Albania - country in southeastern Europe

Albania (Albanian: Shqipëria) is a country in the Balkans with unspoiled beaches, mountainous landscapes, traditional cuisine, archaeological artefacts, unique traditions, low prices and the wild atmosphere of the countryside. It is one of the sunniest countries in Europe. The country has an extensive archaeological heritage; it was part of Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire until its first declaration of independence in 1912, becoming a kingdom and then a communist dictatorship before becoming a democratic republic. Albania is one of just a few Muslim majority nations in Europe.

Regions

Coastal Albania, Albanian Riviera

the long narrow strip between about 10 and 30 km wide along the whole Albanian coast, bordering both the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea

Northeastern Albania

the inland region to the north of the Shkumbin River, bordering Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Southeastern Albania

the inland region to the south of the Shkumbin River bordering North Macedonia and Greece, and including the great border lakes, Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.

Cities

• Tirana (Tiranë) — the capital. Trees and mountains surround the city. Mt. Dajt is a popular tourist site for a great view of the city.
• Durrës - Albania's second-largest city and largest port, with historic ruins, current-day cultural institutions and beaches
• Berat — Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is a new member of the UNESCO world heritage list. Berat has long been known as the "city of 1001 windows" because of its unique Ottoman/Albanian architecture. It has a well preserved castle with residents still living inside its protective walls.
• Fier — Lively seaside city, and only about 8 km (5 mi) away from the ruins of the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia.
• Gjirokastër — another UNESCO city, located in the south is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. There is a large castle on the hill in the middle of the city which served as a jail for many generations. A Military Museum and Art Gallery are now located inside. Gjirokastër is also the birthplace of former communist Leader, Enver Hoxha, as well as Albania's most internationally famous author, Ismail Kadare, their homes now serve as museums.
• Korçë (Korça) — Located in southeast Albania, several miles from the Greek border, this city is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape. Don't miss the Korça Brewery (famous throughout Albania) which sponsors a week long Beer Festival every August!
• Kruje (Krujë) — ancient city of the national hero Skanderbeg. It consists of beautiful mountains; Skanderbeg's castle is now a museum. Kruje also contains an old style bazaar with shops selling traditional goods amid cobblestone streets. Kruje is known for its carpet craftworks.
• Shkodër — the biggest town in Northern Albania. Shkodër is considered the capital of Albanian culture. The local "Migjeni" Theatre was the first in Albania and also held the first cyclic race, the first football match and is where the first Albanian photograph was developed (by Marubi). The Rozafa Castle is a major tourist attraction here, but also "The Great Cathedral", "The mosque Ebu Beker" and several others.
• Vlorë — Lively seaside city, nice beaches south of town. Passenger ferries to and from Italy dock here.

Other destinations

• Albanian Alps 📍 — This mountainous complex on the north of the country forms the border between Albania and Montenegro. Rich on rainfalls, sheep, bare rocks and scenic views it is one of the places in Albania you should see. One of the places where you can be less than 10 km away from the nearest village and still have a day long trip there.
• Albanian Riviera — Featuring crystal clear waters, unspoiled beaches, and picturesque villages, this is the Mediterranean coastline as it once was.
• Dhërmi — One of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, perfect for camping.
• Butrint — Largest archaeological site from Greek era in Albania. It lies on the coast in the southernmost tip of the country, near the Greek border. Minibuses are available from Saranda.
• Lura National Park — A 20,242 hectare national park with high mountains, big meadows, and glacial lakes.
• Pustec contains Albania's share of Lake Prespa, which forms Prespa National Park. This is also an area of much history, evidenced by the multiple cave churches found near its villages as well as on the island of Maligrad.
• Thethi — National park and village in Northern Albania
• Tomorr National Park 📍 — Mountain ridge in the southern part of Albania, not far from Berat. This part of the country is formed by parallel mountain ridges (up to around 2000–2500 m) separated by valleys. Although the ridges are not very long, they offer few days of hiking with enormous scenic beauty and fantastic panoramic views. Tomorri is one of the most known ridges with a Bektash monastery and chapel on the very top.

Understand

While the relative majority of the people in Albania are of Muslim heritage (55-65%), according to the polls, around 35% of the Albanians are agnostics; 22% are atheists; 19% are Muslim; 15% are Orthodox; 8% are Catholics and 1% are of other religions. Mixed marriages are very common.

Traditional Albanian culture honors the role and person of the guest. In return for this place of honor, respect is expected from the guest. Albanians enjoy long walks in the city streets, drinking coffee, and among the younger generations, participating in nightlife activities such as cafe lounging and dancing.

Albania is a poor country by European standards.

The English name Albania comes from Albanoi, the Greek name of an Illyrian tribe which lived in the area in during antiquity. Albanians call their own country Shqipëria, which means "Land of the Eagles". The name comes from an old myth that Albanians descend from a black eagle. A double headed black eagle was used as an insignia by the "Father of the Nation", Skanderbeg, as early as the 15th century, and can still be seen on the country's flag.

History

Beginning in 1385, the Ottoman Empire was able to take control of what is now Albania. In 1443, a revolt started, led by George Kastrioti Skanderbeg. This revolt was stamped out only in 1479. The end of Ottoman rule in Albania occurred in 1912, and Albania became a country again.

In 1939, Albania was conquered by Fascist Italy and was subsequently occupied by Nazi Germany. Albanians very effectively shielded their small local Jewish population and a few hundred foreign Jews, giving Albania the distinction of being the only country occupied by the Nazis to end World War II with more Jews than before the war.

Following the defeat of the Axis powers at the end of World War II, a Communist government was established, presided over by resistance leader Enver Hoxha. Albania was known for its isolation, not just from the market-run democracies of Western Europe but from the Soviet Union, China, and even neighboring Yugoslavia. Hoxha also declared Albania to be the first "atheist state", and thus the anti-clericalism found in many communist parties was even more pronounced in Albania. Even as the Iron Curtain came down and communists lost power throughout Eastern and Central Europe, Albania seemed intent on staying the course, alone.

