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From its pristine beaches along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts to its rugged mountain landscapes adorned with picturesque villages, Albania promises an unforgettable experience, as I outline in my Reasons to visit Albania post, for all who venture within its borders.
However, it’s a country that requires a bit of preparation prior to visiting. Here I will outline the travel tips for Albania so you don’t have to fret on arrival.
TRAVEL TIPS FOR ALBANIA: ESSENTIALS
Money and prices in Albania
The Lek is the unit of currency in Albania. I was unable to obtain any Lek outside of Albania so exchanged euros for Lek in central Tirana, which was much cheaper than withdrawing from an ATM on arrival. Exchange bureaus are as prevalent as ATMs, so change your currency into Lek at an exchange bureau in central Tirana.
Euros may be accepted in certain areas and services. For example, I had the option of paying in euros for the pre-arranged airport shuttle taxi to my hotel.
Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. The only products I found to be quite expensive were SIM cards. They ranged in price from 2300 Lek to 2500 Lek (€23-25 approx) for the most basic one month tariff of national calls, national texts and data. SIM cards purchased at the airport from national operators were more expensive than their corresponding outlets in central Tirana.
Accommodation in Albania
I used booking.com for all my accommodation needs in Albania. I found the quality of accommodation was a pretty good standard. Beds were exceptionally comfortable everywhere I stayed.
If you are looking for a hotel near Tirana Airport, I can highly recommend N by Noshi. It’s only a 10 minute walk from the terminal.
It was not advisable to drink tap water in any of the properties that I stayed in. Similar to Greece, toilet paper couldn’t be flushed down the toilet but had to be placed in a bin provided.
Language in Albania
Most people under the age of forty speak English as a second language. Given the historic links between the two countries, Italian is spoken throughout the country among all ages. Greek is spoken in the Albanian Riviera.
Albania is known as ‘Shqiperia’ in its own language.
Getting to Albania
Tirana Nene Tereza is currently the only international airport operating in Albania. Wizz Air has a large presence at Tirana. Ryanair also flies to Tirana. Italy is by far the best connected country to Albania by air. Vlora airport is due to open soon.
Albania shares a border with Montenegro, Kosovo, the Republic of North Macedonia and Greece, and has bus connections with all countries. Albania has ferry links to Bari, Brindisi and Ancona in Italy.
Getting around Albania
One of the most important things to know before visiting Albania is that travelling within Albania can be just as difficult as getting to Albania. Information on public transport is sparse so it’s a case of doing a random internet search and asking your accommodation provider for further advice. I found the Albania Tour Guide website quite good in this respect. This website also runs guided tours.
Driving in Albania wasn’t as challenging as I thought it would be. The local drivers are a little chaotic but not aggressive. For example, two lanes on dual carriageways became three lanes when at junctions/slip roads. However, if you give way to a car, the driver will salute you for your kind gesture.
However, Albania’s mountain terrain will test both car and driver. If you enjoy hairpin bends and sheer cliff drops, this is the country for you! The Llogora Pass is up there with the Stelvio Pass as one of the most thrilling/frightening places to drive in Europe.
VISITING ALBANIA: FAQS
Is Albania safe to visit?
Yes, for two reasons. I travelled on my own and felt safe at all times. Secondly, my government rated Albania as having the same security risk as other European countries (Normal Precautions category) prior to and during my visit. So my advice, as always, is follow your government’s guidelines.
Albania has a reputation for organised crime but I didn’t witness any such activity during my visit. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. I found the country to be tourist friendly and the people quite helpful.
Do I need a visa to visit Albania?
This will depend on the passport you hold. For example, EU and UK visitors can visit Albania without a visa for up to 90 days if travelling for the purposes of a holiday.
Is one week enough to visit Albania?
It depends how much of the country you wish to see and what activities you want to undertake. Two days should cover Tirana, giving you time to explore at least another major destination in the country – I highly recommend Himare for a beach holiday. If you want to travel the whole country and fit in activities such as hiking and kayaking, at least two weeks would be required.
Despite Albania’s small size, travel progress is slow given the infrequent transport services plus the challenging terrain it needs to overcome – roads cling to the sides of the Albanian Alps at times!
What to pack for Albania?
That depends when and where you go. Albania has a typically southern European climate – very hot in the summer and mild during the winter, so pack according to the season. Areas of very high altitude will be several degrees colder than elsewhere.
Albanian electrical sockets are of the round two-pin variety found all over continental Europe, so bring an adapter plug if required. Some beaches on the Albanian Riviera have pebbles/stones so a pair of sea shoes is recommended.
Other than this, normal packing guidelines apply. See my Guide to Packing for International Travel for further advice.
What is the best time to visit Albania?
April to June and September to October are ideal as temperatures are neither too cold nor too hot. July and August are hot all over country and busy in the coastal areas.
Is tipping expected in Albania?
Tipping etiquette in Albania is similar to most European countries. If the service was excellent, the general guideline is a 10% tip at least. Some people round up the bill. If you feel the service wasn’t good, you’re not obligated to leave any tip.
Is Albania a Muslim country?
Between 50-60% of Albanians are Muslim but the country’s atheist communist past means that Islam hasn’t played a part in public life since Ottoman times. Religion and none at all is very much a personal choice in Albania.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Visiting Albania can be a truly enriching and unforgettable experience. By being aware of the country’s travel essentials, travellers can better navigate their way through this part of Europe that was off the tourist trail for decades.
Arrivals Hall 