Short answer: pack swimwear and sun protection for the coast, good shoes for old towns, layers for mountains, and cash-friendly travel basics.

Short answer: Albania is good for families if you choose easy bases like Tirana, Durres, Berat and Vlora, and keep transport simple.

Short answer: Shala River is best for swimming and relaxing; Komani Lake is best for dramatic boat scenery. Most trips combine both.

Short answer: Berat is easier from Tirana and prettier by the river; Gjirokaster is more dramatic, stone-built and museum-rich. Visit both if possible.

Short answer: Durres and Golem are closest to Tirana; Spille and Divjaka are quieter; Vlora and Dhërmi are longer but more scenic.

Short answer: October is excellent for Albania culture, road trips, food and lower prices, but less reliable for beach holidays.

Short answer: taxi or private transfer is easiest from Tirana Airport to the city center; the airport bus is cheapest; rental car is best only if you leave Tirana quickly.

Short answer: the best day trips from Durres are Berat, Bovilla Lake, Divjaka-Karavasta, Kruja and the Vlora-Llogara-Dhërmi Riviera route.

Short answer: September is one of the best months to visit Albania. Warm sea, fewer crowds, better prices and ideal conditions for Riviera beaches, Berat, Bovilla and Komani Lake.

Short answer: choose Albania for better value, wilder beaches and more variety (30–50% cheaper); choose Montenegro for smoother logistics and the postcard beauty of Kotor Bay. An honest, evenhanded 2026 comparison of cost, beaches, mountains, culture and ease — plus why doing both is often the best answer.