13 Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Albania

Traveling to Albania anytime soon? If so, this guide is here to help you get prepared! I have been twice now and have really enjoyed it, though it was completely different from what I expected. Let me tell you all about it.

Over the past few years, Albania has started gaining attention as a more affordable alternative to places like Croatia and Greece, which is what first made me curious about visiting.

If you’re here, then you probably know that exploring a new country can be thrilling, but it’s also normal to feel uncertain when you’re not sure what to expect in a new place.

Before I set foot in there, I did all the research I could, and yet, as is often the case, some of the most valuable insights only came from experiencing it firsthand.

In this post, I’ll share some tips and insights from my journey, both practical advice and cultural nuances I wish I’d known before arriving. I have also picked up some tips from my friend who has been living there after leaving Istanbul.

I hope these pointers help make your Albanian adventure smoother and even more enjoyable than mine.

Get ready to discover a country that’s truly worth visiting!

Quick Overview of Albania

Albania is a small Balkan country located along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas between Montenegro and Greece.

In recent years, it has become increasingly popular with travelers looking for beautiful beaches, mountain scenery, and a more affordable alternative to places like Croatia or Greece.

Before visiting, I honestly did not know much about Albania besides seeing a few photos of the coastline online. What surprised me most, though, was how different the country felt from what I expected.

Parts of Albania felt modern and lively, while other parts reminded me of what Turkey may have felt like decades ago. Between the fascinating history, incredibly kind people, and slightly chaotic transportation system, it ended up being one of the most memorable countries I’ve visited in the Balkans.

1. They Are the Kindest People

Albanians were some of the kindest people I encountered during my trip. Even when there was a language barrier, people genuinely tried to help.

We stayed near the beach at first, where interactions felt more touristy, but once we reached Tirana, I really noticed how warm and welcoming people were. It honestly left a huge impression on me.

2. Safety as a solo female traveler

Is it safe? I never felt unsafe. As a solo female traveler, I never felt stared at constantly. I wasn’t hit on or taken advantage of.

Obviously, anywhere you go, you can be pickpocketed. But I never felt unsafe. Even as I walked the streets alone.

There are these lovely sidewalks in Tirana that are barricaded from the street for protection, and in many places, they have amazing tree coverage.

So even when it is hot outside, it feels so much nicer in the shade.

But beyond that, one of the things I found interesting is that in so many places that feel safe, the US government will still often have a terrorism caution on the travel.state.gov website.

There was no such caution for this country. It really feels like a safe country.

There is a caution for rural areas with regard to drug crimes, but be smart, aware, and have common sense, as this can be anywhere! So go and enjoy!

3. The tap water is not okay to drink

One thing that surprised me was how inconsistent the tap water situation was throughout Albania. In some places, locals drank it without concern, while in others, people strongly recommended bottled water.

I found it was best to simply ask locals what they personally do in that area instead of assuming the answer would be the same throughout the country.

If you travel often, bringing a filtered water bottle can make things easier and reduce plastic waste as well.

4. Transportation travel tips

Transportation isn’t up to the European standard by any means yet, and it can be a difficult situation, but they are improving it every day. Transportation between towns is difficult because not every travel agency sets up all the same services.

I only used public transportation with my friend, who lives there, as she knew the routes. You hop on a bus, and a man comes to collect your money and give you a ticket. It’s a bit old school.

If you want to do something different or travel between cities, you may have to visit different travel agencies to find the one that will be able to provide you with a bus to where you want to go.

Sometimes, especially in a rural area, you will find yourself with no mode of transportation except an unmarked taxi.

Pro tip: If you find yourself in that situation, make sure you take a photo of the driver’s face and the license plate and send them to someone in the unfortunate case that something happens.

Often, simply letting someone know you shared their information adds an extra layer of safety and accountability.

You can also use a taxi when you’re there. I used both TaxiLux and SmartTaxi to get from the airport to my friends or even to the beach resort I was headed to.

That being said, you can also rent a car. I have rented cars in different countries using Discover Cars. You can use this widget to get a quick quote.

I also recommend getting full coverage insurance. Especially for a foreigner with a strong currency, the peace of mind is worth the small fee.

5. Money in Albania

The local currency is the Albanian lek.

Albania felt very affordable coming from Turkey and the United States, though taxi prices surprised me and were higher than I expected.

When I visited, I usually moved the decimal place roughly two spots to the left to estimate prices quickly in my head.

To get from our hotel to Tirana, the rate was 3,000-4,000 lek, which at the time was around $30-40.

You can use this currency converter to check the current exchange rate.

6. Albania is an interesting place

One of the things that surprised me most about Albania was how different it felt from the image I had in my head before arriving.

In some ways, parts of the country reminded me of what Turkey may have felt like twenty years ago. There is a rawness and rapid development happening at the same time.

We visited Kruje and learned more about Albania’s complicated communist history and the major changes the country has experienced in recent decades.

It still feels relatively undiscovered by mass tourism, but I honestly do not think that will last forever.

7. The Best Beaches, castles, and history, oh my!

I absolutely loved the beaches around Durres. The sand was soft, the water was beautiful, and it reminded me how much I missed proper sand beaches after living in Turkey.

But one thing I quickly realized is that Albania has far more to offer than just beaches. Between castles, mountain towns, historical sites, and national parks, there is a surprising amount to explore throughout the country.

If you’re staying in Tirana, it’s worth it to take a day trip over to Durres to get your Vitamin Sea.