But in 1992, several years after the death of Hoxha, the Communist Party relinquished power and Albania established a multi-party democracy with a coalition government. The transition was difficult at first, as governments tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread organized crime, and disruptive political opponents. Catalyzed by the failure of a widespread pyramid scheme, a civil war broke out in 1997, resulting in UN intervention. Today Albania is moving closer towards neo-liberalism, with EU integration as its goal; Albania signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU in 2006, and became an official candidate country in 2014, thus completing the first major step towards joining. In 2008, Albania received an invitation to join NATO and joined that alliance.

Climate

With its coastline facing the Adriatic and Ionian seas, its highlands backed upon the elevated Balkan landmass, and the entire country lying at a latitude subject to a variety of weather patterns during the winter and summer seasons, Albania has a high number of climatic regions for so small an area. The coastal lowlands have typically Mediterranean weather; the highlands have a Mediterranean continental climate. In the lowlands and the interior, the weather varies markedly from north to south.

The lowlands have mild winters, averaging about 7°C (45°F). Summer temperatures average 24°C (75°F). In the southern lowlands, temperatures average about 5°C (9°F) higher throughout the year. The difference is greater than 5°C (9°F) during the summer and somewhat less during the winter.

Inland temperatures are affected more by differences in elevation than by latitude or any other factor. Low winter temperatures in the mountains are caused by the continental air mass that dominates the weather in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Northerly and northeasterly winds blow much of the time. Average summer temperatures are lower than in the coastal areas and much lower at higher elevations, but daily fluctuations are greater. Daytime maximum temperatures in the interior basins and river valleys are very high, but the nights are almost always cool.

Average precipitation is heavy, a result of the convergence of the prevailing airflow from the Mediterranean Sea and the continental air mass. Because they usually meet at the point where the terrain rises, the heaviest rain falls in the central uplands. Vertical currents initiated when the Mediterranean air is uplifted also cause frequent thunderstorms. Many of these storms are accompanied by high local winds and torrential downpours.

Holidays

• January 1: New Year's Day
• March 7: Teacher's Day
• March 14: Summer Festival
• Easter (moveable)
• Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (Islamic high holidays)
• October 19: Mother Teresa Day
• November 28: Independence Day
• November 29: Liberation Day
• December 8: Youth Day
• December 25: Christmas

Get in

All road and tourist taxes (upon entering or leaving) the country have been lifted as of 2021.

Entry requirements

There is no longer a visa charge for any foreigners entering Albania.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nationals of the following countries/territories can enter Albania without a visa: Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Australia*, Austria*, Azerbaijan, Belgium , Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada*, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus*, Czech Republic*, Denmark*, Estonia*, Finland*, France*, Germany*, Greece*, Holy See, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary*, Ireland*, Iceland*, Israel, Italy*, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia*, Liechtenstein, Lithuania*, Luxembourg*, Malaysia, Malta*, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands*, New Zealand*, North Macedonia, Norway*, Poland*, Portugal*, Romania*, San Marino*, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia*, Slovenia*, South Korea, Spain*, Sweden*, Switzerland*, Taiwan (Republic of China), Turkey, United Kingdom*, USA*, Ukraine.

(Passport-holders from countries with an asterisk can enter with an ID card.)

States whose citizens may enter without visas due to their visa liberalization with Schengen area: Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Brunei, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, El Salvador, Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis, Uruguay, Venezuela, Macao (China). For staying more than 90 days within the period of six months, they need to get visa type D.

By plane

Tirana's "Mother Teresa" International Airport IATA: TIA is 15 minutes' drive from the city. It is served by numerous European carriers such as British Airways, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Austrian, and the low cost carriers Eurowings and Belle Air. There is a large and modern terminal and a tourist information center.

Another cheaper and convenient way to reach the Albanian Riviera in Southern Albania is by landing in Corfu and taking the hydrofoil to Saranda.

By train

It is not possible to visit Albania by train. The only international connection, Podgorica–Shkoder, is freight only. See the following section for domestic trains.

By bus

You can reach Tirana by coach from

• Istanbul, Turkey – 20 hr, €35 one-way
• Athens, Greece – 12 hr, €30-35
• Tetovo, North Macedonia – 7 hr, €15
• Prishtina, Kosovo – 4½ hr, €10
• Sofia, Bulgaria – 12 hr, €35
• Germany – 22-26 hr, €80-120

Check out Tirana#By bus itself for more information on international connections.

From Montenegro

There are 3 daily buses from Ulcinj in Montenegro to Shkodër. They depart at 07:00, 12:30 and 16:30 at Ulcinj bus station and traveling time is between 2 and 3 hours depending on the time needed to cross the border. The 12:30 bus tend to get full very quickly during the high season. Shared taxis (mini-busses) are also an option to go to Albania from Ulcinj. They depart from the parking place next to the market in Ulcinj. It goes at 13:00 and costs €5; it takes 1½ hr. The stop is not marked, a reservation can only be made by finding the driver in the cafe at the corner of the parking place. Ask around and be persistent, as not all the locals know about this.

There are also scheduled buses twice a day from Kotor (Montenegro) to Tirana, passing through Budva, Podgorica (both in Montenegro), and Shkodër.

From Greece

There are buses running daily from Ioannina to the border at Kakavia (9 daily, €5.70, 1 hour). From there it's a short walk between the Greek and Albanian checkpoints. Just make sure you don't delay, as the furgon (minibus) to Gjirokastra won't wait for one extra passenger and you will be forced to haggle with predatory cab drivers. In Gjirokaster you can buy a bus ticket to Athens, Greece or anywhere in between. The buses are new, cheap, air conditioned, and stop along some gas stations.

From Germany

• Deva Tours (+355673835770, +38344128770) has buses every 2-3 days or so, and costs €90 between Munich and Tirana. The buses are actually to and from Northrhine-Westphalia.
• Zagoria Travel (+355674542627, +355699386358) also has buses every 2-3 days or so, and costs €80 between Munich and Tirana. Likewise, buses are actually to and from Northrhine-Westphalia.

By boat

• Ferries to Durrës arrive from Bari (9 hr, daily, €50), Ancona (19 hr, triweekly, €70) and Trieste (14 hr, weekly, only during high season). Full price information

• A high-speed service operates from Bari (3 hr, €60).

• There is also a reliable overnight ferry service operated by European Seaways from Brindisi to Vlore.

