cost of travel albania

Albania Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 29, 2024

Albania is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Though it increases in popularity each year, the country is largely ignored by tourists; many still think of it as a post-communist backwater (as if the world hasn’t changed in the last 30 years).

Yet this is a land of untouched natural beauty, with a rich history dating back to the ancient Illyrians and Greeks. It has become a solid favorite of backpackers looking for an affordable, off-the-beaten-path destination to explore.

I absolutely loved my time visiting Albania. It’s a country full of good food and welcoming people. I enjoyed it so much that I extended my stay.

Hikers and nature lovers can partake of all the hiking and trekking here, beach lovers have the Albanian Riviera along the Ionian coast, and history buffs can marvel at the country’s uncrowded UNESCO sites in Butrint (an ancient Roman city), Berat, and Gjirokastër.

Albania is on the up and up, with more tourists visiting each year. I think it will become as popular (and expensive) as Croatia in the next couple of years, so visit now before the crowds come!

This travel guide to Albania can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this underrated destination!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Albania

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Albania

1. Explore Tirana

Albania’s capital is rapidly transforming into a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, with its bustling cafes, eclectic museums, and trendy shops and galleries. Sip coffee at one of many espresso bars, dive into the developing digital nomad scene, soak up history in Skanderbeg Square, and enjoy the city’s booming nightlife. For a hefty dose of local culture, check out Bunk’Art, a former bunker built during the Cold War that’s since been turned into an interactive art space. If you’re in town for more than a couple of days, take the Dajti Ekspres to the top of the nearby mountain, check out the cave of Pellumbas, or go and explore the Roman and Byzantine ruins in nearby Durrës.

2. Visit the historic town of Berat

A city that’s been around for 2,400 years, Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the highlights of visiting Albania . It’s also known as “the City of a Thousand Windows” because of its unique white-walled Ottoman homes, picturesquely stacked atop one another on a crumbling hillside and characterized by their many windows. Visitors should make it a point to wander around Kala, an ancient neighborhood with panoramic views, historic mosques and churches, and a 14th-century castle. There are also a number of noteworthy museums in Berat, including the Ethnographic Museum, which is housed in an ornate 18th-century Ottoman home.

3. Drive the Llogara Pass

The Llogara Pass is a steep (at times the incline is 11%), winding road that rises over a thousand meters (3,500 feet) into the mountains and overlooks the glittering Ionian coast, which has been nicknamed the Albanian Riviera. This road goes from Orikum to Dhërmi, and there are lots of scenic stops along the way. If you need to stretch your legs, the trails at Llogara Pass National Park are a fantastic place to do so. Post-hike, grab lunch at one of the many roadside restaurants in the park. Though it used to be a dangerous and narrow road, the Llogara Pass was repaved in 2009. It’s still a tricky route, but it’s worth it — this is the most scenic drive in the country (and one of the most scenic drives in all of Europe).

4. Hike from Valbona to Theth

T of the most famous day hikes in Albania, this is an old mule trail that leads you across the Accursed Mountains. This section is moderately challenging and takes around eight hours in total. There are fresh water springs along the way, as well as some cafes on the route, but make sure you bring plenty of water just in case. It’s a stunning area with an abundance of flora, fauna, and wildlife to see. In Theth, there are some other hikes as well. Most notably, the Blue Eye of Theth is a shockingly blue pool of water fed by a small waterfall that can be reached in about three hours (one way) from Theth.

Also protected by UNESCO, Gjirokastër is famous for its stonework. Wander the cobblestone streets, hike and explore the castle, swim in nearby waterfalls, and visit the best examples of Ottoman-era architecture in the area. There’s a C old W ar museum here that’s housed in an old 800-meter-long (2,624-foot) bunker from the 1970’s. Close to the nearby village of Muzinë is the incredible natural spring called the Blue Eye. Gjirokastër, for me, is one of the best spots in the country.

Other Things to See and Do in Albania

1. relax on the albanian riviera.

Pristine beaches, turquoise water, cheap and delicious seafood — the Albanian coast has all the beauty and wonders of Croatia, without the high prices and crowds (for now). Dhërmi and Ksamil are considered to have the best beaches in the country, with miles of white, sandy beachfront. If you want a busier beach destination, go to Himarë, where the beach has a promenade lined with cafés and bars. For something more off the beaten path, make your way to Gjipe Beach. For a bustling, developed beach town, visit Sarandë, which is packed with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.

2. Enjoy the view from Rozafa Castle

Situated near Shkodër in northwestern Albania, the 4th-century Rozafa Castle has panoramic views of the area, including the Buna and Drin Rivers. The fortifications here originally date to the 10th century BCE, when the Illyrians lived in the area (the current castle replaced those fortifications). Legend has it that a young woman sacrificed her life to imbue the castle walls with longevity. There isn’t a whole lot to see here, but the ruins are impressive, and it’s a good spot from which to watch the sunset. The Shkodër History Museum provides a great overview of the castle’s past, including the background of the medieval families who lived here. Admission is 150 ALL.

3. Visit the National Museum of History

The National Museum of History in Tirana offers a view of the country’s rich history and is divided into eight sections: antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, independence, iconography, the National Liberation Anti-Fascism War, the Communist Terror, and Mother Teresa (who was born in Albania). There’s a remarkable collection of ancient Greek and Roman mosaics, columns, and statues unearthed in Albania as well. The collection is extensive, so give yourself around three hours here. Handily, nearly the entire collection is signed in English. Admission is 500 ALL.

4. Explore the ancient ruins of Butrint

Greeks from nearby Corfu settled Butrint in the 6th century BCE. It quickly became a large trading city that was still prosperous when the Romans took over in 167 BCE. Nowadays, you can wander the pathways between what’s left of the city, including well-preserved arches and colonnades. In 2003, Butrint was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. It makes for an ideal day trip from Sarandë. I took my time there and spent about three hours exploring the ruins. The entrance fee is 700 ALL and the 45-minute bus ride costs 100 ALL.

5. Admire the art at Bunk’Art

Bunk’Art 1 and 2 are former bunkers that have been turned into museums and galleries underneath Tirana. Built in the 1970s for Albania’s elite, the bunkers’ 100 rooms have now been transformed into a museum and art space. Bunk’Art 1, located on the outskirts of Tirana, focuses on Albania’s communist past and the lives of average people under communism. Bunk’Art 2, the more recent addition, is located right in Tirana; it focuses more on the secret police that were used by the regime to terrorize the population and maintain order. Admission is 500 ALL.

6. See the ancient ruins at Apollonia

Like Butrint, Apollonia was one of the most important cities in the ancient world. The Greeks founded it in 588 BCE, and it fast grew into a city-state with a huge slave trade (just like Butrint). The Romans took over in 229 BCE, when it became a cultural center with an important philosophy school. Even Julius Caesar sent his nephew (Octavius, who became Emperor Augustus) to study there. Today you can visit the ruins (a UNESCO Heritage Site), which include a theater and the restored façade of the administrative center. Admission is 300 ALL.

7. Visit Shkodër

As the largest town in the north (and home to the Rozafa Castle), it plays host to many of the country’s biggest festivals like Carnival, Lake Day, and the Shkodra Jazz Festival. The city’s Old Town is filled with picturesque, pastel-colored homes and buildings. A lot of people breeze through Shkodër on their way to Montenegro from Tirana, but I recommend spending a day or two here. Check out one of the interesting museums here, like the Marubi National Photography Museum and the Site of Witness & Memory Museum. The former is an Albanian photographic museum; the latter commemorates the victims of the communist regime in the city. e to get to Valbonë. If you don’t want to do that, there are day trips available. You can spend a couple of hours on the lake before going up the Shala River, where you can eat lunch, rent a kayak, or chill on the “beach” (the rocky embankment). The mountain water of the Shala is super clear and clean; it looks almost tropical. The restaurants here also rent rooms (or let you camp for free) if you want to stay the night.

9. Go hiking

Albania has lots of incredibly scenic hikes. If you spend most of your time in the south, you’ll get your pick of coastal hikes along the Ionian Sea, including Mount Çika and through the Ceraunian Mountains. In the north, the hike over the Valbona Pass to the village of Theth is popular for a reason; it’s an incredibly beautiful route (and not for the faint of heart). Routes around the country vary in length and difficulty and trekking information isn’t readily available — large parts of these hikes are still undeveloped, so hire a guide if you want to explore. Outdoor Albania has lots of options to help you get started.

10. Take a wine tour

Albania has one of the oldest winemaking traditions in all of Europe. Albanian wine makes use of incredibly rare grapes, and some of the traditional practices date back to the Bronze Age. Many wineries are family-owned and located in breathtaking settings. You can take wine tours from Berat, Lezhë, and Tirana, on which you can sample some of the country’s finest. Expect to pay at least 6,500 ALL for a day trip.

11. Get spooked at Sazan

The “ghost” island of Sazan is a 30-minute boat ride from the southern port town of Vlorë. It served as a Soviet military base and chemical weapons facility for many years before being abandoned. In 2017, the government opened it for tourism, although officially it remains a military base. The rooms in this vast network of nuclear bunkers and tunnels are still stocked with beds and kitchen supplies, and you can still find abandoned gas masks in the valley nearby. Tours don’t run all the time, so you need to ask in the tourist information office in Vlorë. They can book you onto a tour if they are running. Expect to pay 3,500 ALL or more for a day tour to the island.

12. Hike Osumi Canyon

This gorgeous river canyon in southern Albania makes for the perfect day trip from Berat. It is over three million years old, stretches for 40 kilometers (25 miles), and towers 40 meters (131 feet) above the river. The most popular way to see it up close is with a rafting tour. Tours are available February-June and start at 7,000 ALL per person, which includes transportation from Berat, lunch, and 2-4 hours on the water. You can also opt to hike down through the canyon and explore the ancient rock formations and caves via a 12-kilometer trail.

13. Visit the House of Leaves

The Museum of Secret Surveillance, aka the House of Leaves, is an award-winning museum in Tirana located in the old Sigurimi building (the Sigurimi were the secret police). The building was originally used by the Gestapo during the German occupation, continuing as a base of operations for the secret police until 1991. The exhibitions highlight what life was like under German and then communist rule, shedding light on the methods used to spy on, prosecute, and execute enemies of the regime. It’s sobering but incredibly insightful. Anyone even remotely interested in the dark side of Albania’s past will find this museum fascinating. Admission is 700 ALL.

Albania Travel Costs

Budget hotels can be as cheap as 2,500 ALL per night for a double or twin with a private bathroom and A/C. More realistically, expect to pay around 3,500 ALL or more per night. Most hotels offer a fairly large breakfast, too.

Airbnb is a great budget option here. Private rooms start at 1,800 ALL per night although they average about 3,600 ALL. Expect to pay at least 5,800 ALL for a full apartment or home. Prices double when not booked in advance.

For anyone traveling with a tent, camping is available around the country, and it is perfectly legal to wild camp (i.e., pitch your tent anywhere on public land). If you prefer sticking to campsites, prices are usually around 1,200 ALL per night for a basic plot for two people and a tent without electricity.

Food – Like its Mediterranean neighbors, Albanian cuisine relies heavily on fish, olive oil, and local produce (especially onions). Breakfast is usually bread, cheese, and yogurt. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Meat stew, grilled sausage, meat pies, and fresh salads are some of the more traditional dishes. Beef, trout, calamari, and sea bass are all popular staples. Goulash is also popular, though mostly in the mountain regions. Some of the most popular must-try dishes in Albania include byrek (a salty pie with various fillings) and speca me gjize, a dish of stuffed peppers. Wash it all down with tea or raki, a traditional alcoholic beverage.

For a meal at a sit-down restaurant, expect to pay 500-700 ALL for an appetizer, wine, and main course. For a really “nice” restaurant (or maybe one serving fish or sushi), you’re likely to spend 1,400-2,000 ALL. The most expensive meal I had in Albania was at this high-end fish restaurant in Tirana — it cost me 3,500 ALL, which is only $31 USD. That included fish, oysters, and wine!

Pizza starts at 550 ALL, while non-European food like Indian, Thai, or Chinese food costs around 600-900 ALL for a main dish. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 600 ALL for a combo meal.

Expect to pay around 150 ALL for a beer, 150-250 ALL for a glass of wine, 70 ALL for a bottle of water, and 140 ALL for a coffee.

If you are planning to cook your own food, a week’s worth of groceries cost 2,500-3,500 ALL. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, vegetables, and some meat.

Backpacking Albania Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking Albania, expect to spend about 4,400 ALL per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, cooking your meals, limiting your drinking, using public transportation to get around, and sticking to free and cheap activities like hiking and free tours. If you plan on drinking a lot (Sarandë and Tirana are big party spots), add another 500-1,000 ALL to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of around 9,000 ALL per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or private Airbnb, eat out for most meals, enjoy a few drinks at the bar, see more museums and palaces, do a day trip or two, and take the occasional taxi to get around.

On a “luxury” budget of around 15,000 ALL per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, see all the sites you want, do lots of day tours, and take taxis where you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury. The sky’s the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in ALL.

Albania Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Albania is an affordable country to visit. You’ll be hard-pressed to spend a lot of money, even if you’re staying in private rooms or hotels. You really have to go out of your way to spend money here. But, if you are looking to travel cheap, here are some tips on how to save money :

• Take a free walking tour – Tirana Free Tour offers a free walking tour that highlights the city and its sites. There are also free walking tours in Berat and Shokdër. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Cook your own meals – Many hostels here include kitchen facilities, so if you want to save money, cook your own meals. Groceries are cheap here and there are a lot of farmer’s markets around where you can pick up fresh produce.
• Stay with a local – Staying with a local via Couchsurfing is a great way to save money and connect with a knowledgeable local who can share their insider tips and advice.
• Bunk up in a hostel – Hostels in Albania are cheap, especially if you book a shared room.
• Walk everywhere – Most towns and cities in Albania are walkable, so skip the public transportation and taxis to save money.
• Enjoy the outdoors – There are plenty of free hiking trails and outdoor activities around the country that can fill your days.
• Take advantage of wild camping – As it is legal to camp anywhere in Albania, traveling with a tent, or in a camper van, is the perfect way to save money on accommodation.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here usually isn’t safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand, as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure that your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Albania

You won’t find many hostels outside of the main tourist cities, but private guest houses are pretty cheap in the countryside anyway. Here are some of my favorite places to stay in Albania:

• Trip’n’Hostel (Tirana)
• Friends Hostel (Gjirokastër)
• Himara Relax Hostel (Himarë)
• The Wanderer’s Hostel (Shokder)
• Saranda Backpackers (Sarandë)

How to Get Around Albania

Public transportation – In most towns and cities, almost everywhere is accessible on foot. Otherwise, take the bus. The fares cost around 40 ALL per ride.

To get from the airport to Tirana, the cheapest way is via the airport shuttle. It runs from 6am until 6pm and drops you off near the National Museum of Tirana. It costs 400 ALL (one-way) and takes around 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi for around 2,500 ALL.

Taxi – Taxis are readily available in all the major cities. Expect to pay 300 ALL to turn on the meter plus another 300 ALL for every kilometer. A lot of taxis will try to quote you a price instead of using the meter, which is almost always overly inflated. Make sure they put on the meter to avoid getting ripped off.

Train – Albania has a small rail network, but I never saw or heard of anyone taking it. The locals I talked to say it is too unreliable and slow. Buses are much faster, cheaper, and more reliable so use them instead.

Bus – Buses are the main form of inter-transportation in the country. They loosely follow a timetable. From major cities and starting points, they tend to leave on time but after that don’t count on it. But getting to your destination? Add an hour buffer just to be safe. The roads are always jammed and aren’t in great shape, so on-time arrivals are rare.

Buses cost from 300 ALL to over 1,000 ALL depending on how far you go. A bus from Sarandë to Tirana takes about 5 hours and costs about 1,700 ALL, while Berat to Tirana costs about 400 ALL and takes under three hours. The two-hour journey from Vlorë to Berat is around 400 ALL.

Pre-booking is never necessary. Just show up at the bus station and grab your ticket.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Car Rental – Car rentals start at 1,500 ALL per day. The roads are in bad shape, so be sure to drive carefully. Drivers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to rent a car here.For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Albania

Albania has a Mediterranean climate, which means super-hot summers (July-August), with a daily temperature averaging over 32°C (90°F), mild winters on the coast, and cold winters in the mountains (November-February).

The best time to visit Albania is during the spring (May-June) or fall (September-October). During this time, the weather is mild, with average daily temperatures around 21°C (70°F), making it perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Of course, if you want to enjoy Albania’s incredible coastline, the best time to come is during the summer. Albania is not yet a huge tourism draw in Europe, so it is rare to find sites and attractions overly crowded, and prices don’t inflate much during peak season. It’s sweltering at that time of year, however, so come prepared for hot weather!

Those who want to get the most bang for their buck should plan to travel during the off season, from November to March. Prices are at their cheapest — though it must be said that the weather can get very cold. If you’re visiting the coastal areas, don’t expect to be able to swim.

How to Stay Safe in Albania

Albania is generally a safe country to visit. Violent crime is rare but petty crime can be an issue so don’t flaunt your possessions and always make sure your valuables are out of reach while on crowded buses.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

If you’re using public transportation in Tirana, pickpocketing can be a concern, as in most other urban areas around the world. Never set down valuable items; keep them tucked away out of sight.

Locals are really proud of their country, and Albanian culture has a long tradition of guest hospitality. Moreover, Albania is a “nighttime” country (i.e., people stay out late), so there are always eyes and ears out, keeping would-be criminals in check. (Many of the women I met there told me they feel very safe walking around at night for that reason.)

The main danger in Albania is reckless driving. Albania has some of the highest road fatality rates per capita in all of Europe, so be sure to pay extra attention when driving or while walking near busy roads.

Near the border with Kosovo, landmines can still be found. Avoid hiking off the marked trails there, and keep an eye out for signs and warnings.

Scams aren’t super common, but they do occur. You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. This protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations . It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Albania Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Albania Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Europe and continue planning your trip:

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Is Albania Cheap? 2024 Trip Costs & Pro Budgeting Tips!

• December 20, 2022

There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As ever, all opinions are my own.

Albania is skyrocketing to the top of people’s Europe bucket lists at the moment, and with its reputation as one of the cheapest countries in Europe, it’s no surprise!

But is Albania really that cheap? How much will your trip to Albania cost? And what are the realistic prices you can expect to pay once you get to Albania for things like accommodation, food and activities?

In this blog post, I’m going to cover everything you need to know about the cost of travel in Albania, including up-to-date prices, to help you work out how much money you will need to take to Albania. At the end of this post, I’ll also provide a suggested daily travel budget for Albania.

Before we get started, though, I just wanted to point out that when I say “cheap” in this post I definitely don’t mean bad quality. In fact, Albania is one of the best countries I’ve been to when it comes to getting bang for your buck.

The cost of living in Albania is very low, which translates to low prices for travellers from the UK, US and Western Europe. There are so many other reasons to visit this wonderful country besides the low prices, though!

With that said, then, let’s get started!

Where I’ve Been In Albania

Albania is a fairly small country, but despite this, costs vary quite a bit depending on where you’re visiting. In general, though, Albania is very cheap for tourists and offers excellent value for money!

I visited Albania in September, which is the shoulder season. There’s a fairly short peak season on the Albanian Riviera, which lasts from July to August, and these are the months when you’ll find the highest prices. Shoulder season in Albania offers great value as the weather is (usually) still great but the crazy summer crowding and prices are gone.

I spent two weeks in Albania, visiting the following destinations:

Gjirokaster (mountains)

Himare (coast)

Berat (mountains)

Tirana (capital city)

I was pretty happy with these destinations as I feel that I managed to get a good taste of the different areas of Albania. However, there is one notable destination missing here – the Theth to Valbona hike.

I unfortunately couldn’t get to northern Albania due to unseasonal storms during the end of my trip, but I’m already planning a return trip to do this hike!

Obviously, I haven’t travelled across the whole of Albania, and I still have a lot of exploring to do. That said, though, I feel like the destinations I did visit offer a great sample in terms of prices and costs in Albania.

Top tip: The currency of Albania is the Albanian Lek (LEK), but I have listed most of the prices in this post in both LEk and Euros to keep everything simple.

Price of Accommodation in Albania

You’ll be surprised by just how affordable accommodation in Albania is. Standards are generally good, and there are a wide range of hostels across the country – perfect for those travelling on a super tight budget!

You can get a top-quality, fully-furnished and renovated apartment in the centre of Tirana for just €40 per night. A double room in a budget hotel will cost around €30 per night! A private double room in a hostel will cost you around €28 per night, and a dorm bed will cost around €12 .

Something worth bearing in mind is that if you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, or are worried you’re too old to stay in one, Albania is the perfect place to try it out. 

At every hostel I stayed at in Albania there was a wide range of people staying there – from 18 year old backpackers to retired couples! Hostel culture in Albania is far more inclusive and it’s socially acceptable for people of all ages to stay at hostels.

Just double check there’s no age policy at the hostel before you book and you’re good to go!

My Recommendations for Budget Accommodation in Albania:

Here are the places I stayed at in Albania, along with how much I paid for them:

Gjirokaster : Gjirokaster was my first stop in Albania and, since I left my booking fairly last minute, many options were sold out. I ended up staying in a dorm at this family-run hostel for €9 per night. It was very clean, quiet and well-located. It also has a few private rooms which look lovely. This is perfect for you if you want a quiet stay. However, there was no social atmosphere. If I return to Gjirokaster I’ll book in advance so I can stay at this top-rated hostel .

Himare : So… I stayed at this popular hostel in Himare for €13.80 per night, but for the life of me I can’t work out why the ratings for this are so high… The place was pretty dirty, with flies all over the kitchen, but the main gripe I had was that the water for the shower barely worked, and one night we were actually left without any water or electricity, so we all had to sit in the dark! I don’t recommend it… I have heard pretty good things about this hostel instead.

Berat : I stayed at this lovely hostel in Berat and couldn’t recommend it highly enough! The dorm bed was the comfiest I have ever slept in, the owner was AWESOME and the building is so quaint and cute! I paid €11 per night.

Tirana : I had been travelling Albania solo up until this point, but my boyfriend flew out to meet me in Tirana, so we chose to stay in an apartment. We stayed in this wonderful apartment which I can’t fault at all! I wish we could have stayed there for a month! We paid €48 per night, but split between the two of us that worked out at €24 each – incredible value!

The average daily cost of my accommodation in Albania was €15.

Cost of Food and Drink in Albania

The cost of food and drink in Albania for tourists is very low. Unfortunately, there isn’t a huge range of cuisines or drinks available in Albania, but Albanian food in general is pretty yummy so you’ll definitely have enough variety for a couple of weeks.

Most hostels in Albania offer free breakfast, so I recommend picking somewhere that offers this to save yourself some money! If your accommodation doesn’t offer free breakfast, though, you’ll be pretty limited. Byrek (flaky filo pastry typically stuffed with spinach and cheese) is the most popular breakfast. A byrek costs around 150 LEK ( €1.50 ).

You can also find croissants at most places, which cost around 150 LEK ( €1.50 )

It’s not common to find specialty coffee such as lattes and flat whites outside of the capital city, Tirana, but you’re usually able to find cappuccinos for around 150 LEK ( €1.50 ). An espresso or black coffee can cost you as little as 50 LEK ( €0.45 )!

Lunch and Dinner

Albanian food overall is hearty, heavy and very filling – but you’re able to find lighter options too! Since Albania shares a border with Greece, you’ll find a few Greek dishes such as Tzatziki dip or Greek salad on almost every menu across the country.

I didn’t notice a huge variation of the prices of lunch and dinner across Albania with the exception of Himare. Since coastal Albania is so popular with tourists almost everything costs more here – especially food and drink. That said, though, you’ll find the country’s best seafood on the coast.

Here are some examples of what I paid for different dishes in Albania:

• Ferges with bread (cottage cheese, pepper and eggplant dish) – 400 LEK ( €3.50 )
• Bean soup – 300 LEK ( €2.65 )
• Stuffed peppers – 250 LEK ( €2.20 )
• Meat and cheese casserole – 480 LEK ( €4.25 )
• Doner kebab – 200 LEK ( €1.75 )
• Mushroom pasta at an Italian restaurant – 600 LEK ( €5.25 )

Cost of Drinks in Albania

When it comes to drinking, Albania is very affordable. I imagine it’s just a few years until stag and hen (bachelor and bachelorette) parties start coming here, since Albania is sooooo cheap for drinking!

Beer is probably the most common alcoholic drink in Albania, and you can find it everywhere. The most common and popular brand of beer is probably Korce, which is also very affordable, but it’s hardly something worth writing home about. Other local options include Peja and Tirana.

Albania also produces wine, and you can even go on wine tours from places like Berat. I only tried wine a few times in Albania but it’s certainly… different… to what I’m used to. It’s very popular with Albanians, though, so you should definitely give it a try!

Obviously the cost of beer and wine in Albania is way lower in the supermarket than at a bar or restaurant, but there’s not a huge price difference. I doubt you’ll have to worry about how much you’re spending when you go out to drink in Albania!

Here are some examples of what I paid for different drinks in Albania:

• 330ml bottle of Peja beer at a restaurant – 150 LEK ( €1.30 )
• 500ml bottle of Korce beer at a bar – 200 LEK ( €1.75 )
• Bottle of mid-range wine at supermarket – 750 LEK ( €6.55 )

Price of Activities in Albania

Most things to do in Albania are very cheap – from boat tours, to museums, to walking tours. Museums outside of Tirana typically cost just 100-200 LEK to enter ( €0.85 – €1.75 ). That said, though, the museums outside of Tirana generally aren’t worth writing home about.

The more expensive museums are those in Tirana, but boy are they worth the extra money! Bunk Art (500 LEK – €4.35 ), Bunk Art 2 (500 LEK – €4.35 ) and the House of Leaves Museum (700 LEK – €6.15 ) are essential stops on your Tirana itinerary. 

The cost of outdoor activities in Albania can vary quite a lot. It’s worth just going ahead and booking them though, and not worrying about the cost, because Albania’s nature is out-of-this-world! 

A full-day tour of the Osum Canyon from Berat, including lunch, cost me 5000 LEK ( €44 ), and a beach-hopping boat tour from Himare cost me 2500 LEK ( €22 ). As you can see, even the more “expensive” activities in Albania have very reasonable prices.

Price of Transportation in Albania

I can only describe public transportation in Albania as organised chaos. It makes no sense, seems to follow no rhyme or reason, but works surprisingly well! 

Unless you’re planning to hire a car, which is not something I would personally do (Albanians drive like maniacs and the mountaintop roads are very narrow and windy!) you’ll be using the public buses, also called furgons, to get around.

You can read my full post on how to use Albania’s buses for more information, but in terms of prices, it’s safe to say that bus travel in Albania is very cheap.

I paid between 400 ( €3.50 ) and 700 ( €6.15 ) LEK per intercity journey in Albania, with the shortest journey still taking 90 minutes. As you can see, then, the cost of your ticket is very good value when you consider the distances covered!

Once you’ve arrived at your destination you’ll only rarely need to use local transportation, since towns in Albania are so walkable. Exceptions are Tirana and Berat, where you’ll need to catch a city bus from the bus station to the city centre. These buses cost just 40 LEK each way ( €0.35 ).

The bus from Tirana airport to the city centre costs 300 LEK ( €2.60 ) each way.

Flights to Albania

Flights to Tirana (the only international airport in Albania) can be surprisingly cheap if you’re flying from another country in Europe. That’s because a few budget airlines, such as Wizz Air and Easyjet, fly there directly. From London, return flights to Tirana cost around €60 .

