Albania and North Macedonia are the western Balkans’ two most overlooked destinations — both genuinely rewarding, both dramatically cheaper than Croatia or Slovenia, and both offering a combination of mountain scenery, Ottoman heritage, and lakeside or coastal swimming that is hard to match anywhere else in Europe for the price. Choosing between them comes down largely to whether you want sea or lake, and how much wilderness you want in your itinerary.
Quick Verdict
| Factor | Albania | North Macedonia |
|---|---|---|
| Price level | Very affordable — coast is pricier in August | Very affordable — often 10–15% cheaper than Albania |
| Coastline | Adriatic and Ionian Riviera, 400 km of coast | Landlocked — Lake Ohrid is the star |
| Signature sight | Berat and Gjirokaster UNESCO old towns; Albanian Alps | Lake Ohrid (UNESCO) — city, lake, and Byzantine monasteries |
| Mountains | Accursed Mountains, Valbona-to-Theth hike | Mavrovo, Pelister, Galichica national parks |
| Old towns | Gjirokaster, Berat, Shkoder, Kruja | Ohrid, Skopje Old Bazaar, Bitola |
| Schengen | Outside Schengen | Outside Schengen |
| Best season | June–September (coast); April–May (cities) | June–September (lake); year-round (Skopje) |
Bottom line: Albania wins on coastal scenery, the variety of landscapes in a single trip (sea to mountains to UNESCO towns), and the raw adventure of the Albanian Alps. North Macedonia wins on price, Lake Ohrid’s UNESCO beauty, and the concentration of Byzantine heritage within a small and easily navigable country. Both are worth a week, and the two countries combine naturally into a 10–12 day western Balkans itinerary.
Costs
Albania runs slightly more expensive on the coast in peak season. A coffee in Sarandë or Himara costs approximately €1.50–2.50, a beachside main €8–13, and a guesthouse or apartment on the Riviera €55–85 per night in July. Inland — Gjirokaster, Berat, Tirana — costs drop to €1–1.50 for coffee and €6–10 for a meal. A couple’s daily budget on the Riviera in August runs approximately €110–150; inland Albania is closer to €80–110.
North Macedonia is consistently cheaper. In Ohrid — the main tourist town — a lakeside meal for two with local wine costs approximately €25–35. A coffee runs €1–1.50, a guesthouse room €40–65. In Skopje, mid-range restaurants serve mains for €7–11. A couple’s comfortable daily budget in Ohrid or Skopje runs approximately €80–110.
Both countries remain excellent value compared to Croatia, Montenegro, or Greece’s islands.
Where to Stay
Albania
- Tirana — an excellent city base, with mid-range doubles from €50–80. Lively food scene, good transport links. See our Tirana accommodation guide.
- Sarandë and Ksamil — the southernmost section of the Riviera, close to the Greek border; lagoon beaches and turquoise water. Guesthouses and apartments from €55–90; book well ahead for August.
- Himara and Dhermi — livelier mid-Riviera towns, slightly cooler and greener; guesthouses from approximately €50–80 per night.
North Macedonia
- Ohrid — the country’s most beautiful destination, with a lakeside old town, Byzantine churches, and calm swimming. Guesthouses and lake-view hotels from approximately €45–70 per night. See our Ohrid accommodation guide.
- Skopje — the capital offers more choice across price ranges; mid-range doubles from €50–80. Good food scene, the Čaršija (old bazaar), and Matka Canyon day trip. See our Skopje accommodation guide.
Where to Eat
Albania
- Byrek — Albania’s essential savoury pastry, filled with feta, spinach, or meat; €0.50–1.50 at street bakeries. The best budget breakfast in the Balkans.
- Grilled fish on the Riviera — freshly caught whole fish grilled at beachside restaurants; two people with local wine approximately €25–40.
- Tavë kosi — baked lamb with yoghurt and rice, Albania’s most distinctive national dish; approximately €7–10 in traditional restaurants across the country.
North Macedonia
- Tavče gravče — slow-cooked dried beans with peppers in a clay pot; the national dish, deeply satisfying and very cheap (€4–7). Essential eating anywhere in the country.
- Kebapi — small grilled meat cylinders served with flatbread and chopped onion, found at every čevabdžinica; €3–5 for a full portion.
- Lake Ohrid trout (Ohridska pastrmka) — the endemic lake trout, grilled or baked; a full meal for two approximately €30–40. Available at every restaurant along Ohrid’s lake promenade.
Highlights You Can’t Miss
Albania
Gjirokaster and Berat: Albania’s two UNESCO-listed old towns are the country’s historic centrepieces. Gjirokaster’s Ottoman castle and cobbled hillside streets (Enver Hoxha was born here) and Berat’s white “city of a thousand windows” are both genuinely striking and far less visited than equivalent sites in Croatia or Slovenia.