• Ferries from Corfu to Saranda every day.

• Ferry between Brindisi and Shengjin by European Seaways operating twice a week in the summer (2015).

• Orikum Marina. Private boats can be anchored at Albania's only marina in Orikum, south of Vlore. 2021-10-13

By car

To enter the country, ensure that your International Motor Insurance Card (called Green Card) is valid for Albania (AL) along with the Vehicle Registration and a Power of Attorney from the owner if the car is not yours. The border guards are very strict about allowing cars through without these documents. Be sure to print those out, since border guards are quite reluctant to recognize small text PDFs on your phone.

The road between Ioannina, Greece and Tirana (E853/SH4) is of sufficient quality. Construction works between Tepelene and Fier are mostly finished (2014). The new portion between Rrogozhine and Durres is also mostly complete (2014). This is the main north–south route between Montenegro and Greece.

The road between Krystallopigi (Greece) and Billisht is of very good quality. On the Greek side there is a paid 2-lane highway A29, which has very small traffic. The Albanian side has COVID-19 testing labs. The Greek border control tests all people for antibodies upon entering (as of November 2021).

The road between Struga, North Macedonia and Tirana (E852/SH3) is of a sufficient quality. There are a lot of slow moving vehicles along the curvy mountainous route so extra caution must be exercised especially around corners or during over-taking. A new motorway is being constructed between Elbasan and Tirana (2011).

The road between Prizren (Kosovo) and Tirana (Albania) (E851/A1/SH5) is to the levels of quality found in other parts of Europe. Extra caution should be exercised along some bridges near the Kosovo border, as they have not been widened while uncontrolled access points are becoming dangerous. Also beware that cows run free on the motorway: there is no fence and before dusk they return home using the motorway itself.

The road between Shkoder (border of Montenegro) and Tirana (E762/SH1) is of sufficient quality for driving but there are a lot of slow moving vehicles and uncontrolled access points so extra caution must be exercised especially during over-taking. A portion between Milot and Thumane has been widened to dual carriageway standard.

There are two border control points in the north of Albania with Montenegro. The narrow windy road from Ulcinj, Montenegro to Shkoder via Muriqan/Sukobin (E851/SH41) is used mainly by locals. There is a new Montenegrin section near the Albanian border. However, it is worth a try to avoid heavier traffic on the newly built main road (E762/SH1) between Hani Hotit and Shkoder. Ask any police officer to point you in the right direction from Shkoder. They are helpful, courteous and friendly.

By taxi

Albania is geographically a small country and as such it is possible to leave by taxi.

A taxi from downtown Pogradec to North Macedonia's border at Sveti Naum is about €5 (and less than 10 minutes). After Albanian exit procedures, walk about 500 m down the road to the North Macedonia border control. The beautiful Sveti Naum church is very close by, and from there you can get a bus north around the lake to Ohrid (110 Macedonian denars). (prices April 2010)

A taxi from Ulcinj in Montenegro to Shkoder in northern Albania costs about €30. It takes 1 hr. You do not have to change at the border, the taxi will bring you all the way (2010).

Some taxis can take you into Greece; however most will not go further then Ioannina.

Get around

By bus

Buses and furgons (minibuses) are generally the best method for travelling within Albania. They run on a time schedule and are generally well regulated. There are few bus companies, but many are operated by individual drivers. Drivers are supposed to leave when it's time, but sometimes they leave earlier when full. So, arrive sufficiently ahead of time. They are not in the best of shape, but buses are generally more comfortable and cheaper.

Whether there will be a furgons or a bus running to or from a specific destination depends on the destination and the time of the day. So, there isn't really a choice.

Furgons often provide access to some smaller towns where buses don't frequently run. Furgon stations there aren't always in obvious locations, so you can ask around to find them, or keep an eye out for groups of white or red minivans gathered together. Destination place names are generally displayed on the dashboard, prices are never posted (but to get an idea, Tirane to Vlore is about 600 lek, or check the website below).

From Tirana, many buses and furgons a day depart to Shkodër, Durres, Elbasan, Fier and Berat. Furgons departing to the south like Gjirokaster or Saranda tend to depart fairly early in the morning. Check out the schedules under Tirana#By bus.

A good website to find the latest bus times (and prices), even for cross border transport, is gjirafa.com. Prices are indicative and each bus (driver) should have a proper stack of tickets with him, where you could identify the right price. Note that city names of other countries might be spelled differently in Albanian when searching. So, not finding a city does not mean that there is no connection.

By train

All passenger trains seem to have been suspended since COVID and due to budget issues.

By car

The roads between the important destinations have been repaved and fixed, and offer most of the security measures one would expect on a highway. However be aware that some highways are not fully completed, and contain uncontrolled entry-exit points. There are no fees for using the highways.

Beware of minor roads. Road surfaces can be poor, deeply pitted, or non-existent, and sometimes a decent paving can suddenly disappear, necessitating a U-turn and lengthy doubling-back. It seems all the expensive cars in Albania are SUVs, rather than low-slung sports cars - and for good reason. Ask the locals in advance if travelling away from a highway.

Highways have frequent changes in speed limit (sometimes with little apparent reason). And there are frequent police mobile speed checks. Police will also stop you if you have not turned on your car lights.

Car-driving behavior on the highways is not as orderly as elsewhere in Europe. Expect cars to pull out in front of you, little use of indicators, and hair-raising overtaking. Lanes on dual or triple carriageways tend to be observed. Also expect pedestrians, horses or donkeys cross highways or walk on them. In the mountains, roads can be quite tight and windy with hairpins and serpentines requiring frequent gear shifting and braking. Drivers are encouraged to always keep a spare tire in case of emergency, and check engine coolant levels to avoid overheating.

Navigation is pretty easy although some maps of the country are out of date or contain errors. It is strongly recommended to have an up to date GPS, as new roads are being constantly added to the Albanian road network. In case the GPS does not work, its good to have an alternative good paper or internet-based map.

In the cities, and especially Tirana, many roads are being upgraded, fixed, and renamed. Because of that, traveling by car inside the city will be slow and difficult. Tirana suffers from great traffic congestion during mornings and midday.