However, if you’re flying to Albania from further afield you’ll have to first fly to one of Europe’s main transport hubs before catching a connecting flight. New York is usually the cheapest place to fly from in the US, and you can get return flights (with a layover in Rome) for around $600 .

Cost of Travel Insurance for Albania

If you have even a single brain cell, then travelling without travel insurance is absolutely out of the question! It’s a necessity no matter where you’re travelling to, and although Albania is a safe place to visit, bad luck can happen to anybody.

Of course, I can’t force you to buy travel insurance, but I’ve heard of far too many people who skip paying the small price of travel insurance and instead end up with a hospital bill worth thousands of Euros when they accidentally get injured on their trip. 

Travel insurance will also cover you if your flight is delayed or cancelled, if any of your devices are lost or damaged, or if the airline loses your luggage, which happens alarmingly frequently!

For my readers I recommend SafetyWing . This is probably the most popular insurance in the world for backpackers and adventurous travellers. It also covers a ton of fun activities so you can go hiking or mountain climbing with no worries.

Click here to get a quote from SafetyWing!

Average Travel Insurance cost = €30 for 1 month (€1 per day!) .

Daily Budget for Travelling in Albania

Phew… I know there has been a lot of information in this post, so let’s bring it all together to calculate a realistic daily budget for travelling in Albania:

• Budget hotel room shared with travel partner = €15 each
• Byrek and coffee at a bakery = €3
• Lunch and dinner at traditional restaurants (not including drinks) =  €8.50
• Four beers at a bar or restaurant (hey, I’m not judging!) = €7
• Entry to a big museum, and a few free attractions = €5

Total average travel cost for one day in Albania = €38.50

Obviously this budget takes the mid-range option, so it’s possible to spend far less in Albania if you need to.

At a push, you could bring your spending down to around €25 per day by staying in hostel dorms, cooking your own food, limiting your drinking and visiting only very cheap and free attractions.

But honestly, why would you? There’s really no need to rough it in Albania just to save a couple of LEK when it is so cheap to travel there to start with! Albania is not a wealthy country, and your tourist money will go a long way to helping the tourism industry develop here.

Is Albania Expensive?

As you can see, Albania is the complete opposite of expensive. It’s one of the most affordable places I’ve ever visited, and I’m pretty sure Albania is the cheapest country I’ve ever been to in Europe! 

Albania is not an expensive country to visit for tourists from Western Europe, the USA and Australia, which is where most of my lovely readers are based.

I hope this guide has helped you to work out the realistic cost of travel in Albania. Hopefully you now have some clarity on how much you’ll need to budget for a trip to Albania. As you can see, prices across the board are very low, and for these prices you still get amazing quality. 

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to book your trip to Albania!

FAQs about Prices in Albania

Still have questions? No worries, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the cost of travel in Albania:

How much is a meal in Albania?

A main meal (lunch or dinner) in a restaurant in Albania costs, on average, around 450 LEK (€4). 

How much is a coffee in Albania?

Cappuccinos in Albania cost around 150 LEK ( €1.50 ), and an espresso typically costs around 75 LEK ( €0.65 ), but can be as little as 50 LEK ( €0.45 )! Coffees such as flat whites or lattes are not common in Albania outside of the capital city, and it is very rare to find soy, oat, or almond milk at a coffee shop in Albania.

Is Albania cheaper than Greece?

Yes! Albania is much cheaper than Greece. I arrived in Albania straight from Greece, and my daily spending instantly dropped by about 60%! Therefore, in my experience, Albania is around 60% cheaper to travel to than Greece.

Is Albania cheaper than Croatia?

Albania is cheaper to travel to than Croatia, although prices on the Albanian Riviera are creeping closer to those of coastal Croatia in recent years.

Ella Moore is the founder of Many More Maps. Growing up just 45 minutes away from Liverpool, Ella has spent years exploring the city inside out. In her teenage years, she was introduced to the music of The Beatles, and the rest, they say, is history! Today, she stands as a leading authority on Beatles tourism in Liverpool, helping over 40,000 people a month to plan their dream trip to the city.

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• Travel Planning Guide

How much does a trip to Albania Cost?

How much money should you budget for your trip to Albania?

• How much does a one-week trip to Albania cost?
• How much does a two-week trip to Albania cost?
• How much does a one-month trip to Albania cost?
• Hostel Prices
• Hotel Prices

The Cost of a Trip to Albania

A trip to Albania for one person usually costs between $33 and $195 per day and $67 to $390 for two people. This is a wide range of costs, and the daily average per person from our data is $81 (Lek7,539) per person. This average includes food, accommodation, sightseeing, and local transportation expenses contributed from other travelers. Prices can vary based on travel style and activities. While the overall price for a trip to Albania is dependent on your personal travel style and the specific places you visit, if you book standard accommodation and travel with an average level of convenience, then your budget should be somewhere within this range. Also, the prices for individual destinations such as may vary, but generally fall somewhat close to this range. Below you can find a breakdown of travel expenses by category, plus a comparison of guided tour costs versus traveling independently.

For budget travelers in Albania, planning for around $33 (Lek3,112) per day should cover essentials such as accommodations in hostels and budget hotels, affordable meal options, local transportation, and engaging in various activities. If you're a mid-range traveler, setting aside around $81 (Lek7,539) per day would allow for more comfortable stays in typical hotels, dining at regular restaurants, and exploring a diverse range of popular attractions. Luxury travelers, on the other hand, should consider a daily budget of approximately $195 (Lek18,214) to accommodate higher-end hotel stays, dining at nicer restaurants, and indulging in more exclusive private tour options. It's important to note that these price ranges are derived from our extensive travel cost data for Albania, which is based on valuable insights from other travelers as well as hotel and tour data provided by travel companies. For a more detailed breakdown of travel costs, you can refer to our comprehensive travel cost data for Albania .

How much does a one week trip to Albania cost?

When planning a one-week trip to Albania, most visitors to Albania spend between $233 and $1,365 for their trip, with the average cost falling around $565. This estimate includes essential aspects such as sightseeing, local transportation, food, and accommodations. With a full week, you'll have sufficient time to explore one, two, or possibly three locations within Albania, depending on the amount of time you want to spend in each place. The most popular places worth considering are . Keep in mind that these numbers are based on overall averages and may vary depending on your individual preferences.

How much does a two week trip to Albania cost?

With two weeks, you should budget between $466 and $2,730 for your trip to Albania. The average price for a two week trip is $1,130. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as smaller towns.

How much does a one month trip to Albania cost?

When embarking on a month-long trip to Albania, expenses can range from $1,000 to $5,850, with an average cost falling around $2,421. For those fortunate enough to have a full month, considering a vacation rental with a kitchen for at least a portion of your stay can help save money with meals. Backpackers often opt for hostels due to their affordability and the added benefit of a social vibe.

Hostel Prices in Albania

With more than 70 hostels in Albania, the average price is $12 per night for a dorm bed. Hostels are a terrific option for younger independent travelers looking to save money while staying social during their trip. With many types of hostels, it can be overwhelming to sort out the best places, though. Our analysis of the hostels in Albania not only found the average price, but also uncovered some surprises about the overall quality, amenities, and atmosphere of hostels in the region. You can see more details from our analysis about typical hostel prices in Albania here .

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Albania.

• $11 for a dorm bed at Trip'n'Hostel in Tirana more details
• $8 for a dorm bed at The Wanderers Hostel in Shkoder more details
• $17 for a dorm bed at Berat Backpackers Hostel in Berat more details

Hotel Prices in Albania

You'll find a wide range of hotel options across Albania. Below are prices for some of the destinations, and for more details see our analysis of hotel costs in Albania .

Dinasty Hotel

Hotel rezidenca desaret, should you do an organized tour or travel independently in albania.

When planning a trip to Albania, there are two primary options to choose from: organized tours and independent travel. Organized tours offer a convenient and hassle-free experience, as all the details of your trip are handled by travel experts. Additionally, you'll have the benefit of an expert guide who can provide valuable insights and knowledge during your journey. This option is often favored by travelers who appreciate the convenience and ease it offers, with many tours providing transportation and expert guides to enhance the overall experience.

On the other hand, independent travel provides a different set of advantages. It offers a higher level of freedom and flexibility, allowing you to customize your itinerary and explore at your own pace. This option appeals to travelers who value the ability to make spontaneous decisions and have more control over their travel plans. The independence of traveling on your own can provide a sense of adventure and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture on a deeper level.

Ultimately, the choice between organized tours and independent travel depends on your personal preferences and travel style. Consider your desired level of convenience, the amount of guidance you prefer, and the level of flexibility you seek when making your decision. Both options have their own merits, and the decision should be based on what aligns best with your travel goals and preferences.

Comparing Trip Costs in Albania

When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.

Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons

Organized tours.

• An expert guide familiar with the culture
• Convenient transportation
• Fellow travelers to socialize with
• Well researched activities
• Efficient and thought out itinerary
• The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
• Limited options
• Usually not customizable
• The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
• Usually more expensive than independent travel
• There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community

Independent Travel

• Completely customizable
• Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
• Freedom to move at your own pace
• Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
• More affordable
• Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
• Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
• Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
• Popular sights may sell out well in advance
• If something goes wrong, you're on your own

Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in Albania?

Organized tours typically average around $211 per day and provide the convenience of an all-inclusive package with one comprehensive payment. On the other hand, independent trips usually average around $81 (Lek7,539) per day and involve individual payments for accommodations, local transportation, meals, and sightseeing. Both organized tours and independent trips have their own unique challenges and benefits, so it's crucial to thoroughly understand the aspects of each to make a fair comparison. For a detailed analysis of tour prices in Albania, check out our comprehensive guide on tour prices in Albania here .

Here are a few sample tours in Albania:

• Albania Explorer “Illyria Route” ($1,031) 8 days, 16 destinations more details
• Albania & Montenegro Tour ($2,602) 9 days, 20 destinations more details
• Tour of Meteora & Albania from Corfu ($602) 3 days, 7 destinations more details
• Mini Tour: National Parks of Theth & Valbone ($1,203) 4 days, 7 destinations more details
• Prime Albanian Riviera 3 days ($1,300) 3 days, 6 destinations more details

More for Albania

If you're planning a trip to Albania, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Is Albania Cheap To Travel? Complete Guide To Budget Travel In Albania

Is albania cheap to travel to.

Cost of Travel in Albania

Accommodation

Budget: Hostels and guesthouses can range from $10 to $20 USD per night for a dormitory bed or a basic private room.

Mid-range: Hotels and guesthouses with more amenities typically cost between $30 to $60 USD per night for a double room.

Luxury: Upscale hotels and resorts may range from $80 to $150 USD per night or more.

Food and Dining

Street food and local restaurants: Meals at local eateries and street food stalls can cost as little as $2 to $5 USD per dish.

Mid-range restaurants: Dining at mid-range restaurants can cost between $5 to $15 USD per meal.

Fine dining: Upscale restaurants may charge $20 USD or more for a meal.

Transportation

Public transportation: Bus and train fares are relatively low, with prices typically ranging from $1 to $5 USD for intercity travel.

Taxis: Taxi fares within cities are affordable, with short rides costing around $2 to $5 USD.

Rental cars: Car rentals can vary widely depending on the type of vehicle and rental duration but expect prices starting from $25 to $50 USD per day.

Attractions and Activities

Entrance fees to tourist attractions like museums, archaeological sites, and national parks generally range from $0 to $10 USD per person.

Guided tours and outdoor activities may cost anywhere from $10 to $50 USD or more depending on the activity and duration.

Miscellaneous

Souvenirs and shopping: Prices for souvenirs and locally made products vary, but you can find affordable options starting from a few dollars.

Miscellaneous expenses such as SIM cards, toiletries, and other personal items may add a few dollars to your daily budget.

Travel Tips to Reduce Costs

Are you part Eager Otter, part Bucket List Bee, and part Lone Wolf? Discover your travel nature and motivators (+ get trip ideas tailored to your unique calling) 🤩

Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodation

Eat Like a Local

Utilise public transport.

Plan Your Activities Wisely

Be mindful of your spending.

Travel Off-Peak

Negotiate Prices

Stay flexible, connect with locals.

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Albania Travel Guide 2024 – Everything You Need to Know

Last Updated on March 1, 2024

This Albania travel guide is updated every month to give you the best and most up-to-date information on travelling Albania .

Not only that but I’m also a full-time resident on the ground and run the leading Albania travel blog so you get everything from a local perspective.

As Albania’s tourism is slowly increasing the demand for information is increasing too.  Unfortunately, as tourism is still so new, it can be hard to come across factual and up-to-date information. 

For example, bus timetables can change with a click of the fingers, and the only people who would know would be the locals.

Therefore, I have created this full Albania travel guide with all the information you need if you plan to visit Albania for the first time, or the next time! 

💾 Albania is full of beautiful surprises.

I have lots of great information for you to use during your travels to Albania so make sure you bookmark this page so you can come back to it again and again.

Here’s your full Albania Travel guide!

Why should you trust my information?  I have lived in Albania since 2017, so I have a great knowledge of the dos the don’ts, the best local spots to visit and the ones you should avoid! 

Also, I have an extra local insight as my partner is Albanian.

Every month, I try to update this Albania travel guide, sometimes more often as new information comes up or as I explore new places.

If you like this Albania travel guide, then go grab a physical copy of my 170+ page comprehensive downloadable Albania guide here.  

Read more: 11 lessons I have learned from living in Albania

Where is Albania?

Great question, and one that I’m often asked when talking to foreigners outside of Albania.  Where the heck is Albania?!

Albania lies in South-Eastern Europe.  Its neighbours are Greece to the south, Montenegro to the north and Kosovo and Macedonia to the east(ish).

Albania sits on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and is home to some of the best beaches in Europe.

Some of the best beaches are found in the Albanian Riviera which stretches from the city of Vlora (Vlore in Albanian) and the popular tourist city of Saranda (Sarandë in Albanian), where I have lived for 5+ years.

How to get to Albania

Albania can be reached in many ways by air, bus and ferry.

Flying to Albania

There is one international airport which is Tirana International airport, also called the Rinas International Airport or Nënë Tereza.

🧳 MUST-HAVE : Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. My #1 recommendation is SafetyWing ! Me and thousands of other travellers use it to stay safe on the road. Click here to check it out.

There is another currently being built in Vlora but who knows if/when that will be finished.  I’ll keep you updated!

Flights in and out of Tirana can be expensive, however, Wizz Air and Ryanair have started a service which means sometimes you can grab budget-friendly flights to and from Tirana throughout the year which is great news for tourism.  Check the latest prices and availability of flights to Tirana here.

Overland from Greece

You can easily catch a bus from Athens to Saranda .  

It takes about 9 hours and costs around €35.  You can also catch a bus from Ioannina which stops at Gjirokastër from there you can catch a bus elsewhere in Albania.

I have caught this bus a dozen times.

If you take snacks and download some entertainment on your phone, it’s not that bad. They do also stop a few times for snacks, lunch and coffee so it really isn’t that bad.

Ferry from Greece

Another incredibly easy way is Corfu!  The island of Corfu is only a 25-minute ferry ride from Saranda.

The prices and times will vary depending on the season. You can find them here.

If you do decide to catch the ferry, especially in the summer, make sure you book a few days before because they can get booked fast and you may miss out.

Corfu does direct flights to a bunch of other European countries.  If I want to fly to the UK I will fly out of Corfu as EasyJet does cheap and direct flights from there!

This can be a great way to get to Albania with a quick stopover in Corfu. 

Usually, you will have to stay in Corfu the night depending on when your flight is but it’s a good excuse to explore the island as it’s very beautiful too.  Check the prices and availability of flights to Corfu here.

Read more : How to get from Corfu to Saranda

Overland from Montenegro

If you’re coming from Montenegro there are buses between Kotor and Podgorica to Shkodër and Tirana. If you want to head towards the south, you will have to change buses in Tirana.

Overland from Macedonia

There are 3 buses from Skopje to Tirana (8:10am, 8:45am and 9pm).  Please check with your accommodation that these are still the times that the bus leaves as in the Balkans bus timetables frequently change!

Overland from Kosovo

If you are coming from Kosovo there are regular buses from Pristina to Tirana.  Then if you want to visit other places around Albania you can go to the regional bus station and catch a 2nd bus to wherever you want to go.

Boat from Italy

You can catch a boat from Durres to Bari and Ancona. 

There are several crossings per week but it’s best to contact the ferries themselves as crossings and prices change from month to month.

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If you can weirdly transport yourself to Albania using time travel then I don’t have any information for you, but congratulations, that’s an awesome skill to have!

Recent History of Albania

Albania’s history is beyond fascinating compared to some other countries in the world. 

From 1941 to 1992 Albania was under the strict communist regime of the leader Enver Hoxha. 

Everything was controlled, from food to housing and jobs.

Some compare it to North Korea, but only those who lived through communism will know. 

There were labour camps where political prisoners were sent if they said something that the communist leader did not like. 

The prisoners built the infrastructure that Albania sees today.

After the collapse of communism, Albania saw itself as a democracy.

Unfortunately, in 1997 the government collapsed after a dodgy pyramid scheme. 

Over 2/3rds of the population invested their life savings into this scheme which meant most people lost everything they had worked hard for all those years.

The civil unrest saw a lot of anger and violence from the citizens of Albania, many fled from the country for a better life.

The civil unrest went on for 6 months and when visiting Albania, you will see for yourself that Albania is still recovering.

There is still a lot of corruption within government sectors today. It seems every day there is a new person whose corruption has been exposed.

Ancient history of Albania

Many only discuss communism and the civil war as the history of Albania but the real history dives way older than that. 

If you move to Albania, you will find yourself in many conversations with locals about ancient Albania and the Illyrians who many believe are older than the ancient Greeks.

There is so much that hasn’t been uncovered and publicized about Albania’s ancient history.

The ancient site of Apollonia which is in Fier and is a popular site to see if anyone who loves ancient history, is less than 5% excavated.

One of the biggest ancient graves have been found near Korca in 2018 which archaeologists believe are more than 5000 years old!

Butrint National Park is also a great UNESCO site to visit if you want to learn more about the rich history in Southern Albania.

Read more: 5 Best Albania UNESCO Sites to Visit

Language of Albania

Shqip is one of the most fascinating languages I have come across and one of the hardest to learn (in my eyes!).  It’s an Indo-European language that relates to no other language in the world, it has its own roots.

The North and South speak different dialects.  In the south they speak Tosk, and, in the north, they speak Gheg.

Usually, the two different parts can understand each other a little. 

I found myself in a hostel in Kosovo with a girl from the north and a girl from the south and they were speaking English together because they could not speak Albanian together!

The younger generation in Albania mostly knows some English as they are taught in school.  The older generation you will find speak none such as the adorable Albanian grandmothers.

You don’t have to worry about the language barrier when you travel to Albania as you can always get past it with some English and sign language.

If you really want to impress the locals when you come to Albania it’s a great idea to learn a few words.  Albanian people love it when people try and speak the Albanian language. 

It’s always met with a smile and a little giggle.

• Pershentdejte – Hello
• Faleminderit – Thank you
• Gazuar – Cheers or Salut!

Capital of Albania

The capital of Albania is Tirana. 

There’s a lot to see and do in Tirana and it’s fast becoming a tourist mecca of trendy cafes and bars and a great place to learn about the recent history of Albania.

I have a full Albania travel guide on the best things to do in Tirana as well as my recommendations on restaurants and hotels below.

The capital city is a great place to base yourself while doing the odd day trip around the local area because there’s SO much to see in this part of the country. Click here to read about the best daytrips from Tirana.

Read more: 19 best things to do in Tirana

When should I visit Albania?

I have a full article on the best times to visit Albania below. 

My favourite time is spring because in the south especially, the beach bars start to open, the sun is out and in full swing, and it’s just a little quiet.

Plus if you’re on a budget, then this is a great time before the prices rise in the summer.

Albania has the ol’ Mediterranean climate so during the summer it can get very hot and dry.

Below I go into detail on the pros and cons of travelling at any time of the year.

Read more: The best time to visit Albania

Travel insurance in Albania

If you’re going to travel in Albania, I personally would look into SafetyWing Travel Insurance, you can read more about it here .   They have two great plans whether you are on a budget or want a more comprehensive insurance plan. 

No matter where in the world you are from, or where you are going, they can hook you up with the best deal!

➡ Get an instant travel insurance quote here

Albania Holidays and celebrations

1st January – New Year’s:   As Albanians generally don’t celebrate Christmas like elsewhere in Europe and other parts of the world, they go all out for New Year’s!

They usually gift presents and see the New Year in with their family then go out and party until the sun rises.

Apparently, this tradition came from communism as all religion was outlawed and the only holiday that isn’t religious is New Year’s.  So, because of that, Albanians only could celebrate one holiday a year.

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14th March – Dita e Verës (Summer Day): This is one of my favourite days in Albania, as it’s the start of spring, is always a great day!

This is the biggest pagan holiday and an important holiday for Albanians and throughout the Balkans.  It celebrates the first day of the Albanian ancient calendar as well as the end of winter and the start of summer and the rejuvenation of nature.

If you want to celebrate this day then head to Elbasan.  Here is the centre of celebrations with concerts and festivities for the day. People also make and eat ballakume – a sweet cookie.

You will notice people wearing a 2-string red and white bracelet named ‘verore’ which many start to wear March 1st.  After dita e vere is over they then tie the bracelet to a tree for good luck.

28th November – Flag and Independence Day: This is the day that Albania declared its independence from The Ottoman empire.  It was proclaimed in Vlore in 1912.

Only 6 days later the first government of Albania was created and led by Ismail Qemali.

A prominent moment was when Ismail waved the first flag of independent Albania from the balcony of the assembly of Vlora.  This flag was inspired by Skanderbeg’s (a national hero) flag which had been used 400 years beforehand.

29th November – Liberation Day: The day after Independence Day Albanians also celebrate liberation day.

This day celebrates when the country was liberated from Nazi Germany during World War 2.

25th December – Christmas Day: Albanians don’t celebrate Christmas day like other countries.  New Year is more celebrated.

On Christmas day all the shops run as normal and the day continues like any other day.  However, New Year’s is a different story.

Read more: Festivals in Albania

Prices in Albania

Albania is an incredibly affordable destination.  This is the reason why many choose Albania as their holiday destination.

You can grab a beer for about €1-2 and a meal between €5-10.  A hostel bed with breakfast and a beer can cost as low as €10 and a hotel room for around €20-50.

There are many great options for all budgets, whether you’re a backpacker and want to stay in the best hostels , are in the mid-range and want nice hotels that don’t break the bank or prefer a more luxurious holiday within these must-stay luxury Albania hotels .

If you want more of an adventure and plan to hike around the country, here are the top campsites in Albania to stay in!

If you are thinking of a more permanent move then you check out my article where I go through the prices of renting, food and utilities.

It’s also helpful if you are just visiting as it gives you an idea of what you should pay for different things.

Read more : Cost of Living in Albania

Read more: Getting a long-term visa in Albania

Best places to stay in Albania

There are several accommodation options for travellers coming to Albania. 

In each of my destination Albania travel guide, I recommend the best places to stay in that city or town.

You can book easily through Booking. 

Here are some quick links to destination, hotel and activity guides that will be helpful during your stay in Albania:

Tirana travel guides

• The Most Incredible Hotels in Tirana
• 15 best bars in Tirana to check out
• 16 best restaurants in Tirana
• Top 12 day trips from Tirana to try

Saranda travel guides

• 20 Incredible Hotels in Saranda
• Best things to do in Saranda
• Best restaurants in Saranda

Ksamil travel guides

• 17 best Ksamil beaches to visit
• 10 best hotels in Ksamil

Berat travel guides

• 12 hotels in Berat to stay in

Northern Albania travel guides

• Things to do in Theth, Albania – Home to the famous Albanian Alps
• Kruja Guide
• Cape of Rodon (Durres) Guide

Southern Albania travel guides

• Best things to do in Gjirokaster
• 7 best hotels in Dhermi to stay in
• Qeparo Guide
• Himara Guide
• 13 Amazing Things to do in Korca, Albania
• 8 Things to do in Permet, Albania – Full Travel Guide
• Ali Pasha Castle (Butrint)
• Visiting the Beautiful Blue Eye, Albania (Syri i Kalter)

What it’s like to travel to Albania

Travelling in Albania is something you may have never expected. 

Many expect Albania to be dangerous, not friendly and ugly but people are surprised that none of those is true.

Albania is safe for tourists.

The Albanians are some of the friendliest and most welcoming locals in the world.  They will treat you like one of their own.

Albania is far from ugly. The pristine beaches, mountains and people confirm that. Albania tourism is thriving!

When you travel to Albania, you shouldn’t plan too far ahead.  Everything is flexible, from bus timetables to itineraries.

I would suggest having a rough plan but the option to be a little flexible with it.

Read more: 35 Unique Things to do in Albania

Where to go in Albania

Albania is full of scenic, historic and interesting places to visit. 

You can see the article below which goes into detail of the best places to visit including tourist and local spots which most tourists don’t even know about.

• Read more: 24 Incredibly beautiful places to visit in Albania
• Read more: 10 incredible cities to visit in Albania
• Read more: Theth- Valbona hike: Best hike in Albania!
• Read more: 14 most must-visit castles in Albania
• Read more: 5 best hikes in Albania

The best beaches in Albania

My favourite part of Albania are the beaches.  It’s what made me fall in love with Albania in the first place.

I have tried and tested just about all the beaches in Albania and all the beaches located within the Albanian Riviera .

Below you can check out the ones I recommend visiting.

Read more: 17 of the most beautiful beaches in Albania

Holiday Itineraries for Albania

Below you can read how to spend 1 week in Albania and how to spend 10 days exploring the country! You can get more holiday itineraries in Albania by purchasing my itinerary pack here.

Read more: How to spend 1 week in Albania

Read more: South Albania Itinerary: 10 Days in the Albanian Riviera!

What to pack for Albania

If you’re stuck on what to pack for your trip to Albania, check out my Albania packing list before you start jetting off on your holiday!

Otherwise read below for my must-have top picks for any holiday.

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Facts about Albania

There are many interesting things to learn about Albania. 

I have included them all in the article below.  Click to check them out!

Read more: Facts about Albania

Health and safety in Albania

Is Albania safe?  This is such a popular question and one of my most viewed articles on Albania answers just that and goes into detail (read below).

Yes, Albania is a safe country to travel whether you’re a family, couple or a solo traveller (female and male).  Petty crime like pickpocketing is non-existent.

You will notice that Albanians have the best hospitality, maybe in the world!  Everyone is very helpful and if you’re very stuck in a situation there will most likely always be someone to help you.

If any other Albania travel guide tells you otherwise, they’re wrong!

The only thing you have to watch out for is taxi drivers as most of the time they will try and charge you 2 or 3x the regular price.

Read more: Is Albania safe?

Wi-Fi in Albania and getting a sim card

Believe it or not, I have found Albania to have better Wi-Fi than in New Zealand. It’s fast and reliable.

As I now live in Albania, I have a Wi-Fi router which was free to set up and cost me 2000 lek per month.  Most accommodation options and restaurants will have Wi-Fi.

If you would like to get a sim card you can do so at any of the Vodafone shops around.  There’s one at the airport if you fly into Tirana. 

They will get you set up on a local sim fast and easily.

For under €10 you can get 5MB of data and I have found that you will most likely get another 5MB free!

Can you drink the water in Albania?

I wouldn’t recommend drinking the water in Albania.  The water throughout the country has high levels of chloride and heavy metals. 

I used to drink the water myself but noticed after a couple of months I started to experience bad stomach pains. 

Then, I found that none of the locals drink the water, that’s when you know to not drink it!

