The Best Summer Festivals in Albania

Kala is the newest Albanian festival that takes place in June in the village of Dhërmi and surroundings, included some stunning and secret beaches along the Albanian Riviera accessible only by boat. It is the first international music festival in the country that was launched in 2018 and has been already named as one of the best summer festivals in the world. During the one-week event, some of the best European DJs spin their top hits.

The South Outdoor Festival is one of the coolest festivals in the Balkan Peninsula. It offers a great series of outdoor activities in the villages of Himara Municipality and surroundings. The festival, which takes place every year at the end of April in different hamlets, lasts three days and offers participants the chance to engage in many outdoor activities such as hiking, diving, paragliding, bike tours, and yoga. At night, local bands play their songs, and stands sell traditional dishes prepared with organic products.

Turtle Fest is the largest summer festival in Albania dedicated to electronic music that takes place every July at the stunning beach of Drymades, probably one of the best in Europe, near the hamlet of Dhërmi. Turtle Fest brings together some of the best local and international DJs who play their music in a spectacular location in front of the beautiful Ionian Sea.

Every September, in the lovely village of Peza, located just one hour from Tirana, Peza*n Fest takes place. A beautiful musical festival that signals the end of summer, it has seen some famous local and international artists grace its stage in recent years. Peza*n Fest is a good occasion to discover the outskirts of Tirana and visit less touristic parts of the city.

Theth, the most magical place in Albania, hosts the Zâ Festival every August. It is a musical event that brings together the best Albanian songwriters of the moment. Zâ is also the first festival entirely devoted to the natural heritage of the Albanian Alps, and the organizers couldn’t have found a better location than the beautiful Theth, also known as the pearl of the Alps.

June is the time for jazz music in Tirana! Nyou Festival is a music festival dedicated to Balkan jazz music and is hosted in Tirana’s recently renovated amphitheater situated in the Grand Park, near the quiet artificial lake. It is a great moment to discover the best jazz artists of the Balkan Peninsula and enjoy a great atmosphere in one of the most beautiful places in the Albanian capital.

For tradition, folklore and typical Albanian music, avoid the coast and Tirana and head to Gjirokastër, the most important cultural town in Albania. Once here, take part in the Fustanella Festival, one of the best traditional festivals of the Balkans hosted in the stunning Gjirokastër Fortress, a must-visit place in town. Prepare to dance and sing traditional Albanian songs for three entertaining days.

Korça is home to the most famous brewery in Albania, Korça Beer, and every August it dedicates to this tasty drink one of the most beautiful and funniest summer festivals in the Balkan Peninsula, the Korça Beer Festival. The event is a great occasion to discover one of the most important towns in Albania, often overlooked by tourists attracted by the more famous destinations in the country.