A very nice ride is the SH8 Vlorë-Saranda mountain road. It is a typical Mediterranean road and offers an amazing view of the sea from the mountains. The road to the top of Dajti mountain is very bad, though does not (just about) require a 4x4.

Beggars and beggar children may approach your car at major stop lights. Nudge slightly forward to get them off your car and if necessary go into the traffic intersection to get rid of them. The locals will understand.

Around Greek holiday seasons, including Orthodox Easter, the roads leading to/from Greece can be crowded with cars with Greek plates of Albanian immigrants going to Albania or returning to Greece after their holidays.

Renting a car is a good option to choose, but the practice is fairly new in the country. Rental companies are available mainly in Tirana Airport, and Tirana proper. Various travel agencies may offer such services as well.

Rules

Ensure you travel with driving licenses and insurance documents (ask your car hire company for these) to present to the police.

There are no toll roads in Albania.

Snow chains are allowed in conjunction with summer tires from November 1 to April 30. They must be present on at least 2 driving wheels. Snow chains are only allowed if the road is completely covered with snow or ice. Studded tires are permitted. The use of winter tires is optional.

Dipped headlights are not mandatory for daytime driving, but are mandatory when driving at night or when visibility is poor due to bad weather conditions.

The maximum permitted level of alcohol is 0.1‰ (0.01%).

By bicycle

There is a lack of respect for people riding on bikes on most streets. Also, there are few places to put your bike. These and other challenges make Albania a difficult cycling destination, but a rewarding one. Often, asking around to see if you can stay in somebody's home or camp in their garden is the only option. Check out hospitality services in Albania, some have an existing community, and it is easy to find places to stay.

Food and water are easily available in the frequent roadside cafes and bars.

Camping on public land is allowed, and even on private land you shouldn't encounter any problems, although you should ask the owner if you're not sure.

It's very hard to get parts or repairs for modern bicycles outside of Tirana.

By thumb

Albania is quite good for hitchhiking, even though locals rarely do it. For women it is generally safe to hitchhike, but it is a good idea to have an alibi ready, when the question about whether one is married comes up. While Albanian men are respectful towards women and Albanian culture is all about family and honor, a single women is most certainly an invitation to flirting.

The best way to obtain a ride is to wait by the side of the highway where there is open space for a car to easily pull off from, and use your whole hand to point down the road in the direction you want to go—the thumb is not that common.

Like anywhere, exercise normal caution and don't hitchhike at night or in the 'wrong part of town'. Good info on what it's like to hitch in Albania can be found here.

Also, watch out for any Scams by soliciting taxi drivers.

By taxi

Taxis are abundant all over Albania. There are also unofficial ones which can save you some money and can be a good option at night to get around and even to and from the airport (at night), even from Shkodër, but be careful with them.

Unofficial taxis (e.g. at night or to remote places): Be very careful, especially as a tourist you are a walking invitation to scams. Be clear on what the agreed price is (per person!), only pay in the end, have the exact change ready, and never give the driver more money if not at the same time he gives you back the change (and not less!). It is common that the price suddenly inflates during the ride, or the driver does not remember anymore what he agreed on. That is all BS—don't get tricked. If the situation escalates, seek the help of other locals (but not other taxi drivers!). And never ever give him any money in expectation you will get back the correct change.

See

Albania has varied cultural influences. In the south you can see the legacy of the Turks and Greeks, whereas in the north you can see many ancient Illyrian ruins.

• The coastline is always a place to go, with its clear turquoise seas, and its many islands cast upon it, like in Saranda, the southern most coastal city in Albania. Along the Albanian Riviera, from Vlore to about Qeparo there exist mainly wooden villa complexes, bed and breakfasts, camping sites and a few beach resorts as accommodation facilities. Llogara Pass is a mountain pass located near Llogara National Park offering a majestic view of the riviera from above. Nearby is found Cesar's Pass, the place where Julius Cesar passed in his pursuit of Pompey.
• Dajti Mountain, a popular sight in Tirana allows you to get a whole green view of the capital.
• A walk around southern cities like Butrint, a UNESCO world heritage site, is always ideal and memorable. Butrint is home to many ancient ruins.
• Castles are in many cities in Albania. Their beauty reminds anyone of the ancient times of Albania, and the world. There is Petrela Castle near Tirana, Rozafa castle in Shkodër, the inhabited castle of Berat, and Skanderbeg Castle in Kruje, (named after the national hero and now a popular museum holding his belongings).
• Albania has thousands upon thousands of bunkers, many of which are scattered in cities and across the countryside.

Do

Beaches and swimming

Including various lagoons and harbors, the coast stretches for a total of 450 km and touches two seas: the Ionian in the south and the Adriatic in the north.

• Half of the coastline stretching to the north of Vlore and up to the Montenegrin border (at the Buna River delta) is washed by Adriatic Sea. It contains fine-grained sandy beaches, sloping gently into the water, which makes them ideal for families with children. But the water is murky green and not suited for snorkeling. There are almost no algae or jellyfish near the coast. Due to the shallow depth, the water warms up well, so the beach season in local resorts starts early, in the first weeks of May.
• While the Albanian Riviera stretching south of Vlore washed by Ionian sea up to the Albanian-Greek border with Stillo Cape. It is made up of rocky beaches and steep sea bottom, but the water is crystal clear and has turquoise color.

The entire coastline and beaches belong to municipalities and is free and open to anyone. But sun loungers and umbrellas are paid here and belong to restaurants located somewhere nearby. For a day, you will have to pay around €3 for one set. But no one can prohibit sitting on the sand on one's towel or bedspread under one's own umbrella. During the high season in July and August beaches are cramped with locals and tourists, but on the 1st of September you would see very few people swimming - although water temperature is still around 23—25°C, apparently it's too cold for locals.

Mountains

Almost two-thirds of Albania's geography is either hilly or mountainous. These enable outdoor recreation potential and of course impressive off-road cycling. There is a renewed interest in adventurer tourism in Albanian famous attractions—even tough, most Albanians stick to pre-organised 4WD trips for the weekend for that matter. Various destinations in the Northern Alps, with elevations as high as 2,700 m, beckon to all types of “adventure seekers”. Specifically, the towns of Vermosh, Thethi, Razëm, Bogë, and Valbona can all serve as destination points for expeditions.