Cultural norms in Albania

Staring: In Albania, it’s totally normal and encouraged to stare.  You may find at the start it might be a bit uncomfortable, but you will have to get used to it!

I have had old men stop in the middle of the street to just stare at me.  Nowadays I just try and laugh and give a good old stare back!

Expressing: Albanians are very expressive.  They love to move their hands when they talk.

Albanians are also very loud.  Most of the time they are just having a conversation but sound like they are arguing.

The headshake: In some parts of Albania, they will shake their head side to side for a yes and up and down for a no.

They also shake their head side to side when they are listening in a conversation.  It can get very confusing, especially if you’re asking a question and the answer is yes but their head is saying something else.

Grunting: Upon my observations, while living in Albania, I have noticed that Albanians grunt a lot.

In fact, I have listened to a whole conversation once with just grunting and noises instead of words.  Super interesting.

Communication: If you want to know about how your weight is doing, ask an Albanian.  Don’t be offended if Albanians say that you look thin or fat.

Weight is not something that’s a taboo subject to them.  I still struggle with this if I’m honest.  Although, when I’m having a skinny day, it’s the best confidence boost.

Dress:   you’re welcome to wear whatever you like during your time in Albania.  The women make a big effort when it comes to dressing up.

They love to wear big high heels and dresses that I would only wear once in my lifetime, to the local club.  I always feel underdressed at a club or sometimes even walking down the street.

The older men usually wear suits, yes suits!  Just for having a coffee!  Pretty impressive huh.

You may notice that most of the older women in Albania are wearing all black. There is a reason for this.  This is to pay respects to loved ones that have passed.  They usually wear this for as long as 10-20 years after that person has passed away.

Greetings: Albanians will usually greet you with a kiss on each cheek or a handshake.

When older women greet younger women, you will normally get a million kisses, a pinch on the cheek and squeezed until you can’t breathe.

Dating:  Some families still arrange marriage but nowadays this not common at all.  Sometimes the family will be open to their son/daughter dating a foreigner.  I have only heard from one girl I met that it was a problem for her, and she wasn’t accepted into the family.

From personal experience, I have an Albanian boyfriend and his family have welcomed me like I’m their daughter.

However, dating is not really something that Albanians do.  But saying that, if you’re looking for an Albanian boyfriend you will easily find one.

If a single man goes out with a single woman, it’s usually considered that they are together.

So, ladies, if you do go to dinner with a man make it clear that you want to get to know each other and going for dinner doesn’t mean you’re boyfriend and girlfriend.

Men generally don’t like women who have dated many other men in that city/town too.

Albanian men will do anything for their girls and can usually be quite possessive.  They will get jealous easily if you do have guy friends.  Don’t take offence to this though, it just means they care and they will openly tell you that.

Gender roles:   Albanian women generally look after the house and the men work for the family.

This is how most families work in Albania but today it’s now common for women to be working too.  Gender roles are still very much prominent in Albanian society.

As unemployment in Albania is very high, a lot of men will sit in coffee shops for much of the day.

Albanian flexy time:  If someone says to meet at a particular time it usually means at least half an hour after that.  It’s considered polite to be late.

Even Dr/dentist appointments are merely suggestions.  No wonder nothing gets done in Albania quickly.

Albanians don’t like commitment so arranging things ahead of time probably won’t end well.

Superstitions in Albania

I’m currently constructing an article on Albanian beliefs.  In the south, there are many things that Albanians believe in.  For example:

• If you have finished a glass of raki and you order another, the waiter will pour the raki into the cup you are already using.  They will never give you a new cup.  This is because if you change the cup, you can lovers!
• You may notice stuffed toys hanging outside houses/apartments.  This is to ward off bad spirits.

Corruption in Albania

I try to be very honest in this Albania travel guide when it comes to corruption. Unfortunately, corruption in Albania is still alive and well. 

It’s not something that you really have to think about unless you do something that’s illegal. 

Corruption is slowing down though if you compare it to five years ago, or maybe it’s that you just can’t see it as obvious anymore.

Things are slowly changing for the better.

Driving in Albania

If you visit Albania it can be a great idea to hire a car in Albania . That way you will see more of the country and get to stop at all the great hidden spots most tourists would completely miss.

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When it comes to driving in Albania, it should come with caution as signs and road laws seem to be merely suggestions for Albanians.

Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, overtaking on blind corners etc is very common. 

When driving in Albania always drive with caution and beware of all sides of the car as people can and will overtake you without your knowledge.

You MUST put your lights on when driving in Albania. 

There is a law that states it.  Whether the law is followed through, that’s another story.  Better to leave them on than not.

Another thing that they are very tough on is always carrying your drivers’ license. 

Albanians can be put straight into jail if they don’t have their license on them when an officer asks.  This applies to foreigners.

I have had friends who didn’t have their licences on them and it was a horrible experience.  There was a lot of shouting, taken ‘hostage’ in a police station and a huge hassle! 

So please, always carry your licence.

Read more: How to Hire a Car in Albania

Religion in Albania

Talk to just about any Albanian and they will tell you that religion doesn’t matter.  They don’t care what you believe in, it’s your choice.

Albania is a Christian country, then after the Ottoman empire, it became predominately Muslim. 

However, during communism, all religion was banned so it became the first atheist country. 

Nowadays many online articles say that the Albanian population is predominantly Muslim, which is somewhat untrue.

If you do come across someone who is a Muslim you probably won’t even notice because pork is eaten, alcohol is drunken, and no one follows any sort of rules.

Drone flying in Albania

You can fly your drone everywhere except near Tirana airport of course and military spaces. 

As of now, there are no laws on drone flying in Albania.

There was speculation that there was, but my partner has personally checked with officials and you can fly anywhere that’s not airspace.

Transportation

I have a full article on transportation below!  The most popular way of getting around is by public transportation which only consists of busses.

You can also hire a car if you feel comfortable enough to drive.

Backpackers quite often hitchhike through the country which is completely safe.  Albanians often hitchhike themselves so it’s very common.

Read more: Getting around Albania

Read more: Albania bus timetables

What to eat in Albania

There are many delicious foods you should try during your time in Albania.  Albanian cuisine is fresh, healthy and very delicious.

They use a lot of olive oil, white (feta) cheese and eat lots of fruit. 

Albania also does great Italian food. Many Albanians moved to Italy after communism and the civil war, and brought back their skills of Italian pizza and pasta. 

Greek food is also readily available.

In the south and along the coast of Albania they eat a lot of seafood.

What I love about Albanian food is that everything is fresh and comes from the local garden, so you always feel full and amazing after a meal!

Read more: 39 Delicious Albanian Dishes to Try!

What to drink in Albania

Raki is the national drink.  It’s an alcoholic spirit which can be between 20-80% and the dangerous thing is, you never really know how strong it is.

Many families brew their own raki.  You will see old men with their glass of raki with their morning coffee.  They use it for health and to ‘keep strong’.

They also use raki in hospitals as a serializer for wounds. 

If you have a cough or cold, someone will probably recommend that you drink Raki.

Albania also has its own beer.  There’s one called Korca and one called Elbar.

There are also some delicious Albanian wine and great wineries to visit in Albania. 

There are 3 around the town of Berat.  My favourite is Çobo.  You can go there for a tasting and for €14 taste 4 wines and a little food platter with olives, cheeses and bread!

Join my travelling Albania Facebook group!

I have created a group on Facebook called ‘Travelling Albania’.  It’s a great group where we help each other with any questions you may have about travelling or living in Albania.  Make sure you join below!

🌍 Join the Facebook group here

If there’s something else that you didn’t find in this Albania travel guide then let me know in the comments so I can be sure to add it!

I try to create as much new and valuable content for this Albania blog as possible.

Other Albanian articles you will love:

• How to Find an Apartment to Rent in Saranda, Albania
• 17 best Albanian souvenirs to buy
• Travel Albania: 15 Beautiful Photos of Albania
• Reasons Why I Love Albania
• 9 Reasons Why You Need To Visit Albania
• Backpacking Through the Balkans: From Bosnia to Albania

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The Comments

Great article. I have Albanian friends .I have always been interested in visiting Albania. In depth guide!

Anita Hendrieka

Thank you for reading! 🙂

Thank you for all your insight into Albania! You are living the dream! I find myself drawn to this area of the world more and more.

Question: my partner and I will be in Athens in May and would like to travel along the coast north. I appreciated your post about taking the bus to Sarande (and this one about renting a car in the Albania). Have you ever seen/heard of the possibility of renting a car to drive from Athens/Sarande through Montenegro to Croatia? Thanks!

Hi there! Thanks for a great and informative read. I’m also a fellow kiwi and my partner and I are about to cross from Corfu to Albania! I was curious as to where this new market is in Tirana you spoke of? Google maps hasn’t provided me much insight. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

Hey Georgie, the market is called ‘Pazari i Ri’ in Albanian 🙂

I have a question I hope you’ll be able to answer. I’m visiting Albania this August with my boyfriend. We plan on backpacking through the country. I’ve read and heard that Albanian people tend to be quite racist towards black people. My boyfriend is black so this concerns me. Can you tell me more about racism in Albania?

Thanks in advance!

Hey Maxime, Thanks for your comment! I’m glad that you have chosen Albania as your holiday destination. To be completely honest, I have heard both positive and negative stories about racism in Albania. As I don’t have any personal experience myself I don’t think I am equipment to answer that question, but I highly recommend joining my Facebook group ‘travelling Albania’ and asking in the forum as there might be people in there who have had some personal experiences! 🙂

Thanks for your reply! I can’t seem to find your facebook group. Can you maybe post the link? Thank you!

Hey Maxime, you can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travellingalbania/

Ingrid Danielsson

Hello! I travel to Albania all the time since I know a lot of Albanian people there. So very very much to explore and I do that both with my Albanian friends and with Swedish tourists who I bring to share it with. I should say that the water is very clean and the best possible to drink, at least in the northern regions like Dibra and Tropoja. You can fill your bottle with cold fresh water directly from the mountains at a lot of places along the road, even around Gjirokastër in the south. Also when you buy coffee you often get a glass of water. Don´t be afraid to drink that! I guess only in the biggest cities you should be better off buying your water, which is very cheap but sadly do contribute to the plastic bottle consumption.

Hey Ingrid, yes you’re right! If you can get water straight from the mountain then it’s amazing! Unfortunately nearly all over Albania, it’s not advised to drink water from the tap. There have been tests done in Tirana and Saranda by people I know and they have come back unsafe to drink. I try to get water from the local spring just of Saranda but unfortunately, I do have to buy most of my water when I can’t get there 🙁 Hopefully, Albania can provide fresh drinking water from the tap for their citizens soon!

In my native town Tepelena, we drink from the tap, is good.

Amber Richards

Albania is such an amazing country and often underrated! I’ve been there twice and will go again as soon as I can – great places!

Hi Anita – thanks for the wonderful guide. Regarding driving, is it expected to have an international driving permit, or a regular drivers license (in my case the US) okay?

Trying to avoid a situation like the one you mentioned!

Hey Shawn, yes as you are from the US you will need an international drivers license. You can only use your own license if you are from the EU 🙂

Anita, thank you, thank you, thank you! Your guide is helping me a lot!! The information is very valuable. Next week I’ll be there, yuhu!

Hey!! Major thanks for this guide! You helped me a lot!! Although, I always thought Kukër airport is international too, no?

Yes, there is but as far as I know they do not do commercial international flights. I read somewhere that they might start opening it to some low-cost airlines in autumn 2019

Thomas Mills

Hello, thank you for this wealth of information! I have been fascinated with Albania for years. However, I need your advice, I am in Croatia now, looking into traveling through Albania. But I am concerned about road conditions, and running buses, especially after the recent earthquake. Would you advise me to try this trip, or avoid it for the time being? Thank you for your time and consideration! Tom

Hello, thank you for your amazing experience. I will have a 4 day trip to Albania this November and i intend to visit Tirana and Theth. Do you think its a suitable time to enjoy scenery in Theth ? as i am a natural lover, i would love to explore this beautiful place.

Hey there, depending on when in November you visit it will be constant rain or there may be even snow so I’m not sure it is the best time to visit

Hello! Thanks for the inspiring stories! I do not find any information about grave and burial culture. In each of the countries I visit, I’m visited a some cemetery. I find it interesting to know about other different traditions. What would you recommend to visit? Best regards!

Hi FAB information thanks for the Blog after reading it really looks and sounds perfect. I have just started my nomad journey this year but stuck in two countries due to awful Covid situation. Albania sounds perfect. Being EU citizen I have read up on the 1 year temporary residence visa which I may apply during my 90 days. Please can you please advise as some requirements are not fully detailed on the government webpage. 1. Do I need my birth certificate? (as this would take me long time to arrange) or only passport? 2. I note I need a medical certificate from Armenian Hospital, I am unable to find the full listed details of the tests. What does the health examination entail please? Is it just general health check or a full health screening blood work (what tests) , X Ray etc. 3. Is it easy to obtain / register for a tax number? 4. Would I need to start a business LLC in country, to provide support in my application? (even though my online work is still fledgling as I live on savings and rental income) 5. How long does the process take, normally I am plan to travel early January Thank you very much jo

I would like to visit Albania for the first time as a digital nomad but I’ve heard that there are frequent power cuts. Is that true?

Your blog is a treasure! Thank you so so much. I’m hoping to travel to Albania at the end of this May. Any recommendations on traveling to Albania during the pandemic? Thank you so much!

Hey! Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂 I just published a new post about the situation here: https://www.anitahendrieka.com/albania-travel-restrictions/ Hopefully that helps!

Dear Anita, Thanks for all the information about Albania, knowing the conuntry sounds amazing! My wife and I want to spend 3 weeks all around the country in July, focusing on the beaches, but I am afraid about the influx of people and covid precautions on them. As you live there, how full use to be the albanian riviera beaches during July? We would appreciate too your recommendation on “special beach places”.

Thanks in advance, Warm regards!

Swarup Kumar

Read your blog with interest Can you advise some acco near prespa lake Not in Podugorce Or a trip for 3 days from kasmil to Prespa Thank you swarup Kumar

Hi Anita, I just found your blog and am very impressed so far. I find myself with the unexpected opportunity of staying in Finiq near Saranda for a while, and wanted to check in to see whether you have done any posts about crafts and artisans in Saranda and surrounding areas, or at least any coverage of souvenirs unique to the area or wider Albania? My primary interest is in the ethnographic and photographic documentation of traditional skills, so I am researching what potential there may be. Also, can you advise me on the importation and use of drones in Albania, and whether places such as Butrint need permits or advance permission? Thanks!

Louise Phillips

Your travel guide to Albania looks amazing. My friend and I are thinking of going to Albania, we are both in our 70’s but are fit and like travelling. Can I pick up a hard copy of your guide in UK? I can see Amazon sell it in the US but cannot find it in Britain? Thanks Louise

Wow! What a fantastic resource, thank you! I’m a travel writer in Canada, and we’re heading to Albania in autumn – can’t wait to put your advice into practice.

An absolutely fabulous article. Thanks.

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We have over two decades of travel experience and  since 2018 have led a full-time nomadic lifestyle.

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ALBANIA TRAVEL GUIDE

Albania offers a remarkable array of unique attractions, not least due to this very isolation: alluring azure lakes, surrounded by mountains and picturesque valleys littered with Roman ruins and charming Ottoman towns largely undiscovered by mainstream tourism. 

With its stunning mountain scenery, a thriving capital in Tirana, and beaches to rival anywhere else in the Mediterranean, Albania has become the sleeper hit of the Balkans. Despite its small size, Albania offers a diverse landscape from beautiful coastlines to rugged mountains, and it has a growing reputation as a tourist destination.

⬇️ REGIONAL GUIDES ⬇️

Travel guide.

⬇️ COUNTRY GUIDE ⬇️

Capital : Tirana

Currency : Lek (ALL)

Electricity: 230V/50Hz (European plug)

Language: Albanian (There are two dialects: Gheg and Tosk)

Interestingly, more Albanians live outside the country than within it, with significant populations in Italy, Greece, and the United States.

• 14 March, Summer Day
• 22 March, Nevruz Day
• 1 May, May Day.
• 19 October, Beatification of Mother Teresa
• 28 November, Independence Day
• 29 November, Liberation Day (World War II)
• 8 December, National Youth Day

Also, Good Friday, Easter, Orthodox Easter, Easter Monday, Eid al- Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.

Albania offers a rich tapestry of festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from its cultural heritage to modern music. 

Notable among these is the Gjirokastër Folk Festival , a vibrant showcase of traditional Albanian culture and one of the country's most significant events. For film enthusiasts, the Tirana International Film Festival is a key cinematic event. Music lovers can enjoy a range of genres at the Kala and UNUM festival s, set against the stunning backdrop of the Albanian landscape.

Other festivals you might want to consider when visiting Albania are:

The South Outdoor Festival which combines tradition, culture, and outdoor activities, usually from April 29th to May 3rd.

The Berat City Festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Berat.

The Korca Beer Festival is one of the largest beer festivals in the region, usually held in August.

The Lighting Of The Torch Festival (Festa E Flamurit)  -  Marks Albania's independence, celebrated on November 28th.

For specific dates and details, it's best to check closer to the event as dates can change from year to year.

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SEASONS AT A GLANCE

Most destinations have different times of the year when they’re more or less popular with tourists. 

Peak Season

Shoulder Season

Off Peak Season

BEST TIME TO VISIT ALBANIA

For a relatively small area, Albania has a high number of climatic regions. The country lies at a latitude subject to a variety of weather patterns throughout all seasons and with a coastline facing the Adriatic and Ionian seas along with its highlands along the Balkan mass it creates remarkable diversity.

The coastal lowlands experience more typical Mediterranean weather; with the highlands a Mediterranean continental climate. In both the lowlands and the interior, the weather can again vary markedly from north to south. The lowlands have much milder winters, averaging about 7 °C with summer temperatures averaging around 24 °C. Northerly and northeasterly winds blow much of the time and the best winds for kite-surfing in Albania are usually from March to November.

Inland temperatures are affected more by differences in elevation and low winter temperatures in the mountain regions are caused by the continental air mass that dominates the weather in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Average summer temperatures are lower than in the coastal areas and much lower at higher elevations, but daily fluctuations are greater. Daytime maximum temperatures in the interior basins and river valleys are very high, but the nights are almost always cool. During the rainy season, precipitation can be heavy with many storms accompanied by high winds and torrential downpours.

June - Enjoy the perfect Mediterranean climate and deserted beaches.

August - Albania's beaches may be packed, but this is a great time to explore the mountains.

December - See features and shorts at the Tirana Film Festival, while the intrepid can snowshoe to Theth.

BEST TIME FOR:

Albania offers a variety of snow sport opportunities, especially in its mountainous regions. The best time for snow sports in Albania is typically from December to February when the mountains are transformed into picturesque landscapes perfect for winter activities. 

The Albanian Alps, in particular, are known for their heavy and consistent snowfall during these months, providing ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding. For those seeking a unique experience, heli-skiing is available, offering access to remote and rugged terrains with breathtaking views.

Albania offers a plethora of hiking opportunities, particularly in its mountainous regions. The Valbona to Theth trail , known as the Accursed Mountains, is a highlight for many hikers, offering breathtaking views and a challenging trek. For those seeking a variety of landscapes, the Via Egnatia Trail provides a historical journey through several Balkan countries. 

The best time for hiking in Albania is generally from May to October, with spring and autumn offering mild temperatures and the most comfortable hiking conditions. However, it's advisable to avoid the Valbona to Theth trail until June due to snow. September is often recommended for its cooler temperatures and minimal tourism, allowing hikers to fully enjoy the changing autumn colors.

Albania is home to some stunning beaches, with the Albanian Riviera being a highlight. Places like Dhërmi and Palasa offer beautiful stretches of white sand and clear waters, perfect for beachgoers looking to relax or explore secluded coves. 

The best time to visit these beaches is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is ideal for sunbathing and swimming. However, it's worth noting that this is also the peak tourist season, so planning ahead is advisable to secure accommodations and enjoy the beaches without the crowds.

Albania is emerging as a surfing destination with its beautiful Adriatic and Ionian coastlines. Notable spots include Dhermi Beach, known for its clear waters and consistent waves, and Jale Beach, which offers a vibrant atmosphere and challenging wave patterns. 

The best time for surfing in Albania is during the summer months, especially from June to August, when the weather is ideal for water sports. With less crowded beaches and unspoiled natural beauty, Albania presents a unique opportunity for surfers seeking new adventures.

Albania offers a variety of kitesurfing opportunities, particularly along its Mediterranean coast, which is known for its perfect shallow water spots and warm temperatures ideal for the sport. 

Notably, the area around Durres, such as Lalzit Bay, is popular among kitesurfers. The best time for kitesurfing in Albania is from March to November, when the conditions are most favorable, with a consistent wind that is ideal especially from the temperatures.

For more details on kite surfing in Albania expand this section!

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ALBANIA TRAVEL COSTS

Albania is relatively inexpensive for Western tourists, especially when compared to some of the nearby countries like Croatia and Italy.

You will find accommodation for a reasonable price and plenty of great cheap food options. Museum tickets and public transportation fares are also very affordable. Some prices could go up slightly during the summer, especially in seaside towns, since that’s the peak of the season.

VALUE RANK:

Find discount flights to, travel tips for albania.

If you find yourself landing in Tirana, which is where the only airport in the country lies, avoid expensive local taxis and head straight to the Rinas Express’s bus station . The bus connects the Tirana Mother Teresa Airport to the city centre, near Skanderbeg Square, and takes about 20 minutes for 300 Albanian Lek.

Tiranë - TIA: every one hour starting from 07:00 until 23:00

TIA - Tiranë: every one hour starting from 08:00 until 24:00

A taxi is much more expensive, costing about 2,500 lekë (20€), one-way.

Tirana is connected to the main Albanian towns only by bus, as Albania doesn’t have railways. While buses are always cheap, the journeys can sometimes be quite long, so keep this in mind if you need to get somewhere in a hurry.

To enter Albania with your own vehicle you'll need a Green Card (proof of third-party insurance, issued by your insurer); check that your insurance covers Albania. You should also be able to purchase insurance at the border.

REGIONS & HIGHLIGHTS OF ALBANIA

Not surprisingly most visitors to Albania makes their way straight to the capital of Tirana - nowadays a buzzing city with a mash-up collection of traditional restaurants and trendy bars amongst wonderfully garish painted buildings. To seek the true Albania you should head to its mountains and explore drowsy hillside towns filled with friendly locals - Berat and Gjirokastra can easily be mistaken as open-air museums of life during the Ottoman times. For hiking head to the stunning valley of Valbona where the limestone mountains tower offers incredible biodiversity.

From an affordable ski destination at the snow-capped peaks of the interior to its Ionian coastline with immaculate, undeveloped beaches Albania will be a revelation. In a mountainous country with a long coastline, the main activity attractions are pretty obvious – there are some amazing places to swim along the Ionian coast, while the most accessible hiking is in the national park area of Mount Dajti.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN ALBANIA

Tirana - Albania’s colourful, chaotic capital is better for strolling than sightseeing, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied and you should take the time to sit down and sip an espresso while watching the world go by. The looming Mount Dajti is easily visible from Tirana and city dwellers head to its forested slopes in droves over sunny days. The mountain’s network of paths feels surprisingly remote even though you’re only 25km from Tirana.

Kruja - This ancient city is the hilltop scene of national hero Skanderbeg’s resistance to the Ottoman invasions of the fifteenth century. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Skanderbeg's castle is a tourist focal point that contains museums, restaurants, even a hotel. Kruje also has an old-style Ottoman bazaar with shops selling traditional and vintage goods amid its cobblestone streets.

Berat - The 'town of the thousand windows' is known for its pretty rows of Ottoman houses lining the hills. Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is now a new member of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Berat has a well-preserved citadel with residents still living inside its protective walls. The 14th-century Kalasa citadel towers above the town and is accessed via a steep, cobbled road.

Gjirokastra - Another UNESCO-listed city located in the south which is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. Gjirokastra is one of Albania’s most attractive towns and home to some of its friendliest people. It's the birthplace of former communist leader Enver Hoxha and Albania's most internationally famous author, Ismail Kadare who's homes both now serve as museums. Other than the imposing 6th-century castle dominating the town skyline, Gjirokastra's most appealing sight is its collection of Ottoman-style houses.

Korce - Located in southeast Albania, several miles from the Greek border, this city is full of life during the summer, when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape. Don't miss the Korca Brewery, famous throughout Albania, which has a nice beer garden.

Tirana  - Albania’s colourful, chaotic capital is better for strolling than sightseeing, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied and you should take the time to sit down and sip an espresso while watching the world go by. The looming Mount Dajti is easily visible from Tirana and city dwellers head to its forested slopes in droves over sunny days. The mountain’s network of paths feels surprisingly remote even though you’re only 25km from Tirana.

Kruja  - This ancient city is the hilltop scene of national hero Skanderbeg’s resistance to the Ottoman invasions of the fifteenth century. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Skanderbeg's castle is a tourist focal point that contains museums, restaurants, even a hotel. Kruje also has an old-style Ottoman bazaar with shops selling traditional and vintage goods amid its cobblestone streets.

Berat  - The 'town of the thousand windows' is known for its pretty rows of Ottoman houses lining the hills. Thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is now a new member of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Berat has a well-preserved citadel with residents still living inside its protective walls. The 14th-century Kalasa citadel towers above the town and is accessed via a steep, cobbled road.

Gjirokastra  - Another UNESCO-listed city located in the south which is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. Gjirokastra is one of Albania’s most attractive towns and home to some of its friendliest people. It's the birthplace of former communist leader Enver Hoxha and Albania's most internationally famous author, Ismail Kadare who's homes both now serve as museums. Other than the imposing 6th-century castle dominating the town skyline, Gjirokastra's most appealing sight is its collection of Ottoman-style houses.

Korce - Located in southeast Albania, several miles from the Greek border, this city is full of life during the summer, when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful mountain Moravia and view the city and its surrounding landscape. Don't miss the Korca Brewery, famous throughout Albania, which has a nice beer garden.

WHAT TO EAT IN ALBANIA

Albania, like the Balkans in general, has a primarily Turkish influence in its cuisine. This influence stems from over 400 years of Ottoman rule in the region. Recent influences after the fall of communism in the early 1990s have been from Italy and Western Europe in general. Most Albanian people make their own bread, but going out for meals is very common. Some sort of hearty stew is commonly included in Albanian suppers - easy to make, and flexible with ingredients which usually include potatoes, onion, and rice.

• Byrek - a common type of savoury pie made in different ways depending on the region. Some variations include spinach and feta cheese or ground meat and onion.
• Tavë kosi -a simple dish of baked lamb and rice served with a yogurt sauce. It is often referred to as the national dish of Albania.
• Qofte të fërguara - Albanian fried meatballs with feta cheese. Traditionally served with fried potatoes or rice.
• Ayran - a drink served with food is made by mixing yogurt with chilled or iced water (sometimes carbonated) then seasoned with mint. Two byreks and an ayran is a very common breakfast option!
• Gjirofarma - cheese is similar to the Greek feta cheese and one of the few cheeses that are exported from Albania.
• Don't forget to check out the many pastry shops ( pastiçeri ) offering a wide variety of tasty pastry including delicious cakes.
• Baklava - is a popular dessert and is usually made as a dessert during New Year's Eve.
• Oshaf – A fig and sheep’s milk pudding

LGBTQ IN ALBANIA

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WHERE TO STAY IN ALBANIA

When visiting Albania for the first time, choosing the right area or region to stay in can greatly enhance your experience. Each region offers its own unique attractions and accommodations to suit various budgets. Here are some recommendations:

WHERE TO STAY IN TIRANA :

In Tirana, Albania, you'll find a variety of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets. Here are some highly-rated options in each category:

Hotel Baron:   Hotel Baron provides budget-friendly rooms in a convenient location near Tirana's main attractions. The hotel offers comfortable accommodations with basic amenities and friendly service.

