Money and payments
Cards and cash
ATMs are available in most major cities.
Tipping
Tipping has not become a custom in Albania and it is not expected; in some cases it might even confuse staff.
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Europe · Southeast EuropeUsable guideCountry in Southeastern Europe
Photo: Joonas Lytinen, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Albania (Albanian: Shqipëria) is a country in the Balkan region of Europe with unspoiled beaches, mountainous landscapes, traditional cuisine, archaeological artefacts, unique traditions, low prices and the wild atmosphere of the countryside. It is one of the sunniest countries in Europe. The country has an extensive archaeological heritage; it was part of Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire until its first declaration of independence in 1912, becoming a kingdom and then a communist dictatorship before becoming a democratic republic. Albania is one of just a few Muslim majority nations in Europe.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Albania.
Cards and cash
ATMs are available in most major cities.
Tipping
Tipping has not become a custom in Albania and it is not expected; in some cases it might even confuse staff.
Albanian
The official language of the country is Albanian. Like Greek and Armenian, Albanian forms its own branch within the Indo-European language family.
As of Sept 2021, Vodafone has the best coverage, with 4G in Tirana, the other main towns, and highways between.
It's best to drink bottled water.
It's best to drink bottled water. Unboiled tap water should be avoided.
Albanians are very hospitable. Even more so than the rest of the Balkans, elder males expect to be shown respect on account of their age. Men of the family have to be respected in particular.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital. Trees and mountains surround the city. Mount Dajti is a popular tourist site for a great view of the city.
Albania's second-largest city and largest port, with historic ruins, current-day cultural institutions and beaches.
thought to be one of the oldest towns in Albania, it is a new member of the UNESCO world heritage list. Berat has long been known as the "city of 1001 windows" because of its unique Ottoman/Albanian architecture. It has a well preserved castle with residents still living inside its protective walls.
lively seaside city, and only about 8 km (5 mi) away from the ruins of the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia.
another UNESCO city, it is in the south and is known for its unique Ottoman period architecture. There is a large castle on the hill in the middle of the city which served as a jail for many generations and now contains a Military Museum and Art Gallery. Gjirokastër is also the birthplace of former communist Leader, Enver Hoxha, as well as Albania's most internationally famous author, Ismail Kadare. Their homes are now museums.
in southeast Albania, several miles from the Greek border, this city is full of life during the summer when you can find couples and families strolling through the city's main park, Parku Rinia. You can hike to the top of the beautiful Moravia Mountain and view the city and its surrounding landscape. Don't miss the Korça Brewery (famous throughout Albania) which sponsors a week long beer Festival every August.
ancient city of the national hero Skanderbeg, whose castle is now a museum. It features beautiful mountains and has an old-fashioned bazaar with shops selling traditional goods amid cobblestone streets. Kruje is known for its carpet craftworks.
the biggest town in Northern Albania, Shkodër is considered the capital of Albanian culture. The local "Migjeni" Theatre was the first in Albania and also held the country's first bicycle race and first football match and is where the first Albanian photograph was developed. The Rozafa Castle, The Great Cathedral and The Ebu Beker Mosque are among the local attractions.
the mountain range in the north that forms the border between Albania and Montenegro. Rich in rainfall, sheep, bare rocks and scenic views. You can be less than 10 km away from the nearest village and still have a day long trip there.
featuring crystal clear waters, unspoiled beaches, and picturesque villages, this is the Mediterranean coastline as it once was.
one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, with great camping.
largest archaeological site from Greek era in Albania. It lies on the coast in the southernmost tip of the country, near the Greek border.
a 20,242 hectare national park with high mountains, big meadows, and glacial lakes.
Pustec (Macedonian: Пустец) is one of the 61 municipalities of Albania, within Korçë County in the southeastern fringes of the country. It contains all of Albania's share of the Great Prespa Lake, as well as most of Prespa National Park which extends southward to Albania's portion of the Small Prespa Lake in Devoll Municipality.
national park and village in Northern Albania.
Places in Albania on the World Heritage List.
Butrint
Listed 1992
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Listed 2007
Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastër
Listed 2005
Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region
Listed 1979
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
the long narrow strip between about 10 and 30 km wide along the whole Albanian coast, bordering both the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea.
the inland region to the north of the Shkumbin River, bordering Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
the inland region to the south of the Shkumbin River bordering North Macedonia and Greece, and including the great border lakes, Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa.
Public transport and paid services in Albania.
By train
All passenger trains seem to have been suspended since COVID and due to budget issues. In any case the rail network is limited, carriages dilapidated, and services very slow.
By car
The roads between the important destinations have been repaved and fixed, and offer most of the security measures one would expect on a highway.
By taxi
Taxis are plentiful throughout Albania. In addition to official services, you will encounter unlicensed (unofficial) taxis.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Albania.
Finding apps for Albania…
Other ways to travel:By bicycleBy thumb
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Tirana
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 6° | 7° | 11° | 16° | 20° | 26° | 30° | 31° | 24° | 19° | 13° | 7° |
| Avg. low | -2° | -1° | 2° | 6° | 10° | 14° | 17° | 17° | 13° | 8° | 4° | 0° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 93 | 83 | 77 | 69 | 64 | 45 | 29 | 27 | 74 | 95 | 109 | 109 |
| Humidity | 84% | 82% | 78% | 74% | 71% | 62% | 51% | 48% | 61% | 71% | 79% | 83% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$60
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$155
Per person, per day
Luxury
$400
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $85 | $235 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $35 | $75 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $55 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Albania due to crime. Law enforcement’s ability to protect or help you is limited in some areas, especially in remote regions. There has been violent crime related to illicit drug networks and organized crime countrywide. Remain aware of your surroundings and identify available police and emergency services in the area. Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Demonstrations Demonstrations have been held in central Tirana, with some reported incidents of violence and property damage. You should: check local media for the latest information stay away from any demonstrations, large-scale gatherings or political rallies follow the advice of the local authorities Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Albania.
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Culture & historyThe Roman Empire was the greatest ancient empire of Europe. At the height of its power in 117 AD, it ruled over considerable parts of Europe, as well as much of North Africa and the Middle East.
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Culture & historyThe Ottoman Empire, also known metonymically as the Sublime Porte, and especially in the 19th and 20th centuries as the Turkish Empire, was one of the great empires of the Old World, from the 14th to the early 20th…
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Travel tipsHitchhiking is one of the cheapest ways of traveling. By tradition, hitchhiking is defined as soliciting a ride by standing at the edge of a road, facing traffic, with one's thumb extended/upwards.
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ItinerariesThe ancient road Via Egnatia led from Durrës (Albania) via Ohrid (North Macedonia) and Thessaloniki (Greece) to Istanbul (Turkey).
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesPeaks of the Balkans is a 192-km circular hiking trail through the remote Accursed Mountains of Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
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