The Albanian Riviera: From Sarandë to Palasë, the coastline offers a succession of small coves, fishing villages, and beaches ranging from busy resort strips to quiet spots accessible only on foot or by boat. Ksamil’s lagoon beaches — split into four small islands connected by sand bars — are among the prettiest in the Adriatic basin.
The Albanian Alps: The Valbona-to-Theth trail (approximately 7–8 hours, medium difficulty) is one of the most celebrated hikes in the Balkans. See our Albanian Alps guide for detail on transport, accommodation, and the best time to tackle the route.
North Macedonia
Lake Ohrid: UNESCO-listed for both the city and the lake ecosystem, Ohrid is North Macedonia’s unmissable destination. The 15th-century fortress, the early Christian and Byzantine churches (Church of Saint John at Kaneo is the most photographed), and the clear blue lake make it one of the most beautiful small towns in the Balkans.
Skopje’s Čaršija: The old bazaar quarter of Skopje is a functioning Ottoman market town within a modern capital — more authentic than Sarajevo’s Baščaršija in some respects, and very much still a working neighbourhood. The fortress above overlooks the whole city.
Matka Canyon: 15 km west of Skopje, the Treska River canyon offers kayaking, cave tours, and monastery visits in a setting that feels completely wild despite being so close to the capital. Day trips from Skopje are easy; entrance to the canyon is free.
Getting Around
Albania
Furgons (shared minibuses) connect most towns and are inexpensive (Tirana to Sarandë approximately €7–10). The country’s road network has improved significantly since 2020; a car is the best way to reach the Albanian Alps and more remote Riviera spots. Hire a car in the Balkans.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia is compact — Skopje to Ohrid is approximately 3 hours by bus (€8–10). Bitola, the country’s second city, is another 1.5 hours south of Ohrid. A car unlocks Mavrovo, Galicica National Park, and Lake Prespa. Public buses are reliable on the main routes.
Getting Between Albania and North Macedonia
Tirana to Skopje: Several daily bus services, approximately 5–6 hours, €15–20. The route crosses the Qafë Thanë border pass via Elbasan.
Tirana to Ohrid: Less frequent buses or a combination of bus to Elbasan and onwards; approximately 3.5–4 hours total. Private transfers are available for groups.
Overland advantage: Many travellers start in Tirana, travel south along the Riviera to Sarandë, then circle back north through Berat and Gjirokaster before crossing into North Macedonia via Korçë, arriving in Ohrid from the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid — a spectacular approach.
Best Season
Albania: June and September are the optimal months for the Riviera — warm water, manageable crowds, reasonable prices. August is very busy on the coast (Albanian and Kosovar holiday season). The Albanian Alps are hikeable from June through September; April and May are excellent for the historic towns.
North Macedonia: Lake Ohrid is swimmable from mid-June through mid-September; July and August are busiest and hottest. Skopje is pleasant year-round for city exploration. Spring (April–May) brings wildflowers to Mavrovo and Galicica — excellent for nature photography.
Internal Links
- Albania travel guide
- North Macedonia travel guide
- Where to stay in Tirana
- Where to stay in Ohrid
- Where to stay in Skopje
- Albania 7-day itinerary
- North Macedonia 5-day itinerary
- Albania and North Macedonia 7 days
- Ohrid vs Budva
- Ohrid vs Bled
- Tirana vs Pristina
- Albania vs Montenegro
- Balkans travel costs
FAQs
Is Albania or North Macedonia cheaper? Both are excellent value. North Macedonia has a slight edge overall — meals in Ohrid and Skopje are generally 10–15% cheaper than equivalent options on the Albanian Riviera. Inland Albania matches North Macedonia on price.
Can you visit both in one trip? Yes — Tirana to Ohrid takes approximately 3.5–4 hours, and direct buses run Tirana to Skopje in 5–6 hours. A 10–12 day itinerary covering both countries works very well and is one of the most rewarding combinations in the western Balkans.
Which is better for swimming? Albania for sea swimming; North Macedonia for freshwater. Lake Ohrid is spectacularly clear and warm in summer, while the Albanian Riviera has some of the best beaches on the Adriatic and Ionian coasts.
Which is easier to fly into? Albania. Tirana International Airport has significantly more routes than Skopje; most European low-cost carriers operate there. Many travellers fly into Tirana and do both countries overland.
Comparing other destinations? See our full Balkans comparison guide.
Plan your trip: Tours in Albania · Tours in North Macedonia · Car hire in the Balkans · Travel insurance · Flights to the Balkans
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