panorama view of Lake Komani, Albania

Albania - Ultimate Travel Guide

Discover Albania—a hidden gem with pristine beaches, rugged mountains, and rich history. This guide unlocks top sights, tips, and hidden treasures for the perfect trip.

Why Albania Should Be Your Next Destination

✔ Budget-friendly (meals from €3, hotels from €20)

✔ Stunning diversity – Alps, beaches, and UNESCO towns

✔ Rich history – Illyrian ruins, Ottoman bazaars, Communist relics

✔ Few crowds – Mass tourism hasn’t arrived yet, you see mostly locals

map and flag of Albania

Key Stats & Quick Facts

Capital: Tirana (vibrant capital with colorful buildings and Ottoman architecture)
Size: 28,748 km² (slightly smaller than Belgium)
Language: Albanian [Shqip] & Greek (English widely understood in tourist areas)
Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL) – Euro often accepted
Best Time to Visit: May to October (July to August peak season)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) UTC +1 & Daylight Saving Time (March-October): UTC +2
Country Calling Code: +355
Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Power Adapter: Type C (European 2-pin) and Type F (German 2-pin with grounding clips)
Tap Water: Generally safe in cities and tourist areas, but best to stick to bottled water to be safe

⬇️Page Content

☀️ Best Time To Visit

📅 Holidays & Busy Weeks to Avoid

💵 Cash, Cards & Tipping

🌍 How To Get Here

🏨 Where To Stay

🚌 Transport & Getting Around

🏛️ Sights & Attractions

🏙️ Best Cities To Visit in Albania

📱 Best Apps for Albania

📶 Internet & SIM Cards

🍽️ Dishes & Drinks

🗣️ Useful Phrases in Albanian

🛡️ Safety in Albania

More Detail:

🗺️ Tours & Roundtrips in Albania

🏛️ Best Sights & Attractions in Albania

🏙️ Best Cities to visit in Albania

🏨 Best Accommodations in Albania

🏖️ Best Beaches of Albania

Related Information:

🚶‍♂️ Hiking in Albania

🚲 Cycling in Albania

⛺ Camping & Van-Life in Albania

🏄‍♂️ Surfing & Windsurfing in Albania

⛵ Sailing in Albania

⛷️ Skiing and Snowboarding in Albania

⛳ Golf in Albania

💻 Digital Nomads in Albania

☀️ Best Time To Visit

The best months to visit Albania are May to October. In the Months May–June and September–October temperatures are pleasant (20–28°C), crowds are smaller, and prices are lower. July–August is ideal for beach lovers but expect heat (30–35°C) and busy coastal areas. Winter (December–February) is great for skiing in the Albanian Alps but chilly elsewhere.

climate table of Albania

📅 Holidays & Busy Weeks to Avoid

Good to know: Sunday is quiet with many businesses closed

Major Holidays (Expect Closures)

  • January 1-2 – New Year’s – Parties everywhere, but transport is packed
  • March 14 – Summer Day (Dita e Verës) – Huge street celebrations
  • November 28 – Independence Day – Parades, but museums/shops close

Peak Tourist Weeks

  • August 15 (Ferragosto) – Italian tourists flood the coast
  • Easter Week – Prices spike

💵 Cash, Cards & Tipping

Cash is King – Many places don’t take cards

  • ATMs widely available
  • Credit cards accepted in cities, but carry cash for rural areas

Tipping culture:

  • Restaurants: 5-10% if service not included
  • Taxis: Round up fare (e.g., 400 to 500 Lek)
  • Hotel staff: 1-2$ for porters/bellboys
  • Tour guides: 5-10% of tour cost

view of Albania's capital city Tirana

🌍 How to get to Albania?

1. By Air ✈️

Albania’s main international airport is Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA), located 25 minutes from the city center.
You can check current flight prizes on Skyscanner.
How to get from Tirana Airport to the city?

  • Private Transfer to your Accommodation costs around 20$ per car (up to 4 people) – MORE INFO
  • Shuttle Bus between Tirana Airport and City Center costs around 6$ per Person – MORE INFO

2. By Car or Bus🚗

Albania shares borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece.
There is a single highway A1 Autostrada, where you have to pay at the toll gates. (2025)
All other roads are free.

3. By Train🚆

The rail network is underdeveloped and options are very limited and slow. At this time it is not recommended to travel by train in Albania.

4. By Sea⛴️

Ferries connect Albania with Italy and Greece:

  • From Italy: Ferries depart from Bari and Brindisi to Durrës and Vlorë
  • From Greece: Ferries run from Corfu to Sarandë (around 30 minutes)

🏨 Where To Stay In Albania?

