: when to visit the Riviera
Here is Albania's weather month by month, from the Riviera to the Alps.
Albania packs very different climates into a small country. The Ionian coast around Sarandë and Ksamil is hot and dry in summer and mild in winter. The interior is cooler, and the Albanian Alps in the north have deep snow from December until late spring.
Albania weather month by month
- November to February: 12 to 16 °C by day on the Riviera, with most of the year’s rain. Quiet, cheap, and many beach bars closed.
- March and April: Spring flowers, 17 to 21 °C, good for Butrint, Gjirokastër and Berat without the heat.
- May and June: Warm and sunny, 24 to 29 °C. The sea warms from about 19 °C in May to 23 °C in late June.
- July and August: Hot, often 32 °C and above, sea around 25 to 26 °C. Ksamil and Dhërmi are at their busiest.
- September: Still warm sea, fewer people, lower prices. A very good month.
- October: 20 to 24 °C, swimming still possible in the first half of the month.
The mountains
The famous hike between Theth and Valbona is usually possible from mid-June to late September. Earlier in the year, snow can block the pass, and guesthouses in the valleys open around May.
Best time to visit Albania
For beaches with warm water and fewer crowds, choose June or September. For a mix of coast and old towns, May and early October are comfortable. Avoid the inland cities in the middle of August if you do not like heat: Tirana and Berat can reach 35 °C.
Albania travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit the Albanian Riviera?
June and September give warm sea, sunny days and fewer people than July and August.
Can you swim in Albania in October?
Yes, in the first half of October the sea around Sarandë and Ksamil is usually still about 22 °C.
When can you hike from Theth to Valbona?
Usually from mid-June to late September, when the pass is free of snow and the guesthouses are open.
Find stays on the coast and in the old towns in our Albania guide.
