Albania

Pearl of the Balkans

Albania is a true hidden gem of the Balkans, and tourist trips to Albania are rapidly gaining popularity these days. And no wonder! It combines azure beaches of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, picturesque mountain landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Here you can find ancient Ottoman towns, ancient ruins, cozy villages and modern resorts.

Guide to Albania

Basic Information

Tours to Albania attract not only with its natural beauty and historical riches, but also with the hospitality of locals, authentic cuisine and affordable prices. The country is located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. It has a predominantly Muslim population, so be aware of cultural differences. The Otranto Strait separates Albania from Italy. The country borders Montenegro, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia and Greece. The first traces of humans in Albania date back to the Middle and Late Paleolithic periods.

Photos of Albania

Souvenir stores and restaurants in the old town of Gjirokaster in Albania. The old town of Gjirokaster is a UNESCO world heritage site. People relax and have lunch

The city port of Saranda in the Ionian Sea. Albania

The courtyard of Lekuresi Castle in Saranda, Albania - photo

Traditional houses in the town of Kruja in Albania. - photo

Monument to Skanderbeg in Skanderbeg Square in the centre of Tyre

Empty beach Xamil - Butrint NP, Albania - photo

Streets of the old town of Gjirokaster, Albania. View of old houses

Resort in Albania, Berat, view of the old town - photo

Capital

Tirana

Language

Albanian

Currency

Lek

Time zone

GMT +1

Population

2 746 000

Territory

28 748 km²

Dishes worth trying:

Pepper with sour cream — the classic national side dish.

Flija — pancake cake with cream and honey filling.

Tav Kosy — roasted lamb in yogurt with garlic and herbs.

Kifki — a popular appetizer in the form of rice balls.

Tiranian ferguez — something between a stew and a vegetable casserole of peppers and tomatoes.

Pispili — A perfect breakfast of eggs, cornmeal, and lots of greens.

Things to do in to Albania

Enjoy the beaches of the Albanian Riviera.
Experience the atmosphere of the Ottoman era in ancient cities.
Evaluate Tirana's contrast.
Take a cruise on Lake Coman, Europe's southernmost fjord.
Hike the mountain trails of Llogara National Park.
Check out the Blue Eye, a unique karst spring in the vicinity of Saranda.

Tips

Be prepared for chaotic traffic. Traffic lights, road signs and rules are observed here rather conditionally. And at the same time, there are many mountain serpentines along the route.

Carry small cash bills in euros or dollars to exchange at your hotel or the nearest available exchange point if necessary. This is not suitable for large sums of money, but everyday "change" can be indispensable.

Go to the mountains. Even if you've come to relax on the beach, a trip to Albania would be incomplete without hiking in the mountains. You don't have to take extreme multi-day routes - choose something simpler. But it is definitely worth it! The views here are simply magical.

Sights

Albania is a country that is rightfully considered one of the most unique tourist destinations in Europe. You can't do without a guidebook! You can visit the historical city of Shkoder with the amazing fortress of Rozafa and the largest in the Balkans Skadar Lake - there is both nature and history. And what is worth Tirana - the capital, surprising with the contrast of modernity and tradition! What else? Let's tell you!

Butrinti

National Park near the city founded by the ancient Greeks. There are many archaeological sights preserved here - a Roman temple and amphitheater, Byzantine basilica.

Berat

The city of a thousand windows and an extraordinary complex of Ottoman architecture. Be sure to visit the mosque, the Muslim Quarter, the Museum of Modern Art and the unique Icon Museum.

Mt. Daichi National Park

The ruins of a Roman fortress, a cemetery of heroes, the "Mother Albania" memorial and even the Dinosaur Museum are waiting for you. This is all near Tirana. There is a panoramic platform for admiring the views and taking photos.

