Are you just about to visit Albania and looking for an Albania travel guide to get an idea about the Albanian coast, Northern Albania, and the Albanian population? If that’s the case, then you are at the right place since we will help you choose activities from wild camping to trolling the trendy cafes of the country. Let’s get started!
Page Contents
- Albania Travel Guide
- Albanian Food
- Language Of Albania
- Your Stay In Albania
- Best Beaches Of Albania
- Most Important FAQs
Albania Travel Guide
Albania is an intriguing and fast-modernizing region of the Balkans, a very safe country. You have a unique chance to explore Europe’s less-traveled roads and create your journey in Albania without being heavily influenced by social media. Get an international driving permit, travel insurance, Google Maps, and viola! You’re good to go.
Just spend two weeks in Albania, seeing the country’s many regions, which include the mountains, the coast, Ottoman-style villages, and castle ruins. Trust me. You will fall in love with this country.
The capital of Tirana, a bustling city with an assortment of freshly colored architecture, classic eateries, and hip cafes, is where most tourists go first. You will see many Albanians in the peaceful hilltop townships of Berat and Gjirokastra; both are significant systems exhibitions of living in Ottoman architecture, where one may get a genuine sense of Albania’s soul.
As the snow-covered heights of the inland descend to the water, the shorelines along the Rocky coastlines are some of the smallest stable dunes in the Mediterranean. Serious hikers should explore the Valbona region, whose karst limestone mountains harbor astounding wildlife.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Albania for advice on easy and helpful trip preparation. You will get detailed instructions on the dos and don’ts.
Albanian Food
Albania is a historical nation in Southeast Europe with a priceless cultural legacy, and the traditional Albanian food is a component of that legacy. While you are up for a travel guide to Albania, you might also learn the must-try dishes in Albanian cuisine.
Baklava
The dessert baklava is a must-try in Albania. Although the recipe is originally Turkish, Albanians have used it for ages. Most of the delectable cake layers are made of dough and loaded with sugar and almonds. Shrbet, a sweet syrup, is often sprinkled on top. Different bakeries create varieties of Baklava using their favored methods, components, and size cuts.
Qofte
“Qofte” is highly well-liked everywhere in Albania, particularly at neighborhood pubs. The locals often serve the meat with a salad and spiced with mint. The meatball characteristic of the Korça plain, “Kernacka,” is a regional version of “Qofte.” Plus, beers go nicely with this typical Albanian cuisine.
Petulla
“Petulla” is the name for Albania’s traditional pancakes and doughnuts. This meal is a staple of conventional Albanian cooking. “Petulla” are little fist-sized pieces of fried dough. “Petulla” may be eaten with more cheese or sweeter with honey.
Peshku Tave
Albania is a tiny coastal nation, and thus its cuisine is basic yet delicious. The seas of the Albanian Riviera provide fresh fish and other marine items to the nearby eateries. Many locations around the country provide freshly caught fish for consumption, and fish baked in the oven is a simple Mediterranean dish.
Language Of Albania
The constitution states that the Albanian language is the nation’s official tongue. Most people in Albania are ethnically homogenous and speak Albanian as their first language. Nearly 98% of people speak Albanian, the nation’s indigenous language. The two primary varieties of spoken Albanian, southern Tosk, and northern Gheg, may be understood.
Minority Languages
Greek, Romani, and, to a lesser extent, Bulgarian and Serb are minority languages that account for 2% of the population. Together, they have around 60,000 people.
Foreign Languages
The most common foreign languages used by Albanians are Italian and English. Many Latin, Greek, Turkish, Italian, and Slavic terms have been included in the Albanian lexicon. The Aromanian, a minority language in Albania, is the Aromanian, numbers between 100,000 and 200,000.
Romani Language
Around 10,000 members of the Romani ethnic community who reside there speak the Romani language. Among the young Albanian generation, English is the most often used foreign language, with 65% of the population speaking it fluently. Other languages spoken by minor segments of the Albanian people include Chinese, Russian, and French.
Your Stay In Albania
Here is a complete guide about the most significant features marking your stay in Albania. If you are worried about petty crime, rest assured since you will barely come across any more than the other European countries.
Albanian Alps
Shkodra is a bustling city in the north that gives tourists an authentic look at Albanian culture. There are daily departures of direct buses from Tirana to Shkodra. You will travel to Theth via shuttle (furgon) on Day 2 to begin your trip in the Albanian Alps.
The Gjin Thana, perched above the town square, provides visitors with a peaceful setting where they may unwind, dine calmly, and interact with other tourists. Here you can find fantastic food and Instagrammable places.
If you get an additional day, you may climb the Blue Eye pool or the Peje mountain pass in the Albanian Alps. The climb to the travel destination Valbona Pass is not challenging if you are an experienced hiker. Most passengers depart on the same day for Shkodra, but pick another day if you like leisurely travel. Going straight via Berisha Small Car Ferry is the best option for traveling between April and October. Every hour the buses depart for Tirana.
If you are staying, remember that some guesthouses may need an extra 1:30 hours to reach because most of these are very far from the tourist attractions. The good thing is that the guesthouses serve food so you can enjoy some after a long journey.
