The climate in Albania is not the same throughout the country. The climate changes depending on the distance of the region from the sea. Let us remind you that Albania has two seas at once — the Adriatic in the north and the Ionian in the south. Thus, in the coastal regions of Albania (for example, Durres, Vlora, Saranda, Ksamili, the southern Riviera) the climate is subtropical, which is typical for all Mediterranean countries. Therefore, in these regions of Albania there is a hot summer, lasting more than five to six months, and a mild, wet winter.
But the southernmost city of Saranda is often called the «sunny city» because the number of sunny days per year here exceeds three hundred! In the summer, rain is very, very rare, there is no snow in the winter at all, because the city is located entirely on the coast of the Ionian Sea. The average temperature in the summer here is +37+42 degrees, and in the winter the temperature rarely drops below +10 degrees. Therefore, you can relax in Saranda, as well as on the southern Riviera (resort villages of Borsh, Himara, Dhermi and others) almost all year round.
In the northern and north-eastern parts of Albania, the climate is continental. Therefore, here, especially in the mountainous part (this is Shkoder, the Tef mountains, which are often called the «Albanian Alps», Puka, Kukes and others) in winter the temperature can drop to minus 15-20 degrees, also in these areas snowfalls are not uncommon, and icy roads are possible. Very often, roads are closed due to icy conditions in other mountainous areas. For example, on the mountain pass of Logara, which is located at an altitude of almost 2000 meters above sea level, on the pass on the road from Korca to Saranda, in the mountains of Berat, Gjirokaster and others.
Shengjin Albania
That is why ski tourism is actively developing in the mountains of Shkoder, Berat and Korca! As has already been said, in the southern part it rains only in the winter months, but in the north and in the summer there are often heavy rains. In general, the average annual rainfall in Albania is from 1200 to 2000 mm.
The beach season at the seaside resorts of Albania begins around mid-May and lasts until mid-October. The hottest temperature is usually after the twenties of July until the end of August. This is the peak of the tourist season. In May, June and September, the water temperature in the sea is already more than 20 degrees, and the heat is not so strong yet, so this time is especially suitable for holidays with children and for older people.