Hotel Theranda:   Hotel Theranda offers comfortable mid-range accommodations in a central location. The hotel features stylish rooms, a restaurant serving Albanian and international cuisine, and a rooftop terrace with city views.

The Plaza Tirana:   The Plaza Tirana is a luxurious five-star hotel located in the city center. The hotel features elegant rooms and suites, a rooftop swimming pool, spa facilities, multiple dining options including a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views, and a fitness center.

Rogner Hotel Tirana:   Rogner Hotel Tirana offers upscale accommodations surrounded by lush gardens. The hotel features spacious rooms and suites, a swimming pool, tennis courts, spa facilities, and several dining options including a traditional Albanian restaurant.

Best Value Tip:  Accommodation prices in Tirana are generally lower during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn), offering excellent value for money.

WHERE TO STAY IN DURRES:

In Durres, Albania, you'll find a range of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets. Here are some highly-rated options in each category:

Hotel Aragosta:   Hotel Aragosta offers budget-friendly accommodations near the beach in Durres. The hotel features simple yet comfortable rooms, a restaurant serving Albanian and international cuisine, and a bar.

Hotel Dyrrah:   Hotel Dyrrah provides affordable accommodations with easy access to the beach. Guests can stay in clean and comfortable rooms, enjoy access to a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, and relax in the hotel's garden area.

Hotel Durres Beach:  Hotel Durres Beach offers mid-range accommodations overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The hotel features modern rooms and suites, a swimming pool, spa facilities, and multiple dining options including a beachfront restaurant.

Hotel Nais Beach:   Hotel Nais Beach provides comfortable mid-range accommodations near the beach. Guests can stay in well-appointed rooms, enjoy access to a swimming pool, fitness center, and restaurant serving Albanian and international dishes.

Tropikal Resort:  Tropikal Resort is a luxurious beachfront resort offering upscale accommodations in Durres. The resort features elegant rooms and suites, multiple swimming pools, spa facilities, tennis courts, and several dining options including a seafood restaurant and beach bar.

Adriatik Hotel:   Adriatik Hotel is a five-star luxury hotel located on the beachfront in Durres. The hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites with sea views, a private beach, swimming pools, spa facilities, tennis courts, and multiple dining options including a rooftop restaurant.

Best Value Tip:  Consider visiting Durrës during the offseason (late spring or early autumn) to find great deals on accommodations and enjoy quieter beaches.

WHERE TO STAY IN SARANDE :

Sarandë , located on the Albanian Riviera, offers a unique and memorable experience for travelers.

Hotel Blue Sky:  Hotel Blue Sky offers budget-friendly accommodations near the beach in Sarande. The hotel features simple yet comfortable rooms, a restaurant serving Albanian and international cuisine, and a bar.

Hotel Alpha:   Hotel Alpha provides affordable accommodations with easy access to the beach. Guests can stay in clean and cozy rooms, enjoy access to a restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes, and relax on the hotel's terrace.

Hotel Santa Quaranta:   Hotel Santa Quaranta offers mid-range accommodations overlooking the Ionian Sea. The hotel features modern rooms and suites, a swimming pool, spa facilities, and a restaurant serving Albanian and international cuisine.

Bougainville Bay Hotel:   Bougainville Bay Hotel is a luxurious beachfront resort offering upscale accommodations in Sarande. The resort features elegant rooms and suites with sea views, multiple swimming pools, spa facilities, tennis courts, and several dining options including a beachfront restaurant and rooftop bar.

Best Value Tip:  Look for accommodations in Sarandë during the shoulder seasons (May-June or September-October) for lower prices and fewer crowds while still enjoying pleasant weather.

For hassle-free bookings, use platforms like   Booking.com  for competitive rates or   Holiday Swap  for unique homes worldwide. Ensure to book in advance, especially during peak seasons, and align your preferences with nearby activities such as surfing, snorkeling, or cultural exploration.

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FLIGHTS Find a cheap flight by using  Sky scanner  or  Momondo . These are our favorite  flight search engines. They index other travel websites and airlines across the globe to easily find you the best deal.

ACCOMMODATION

Booking.com is our number one resource for researching and booking accommodation. In addition to Booking.com , we have found  Agoda.com to consistently returns the cheapest rates in Southeast Asia. For longer stays, find unique homes worldwide on Holiday Swap , the most affordable travel platform that allows you to book homes anytime, anywhere in only a few clicks.

TRANSPORT ​

DiscoverCars.com is a leader in online car rental bookings; we compare car rental deals from many companies so that you can choose which is best for your trip.  12Go   connects the world door-to-door, from transfers to flights, under the same user-friendly ticket.

INSURANCE Travel insurance can protect you against unexpecte d illness, injury, theft, and cancellations.

Heymondo (International Travel Insurance)

World Nomads   (Travel / medical insurance for long-term travelers and nomads)

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (Travel / medical insurance for long-term travelers and nomads)

SafetyWing Remote Health  (Global Health Insurance for Nomads)

Need more help to book your trip? Check our complete resource page  for all the best companies to use when you travel. You will only find the companies we use ourselves.

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TRAVEL to ALBANIA – Tips and Information Guide [2023]

Here is our complete guide to tell you everything you need to know to travel to Albania!

Whether you’re into epic mountain adventures, relaxing beach vacations or partying it up in a bustling city, Albania has something for you!

Albania is perfect for those who like to spend their time getting lost in the natural treasures of a country.  

The beautiful coastline, stunning mountains and the flora are only a few of its wonders that bring tourists here from around the world.

Along with a rich history and culture, it is a great holiday destination for both energetic and chilled out tourists.  You can count on spending a perfect beach vacation here, but you can also choose a more active approach.

The urban areas, although rather small, like the capital Tirana, have a unique spirit worth visiting. On the other hand, the Albanian Alps offer great hiking opportunities for mountain-lovers.

While its popularity is continuously growing year after year, it is still considered to be the Balkan’s hidden gem.

Unfortunately this stunning and diverse country is still relatively off the beaten path, thanks to a couple of major tourists hotspots in its vicinity.

Maybe that should inspire you to travel to Albania and try to uncover all it has to offer!

More and more tourists travel to Albania to experience its gritty, vibrant streets or to take a dip in its waters. Not only is Albania surrounded by two seas (the Adriatic and the Ionian), it also has a few wonderful rivers and lakes.

But in our opinion it would be a shame to visit Albania and not explore the Theth National Park, along with its gorgeous natural landmarks.

The food is an experience itself, combining influences that have shaped the history of the Balkan peninsula through the years!

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to delve into our guide to travelling to Albania and get you prepared for your next big adventure!

Albania Travel Guide

For a more detailed display of things you should see and do, make sure you read this  Albania Travel Guide !

Along with those suggestions, you will also get all the important information necessary for a pleasant trip.

All you have to do is pack your bags and decide when you’ll take some time for yourself!

General Info

Here’s a list of certain things that you will definitely find useful on your visit.

The general info will come in handy one way or another!

• Currency: Albanian lek
• Capital: Tirana
• Language: Albanian
• Population: 2,876,591
• Area: 28,748 sq. km
• Electricity Voltage: The standard voltage is 220-240V at 50 Hz. If you have 110V appliances, you should use a voltage adaptor whilst in Albania.
• Electricity Sockets: Type C (also works with plug E and F) and type F (also works with plug C and plug E)

How to Get to Albania

There’s a bunch of different ways to travel to Albania, and the method you choose depends on where you are coming from, how long you have, and what your budget is.

When it comes to air travel, Albania has one major airport in Tirana – the Nënë Tereza.

Direct flights to it are available from many European cities, as well as Israel and Turkey.   If you’re travelling from another continent, you will need to have a layover in a major city in Europe.

There still aren’t any direct flights available from North America, South America, Africa or Australia. The closest option for those coming from the Americas is flying to London or Frankfurt first.

The majority of the flights come from Italy (from around 15 cities), while German cities are in second place.

The large airlines that fly to Nënë Tereza are British Airways, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and Alitalia.  If you’re interested in low-cost airlines, Wizzair has flights from Budapest, London and Dortmund.

Another airport, called the Kukës, should start working in 2020, and it should primarily be a low cost airport.

Getting to the Nënë Tereza from town is fairly simple.

You can take the shuttle (Rinas Express) from the centre of Tirana or travel by taxi.

The bus ticket costs around 2€, while the taxi fare is around 18€.

Make sure you look for the ATEx sign on the cars, since they are the only approved taxi company at the airport.

One of the most popular ways of reaching Albania is by ferry.

Most of them depart from Italy and arrive at either Durrës, Vlorë or Sarandë, although some come from Greece too.

Ferries for Durrës leave from Ancona, Bari and Trieste.  If you go to Brindisi, you can catch a ferry to Vlorë and Sarandë.

There’s also a connection between Sarandë and Corfu in Greece.

The well-known Italian ferry operators are Adria Ferries, Adriatica di Navigazione, Azzurra Line, Venezia Lines and Ilion Lines.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to travel to Albania from Greece, check out Sarris and Ionian Seaways.

The prices depend on the number of passengers, whether you have a vehicle or not and the time of year.

There are a couple of ways to get to Albania by coach. Even though it’s not the most comfortable way to travel, it’s usually inexpensive and fairly frequent.

You can catch a bus to Albania from Istanbul, Athens, Prishtina, Tetovo, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Larisa, Ohrid and Ulcinj.

The prices go from 10€ to 35€ for a one-way ticket, depending on your starting point.

Albania Visa Requirements

All EU citizens, as well as those from the USA, Canada, Australia and UK, can travel to Albania without a visa.

The only condition is that they don’t spend more than 90 days there.

In total, there’s 55 countries whose nationals don’t need a visa for a 90-day stay in Albania.  Check if yours is on the list by clicking here .

Those who didn’t find their country on the lists above must be issued with a visa.

They can be issued free of charge or cost up to 55 euros, depending on the country.

5 Interesting Facts About Albania

• The flora of Albania makes 30 percent of the entire European flora.
• The Albanian language is very unique. It is Indo-European, but it forms its own independent branch and it has no relatives!
• Until 1991, there were only around 5000 cars in Albania. The Communist dictator Enver Hoxha banned them and insisted that citizens walk or use some type of public transport.
• The Albanian Vjosa river is considered to be Europe’s very last free-flowing river. Make sure you see its beauty in person.
• Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, was Albanian!

Best Time to Travel to Albania

Albania’s climate is divided into 3 zones: the warm coast, the continental interior and the cold mountains on the north. Depending on what you’d like to see and do, you should choose different times of the year for your trip.

However, the best time to visit in general would be late spring and early fall.  The temperatures will be pleasant and you’ll be able to enjoy all your activities.

So, anywhere between April and June, and then September and October.

If you’ve chosen Albania as your summer vacation destination and you like the heat, visit in July. That is the peak of the tourist season and the weather is extremely warm.

It is advised that you avoid the period between December and March , since it can get really cold and wet.

But, if you’re a lover of snow and winter sports, use this time to visit some of Albania’s ski destinations!

Another advantage of visiting during the cold months is that you’ll be one of the few tourists in Albania. Basically, it will be like living with the locals.

Albania Travel Itineraries Suggestions

Albania is a country of great variety and vibrancy.

Visiting different parts of it could feel like visiting multiple countries!

Planning your stay can get difficult, but we’ve created a couple of itinerary suggestions, based on different preferences.

Most of them require renting a car, but you could also rely on buses or the kindness of strangers.

Here’s a few ways to spend 10 days in Albania:

1. The Seaside

• Catch a ferry to Vlorë from Italy
• 2 days in Vlorë
• 2 days in Dhërmi
• 2 days in Sarandë
• 3 days in Ksamil
• Go back to Sarande and catch a ferry  

 2. Culture

• Fly to Tirana
• 3 days in Tirana
• 2 days in Berat
• 2 days in Gjirokastër
• 2 days in Krujë
• Go back to Tirana to fly out

Budget for Travelling in Albania

In general, Albania is inexpensive for Western tourists, especially when compared to some of the nearby countries, Croatia and Italy.

You can find accommodation for a reasonable price and there are great cheap food options. Museum tickets and public transportation fares are very affordable.

Some prices could go up slightly during the summer, especially in seaside towns, since that’s the peak of the season.

However, it’s never too drastic.  Of course, it all comes down to your needs and personal spending habits.

There’s always something interesting to try and something to spend money on. But, if you put in a little effort into your planning, you could experience Albania on a budget!

The prices below are per day.

Budget for Backpackers in Albania

Single Traveller: 20€ – 40€

If you’re visiting during the spring or summer, backpacking is a great way to explore Albania.  Accommodation in a hostel in Tirana is around 7-15 euros per night.

If you book ahead, you will be able to find the cheaper rooms.

Another suggestion is Booking.com or AirBnB, since you can really get lucky with the prices.

Click here to get $35 off your first stay on AirBnB.

Certain budget hotels can be very affordable, so you can get a room for around 20 euros/night. Ask around and try to find some free tours, since volunteers organise them from time to time.

If you’re trying to save money on food, there are always great on-the-go options for 2-3€ in total. For example, instead of eating in a restaurant, try the delicious, traditional Balkan pastry – burek.

It’s a win-win!

Use public transportation to get around, just like the locals do. The minibuses they often travel by are called furgons.

They don’t have a specific timetable, but they are cheap. Buses are even less expensive, but they’re slightly slower.

Flashpacker

Single Traveller: 50€ – 80€

Having a bigger budget means more comfort and luxuries, such as museums and restaurants.

The entrance to the National Museum in Tirana costs less than 2€, and most museums have the same prices.  Make sure you visit as many as you can, for a glimpse into Albania’s history and culture.

You can have a delicious, satisfying meal for 5€ – 10€, as long as you avoid the most expensive places. Having a cup of coffee will never cost you more than 1,5 €.

Therefore, taking a break in a cute cafe can become your daily ritual.

The starting price for taxis is around 2€ – 3€, while every kilometre is approximately 1€.

You can treat yourself to this type of transportation, since it’s probably cheaper than in your home country!

You can find a mid-range hotel room in the very centre of Tirana for an average of 35€ – 45€/night.

The people are incredibly friendly, so you should consider asking a local for some recommendations!

Single Traveller: 90€ and more

Accomodation in Albania’s most luxurious hotels can cost you anywhere from 60€ to 90€ daily. That will allow you to enjoy private spas and transport to and from the airport, to name a few things.

You should consider booking a tour and letting a guide introduce you to everything this country has to offer.

Why travel to Albania if you’re not going to get to know it properly? Tours of the capital will cost you around 20€, while a full-day hiking tour will be close to 80€.

Depending on what you like, you’ll definitely find an option that fits your budget and your interests.

Fine dining won’t be too costly compared to average European prices. You won’t pay more than 40€ for the most expensive meal in a luxurious restaurant!

Consider buying an authentic Albanian souvenir to remind you of your experience.

Traditional Albanian rugs called kilims and the famous Skënderbeu Cognac are a great choice!

Top 5 Places to Visit in Albania

It’s hard to single out only 5 places, when there’s so much to see and do. But these five spots should be the ones you must not miss!

• The Blue Eye Of Theth : Located in one of Albania’s most beautiful national parks, this might be the most stunning sight in the country. If you’re into hiking, plan your route around this, it will definitely be rewarding!
• Gjirokastër : This lovely place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It gives visitors a chance to experience a real Ottoman town, as the architecture and the cobbled streets are well preserved!
• Berat : Berat is yet another UNESCO Site, also known as the “city of a thousand windows”. Visit its castle. churches and mosques to understand the diversity of Albania’s history and culture.
• Tirana : The capital is also the biggest and busiest city. Try to meet some locals and blend in with them so you could feel the real spirit of Tirana. Even though it’s not the most beautiful city you’ll see, you’ll see for yourself why it’s so appealing to tourists!
• The Riviera : You can’t travel to Albania and not spend some time on the seaside. The crystal clear waters of the two seas and the fairly cheap prices guarantee a good vacation. The Albanian riviera is a hidden treasure when it comes to European holiday destinations!

Top 5 Experiences To Have In Albania

• Hiking From Theth To Valbona : Albania’s most popular hike is also one of the most beautiful ones in this part of Europe. As long as you’re prepared for approximately 7 hours of walking, you’ll really enjoy the incredible scenery. Make sure you bring all of the necessary equipment and enough food, so that you can truly be focused on the nature. This isn’t the easiest journey, but it sure is worth the struggle!
• Experience xhiro : Xhiro is an authentic Albanian tradition. Every evening, people go out into the streets, usually the big boulevards, and take a walk. They use this time of day to catch up with their friends or neighbors and hear about each other’s days. Many use xhiro to sell their products, so they bring out whatever it is they’re selling into the streets. Don’t be surprised if you see people having a barbecue party on the sidewalk – it is all possible during xhiro. This Albanian social ritual is something you must be a part of while you’re in the country.
• Take a Tour About Albania’s Communist Past : As you may or may not know, Albania was under a Communist dictator Enver Hoxha until 1991. This era shaped the country into what it is today in many ways. There are still many sites to see all over Albania that are closely linked to that era. For example, entire parts of Tirana were restricted to those who weren’t members of the Communist party. This tour will introduce you to all the interesting facts about Albania’s 20th century history. It is exciting and strange and something you should definitely learn about!
• Osum River Rafting : The breathtaking Osum river canyons are a must-see for every nature enthusiast. Try to visit during the spring, since the water levels will allow you to see all the waterfalls. The adrenaline rush combined with the beautiful scenery will make for an unforgettable experience. There’s also an interesting legend involving the river and the two mountains surrounding it, Tomorr and Shpirag. The story says that two brothers killed each other because of a girl named Osum and that her tears formed the river.
• Visit the bazaars : Authentic Albanian bazaars exist in a few cities and they’re an amazing way to get to know their culture. They are a great place for buying traditional, handmade products, such as kilims and çifteli, an Albanian instrument. The Krujë bazaar is one of the most famous ones, since it has existed for hundreds of years. If you’d like to buy some souvenirs or just feel the bustling spirit, this is the place to be. Supporting small local businesses and craftsmen is something you should do in your country and abroad!

Transport in Albania

Using public transport in Albania can be unreliable, since timetables pretty much don’t exist. However, it is very cheap and fairly fast, so it’s still very popular among tourists and locals.

Most people travel by bus.   The fares are very low, so you’ll rarely spend more than a few euros on the ticket.

The tricky part is that the bus leaves the station when it gets full, not according to the timetable. That means that you can’t really predict when it’s going to come.

It’s best to ask a local who uses the bus often to tell you an approximate time of arrival. Also, always get in the bus with the most passengers, since that one will leave first!

People also travel by furgon – a minibus or van of sorts – for a more pleasant trip. The same rule about leaving when full applies here as well.

Be aware that the driver picks up and drops off people along the way. Therefore, you can get off anywhere you want and get on whenever you hail the driver.

This type of transport is very unpopular and rarely used by the locals. The rail system is not developed and the trains are in bad condition, so it’s best to stick to other options.

If you do choose to try it, you’ll be happy to know that the tickets are cheap and the views are beautiful.

The trains operate between a couple of cities and towns, such as Durrës, Shkodër, Vlorë and a few more.

Also, you should know that Albania is not connected to other countries by train.

Even though taxis are the most expensive type of transport in Albania, they’re cheap compared to standard European prices.

The starting price is 250 lek, which is roughly 2-3 €. Every kilometre is an additional euro.

Most taxi drivers speak some English, so communicating won’t be an issue.

To avoid getting scammed, ask a local or the staff in your hotel to find you a taxi.

Accommodation in Albania

Whether you’re a backpacker or someone who needs more comfort, Albania covers it all.  From hostels and tiny hotels to the, large world-famous ones, there are options for everyone.

An interesting way to spend your vacation is in an authentic guesthouse.  There’s quite a few of them in Albania, but you might have to ask the locals for suggestions.

It’s really fascinating to wake up in a traditional Albanian household and eat freshly prepared meals!

The riviera destinations are growing more and more and, therefore, there’s an abundance of hotels.

However, wherever you go, AirBnB might be a good option, since it’s usually inexpensive.

Food in Albania

If you’ve ever been to the Balkans, you know that the food is incredible in every country.

Since it was influenced by many cultures through the centuries, it is a wonderful mix of flavours, ingredients and textures.

Many Albanian dishes have meat in them, but you can find vegetarian and vegan options.

If you have a sweet tooth, you won’t be unsatisfied. The desserts are usually made with nuts, crunchy dough or fruit.

The Berat region has the biggest fig plantation in Europe and their fig preserves are delicious!

Here’s a few dishes you must try when you travel to Albania:

• Tavë Kosi (baked lamb with rice and yogurt)
• Speca me Glizë (peppers stuffed with rice, veggies and ground meat)
• Fërgesë (creamy vegetable and cheese stew – could also be made with meat)
• Byrek (filo pastry filled with different toppings, such as cheese, spinach, meat and cabbage)
• Trilece (creamy, milky cake)
• Qofte të Fërguara (fried meatballs)

Safety in Albania

In general, Albania is a safe country for all visitors. There hasn’t been many instances of violence against tourists.

It’s even safe for solo women travellers, since the people are friendly and welcoming.

Pickpocketing is very rare and there aren’t any parts of Albania that are more risky than the others.

Of course, it is always advised that you take certain precautions, like keeping your money in a safe place.

One thing you should be careful about is the traffic.

Albanian drivers are notorious for not exactly following the rules and regulations, so be cautious when crossing the streets.

The roads are slowly getting better, but if you’re a driver yourself, you will need some patience.

Packing List For Albania

If you decide to come during the spring and summer, you won’t need a ton of clothes. The weather will be nice and pleasant, ideal for walking around.

But if you’re travelling to Albania during the colder months, please add a winter jacket to this list!

• 3 x t-shirts
• 1 x sweater
• 1 x sunglasses
• 1 x swimsuit
• 1 x flip-flops
• 2 x swimsuit
• 1 x comfy leggings/sweatpants

Miscellaneous Items

• Waterproof case

Medical Care In Albania

Since Albania is a relatively poor country, the state of the healthcare system is pretty much the same.

Tirana is the most developed in that sense and you shouldn’t have a problem finding help there.

You will be able to find a variety of medication in Albanian pharmacies, called barnatore.

However, if you’re on some type of regular prescription medication, make sure you bring it with you, along with a doctor’s letter.

It is recommended that you have travel insurance before you travel to Albania. Sometimes, you will have to pay in advance even if you’re covered.

The private hospitals and clinics in Tirana mostly have English-speaking doctors and nurses, so you’ll be able to explain your symptoms.

You shouldn’t be afraid of any specific diseases in Albania, but make sure you have all your vaccinations.

If you plan on spending time in the nature, pay attention to ticks and wear long sleeves and trousers.

In summary, if you have to seek medical care, try to go to Tirana, since the quality and safety is best there.

Travel Tips For Albania

• Try not to drink tap water. The water in some mountain areas is safe to drink and also very delicious, but make sure you educate yourself properly.
• Remember this: nodding in Albania means no and shaking your head means yes! Either adapt to the locals or stick to communicating with words only.
• Get used to the traffic chaos. Look left and right multiple times before crossing the street, get used to the honking and the speed. Also, public transport is irregular and often too packed with people.
• It is useful to know a few Albanian phrases and the locals will certainly appreciate it. For example, përshëndetje means hello and faleminderit means thank you. If you’d like to ask someone whether they speak English, say Flisni Anglisht?
• If you’re planning on exploring the Albanian mountains, bring some type of insect repellent. Also, cover your skin as much as possible, to avoid unpleasant rashes and insect bites.
• Try some of the Albanian wines! Albania has a very long tradition of wine making, dating back to the ancient Roman era. You can stick to the classics, or try some of the rare or more luxurious wines. For example, the Uka Farm is the only place in the world where you can drink Ceruja wine. If you’d like to switch things up, try the orange wine.

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Wander-Lush

Easy 2 Week Itinerary for Albania: Nature, Culture & History

This easy itinerary for Albania has a strong focus on nature, history and culture. Use it to plan the perfect 2 weeks in Albania or more, travelling exclusively by bus (no car required!).

After travelling overland in the Balkans for 6 months, Albania stands out as one of my favourite countries in the region.

Compact and relatively easy to get around, in a short space of time you can wander beautiful UNESCO Old Towns Berat and Gjirokaster , soak up the incredible scenery of the Albanian Alps on the Valbona Theth trek , eat delicious Albanian food in the country’s best restaurants, and bask in cafe culture and visit quirky museums in the cosmopolitan capital city, Tirana .

That’s to say nothing of the beautiful beaches along the Albanian Riviera , other natural wonders including waterfalls and Blue Eye water holes , and alternative Albanian cities such as Korca .

This easy Albania itinerary by bus focuses on history, culture and cuisine, with a bit of nature thrown in.

• For even more inspiration, see my list of the 21 best things to do in Albania .
• Planning to rent a car? See my intrepid 2-week road trip in Albania itinerary .
• Don’t forget to read my essential travel tips for Albania !

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

About this Albania itinerary

This Albania itinerary follows a slightly unconventional route, starting in Shkoder in the far-north and ending in Korca in Albania’s southeast. Fitting with my travel style, it prioritises destinations that highlight culture, history and cuisine with a little bit of nature time as well.

You’ll notice that there are no beaches on this Albania itinerary. If you’re a beach person (and it’s the right season), you can easily slot in a few days on the Albanian Riviera after Gjirokaster. At the end of the itinerary, I’ve included more options for extending your stay.

When is the best time to visit Albania?

We visited Albania in mid-June – summer, and the start of the high season. Because Albania is still a relatively off-the-beaten-track destination in Europe, it doesn’t tend to get overcrowded, even in Tirana. An exception would be the beaches along the Albanian Riviera, which do get busy in the summer months (especially July and August).

If the Valbona Theth trek is on your Albania wish list, remember that the high mountain pass is only accessible at certain times of year. The best time to do the trek is between June and September, but the trail might be open as early as May and as late as November depending on weather conditions.

If you’re planning a visit in high season (June to August), there are a couple of things you should book in advance, including your accommodation in Tirana and most importantly your transportation for the Valbona Theth trek.

In this detailed guide to the Valbona Theth trek , I provide instructions and links for booking the Komani Lake Ferry and van transport from Shkoder.

How much time do you need for this Albania itinerary?

I’ve purposefully kept this itinerary quite loose so that you can adjust it to fit your schedule. However, you’ll need a minimum of 2 weeks to cover all the points of interest mentioned.

We did this itinerary in three weeks travelling at a slow pace. If you have longer to spend in Albania, you can easily extend your itinerary by adding on the Albanian Riviera or more trekking in the north.

One of the best things about travelling in the Balkans is being able to hop across the border. From Albania, you can easily continue your travels in Ulcinj and Montenegro , Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia , Kosovo , or Thessaloniki and Northern Greece . The choice is yours!

Recommended 2-week Albania itinerary

Day 1: Shkoder Days 2-5: Valbona & Theth Day 6: Kruje Days 7-9: Tirana Days 10-11: Berat Days 12-13: Gjirokaster Day 14: Korca

How to get around Albania

Before visiting, I heard lots of horror stories about bus travel in Albania that made me quite anxious about getting around. In the end, I had nothing to worry about.

Compared to some other countries in the region ( Slovenia , for instance), bus schedules are a bit looser and the roads are a bit rougher. But all things considered, buses in Albania run pretty smoothly. Stations tend to be well signposted (if not a bit chaotic), there are plenty of bus services running in all directions, and vehicles themselves are usually quite modern, with AC and plenty of luggage room (though don’t expect WIFI or USB portals).