Hiking

Meanwhile many official hiking trails exist in Albania. The most popular region for hiking is Thethi with many accommodation options, but you can also find excellent trails around Peshkopi (Mount Korab), Përmet (Zagoria Valley), Dhërmi (Lloraga National Park), and Golem (Golem Pass). For reliable maps and comprehensive trails and map information, consult OpenStreetMap, also used by this travel guide and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd or Mapy.cz. Or just download the according GPX or KML files through Waymarked Trails for such trails on OpenStreetMap. (Note, you just need to change the OpenStreetMap relation ID to download the GPX or KML files through the same link.)

Thermal springs and baths

Albania has numerous hot springs and a mentionable thermal and spa culture. While this industry has suffered in the 21st century, many sites can be visited all around Albania.

• The spa towns Llixhat and Tregan near Elbasan with numerous spa hotels.
• The thermal river pools of Benjë near Përmet.
• The thermal baths of Kozani-8 well south of Tirana.
• The spa facilities in Peshkopi.
• The many natural hot springs all around the country like Holta, Postenan and Sarandoporo (also interesting nature destination) as well as Shupali and Mamurras (less popular/known).

There are many more, but the hottest ones are listed above.

A great read on the topic, if you want to discover more, is "Thermal and Mineral Waters of Albania" by Romeo Eftimi and Alfred Frashëri (ISBN: 978-99943-2-346-3).

Talk

See also: Albanian phrasebook

• Albanian is the official language.
• Italian is often viewed as the second language due to various Italian occupations, the most famous being during World War II.
• English is understood in Tirana and to a lesser extent in frequented tourist cities.
• Greek can be encountered in the southernmost areas of the country. Albania has a lot of immigrants in Greece, from which around 200,000 people have returned and now live in Albania. Albania is also home to an ethnic Greek minority.
• Macedonian is also occasionally understood in areas near Pogradec and Korca.

From a country of 3 million, there have been about 1.2 million emigrants, and many of them have returned to Albania from countries such as Germany, France, Greece (especially those in the south of Albania) and Italy so you'll find a lot of people who speak the respective languages. Older people may speak Russian as it was a compulsory second language in schools during the communist era.

Buy

Money

The national currency is the lek (plural lekë, symbol L, ISO code: ALL). During the communist regime, the government redenominated the old lek into the new lek at a ratio of 1 to 10 (replaced previous Lek banknotes with new ones, 1,000 old lek became 100 new lek). According to a 2021 survey, despite the change taking place in 1965, the majority (80%) of citizens still use the logic of “old lek” in their language and when doing business, leading to a great confusion for both locals and tourists. For instance, for "200 lek" they would say dy mijë lek, literally meaning two thousand lek — the word 'mijë' is similar to the Latin 'mil'. The survey also revealed that almost 30% of financial institutions workers use the term, and 40% of public administration. Nevertheless, most prices are displayed in "new lek" nowadays.

ATMs

ATMs are available in most major cities. Use the MasterCard ATM Locator or Visa ATM Locator to find them. The ATMs accept most international Visa and MasterCard credit/debit cards.

As of October 2021 apparently only Credins Bank does not charge an additional fee for money withdrawal (besides what your own bank demands).

Credit cards

Cards payment is widely accepted, even for minor amounts. However, smaller shops and stalls will not accept any other method of payment other than cash.

Currency exchange

Exchanging money in Albania is quite easy and competitive, especially in Tirana. Most exchange places in Tirana will give you rates for Euros, Dollars or Pounds that are comparable to your bank. All major currencies are excepted, Bosnian convertible mark is not though—oddly enough, since its exchange risk is equal to the Euro.

Shopping

The euro is very widely accepted and such a request to pay in euro is met with understanding and sometimes eager. If you don't speak Albanian or Italian, then the easiest way to haggle or ask for the price is to show hundreds of leks with your fingers—the locals would understand, you're not the first one not understanding their language.

Albanian shops are open at 09:00-20:00 usually, and until 22:00 at summer. Most of the shops open on Sunday.

In all the Albanian cities you can find numerous shops, which offer different goods, of well known marks, glasses, antique objects, etc. Of great interest for the tourists are the traditional bazaars of Kruja, Korca, Shkodër, Gjirokastra and Tirana, where you can find the artisan works produced by locals. You can buy wooden carved objects, ceramics, embroidery with popular motifs and also copper objects. Souvenirs: raki, alabaster bunker ashtrays.

Always demand a receipt or ticket, especially at official tourist sites. It is a common scheme that they just reuse tickets or keep the money in their own pockets, as it happens in Butrint. This doesn't help conservation effort and supports money laundering.

Online you can try MerrJeb.al for various used goods—Ebay or Facebook Market (or any Facebook Groups for that matter) do not seem to be very common or highly frequented.

Tipping

Tipping has not become a custom in Albania and it is not expected; in some cases it might even confuse staff. If dining in a westernised restaurant in the capital you may round up the bill.

Repairs

In case you have a broken pair of shoes or you ripped any of your cloths, or even your backpack is falling apart, such things can be repaired dirt-cheap in Albania for a few 100 lek. Fixing a hole in shoes can be had for 200-300 lek. Help the environment and stop buying new stuff!

Restaurants

Never ever dine in a restaurant without menu and/or prices: they are an invitations to scams. They do not have a menu for a reason, since they often come up with an outrageous bill for simple dishes. Don't give them any reason, stay away from them.

Eat

Albania, like the Balkans in general, has a primarily Turkish influence in its cuisine. This influence stems from over 400 years of Ottoman rule in the region. Influences since the fall of communism in the early 1990s have been from Italy and Western Europe in general. Most of what is available in neighboring countries such as Greece and Italy will be available in Albania, particularly in the larger cities.

