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Albania Travel Guide: All you need to know to visit Albania in 2023

Welcome to Albania

Albania is a small country with exciting history and culture, as well as being one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. The capital city Tirana is located on Lake Ohrid's shores, surrounded by mountains covered with pine forests. There are more than 200 lakes in Albania, including Skanderbeg lake, which is considered the largest natural lake in Europe.

The country is known for its friendly people, delicious food, and ancient traditions. Albania offers plenty of attractions, from medieval castles to stunning beaches. Some travelers and world nomads even enjoy visiting Albania yearly because they consider it a relaxing and very peaceful country. If you plan on visiting Albania, you will find valuable information in this ultimate Albania travel guide..

Document checklist for Albania

Visa
Health Declaration
Valid passport
Sufficient funds
Return airline ticket

Essential Albania travel information

Currency - Albanian Lek (ALL). USD 1 is equivalent to approx. ALL 112,38.
Daily budget for 1 person - For one person a daily budget is around ALL 5,177 (USD46).
Languages - Albanian.
Socket type - For Albania, there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Albania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Time zone - Central European Standard Time (GMT+1)
Top 3 cities to visit - Berat, Gjirokaster, and Tirana.
Top 3 landmarks/monuments - Albanian Alps, Llogara Pass, and Apollonia.

Visa information for Albania

The Albania e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization that allows eligible travelers to visit this country for tourist activities. Use our Visa Checker Tool, to find out if you need the e-Visa to enter Albania.

Albania E-visa explained

This visa is a single-entry visa that is valid for and allows for a maximum stay of .

Typical costs and budget for Albania

To travel to this Southeast European country, you need to keep your travel budget in mind so you can enjoy this adventure to the fullest.

Daily spending per person - For one person, a daily budget is about ALL 5,177 (USD46).

Meals - The budget for meals is around ALL1,550 (USD13).
Transport - Budget for local transportation is approximately ALL 1,123 (USD 9,99).
Hotel - For 1 person the accommodation costs ALL1,966 (USD 17,49) and for a couple ALL 3,933 (USD35,00).

Traveling to Albania for one week usually costs around ALL36,236 (USD 322,43) for one person. Consequently, a two-person trip to Albania costs around ALL 72,472 (USD 644,87) for one week.

It is part of the cheapest European countries, so save money and enjoy one of the most European holiday destinations.

Transport and ways to travel around Albania

Traveling around Albania is straightforward, but you should consider the easier options to explore this country. Here we give you details of each transport system so that you can choose the best option.

The public transport system is cheap, but not very comfortable. However, it will take you to your favorite destinations, making it a good option.

Bus- Buses in Albania are the most popular means to travel; there are several popular routes, such as Saranda to Tirana, which are trendy destinations.
Furgon or minivan- This is a much more popular method of transport if you want to go to places less inhabited by tourists and not to the main destinations. You must negotiate the price with the driver before taking the trip. This means of transport is a minivan, smaller than a bus.
Taxi-They are available in all major cities and are an excellent option to move much faster. They cost more than a bus, but they are much more comfortable.
Rent a car- This can be a great option to travel to your desired destination at your own pace. It is advisable to rent a 4 x4 vehicle as there are tricky road areas. You should have an international driving permit.

Safety in Albania

Albania is a safe country to visit. However, you should pay attention and be alert when staying in this country. We recommend you to always frequent in the most touristic destinations and try to avoid the border of Albania with Kosovo because of the political relations that exist with Serbia. Other than that, the rest is a quiet and economical place that is worth visiting since it has a lot of tradition, rich history, and incredible nature, and it is known for its beaches.

Weather in Albania

Albania has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cold, dry winters. In the highlands, it is cold from November to March. Cities near the mountains are colder at night, even in the summer.

Albania is perfect for traveling in summer holidays; the temperatures in June range from 22° C( 72F), to 25° C(77F) in July and August.

Popular cities and towns in Albania

This Albania travel guide gives you the top 5 cities you should have in mind to enjoy your vacation.