Tours to Albania

Albania has many advantages that make it a unique travel destination. Firstly, it has low prices for accommodation, food and transportation compared to other European countries, making the cost of a trip to Albania quite affordable.
Albania is famous for its unspoiled nature, variety of outdoor activities, opportunities for privacy and the still low, but rapidly growing level of mass tourism. Tirana will delight lovers of a busy city life. Visit Skanderbeg Square, the Pyramid of Tirana and the National History Museum. And how good are the local mosques! For example, the Efem Bey Mosque.
Gjirokastra is a city that is famous for its Ottoman architecture and old stone buildings. In the center is the Gjirokastra Fortress with beautiful views. Those interested in tradition and cultural heritage will definitely enjoy this place. Saranda is one of the sunniest cities in Albania, which boasts not only beaches but also other natural attractions. For example, the Konispol Caves.
For nature walks, the Llogara National Park is ideal, located in the mountains and offering breathtaking views of the Albanian Riviera. There is a camping site and plenty of hiking trails to suit all tastes. The alpine village of Vermosh at an altitude of 1100 meters will also offer an unforgettable experience. Luxurious mountains, crystal clear water bodies, fishing with rainbow trout - what else do you need?

Where to go to Albania?

Travel to Albania is very diverse. In Tirana, the capital of the country, you can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city, its historical and modern monuments. Clean beaches await guests in resorts such as Xamil, Himara and Dermi. The towns of Vlora and Durres will be interesting for tourists. Vlora is a resort on the Ionian Sea with beaches, a fortress and archaeological monuments. Durres is a large port city with a boiling life. And for nature lovers, Albania even has caves and waterfalls.

Tirana

When to go to Albania

A self-drive trip to Albania can be planned at any time of the year, and that's what makes it so good. In any month there is something to fill your leisure time - from summer water sports to winter ski resorts. You can even come to Tirana on New Year's Eve, for example, for noisy celebrations with fireworks and street concerts. The most comfortable months are May, June and September. It is not too cold, not too hot, you can walk a lot, and the Adriatic Sea warms up quickly due to the shallow waters.

Albania in spring

Spring warms up quickly, but March can still have cold nights and too much rainfall. April is good for recreational vacations. Already by May the water temperature warms up to +19 degrees, and some daredevils successfully swim.

Albania in summer

Summer is the time for beach vacations in Albania. In June, the air temperature during the day reaches +27 degrees, and the water temperature - up to +22. There is very little rain, which cannot but please. July is also good, but August is hotter and drier with temperatures around +32 degrees. But August is good for hiking in the mountains, while crowds of tourists gathered on the beaches.

Albania in fall

In September, a slight coolness returns and the velvet season comes to the coast. October is fresher, with daytime temperatures of up to +22 degrees Celsius. In some regions it is still possible to swim and there is little rain. But in November it starts to get cold and heavy precipitation, so it is not the most suitable time for outdoor recreation.

Albania in winter

Winter in coastal Albania is warm and rainy. It has a Mediterranean climate and the temperature rarely drops below +8 degrees Celsius. But it is the perfect time for winter vacation in the mountains. For example, in Korca - the favorite place of Albanians. There are also ski resorts in the village of Voskopoja and in the town of Bigel Darde.

Usefulness

To plan well and calculate how much a trip to Albania costs, you need to take into account all the organizational nuances. We at tripmydream have already prepared the main recommendations and tips in this section. No more problems with visa, border or car rental!

Visa to Albania

Citizens of Ukraine and the European Union can stay on the territory of Albania for up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa. Including for tourist, business or transit trips. For U.S. citizens, the maximum period of visa-free stay is 1 year.

Customs & Tax Free

Albania has a Tax Free system and refunds up to 15% of the purchase price. There are restrictions on the import of tobacco, alcohol, perfumes and foreign currency in cash. Anything over and above must be declared separately.

Travel by car

A car is the ideal choice for traveling around Albania. It is not very good with transportation, but there are many interesting places that can be easily reached by car. The cost - from about 1500 ALL per day, but it depends entirely on the class of car and the rental period.

Phrasebook for tourists

The main language in Albania is Albanian, so it is better to learn basic phrases and words beforehand. Many families speak a second language, most often Italian or Greek. Among the older generation there is Russian, and English is common in popular tourist destinations.

Public transport and prices

The most popular transportation in Albania is shuttle cabs in the form of small minibuses with 9-12 seats. They are easily recognizable by their red and white coloring. Their stations are in all cities. There are also scheduled municipal buses. The railroad service is not of very good quality.

Events

One of the country's most colorful festivals, Fustanella, is held in Gjirokastra in July. On March 22 Albanians celebrate Novruz - the arrival of spring and the beginning of the New Year according to the solar calendar. On November 28 and 29 are Independence Day and Liberation Day of Albania. Among Muslim holidays, Uraza Bayram and Kurban Bayram are celebrated here.