Albania Travel Guide: Where to Go, Costs, Food & Solo Travel Tips

The stunning scenery in Gjirokastër, Albania

Albania is rapidly gaining interest as a country to travel in Europe and understandably so! But at the moment it is still less travelled than others in the continent and definitely worth a visit soon before that changes. Albania is incredibly diverse; from its sparkling blue waters in the Albanian Riviera to the incredible towering mountains in the Albanian Alps, it really does have something for everyone.

Not only can you experience beautiful landscapes but you can also learn a lot of the history of the country in the capital city of Tirana or have a relaxing few days wine tasting in the popular wine region of Berat. From the outside, to those who have not experienced this area of the world, it might surprise them to know how tourist friendly the country is. Of course it has it’s unpolished parts, that add to its charm and but it is relatively easy to travel Albania either with friends, a partner or solo. I travelled to Albania as a solo female whilst going on a wider trip through the Balkans and it became one of my favourite countries I’ve ever visited and I hope if you visit, you leave feeling this too. 

Where is Albania?

Albania is located in Southeast Europe and makes up part of the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east & Greece in the South, with its western coastline facing the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. With such a long coastline there are plenty of spots to visit for time at the beach but is it also an incredibly mountainous country. 

The stunning blue waters of Ksamil

History of Albania

Without going into too much detail as you will learn a lot more (if you want to and it’s of interest) on a trip to Albania but it does have a really interesting and in some parts very sad history. It’s been under a number of different occupations including the incredibly long Ottoman ruling from the 15th-20th Century. After a short stint of independence, Albania was ruled by communist leader Enver Hoxha. During this time religion was banned and anyone who was seen to rebel against the communist regime was put into concentration camps. Hoxha was extremely paranoid about being infiltrated by an enemy and therefore there are hundred on underground bunkers throughout Albania. You can explore some of these bunkers and learn about the regime when visiting Tirana and Gjirokaster, the latter being the city in which Enver Hoxha was born.

The breathtaking views at Valbona Pass

Is it safe to solo travel in Albania?

I felt safe whilst travelling solo in Albania. The locals are super friendly and always happy to help you when needed. I would say however that in some of the quieter areas, it was very normal for groups of men to hang out and sometimes on occasions when walking by they would stop talking to stare. I never felt unsafe but sometimes a little uncomfortable but I think it comes from curiosity of being there rather than anything else. I didn’t experience any moments where I actually felt unsafe. Having said that, as with any country, it is sensible to remain aware of your surroundings and take your usual precautions that make you feel more comfortable when travelling somewhere new.

Best places to travel in Albania

Tirana

Tirana, being the capital city with an international airport and bus station, is the most common place to start your trip to Albania. With a real mix of modern and traditional architecture, it has a rather unique look and feel to it. It’s a colorful, vibrant and busy city but with some lovely calm green spaces too. Within a couple of days you can explore the main sights including one or both of the Bunk’Art museums that are set underground in bunkers.

Shkodër

Shkodër is a much calmer and smaller city that is usually the starting place before exploring the Albanian Alps. It’s regarded as the traditional capital of the North with incredible history and culture. You can explore the city easily by foot or bike and there’s a stunning lake not too far away. 

Theth

Theth has got to be on your list! It’s a gorgeous village in the stunning Albanian Alps with the most picturesque views. One of the most well known and popular hikes to do starts in Valbona and finishes in Theth. If you’re a keen hiker (and travelling in the summer) it is a lovely route to take. You can also reach the peak and come back down from the Theth side and there are other hikes you can do in Theth including a long but easy walk to The Blue Eye. Even if hiking isn’t for you, Theth is a perfect village to relax in the mountains for a few days before heading back to Shkoder or on to somewhere new. 

Gjirokastër

Gjirokaster, widely known as the stone city, is a city of historical beauty, showcased by it’s old town being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You could spend a couple of days here visiting the castle, the old bazaar and trying traditional cuisine that especially made in Gjirokaster. There’s also the option to hike in the area, with a mix of easy or challenging routes.

Albanian Riviera

The whole west of Albania is the coast so you could spend a lot or a little time travelling down and enjoying the beaches. Some of the popular beach cities you could explore are Vlorë, Durrës, Sarandë and, the spot that is often called ‘The Maldives of Europe, Ksamil.

