Winter
Dec → Feb12 to 14°
nights 3 to 6°
- 11 rainy days · 156 mm
- 7.3 h of sun
- sea 17°
When is the best time to visit Albania?
In short: June to September for the riviera between Vlora and Ksamil, and May, June or September for Berat and Gjirokastër without the July heat. June and September are the best compromise: warm sea, beaches less crowded than in July and August, and 27 to 28 °C in Tirana instead of 33 °C.
- The Albanian Riviera: From June to September, the beaches of Dhërmi, Himara, Saranda and Ksamil offer clear water; July and August bring the crowds.
- The Albanian Alps: In summer, when the trails of Theth and Valbona are clear; the glacial lakes of the Gashi valley can only be reached in this season.
- Ottoman towns: In spring and autumn, Berat and Gjirokastër can be explored in peace, with 18 to 24 °C in the afternoon in Tirana in April, May and October.
- Nature in spring: In April and May, the countryside turns green again around Përmet and Lake Shkodër, despite 11 to 12 rainy days a month in Tirana.
Best avoided: November to January, the season of heavy rain (199 mm in November and 202 mm in January in Tirana), when the riviera is asleep and snow reaches the mountain trails.
Sources: akt.gov.al, akt.gov.al, akt.gov.al
- Jan12°not recommended
- Feb14°not recommended
- Mar15°fair
- Apr18°fair
- May24°recommended
- Jun28°recommended
- Jul33°recommended
- Aug32°recommended
- Sep27°recommended
- Oct23°fair
- Nov17°not recommended
- Dec14°not recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Albania, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12° | 3° | 6.8 h | 202 mm | 13 d | 16° | |
| February | 14° | 4° | 8.1 h | 96 mm | 8 d | 16° | |
| March | 15° | 5° | 9.2 h | 132 mm | 12 d | 16° | |
| April | 18° | 9° | 10.6 h | 141 mm | 11 d | 17° | |
| May | 24° | 14° | 11.7 h | 102 mm | 12 d | 20° | ✓ |
| June | 28° | 18° | 13.4 h | 59 mm | 7 d | 25° | ✓ |
| July | 33° | 21° | 13.8 h | 19 mm | 3 d | 27° | ✓ |
| August | 32° | 21° | 12.9 h | 38 mm | 6 d | 28° | ✓ |
| September | 27° | 17° | 10.6 h | 129 mm | 8 d | 27° | ✓ |
| October | 23° | 13° | 9.4 h | 141 mm | 9 d | 24° | |
| November | 17° | 9° | 7.1 h | 199 mm | 9 d | 21° | |
| December | 14° | 6° | 7 h | 171 mm | 13 d | 18° |
The four seasons in Albania, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Tirana) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May15 to 24°
nights 5 to 14°
- 12 rainy days · 125 mm
- 10.5 h of sun
- sea 18°
Summer
Jun → Aug28 to 33°
nights 18 to 21°
- 5 rainy days · 39 mm
- 13.4 h of sun
- sea 27°
Autumn
Sep → Nov17 to 27°
nights 9 to 17°
- 9 rainy days · 156 mm
- 9 h of sun
- sea 24°
Book early for May to September
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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Daylight in Albania, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In June there are 15h09 of daylight, in December 9h12, a difference of 5h56.
