Albania summer 2026: how much a week in Saranda and Ksamil costs
Five things to know before heading to the Albanian coast this year. Prices are up to 40 per cent lower than Greece, but there are details the agencies do not highlight.
Is Albania still the cheapest seaside destination for summer 2026, or have its prices finally caught up with Greece and Montenegro? Short answer: it is still cheaper, but less so than three years ago.
According to figures from several Serbian travel agencies, a seven-day stay in Saranda or Ksamil in July and August currently costs 350 to 600 euros per person, depending on accommodation and departure date. That is roughly 30 to 40 per cent below the equivalent in Greece. The gap is still significant, but it narrows year on year.
What a week in Saranda costs
Saranda is the town with the largest hotel capacity, offering options from simple private rooms to five-star resorts.
- Bed and breakfast hotels: from 35 euros per person per night, around 4,100 dinars
- Half-board hotels: 50 to 80 euros per person per night
- Private apartments: 30 to 100 euros per apartment, around 3,500 to 11,700 dinars
For seven nights in a mid-range B&B hotel, total accommodation costs for two come to around 490 euros.
What a week in Ksamil costs
Ksamil is smaller, with crystal-clear water and beaches often compared to the Maldives. The accommodation offer is more limited than in Saranda, which often translates to slightly higher per-unit prices.
- Apartments: 30 to 100 euros per apartment per night
- B&B hotels: from 35 euros per person per night
- Price range for 7 days per person: 350 to 600 euros
Ksamil is especially popular with families with young children thanks to the shallow water in several bays.
Five things to know before you go
- Driving from Belgrade takes 9 to 11 hours. The shortest route runs through Kosovo via the Merdare and Morina crossings, around 850 kilometres in total. You need a green card for the car.
- The beaches are mostly pebble, not sand. Hiring a sunbed-and-umbrella set costs 6 to 20 euros a day depending on location.
- Restaurants are cheaper than in Croatia and Greece. Lunch for two with seafood and drinks runs around 25 euros, about 2,900 dinars.
- ATMs charge a fee, often up to 5 euros per transaction. Better to bring cash (lek or euros) and exchange at the market or with a money changer in the centre.
- Beach and private-apartment Wi-Fi is often weak. If you work remotely, check before booking that you have fibre support.
What you get for 350 euros per person
The cheapest seven-day package usually means coach transfer, third-category apartment accommodation, self-catering and a 10-to-15-minute walk to the beach. That is the option for young travellers, students or those happy with just sea and sun.
If you want something more comfortable, hotel B&B with guaranteed air conditioning and a beachfront location, budget 450 to 550 euros per person.
When to go
Mid-May through the first half of June, the sea is fresh but the beaches are not crowded. Prices then are up to 35 per cent lower than in July and August. September is also excellent, the sea is still warm from summer, the crowds are smaller and prices are slightly lower.
Peak season runs from 15 July to 25 August, when crowds peak and prices top out. If you go then, booking at least a month ahead is essential.
A practical tip for first-timers
If you are visiting Albania for the first time, our recommendation is to start in Saranda. It is the bigger town, with more on offer, easier orientation, more options for dining out and shopping. Once you know the coast, next year you can pick Ksamil, Dhermi, Himara or Borsh for a more authentic feel.
One more thing that always gets forgotten: bring your own sun cream from home. On site, sun creams are 30 to 50 per cent more expensive than in Belgrade.
Are you planning Albania this summer, and which spot are you picking? Let us know in the comments.
