Is Saranda, Albania Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Saranda is the gateway to Albania for many, or just an amazing alternative to other overcrowded and overpriced Mediterranean destinations. It is known for crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches and its natural beauty, all at a fraction of the price of similar European holidays. But is this really true and can you visit Albania, specifically Saranda, safely as a solo, female traveller in 2025?
If you have read any of my solo travel guides before, you will likely have heard me rave about Albania. It was my first country that I was slightly apprehensive before visiting due to mixed feedback and the country that positively surprised me the most.
I spent four weeks volunteering and travelling Albania last summer, and had the most incredible time. The locals were so friendly, I met a ton of other solo travel girls and it was super budget-friendly.
In this guide, I will lay out everything you need to know about safety when travelling to Saranda, including where to stay, what to do and my top safety tips.
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Saranda, Albania - Solo, Female Travel Guide
Is Saranda safe to visit?
Before my first trip to Albania, people all around me told me horror stories and made me worried about my trip there. Mind you, none of those people had been there before. As for travel advisories, the UK has no specific warnings regarding Albania, Australia asks to exercise a high degree of caution and the US increased caution. So on paper, travelling to Albania may sound risky.
But what is the reality?
In my experience, Albania is one of the safest places to visit in Europe. Saranda especially was very touristy and I met a lot of other solo, female travellers, both in my hostel and on tours.
Saranda has a very low crime rate, with bribery still being the biggest issue. This isn’t something that should affect you as a tourist.
It also has the friendliest locals I have met in a long time. When I was got lost trying to find my hostel late in the evening, a father with his young kid walked with me for 5 blocks to find my accommodation and we had a lovely chat about our home countries. Even with the language barrier, everyone I met was happy to try and help you and just so kind.
Saranda is also becoming increasingly popular with digital nomads, due to its low cost of living and beautiful beaches, nature and daytrip options. I met a few while travelling there and all were talking about how happy they were with their choice of moving here and how safe it felt.
As for where to stay, check out my full accommodation guide for Saranda. As for the best area to stay in Saranda, the city center is pretty walkable and there are public beaches, tons of restaurants and shops right by the harbour that you can enjoy, hence staying close by is always a great option. In addition, most tours depart from near the harbour.
As with any city, basic safety precautions do apply here. Keep an eye on your belongings and don’t flaunt expensive stuff. Keep to safe areas at night and avoid walking around alone once it gets dark. Pick accommodation with reviews by other female, solo travellers if you can. Check out my full guide on safety for women travellers in any country here.
Is Albania in general safe to travel to for solo, female travellers?
The rest of Albania follows Saranda in its path when it comes to safety. It is a very safe country to travel, even for female, solo travellers.
I volunteered at a hotel in Vlore and felt safe and welcomed my entire stay. You can check out my full Vlore safety experience here.
Albanians are very kind and excel at hospitality, making you feel welcome from the moment you step through the doors. It is also one of the safest countries for hitchhiking, even as a solo female, though I would still recommend being extremely cautious.
One of the things I will mention is that as a solo, female traveller you will likely attract attention. Solo, female travel isn’t really an existing concept in Albania, so it attracts curiosity. I’m sure this has gotten less the more touristy Albania has become, but expect some stares and friendly catcalls. I say friendly, as it entails beeping their horns and shouting “gorgeous” or “beautiful” – while slightly annoying, it never went further than that and it never made me feel unsafe.
I also felt that while I was approached every now and then, I never felt uncomfortable or pressured. My “no” was respected and I was left alone when I wanted to be.
I also had a good experience on the public transport in Albania as a solo female. I was often the only non-Albanian on there and never had any issues or moments where I felt unsafe. Just make sure you know exactly where you need to go and have downloaded a local map of your destination as the buses don’t really have a set drop-off point.
Where to travel to in Albania?
While Saranda and Vlore are both great options for a beach holiday in Albania, there are actually a ton more places worth checking out. The capital Tirana for example is somewhat of a digital nomad haven and well worth visiting.
Himarë and Dhërmi are slightly quieter beach destinations, whereas Gjirokaster and Berat are stunning cities more in the centre with lots of history.
