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Travel to albania

albania-flag

Albania is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.  

This small country in south-east Europe is a dream destination for adventurous travellers, and people who want to explore a relatively unknown corner of the continent.

Everywhere you look in Albania, there is breathtaking natural beauty.  From the crystal clear, warm waters of the Adriatic and Ionian seas to the towering, snow-capped Albanian Alps (hiking in Theth National Park is really awesome), Albania is a place that takes your breath away.  

The country is peppered with ancient Greek and Roman archaeological sites, castles, and stunning medieval Ottoman towns.  Its capital city, Tirana, is modern and vibrant.  Though in the countryside, you’ll come across sleepy, rustic villages where the pace of life hasn’t changed much for centuries.

view-of-clocktower-and-mountains-from-gjirokaster-castle

Albania is a perfect destination for a road trip.  And hiking in Theth National Park you’ll get to enjoy some of the most spectacular in Europe. 

It’s also very affordable compared to most other European countries.  The food is delicious – Mediterranean with a distinctly unique twist – and the local people are incredibly welcoming.

The years of Enver Hoxha, the paranoid communist dictator who kept the country closed off to the outside world for much of the 20th century, are firmly in the past.  Today, Albania is very much open and waiting to be explored.

Despite all this, still relatively few foreign tourists come here.  But you should.  And soon, while it’s still undiscovered.

Factsheet

Approximate Area:29,000 km2
Approximate Population:2.8 million
Currency:Lek
Official Language:Albanian
International Dialling Code:+ 355
Drives on the:Right

Albania Travel Tips and Guides

  • Albania Travel Guide
  • 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Albania
  • Incredible Places To Visit In Albania
  • Ultimate Albania Itinerary For 1–3 Weeks of Adventure and Culture
  • Best Time To Visit Albania (And When To Avoid)
  • Albania Packing List for Every Season
  • 16 Essential Travel Tips For Visiting Albania
  • Practical Information for Visiting Albania

Safety, solo travel and remote work

  • Is Albania Safe To Visit?
  • Solo Travel in Albania: A Practical Guide for Independent Explorers
  • Backpacking In Albania: A Comprehensive Guide
  • Flashpacking in Albania: Travel Smart and Explore More for Less
  • Living in Albania as a Digital Nomad – My Tips for Work, Life & Travel

Getting around and road trips

  • Transport in Albania: How to Get Around Like a Local
  • Renting a Car in Albania? Here’s What You Need to Know
  • What It’s Really Like Taking the Ferry from Italy to Albania
  • The Perfect Albania Road Trip: This Place Is Epic!
  • Driving the Llogara Pass: What to Know Before You Go

Tirana and central Albania

  • 14 Best Things To Do In Tirana (& Surrounding Area)
  • 3-Day Tirana Itinerary: Local Tips, Food, Culture & Hidden Corners
  • Where To Stay In Tirana: Guide To The Best Neighbourhoods
  • Is Tirana Worth Visiting? Here’s What It’s Really Like
  • Nightlife In Tirana: Best Bars, Clubs, and Late-Night Spots
  • 15+ Best Restaurants in Tirana, Albania
  • Best Day Trips from Tirana for Nature, History and Local Food
  • Dajti Ekspres Cable Car: What To Expect and Why It’s Worth It
  • How To Hike Mount Tujanit – A Quiet Trail Near Tirana With Epic Views

Culture, history and local life

  • A Traveller’s Guide to Albanian Culture and Traditions
  • Traditional Albanian Food: What to Eat and Where to Try It
  • Festivals in Albania Worth Planning Your Trip Around
  • Historical Places in Albania You Shouldn’t Miss
  • Hidden Gems in Albania You’ll Want to Keep to Yourself
  • My Favourite Photos of Albania to Inspire Your Next Adventure

Hiking, camping and national parks

  • Hiking in Albania: Best Trails, Tips + Where to Go
  • National Parks In Albania You Shouldn’t Miss
  • Wild Camping in Albania: Legality, Safety + Best Areas
  • Albania Camping Itineraries + Best Campsites
  • Ecotourism in Albania: Best Nature Spots, Stays and Sustainable Travel Tips