Main dishes

• Tasqebap – A traditional Albanian stew made of lamb fricassee, tomatoes and onions. Some sort of hearty stew is generally included in Albanian dinners. These stews are easy to make, and flexible with ingredients, like potatoes, onion, rice, etc.
• Paçe Koke – A stew made from the head (kokë) of a lamb or a goat.
• Paçe Plenci – Same as before, but made from intestines. However, the smell of cooking it can be off-putting.
• Fërgesë – Baked cheese, vegetables and eggs; originating from the capital of Albania, Tirana.
• Tavë dheu – Fërgesë with the addition of liver. Sometimes referred to as Fërgesë me melçi.
• (Mish) Tavë kosi – A baked dish of lamb and rice, together with a yogurt sauce. It is sometimes referred to as a national dish in Albania. Similarily, further such baked dishes exist; like Burani me Spinaq dhe Mish or just Mish Burani Spinaq with meat and spinach.
• Pllaqi – Oven-baked beans with tomatoes sauce and herbs.
• Mish me Bizele – Beans and meat.
• Mish me Bamje – Ocra and meat, made in the late summer and fall when Ocra is harvested. Vegetarians can instead enjoy Bamje pa Mish.
• Byrek – Found everywhere, and made in different ways. Byrek Shqipëtar me perime (with spinach and feta cheese) is often considered the national dish. Another type sold everywhere is Byrek me mish (with ground meat and onions). Everywhere in the country one piece of pie costs around 30 lek, so in many places bakers don't even bother writing down the price. Two byreks and an ayran is a very common breakfast, so try it to understand why. This is also the reason why you should buy in the morning, when it is still freshly baked.
• Qifqi – Served predominately around Gjirokastër, a vegetarian dish of fried rice balls.
• Fli(ja) – A stack of layered hearty pancakes, brushed with cream and served together with sour cream. Also, a famous dish in Kosovo.
• Shapkat – A traditional corn pie casserole originally from Gjirokastër, filled with feta cheese, dill, and spinach, but many variations exist.
• Pastiche – Like a quiche, spaghetti cooked in milk, butter and white cheese.
• Imam Bajalldi – Baked eggplants with a mix of vegetables and sometimes cheese ontop.
• Japrak – Wrapped vine leaves with minced lamb, rice and herbs, cooked until tender. The vegetarian version (dolma) is also highly recommended.

Expect lamb (qengji/qingji) to be the main meat (mish) in many places. Lamb is naturally fed, and does not have any Odor like it does in North America for example. However, also veal (viçi) and chicken (pule) meat is common. Various types of meat dishes exist:

• Fileto, biftek and bërxollë (chopped) are different ways to prepare the meat, besides zgare (grilled) or pjekur (baked).
• Qofte – Meatballs, comes in different versions and is traditionally served as lunch or dinner together with salad, bread or rice. Sometimes they are declared to be homemade (shtëpie).
• Qofte (të) fërguara – Fried meatballs but with feta cheese inside. Again, traditionally served with fried potatoes or rice.
• Fileto Pule Me Panna Dhe Kerpudha – Grilled chicken breast served with mushrooms and cream sauce. Similar or even the same dish Pule me qull, just written in short.
• Paidhaqe Giçi – Pork Ribs
• (Mikse) Mish Zgare – Literally (mixed) grill meat.
• Kukurec – Strongly inspired by Turkey, grilled intestines and liver, sometimes served inside a bread like shawarma.
• Të brendshme – More intestines
• Mëlçi - Liver
• (Pulë me) Përshesh – Originally from Elbasan, chicken with bread and walnuts. But you will barely find it on restaurant menues, it is mostly cooked at home.
• (Pulë me) Rosnica – Similar to the one before, chicken boiled, onion and tomatoes added, and then baked together with small and fried dough or bread pieces. Also seldomly found in any restaurant.

Sallatë (salad), usually made with fresh tomato and onion, but you have all different kinds of vegetable (perime) dishes:

• Perime Zgare/Në Scarë – Grilled vegetables; eggplants, zucchini, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and/or mushrooms.
• Perime të Ziera – Boiled vegetables
• Perime Furre – Baked vegetables
• Fshati – Village salad
• Rukola – Rukola
• Mikse – Mixed (salad)
• Turshi – Pickles
• Lakër – Cabbage
• Karrotë – Carrot
• Ullinj – Olives
• Djathë i bardhë – White cheese
• Djathë Kaçkavall – Hard cheese

As add-on to salads and meat:

• Kos – Just yoghurt as an add-on to salads (baked), stews or meat.
• Salce Kosi – Like the Greek tzatziki, best as a dip for grilled meat.

More:

• Speca me gjizë / Speca me djathë – Peppers with (cottage) cheese as casserole

• Speca te mbushura – Peppers stuffed with cheese

• Djathë I Bardhë – Baked cheese

• Tarator – A cold cucumber "soup" made with (lots of) yoghurt, cucumber and dill.

• Supë (soup):

  • Perime – Vegetables
  • Krem pule – Chicken cream
  • Pasha Qofte – Meatballs
  • Krem Brokoli – Brokkoli cream
  • (Jani me) Fasule – White bean soup, varying from clear to creamy, sometimes served with meat.

• Fish and seafood – Can be found everywhere around the coast and lakes, but there are also many restaurants in Tirana serving such dishes. You will find all the usual, and Ohrid trout around the lakes.

• Omletë (me Djathë dhe Proshutë) or Vezë syze – Omelets (with cheese and ham) or fried eggs

Dairy products

• Djathë i bardhë (young cheese) – There are lots of different types but mostly young cheese (white and soft feta-like). In village shops, cheese may be kept at a lower standard of hygiene than in supermarkets, but it's worth a try as it's usually fresh and delicious. Such cheese is sold for a very good price (600-800 lek/kg; try the higher-priced ones first), which in the rest of Europe can't be bought for less than €15/kg.
  • djathë lope (cow cheese) – 400 lek/kg
  • djathë dele (sheep cheese) – 800 lek/kg
  • djathë dhie (goat cheese) – 700 lek/kg
• The "Gjirofarm" feta cheese is similar to Greek feta cheese, although a bit more expensive. However, most of the restaurants, especially in Tirana and the southern part of the country, use this cheese. It's very delicious, and it's one of the few cheeses that is exported from Albania.
• Kaçkavalli (hard cheese) – It's of good quality is not easy to find. It is advised to look for products imported from Italy.
• Gjizë (cottage cheese) – A type of dry curded cheese, made from yogurt and citric acid (200 lek/kg).

Bread

Most Albanian people make their own bread, but going out for meals is very common. And bread is often served with meals, especially with salads, stews and soups.

