Albania Itinerary Theth

18 things to know before visiting Albania

18 things to know before visiting Albania

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Albania is an amazing country! I had the opportunity to visit in 2022 and it quickly became one of my favourite destinations in Europe. The country is cheap, the people very friendly, and the landscapes range from mountains to beaches with crystal clear water. Plus, their history is quite interesting as well.

There is a long list of reasons why you should visit Albania 🥰. However, it is important to remember that Albania has only been a “free” country since the 90s, so it has some particular features that may not match the typical image we have of European countries.

If you’re wondering what Albania is like in terms of its cities, expect a mix of modern and traditional. Tirana is vibrant and full of life, while smaller towns like Berat and Gjirokastër showcase the country’s rich history and charm.

So, to help you better plan your trip to this country with so much to offer, I wrote this post with some things you should know before visiting Albania. Some are stranger than others, but my goal here is that you know what to expect in Albania!

Important Things to know before visiting Albania

Before you start planning your trip, there are a few important things to know about Albania that will help you make the most of your experience. From transportation to local customs, these insights will ensure you’re well-prepared for your adventure.

Things to know before visiting Albania Renting a Car

01 | Best Ways to Travel in Albania: Car vs. Bus

One of the most important Albania travel tips is to plan your transport in advance.

Public transport in Albania is limited, so renting a car is the best option for flexibility. This is what I chose, and it made my trip much easier! If you’re considering renting a car, check out my tips for hiring a car in Albania.

Even so, it is also possible to choose to travel by public transport. These are mainly buses and small vans, as the train network is quite bad. However, you should take into consideration that:

  • we can rarely find the most current version of the timetables for these services
  • the timetables indicated are often not true
  • there aren’t really any bus stations, many of which are located in the middle of the roads

💡 EXTRA TIP: One of the best places to look for information about transport in Albania is this website. However, I recommend that, whenever possible, you check on the spot whether the timetables shown on the website are reliable for the day you intend to travel.

Things to know before visiting Albania Drive carefully
Road in Albania

02 | Driving in Albania: What You Need to Know

Generally speaking, the roads in Albania are in good condition. On my journey through Albania, the only exception I found was a stretch of the road from Shkodër to Komani. And even for this road, locals told me that there is a project to remodel it.

However, my biggest tip when it comes to things you should know before visiting Albania is that Albanians drive frantically. There are a lot of impatient drivers in traffic, honking for pretty much anything. Driving in Albania is therefore a real adventure!

Don’t be surprised, for example, to see cars passing double continuous lines or creating a non-existent third lane to overtake or crossing in front of you when they don’t have priority 😂.

Having said that, and having rented a car for almost my entire trip in Albania, at some point I actually found it fun to drive on Albanian roads. Anyway, I just wanted to warn you that this was just my experience in the country and that I am used to driving in big cities, so I’d rent a car there if I returned to Albania.

SEE ALSO  Visit Gjirokastër (Albania): 8 beautiful places you can't miss (+map)

Thus, if you don’t feel very comfortable driving, I would say to opt for public transport or organized tours to get to know the country.

03 | Do You Need Cash in Albania? Payment Tips for TravellersCash (still) is king

A key part of any Albania travel tips list is knowing that cash is still widely used.

When I was planning my trip to Albania, I read on several blogs that most restaurants (and often even hotels) do not accept card payments. Although this turned out to be less true than I expected, there are many places with a “cash only” sign at the entrance.

Therefore, I strongly suggest that you always carry some cash with you, as you will easily find yourself in a situation where you cannot use a card.

💡 EXTRA TIP: I recommend using a Revolut Card to avoid paying bank fees for withdrawing and paying with another currency. If you don’t have Revolut yet, you can see all the reasons why Revolut card is a traveller’s best friend.

04 | Why Do Buildings in Albania Look Unfinished?

Another thing to know before visiting Albania is that some areas of big cities (especially Tirana) look a bit dodgy at first sight. It is quite common to find unfinished buildings, still with bricks showing. In addition, electricity and telecom wires are also usually all tangled up in the streets.

However, even though this is something that feels a bit strange at first (this is Europe, after all), you soon realize that it’s perfectly normal and doesn’t mean you’re in a ‘dangerous’ place.

Things to know before visiting Albania Cheap prices

05 | Important Driving Safety Tips in Albania

In addition to what I have already mentioned about Albanians’ driving skills, there’s one thing you should know before visiting Albania. You REALLY need to drive carefully.

There are many times when we encounter pedestrians on the motorway, or motorbike drivers without helmets on the road. Therefore, to avoid serious accidents, I recommend paying extra attention when driving.

💼 TRAVEL INSURANCE: Unexpected events happen anywhere in the world, so I always recommend getting travel insurance. I regularly use Heymondo, which offers some of the highest coverages on the market at very competitive prices. As well as covering medical expenses, Heymondo’s insurance also covers the loss or theft of luggage, electronic equipment and more. They also have a 24/7 customer service through their App. As A Ticket to Take Off reader, you get a 5% discount when purchasing Heymondo insurance. The purchase must be made using this link, and the price shown on the website already includes the discount.

06 | Is Albania safe to visit?

I read on some websites that it was not always safe to travel in Albania. However, my experience was quite positive. I never felt unsafe (not even at night) and I often carried my camera and mobile phone in plain sight.

However, it is worth mentioning that I took the usual precautions (e.g. not leaving valuable items in the front part of my backpack).