Top Hotels & Resorts in Albania:

Hotel Town House in Tirana

Hotel Town House 3* (Tirana)

city center, budget friendly

Starlight Hotel in Tirana

Starlight Hotel 3* (Tirana)

city center

Albon Park Hotel in Berat, Albania

ALBON Park 3* (Berat)

great breakfast, parking available

a room in Hotel Aleks, Shkodra

Hotel Aleks 3* (Shkodra)

central location

Sandy Beach Resort in Golem, Albania

Sandy Beach Resort 4* (Golem)

direct beach access, All-Inclusive

beach of premium beach hotel in Golem, Albania

Premium Beach Hotel 5* (Golem)

direct beach access, All-Inclusive

view of the beach from Hotel Aks in Durres, Albania

Aks Hotel 4* (Durrës)

direct beach access, near the city

view of the beach in Hotel Saly in Durres, Albania

Hotel Saly 3* (Durrës)

direct beach access, central location

more Accommodations ->>

🚌 Transport & Getting Around

Albania’s transport system is affordable but can be chaotic for first-time visitors. This guide covers all your options, from buses to rental cars

1. Renting a Car in Albania 🚗

  • Requirements:
    • International Driving Permit (IDP)
    • EU license accepted – international driver’s license still recommended
    • Credit card
  • Road conditions:
    • Coastal roads are well-maintained
    • Mountain roads are narrow and steep (4×4 recommended for Theth/Valbona)
  • Safety Tips:
    • Avoid driving at night in remote areas (could miss potholes or other obstacles)
    • Watch out for risky overtakers – drive safe

2. Public Transport 🚌🚂

Best for: Budget travelers.

  • Intercity buses:
    • Tirana to Sarandë (~15$, 4 hours – depending on traffic in the summer months it can take up to 6 hours or longer)
  • Furgons (minibuses):
    • Faster but unpredictable schedules (e.g., Shkodra to Theth in summer)
    • Pay cash to the driver
  • Trains:
    • limited routes & very slow – stick to buses instead

3. Taxis & Ride-Hailing 🚕

  • Bolt: Cheaper than street taxis (works in Tirana, Durrës, Sarandë)
  • Cost: Short rides in cities ~5$
  • Avoid scams if using regular Taxis: Agree on fares upfront or insist on the meter

4. Domestic Flights ✈️

Not common in Albania – stick to buses, taxis or cars

5. Ferries & Boats ⛴️

  • Komani Lake Ferry: Scenic route to Valbona (10$, 2,5 hours)

🏛️ Sights & Attractions

skanderbeg Square in Tirana

Skanderbeg Square & Statue

Main Square of Tirana

a ferry in Komani Lake between mountains

Komani Lake

artificial reservoir – beautiful ferry ride

beautiful view of the Albanian Alps in Teth Nationalpark

Teth Nationalpark

Albanian Alps

scenic road in Llogara Nationalpark

Llogara Nationalpark

Albanian Alps

view of castle of Kruja, Albania

Fortress of Krujë

5th century fortress

drone view of Rozafa Castle, Albania

Rozafa Castle

Historic Castle in Shkodër

view of the Gjirokastër Fortress

Gjirokastër Fortress

Fortress overlooking the city of Gjirokastër

Amphitheatre in Butrint, Albania

Butrint Nationalpark (UNESCO)

Ruins of Butrint

more Sights ->>

🏙️ Best Cities to Visit in Albania

📱 Best Apps for Albania

Google Maps (Offline Mode) (Download offline maps for remote areas like Theth & Valbona)

Google Translate (Download Albanian offline – Helps with menus and signs – Use the camera feature to translate text instantly)

Waze (Best for: Real-time traffic updates and police speed traps)

Bolt (Albania’s Uber alternative – Cheaper than taxis, no haggling – Works in: Tirana, Durrës, Vlora, Sarandë)

Moovit (Public transport app – Bus & furgon (minibus) schedules – Covers: Tirana, Shkodra, and major coastal cities)

Booking.com (For Hotels, guesthouses, and apartments)

Airbnb (Apartments & Alternative stays – Mountain guesthouses in Theth, beach villas in Ksamil)

Park4Night (Find free camping spots for road trips)

TripAdvisor (Find top-rated restaurants – Filter by cuisine (seafood, traditional Albanian)

HappyCow (For vegetarians/vegans – Lists plant-friendly eateries in Albania)

Maps.me (Best offline hiking maps – Trails in Theth, Valbona, and Llogara)

Albania Travel (Official Tourism App – Attractions, events, and emergency info in one place)

PeakVisor (Identify Albanian Alps mountain peaks)

iOverlander (Van life-friendly stops with water refill points)

Xe Currency Converter (Know if you’re getting fair prices)

📶 Internet & SIM Cards

What are the best options for tourists in Albania regarding SIM cards and eSims?