• Kulac – Firm and dense, also known as "soda bread"
• Bukë – Buns

Desserts and snacks

Don't forget to check out the many pastry shops (pastiçeri) offering a wide variety of tasty pastry including delicious cakes. Find a shop that is frequented regularly, not seldomly the pastry lies around several days in some shops and is often dry and not delicious anymore.

• Baklava – A popular dessert and is always made as a dessert during New Year's Eve.
• Petulla – Often included in traditional home's breakfast, fried dough balls usually dipped in fig jam, honey, or feta.
• Oshaf – A fig and sheep's milk pudding.
• Qumështor – Baked custard
• Hasude – Baked cornstarch pudding with nuts
• Shëndetli – Nut cake with honey
• Sultjash – A pudding of rice, milk, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon.
• Kabuni – Similarily to the previous dish, sweet fried rice with raisins, ground clover and cinnamon.
• Ballokume Elbasani – A traditional biscuit originating from Elbasan and usually prepared on Dita e Verës, a pagan holiday. The roads along Elbasan are doted with sellers of this biscuit.

Fruits and vegetables

Albania is a perfect place to try fresh local produce from local farmers. You get cheaper and higher-quality produce when buying in green-groceries or farmers on the street, so don't even bother buying greenery in the supermarket.

Since Albania is a very mountainous country, these mountains have scattered olive trees that influence Albanian cuisine.

• Grilled corn – In many cities you may find portable grills, where a freshly grilled corn is sold for 50 lek.

Vegetables and greens:

• pepper (piper, spec) – 70 lek/kg
• tomato (domatja) – 50-100 lek/kg
• okra or bamia (bamje) – 200-300 lek/kg
• onion (qepa)
• potato (patatja, patate) – 45 lek/kg
• aubergine (patëllxhani) – 70-100 lek/ kg
• cabbage (lakër) – 30 lek/kg

Fruits:

• figs – 200 lek/kg
• pomegranates (shegët) – 100 lek/kg
• watermelon (shalqi) – 15 lek/kg
• melon (pjepër) – 80-100 lek/kg
• grapes (rrushi) – 100-120 lek/kg
• persimmon (hurmë) – 70 lek/kg

Since many people grow fruits and vegetables around their houses, most popularly all kinds of grapes, (red, black, green), they use it to make Rakí from it.

Drink

Raki

The preferred alcoholic hard drink is rakí, which is locally produced in small towns as well as in many homes in the countryside. In some instances you may see men washing down breakfast with a few shots.

Raki is very common in Balkan countries, but also further apart in countries like Italy, Georgia and Turkey, while in Turkey the process is a little more complex and involves anis. Since each country got its specific fruit, raki is usually made from that fruit. In Georgia, raki (chacha) is won from the leftovers of the vine production, such as in Italy where it is called grappa. In Bosnia, raki (slivovitz) is won overwhelmingly from fruit fly infested barrels of plum mud at many local homes in Srpska. In Albania, different fruits are used, depending on the region, but rakí rushi (from grapes) is common. But you may try rakí mani (from mulberry), especially around Gjirokaster and Korça.

Authentic raki can be bought under the table from many shops and fruit and veggie markets. Served in 0.5L water bottles, for around 200-300 lek. They are safe, but tasting beforehand is accepted, and you should not buy it if it got a weird taste—this often means that the brewing process was not as clean as necessary. It doesn't mean though you will get blind, Albanians understand what they are doing, otherwise everyone would already be blind here. (Nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to prefer a shop which looks properly frequented by locals.)

Beer and wine

The number of homemade beers and wines is as varied as the population itself; the quality of these drinks is as varied as the quantity available.

Tea

Mountain tea (species: Sideritis scardica), known under its local name çay mali, is a very popular and tasty herbal tea in the Balkans and especially Albania. The dried flowers and stems can be bought in most local markets. It is often prepared with honey and lemon, even though the smell and taste itself is already rewarding enough, with no caffeine.

Non-alcoholic

Non-alcoholic drinks range from the well-known international and regional soft drink brands to the locally produced ones. You can find any type of soft drink in Albania, as well as natural mineral water, energy drinks, etc. Qafshtama water is considered the best water and found in much of the country.

• Boza – A popular sweet drink made from maize (corn) and wheat is a traditional drink in the Balkans. The most famous of which is Pacara Boza, +355 69 2481122. 1 bottle of 1.5 l ~ 100 lek
• Dhallë – A kefir-like drink closely related to ayran
• Kos – A yogurt-like drink very similar to matsoni in the Caucasus (100-160 lek/L)

Sleep

Inside the cities, hotels are abundant and prices per night start as low as €15. Hotels are usually clean and their staff in major cities generally speak English and/or Italian.

Outside the big cities, hotels are less common, but in places like Gjirokastra can be excellent value (e.g., 1000 lek). If, for any reason, you find nowhere to sleep, the Albanian people have always been known for their hospitality, and will treat you like royalty as you stay with them.

Stay safe

Albania is generally a safe place to visit but there are some safety precautions you have to take before visiting the country.

• In some Albanian cities like Berat there are no traffic lights and thus crossing on the road can be dangerous
• Avoid places that are deemed as slums and are sketchy, things like pickpocket can happen and also violence can occur, so avoid bringing valuables in those areas.
• Albania does have speed limits, but most people do not follow them. If you are driving on the highway, you have to pay extra attention to avoid car crashes . If you are not a good driver it is highly recommended that you take a bus.

Stray dogs

Albania is one of the countries where stray dogs can be a problem.

In addition to stray dogs in the cities (especially in Shkoder), in rural areas many places and farms have dogs, but they generally do not tend to leave their premises. This can still happen and they might block your way. In either case, if you feel a dog is getting too close for any reason, even if it looks harmless, pick up one or two stones; most dogs will understand the gesture, back down and disappear into the distance. If this does not help and a dog is running towards you aggressively barking, use the stones for your defence.

The trick of holding a long stick for protection does not always do the trick. They might even see that as a reason to attack you, since you put up the threat gesture in the first place, not like the other way around with the stones.