Bus tickets in Albania are well-priced, making this a budget-friendly way to travel.

We did this entire Albania itinerary using a combination of furgons (minivans) and coach buses, plus one ferry. If you want to replicate our route, I’ve included full public transportation instructions for getting from place to place under each destination.

Top tip: Use the website Gjirafa to check bus routes and schedules for Albania and neighbouring countries in English.

Should you hire a car in Albania?

Some people elect to hire a car in Albania and self-drive. While you can certainly pack more into your Albania travel itinerary if you have your own car, it’s not mandatory.

If you do want to go down this path, I recommend using comparison website Discover Cars to find the best deals on international companies and local agents.

Check out my round-up of the best road trip itineraries in the Balkans (including Albania) for more inspiration.

→ Browse Albania car rentals here on Discover Cars .

Where to stay in Albania: Hotels recommended in this itinerary

For quick reference, here is a list of all the accommodations recommended in this Albania itinerary. Further details can be found under each destination.

• Where to stay in Tirana: Arté Boutique Hotel (luxury); Bujtina Shqiptare (mid-range); Tirana Backpacker Hostel (budget); top 10 Tirana Airbnbs .
• Where to stay in Shkoder: Hotel Tradita (boutique); Sweet Living Apartment (mid-range); The Wanderers Hostel (budget).
• Where to stay in Valbona: Guesthouse Mehmeti (mid-range guesthouse).
• Where to stay in Theth: Guest House Bec Villi (mid-range); Bujtina Polia (farm stay).
• Where to stay in Kruje: Rooms Emiliano inside the castle (mid-range).
• Where to stay in Berat: Hotel Klea (boutique); Villa 97 (mid-range); Berat Backpackers Hostel (budget).
• Where to stay in Gjirokaster: Hotel Muse’e (luxury); Bed and Breakfast Kotoni (mid-range); Stone City Hostel (budget).
• Where to stay in Korca: Life Gallery Hotel (luxury); Bujtina Oxhaku (mid-range); Stacioni Hostel (budget).

The perfect itinerary for Albania: Nature, culture & history

Arrive and start your albania itinerary in shkoder.

• Recommended time in Shkoder: 1 night

When you arrive, I recommend heading straight to Shkoder (Shkodër) in Northern Albania. Shkoder is the jumping-off point for trekking in the Albanian Alps. The city itself is small and friendly, and will offer you a good introduction to Albanian history and cuisine.

Shkoder sits on the edge of Southern Europe’s largest lake, Lake Skadar . We did a boat trip on the lake from the Montenegrin side during our road trip (the huge marshland straddles the border), but it’s also possible to explore the lake starting from Shkoder.

Like most cities in Albania, Shkoder is very walkable. Explore the Old Bazaar area, visit the Ethnography Museum , and wander down the main pedestrian street at dusk. The Ebu Bekr Mosque dominates the city’s skyline and can be visited outside of prayer times.

My top recommendation for Shkoder is to hire a bicycle and ride south. A long path follows the two twisting rivers that branch off from the lake, connecting the city with a set of smaller villages where you can find cute restaurants and waterfront cafes.

Rozafa Castle , Shkoder’s medieval fortress, contains a small antiquities museum. It’s located high on a hill, making it a great place to watch the sunset over the lake.

→ Here are more great things to do in Shkoder .

Where to stay in Shkoder

Boutique: Hotel Tradita – beautiful boutique rooms finished with Albanian textiles, set inside a 17th-century building. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Mid-range: Sweet Living Apartment – a self-contained, one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city, with full kitchen and bikes for hire. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Budget: The Wanderers Hostel – comfortable dorms and private double/family rooms with a colourful courtyard for socialising. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

How to get to Shkoder

From Tirana: If your Albania trip starts in the capital, take a direct bus to Shkoder from Terminali i Transportit Ndërkombëtar dhe Kosovës. Coaches and furgons leave every 30 minutes between 7am and 5pm. Tickets cost 400 LEK, and the journey takes around 2 hours. Double-check times locally.

From Durres: If you’re coming from Italy on the Bari Durres overnight ferry , you can either take a direct bus to Shkoder from Durres station, or change buses in Tirana.

From Montenegro: Buses from Ulcinj on Montenegro’s southern coast bound for Kosovo make a pit stop in Shkoder on their way through. In summer, there are at least two afternoon services on this route.

Take the Kolman Lake ferry to Valbona

• Recommended time in Valbona: 1 night

Leaving Shkoder, press north-east into Albania’s mountainous border region in preparation for the Valbona Theth trek . This is by far the most beautiful part of the country and vies for the most dramatic natural landscape in the whole region.

After travelling to the ferry terminal by road, the first step is to cross Koman Lake (Lake Komani) and the Drin River via a massive prehistoric gorge carved through the mountains. After a few hours on the water, the legendary Koman Ferry terminates in the village of Fierza , where you then jump in a furgon to travel the rest of the way to Valbona (Valbonë).

For full details about getting from Shkoder to Valbona and instructions on how to buy tickets, see this guide .

Valbona itself is small and peaceful, with a scattering of lodgings set in its verdant valleys . When you arrive, eat a home-cooked dinner and get an early night – tomorrow is going to be a big day!

Where to stay in Valbona

Guesthouse: Guesthouse Mehmeti – spotlessly clean family run guesthouse in a serene location. Home-cooked meals are fresh and tasty, and staff speak English and can organise a car transfer to the Theth trailhead. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Hike to the alpine village of Theth

• Recommended time in Theth: 2 nights

Detour: The Valbona Theth hike requires a medium level of fitness. If you’re not keen on the trek, take the Koman ferry as instructed above and spend a couple of nights relaxing in Valbona instead.

The walk from Valbona to Theth was the highlight of my time in Albania . Because of the altitude, you can only do the trek in the warmer months (we still saw traces of snow in June!).

It’s hard to describe the trek without going on and on – but in a nutshell, it involves ascending a steep mountainside, crossing the Valbona Pass , and walking down the opposite side of the mountain into Theth village. There is no other way to get from A to B, so you have to carry all your gear with you and organise lodgings on the other side (for this reason, I recommend leaving your big luggage in Shkoder).

Once you get to Theth, stay for a couple of nights so you can relax and take in the mountain air. There are a number of short walks around town if you need to stretch your legs after the hike, including one trail to a Blue Eye .

Theth is more pleasant than Valbona, which is one of the many reasons I recommend doing the hike in this direction.

Where to stay in Theth

Guesthouse: Guest House Bec Villi – simple family run guesthouse with a beautiful garden terrace. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Farm stay: Bujtina Polia – a tranquil property in the centre of Theth featuring light-filled rooms and an onsite restaurant. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Leave the mountains & return to Shkoder

The ride back to Shkoder from Theth is a bit of a rough one (3-4 hours over bumpy dirt roads), so I recommend spending an afternoon and night in Shkoder to break up the journey before you continue south.

Stay at the same accommodation in Shkoder so you can collect your bags.

A nice way to spend an evening in Shkoder is with a walk through the city park, stopping off at some of the textile and handicraft shops along the main street. Indulge in a full spread of Albanian cuisine at Peja Grill , or treat yourself to a meal in the courtyard at the historic Vila Bekteshi .

Alternative option: If you’re fighting fit after the trek, you can always head straight through to Kruje or Tirana without stopping in Shkoder for the night.

Learn about Albanian history in Kruje

• Recommended time in Kruje: 1 or 2 nights

Kruje (Krujë) is only 30km north of Tirana, so most people end up visiting as a day trip from the capital. Since it’s on the way from Shkoder to Tirana, I suggest stopping off for a night or two – if only to spend the night sleeping inside the castle complex , which is a very special experience.

Kruje was Albania’s first capital and is the spiritual home of the country’s most revered leader, Skanderbeg . The military hero is memorialised in a wonderful museum located adjacent to Kruja Castle, which overlooks the Old City. On a clear day, you can see right to the Adriatic Sea from the top of the old walls.

I enjoyed Kruje for a couple of reasons. It’s quiet – most tourists visit for the day and leave at dusk, which makes wandering the cobbled Old Bazaar after dark all the more atmospheric.

Secondly, there are a couple of guesthouses located inside the castle grounds. It’s a really unique experience to wake up and eat breakfast amongst the ruins .

Where to stay in Kruje

Mid-range: Rooms Emiliano – a wonderful family-style guesthouse inside the castle complex. Wander amongst the ruins at night and eat breakfast with a view in the morning – it’s a very special place to spend a night or two! Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

How to get to Kruje from Shkoder

There are regular buses from Shkoder to Tirana that can drop you off on the highway in Fushë-Krujë, the new part of Kruje.

In the absence of a bus station, coaches leave from the roundabout in the centre of Shkoder ( see the exact location here ) every 45-60 minutes between 6am and 5pm. Tickets cost 300 LEK and the trip takes just over an hour. There is a large white sign on the street marking the departure point and advertising the times.

When you get on the bus, inform the steward that you want to jump off early in Fushe-Kruje (the ticket price will be the same). They will drop you off on the highway. From there, walk east into town towards the bank and George Bush Statue to pick up a minivan, which will take you to Old Kruje on top of the hill (roughly a 20-minute drive; 100 LEK).

Vans stop just shy of the castle grounds. If you’re staying at the very top of the hill, you’ll need to either walk or take a taxi the rest of the way (approx. 300 LEK).

Immerse yourself in Tirana, Albania’s hip capital city

• Recommended time in Tirana: 2-4 nights

After starting your Albania itinerary in the tranquil north, Tirana will be a bit of a shock to the system – in a good way! Some of the most interesting museums and galleries in the Balkans are located in Tirana, including the famous BunkArt 1 and BunkArt 2 , which are set in two of Albania’s disused concrete bunkers.

Cafes, restaurants, street art, quirky architecture and communism-themed bars are just some of the other things to check out in quirky Tirana. This is one of my favourite cities in the Balkans.

→ See my Tirana City Guide for more inspiration .

• Where to stay in Tirana

Luxury: Arté Boutique Hotel – old-world opulence (think parquet floors, emperor-sized beds and velvet drapes) behind a historic facade in the hip Blloku neighbourhood. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Boutique: La Suite Boutique Hotel – modern luxury (white marble bathrooms; generous timber-floored suites) on the river near the Pyramid of Tirana. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Mid-range: Bujtina Shqiptare – homely self-contained apartments with full kitchens and private balconies 700m north from Skanderbeg Square. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Budget: Tirana Backpacker Hostel – mixed dorms and private singles in a friendly hostel with outdoor gardens and communal lounge spaces. Conveniently located 10 minutes’ walk west from Skanderbeg Square. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Airbnb: A-Tirana Apartment – this contemporary, light-filled apartment sleeps 4 and has all the mod-cons of a boutique hotel nestled inside an atmospheric 1968-built Commieblock. Browse more great Tirana Airbnbs here.

How to get to Tirana from Kruje

Make your way back down the hill to Fushe-Kruje by van or taxi. A constant supply of coaches, furgons and city buses ferry passengers between Kruje and Tirana, so you’ll never have to wait more than 15 minutes for a departure.

The trip to Tirana takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. Tickets cost around 150 LEK.

Continue to Berat, the ‘city of a thousand windows’

• Recommended time in Berat: 2 or 3 nights

Berat is the first of the twin UNESCO Listed Old Towns you’ll be visiting on this Albania itinerary. Nicknamed the ‘City of a Thousand Windows’ for its signature architecture, Berat oozes with old-world charm.

Spend your days in Berat ambling along the twisted cobble streets of its two opposing neighbourhoods, Mangalemi and Gorica , the old Muslim and Christian quarters. Together they make up Berat Old Town.

Pop into the Ethnographic Museum, eat yourself silly at the terrific Berati restaurants in town, climb up to Berat Castle at sunset for beautiful views, and set a day aside for a trip to the incredible Osumi Canyon and waterfalls outside the city.

→ See my complete guide to Berat for more inspiration .

Where to stay in Berat

Boutique: Hotel Klea – basic rooms in a charming stone building nestled inside the Berat Fortress complex. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Mid-range: Villa 97 – simple self-check rooms with en suites and air-con. Check prices & availability on Booking.com .

Budget: Berat Backpackers Hostel – a well-regarded budget option in the Gorica neighbourhood. Check prices & availability on Booking.com .

How to get to Berat from Tirana

Buses and furgons bound for Berat depart every 30-60 minutes from Tirana’s Terminali i Transportit Ndërkombëtar dhe Kosovës. The journey takes approximately 2 hours, and tickets cost 400 LEK (bus) or 500 LEK (furgon).

In Berat, buses terminate at the Terminali i Autobusave 3km north of the Old Town ( see the exact location here ). From there, you can either take a city bus (30 LEK per person) or a taxi (500 LEK) to reach the Old Town.

Go south to the charming town of Gjirokaster

• Recommended time in Gjirokaster: 2 nights

A small city in the mountains cut from slate and stone, Gjirokaster (Gjirokastër) is absolutely one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania. Like Berat, it’s Old Town has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and historical value.

As well as a meandering Old Bazaar and unique fortified houses , this charming town boasts a hilltop castle, Gjirokaster Fortress , that houses a fantastic museum. An easy walk from town, you’ll find an Ottoman-era aqueduct nestled in the hills.

Do a walking tour with Stone City Hostel to explore the underground city and war tunnels.

→ See my complete guide to Gjirokaster for more inspiration .

Where to stay in Gjirokaster

Mid-range: Bed and Breakfast Kotoni – quaint guesthouse with city views and a spectacular complimentary breakfast. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Boutique: Hotel Muse’e – 200-year-old property fitted out in proper Gjirokaster style. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Luxury: Kerculla Resort – modern hillside resort with a generous outdoor pool and commanding views. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Budget: Stone City Hostel – popular dorm accommodation with free walking tours of Gjirokaster for guests. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

How to get to Gjirokaster from Berat

Take a city bus back to the Berat Bus Terminal to board a coach or furgon for Gjirokaster. Tickets cost 900 LEK per person, and the trip takes around 3 hours. Most buses then continue to Saranda.

In Gjirokaster, buses terminate at the bottom of the hill. To get to the Old Town, either walk or pick up a taxi – just be careful to negotiate the price first (we unfortunately got scammed by a driver in Gjirokaster and ended up paying triple what we should have).

Finish your Albania itinerary in Korca

• Recommended time in Korca: 2 nights

Korca (Korçë) is unlike any other city in Albania in terms of both its look and feel. Located in the south-east corner of the country close to the border with Greece and North Macedonia, Korca’s history is intertwined with Greek and Aromanian heritage, giving the city a distinctly European feel .

Pretty architecture, a huge cathedral , several amazing museums and the oldest school in Albania are among Korca’s claims to fame.

While you’re there, sip on a Birra Korca at the brewery , cafe hop in the restored Old Bazaar, and visit the outstanding National Museum of Medieval Art .

→ See my complete guide to Korca for more inspiration .

Where to stay in Korca

Boutique: Hani I Pazarit – a historic inn inside with Old Bazaar, featuring a sweet internal courtyard and an acclaimed restaurant. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Luxury: Life Gallery Hotel – a modern and minimal boutique choice with floor-to-ceiling windows and free-standing baths. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Mid-range: Bujtina Oxhaku – a lodge-like guesthouse with city views and homely rooms. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

Budget: Stacioni Hostel – a popular hostel (dorms and privates) that offers free bike hire. Check prices and availability on Booking.com .

How to get to Korca from Gjirokaster

Furgons coming from Saranda make a pit-stop in Korca before continuing on to Gjirokaster. At the time of our trip, there was only one van a day leaving in the early morning. I recommend going down to the bus station the day before to inquire in person. Note that these vans leave from the station office opposite the roadside where you got dropped off.

Tickets cost us 1,300 LEK per person, but the price does fluctuate with the cost of fuel. The trip takes around 5 hours.

Onward travel: Departing from Korca

From Korca, you can either take a bus back to Tirana via Pogradec (3.5 hours) or continue your travels overland into Greece or North Macedonia. We took a bus from Korca to Thessaloniki .

Another option is to go halfway to Pogradec then catch a bus to Ohrid on the North Macedonian side of the lake.

Extra time? More great places to visit in Albania

Albanian beaches.

If some beach time is in order, the pristine beaches in Southern Albania beckon with their white sands, beach bars and sweet thatched umbrellas.

There are dozens to choose from – some have been developed into resorts, while others remain hidden gems. Sarande, Himare, Gjipe Beach, Drymades Beach and Dhermi Beach are all good places to start.

Find more Albania beach recommendations here.

Occupied by both the ancient Greeks and Romans, Butrint is home to a spectacular arena and a range of other ruins . It’s a must-visit for history buffs. Butrint is located at the very southern tip of Albania’s coastline, so the easiest way to visit is on a day trip from Saranda.

Read more about visiting Butrint here.

Pogradec & Lake Ohrid

Lake Ohrid, which Albania shares with neighbouring North Macedonia, is one of the prettiest landscapes in the Balkans. Pogradec is the biggest town on the Albanian side and serves as a nice base for exploring the lake and surrounding wineries .

If you’re game, you can even hire a bicycle and circumnavigate the Ohrid in a day, crossing two international borders along on the way.

Albania’s National Parks

If you’re looking for more hiking trails and outdoor activities, Albania has 15 national parks, all with stunning scenery and beautiful mountains. See this list for inspiration.

Albania travel costs: How much to budget for your trip

Albania is one of the most affordable countries in the region and an incredible budget-friendly destination all round. Our main costs (aside from accommodation and food) was museum entrance fees. You can easily save cash by sticking to free activities: Albania has no shortage of beautiful scenery, beautiful churches and mosques, all of which are completely free.

Eat local for affordable prices on food, stick to buses and furgons rather than embarking on an Albania road trip, and you’ll have no trouble keeping your costs down.

Here is a breakdown of our expenses for 23 days in Albania:

• Sim card & data package: 1,600 LEK
• Restaurant meals: 31,640 LEK
• Groceries: 9,714 LEK
• Coffee, drinks & snacks: 8,650 LEK
• Ground transportation: 13,000 LEK
• Activities & entrance fees: 11,580 LEK
• Souvenirs: 300 LEK
• Total: 76,484 LEK (627.58 Euros) = 13.60 Euros/person/day

What to pack for Albania

• A good quality backpack. The easiest way to get around Albania is with an anti-theft day pack and a large pack for your main luggage. Here are a few of my favourite minimalist backpack designs for inspiration.
• A scarf (women). A lightweight cotton scarf is my number one travel item. In Albania, it will come in extra handy for covering your hair when entering a mosque or Orthodox Cathedral. This neutral travel scarf goes with anything, and it even has a hidden pocket.
• Walking shoes. From cobbled streets to rocky peaks, comfy walking shoes are absolutely essential for Albania. I love these comfy sandals , and my partner lives in these waterproof shoes .
• A reusable water bottle. Avoid single-use plastics whenever you can. I love my S’Well water bottle for warm climates because it doesn’t sweat.
• Wine Wings. Should you decide to buy a drinkable souvenir in Albania, these handy custom-made bottle protectors will keep your vino safe and sound in your luggage. A travel corkscrew and a wine stopper are bound to come in handy, too.
• Entertainment for long bus/furgon journeys. If you don’t suffer motion sickness, an e-reader is great for passing the time on long road journeys. If you have a travel buddy , pick up a headphone splitter – probably my favourite travel gadget of all time – so you can share a screen or a podcast. Check out my full list of essential items to make a long train or bus journey more comfortable .
• Biodegradable wet wipes. Try this convenient travel pack .

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hi Emily interesting blog, great information. minus the hikes, do you think I could do this in November??

Hi Cindy, we just came back from spending October in Albania. It was still surprisingly warm! I think early November would be fine. The coast is obviously very quiet now, but Tirana and the interior are beautiful with fall colours.

awesome thanks, we not going for a beach holiday so will be fine. will be visiting Albania and North Macedonia for 5-6 weeks, November and 1st week of December. will have warm clothes as we travel to Poland for the rest of December.

Hi Emily, Great guide full of inspiration as always:)

We will be in Albania in early April for two weeks. April is too early for Theth or the beach, so now we are considering Albania and Kosovo. With two weeks, would you stick to Albania only or add Kosovo too?

Tirana looks like a place we want to stay for a week perhaps, or is that too long?

Hey De Wet! Awesome to hear you’re planning a trip. I would have happily stayed in Tirana for a week, there are a couple of day trips and the city itself is lovely. We are going back in October and plan to do that. If you can add in Kosovo, it would be a great addition. Even just Pristina and Prizren (though Gjakova was my favourite place). But maybe you can still get up to Theth via the new road? It’s a lovely spot to relax and do short hikes, even if you can’t do the big walk.

I’ll look into the new road to Theth as well as Prizren and Pristina, thanks.

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Prices in Albania

What are the prices in Albania for goods and services for tourists in 2024? This is one of the first and most important questions for any traveler. It forms the basis for planning a travel budget. In this article, I will tell you about the prices for everything that can be useful to an average tourist.

Table of Contents

Prices in Albania: general information

First, I recommend reading an article about the currency of Albania . There you will learn not only that the country’s currency is the Albanian lek but also what can be paid for in euros, where it is better to exchange currency, and where cards are accepted for payment in Albania.

I want to dispel one stereotype: The film industry and Albania’s ranking as one of the poorest countries in Europe have created the stereotype that Albania is a very cheap country where you can vacation like a king for 5 euros. In reality, it cannot be said that a vacation in Albania is cheap. Yes, it is affordable, but it’s not all for a few pennies.

If we evaluate the overall price level, here are the conclusions I can draw:

• Food prices are about the same as in stores in Germany or Spain, perhaps slightly cheaper.
• Eating in restaurants is slightly cheaper, but not significantly.
• Car rental prices are quite budget-friendly, but gasoline prices are sky-high, like in other European countries.
• Accommodation, especially on the waterfront, especially during the high season, is also not €5 per day, but much more expensive.
• Fresh fish, despite being a coastal country, costs the same as in Italy or Spain.

Well, you understand that it’s not an expensive Barcelona or astronomically priced Switzerland, but it’s also not Southeast Asia where €5 is a lot of money. Many prices are comparable to ours, some things are more expensive, some things are cheaper.

Prices in Albania for:

And now let’s move on to the prices themselves. It is also important to understand that the prices I will be mentioning are for tourists who come here on vacation. If you come here to live for a couple of months, many expenses will be much cheaper. But this article is specifically for travelers.

For your convenience, I will provide all prices not only in Albanian lek but also in euros. You can always check the current exchange rate in the header of this guide.

Cost of groceries

Read all about Albanian stores in this article.

Prices for fruits and vegetables

The price heavily depends on the season. The prices in this article are for August-October when the harvest is gathered. In spring, most vegetables will be more expensive.

Alcohol beverages and Cigarette Prices

Useful to know: Albania is a heavily smoking country. Many people smoke here, and there are almost no restrictions on smoking in public places.

Read all about spirits and wines in Albania here.

Prices in Albania in Cafes, Restaurants, and Taverns

The table below represents the average prices you will find in most eateries in the country. As you understand, you can find both cheaper and much more expensive options.

Useful to know: The average bill for one person in a restaurant in any city in Albania: main course, salad + glass of wine or beer + tip amounts to around 1000-1200 lek or 10-12 euros. Our usual dinner for two: one salad, two main courses, bread and tzatziki for bread, two beers – 2000 lek. Approximately 20 euro

• Read all about dining in Albania here. There is a lot of useful information about tips, portion sizes, waiting time for orders, and more.

Prices for Accommodation (Hotels, Apartments)

The prices in the table below are specifically for tourists who rent accommodation for a short period. For expats and other travelers looking for accommodation for a month or longer, the prices are quite different.

Interesting to know: Those who still believe that Albania is a very cheap country will be surprised. Yes, it is affordable, but not everything is free here.

Prices for Rental Cars, Gasoline, and Parking

A very detailed article about car rental in Albania can be found at the link. In short, Albania is an ideal country for car rental: it is safe, there are no idiots like ours, and the traffic intensity is low (except in Tirana). Public transportation will not take you far in Albania; the bus network is almost non-existent.

In general, car rental is affordable, and all energy sources in Albania are very expensive. However, the distances traveled are not long here. So, if you don’t rent a huge SUV with high fuel consumption, you won’t spend much on gasoline. The roads are good everywhere, and parking is free in 90% of cases. But in any case, it is preferable to find accommodation with parking space.

Useful to know: Renting an economy-class car for 14 days in Albania will cost around 300 euros + about 80 euros for gasoline. This is a reasonable price to fully explore the entire country. It is two to three times cheaper than renting a car in Croatia, for example.

Taxi and Public Transportation Prices

Below is not a comprehensive list of public transportation prices, but it should give you an idea.

• Read detailed articles about taxis, transfers , and public transportation in Albania through the provided links.

Excursion and Tour Prices in Albania

There is a wide selection of excursions in Albania, and everyone can find an interesting tour. Most excursions are conducted in English, and Italian is also often available.

For a full list of excursions in Albania, including prices and where to find them, read the overview article: All about excursions . You will also find information about extreme activities in the country.

Prices for Entrance Tickets to Attractions

Below is an incomplete list; you can find the full list in the article about all attractions in Albania .

Table provides a better understanding of the price range for cultural activities during your trip to Albania.

In reality, the majority of attractions in the country are free. For example, all waterfalls, canyons, and hot springs. The paid attractions are usually man-made.

Prices for Souvenirs from Albania

For a full list of gifts that tourists bring from Albania , refer to the article through the provided link.

Airfare Prices to Albania

• In short, it is possible to purchase round-trip tickets from major European airports to Tirana for approximately 100-300 euros per person.

Important to know: For information on how and where to purchase tickets to Tirana with short layovers and convenient arrival times , refer to the article through the provided link.

In conclusion, you now have a good understanding of the main aspects of prices in Albania for various goods and services for tourists. You can now estimate your travel budget. While it may not be as cheap as the stereotype suggests, your vacation will still be relatively inexpensive. If you exclude accommodation and excursions, many prices are comparable to or even cheaper than what we have at home.

Wishing you reasonable purchases at reasonable prices!

Resources to help you plan your dream trip to Albania

• Flights at the best prices with best discounts
• DiscoverCars – a major international resource
• LocalRent – the leader in the Albanian car rental market. Very low deposits, even in cash.
• Hotellook – compares prices among dozens of platforms and offer you the best one.
• Booking – large online booking platform.
• Agoda – even more accommodation options in Albania.
• GetYourGuide – more than 550 tours
• Viator – 920+ excursions and activities throughout the country
• Comprehensive travel insurance : EKTA
• Airalo eSIM in Albania from $4.5
• DRIMSIM – universal SIM card (or eSIM) in any country in the world.
• Taxi and airport transfer : Intui.Travel

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Is Albania expensive to visit?

Upon return of my visit to Albania, many of my friends and relatives have asked if it is expensive to visit Albania. For many people, Albania is still “unknown” as a travel destination. However, I absolutely love visiting Albania, so I decided to write a blog post about the cost of travelling to Albania.

Is Albania expensive to visit? Albania is not expensive to visit. Compared to other European countries, Albania is a cheap holiday destination. The average daily travel costs are €42 per person per day. A double room in a hotel costs only €25-€40. A cheap meal is €2-4 or a local restaurant costs €4-€10. A museum ticket is €1-€4.

Albania is a hidden gem in Europe. It has beautiful beaches and impressive mountains, and it is very affordable. So, you can travel to Albania on a budget, without feeling you missed out on anything.

Let’s calculate how much money you need for your trip to Albania. So that you can relax and enjoy your holiday in Albania, without having to worry about the money.