In any case, there are two areas that people usually recommend not visiting in Albania (the area near the border with Kosovo and Lazarat). However, I do not have any experience in these two places, so I am merely referring to some tips I have seen online.

But that’s not a problem, as the population generally speaks good English! And in some cases, you can even find Albanians who speak Italian, as the country was once occupied by Italy.

Things to know before visiting Albania Cost of life
Berat’s Castle

08 | It’s pretty cheap

For a tourist coming from other European countries, it is easy to consider Albania a cheap country, especially when it comes to accommodation and meals.

A meal in an average restaurant costs easily 6€ per person, and a night in a room with a private bathroom is around 15€ per person. Of course, there are higher (and also lower) prices, always depending on the experience we are looking for.

However, it is undeniable that Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe.

09 | Why Albanians Are Among the Friendliest People in Europe

Although the country was almost cut off from the world until the 1990s, the Albanian people are some of the most welcoming in Europe. People are willing to help and are very friendly.

Things to know before visiting Albania Beaches
Gjipe Beach

10 | Albania has beaches to be jealous of

When we talk about beaches in Europe, we quickly think of Greece, Croatia or Italy, for example. However, have you heard of the Albanian Riviera?

If you’re reading this post, chances are that you’ve already researched about the beaches in Albania. Spending part of your holiday in Albania along the stunning coastline is a must. The Albanian Riviera boasts crystal-clear waters, golden sand, and a laid-back atmosphere, making it one of the best beach destinations in Europe.

So, I recommend you reserve a few days of your Albania itinerary to visit the Albanian Riviera.

11 | Food in Albania is delicious

Albania’s gastronomy is surprisingly one of the best in Europe. There are several typical dishes you should try, but I especially recommend the qofte and qifqi (a kind of meatball) and also imam bajaldi (stuffed aubergine).

Things to know before visiting Albania Religions
Mosque in Shkodër

12 | There are several religions in the country

Although the majority of people in Albania are Muslim, it is common to find people of various religions. In fact, this can be seen in the number of Orthodox and Catholic churches that we find in addition to the mosques in the cities.

Things to know before visiting Albania Bunkers
Bunker in Tirana

13 | Get ready for hundreds of bunkers

Another thing you should definitely know before visiting Albania is that there are so many bunkers around the country. Yes, you read that right! Albania was under a dictatorial regime, in which the dictator Enver Hoxha was obsessed that he would be the victim of a nuclear attack. So he had more than 100,000 bunkers built all over the country.

The truth is that the much-feared nuclear attack never happened, and now the bunkers are abandoned. The exceptions are two of the regime’s largest bunkers, built in Tirana, where you can visit the museum inside.

Things to know before visiting Albania Currency
Berat
Things to know before visiting Albania Albania Airport
Lake Komani

15 | Choose your arrival airport wisely

The only airport in Albania with good international connections is located in Tirana, the country’s capital. This is an excellent starting point for those who want to make a road trip around the country, as it is located relatively in the middle of the map.

However, if you only want to visit the beach area (which I don’t recommend, as the country is much more than its beaches) or the southern part of the country, it may make sense to fly to Corfu in Greece and from there take a ferry to Sarandë.

16 | You’ll spot a lot of rubbish

Although Albania has a lot of amazing places, one of the things that surprised me the most was the amount of rubbish everywhere. There still doesn’t seem to be much awareness about this issue.

For example, one of the cases where this problem was most evident was during my boat trip along Lake Komani, where the water was full of rubbish floating around.

Things to know before visiting Albania Visit Tirana
Market in Tirana

17 | Is Tirana Worth Visiting? Why You Shouldn’t Skip It

At first glance, Tirana may not seem like the most charming European capital. And even if it isn’t, nor if it has an endless list of sights to visit, it’s a city with a lot of life and it feels good to enjoy it quietly!

What’s more, it’s one of the best places to immerse yourself in Albanian culture and learn a bit more about the country’s history.

18 | Why You Should Visit the Albanian Alps: A Hidden Gem

Albania has landscapes for all tastes, and the Albanian Alps are proof of that! I know that for those who visit the country within a week, it is difficult to fit this region into the itinerary.

But, if you have a little extra time, I highly recommend a visit to the village of Theth and, for those who like hiking, the trail between Theth and Valbona.

Final Thoughts: Albania Travel Tips

If there’s one thing you must know before visiting Albania, it’s that this country will surprise you in the best way possible. A holiday in Albania offers the perfect mix of affordability, stunning landscapes, and rich culture. Whether it’s the beaches, mountains, or fascinating history, this country has something for everyone.

Before you go, keep these Albania travel tips in mind—whether it’s understanding local transport, carrying cash, or preparing for unique driving habits, a little planning goes a long way. But one thing is certain: once you visit, you’ll want to come back!

So, don’t wait too long to plan your trip. Albania is quickly gaining popularity, and it won’t stay under the radar forever.

Have you been to Albania? Or do you have any questions about planning your trip? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts! 😊

Disclaimer: this post may contain some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy something through my links. This doesn’t represent any additional cost to you and you’ll be supporting my work here on the blog😊

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about me

A Ticket To Take Off About Me

I am Mariana from Porto, Portugal. I am truly passionate about traveling and all things travel related. And that’s exactly what led me to create this page: so I can inspire others to travel and help plan all those trips with my tips and itineraries.

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