Albanian Riviera, beaches and the south coast

  • Best Beaches in Albania – Local Tips, Clear Water & Hidden Spots
  • The Albanian Riviera: Best Beaches, Towns, and Hidden Gems
  • 12 Best Things To Do In Saranda, Albania
  • The 15 Best Beaches In Saranda And The Albanian Riviera
  • 10 Best Hotels In Dhërmi Beach, Albania
  • 13+ Best Hotels in Ksamil, Albania
  • Exploring Borsh Beach Albania: A Gorgeous Mediterranean Gem
  • Gjipe Beach: The Hidden Gem of the Albanian Riviera
  • How To Visit Jale Beach AND Aquarium Beach, Albania
  • 23 Things To Do In Himarë: My Favourite Town On The Albanian Riviera
  • How to Visit the Blue Eye: Albania’s Natural Wonder (Syri i Kaltër)

Gjirokaster and inland south

  • Visiting Gjirokaster Castle – What to Know Before You Go
  • 8 Best Things To Do In Gjirokaster

Recent Posts on Albania

  • A view from between two old stone walls, looking out over a beach and the ocean in the distance, framed by greenery and some red flowers.

    A Traveller’s Guide to Albanian Culture and Traditions

    Albanian culture is rooted in hospitality, tight-knit families, and a long, sometimes turbulent history. When I was travelling around the country, I lost count of how many strangers invited me in for coffee or lunch. Often without speaking a word…

    Read More A Traveller’s Guide to Albanian Culture and TraditionsContinue

  • An Albanian coastal village nestled between green hills and the shoreline. Houses and buildings are visible, along with a curving coastline stretching into the distance.

    Is Albania Safe To Visit?

    Yes, Albania is safe to visit. In fact, it feels safer than plenty of better-known parts of Europe. I’ve spent almost two months travelling around the country, from Tirana’s backstreets to small coastal towns and remote mountain villages. I’ve walked…

    Read More Is Albania Safe To Visit?Continue

  • A scenic view of a secluded beach with cliffs and dense greenery on one side. The clear blue waters stretch to the horizon, with a few small figures seen enjoying the sandy shore.

    Hidden Gems in Albania You’ll Want to Keep to Yourself

    Some of my favourite places in Albania were the ones I stumbled across by accident. A quiet cove with no road access, a clifftop village where I was the only visitor, a forgotten Ottoman bridge with no signs or tour…

    Read More Hidden Gems in Albania You’ll Want to Keep to YourselfContinue

  • Two people walking through a long, arched stone tunnel lit by lanterns inside Gjirokaster castle. The stonework has a medieval feel, with cannons lining the walls.

    Visiting Gjirokaster Castle – What to Know Before You Go

    Gjirokaster Castle is one of the most impressive places I visited in southern Albania. It sits high above the old stone town, with views over the Drino Valley and the slate rooftops that give Gjirokaster its nickname, the “Stone City”….

    Read More Visiting Gjirokaster Castle – What to Know Before You GoContinue

  • Inside a colourful cafe with cozy furniture, a prominent mural of the Statue of Liberty adds a striking visual to the room. The ceiling is decorated with various patterns and papers.

    Backpacking In Albania: A Comprehensive Guide

    Albania feels like it was made for backpacking. It’s affordable, fairly easy to move around, and packed with culture, wild scenery, and little corners most people never make it to. I’ve spent weeks hiking in the north and beach hopping…

    Read More Backpacking In Albania: A Comprehensive GuideContinue

  • Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania, during sunset, featuring the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, and a mix of modern and historical architecture. People are strolling across the square, and a construction crane looms in the background.

    3-Day Tirana Itinerary: Local Tips, Food, Culture & Hidden Corners

    Tirana isn’t like other European capitals, and that’s one of the reasons I like it. It’s rough around the edges, full of contrasts, and constantly surprising. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first arrived, but quickly became a…

    Read More 3-Day Tirana Itinerary: Local Tips, Food, Culture & Hidden CornersContinue

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