Islands of Albania
From militarised Sazan to the postcard islets of Ksamil and the monastic calm of Zvërnec, Albania's islands are small, wild and startlingly clear.
Explore islands of albania
Four tiny islets in impossibly clear water off Ksamil — swim, paddle or take a €5 boat.
A once-secret military island at the mouth of the Bay of Vlorë, now open for guided day trips.
A pine-shaded islet in the Narta lagoon linked by a wooden footbridge to a 14th-century Byzantine monastery.
Frequently asked
Q.How many islands does Albania have?
Albania has around a dozen named islands, mostly small — Sazan is the largest, followed by the Ksamil group, Zvërnec, Kunë, Franz Joseph and several Ionian islets.
Q.Can tourists visit Sazan Island?
Yes — Sazan is a former military island open to organised day-tour boats from Vlorë. You can visit tunnels, bunkers and swim in isolated coves.
Q.Are the Ksamil islands worth visiting?
Absolutely. The Ksamil archipelago's three main islets sit just offshore and are reachable by a short swim, pedal-boat or taxi-boat with some of Albania's clearest water.
Q.Is there a monastery on an Albanian island?
Yes — Zvërnec Island near Vlorë holds a 13th-century Byzantine monastery, reached by a wooden footbridge across a peaceful lagoon.
Q.When is the best time to visit Albania's islands?
June and September offer warm water without the peak-August crowds. Boat trips run daily from Vlorë, Sarandë and Ksamil throughout summer.
Top islands of albania to visit
Popular across Albania
Ksamil, Dhërmi, Jale and the full Albanian Riviera.
Theth, Valbona, Llogara and the Albanian Alps.
Butrint, Llogara, Divjaka, Prespa and Dajti.
Ohrid, Skadar, Koman and Prespa.
Grunas, Sotira, Peshtura and the Osum canyon falls.
Rozafa, Berat, Gjirokastër, Krujë and Petrelë.
Tirana, Berat, Gjirokastër, Shkodër and Vlorë.
Theth, Qeparo, Voskopojë and Zagoria stone villages.
UNESCO cities, Ottoman quarters and ancient ruins.
Off-the-map spots most travellers never reach.
The Riviera drive, SH20 to Theth and Alps loops.