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Komani Lake in Albania

Albania Travel Guide

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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Key Facts

Time Zone

GMT + 2

Money

Albanian Lek

Dialing Code

+355

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!  

  • Albania is an up-and-coming destination in the travel world, so don’t miss out!
  • The partying and nightlife are some of the best in all of Europe
  • Albania is easily one of the most affordable countries in Europe, so you get a lot of bang for your buck!
  • The sunny beaches along the Albanian Riviera make for the perfect getaway to Europe
  • Explore the stunning Albanian Alps range and admire the spectacular gorges and waterfalls
  • Discover Roman ruins in Butrint, UNESCO attractions in Gjirokastër and Soviet history in Tirana
  • Albania’s culture is incredibly friendly and hospitable, making it delightful to visit
  • It’s only 3 hours away from London by plane!

Tirana is the capital city of Albania. This city has had an extraordinary transformation since the fall of Communism in 1991, and so travellers can expect to find a real mix of architectural styles here: Ottoman, Fascist and Soviet. The result is a fascinating history that can be explored at the city’s top museums and in the main squares. 

But don’t get it twisted; Tirana is always looking forward, and is one of the most exciting cities for an exhilarating evening out enjoying the nightlife. And compared to Western Europe’s party capitals, it’s super affordable, too! 

  • Trace Tirana’s unique history inside its reimagined Soviet bunkers, its contentious Pyramid of Tirana landmark and the transformed Tirana Castle
  • Enjoy sensational evenings out across Albania’s spectacular cities, particularly Tirana and Saranda depending on your vibe
  • Explore the blissful, beach-studded resort city of Saranda
  • Chase the sun across the Albanian coast, and find a few secluded sandy spots amid the summer excitement
  • Escape to the stunning Albanian Alps for hiking trails and hidden gems in nature
  • Discover the UNESCO Old Town of Gjirokastër, Albania’s “Stone City” with a vibrant bazaar and fascinating fortress
  • Visit Butrint: a former trading city under the Roman Empire, with ruins that have withstood the test of time remarkably

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!

Visa

Visas may be required in order to enter or transit through certain countries depending on your passport nationality, your reason for travel and how long you intend to stay.

Visa, passport and entry rules are subject to change and you should check the most up-to-date information from the relevant embassy or visa specialist.

To make things easier we have teamed up with The Travel Visa Company who are one of the UK’s leading travel visa specialists. You can use their website, alongside embassy websites,  to find out the specific entry requirements for the countries you intend to travel to.

For a fee, their dedicated team of experts can also apply for visas on your behalf, taking away the hassle and streamlining the process for you if you wish. For more details on the services they provide please click here – The Travel Visa Company

Passport

Passports must be in good condition and less than 10 years old. Your passport must also have an expiration date of at least three months after the date you plan to leave Albania. 

The official language of Albania is Albanian, which is an Indo-European language spoken by the majority of the population.

Albania uses both the Type C Plug (the Europlug) and the Type F plug with a 230V charge. British appliances will require a universal adaptor. 

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. 

Health & Safety

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. 

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