9h30Jan
10h33Feb
11h49Mar
13h16Apr
14h29May
15h09Jun
14h52Jul
13h49Aug
12h24Sep
11h01Oct
9h48Nov
9h12Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Tirana" (41.33°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Albania, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | ||||||||||||
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Towns & culture | ||||||||||||
| Diving & snorkelling | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 1 |
EventsDita e Verës, Summer DayMarchDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: February, June, September, October, November
- Beach & swimming: June, July, August, September, October
- Towns & culture: February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November
- Diving & snorkelling: June, July, August, September
- Long days: May, June, July
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Albania, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- MarchDita e Verës, Summer Day
In mid-March, the whole country has the day off and Elbasan brings its ballokume cakes, fires and music out into the streets.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Albania, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇱 The Albanian Riviera | · | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · |
| 🇦🇱 Tirana | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
Month by month, in detail
January
Not recommended12°3° at night
- 202 mm · 13 d
- 6.8 h
- sea 16°
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended14°4° at night
- 96 mm · 8 d
- 8.1 h
- sea 16°
Low season, lower prices
March
Fair15°5° at night
- 132 mm · 12 d
- 9.2 h
- sea 16°
Low season, lower prices
April
Fair18°9° at night
- 141 mm · 11 d
- 10.6 h
- sea 17°
Low season, lower prices
May
Recommended24°14° at night
- 102 mm · 12 d
- 11.7 h
- sea 20°
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended28°18° at night
- 59 mm · 7 d
- 13.4 h
- sea 25°
Busy, without the crush
July
Recommended33°21° at night
- 19 mm · 3 d
- 13.8 h
- sea 27°
High season, book early
August
Recommended32°21° at night
- 38 mm · 6 d
- 12.9 h
- sea 28°
High season, book early
September
Recommended27°17° at night
- 129 mm · 8 d
- 10.6 h
- sea 27°
Busy, without the crush
October
Fair23°13° at night
- 141 mm · 9 d
- 9.4 h
- sea 24°
Low season, lower prices
November
Not recommended17°9° at night
- 199 mm · 9 d
- 7.1 h
- sea 21°
Low season, lower prices
December
Not recommended14°6° at night
- 171 mm · 13 d
- 7 h
- sea 18°
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Cool: 12 °C at best, 3 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (202 mm). Expect 6.8 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Cool: 14 °C at best, 4 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (96 mm). Expect 8.1 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. Cool: 15 °C at best, 5 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (132 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 9.2 h a day on average. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
April. Mild, 18 °C in the afternoon and 9 °C early in the morning. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (141 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.6 h a day on average. Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (102 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.7 h a day on average. Cool sea (20 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
June. 28 °C in the afternoon and 18 °C at night. Rain stays light: 59 mm over 7 days. Plenty of sunshine: 13.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 25 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
July. Real heat: 33 °C at the warmest of the day, 21 °C at night. Hardly any rain (19 mm over 3 days). Plenty of sunshine: 13.8 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
August. Real heat: 32 °C at the warmest of the day, 21 °C at night. Rain stays light: 38 mm over 6 days. Plenty of sunshine: 12.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. High season: book early.
September. 27 °C in the afternoon and 17 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (129 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.6 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
October. Mild, 23 °C in the afternoon and 13 °C early in the morning. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (141 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 9.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 24 °C: pleasant swimming. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Cool: 17 °C at best, 9 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (199 mm). Expect 7.1 h of sunshine a day. Cool sea (21 °C), for the brave. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Cool: 14 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (171 mm). Expect 7 h of sunshine a day. Cool sea (18 °C), for the brave. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Albania?
June to September for the riviera between Vlora and Ksamil, and May, June or September for Berat and Gjirokastër without the July heat. June and September are the best compromise: warm sea, beaches less crowded than in July and August, and 27 to 28 °C in Tirana instead of 33 °C.
Which month should you avoid in Albania?
November to January, the season of heavy rain (199 mm in November and 202 mm in January in Tirana), when the riviera is asleep and snow reaches the mountain trails.
What is the hottest month in Albania?
July, with 33 °C on average in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Tirana).
What is the coldest month in Albania?
January, with 12 °C at best during the day and 3 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Tirana).
What is the driest month in Albania?
July: 19 mm over 3 days of rain, against 202 mm in January, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Albania?
July, with 13.8 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
Does it get cold at night in Albania?
The gap between day and night reaches 12 °C in July: 33 °C in the afternoon, 21 °C at dawn. Pack an extra layer, even in high season.
When can you swim in Albania?
The water reaches 22 °C or more in June, July, August, September, October (warmest 28 °C in August), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Ksamil).
When is the best time to hike in Albania?
February, June, September, October, November: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Tirana), the safest windows for walking.
When to go diving or snorkelling in Albania?
June, July, August, September: the sea is above 25 °C, warm enough to stay in a long time without a thick wetsuit. 2023-2024 records on the nearest coast (Ksamil).
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Albania guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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Photos: Arlind D / Pexels · Paolo Bici / Pexels · Regimantas Danys / Pexels · Jean-Paul Wettstein / Pexels · Valter Zhara / Pexels · Konpasu.de Blog / Pexels