Download the Albania Bus Timetable App

• Search bus timetables for Albania.
• Find direct and indirect bus routes.
• Find bus terminals on Google Maps.
• Ticket prices, departure times and bus operators.

How much does it cost to travel to Albania?

On average, it costs €42.00 per person per day to travel in Albania. This number was calculated by “Budget Your Trip”, which is a travel website where people can enter their actual travel costs.

Average Travel costs per day = €42.00 per person

Even though, the €42.00 per day is an average. It gives you a good idea, that travel in Albania is very affordable. In many European countries, you spend €42.00 per day on accommodation alone. Due to the low costs, one week of travel in Albania costs €293.00 per person on average.

Average accommodation cost per day = €16.00 per person Average accommodation cost per day = €32.00 for a double occupancy room

Accommodation in Albania is cheap. The average cost of accommodation is €16.00 per person per day. For a double occupancy room, the price is €32.00 on average. These amounts are the average of what former travelers spend in Albania, calculated by Budget Your Trip.

Dorm bed per day = €10 – €15 Budget hotel room = €25 – €40 Midrange hotel room = €40 – €60 Luxury hotel room = €80 or more

The Lonely Planet travel guide also calculated the average for accommodation in Albania. According to Lonely Planet, a dorm bed costs only €10 – €15 per person per day.

However, it is often not worth staying in a dorm bed, because budget hotels are very affordable in Albania. A double room in a budget hotel is between €25 – €40 per day. Mid-range hotel rooms are between €40 – €60 per day. And top end hotel rooms are €80 or more.

Bear in mind that the vast majority of hotels in Albania are in the budget or mid-range. Only in the larger cities, there are some high end hotels.

Meals for one day = €13.00 per person

On average, former travelers spend €13.00 on meals for one day per person. This might seem very low, but food and drinks is very affordable in Albania. Bakeries, for instance, will sell you a whole bag full of bread and pastries for only €1 – €2. Be sure to try the Byrek pastry, which is the national dish.

Cheap meal = €2 – €4 Lunch or dinner in a local restaurant = €4 – €10 Dinner in a leading Tirana restaurant = €15 – €30

The Lonely Planet calculated the average prices for a meal in Albania. A cheap meal in a cafe will only cost you €2 – €4. And lunch or dinner in a local restaurant is only €4 – €10 per person.

Food in a local restaurant in Albania is very enjoyable. The food is similar to Greek food, Turkish food and Italian food. There are many places that make Greek salads, BBQ meats and Gyros. Moreover, everywhere in Albania you can see Italian style restaurants, shops and supermarkets. And desserts are often baklava and Turkish coffee.

Intercity furgon / minibus = €2 – €7 Short taxi ride = €5 – €10

Transportation is very affordable in Albania. The cheapest way to travel around the country is with the Furgon. Furgon is the Albanian word for a minibus. According to the Lonely Planet, it will cost you between €2 – €7 for a minibus trip, depending on your destination.

Because there are no effective train connections, the minibus is the most popular way to travel between cities in Albania.

Travelling by furgon is an authentic Albanian experience. The minibuses are very informal. The bus drivers will stop along the way to greet friends, to take a coffee break and to let people off the bus close to their house. You have to be patient and relaxed, but it is a very affordable way to travel.

The Lonely Planet calculated a short taxi ride between €5 – €10. If you are staying in Saranda for instance, you can take a taxi ride to a nearby beach, like Ksamil beach. A 10-minute taxi ride to Ksamil will cost you €10.

Car rental per day = €20 – €50

The most expensive way to travel through Albania is with a rental car. A rental car will cost you between €20 – €50 per day. It is very convenient to rent a car in Albania. Because you can easily make a round trip through the country, without having to search for the local buses.

If you plan on renting a car, you do need to decide beforehand. Because car will significantly increase your daily travel budget.

Moreover, if you plan on driving to remote areas and on mountain roads, you will need a four wheel drive car. The roads along the Albanian Riviera, Vlore, Saranda, Tirana, Berat, Shkodra and Durres are in a good condition. But some of the remote areas, like Valbona and Theth, in the mountains do require a four wheel drive car. Renting a four wheel drive car is more expensive and usually starts from €30 – €35 per day.

Admission to a museum = €1 – €4

According to the Lonely Planet, a ticket for a museum will cost between €1 – €4 per person. Actually, my experience is that entrance tickets are very cheap in Albania, especially compared to other European countries.

Bunk Art museum = €4 National history museum in Tirana = €1,60 Butrint UNESCO = €5,50

Butrint is the most attractive UNESCO heritage site in Albania. An entrance ticket will only cost you 700 Leke, which is €5,50. Which is very cheap, because in other European countries an entrance ticket to a UNESCO sight will easily cost you €25.00.

Is Albania expensive, compared to other countries in the Balkans?

Albania is cheaper than the other countries in the Balkans. Budget Your Trip calculated the average travel cost per person per day, based on the money former travelers spend. And visiting Albania is less expensive, than visiting Montenegro, Croatia, Greece or Macedonia.

Average Travel costs (per person per day) Albania = €42.00 Montenegro = €59.00 Croatia = €69.00 Macedonia = €73.00 Greece = €110.00

In Albania, you will spend less money on a holiday. In Albania, on average travelers spend €42.00 per person per day. Whereas, in Montenegro former travelers spend €59.00 per person per day. And Greece for instance is much more expensive with an average travel cost of €110.00 per person per day.

The reason why Albania is less expensive, is because it is off-the-beaten-path. Whereas Greece has an established reputation for beach and island holidays, Albania is still relatively unknown.

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It is unbelievable, to think that Croatia, Montenegro and Greece are along the same coastline, but Albania is still unfamiliar for most people. Albania has a stunning coastline along the Ionian Sea, and close to the Greek border. You can basically have the same Greek coastline, but spend less money for accommodation and food in Albania.

The main reason why Albania is so undiscovered, is its recent history. Until 1992, Albania was completely isolated from the rest of the world. Albania was ruled by a communist dictator, who build a wall around the country. That communism ended in 1992 and Albania has been democratic since.

Throughout the last 25 years, Albania has worked hard on becoming democratic and more western. They are also applying for membership of the European Union. And tourism has been growing steadily.

The fact that Albania is off-the-beaten-path is one of its perks. Because Albania has beautiful virgin beaches, that nobody knows about.

How much money to take to Albania?

You could take around €50.00 per day to Albania for your holiday. This €50.00 per day will cover accommodation, meals and transportation. These amounts are based on averages from Lonely Planet and the Budget Your Trip website.

Daily travel budget of €50.00 per day: 1. Accommodation is a budget hotel room = €25 – €40 per night 2. Meals in local restaurant, cafe, bakery = €13 per person for one day 3. Transportation by furgon minibus and short taxi rides = €2 – €10 per day

If you are travelling on a budget, you do not have to worry about accommodation. Because finding affordable accommodation is easy. Within the €25 – €40 per night price range, will give you plenty of hotels to choose from.

Similarly, it is easy to save money on food and drinks in Albania. You will be astonished to see how cheap the local bakeries, little supermarkets and local restaurants are.

However, if you plan on renting a car in Albania, you must add some money to the travel budget. Car rentals are expensive and usually cost between €20 – €50 per day. There are car rental offices of Avis, Europcar, Eurocar and Hertz at Tirana International Airport. You can inquire about their pricing online, before you travel to Albania.

****Insider Tip*** Bring some cash money with you for your trip to Albania. Because currency exchange is cheaper than withdrawing cash from the ATM machine. More details below.

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Can you use credit cards in albania.

You can use credit cards in Albania at luxury hotels, fancy restaurants and at big supermarkets. However, most Albanian people pay for their expenses in cash. In many local restaurants, little supermarkets and at local markets, you can only pay by cash.

Lonely Planet: “Acceptance of credit cards is normally confined to upper-end hotels, restaurants and shops, although every year their usage becomes more widespread.”

Therefore, it is best to carry some cash for your holiday in Albania. Because during your holiday, you don’t want to miss out on some of the local experiences. Let me give you some examples of places, where you can only pay in cash.

Places in Albania, where you can only pay in cash:

1. Byrektore Byrek is the national pastry in Albania. For sure, you will want to try this local pastry during your holiday, and this can only be paid in cash.

2. Buying bottled water During you holiday, it is safest to only drink bottled mineral water. So, guaranteed you will want to buy a bottle of water at a local shop, while you are walking around.

3. Castle entrance ticket Some of the smaller castles, like the Castle of Porto Palermo, only accept cash payment for the entrance ticket.

4. Touristic attractions Some of the touristic attractions, like Kepi Rodonit or the clock tower, only accept cash of entrance fee. Definitely, you don’t want to travel to the attraction, and then not have cash to pay the entrance fee.

5. Local restaurants The Albanian cuisine is lovely. There are grilled meats, Greek salads, Italian pasta, white cheese and fresh breads. Surely, you will want to try some fresh food on one of the terraces. But local restaurants almost exclusively accept cash.

6. Coffee houses Albanian people really enjoy going for a coffee, often several times a day. And you will see multiple coffee houses on every street. Some of them serve the traditional Turkish style coffee. Local coffee houses only accept cash most of the time.

Are there ATMs in Albania?

There are ATMs in Albania in the cities, but not in the more remote areas and mountain villages.

For instance, if you are going on a hiking tour in the North of Albania. You must withdraw money from the ATM machine in the city Shkodra. Because once you travel to the mountain villages, like Theth or Valbona, you can only pay in cash.

In the Albanian Riviera, you can expect ATM machines in the bigger cities, like Vlore and Saranda. However, if you are travelling to a virgin beach, like Monastery beach or Mirror beach. Then you will only be able to pay cash as the local restaurant on the beach. Even if you bring your food along for the trip, still bring some cash to buy bottled water.

There are ATM machines at Tirana International airport as well. You can withdraw cash in the arrivals hall. But it is smart to bring some cash euros with you, because you can pay the airport bus and airport taxi in euros.

Cash withdrawal from ATMs in Albania is expensive

Withdrawing cash from an ATM machine in Albania, is quite expensive for foreigners. The ATM machine might charge you €4 – €5, if you withdraw €100.

The reason is that Albanian is not a part of the European Union. Within the European Union, banks are forced to disclose their withdrawal fees and exchange rates. Because there are transparency rules and laws in the European Union.

However, Albania is not a part of the European Union, so banks do not have to disclose their fees. If you withdraw money with a foreign card, there is also a currency exchange involved. Some of the banks might charge you €4 – €5, if you withdraw €100.

These charges for the ATM transaction are often “hidden fees”. Because the machine won’t disclose its fees before you do the withdrawal. Therefore, you won’t know about the fees until checking your bank account afterwards. Not all ATM machines charge high fees, but you won’t know until you try.

***Insider Tip*** If you want to save money, bring some cash euros, pounds or US dollars on your trip to Albania. Because currency exchange is much cheaper, than withdrawing cash from an ATM machine.

Currency exchange costs less than 1% at currency exchange offices in Albania. Whereas, withdrawing from an ATM can cost you €4 – €5, if you withdraw €100.

What is the currency in Albania?

The currency in Albania is the Lek. Albanian Lek is only used in Albania. But many of the touristic cities and hotels, you can pay in euros as well. However, you will get a better deal, if you pay for items with the Albanian lek.

1 euro = 124 Leke 1 pound = 140 leke 1 us dollar = 110 leke

You will feel rich in Albania, because 1 euro is worth 124 leke. So you will find yourself paying 200 leke for 1 cup of coffee.

There are Albanian bank notes of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 leke. Although, there are some small coins, the value of these is very little.

Because Albanian Lek can only be used within Albania, it is best to exchange small amounts at the time. Before you go home, you will want to spend all your remaining currency. If you bring the Albanian lek home with you, you won’t be able to exchange it anywhere.

Where can you buy Albanian lek?

You can only buy Albanian Lek in Albania. It is not possible to buy or sell the Albanian currency abroad.

Albanian people pay for everything in cash. Many local restaurants and local shops only accept cash money. Therefore, it is best to carry some Albanian lek in cash with you, for your travel in Albania.

The cheapest way to get Albanian lek, is through currency exchange. Currency exchange is very cheap in Albania. At the currency exchange agencies in Albania, you can exchange for a margin less than 1%.

Withdrawing money from an ATM machine can cost you €4 – €5, if you withdraw €100. Therefore, exchanging cash money is cheaper, as they only charge you a 1% margin.

Currency exchange is very popular in Albania. Because many Albanians have family members, who work abroad. Albanian people regularly receive foreign currency transfers. It is very common for Albanians to carry cash euros, pounds or us dollars. Which they exchange at the currency exchange agency.

In Albania, there are currency exchange agencies on every high street in the cities. Don’t make the mistake to exchange your foreign cash at the bank, because they will charge you 7% for a margin. Whereas currency exchange agencies will charge you less than 1% as a margin.

It is best to exchange small amounts of money into Albanian Lek. And then make sure you use all your Albanian lek, before you go home. Because you cannot exchange Albanian lek, in your home country.

Can you use euros in Albania?

The Albanian currency is the Lek, but euros are widely accepted. You can use euros in Albania to pay for:

1. The airport taxi 2. Car rentals 3. Most hotels 4. Travel agencies 5. Tours

The best currency to bring to Albania is cash euros. Once you arrive at the airport, you can pay for your car rental or taxi with euros. Then, at your hotel you can settle the bill in euros as well. Most hotels quote their price in euros. For hotels, you can choose to pay for the hotel in either euros or with Albanian lek.

After getting to your hotel, search for a currency exchange agency close to the hotel. It is better to avoid exchanging money at the airport, because it is more expensive. Instead exchange currency, once you have gotten to your hotel.

Lonely Planet: “The lek is the official currency of Albania, though the euro is widely accepted; you’ll get a better deal for things in general if you use lek.”

Although, you might be able to pay some of your travel expenses in euros, it is still smart to exchange some Albanian lek. Because you will be charged less, if you pay in Albanian Lek. In Euros, the prices tend to be rounded up.

If you do not have cash euros, then the other good currencies to bring are pounds or us dollars. Because these currencies are easy to exchange everywhere in Albania.

Is bargaining for lower prices normal in Albania?

In Albania, bargaining for a lower price only happens on the street markets, in souvenir shops and for taxi rides. In any other shops, you should not bargain for a lower price.

Lonely Planet: “It’s perfectly acceptable to haggle at markets and at shops selling souvenirs. Elsewhere it’s not common. For long-distance taxi rides, haggling is definitely a good idea.”

Albania has many lovely bazaar markets. The most popular markets to visit for tourists are: -Bazaar market in Kruja -Bazaar market in Gjirokastra -Pazari i Ri market in Tirana

At these traditional bazaar markets, you can buy local handicrafts and souvenirs. For instance, you can buy traditional Albanian clothes, local honey, homemade wines, wooden handicraft products or traditional rugs.

If you visit one of these street markets, you should absolutely bargain for a lower price. Because you are actually expected to bring the price down a little bit.

For a taxi ride, it is best to agree on the price before your depart. Like anywhere in the world, a taxi driver may try to overcharge you for the trip. If you are taking a taxi from the airport, you can check the official price list on the website of TIA taxi before you travel.

For other popular taxi rides, you can find the correct pricing online. On forums, like TripAdvisor, people give you a clear price indication. So that you know what a reasonable price is for the distance you travel.

In mini-markets or clothes shops, you are not expected to bargain. The prices for many of the little markets are incredibly low, compared to European prices. You will be astonished how many groceries you can buy for only 1-2 euros.

Do you tip in Albania?

You tip in restaurants, bars and cafes in Albania. A normal tip is usually about 10% of the price. In coffee houses, you can simply leave 100 Albanian Lek for the waiter.

The salaries in Albania are low compared to European standards. Many employees make around 300 euros a month in Albania. So it is best to leave a small tip for the waiters and servers you meet on your trip. A small tip makes a large difference for them, because the wages are low in Albania.

How much money can you take into Albania?

You can take the value of 1.000.000 Albanian Lek into Albania. If you take more than the value of 1.000.000 Albanian lek into Albania, you should declare it at customs.

Here is an indication of the amount of money you can take to Albania:

1.000.000 LEK = 8200 Euros 1.000.000 LEK = 7300 British pounds 1.000.000 LEK = 9050 US dollars

You are allowed to take the equivalent of 1.000.000 Albanian Lek into Albania. This amount is the total value of cash in any currency you carry into the country. It includes any precious metals, gems, valuable items and antiquaries.

If you exceed the value of 1.000.000 Albanian Lek, you should declare this at customs. You will be asked for the reason of carrying more than 1.000.000 Albanian Lek into Albania. And you should prepare the correct forms and documents for the border control. More information on the Albanian Government website.

What is the best time to visit Albania, if you are travelling on a budget?

The best time to visit Albania between April and October, because the weather is sunny and warm. Albania is very affordable year-round. However, if you are travelling on a budget, try to visit just before the high-season or just after the high season.

The high-season in Albania is in July and August. Therefore, the prices for hotels are a bit higher in these months.

The months April, May, June and September are just outside the high-season, but the weather is still lovely. These months are the best period to visit Albania, because you can travel on a budget, enjoy the sunshine and avoid the any crowds.

High season: July and August Average temperature: 29 ° C Saranda and the Albanian Riviera: 33 ° C

The high-season in Albania is in July and August. This is the period, where the temperatures are the highest. The average temperature is 29 degrees in July and August. But in the Albanian Riviera in the south of Albania, the temperature is even higher at 33 degrees.

In these months, it is best to rent a car and visit one of the hidden beaches. So that you can avoid any other tourists and enjoy true privacy. Try visiting Gjipe beach, Mirror beach or Aquarium Bay for instance.

Pre-summer season: April, May, June Average temperature: 17 ° C in April, 23 ° C in May, 27 ° C in June Saranda and the Albanian Riviera: 22 ° C in April, 24 ° C in May and 29 ° C in June

The months April, May and June are just before the high season. In this period, the weather is getting warmer. But it is still quiet and there are not many tourists yet. The average temperature is 17 degrees in April, 23 degrees in May and 27 degrees in June. Travel to Saranda in the South of Albania, for the warmest weather. In June, it is 29 degrees in Saranda, for instance.

April, May and June are the best period to visit the famous place, like Butrint and Ksamil beach. Because the real tourism season has not started yet. And a paradise beach is best explored in privacy!

Post-summer season: September and October Average temperature: 26 ° C in September and 21° C in October Saranda and the Albanian Riviera: 27 ° C in September and 22 ° C in October

If you visit in September or October, you are able to avoid any crowds and travel on a budget. Especially, in September the temperatures are still really lovely. The average temperature is around 26 degrees. And the seawater in Saranda is still warm, at a pleasant 26 degrees.

How much does Airbnb cost in Albania?

An Airbnb costs on average 27 pounds (or 32 euros) per night in Albania. The company Vouchercloud researched the average Airbnb price per night for European countries.

The cheapest countries to book an Airbnb night are Macedonia (£26 per night), Albania (£27 per night), Moldova and Kosovo (£28 per night).

Spending 27 pounds (or 32 euros) per night on an Airbnb in Albania is very realistic. Because different sources reveal the same information. The website Budget your trip calculated an average accommodation cost of €32.00 for a double occupancy room. And the Lonely Planet states that a budget hotel room costs between €25 – €40 in Albania.

Tirana in Albania is one of the fastest growing travel destinations according to Airbnb

In 2019, Airbnb revealed that many UK travelers are searching for cheaper city breaks. The popular booking website of Airbnb revealed a top 10 of the cities in Europe where booking numbers are growing the fastest. According to Airbnb, Tirana in Albania is number two on that list. The number of travel reservations in Tirana have been growing extremely fast between 2018 – 2019. Because UK travelers have discovered that Tirana is a very affordable city break destination.

Tips to travel on a budget in Albania

Travelling in Albania is very affordable, but like in any country, there are some ways you can save money while travelling.

Tip 1: Bring some foreign cash and exchange it in Albania Currency exchange is very cheap in Albania. If you want to exchange foreign currencies, like euros, pounds or us dollars in Albania, it is very affordable. The margin for currency exchange is less than 1%.

To get the best currency exchange rates, you must go to a currency exchange agency. The rates are displayed an include a 1% margin. There are no currency exchange commissions or fees in Albania, so do not accept paying those.

Avoid banks when exchanging currency. Because it is much more expensive to exchange at a bank. Banks can charge you around 7-8% for a margin, instead of the normal 1%.

Tip 2: Remember the hidden costs of paying by card in Albania Paying by card in Albania is expensive. If you pay by card or withdraw money from an ATM machine in Albania, you may be charged hidden fees.

Because Albania is not a part of the European Union, there are no transparency rules and regulations. Within the EU banks are forced to disclose their fees and exchange rates on the ATM machine.

However, in Albania banks make their own fees and exchange rates. And the ATM machine or card machine, does not always disclose the rates before the transaction. Therefore, you may be charged 4 – 5 euros for a 100 euro withdrawal at the ATM machine.

Therefore, it is recommendable to bring some cash money with you to Albania and exchange it. Moreover, if you withdraw cash from the ATM, check your internet banking afterwards. If it is expensive, use a different ATM next time.

Tip 3: Plan your transportation, because transportation can be expensive in Albania Travelling by rental car, by private transfer or by taxi can be expensive in Albania. And there are no trains in Albania. Only travel by furgon minibus is affordable.

Let’s say you are travelling from Tirana airport to the city center of Tirana. You can choose from the following options:

Bus from airport to Tirana = 250 LEK (€2) Taxi from airport to Tirana = costs 2500 LEK (€20) Rental car at airport = €20-€50 a day

As you can see travelling by bus is very affordable. However, travelling by rental car or taxi is rather expensive. Since there is no train connection available, these are your only options.

If you want to travel cheaply in Albania, then the Furgon minibus is the best option. The furgon buses are privately owned. Basically, the driver of the bus owns the bus. Furgons stop at the local bus stations.

You do have to be patient, if you choose to travel by furgon. The buses have a schedule, but they often wait to depart until the bus is full. Moreover, they make many stops along the way at mini-markets and coffee houses. The bus driver may play local music in the background or call his friends while driving.

How to book a cheap flight to Albania?

In many cases, the flight to Albania might be your biggest travel expense.

Albania has only one international airport, which is Tirana International Airport. This airport is still relatively small and the number of airlines that fly to Tirana airport is limited.

You can book a direct flight to Albania with these airlines:

If you cannot find an affordable direct flight from your country to Albania, you can choose to fly to Corfu island instead.

Corfu island is a small Greek island, in front of the Albanian coastline. From Corfu, you can take a ferry boat to the Albanian coast. The ferry boat trip takes between 30 – 70 minutes, depending on the boat you book. And the ferry boat trip is quite affordable between €18.00 – €23.80 for one adult for a one way ticket.

The advantage is that there are many European airlines, that offer a budget flight to Corfu island. So it is likely, that it is cheaper for you to fly to Corfu airport, than flying to Tirana airport.

The airlines that offer flight Corfu are: Aegean Airlines, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Armenia, ASL Airlines France, Astra Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Aviolet, Blue Air, Blue Panorama Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Condor, Easy Jet, Edelweiss Air, Ellianir, Enter Air, Eurowings, Finnair, First Choice, Jet Time, Jet2.com, Lufthansa, Mistral Air, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Olympic Air, Ryanair, Sky Express, Small Planet airlines, Smart Wings, Sun D’or, Swiss International Air Lines, Transavia, Travel Services Hungary, Travel Services Slovakia, Tui, Tui fly Belgium, Tui fly Deutschland, Tui fly Nordic, Tui Ireland, Volotea, Vueling and Wizz Air.

Related Questions

What is the best currency to use in Albania? The best currency to use in Albania is the Albanian Lek. Because you will get a better price for items, if you pay in Albanian lek. However, Euros are widely accepted in travel agencies, hotels and taxis.

Is Albania dangerous for tourists? Albania is not dangerous for tourists. According to the UK government, the public security in Albania is generally good. If there is crime in Albania, it is not targeted at foreign travelers. It is still smart to book a comprehensive travel insurance, including medical coverage.

I am an Albania Tour Guide , who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania . I arrange your transportation and I am your English speaking guide. So that, you get to experience the most beautiful places in Albania! Kind regards, Manon

Welcome to Albania!

I am a tour guide in albania.

I am an Albania Tour Guide , who organizes 1-day, 2-day or multiple day private tours in Albania .

Tourism in Albania

Albania, a country in the Balkans, is known remarkably for its tourism all over the world. There’s no doubt one would love to visit the country and its Capital Tirana during the Albania Tourism journey. This article is designed to guide you carefully about the most renowned aspects about tourism in Albania and where you should start, expenses, the best time to go there and more.

The Best Time to Visit Albania

Before setting out on a journey for tour in an entirely new country, you must gather knowledge about its climate and weather conditions to determine which time of the year, and then which month specifically will be best for you. This is an act of traveling responsibly and creating an environment for yourself that you can best prepare for, should a need for any uncertain weather change adaptation arise. You need to look at a country’s climate zones, monthly-seasonal relationship, study their weather charts etc.

Albania – Climate Zones

Albania generally has dry and warm summers and characteristically damp winters in contrast. It is much like many other Mediterranean countries in this aspect, not different by a lot. But on the local scale, some amount of climactic variation may occur at sometimes, differing comparably in one region to the others.

The western regions of Albania have much more moderate temperatures than the rest of the country. This western region is also in the influence of the warm and sometimes breezy air coming from the Ionian and Adriatic seas. In contrast, the eastern region of Albania is supremely influenced by the continental air. The eastern region is also characterized by the cold and often harsh winters and the mildly warm summers.

The rainfall is abundant throughout the country, however, its occurrence is spread at uneven times all through the course of the year. Now that you know about the seasonal conditions of Albania relating to eastern and western regions of the country, lets take a look at the climate zones.

Albania specifically has three main climate zones. Along with knowing what these are, you must also memorize where they are exactly to plan your trip to Albania.

• The warm, and mild Mediterranean coast
• Cool mountains of the Northeast
• The continental extremes (elevations) of the interior.

The best time to visit Albania are the months of April-June and then September-October. By going to Albania on tour during these months, you get to stay out of the extremely hot coastal summer heats and the cold, harsh, wet and damp mountainous winters. These areas during the months mentioned will be perfectly splendid for cycling, walking, waters sports, hanging out by the pool and so much more that you will want to do on your tour.

In the summer months, however, you must not feel bad about traveling to Albania. During this time, the Mediterranean beaches get less visitors than any other place, and even the beaches are super gorgeous at this time. The crispy and chilly winter season in the mountains is perfect for snowshoeing as well. This is very different than the rest of country being cold and damp during the time of winter, the mountains are just perfect.

Albania Tourism Expenses

According to estimates and tourist travel records, you are supposed to have a plan of spending at least $50 USD on a daily basis in Albania. It is an equivalent of Lek 5,149. The estimate for past tourists meal expenses is $15 USD per day, an equivalent of Lek 1,550. For local transportation, they’ve spent $11 USD, or Lek 1,140.

The average hotel cost in the country for a pair is $38 USD, or Lek 3,950. Therefore, we can calculate that a trip for two people for one week would essentially cost you $695 USD, or Lek 72,087 on an average basis.

These estimates have been gathered and calculated through the experience and documentation of other tourists so you can have the best idea of an estimate to take with you to spend a comfortable time in Albania on your tour of the country.

Is Albania Safe for Tourists ?

Travel safety and responsible traveling is supposed to be your priority wherever you travel. But lets talk about the conditions for tourists in Albania specifically to guide you about the country more.

