Winter camping in Albania is quiet and mild on the coast. Weather, closed mountain roads, how to keep a van warm and what to do near Durrës from December to February.
Most campsites in Albania close when the season ends. We do not. The camp stays open every day of the year, and you are welcome to stay through the winter, with the lake and the orchards almost to yourself.
01What the weather is like
On the coast, winter is mild compared with most of Europe. Days are usually cool rather than cold, with some bright, clear ones, but it also rains, sometimes for days. Nights can be cold, and frost is possible inland. In the mountains it is real winter: snow can close the roads from Bajram Curri to Valbona and from Boga to Theth.
02Keeping a van warm
Insulate the windows at night and ventilate for a few minutes in the morning, or you will wake up to condensation. Check your gas: butane stops vaporising close to freezing, while propane keeps working in the cold. Every pitch here has electricity, so an electric heater is an option. Ask us about the power limit before you plug one in.
03What to do
Winter is a good time for the sights that are crowded in summer. Walk the Durrës amphitheater without queues, spend a day in the museums of Tirana (things to do in Tirana), and take a drive up to Krujë (day trip). Some beach bars and cafés on the coast close for the season, but most of the town keeps going.
04Evenings at the camp
When it gets dark, hundreds of lights come on around the lake and stay on. The coffee shop looks over the whole farm, and the evenings are quiet. The days are short, so a good book and a hot drink earn their place.
Working from your van through the winter? Read about our stay for digital nomads, then message us with your dates.
Photo credits: Albinfo (CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.jpg)).
