Montenegro Vs Albania [Which Country To Visit First?]

Planning to visit the Balkans but don’t know which country to choose first? Let me help you narrow your visit to two popular countries, Montenegro and Albania, and compare them side by side to give some insights.

Key Takeaways

• Montenegro offers luxurious resorts and fancy beaches, but it comes with a price. It is a very expensive country for tourists as compared to Albania.
• You can go skiing, hiking, and rafting in both countries’ breathtaking mountains and rivers.
• Albania is the perfect spot if you are an adventurer exploring new places. However, if you are interested in historic areas and culture, Montenegro is the best option.
• Both these countries have stunning beaches for outdoor activities. Moreover, you can enjoy many festivals there, mostly at night, and experience the nightlife in both countries.

Both of these countries have their unique aspects. Where Montenegro welcomes its visitors with historic towns, Italian Infrastructure, mountains along the Adriatic Sea, and the famous Bay of Kotor, Albania offers a rugged coastline and beaches with a view of Albanian landscapes. Albania is a less explored country, so some of its historic places give the feel of authenticity because they are untamed compared to Montenegro.

However, while planning your Montenegro vs Albania holiday, you can choose which country suits your preferences and desired experience.

Location & Geography

Montenegro is located along the Adriatic Sea with its famous Bay of Kotor, also known as Boka. It’s home to stunning towns like Kotor, Budva, and Podgorica (the city of Five Rivers and Montenegro’s cultural hub).

With an area of 13,812km, it is the smallest country in the Balkans and the last city to gain independence in Europe. Beyond its coasts, Montenegro has beautiful mountains and national parks, as well as natural wonders like Durmitor National Park.

On the other hand, Albania is also located near the northern part of the Adriatic Sea and the south of the Ionian Sea. Albania’s coastal areas are located along its Rivera, which is famous for its lovely beaches near Ksamil, Dhermi, and Tirana. On the other hand, the Albanian Alps are known for their breathtaking natural views.

Theth and Valbona Valley are particularly loved by tourists and are great hiking destinations. This area is twice the size of Montenegro, covering an area of 28,748km across landscapes from mountains to beaches.

Cost difference

Accommodation Cost

The cost of accommodation depends on the type of stay you’re looking for. Luxury resorts are pricier, but an average day’s stay will cost around $70.00 to $115.00 per night which is super expensive.

On the other hand, Albania is larger than Montenegro in terms of area and is a more significant tourism hub, yet it’s more affordable across the board. Here, accommodation is less expensive, ranging from $40.00 to $95.00 daily; you will get the best experience at this price.

Dining & Food

While visiting Montenegro, remember that food can be a bit expensive, particularly in those hostels near coastal areas.

Likewise, Albania is generally affordable when it comes to food. The local cuisines, which I’m sure you look forward to trying, are delicious and cheap! However, keep in mind that prices in the coastal area go significantly higher.

Transportation

On average, transportation in Montenegro costs €55.00 to €60.00 per day for a person. But in Albania, the average daily expense is €40.00 to €42.00 per person.

Festivals & Outdoor Activities

Montenegro vs Albania means discovering festivals and fun outdoor activities to make your trip memorable.

In Montenegro

Multiple festivals are organized throughout the year in Montenegro, some of which include:

Mimosa Festival

One of the famous festivals which starts to celebrate spring in Montenegro. People enjoy this festival by showcasing their local food and culture and displaying Mimosa flowers nationwide. This festival is the oldest and has been celebrated for almost 50 years.

Montenegro Film Festival

This Film festival starts in August every year for almost 30 years and is celebrated in Hercegi Novi, a town in the Bay of Kotor. Multiple theatres open during this festival, which features the best films and documentaries by renowned Authors. This event promotes Movies, Art, and culture and, more importantly, glorifies Montenegro as a filmmaking destination.

Rafting On Tara River

You can experience the incredible natural wonder of rafting between the tall mountains of Durmitor on the Tara River. It is the best way to explore Durmitor National Park from sea level because you can not do that from above, and the ideal time for that is between April and October.

in Albania

Albania is a country known for its Festivals and Celebrations throughout the year. Some of them include:

Tirana Jazz Festival

If you visit Albania during September and want to make it more special by listening to the best jazz music, you must visit the Jazz Festival in Tirana. During this festival, renowned musicians from Albania and around the globe collaborate to celebrate jazz music.

Festival Of Urban Folk Songs

It is a National Festival celebrated yearly in every city in Albania, focusing on Albanian Folk music and songs. It starts in March and is held in Elbasan, a city in Albania; during this, multiple concerts are held where national singers sing folk songs and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Albanian Alps

There is nothing better than the Albanian Alps for enjoying outdoor activities. You can do multiple activities, from Hiking and skiing to Mountain Climbing. Moreover, you can visit Valbona and Theth National Parks for picnics if you travel with your family or friends.

There you can enjoy sightseeing and see the national animals and birds. Also, you can enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Albania.

Related: 10 Unmissable Events in Tirana This Winter

Montenegro Vs Albania Beaches

Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the beaches in Montenegro and Albania are the perfect spots for relaxation and relief of work stress. Here are our favourites.

Beaches In Montenegro

So if you are visiting Montenegro and want to enjoy beaches, your priority would be The Jazz Beach in Budva. It is not super fancy, but the mountains and the sea offer nature lovers the best of both worlds.

On top of that, if you visit in summer, it would be a double treat because you can enjoy the best summer music festival, the Sea Dance Festival. It would be heaven while listening to live music and dancing in the crystal clear water of this beach.

Another must-visit beach is Sveti Stefan Beach, located on the island of Sveti Stefan. Even though this beach is open to the public, to get a more luxurious experience, you can rent sun loungers with insanely expensive resorts. The experience you will get there will be the one you have been craving for longer.

Beaches in Albania

Albanian Beaches are more focused on scenery and a cosy environment. So, my first pick of a beach would probably be Dhermi Beach, located in the village of Dhermi. Infrastructure that rocks have naturally formed there is terrific, and you would not want to miss sunset on those.

Moreover, you can stay there late at night and experience the Albanian Nightlife, another once-in-a-lifetime experience.

My second pick for Albanian Beaches would be Jalë Beach. If you love swimming or want to enjoy the nightclubs, this is hand down the best beach in Albania. People love to swim here due to its clear water with golden sand underneath it. Due to its lively atmosphere, it is a perfect spot for date nights.

Find out more about Beaches in Albania

My Thoughts

Montenegro vs Albania is a hot topic in the tourism world, and undoubtedly, these two countries are at the top if you want to visit the Balkans. However, it seems like Montenegro is experiencing a decline in tourism due to its high expenses, and budget-conscious travellers are focusing more on Albania.

In the past few years, worldwide economic downfall, probably after COVID-19, has forced travellers and tourists to focus on expenses. From what I can see, I am not certain if most tourists would like to visit Montenegro given the high cost and the fact that they can get the same beauty, landscapes, and beaches in Albania for half the price.

But suppose you don’t care about the budget. In that case, you should visit Montenegro to experience its culture, food, and, most importantly, historic Infrastructure, which would be a whole other experience.

SOURCES

• Tripadvisor Montenegro Accomodation
• Albania Hotel Deals Tripadvisor
• Budget Your Trip
• Albania Travel Info