Journey To The Capital
The journey to the capital costs three hundred LEK per person and takes around ninety minutes. You can either go there by ship or by plane. The coastline is expanding with several beaches to select from around Albania, and going by ship is usually cheaper. You can do absolutely everything except fly drones near the Tirana Airport for the safety purposes of the country and to avoid secret surveillance since it’s near military spaces.
In the capital, you’ll see the Himara Castle sitting on a hilltop high above the ocean, which seems more like a pile of broken boulders than a castle. Between Himara and Saranda, notable beaches may be found in Llamani, Porto Palermo, Borsh, and Bunec. Also, it has a view of Lake Skadar, which could become your favorite place while you’re in Albania.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The route from Saranda to Gjirokastra continues toward the south along the coast before turning inland and northeast. Gjirokastra, the Stone City, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This historical site is one of the most incredible spots in Albania to learn more about the nation’s history. A fantastic national museum that gives a thorough historical picture of the city and the Drino valley is located within the stronghold.
If you are looking for a location to stay in Gjiorkastra, then feel free to try Stone City Hostel. Berat is undoubtedly Albania’s most picturesque town with its characteristic Ottoman-style architecture.
Greek City Of Apollonia
The ancient Greek city of Apollonia has established around 588 BC on land that the Illyrians had previously inhabited. The Gorica district is home to this charming restaurant with the most fabulous view of Mangalem.
For one of the most fantastic views of the town and surrounding area, climb the castle ruins before leaving Berat. In Tirana, you might want to look for lodging at the Xheko Imperial Luxury Boutique Hotel.
The restaurant Mullixhiu is also a great choice because it redefines Albanian cuisine one dish at a time. The only location in the world where ceruja may be consumed is Uka Farm. In the morning, we advise doing a Tirana walking tour as your first thing.
Best Beaches Of Albania
Albania has some of the most abundant beach bars and hotels. I suggest traveling when it’s not as hot but in the season (April-June and September – November).
Jale Beach
Jale Beach is one of Albania’s most excellent uninhabited beaches. Get to the best Albania beach resorts, verdant slopes along the shore of the crystal-clear sea, and distant mountains in Jade. The Folie Marine Beach hotel in Jade has three restaurants, a swimming pool, and all you need for a proper beach break.
Saranda Beach
Go up to the monastery on top of the hill, which I wholeheartedly advise you to do, for stunning views of Saranda (one of the most significant seaside towns in Albania) in the distance. There are several locations for the tent in Shpella Lukove Beach, which is ideal if you want to avoid summertime visitors in Saranda.
Drymades Beach
During the summer, Drymades is one of Albania’s best beaches; this area is crowded with hip pubs and music events. Perfect to go after an Albanian wedding if you are still up to having more fun.
Palase Beach
Palase Beach is located just before you enter the national park and go over the Llogara Pass, which is also a great sight.
Albanian Riviera And Other Beaches
The Albanian Riviera’s longest beach is found at Borsh Beach. The most distinctive beach in Albania is Gjipe Beach, a 4-kilometer trek from the main road. Enjoy many Albania beach resorts, a tree-covered island surrounded by crystal-clear seas, a jetty, and seat in the front, and distant mountains covered in white fluffy clouds.
Ksamil Beach is one of the most famous beaches in south Albania. Moreover, Mirror Beach is one of Albania’s most beautiful beaches, if not the most beautiful. In addition, many visitors agree that Dhermi is one of the top beach towns in the nation and that Livadhi Beach is among the prettiest beaches along the Albanian Riviera.
Most Important FAQs
Is Albania suitable for tourists?
Albania is a relatively safe country to visit in. Street theft does exist in Albania, but not more than it might be in a big metropolis abroad. Crime is uncommon, and most residents are kind and inviting to visitors. Unlike some people who drive recklessly, violent crime seldom concerns tourists.
What is the best month to go to Albania?
The most significant times to visit Albania are from April to June and from September to October since you’ll escape the sweltering shoreline, sweltering heat, and the icy mountain winters. These times are also great for exploring, surfing, strolling, bicycling, and lying on the shore.
Is Albania expensive travel?
In comparison to its neighbors, Albania offers fairly reasonable travel prices. You can spend a great month seeing the nation without hurting your wallet. Tirana’s metropolis is the most expensive city, although visitors won’t spend much money there compared to other Eastern European locations.
How many days should I spend in Albania?
Albania is an excellent choice for a long weekend break because of its modest size, which allows you to see much of it in four days or less. It shouldn’t take more than four to five days to comfortably tour Tirana, Lake Ohrid, and the seaside area.
Wrapping Up
We hope that you have fun visiting Albania with this perfect Albania travel guide. If you want to learn more about this beautiful country, especially the language, then stay connected with the Ling App.
Ling App brings thousands of opportunities for its learners. We try to educate the language learners from the most important things to the other categories. You can check out the colors in Albanian and Albanian Art. Want to see it in action? Install the Ling App from Google Playstore or App Store and start learning the Albanian language like a pro.