Best SIM card in Albania:

Currently the best provider is Vodafone Albania
I recommend getting a SIM card when you arrive at the Airport in Tirana (TIA) since Vodafone has a little station there and the employees will change and activate the SIM card for you in just about 5 minutes.
Alternatively, if you don’t arrive by air, you can go to any Vodafone Shop in the city and ask the employees for a tourist SIM card.

Best eSIM providers:

What’s an eSim and how to use it? 

🍽️🍷 Dishes & Drinks

Iconic Main Dishes

  • Tavë Kosi – traditional Albanian baked lamb and rice casserole
  • Byrek/Burek – Flaky pie with cheese, spinach, or meat
  • Fërgesë – Peppers, tomatoes, and cottage cheese, usually eaten with bread (vegetarian option)

Street Food & Snacks

  • Qofte/Kofta – Grilled meatballs with herbs
  • Petulla – Fried dough balls (like donuts) with honey or cheese

Traditional Drinks

  • Raki – 40% alcohol fruit brandy (try the fig or grape version)
  • Boza – Fermented wheat drink (sweet & tangy)
  • Albanian Wine – Shesh i Zi (red) and Pulebardha (white)

Byrek or Burek, a balkan dish
Tavë Kosi albanian national dish

🛍️ Souvenirs to Bring Home from Albania

Take home a piece of Albanian culture with these authentic gifts:

1. Traditional

  • “Qeleshe” (Fez Hat) – A woolen hat worn by Albanian men in the north.
  • Silver Filigree Jewelry – Intricate designs from Berat and Gjirokastër
  • Lahuta – One string fiddle, traditional balkan instrument

2. Local Delicacies

  • Albanian Raki – Strong fruit brandy (best homemade versions)
  • Mountain Tea (Çaj Mali) – A healing herbal tea from the Alps
  • Olive Oil & Honey

3. Unique

  • “Qilim” (Wool Rugs) – Handwoven in Shkodra
  • “Xhubleta” (Traditional Skirt) – A rare folk costume from the north


Where to Buy:

  • Kruja Bazaar (best for antiques)
  • Tirana’s Pazari i Ri (food & crafts)

albanian flag on a basar in durres

🗣️ Useful Phrases in Albanian

Basic Albanian & Polite Phrases

  • Hello – Përshëndetje (per-shen-DET-ye)
  • Good morning – Mirëmëngjes (MEE-ruh-mun-jes)
  • Good evening – Mirëmbrëma (MEE-ruhm-bruh-ma)
  • Thank you – Faleminderit (fah-leh-min-DEH-reet)
  • Yes/No – Po / Jo (poh / yoh)
  • Excuse me/Sorry – Më falni (muh FAHL-nee)
  • Where is…? – Ku është…? (koo UH-shtuh)
  • Bus station – Stacioni i autobusëve (sta-TSIO-nee ee ow-toh-BOOS-uh-veh)
  • Taxi – Taksi (TAHK-see)
  • How much? – Sa kushton? (sah KOOSH-ton)
  • Menu – Menyja (meh-NYAH)
  • Water – Ujë (OO-yuh)
  • Cash/Card – Para në dorë / Kartë (PAH-rah nuh DOH-ruh / KAHR-tuh)
  • Cheers! – Gëzuar! (guh-ZWAHR)

Tips:
Albanian is phonetic – Pronounce every letter.
Locals appreciate effort – Even broken Albanian gets smiles!

🛡️ Safety in Albania

✅ Low Violent Crime – Rare attacks on tourists

✅ No Terrorism Risk – No significant incidents

✅ Hospitable Culture – Locals often actively help

 ⚠  Pickpocketing – In tourist areas, at the beach

 ⚠  Chaotic Traffic – Risky overtaking, poor road conditions

 ⚠  Scams – Taxis without meters, incorrect change given

 ⚠  Avoid night buses – Limited schedules and safety concerns


Recommendations for Maximum Safety

  • Taxis: Only book through the Bolt App
  • Night Walks: Not a problem in cities, but avoid beach promenades
  • Valuables: Leave them in the hotel, not in the rental car

Conclusion: Albania is safe for travelers with normal precautions.

Emergency numbers:

  • General Emergency: 112 (English speakers available)
  • Police: 129
  • Ambulance: 127
  • Fire Department: 128
  • Road Assistance: 126