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"Lonely Planet": Everything you need to know before visiting Albania
2025-02-28 08:19:27 / EKONOMI&SOCIALE
Of all the countries I've been to (over 60), the stereotypes I hear about Albania are among the most diverse, writes Joel Balsam for the travel magazine "Lonely Planet".
Besides being a beautiful country – Albania is a developing nation still emerging from a brutal 45-year dictatorship that ended in 1991.
Albania has a lower crime rate than Canada and is populated with tourists every summer – given its gorgeous beaches, amazing hikes and fascinating UNESCO-listed “museum” cities.
Start planning your trip to Albania without any worries.
Here's what you need to know before visiting Albania:
Maybe it was the 2008 film “Taken,” in which Liam Neeson fights Albanian human traffickers who kidnapped his daughter. Or the sensational news about the Albanian mafia across Europe. Or the region’s ancient ethnic divisions. All of this may have contributed to an undeserved bad reputation when it comes to security.
It's simply not true. Thefts here are not common, and many solo tourists don't find Albania any more dangerous than any other country in Europe.
Also, the main highways are well maintained.
Avoid July and August if you don't like crowds.
While many social media videos have promoted Albania, they have also contributed to the Albanian Riviera being packed with visitors every summer.
On most beaches in and around the popular village of Ksamil, you won't easily find space to put down a towel.
Similarly, Albania's UNESCO-protected towns of Berat and Gjirokastra – fill with visitors in the warmer months, and the hiking trails in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna between Theth and Valbona – can be crowded.
Instead, book your trip to Albania in spring (May and June) or fall (September and August) to be in the land of warm temperatures and no crowds.
3. Entry is easy and visa-free
For citizens of more than 80 countries, a 90-day tourist visa will cost you nothing. When you arrive at Tirana International Airport, you will scan your passport and enter Albania without having to speak to a border security officer.
For American citizens it gets even better: a free tourist visa allows you to stay for up to a year.
Take the ferry to Albania from Corfu if the beach is your priority
Albania's international airport is in Tirana, which is at least a few hours' drive from the best beaches of the Albanian Riviera.
If the beach is your priority, fly to the Greek island of Corfu and then take the ferry to Saranda.
The beaches around Ksamil are easily accessible – and you can rent a car to go north for quieter beaches.
Use electric taxis in Tirana
If you fly into Tirana airport, buy a SIM card from a local operator and then contact an electric taxi company – to pick you up.
Or hop on an airport bus for a 30-minute ride to Skanderbeg Square in the heart of Tirana. Buses come every hour and you can pay in cash.
Albania is child-friendly
Albanian parents are the ones who take their children with them wherever they go and treat their little ones like royalty.
Feel free to bring your kids along. In most Albanian cities, play structures are plentiful to help burn off energy.
Planning an itinerary in Albania will depend on the time you have available.
If you want to make the most of your time, consider renting a car.
You can use an international agency at Tirana airport, or pay cash at a better price at a local agency.
If you are driving, avoid navigating the northern Dolmen Mountains, as the weather is unpredictable. Instead, go on a walking tour that includes a boat trip to Valbona. Accommodations in Shkodër can plan the trip for you.
Discover Albanian food and wine
Like their former Ottoman-occupied neighbors, Albanians offer delicious grilled meats and strong raki (grape or plum).
The country is also developing as a wine destination, particularly around the central Albanian city of Berat.
Make sure to visit the traditional grill in Tirana's New Bazaar and along Kavaja Street try the meatballs, taratori, and pie (with meat, cheese, or spinach).
Along the Albanian Riviera, the food is similar to what you would find in Italy or Greece, with seafood pasta and Greek salad being popular menu items.
The dishes tend to be delicious and much cheaper than at similar seaside restaurants in neighboring countries.
The fascinating history of Albania
Both in past centuries and today, Albanian history fascinates. You may know about Mother Teresa, an Albanian born in North Macedonia – but take some time to learn about Skanderbeg, the national hero who defended the country against the Ottoman Empire for decades – during a visit to the city of Kruja, and about Enver Hoxha, the country’s dictator./ATA
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