Stay healthy

It's best to drink bottled water, but tap water is usually drinkable too. In summer, insect repellent should be used as mosquitos are very active especially near former swamps and along the Western lowland. Be careful at the beaches because shards of glass and sea urchins are common on the sea floor. Also, pharmacies and other stores are closed from about 12:00-16:00; so, bring all necessary medicine with you. Health clinics in small towns or village areas are not well equipped, so trips to nearby cities can be expected. Also, many Albanians smoke cigarettes. The government has banned smoking in restaurants but this is not really observed.

Respect

Albanians are very hospitable. Even more so than the rest of the Balkans, elder males expect to be shown respect on account of their age. Men of the family have to be respected in particular. Shake hands with them and do not argue about topics such as religion and politics. Certain topics are strictly taboo; homosexuality is one good example. Don't speak about gay rights, no matter what. The situation changes a lot according to the location (village or city) and the people with whom you speak as well. Of course, in the hidden north, avoid topics that go beyond local understanding, but be sure that in Tirana you will find very cosmopolitan people that are as open to new ideas as the citizens of Western Europe.

Sometimes, if you stay for a night or so at someone's house, don't be surprised if you see a AK-47 Kalashnikov hanging at the wall. It's pretty normal for Albanians to keep guns in the house.

Traditions

In Albania it's common for men to kiss cheeks of males of their age or younger, even the first time they meet them. This is especially true for the regions of Fier, Tepelena, Vlora and Gjirokastra. In Northern Albania, they will simply touch each other's cheeks, but not kiss them. Women also kiss one another, sometimes from the first time they meet, but men and women do not kiss each other on the cheek unless they have been friends for a long time. Kissing cheeks between young people, 15–20 years old, is however very common. If you are a man, or a woman with a group of men, don't compliment females, unless they are under 10–12 years.

If a baby is in the family, always ask to see him or her, and don't forget to add a compliment (usually "Genka i shendetshem, me jete te gjate" or "What a sweet baby" works best).

If you speak a language where there are different formal and informal words for "you" in singular and "you" (like Italian, Greek, German, etc.), be aware that some Albanians do not use the formal form in their language. Sometimes, even the prime minister is addressed with "ti" (the informal word for "you", "tu" in Italian, "Du" in German or "Esi" in Greek), if the journalist is a friend of him. However, when meeting people for the first time, it's better if you address them with the formal word, although they will shortly after ask you to address them with the informal one.

Policemen in Albania are often polite. They usually never stop foreign cars, but if you rent a car, they may stop you. However, when they see you are a foreign tourist, they will immediately tell you to go on (usually with a "Ec, ec, rruge te mbare" which can be translated in "Go on. Have a nice trip"). When this happens, it's very polite if you respond with a "Faleminderit" ("thank you" in Albanian).

Albanians love dancing, especially during weddings. If you are attending a party, don't be afraid to dance. Maybe you don't know the traditional dances, but try to learn.

Cope

Electricity

Officially 220 V 50 Hz. Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 or the compatible, but non-grounded, CEE-7/16 "Europlug" types. Generally speaking, U.S. and Canadian visitors should pack an adapter for these outlets if they plan to use North American electrical equipment in Albania.

Unexpected power outages without prior warnings are common in Albania. This is largely dependent on the amount of rainfall the country receives in any given year, as virtually all of electricity is generated from hydro plants in Albania. However this is becoming more and more rare. Only in Tirana you will not have power outages but expect so in other cities. Although all major cities and most of the towns have back-up generators, however it is best to err on the side of the caution and ask whether the place has a generator or not beforehand in order not to, say, get stuck in an elevator.

Connect

Mobile

As of Sept 2021, Vodafone has the best coverage, with 4G in Tirana, the other main towns, and highways between. One and ALB have 4G in Tirana but less coverage elsewhere. 5G has not rolled out in Albania.

Generally, Vodafone or One will be the first choice for travellers. You can buy a local prepaid sim card from 800 lek including some MB of data—you will always have to buy a package initially with the SIM card. After that there are offers of 35 GB for 2,000 lek, or 5 GB for 600 lek.

Note that Vodafone and One have special deals where when you install their app you get an additional 10 GB for 1 month, or when you charge money onto your account you get extra GB, like 3 GB for one month for a recharge of 600 lek with One. Hence, you don't really need an expensive data package, like mentioned before.

You need to provide a passport to purchase a prepaid SIM.

Many mobile providers in the Balkans provide free roaming across Balkan countries. So, in case you are planning to cross the border, ask on how to use the local SIM card in other Balkan countries. For instance, a One.al SIM card from Albania works flawlessly in North Macedonia and Kosovo with a regular Albanian package.

Internet

Many bars and restaurant have WiFi readily available, just ask.

Besides that, Digicom (a DSL provider) uses the same default password for all their routers, which is "20202020". So, whenever you see a WiFi named "Digicom.al 2.4GHz" or "Digicom.al 5GHz" just try this passphrase. Also, many places, guesthouses or restaurants seem to use the easy to remember "12345678" passphrase.

Go next

You can go from Shkoder in northern Albania to Ulcinj in Montenegro by taxi or vans. Fares can be negotiated between €15 and €20, it takes between 1 and 2 hours. There are buses leaving from Shkoder to other places in Montenegro (Podgorica, Budva and Kotor), departing at 10:00 or 13:20 From Ulcinj you can also take busses to other cities in Montenegro.

Crossing into North Macedonia at the border between Pogradec and Ohrid, North Macedonia is fairly straightforward. From Pogradec, one can take a taxi to the border - this will likely cost around €5 and take around 10 minutes. Once you get to the border, it is possible to walk into North Macedonia, but do not expect to find taxis on the other side of the border. Instead, hire a taxi on the Albanian side (€25, 40 minutes to Ohrid) or wait for the minibus that turns around at the border. This bus comes every few hours and is the same bus that services the Sveti Naum Monastery, which lies a few kilometers from the border. If the bus does not show up, your best option would be to head to monastery's parking lot a few kilometers distant to find the bus (check Google Earth first to get a fix on its location).

You can go to Kosovo from Kukes on the new highway.

You can go to Greece by Gjirokaster at the border crossing at Kavavi.

By boat, you can leave for Italy from Durres or Vlorë. From Saranda you can go to Corfu, Greece.