Destination decision library
Choose a base
for the trip you want.
Compare each place by its role, car usefulness and realistic stay — not by a generic list of sights.
Albania · Primary focus
Coast, stone towns
and the northern Alps.
01
Albania · coastal base
Himarë
A relaxed Riviera base with beaches in both directions and a better fit for a road trip than a resort-only stay.- Stay
- 2–4 nights
- Car
- Helpful
02
Albania · beach resort
Ksamil
A compact beach base near Butrint, busiest in high summer and best for travellers comfortable with concentrated crowds.- Stay
- 2–3 nights
- Car
- Not essential
03
Albania · coastal city base
Sarandë
A practical south-coast base for travellers who value transport options, restaurants and a livelier urban setting.- Stay
- 2–4 nights
- Car
- Not essential
04
Albania · historic town
Berat
A layered Ottoman-era city where the castle quarter, riverfront and old neighbourhoods reward at least one unhurried night.- Stay
- 1–2 nights
- Car
- Not essential
05
Albania · historic hill town
Gjirokastër
A steep stone city with a strong sense of place, best used as the cultural bridge between inland Albania and the Riviera.- Stay
- 1–2 nights
- Car
- Not essential
06
Albania · gateway city
Shkodër
The practical northern base for Theth, Lake Shkodër and overland travel towards Montenegro, and the usual starting point for the Theth minibus.- Stay
- 1–2 nights
- Car
- Not essential
07
Albania · mountain village
Theth
A mountain-valley base for walking, where weather, season and transfer planning matter more than fitting in a long checklist.- Stay
- 2–3 nights
- Car
- Depends on your transfer
08
Albania · capital city
Tirana
A practical starting or finishing base for an Albania itinerary, with food, museums, the airport connection and onward transport in every direction.- Stay
- 1–2 nights
- Car
- Not essential
Montenegro · Current coverage
The Bay or
the livelier coast.
09
Montenegro · historic bay town
Kotor
A historic old-town base on the Bay of Kotor, with dramatic scenery and a clear high-season trade-off: crowds and difficult parking.- Stay
- 2–3 nights
- Car
- Not essential
10
Montenegro · coastal resort town
Budva
A busier Montenegrin coast base with beaches, a compact old town and more evening energy than the Bay of Kotor’s smaller settlements.- Stay
- 2–3 nights
- Car
- Not essential