Food to try in Albania

I think the best way to describe the food in Albania is simple and delicious. With influence from the East and the West they eat a lot of grilled meats, grilled fish (fresh in the beach towns) and grilled vegetables. If you’re on a budget, you can easily find a kebab or cevapi wrap that will fill you up without hurting your bank balance. There are also few more traditional dishes too which you definitely must try! 

Tavë Kosi - A traditional Albanian dish of lamb and rice baked in yoghurt and eggs and seasoned well.

Fërgesë - A baked cheese, peppers and sometimes tomato that is usually eaten on its own or with bread. It doesn’t look super appetising but it is delicious! 

Byrek -This is a stuffed filo pastry which is traditionally filled with either ground meat. Spinach & feta or onions and tomatoes. It’s often made in a spiral pie form and sold in slices.

Qoftë –Traditional meatballs, usually made from lamb or beef. They can be either fried or grilled and sometimes they are baked in tomato sauce.some are made with lamb, others with beef, some are fried others grilled. 

Qifqi - This dish originates in Gjirokaster and is often difficult to find elsewhere. They are fried rice balls usually made with rice, eggs, dried mint & olive oil. 

Speça të mbushura - Peppers stuffed with rice and lamb, this traditional dish leans more towards the Mediterranean side of Albanian cuisine. 

Is it easy to travel around Albania?

Travelling around Albania can be quite challenging or quite the adventure depending on how you frame it! The easiest option is to rent a car as that makes it a lot easier to get around with less planning and to allow for flexibility of your plans. However if like me, you’ll be using public transport, you really do need to trust the process at times. Having said that, it is definitely getting better! 

A few years ago when I first visited you turned up at the bus station, waited for a bus to come, got on and waited for it to fill up and leave. This is still sometimes the case so patience is key but thankfully you can also pre book some journeys which I really recommend! You can book some of these journeys with 12Go.

Some Albanian traffic

If you pre book you have the knowledge of turning up with a guaranteed seat so that can ease the stress somewhat. You might still have to wait for empty seats to fill so bear that in mind. Although in the summer it is starting to get busier now so it’s less a case of empty seats and more a case of making sure you get one! When you can’t book ahead, don’t worry too much, the locals are super friendly and helpful at the bus stations and will let you know where to go depending on your planned destination. 

In rural areas hitchhiking is very common. Before travelling to Albania the thought of this made me a little nervous, but whilst I was in Theth I was hiking with some new travel friends so and so it felt ok to do so. Often along the main roads in Theth people will slow and ask if you want a lift or you can motion for them to slow down if they have space they often will. 

Language Barrier

In general the language barrier isn’t too much of an issue but I definitely experienced it more in Albanian than I have in a lot of other European countries. In the main cities and at tourist attractions most people speak English, especially the younger generation. In more rural areas you might find yourself trying to talk through hand movements. I find it all part of the fun of travelling to different countries but I would definitely recommend downloading the Google Translate app. It will especially come in handy for reading menus.

Costs & Currency 

The currency in Albania is Albanian Lek which converts at around 95-100 Lek per Euro and you will often need cash when you travel outside of the cities or use smaller shops & local buses. Often you can talk in Euros for the likes of tours and some places like hostels and hotels may even take euros but it’s always good to have some Lek on you. 

In comparison to Western European countries, Albania is a more budget friendly country to visit:

Budget - €30-€40 per day 

Mid-range - €60-€90 per day

Hostels: €10-€15 per night

Hotels: €30-€60 per night

Car Rental €30-€50 per day

Buses - local city buses - 0.30c-€1. Intercity buses €5-€15

Local Meals: €3-€5 for a local dish

Full meal with drink: €10-€15

Coffee & Beer from €1

Useful Apps 

Google Translate - download Albanian offline so you can use it in rural areas

Maps.Me - google maps isn’t very good in the mountainous areas. This app is more accurate.

Bolt - easiest way to book taxis

Wolt - easiest way to order food deliveries

Is it worth visiting Albania?

100% and the sooner the better! It’s still a little rough around the edges compared to other parts of Europe and it definitely adds to its charm. From the beaches to the mountains there’s so much to enjoy when travelling Albania and I highly recommend it! 

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