It is well known that Albania is a safe country to travel to for Tourists. However, petty crimes like pocket thieves and harsh violent driving is a very rare occurrence just as in any other country. You should keep your belongings safe and secure at all times, keep an eye out for your surroundings at all times and this includes public transport. Be extra careful during public transportation. One thing that must also be your priority is to follow the country’s laws and rules as well as the citizens do.

Keep your credit cards safe and always on your person to limit the risk of them being stolen. Never share you PIN with anyone and be cautious at the ATM’s as well. Never trust any stranger who tries to accompany you. Do not go out into the dark hours of the night completely alone, this can be dangerous not only in Albania but everywhere else in the world.

It turns out there is no violence against tourists at all in Albania. However, safety measures must be practiced by every tourist as mentioned. You must be cautious and aware at all times.

Best Places to Visit in Albania

Pyramid of tirana.

Located in the capital city of Albania, Tirana, the Pyramid of Tirana is perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions situated in the country. It has promoted the Albania Tourism excessively well. It has stood well and beautifully through the tests of time, as it faced threats of destruction by previous governments. It is after all a symbol of renowned communism. It represents the contradictions in the history of Tirana. Its inauguration was on the 14 th of October in 1988. It is a remarkable piece of architecture and is a representation of Tirana itself, its culture and history. You can even climb to the top of it, walk all around it as well.

Shkodra Lake

Shkodra is the the center of traditions and culture in Albania. Its top visit places include the Shkodra lake. You can also visit and explore the mountains here, biking here is also extremely fun and safe.

The Shkodra Lake is a stunning lake, that builds the border between Montenegro and Albania itself. It is super great to even swim in the lake, and is not very difficult to get here. You must visit this place for appreciation of its cultural and historical beauty.

Dhërmi Beach

If your plan is to visit the most beautiful beach in Albania on your tour, this is it. It is a spectacular strip a dew kilometers long, of dazzling white rocks. This beautiful strip is then accompanied by mesmerizing deep blue waters. If you visit this area according to the times we mentioned where there’s less crowd here, it can be very quiet is extremely serene to take it in. The beach is however, pretty large and spread long so you can absolutely find a good clear spot even mid summer.

Must Visit Destinations in Albania

• Albanian Riviera is the most popular spot for tourists, with many international music festivals and nightclubs.
• Llogara Pass is another popular place known for the best drive in the country, extremely beautiful and serene to relax. It resembles the Transfagarasan in Romania .
• The Church of Saint Mary of Blachernae in Berat is a must visit. Berat is one of the oldest towns in the country. It is also called the City of a Thousand Windows, owing to its combined Albanian and Ottoman architectures.

Where to Stay in Albania

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I'm in my early 30s and found that I do enjoy travelling! While I am also a senior administrator at a web hosting company, I also have my own little business and make bow ties in my spare time :) I've created this blog so that anyone who loves to travel can find helpful info for their journey. And, why not, share it with other travelers!

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Travel to Albania

Your Complete Guide To Low Budget Travel in Albania

In this guide we’ll discuss traveling around Albania using public and private transportation, accommodations, low cost activities and budgeting for food.

Almost everyone has a budget in mind when traveling. Albania has plenty to offer the budget traveler. Using this guide you can plan a trip low budget to a mid-range budget with a few overindulgences.

Transportation In Albania

Public transportation in albania.

The most budget-friendly ways to get around Albania are also the most popular forms of daily public transportation. We’re talking about buses and minibuses! You also have the option of taxis and even renting a car depending on your destination.

If you’re feeling exceptionally adventurous, you can bike around the country in a group! Here is what you need to know.

Buses in Albania

The first option for traveling around Albania while on a budget is the bus. When you land in Albania, most likely, your first destination will be the capital city of Tirana. From there, you can grab a bus to any number of destinations in the country.

Bus from Tirana Airport to the City

Catching the bus from Tirana International Airport to the capital city is pretty straightforward. Once you step outside the airport, you’ll see a ton of buses ready to pick you up. You can grab one that’s heading to downtown Tirana and only pay around $3 USD (300 LEK).

Not far from the airport, Kruje was the home to Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg. Kruje Castle should be at the top of your list of places to visit. We’ll talk more about this low-cost activity in a moment, back to the buses.

Northern and Southern Destinations

If you want to head south to Berat, Dhermi, Himare, Vlore, Durres, Gjirokaster, and Saranda, there is one bus station. If your plans are taking you north to Shkodra or Kukes, you can head to this same bus station.

The bus station is located about 1.5 miles from downtown Tirana , and here you can view the various schedules for each destination.

Southeast Destinations

You’ll want the Southeastern Albania Regional Bus Terminal if you want to head to Korce, Pogradec, Permet, and Elbasan. This bus terminal is about a mile outside of downtown Tirana. You can view the bus schedule here .

The cost of a bus ticket will depend on your destination, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $5-$12 per person! You usually pay for your ticket at a kiosk or pay when you get on the bus.

International Destinations

Though we want you to spend as much time as possible in Albania, you can take a bus to other countries, including Kosovo, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro. If you’re looking to expand your travels, check out all 36 bus options !

City Bus Routes in Tirana

There are about ten intercity bus routes in Tirana, with the average cost per ride around 35 cents USD (40 LEK). Kids under the age of seven ride for free. You can also purchase a general pass that will take you anywhere in Tirana for about $15 USD (1600 LEK).

You can see all the bus routes and schedules by clicking here .

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Minibuses in Albania

The must-know Albanian word when traveling around the country is furgon , which is Albanian for minibus. Furgons are privately owned and are the most popular form of public transportation in the country, as many natives use minibuses to travel back and forth from different cities. During popular tourists months, it can be more cramped than usual.

It’s all part of the adventure of exploring a new country! And many of these minibuses head to major cities, as well as smaller, picturesque villages. If you change your mind and want to get off the minibus during the trip, no problem! Just let the driver know. And if you see another minibus heading somewhere else, flag them down and see if they have room. If they can squeeze you on, they will!

The cost of a minibus ticket is also inexpensive, and the cost will depend on where you want to go. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3 USD (300 LEK) to $12 (1,300 LEK). You can usually grab a minibus at the regular bus stations or just flag one down when you see one. The timetables are usually loose, so plan for some buffer time.

When in doubt, you can ask someone at your hotel or the bus station. If locals can speak English, they are usually happy to point you in the right direction.

Taxis in Albania

Like anywhere else, you can always grab a taxi when you need to get across town. It usually costs $2 (250 LEK) to turn on the meter, and then it’s $2 for every kilometer. So depending on where you need to go, or perhaps it’s just too hot outside to walk, you can grab a taxi.

Car Rental in Albania

If you’re a free soul that wants to travel on your own time, renting a car is certainly an option. All you need is your U.S. driver’s license, and you can expect to pay only about $20 a day for an economy car, but be careful driving! Many of the roads have seen significant improvement, but some are still in questionable shape.

See our blog post: 15 Reasons Why You Should Rent A Car When Traveling In Albania

Biking in Albania

If you want to bike your way around Albania, you’ll undoubtedly save money and have thighs of steel once you’re done. It’s a very mountainous country, but if you love a challenge, it’s feasible to bike your way to your destination!

There are also different cycling tour groups you can join. Joining a bike tour is also inexpensive, starting at around €950/person, and is all-inclusive, including hotels, food, and a support van.

What About Trains in Albania?

Tourists and natives love using trains throughout Europe, so if you’re wondering where are the trains in Albania, the answer is: well, they don’t really have any. When the country transitioned from communism to democracy, the new government destroyed most of the passenger trains in an effort to erase anything built under communism.

There are very few trains operating, but any local will tell you not to waste your time or money. The trains are extremely slow and unreliable.

The good news is there are plans to build and upgrade railways. By summer 2023 , there will be an upgraded railway from Tirana to Durres and a new railway connecting the Tirana International Airport to the capital city.

Low Cost Accommodations in Albania

There are so many great quality hostels in Albania, and they are super affordable. You can choose the ‘dorm room’ style for around $12/night (1,200 LEK) or a private room for about $23/night (2,450 LEK). Some high-rated and affordable hostels include:

The English Hostel in Tirana

Stone City in Gjirokaster

Saranda Backpackers in Saranda

You can also look on Airbnb and Couchsurfing if you’re looking to stay with a local. Not only do you get an extremely affordable place to sleep, but also the help of a local Albanian.

If you’re more of a hotel person, you can find a comfortable hotel room for about $28/night (3,050 LEK). You can easily search for hostels and hotels by browsing agoda.com and hostelworld.com .

But depending on how you define “affordable,” you could even stay at a “luxury” hotel for only about $47/day (5,000 LEK)!

Low Cost Activities in Albania

Now that we covered transportation and accommodations, we can focus on what fun activities you can do without breaking the bank! The good news is you don’t need a ridiculous budget to have fun in Albania.

Honestly, you may not even have to worry about a budget at all. That’s how affordable the country is!

Low Cost Activities in Tirana

Tirana definitely offers plenty of entertainment that is free or extremely affordable.

• Sign up for a free walking tour of the city
• Enjoy the parks, including the Artificial Lake of Tirana
• Take in the sights and sounds of the markets, including the New Bazaar
• Grab the bus to nearby Kruje and visit the castle of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania. The entrance fee is about $4 USD.
• Get lost in history by visiting the National History Museum . The entrance fee is only $2/person (200 LEK).

Low Cost Activities Around Albania

1. relax on the beach.

Albania is known for its crystal blue waters and white, perfect beaches. The Albanian Rivera is home to some of the best beaches in the country. You can read more about them here .

2. Visit amazing historic castles

Albania has an incredible history, and you can feel like you’re stepping back in time by visiting any number of castles. Some of our favorites include:

• Berat Castle: Entrance fee $1 USD.
• Kruje Castle: Entrance fee $4 USD.
• Elbasan Castle: You can walk around the city and view Elbasan Castle!
• Butrint: A UNESCO World Heritage Site that will guarantee to blow your mind. One of the more “expensive” entrance fees is $10/person (1,000 LEK).

You can view more ancient castles by clicking here .

3. Connect with nature by visiting national parks, hiking, and camping  

One of the most notable national parks in Albania is Drilon Park in Pogradec. There are several small cafes for a quick coffee, and you can spend time feeding the swans that float in the picturesque lakes.

Check out blog post: The 14 Most Amazing Natural And Historical Wonders of Albania

There are also incredible campsites available where you can choose to pitch your tent in the mountains, stay in a beautiful cottage in a valley, or sleep along the beach. You can view some of the most amazing campsites here .

You can view hiking trips, cycling groups, and more by checking out these options .

The Cost of Food in Albania

We covered transportation, accommodations, and activities, but of course, we can’t forget about budgeting for food! We are also happy to share that food is both delicious and inexpensive. So no matter your budget, you will not go hungry while in Albania.

• Most conservative budget: $10 USD/person/day (1,000 LEK), including cooking some of your meals
• In the middle budget: $25 USD/person/day (2,500 LEK), includes eating out for all meals with drinks
• Luxury budget: $47 USD/person/day (4,800 LEK), includes eating out for all meals plus drinks and probably anything else you could want with your meals!

Budget travel possibilities are endless in Albania. In Albania your must-see/must-experiences are most low cost, you could splurge sporadically and still stay under $50 a day.

A majority of our best experiences in Albania involved very little to no money. The atmosphere is relaxing, especially on the beaches, in the cafes and while moving from place to place.

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What’s it Like to Travel in Albania?

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When I decided to travel to Albania in the summer, it was the country I was most looking forward to visiting.  It fit my dreams — home to a fascinating culture and some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, yet a bit of an underdog. A Balkan country I hadn’t visited yet? Sold!

But the biggest factor was meeting two lovely Albanian girls who became good friends of mine. Erisa and Bianka joined my second Central America tour. Both of them immigrated from Albania to the US when they were teenagers and both go back to visit often.

Soon our tour days were filled with stories and anecdotes from Albania, and learning from Erisa and Bianka allowed me to get to know a culture that most people only know from watching  Taken .

(Side note: Erisa was watching Taken in the theater and suddenly let out a scream. One of the Albanian mobsters in the kitchen scene was played by a friend of hers. True story.)

So I wanted to enjoy my trip to Albania, but I wanted to make my friends proud, too. I wanted to give Albania a fair chance and get to see the wonderful parts, not just the negative stereotypes.

And did I EVER have a great time! I spent my time in Albania among the ancient ruins of Butrint, the wild and wacky city of Tirana, the turquoise waters of Ksamil, the eerie city of Berat that feels like it’s watching you. There is so much to see in this country, but it’s definitely not one for beginners.

Here are the things I learned — and what you should know — when traveling to Albania.

This post was most recently updated in May 2024.

Table of Contents

Albania is one of the least developed countries in Europe.

I’ve visited every country in Europe — yes, including the micronations and the Caucasus . Honestly, Albania is probably the least developed of all the ones I’ve seen. I would put it as less developed than Bosnia , North Macedonia , Serbia , and Bulgaria , though perhaps close to Moldova .

What does this mean? Roads are in poor condition. There are no central bus stations and public transportation is a headache (more on that later).

The water isn’t safe to drink — you should bring a Lifestraw water bottle to safely drink the water without having to buy bottled water all the time. (Albania isn’t great about recycling, either.)

Your hotel room may be very basic, and the wifi might be in-and-out.

Credit cards, though usable, are not as widely accepted as they are in other European countries.

As soon as you head outside the tourist areas, you may find very few people who speak English.

There is very little tourism infrastructure outside a bit in Saranda and Berat, though this is starting to change as Albania works to grow as an adventure travel destination.

Does that make Albania a bad place? Not at all.  I’m saying this because you should know what to expect before you arrive. While they’re very different countries, the lack of development in urban Albania reminded me of Cambodia several times.

The average monthly wage in Albania is 75,000 to 93,000 Lek (about $800-1000). Assuming 22 days of work per month, that’s just $41 per day. Adding that to the difficulty of ever leaving the country and you’ve got a very tough situation for much of the population.

Albania shut itself off from the rest of the world for much of the 20th century. Today, many residents are facing economic imprisonment.

It’s not surprising that my Albanian friends’ families applied for the green card lottery in the US. It was their ticket to a better life.

Albania is a secular country, but most Albanians are Muslims.

This may surprise you, but about 59% of Albanians are Muslim ! About 38% are Christian, and the remainder are nonbelievers or followers of other religions.

That said, it’s a largely secular Muslim country, and religion does not influence its government.

You don’t see much conservative Islam in Albania. Quite a few Albanian Muslims eat pork and drink alcohol. I could count the women I saw wearing a hijab on one hand — and that includes my time in the big city of Tirana.

The only way you’d know the prominence of Islam is that mosques are everywhere. I also noticed that it was rare to hear the call to prayer blasted out early in the morning, a big change from places like Indonesia and southern Thailand.

The Albanian language is like nothing you’ve ever heard.

Don’t think a smattering of Serbo-Croatian will help you out here — Albanian, while technically an Indo-European language, is not related to any other living languages. It’s like Basque that way.

In areas like the more upscale parts of Tirana, the city center of Berat, Saranda, and Ksamil, you can get by with English; sometimes, Albanians speak Greek or Italian as their second language.

One of my favorite moments in Albania was when a taxi driver and I realized that we both spoke Italian! We went from silence to laughter instantly (and yes, many hand gestures were made!).

But like anywhere else in the world, learning a few words of the local language will delight the locals. Përshëndetje  (per-shen-DET-yeh) means hello and falaminderit  (fa-la-min-DAIR-eet) means thank you.

The Albanian flag is everywhere, and not just on government buildings.

My foreigner friends often rib me about how Americans always have their flags on display. But seriously, we’re not the only ones! People from South Africa, Turkey, and Norway, among others, are just as demonstrative with their country’s flag.

Ever been to Copenhagen? People at Copenhagen airport greet their loved ones with Danish flags! They even put tiny Danish flags on birthday cakes! But I digress…

Albania is another country that LOVES ITS FLAG. The blood-red Albanian flag topped with a double-headed eagle is seen everywhere throughout the country.

Not only that, they sell Albanian flag merchandise everywhere — think everything from t-shirts to posters to tea towels. They make great souvenirs!

I noticed the same thing  in Kosovo, too , which is home to ethnic Albanians.

Albania is cheap.

When I first visited Albania, I thought it was the cheapest country I had visited in Europe, even a bit cheaper than North Macedonia and Bulgaria. Since then, I’ve visited Ukraine (pre-war) which was even cheaper. That said, Albania is a very affordable destination to visit.

However — prices have gone up quite a bit in the last decade, so keep this in mind.

Keep in mind that like everywhere else in the world, prices are highest in cities, coastal resorts, and touristy spots, and lowest in rural and less-touristy spots.

In Tirana, the most expensive place in the country, you can get hostel beds from $18, decent hotel rooms from around $40, beers from 250 lek ($2.70), a meal in a decent restaurant from around $10.

I even went on a shopping spree in Tirana and spent around $8 per shirt and $18 per dress.

And it gets so much cheaper when you leave the city.

Just one thing — get rid of all your Albanian lek before leaving the country, because nobody will change it. (I gave mine to my Albanian friend Erisa and her cousins to spend on their next trip home!)

Public transportation can be maddening.

Cities in Albania don’t have central bus stations, nor do they have travel agencies that work with every bus company.  For me, getting the right ticket from Saranda to Berat required me to go from door to door, agency to agency, listening to them telling me where to go in Albanian as I nodded without understanding, then finding another agency, again and again, until I found someone who sold those tickets!

All the buses depart at different street corners, rather than a central bus station.

Mountain bus rides can be the most beautiful and frightening of overland transportation. Albania kicks things up a notch on the ride from Saranda to Gjirokastra, where several treacherous passes are crossed without any safety precautions. The guardrails, when they exist, are barely knee-high and seem to be more symbolic than protective.

As for the quality of the buses, you definitely won’t have air conditioning and if temperatures are in the high 90s (36 C), which they very often are in Albania during the summer, it will be even hotter inside.

Finally, sometimes you’ll arrive and find out that your connecting bus doesn’t exist, which happened to me in Fier. I needed to pick up a bus to Berat and found out that nothing existed and my only option was to jump in the back of some guy’s van. More on that below.

Albanian food can be hit or miss.

You know, there were times that I really loved the food in Albania, but much of the time I found Albanian cuisine to be uninspiring.

Lots of meat pounded into patties or formed into sausages. Lots of stews. Lots of salads.

I hate to say it, but as a cheese lover, I found that most of the cheeses I tried had an unappealing flavor to them, almost like they had started to go bad. (Coming straight from Greece with its stupendous feta exacerbated my impressions, I’m sure.)

But Saranda had wonderful seafood, especially shellfish and octopus, and like elsewhere in the Balkans, you can always find good pizza.

For what it’s worth, my favorite traditional meal in Albania was stuffed zucchini and squash at a little taverna in Saranda that has since closed. But then a few days later I ordered stuffed peppers at one of the nicest places in Berat, trying to recreate the magic, and it just didn’t happen. Those odd flavors crept back in.

The evening stroll is best time to see and be seen.

Like the rest of the Balkans and much of the Mediterranean, cafe culture rules in Albania, and so does the evening stroll. As soon as the sun begins to set and temperatures turn livable again, it seems like everyone comes out for the evening to stroll down the street and sit at cafes.

No matter how old or young you are, you’re there. It’s what people do.

This was most prominent in Berat. During the day, nobody would be out on the main cafe street (the super-hot summer temperatures may have been a reason), and you wouldn’t believe the difference come evening. Suddenly hundreds of people were on the streets!

You often see children with their grandparents.

This may just be a Saranda thing, but I often saw Albanian children being cared for by their grandparents, no parents to be seen. It may be cultural, it may be just for vacation, or it might just be a coincidence.

Either way, I saw it as evidence of strong and close families.

Since then, some of my Albanian friends told me that grandparents often take care of the children while their parents work.

Albanians might question why you’re actually there.

Over and over, Albanians were incredulous that I was visiting their country. “Why would you come here when you could go anywhere else?” they kept asking me. My friends experienced the same reactions.

No matter how much praise I heaped on the country, the kind people, the beaches, the mountains, the delicious seafood, Albanians would refuse to believe their country could be a tourist destination.

At one point, a waiter in Berat told me, “You’re lucky. All of us are stuck in this town.” “You’re right. I am,” I told him. “But this is such a beautiful town that you get to live in.” He snorted and walked away.

For what it’s worth — I believe this is less common today than it was at the time of my visit.

Where to Go in Albania

There are so many options for where to go in Albania. To get a decent overview of the country, I recommend basing yourself in three different regions and exploring from there.

Tirana was a huge surprise to me! I had no idea I would love Albania’s capital city so much. It felt endlessly fascinating.

I think I loved it so much in part because I stayed in the Blloku neighborhood, an upscale area which used to be exclusively for the elite of Tirana (yep, that would be Enver Hoxha and his cronies). Today, Blloku is chic, colorful and interesting.

As one of the major cities of the Balkans, I think it’s unmissable. It should be up there on your list along with Ljubljana , Dubrovnik , and Belgrade .

How to Get to Tirana: Tirana has lots of flights from all over Europe and bus connections throughout the country. If coming from Montenegro, I highly recommend taking the Montenegro Hostel shuttle .

Best Things to Do in Tirana: Some of my favorite experiences were climbing to the top of the the derelict pyramid in the center of town and having drinks on top of the Sky Tower during sunset.

And all the shopping, of course! I practically bought a new wardrobe at a Pink Woman boutique downtown and a Tally Weijl store in the Tirana East Gate (TEG) mall outside town.

You can also go on a Tirana food tour , go kayaking in Farka Lake , or do a day trip to the gorgeous town of Shkoder .

Where to Stay in Tirana:  Definitely stay in the Blloku neighborhood — I loved the vibe, and it felt more upscale.

• Top-Rated Luxury Hotel in Blloku, Tirana: Rogner Hotel Tirana
• Top-Rated Mid-Range Hotel in Blloku, Tirana: Boutique Hotel Whisky
• Top-Rated Budget Hotel in Blloku, Tirana: Hotel Rimini Tirana
• Top-Rated Hostel in Blloku, Tirana: Vanilla Sky Boutique Hostel
• Find deals on more places to stay in Tirana here.

Read More: The Funk Factor of Tirana, Albania

I went to Berat for to see its old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I wasn’t disappointed! Have you ever seen a place that looked like this before? It’s the city of a thousand windows! The Ottoman architecture is a major highlight of this destination.

Berat is a tiny place and you don’t need more than one full day and two nights here. Spend your time exploring the town on foot. The main cafe street comes to life around sunset — it was amazing to watch it transform from being totally empty to a swarming crowd!

How to get to Berat: There are bus connections to Tirana, Saranda, and throughout Albania. You may have to change in a nearby city like Fier.

Best Things to Do in Berat: Stroll around the town on foot, have dinner overlooking the bridge, grab a coffee or cocktail and people-watch in the late afternoon. Or if you’re adventurous, go rafting in Osumi Canyon .

Where to Stay in Berat: Berat is tiny; everything is close by. And I’m surprised that prices have gone up here so much — though it’s still a bargain compared to most of Europe! I stayed at the simple  Hotel Pasarela , which was on top of a grocery store; Antipatrea Hotel is a bit more upscale. Check out more hotels in Berat here.

• Top-Rated Luxury Hotel in Berat: Hotel Ansel
• Top-Rated Mid-Range Hotel in Berat : Hotel & Restaurant White City
• Top-Rated Budget Hotel in Berat : Hotel Pasarela (I stayed here!)
• Top-Rated Hostel in Berat : Ziu Guest House
• Find deals on more places to stay in Berat here.

Did you know that Albania is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe? Here you’ll find incredible pebbled beaches with clear turquoise water. Saranda (Sarandë) is the largest town in the region, and from here you can get direct ferries from Corfu, Greece .

Saranda, a relaxing resort town, makes a great base for exploring the south. It has a great boardwalk, beaches with free chairs and umbrellas, and several good restaurants and cafes. There wasn’t a lot to do, which made it a good place to chill out and soak up the summer.

From Saranda you can easily visit the island of Ksamil, the ancient ruins of Butrint, the Blue Eye, and far more.

I spent six nights in Saranda and could easily have stayed longer. If the internet were better (i.e. didn’t randomly stop working twice a day), I’d consider it a digital nomad hotspot for summer.

Like many resort towns on the Adriatic, summer is the only season many places will be open — don’t expect to see much open in Saranda between early October and mid-May.

How to get to Saranda: The easiest way is to fly into well-connected Corfu, Greece, and take the 30-60 minute ferry . Otherwise, there a bus connections throughout Albania.

Best Things to Do in Saranda: Visit everything in one day:  Buthrotum, Ksamil, the Blue Eye, and Lekurski Castle; visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins at Butrint ; go hiking and snorkeling in Krorez Bay ; or just head to the near-island of Ksamil and chill out on its beaches.

Other beaches worth visiting are around Himare and Drymades, or just drive up the coast and stop wherever looks good! Albania has a lot more so-called hidden gems than discovered-to-death countries like Italy.

If you’re willing to rent a car in Albania , this is the best way to explore the Albanian Riviera in depth and find your own personal favorite beach.

Where to stay in Saranda: Saranda, like most resort towns in the Balkans, is primarily apartment rentals and aparthotels.

Hotel Real Sarande is a solid hotel in the perfect location, close to everything. If you want to splurge, Demi Hotel Sarande is upscale and modern with gorgeous views.  Check out more hotels in Saranda here.

• Top-Rated Luxury Hotel in Saranda: Hotel Nertili
• Top-Rated Mid-Range Hotel in Saranda : Da Luz Boutique Hotel
• Top-Rated Budget Hotel in Saranda : Hotel Tatzati
• Top-Rated Hostel in Saranda : Central Boutique Hostel
• Find deals on more places to stay in Saranda here.

Is Albania safe for solo female travelers?

I traveled Albania almost entirely solo, other than a few days with my bud Jeremy in Saranda. I felt very safe in Albania and aside from guarding against theft, I don’t think there are any specific precautions that solo female travelers should take beyond the basics .

If you have experience traveling on your own as a woman, I think you’ll enjoy traveling solo in Albania.

I experienced zero sexual harassment or sexist treatment and wasn’t so much as hit on by a single Albanian man, even in bars and clubs.

Albania has a less-than-stellar reputation thanks to the fictional movie Taken and organized crime — but this is not something that women need to worry about when visiting Albania. Criminals are not lining up to kidnap women traveling in Albania.

There is one issue: for transportation to some places, you’ll have to get into an unregistered taxi, which is pretty much just a random guy with a car. I had to do this when I found out there was no bus from Fier to Berat. It was the only option.

If you get into this situation, I recommend doing what I did: I took a photo of the driver’s face, took a photo of his license plate, and pretended to make a phone call to a friend saying that I was coming soon and repeating his license plate number clearly.

I do this all over the world and it’s an extra layer of safety — the driver thinks you have someone looking out for you and knows he can’t try anything without getting caught. Is it 100% foolproof? No. Nothing is. But it helps quite a bit.

All this being said, I don’t recommend Albania for new and inexperienced travelers. It’s a challenging country in many ways for even an experienced traveler, and I recommend you cut your travel teeth on a few different countries in Europe before you travel to Albania on your own. It’s not the best place for a brand new solo traveler.

Not a super experienced traveler? I recommend you try these destinations for your first solo trip.

Read More: Solo Female Travel in the Balkans: A Guide

How to Get to Albania

Albania isn’t on any major travel routes, but it’s easy enough to arrive in the country. Tirana National Airport is the only major airport in Albania, which has direct flights from all over Europe. I recommend checking Skyscanner to find the best fares.

If you’d rather start in Southern Albania, it’s easy to fly to the Greek island of Corfu and take the ferry to Saranda . Corfu is extremely well connected flights-wise. There are several different ferry companies and they take 30-60 minutes. I did this, taking a small passenger-only ferry, which felt like a bus on a boat.