You could also check out the mountain town of Theth, Kasmil for those maldives vibes and the historic Korça.
Conclusion: Is Albania Safe for Solo Female Travellers in 2025? And should you visit?
In my opinion and based on my experience, as well as those of other travellers I have spoken to, Albania is safe to visit. The locals are friendly, there are lots of other travellers and tourists and there are some amazing accommodation and tour options.
As for if you should visit, 1000%. Albania is a beautiful country with some incredible beaches, historic cities and stunning natural beauty to explore. The best part is that it’s still very budget-friendly. You will get the most amazing holiday for a fraction of the price of e.g. Greece, Italy or Spain.
I also think now is the time to visit Albania. It has slowly started hitting the mainstream tourist stream, but is still in the beginning stages. Visit now, before it becomes overrun and expensive!
FAQ about Solo, Female Travel
How do I deal with loneliness while traveling alone?
When I first started solo travelling, meeting people felt super difficult. Even in hostels, everyone already seemed to be in their little groups and I was struggling. I remember being on week 3 of my Australian East Coast trip and calling my mum sobbing because I felt so lonely.
The more I solo travel, the more I have learned about loneliness and making friends. First of all, I am much more comfortable being with myself now. If I don’t find anyone to hang out with, that is okay. FOMO is sometimes still there, but I always remind myself that I am doing my best.
I usually do meet other people though. A good way is booking hostels with activities as it is SO easy to meet others during say a trivia night or a city tour. Another great way is choosing a female dorm – I often find myself bonding quicker with the girls in there. I also use Bumble BFF. That may sound awkward but I have met some of my now closest friends on there and it has been so great while travelling, especially if I am longer in one place. Finally, Facebook Groups – there are hundreds of travel groups out there and so many other solo travellers just waiting to meet you!
Sometimes though, loneliness prevails. Over the years I have learned that when the feeling refuses to leave, it is my time to go home. It’s a sign from my body that I need a break from travelling and constantly meeting new people. I need familiarity and my family. And that’s okay! Trust me, it took me a while to learn this but stopping a trip early is not failure, especially if it has already been a few months.
What are the benefits of solo travel as a woman?
I have grown immensely as a person since I have started solo travelling – in my overall confidence, trust in my own abilities and also people skills. Making friends used to be hard, now I am very comfortable talking to new people and have met so many of my closest friends while travelling. The best part about the people you meet while travelling is that they have a similar mindset to you and also often a lot to share about their own culture and traditions, meaning your worldview opens up a lot.
Travelling solo also means I get to choose where I go when, I can change plans last-minute and if I don’t like something, I will simply leave. These are all things you can’t do as much when travelling with another person. In addition, you get a lot of time for self-reflection but also to take in this new destination. I have noticed that I experience a place much more intensely when I am solo travelling, compared to when I am with e.g. friends.
Overall, I think solo travel truly changes you as a person. Once you have navigated a new country by yourself, you feel like you can do anything. I would recommend any woman to solo travel at least once in her life! Learn to trust yourself and that you don’t need anyone else to do things for you. Obviously it is nice to have someone else to rely on, but solo travel teaches you that it is not necessary – and that will change your whole perspective on life and relationships.
How do I choose affordable but safe accommodations?
The first thing I do when choosing accommodations in a new destination is research the area. Which areas are safe for tourists, especially solo travellers. There are usually lots of resources about these things. If you are unsure, you could also reach out to accommodations for advice.
Second, I usually stay in hostels or hotels that are rated well amongst solo-travellers. This is so I can meet other travellers but also so I know that the location is good etc. Hostel dorms are usually your cheapest option though some countries also have affordable AirBnBs – for those I always make sure it is a female host.
Reviews are crucial!! Check several sites such as booking, Google, Tripadvisor, etc. Some red flags are people talking about stuff being stolen, no women leaving reviews, bedbugs and any negative comments about staff. A huge red flag for me is also when a hotel responds rudely to complaints – it’s unprofessional and will probably affect you if something goes wrong.
Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
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