Albania — Water Temperature in Seas, Lakes and Rivers
Check today’s water temperatures across Albania, including seas, lakes, and rivers. View real-time updates and seasonal ranges for both coastal and inland waters. We find every place where you can swim and show you the water temperature there today and throughout the year.
Sea Water Temperature Along the Coast
Chart of Average Temperature Changes Over the Last 60 Days
Places with the Warmest Sea Water Today
The Most Popular Seaside Places
Coastal Seas and Oceans
Water Temperature in Lakes and Rivers
Popular Lakes
Popular Rivers
Popular Places
Water Temperature and Swimming Overview
Regions and Map
Water Temperature Trends
Albania’s long Adriatic and Ionian coastline generally offers pleasant swimming conditions in the warmer months. Sea temperatures along the coast typically range from about 22–28 °C (72–82 °F) in midsummer, with the warmest waters found in southern Ionian bays in July and August. In spring and early autumn the sea cools to roughly 15–21 °C (59–70 °F), and in winter surface temperatures fall to about 12–15 °C (54–59 °F), making casual swimming less comfortable for most people. Shallow sheltered bays and southern beaches warm up earlier in the season and can extend the swimming window, while windier or exposed stretches stay cooler. Beach facilities and lifeguards are common in tourist areas during summer, supporting widespread, organized swimming and water recreation.
Swimming Conditions
Inland waters vary more with elevation and flow. Large lowland lakes such as Lake Shkodër and parts of Lake Ohrid reach around 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) in summer and are popular for bathing; deeper or higher-altitude lakes remain much cooler, often 8–16 °C (46–61 °F) year-round. Rivers tend to be cooler and faster-flowing; summer river temperatures often sit near 18–24 °C (64–75 °F) in lowland stretches but drop considerably in mountain rivers to around 10–16 °C (50–61 °F). Swimming is generally allowed and widely practiced in summer when temperatures are comfortable, though caution is advised for currents, water quality in some stretches, and colder seasonal conditions. Winter swimming is uncommon except for experienced cold-water swimmers or organized events.