Berat-The city that has a thousand windows for its charming houses and buildings that you can observe. If you like history, this city is for you. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage status list. It also has a castle on the top of the hill dating from the 13th century.
Gjirokaster -This city is the most traditional in Albania and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its architecture and history make tourists eager to visit this country. You can stroll through its cobbled streets while appreciating the Ottoman architecture and picturesque houses. It is known as the stone city, so don’t miss a visit to Gjirokaster Castle, considered the second largest in the Balkans.
Tirana- Albania's capital and most populous city. A dynamic and lively city that will envelop you in its history and culture. Here you will find the National Museum, which houses exceptional works to learn about this beautiful country. You can also visit BunkArt 2, one of Tirana's two Cold War bunkers, now museums of art and history.

Must do and see in Albania

When you visit Albania, you must explore nature and ancient history sites, and include unique destinations.

Albanian Alps- You will find them in the north by the border with Montenegro. Here you will find two famous parks of Albania, the Theth National Park and the Valbona Valley National Park, one of the most wonderful places in the country. The perfect place for those interested in hiking and nature, for its green hills that have waterfalls, forests, and springs.
Llogara Pass- One of the most popular places in Albania, a road located in the Llogara National Park, this road runs more than 1000 meters above sea level. Its landscapes will leave you with a vibrant heart, an impressive wonder. This park has animals like the Royal Eagle, the European Wild Cat, and the Fallow Deer. Are you ready for an adventure and to see incredible panoramic views?
Apollonia-It was once one of the most significant places in the world, so you have to see its ancient ruins. Located near the town of Fier. If you want to learn about Albania's past, this place is tailored to your wishes as an explorer of the ancient Greek and Roman ruins from 600 BC. Apollonia is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that still has archaeologists working to discover new artifacts.
Albanian Riviera- One of the most popular destinations to have a summer holiday to remember. Here you will find the best beaches, like, Dhërmi, Poro Palermo Beach, and Filikuri Beach, among other lively places to enjoy with friends or family. With its waters and long sandy beaches, the Albanian Riviera is a dream in this secret of Europe, so don't miss the Albanian coast.
Butrint National Park-The largest and most popular archaeological park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can appreciate the Roman theater, the baptistery, and the basilica.

The whole country is full of beautiful destinations to have many adventures to remember forever. Other places to discover are the Albanian riviera, lake Skadar, Ksamil islands, and Dajti National Park.

Typical Albania food to try

Trying Albanian cuisine is one of the best ways to learn about this country. So prepare your stomach and desire because there are many delicious flavors you should try!

Check out these Albanian dishes:

Byrek- It’s the most popular food in Albania. It’s a salty cake made of filo pasta. You can eat it in every restaurant in the country. It has a variety of versions, such as meat or cheese, even with spinach.
Tavë Kosi- A tasty, must-have of Albanian cuisine. You can find it all over the country, from the villages in the mountains to the coastal towns.
Bakllava- is an essential dessert in Albania. It is a delicious pastry full of layers of nuts and sugar. A sweet called "shërbet" is added to the top. Several bakeries make their variation of Baklava with their preferred processes and ingredients.

Are you ready to taste delicious Albanian food?

Vaccine information for Albania

Click on the CDC website to get information about the Covid vaccine and other vaccine requirements to travel to Albania.

Albania has 30% of Europe's plant collection.

The country is home to more than 3,000 plant species. This is 30% of the entire plant collection in Europe.

Fun facts about Albania

Before traveling to Albania, you may want to know some exciting topics or fun facts. Keep reading!

Mother Teresa is the country's heroine. She is the only Nobel laureate from Albania.
Only 3 million people live in Albania. More Albanians live outside the country than inside its territory.
Albania has more than 750,000 bunkers scattered throughout the land. Many of them are now cultural and artistic museums and even companies.
Albania has the second-largest oil field in the Balkans. The country’s oil reserves are the largest in Europe.
Albania’s communist past isolated it from the rest of the world, even though there were only 3000 cars in the country, and these were only the official cars of the Party. There is a lot of old and recent history to explore, so choose Albania as your next destination. With this Albania travel guide, you can start your journey in Europe's best-kept secret!