Albania is an unforgettable adventure. This southeastern European country provides everything you’d hope for in a Mediterranean getaway, plus that little extra. Aside from how affordable it is for travellers, one of the greatest perks of Albania is how diverse and magical the scenery and cities you’ll encounter are!
From Tirana’s melting pot of architecture - thanks to its unique history - to the beachy paradise of Saranda, Ksamil and hidden gems on the Albanian Riviera, there’s something for every kind of traveller in Albania! The northern emerald Alps are a beautiful contrast to the southern sea wonders, and despite Albania being a pretty small country, it still offers a ton of variety to travellers.
Whether you’re the active type of traveller or want to spend your days unwinding by the ocean, visiting Albania is one of the best decisions you could make - no matter if it’s on a gap year or an adventure that’s short and sweet!
As the capital of Albania, Tirana’s streets are filled with ancient stories. As you sip coffee at Skanderbeg Square, you’ll find yourself marvelling at the famed statue in the centre. Grab homemade souvenirs from street markets, feast on baklava (filo pastry with sweet syrup), or check out one of the city’s underground nightclubs.
Berat is also known as ‘the city of a thousand windows’, owing to its unique houses stacked through the hills. With influences from the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in history. Visit Berat Castle, a popular hotspot for local picnics with beautifully preserved walls that overlook Gorica Quarters below.
On our Albania trips, you’ll have the opportunity to relax on the golden beaches and swim in the bright blue waters. Picturesque locations, such as Vlore and Himarё, offer secluded bays dotted along the coastline. Sunbathe with a book or hop on a dreamy boat trip around Sazan-Karaburan Marine Park; the Albanian Riviera is truly paradise.
Grab your hiking boots and head to the Accursed Mountains, or the Albanian Alps, with awe-inspiring views as far as the eye can see. Valbona National Park is the perfect reason to join an Albania tour, with green trails and natural pools inviting you to cool off after your hike, and guesthouses set back against stunning mountain views.
A gateway to the Albanian Alps, you’ll love Shkodër's traditional architecture and diverse arts scene. Discover the laidback cafes. Coffee isn’t just a drink in Albania; it’s intertwined with the locals’ way of life! Shkodër is extremely bike-friendly, rent a pair of wheels and cycle through local villages - stopping at Mesi Bridge for a dip.
Albanian cuisine combines Mediterranean flavours and ingredients with the Balkan love for a buffet, making it an absolute feast! Albania’s food is exceptionally underrated and the cooking traditions are pretty diverse. You can expect to find Greek, Italian and Turkish influences on the food - with dolma and baklava being popular choices on the appetiser and dessert menus. As for the mains, you can expect to find Albanian classics like byrek (a crunchy filo pastry typically filled with salty spinach and egg), flia (layered savoury pancakes) and specs të mbushur (stuffed peppers).
Similar to other Mediterranean countries, Albanians tend to eat dinner later in the evening at around 8pm.
Albania is a Mediterranean country, so it experiences all four seasons - including mild, wet and humid winters, plus hot and dry summers. January is Albania’s coldest month with an average temperature in Tirana of around 7°C, while in July, the average is roughly 25°C. The highlands are generally colder than the lowlands and interior of Albania, offering an exciting variety to travellers.
Albania is a fantastic country to explore all year round, but its enviable beaches make it especially popular in the hot summer months!
Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.
To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Albania set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Albanian Embassy in the UK.
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave Albania.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.
You can visit Albania without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, for tourism or business.
If you want to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply in advance for a long-stay visa or apply for a residence permit from within Albania.
To enter Albania, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Albania guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Albania. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Albania is quite similar in culture to other European countries, except a little more conservative. If you plan on visiting any religious sights, then it is customary to dress modestly; for mosques, female travellers should carry a scarf to cover their heads with them. It is important to respect people’s personal space in Albania, and if people are talking loudly, don’t take it personally as it is a part of ordinary conversations. Punctuality is considered polite in Albania but is not as important compared to the UK or Germany.
It is the law in Albania to always carry identification with you. It’s illegal to take photos of military installations and personnel.
Medical facilities can be poor in Albania, especially outside Tirana. Always travel with adequate health and travel insurance, and make sure that you have accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad.
Tap water is not safe to drink in Albania, so stick to bottled water only. Altitude sickness can be a mild risk in some areas of Albania.
Albania is generally safe for tourists, but travellers should be alert for pickpocketing and petty crime. Always check the relevant embassy websites before travelling for up-to-date information regarding laws, regulations and local safety.
Albania is an unforgettable adventure. This southeastern European country provides everything you’d hope for in a Mediterranean getaway, plus that little extra. Aside from how affordable it is for travellers, one of the greatest perks of Albania is how diverse and magical the scenery and cities you’ll encounter are!
From Tirana’s melting pot of architecture - thanks to its unique history - to the beachy paradise of Saranda, Ksamil and hidden gems on the Albanian Riviera, there’s something for every kind of traveller in Albania! The northern emerald Alps are a beautiful contrast to the southern sea wonders, and despite Albania being a pretty small country, it still offers a ton of variety to travellers.
Whether you’re the active type of traveller or want to spend your days unwinding by the ocean, visiting Albania is one of the best decisions you could make - no matter if it’s on a gap year or an adventure that’s short and sweet!
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