8. Weather

One thing that surprised me about Albania was how varied the climate felt depending on where you were in the country.

Coastal areas were hot and Mediterranean, while mountainous regions were much cooler and greener than I expected.

Coming from Florida, I also found it funny that Albania and Turkey get much of their rain during the winter instead of the summer.

9. The Albanian Language

Granted, I am not a linguist and only know two languages while dabbling in a third, but Albanian sounded completely different from anything I had ever heard before.

As I looked into it more, I learned that Albanian is actually its own branch of the Indo-European language family and is not closely related to neighboring languages. That honestly made so much more sense once I started hearing it spoken around me.

What fascinated me most was that even though the language itself felt completely unfamiliar, I occasionally caught words that sounded Turkish, Russian, or even vaguely Spanish.

I still do not fully understand how my brain connected those dots, but it made the language feel strangely familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

Even simple conversations sounded incredibly unique to me, and it quickly became one of the things I found most interesting about traveling in Albania.

That being said, here are a few helpful phrases that are useful to know before your trip:

• Hi! (informal) = Ç’kemi! (chka-MEE)
• Hello! (formal) = Përshëndetje! (pehr-shuhn-DEHT-YEH) 
• Please! = Ju lutem! (yoo LOO-tehm) 
• Thank you! = Faleminderit! (fah-lehm-meen-DEH-reet) 
• You’re welcome. = S’ka përse. (skah purr-SEH) 
• Good morning. = Mirëmëngjes. (meer-muhn-JEHS) 
• Good afternoon/Good day. = Mirëdita. (meer-DEE-tah) 
• Good evening. = Mirëmbrëma. (meerm-BRUH-mah) 
• Good night. = Natën e mirë. (NAH-tehn eh MEER) 
• Goodbye! = Mirupafshim (meer-oo-PAHF-sheem) 

10. International Tirana Airport

In my mind, international airports are large and expensive. This airport, however, was neither of those things. This airport has maybe 8 gates or so.

All are on the ground floor. You walk to your plane or are transferred by bus if it is a little further away.

So this would make me think I wouldn’t need to get there early to check in…That is also not the case.

This airport doesn’t have designated lines like in many airports, so the 8 check-in desks are all busy and a little bit of a hot mess.

They also schedule many different flights for the same time, which means the airport is packed.

Make sure you get there at least a couple of hours early, as you never know how long the lines will be.

Also, if you have a baby, you may be able to jump the line. I was with friends who have three littles, and I was so glad.

We skipped the line for checking in (no online check-in available) as well as the passport/security line.

I don’t have kids, but I sure appreciated traveling with them that day!

Check out this blog on 17 tips for better international travel.

11. Religion and Tourism

One thing I found fascinating in Albania was how visibly different religions coexist alongside each other.

You might hear the call to prayer while also seeing churches and mosques standing side by side in the same neighborhood.

Albania felt surprisingly tolerant and secular compared to what many travelers might expect, and honestly, it was beautiful to witness.

12. Tirana

Tirana is such a fun and quirky town. I really, really loved the covered sidewalks as I explored the city.

While we didn’t have long to explore, here are a few highlights that are totally worth checking out.

• Proper Pizza – I don’t usually list restaurants, especially in Turkey because they are always changing. As an avid lover of pizza, this pizza was some of the best pizza I have had. They had a good mix of unique and classic flavors and a lovely touch of sesame seeds on the crust. Definitely recommend!
• Dajti Expres – While not technically in Tirana, it is a short bus ride away. We were so excited to go check this out, but unfortunately, it was closed for safety reasons, which happens regularly. Make sure you call ahead of time to see if it is open.
• Piramida – This city, like the rest of the country, has a complicated past. It was originally created to honor the country’s dictator, Enver Hoxha (who ruled from 1944-85), but just 5 years later, the plans were changing. There is still much debate on how it should be used. When we were there, it was under construction, and it couldn’t be seen.
• Skanderbeg Square – this is the center of Tirana. From here, all roads radiate out in all directions. If you stay close to here, you will be close to almost everything. In the square, you will see Skanderbeg’s monument, which actually stands in the same place that the Statue of Stalin once stood.

If you don’t have accommodations for your stay in Albania yet, you can check out some places close by! I have included most of the points of interest on the map.

I love booking.com, especially because of how seriously they take their reviews and how much of a selection there is.

13. Alcohol in Albania

Since living in Turkey, I was already familiar with raki and its strong anise flavor, though I still cannot say I fully enjoy it.

I did, however, really enjoy the local Korca beer while visiting Kruje. Maybe it was the mountain views and the heat, but it ended up being one of those small travel moments I still remember.

While at the hotel in Durres, we were able to get mixed drinks and beers from the market just around the corner. They also had a tasty bottled Cosmopolitan that I liked.

FAQS about visiting Albania

Why Albania Surprised Me

Before visiting Albania, I honestly did not know what to expect.

What I found was a country full of contrasts. Beautiful beaches mixed with rugged mountains, chaotic transportation alongside incredibly warm hospitality, and traces of both Ottoman and communist history woven throughout daily life.

It may not always feel as polished or organized as some other European destinations, but honestly, that is part of what makes Albania feel so memorable and authentic.

For me, Albania ended up being one of those places that stayed in my mind long after I left, and I already know I want to go back and explore even more of it someday.

Also, don’t forget to get your travel insurance! I use TravelInsurance.com because I love that I can compare different plans and see how people who actually bought and used them rate them.

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