If you’re coming from Montenegro, I highly recommend taking the Montenegro Hostel transfer . They run between Tirana and Theth in Albania and Kotor, Budva, Bar, and Podgorica in Montenegro. I took one between Tirana and Budva and it was a fantastic experience. We had a comfortable, air-conditioned bus; we stopped for lunch along the way; and we even stopped for photos when we passed Sveti Stefan at sunset!

The alternative would be taking several different buses from neighboring Balkan countries.

You also have a very long-distance ferry option: there are ferries to Durrës from Bari and Ancona in Italy. Know that these are long, overnight routes, and it might be more economical to take a flight.

Some people like to arrive in Albania while circling Lake Ohrid. Lake Ohrid is shared between Albania and North Macedonia, though I’ve heard that the North Macedonian side is much prettier overall .

And would you rather explore Albania on a group tour? Go for it! G Adventures has several tours including Albania, ranging from 9 to 34 days (!) .

How to Get Around Albania

What’s the best way to get around Albania? If you’re taking public transportation, this is a country of buses. As I said earlier, there often aren’t any central bus stations in different cities, and sometimes you need to go to several different travel agencies before you find one that can sell you the correct bus ticket.

There are no trains in Albania, so don’t expect them!

You also have the option of renting a car in Albania . You should know ahead of time that the roads aren’t in the best condition (by European standards, at least), and the driving can be a bit crazy. But if you’re up for the challenge, this is THE way to get off the beaten path (and visit the best beaches).

Best Time to Visit Albania

Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and chilly winters. Albania is one of the sunniest countries in Europe.

The summer months are when Albanian tourism is at its peak, with travelers flocking to the mountains in the north and the beaches in the south.

If you’re looking to explore Albania in the summer, I recommend avoiding the peak months of July and August. Early June and late September would be my picks for the best time to visit Albania.

At the same time, you should keep in mind that Albanian resorts tend to shut down as soon as summer is over. I wouldn’t plan a visit before mid-May or after late September unless you’re here to work rather than explore. You can still enjoy Albania at this time of year, but the coastal resorts get very, very quiet.

If you’re coming to Albania to the hike, I would actually recommend spring or fall — ideally late spring or early fall — to enjoy nice weather without being burned by the strong summertime sun.

What to Pack for Albania

Packing for Albania is fairly simple to any other kind of trip you’d be taking in Europe. If you’re going to hike, bring hiking gear. If you’re here for the beaches, bring beach gear.

But here are some items that I found particularly useful in Albania:

Comfortable sandals — As someone who needs arch support in everything, I buy my sandals from The Walking Company . They have the best support, especially the Abeo brand sandals!

Sun protection — The sun is STRONG here in the summer months. Make sure to bring good sunscreen , a wide-brimmed hat , and these days I like a long-sleeved linen shirt for additional protection.

Portable safe — Portable safes are one of my favorite ways to keep my belongings safe. You lock up your valuables in it and lock it to something sturdy in your room. Essential for staying somewhere like an apartment or Airbnb where there isn’t a safe to use.

A decent travel purse — No, not an ugly anti-theft purse — a good-looking crossbody purse, made out of a tough material, with a zipper. You can see my in-depth guide to travel purses here .

Speakeasy Travel Supply scarf — I adore these scarves, which come with a hidden pocket perfect for your passport! They serve the same purpose as a money belt, but look so much better. They also have several lightweight scarves perfect for summer travel .

Albania is no longer undiscovered.

For the longest time, people were saying, “Montenegro is the new Croatia, and Albania is the new Montenegro.” Is that true? Eh, maybe if we’re talking strictly numbers of western tourists, but I find that people go to these three countries for different things.

In the past decade, Albania has grown as a major travel destination. Probably the single biggest area of growth is in the Albanian Alps in Northern Albania, which are increasingly drawing adventure travelers looking for the next thing. This is an area to watch.

And the beaches of the south? They’ve BEEN discovered. Plenty of travelers are also hunkering down in Durrës and Vlorë, places that are a bit more on the gritty side, but affordable.

I’ve also seen Albania become a huge hotspot for digital nomads — thanks in part of it being in Europe, but not part of the Schengen Area, on top of being very affordable. Because of this, many digital nomads are living in Albania in the winter months, too, where you get the greatest value for money.

So will Albania ever become a major player in tourism? Well, it’s obviously not going to be on the level of Italy or Greece. But I do think that with a proper level of investment — say, improving the horrible roads, adding more accommodation at a variety of levels, and developing adventure activities — Albania could be a star.

And if that happens, the younger generation of Albania will have much more opportunity to better themselves.

The verdict? Albania is great. That’s a good reason to go now. Or go in a few years. You’ll be very glad you did.

More on Albania:

• The Funk Factor of Tirana, Albania
• Solo Female Travel in the Balkans: Is it Safe?

More on the Balkans:

• The Ultimate Montenegro Travel Guide
• 30 Fun and Interesting Things to Do in Montenegro
• What’s it Like to Travel in North Macedonia?
• Scenes from Lake Ohrid, Macedonia
• Kosovo: A Warm Welcome from a Newborn Country
• What’s it Like to Travel in Serbia?
• The Ultimate Slovenia Road Trip
• Two Weeks in Croatia: The Ultimate Itinerary

Would you want to visit Albania? Share away!

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Tirana - the estimated travel expenses for food, public transport, attractions entrance and accommodation., how much does a trip to tirana cost.

Currency in Tirana is Albanian Lek

Tirana prices guide., if you are travelling alone to tirana, depending on your expectations, you will pay for an overnight stay from 14 usd (1,200 all) for a hostel to 71 usd (6,600 all) for a luxury hotel., the other daily costs you have to pay when travelling to tirana are:.

• Food 6.60 USD (607 ALL)
• Meals in restaurants 10 USD (966 ALL)
• Bottled water 0.66 USD (61 ALL)
• Local transportation 1.70 USD (160 ALL)
• Entrance tickets 26 USD (2,400 ALL)
• Alcoholic beverages 5.00 USD (460 ALL)

As you can see - a stay for a few days in Tirana can cost 131 USD (12,000 ALL) or 678 USD (62,000 ALL) , depending on whether you are a frugal tourist or you are planning to spend a luxurious holiday in Tirana.

How much Albanian Lek should I have for one week in Tirana?

If you want to spend a week in Tirana the cost of your stay will be:

• 305 USD (28,000 ALL) - a cheap stay for 7 days in Tirana
• 402 USD (37,000 ALL) - a budget travel for 7 days in Tirana
• 579 USD (53,000 ALL) for a one week of comfortable stay in Tirana
• 1,500 USD (146,000 ALL) for a week of luxury holidays in Tirana

How much money do I need per day to stay in Tirana?

If you are travelling alone to Tirana, 44 USD a day should be enough. If you choose a hotel for your stay in Tirana, the price will rise to 57 USD. A couple will have to pay around 100 USD for one day in Tirana. A family with two children should have 170 USD for one day stay in Tirana.

How to visit Tirana on a low budget? How to travel Tirana cheaply? How to save money while travelling in Tirana?

In order not to exceed reasonable expenses during a trip to Tirana, which we estimate at 57 USD (5,300 ALL) for a one day, you must comply with the following rules:

• Choose to stay in a hostel (14 USD (1,200 ALL) ) or in a cheap hotel (18 USD (1,600 ALL) ).
• Use public transport. The price for a one-way ticket is 0.43 USD (40 ALL) and for a monthly pass 17 USD (1,600 ALL) .
• Make your own breakfast and own dinner. Daily shopping cost in the shop is around 6.60 USD (607 ALL) in Tirana.
• Choose restaurants outside the city centre and close to tourist attractions. Meal in a cheap restaurant cost around 11 USD (1,000 ALL) in Tirana. McMeal at McDonalds (or equivalent meal in other fastfood restaurant) costs approximately 7.90 USD (735 ALL) .

Car-related costs are mainly fuel, road tolls and parking fees. Of course, the price depends on the purpose of the journey and energy efficiency of a vehicle.

In Tirana, you will pay for the fuel accordingly:

• Petrol price in Tirana is around: 2.10 USD (191 ALL)
• Diesel fuel price in Tirana is around: 2.00 USD (182 ALL)
• 1kg sausage: 17 USD (1,500 ALL)
• 0,5 kg bread: 0.98 USD (91 ALL)
• 10 eggs: 3.60 USD (337 ALL)
• 1kg cheese: 12 USD (1,100 ALL)
• 1 liter milk: 2.00 USD (184 ALL)
• 1 kg apples: 1.50 USD (139 ALL)
• Bottle of local beer (0,5 liter): 2.70 USD (250 ALL)

What is most famous in Tirana? How much does an average entrance to travel attractions in Tirana cost?

The most important tourist attractions in tirana that we recommend:, the museums worth a visit in tirana:, on warmer days, we recommend walking in parks in tirana. below is a list of the largest and most interesting parks in tirana. parks in tirana:, alcohol prices in tirana, tirana - whisky prices comparison, tirana - rum prices comparison, tirana - vodka prices comparison, tirana - gin prices comparison, view map of hotels and accommodation.

Ela Tirana view apartament

Rafael Young

- travel expert and vlogger (26 years old, zodiac sign: scorpio).

When is EPCOT Food & Wine Festival? Here's how much it costs, who's performing.

• The 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will run from Aug. 29 to Nov. 23.
• The festival will feature more than 25 Global Marketplace food booths.
• The concerts are held nightly beginning Aug. 30.

Ready to explore the globe while sampling delicious food and drinks and experiencing live entertainment ?

The 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is set to start next month, serving both new and fan-favorite items for parkgoers to enjoy.

Presented by CORKCICLE, the festival will return to its typical August start date. The last four festival years have all started in July after the pandemic.

Where is EPCOT in Orlando?

Disney's EPCOT (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow) is at 200 Epcot Center Drive in Lake Buena Vista (Orlando).

What is EPCOT's International Food & Wine Festival?

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is an annual food festival held at the theme park. It showcases food and beverages from a variety of cuisines around the world, from the Americas to Asia and everywhere in between. The festival features several booths that offer dozens of new items.

What are the dates for EPCOT Food and Wine Festival 2024?

The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival runs from Thursday, Aug. 29, to Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

Is there a separate ticket for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival? Is food included in EPCOT Food and Wine 2024?

Admission to the basic festival is included with park admission, but guests must purchase the food and drink separately. Each booth offers small plates for a fee, usually ranging from $8 to $12.

Depending on the date, tickets for EPCOT are roughly $109 per day for all guests. To see tickets and Florida resident deals, see Disney's website .

How many booths are at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2024?

According to the Disney Food Blog , the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival will feature more than 25 Global Marketplace food booths. The menus for the booths have yet to be announced.

Concerts scheduled for 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival in Orlando

The concerts are held nightly beginning Aug. 30, 2024, the day after the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival begins. There are three concerts each night: 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Here is 2024's current lineup:

• Aug. 30-31 – The Fray
• Sept. 1-2 – Sugar Ray
• Sept. 6-7 – Hoobastank
• Sept. 8-9 – Yellowcard (NEW)
• Sept. 13-14 – Tiffany
• Sept. 15-16 – MercyMe
• Sept. 20-21 – Sheila E.
• Sept. 22-23 – The Wanted (NEW)
• Sept. 27 – Luis Figueroa
• Sept. 28-29 – Mau Y Ricky (NEW)
• Sept. 30 – Jesse & Joy (NEW)
• Oct. 4-5 – Aloe Blacc (NEW)
• Oct. 6-7 – Joey Fatone & Friends
• Oct. 11-12 – We The Kings
• Oct. 13-14 – Switchfoot
• Oct. 18-19 – David Archuleta (NEW)
• Oct. 20-21 – Billy Ocean
• Oct. 25-28 – Hanson
• Nov. 1-2 – Haley Reinhart featuring Emily Estefan, Casey Abrams and Janel Parrish  (NEW)
• Nov. 3-4 – Boyz II Men
• Nov. 8-9 – Magic! (NEW)
• Nov. 10-11 – Parmalee (NEW)
• Nov. 15-16 – Smash Mouth
• Nov. 17-18 – 98 Degrees

What are the scavenger hunts at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival?

The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival will offer three scavenger hunts for guests who choose to participate — Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak, Emile’s Fromage Montage and Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit.

As of July 2024, only details have been released for Emile’s Fromage Montage. The scavenger hunt allows guests to "travel the world and sample a variety of delicious cheeses served in inventive ways."

What are the other festivals at EPCOT?

Can't make it to the theme park this fall 2024 season? No worries, EPCOT has other festivals throughout the year for parkgoers to enjoy:

• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays - Nov. 29 through Dec. 30, 2024
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival - date unknown for 2025
• Celebrate the Creation of Art and Cuisine - date unknown for 2025

Like the International Food & Wine Festival, these are included in your park ticket.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

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July 4th gas prices expected to hit lowest level in 3 years

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: July 2, 2024 / 2:15 PM EDT / CBS News

Low gas prices are something for drivers to celebrate this July 4th, with costs at the pump expected to hit their lowest levels since 2021. 

The average price of gasoline on Independence Day is expected to be $3.49 per gallon nationwide, the lowest price it's been on the busy travel holiday in three years, according to GasBuddy , a fuel savings platform. 

That could mean serious cost savings compared with a few years ago for the 60.6 million motorists who are expected to travel by car to celebrate the federal holiday , according to AAA .

Last year, this national average price of gas was $3.50, just a penny higher than this year's projected price. In 2022, the average cost of gas was more than $1.30 higher than it's expected to be this year, driven up at the time by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February which caused oil prices to spike. 

Where gas is cheapest

Gas prices have ticked upward slightly since the beginning of June, when they fell to as low as $3.39 per gallon.

Still, in some states fuel costs are significantly lower than the current national average. In Washington, average gas prices are down 71 cents a gallon compared with one year ago. 

"For those hitting the road to celebrate Independence Day, gas prices have seen modest recent fluctuations, but most states are seeing prices near or even well below where they were a year ago," Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a statement. 

But De Haan warned that hurricanes and other tropical weather events could disrupt refineries and cause prices at the pump to spike later in the summer. 

"While the first half of the summer has been relatively smooth sailing, the road ahead may be bumpy. Activity in the tropics has increased, and projections remain for a very busy hurricane season. Even after the holiday fireworks are over, we'll be watching for any potential fireworks at the pump that could be brought on by hurricanes disrupting refineries," he said. 

How to save on fuel costs

For motorists looking to save money on upcoming road trips, there are ways to minimize gas usage while driving. 

• Accelerating hard wastes fuel, while accelerating gently saves gas. Toyota offers this tip : "Aim to take about five seconds to accelerate your vehicle up to 15 miles per hour from a stop," the automaker said. 
• Sudden changes in speed can increase gas consumption by up to 30% on the highway, so aim to drive at a steady pace, Toyota added.
• Progressive, the insurance company, adds that newer cars tend to be more fuel efficient than older models. A quick tuneup to clear your vehicle's clogged air filters will also enable more efficient fuel consumption, and potentially help you save on gas costs.
• Check your tire pressure, as underinflated tires can lower your fuel efficiency. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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The Australian dollar is showing some strength, and that could be good news for travellers

Analysis The Australian dollar is showing some strength, and that could be good news for travellers

For a relatively small, open economy, Australia's currency is heavily traded. In fact, it's on the podium for one of the world's most traded.

So it's known to be pushed and pulled on global currency markets on a daily basis.

Curiously though, the Australian dollar has hovered around 66 US cents or above for well over a month now. Recently it even pushed to a six-month high, trading as high as 67.8 US cents.

It's a subtle push, but it's meaningful.

Let's explore why.

Strong commodities, strong dollar

The Australian dollar is known as a commodities currency. This means that if someone offshore wants to buy copper, coal or iron ore from the nation's miners, they need to buy Australian dollars to do it.

Demand for all of these commodities has been resilient in recent months -- particularly iron ore. Treasury's forecasts assume a price of $US60/tonne but it pushed up towards $US120/tonne earlier this year and it's now close to $US110/tonne.

There were fears China's property market collapse would wipe out demand for iron ore but instead, it's held up -- particularly thanks to the CCP's economic stimulus measures.

In short, demand for Australia's commodities has held up, and therefore so has the dollar.

High interest rates, high investment

The second driver of the Australian dollar is critical right now -- it's the difference between interest rates in Australia and other parts of the world.

Australia's central bank -- the Reserve Bank -- was relatively late to tighten monetary policy and it seems it will be a similar story on the path to easing policy.

While other central banks, including the US Federal Reserve, have clearly signalled their intentions to cut interest rates, the Reserve Bank is not yet in a position to do so.

This is because various measures of inflation, including the trimmed mean, are still above the Reserve Bank's target band of between 2 and 3 per cent.

While the price increases of many goods are falling, and some are being discounted, the cost of services -- including rent -- remain elevated.

The latest National Australia Bank business survey shows some promise of costs falling for businesses, which would be promising as far as the outlook for inflation is concerned.

However, the bank says the data is still too bumpy to make a definitive call on whether inflation is easing.

"Price pressures continue to ease in a trend sense though the data certainly remains bumpy," NAB head of Australian economics Gareth Spense noted.

It might sound a little esoteric but it's a crucial point.

There's little confidence Australia's battle with inflation has been won.

It means there remains the "possibility", as many economists have put it, that the Reserve Bank will be forced to raise interest rates either next month or later in the year.

At the very least, the Reserve Bank is unlikely to cut its cash rate target until November.

At the same time, for example, there's growing expectation the US Federal Reserve may decide to cut its Federal Funds Rate as early as September.

This would make Australia a relatively attractive place for international investors — who are comparing the return (or interest rate) they can earn on their money in the US versus Australia — to park their cash.

A country's relatively higher interest rates act like a magnet for money flows, and as investors chase those interest rates they demand the relevant currencies.

In short, because Australia's interest rates are expected to remain relatively high, demand for its currency is strong.

"It is probable the Australian dollar will [be] slightly stronger over the next six months," independent analyst Evan Lucas says.

"We have the possibility of interest rates [in Australia] going higher still."

BetaShares chief economist David Bassanese sees the dollar above 70 US cents into next year.

"So I've been anticipating the Aussie [dollar] to break above the 70 cents [mark against the US dollar] over the next 6 to 12 months on the view the US will cut interest rates more aggressively than we will be able to," he said.

Could now be a good time to travel?

Having a stronger currency helps keep a lid on domestic inflation by giving consumers more import purchasing power.

Crucially, for those with itchy feet, it also opens up some travel opportunities.

Now, let's not get carried away; it's not suddenly making an overseas holiday cheaper but, equally, it's not making it more expensive.

Take Japan, for example. The Australian dollar is buying 108.5 yen — the highest rate in 30 years.

"It's the cheapest Australians have been able to go to Japan," independent analyst Evan Lucas

And if Europe's more your style, one Australian dollar is now buying roughly 63.5 eurocents.

That's above the historical average of the past two years.

With the Australian dollar buying 67.4 US cents, it's a better time to travel to the United States than earlier in the year.

And if analysts like Evan Lucas are correct, the Australian dollar's value is still set to increase slightly.

This may, perhaps, give those travellers who haven't yet made up their mind on whether to jetset some extra time.

The stronger Australian dollar highlights the nation's ongoing cost-of-living battle and China's economic resilience.

But it's also providing some no doubt welcome financial support to a nation of travellers.

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Air travel demand is breaking records. Airline profits are not

Record summer air travel demand isn’t translating to record U.S. airline profits. Carriers will have to answer for that disconnect when they report quarterly results this month.

Some airlines have forecast  record demand , and in some cases, revenue. On Sunday, the Transportation Security Administration screened more than 3 million people, a one-day record.

But higher  labor  and other costs have eaten into airlines’ bottom lines. To adapt to slower demand growth and other challenges, some carriers have  slowed  if not  halted hiring  compared with hiring sprees when they rebuilt after the pandemic.

And some airlines are facing  delays  of new, more fuel-efficient aircraft from Airbus and  Boeing  at the same time that a  Pratt & Whitney  engine  recall  has  grounded  dozens of jets.

Yet U.S. airlines have increased capacity, flying about 6% more seats in July than they did in July 2023, according to aviation data firm OAG. The expansion is keeping  airfare in check , and stocks in the sector have fallen behind the broader market.

The  NYSE Arca Airline Index,  which tracks 16 mostly U.S. airlines, is down almost 19% this year, while the  S&P 500  has advanced more than 16%.

'Clear as mud'

What the third quarter will look like for airlines is “clear as mud,” Raymond James analyst Savanthi Syth said in a note Friday, citing headwinds such as potentially weaker spending from coach-class clientele, the Paris Olympics’ impact on some Europe bookings, and possible changes in corporate travel demand.

Also, some travelers have been opting for trips in late spring and early summer, raising questions about late-summer demand.

Investors will get more insight into the traditionally slower tail end of summer and the rest of the year when airlines report quarterly results, starting with  Delta Air Lines  on Thursday.

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Analysts consider Delta the  best of the bunch , thanks in large part to the airline’s success in marketing more expensive, premium seats and its lucrative deal with  American Express .

In April, Delta, the most profitable U.S. airline, forecast quarterly adjusted earnings of $2.20 to $2.50 a share for the second quarter, which would be down from the adjusted $2.68 a share it brought in a year earlier.

Delta, its rival  United Airlines , which reports the following week, and  Alaska Airlines  are top picks for Wolfe Research airline analyst Scott Group, who said in a June 28 research note that the three have less earnings risk and better free cash flow than other carriers.

Shares of Delta and United are each up about 14% this year through July 5, the standouts in a sector that is mostly down this year. Alaska shares are down about   2%.

Cheaper fares

Airports are bustling this summer. Nearly 3 million people, setting a record, passed through U.S. airport checkpoints on June 23 alone, according to theTransportation Security Administration.

Airlines have been expanding their schedules, both domestically and internationally, pushing down fares. U.S.-Europe capacity for July is up nearly 8% from a year ago, according to consulting firm Airline/Aircraft Projects, with new routes largely targeting leisure travelers.

Fare-tracking company Hopper reported in June that summer flights between the U.S. and Europe in coach were going for $892 on average, compared with $1,065 for summer 2023.

Airfare was down nearly 6% in May from a year earlier, according to the latest U.S. inflation data.

Lowered forecasts

Despite higher numbers of passengers, some carriers have admitted weaker sales than expected because of the increased flights.  American Airlines  on May 28  cut its second-quarter revenue and profit forecasts  and announced its chief commercial officer was leaving after a sales strategy backfired.

“The domestic supply and demand imbalance has led to a weaker domestic pricing environment than we had forecast,” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said at a Bernstein industry conference the next day. “There’s more discounting activity than we saw a year ago. Now, industry capacity is expected to come down in the second half of the year, and that should help.”

Southwest Airlines  cut its  second-quarter forecast  in late June, citing shifting demand patterns. The Dallas-based airline is under pressure to quickly change its long-profitable business model — which has no seat assignments and one class of service — as big rivals such as United and Delta tout strong growth from premium cabins.

The airline is trying to  fend off activist investor  Elliott Investment Management, which  disclosed a nearly $2 billion stake  in the carrier in June and called for a leadership change.

“We will adapt as our customers’ needs adapt,” Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said at an industry event hosted by Politico on June 12, discussing potential new revenue initiatives.

Both American and Southwest report second-quarter results toward the end of July.

Making changes

Some money-losing carriers, such as  JetBlue Airways  and  Frontier Airlines , are already making changes.

JetBlue has been  cutting unprofitable flights  this year and making sure that planes outfitted with its high-end Mint business cabin, where tickets can go for more than four times a coach fare, is on the right routes.

Meanwhile Frontier Airlines and fellow discounter  Spirit Airlines  have  done away with change fees  for standard coach tickets and above, following larger,  legacy carriers’ move  during the pandemic. Both budget airlines announced in May that they will start offering bundled fares to include seat assignments and other add-ons that they used to charge for.

Spirit, which is struggling with the fallout from a  judge’s ruling  that blocked JetBlue from buying the airline, and is the most affected by the Pratt engine grounding, last week warned some 200 pilots they could be  furloughed  this year, according to the pilots union.

At Spirit’s annual shareholder meeting in June, CEO Ted Christie  brushed off suggestions  that Spirit is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with a more than $1 billion debt payment due in September 2025.

Fed up with tourists, Barcelona protesters blast them with water guns

Locals marched and delivered a manifesto on tourism’s cost-of-living impact, the latest backlash against a global travel surge since the end of pandemic limits.

Key takeaways

Summary is AI-generated, newsroom-reviewed.

• Demonstrators say that tourism inflates living costs and that revenue distribution is uneven.
• They made 13 demands, including limits on tourist accommodations and fewer cruise terminals.
• The frustration in Spain reflects a growing backlash against overtourism around the world.

Did our AI help? Share your thoughts.

Thousands took to the streets of Barcelona over the weekend to protest overtourism , some armed with brightly colored water pistols that sent bewildered visitors fleeing restaurant patios, abandoning half-eaten meals.

The protesters, who carried signs reading “Tourists go home,” say tourism has inflated the cost of living for Barcelonians, while the revenue from visitors hasn’t been fairly distributed across the city. As travel rebounds after the end of pandemic restrictions, the frustration in Spain reflects growing backlash against overtourism around the world.

• Led by the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic, or the Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth, the protesters listed 13 demands in a manifesto published Saturday, including restrictions on tourist accommodations, fewer cruise terminals in the city’s port and an end to tourism advertisements using public money.
• Local authorities estimated 2,800 people participated in the protests. Daniel Pardo Rivacoba, 48, a member of the organizing group, said as many as 20,000 people from 170 organizations took part in the protests.
• Rivacoba said the use of water guns was a spontaneous decision made by individual protesters and was not suggested by organizers. “Receiving water on your face is not nice, but it’s not violent,” he said.
• Responding to growing concerns, Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni pledged Saturday to reserve 10,000 residential units usually used by tourists for local residents and increase taxes on tourists, among other measures.

Barcelona has long been a popular tourist destination. Last year, close to 26 million visited the region, according to official figures , and Spain was the second-most-visited country in the world, according to U.N. Tourism . Barcelona’s population is 1.7 million.

Along with Venice , it is where the backlash against overtourism began, said T.C. Chang, a professor of geography at the National University of Singapore who researches urban tourism.

“As far as I know, there has been no explicit violence. But [overtourism] was already recognized at least 2-3 years before the pandemic,” he said in an email, noting that residents have also put up “No tourists welcome” signs in neighborhoods. “What has happened in Barcelona will spread to more tourist-crowded places beyond Europe,” he added.

The bigger picture

Locales in Japan , Indonesia , Greece , Italy and the Netherlands have also taken steps to curb influxes of visitors in the past year.

In Japan, one town sought to install a huge screen at a popular photo spot in front of Mount Fuji to stop tourists from taking selfies and causing traffic jams. Last year, the Greek government imposed a new timed ticketing system for the ancient Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, along with a visitor cap of 20,000 people per day. Venice experimented with extracting extra fees from tourists, while Amsterdam restricted the construction of new hotels.

“I think the key point here is about sustainable tourism development and sustainable management of tourist flows within a country,” said J.J. Zhang, a tourism geographer at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

As a possible solution, Zhang suggested determining the capacity of popular sites and controlling traffic, such as by “using technology where real-time data can be communicated to tourists such that overcrowded places could be avoided,” he said.

But Bob McKercher, a professor in tourism at the University of Queensland in Australia, raised another issue: The majority of tourists worldwide are domestic. “So while overtourism may be a long-standing issue,” he said, “can you really stop people from visiting their own country?”

Beatriz Ríos contributed to this report.