Curious about travelling to Albania? This destination is not only affordable, but also offers a stunning coastline and beautiful scenery. Here are our top tips for travelling to Albania.
Table of contents
Travelling to Albania - guides, reports and tips
Albania, in South-eastern Europe, is a country of beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters. You can experience relaxed holiday resorts, but also a lot of culture and history. Here you will find reports and tips on Albania as a holiday destination.
Sailing to Albania Part 2: Medieval cities, fabulous springs and a meeting with Elvis
Sailing to Albania – turtles, mountain winds and an unexpected love affair
Coffee and wine in Tirana – tips for your visit to the capital of Albania
Facts about Albania - 30 things you (might) not have known
Lake Shkodra Resort - camping in northern Albania
Is it safe to travel in Albania? - frequently asked questions and answers
CamperStop Cekodhima – modern motorhome site in Radhima, Albania
By motorhome on Albania's mountain roads
Albanian food - 20 classic dishes you must try
Livadhi Beach – one of Albania's finest beaches
Albania's beaches - 14 beautiful beaches in Albania
Driving in Albania – our best tips for cars and campervans
Things to do in Saranda – 12 attractions, experiences and excursions
Blue Eye - the source "Syri i Kaltër" in Albania
Butrint - an archaeological site in Albania
Things to do in Ksamil – 10 experiences and excursions
Good to know before travelling to Albania
Fast facts about Albania
- Capital city: Tirana
- Currency: Albanian game (ALL)
- Language: Albanian
- Time zone: GMT+1
- Population: about 2.8 million
- Electricity: 230V (European plugs work)
- Go ahead: right side
Frequently asked questions about Albania
When is the best time to travel to Albania?
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are often the best periods. Summer is perfect for sunbathing and swimming along the coast.
Do you need a visa for Albania?
No, as a Swedish citizen you do not need a visa for short stays.
How long should I stay in Albania?
4-7 days are enough to combine coast and city, while longer trips offer the opportunity to explore the mountains and countryside.
Is Albania an expensive destination?
Albania is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe, especially when it comes to food and accommodation.
How to get around Albania?
Buses and minibuses are common, but cars or motorhomes are a good option for exploring the coast and more remote areas.
Is Albania safe to travel to?
Albania is generally a safe destination, and tourism has increased in recent years.
What are the top destinations in Albania?
The Albanian Riviera offers beaches and clear waters, while Berat and Gjirokastër offer history. The mountains in the north offer nature and hiking.
Do you need a vaccine before travelling to Albania?
Basic cover is recommended. Check the current recommendations before your trip.
What to consider culturally in Albania?
Albania has a strong tradition of hospitality. The pace is often leisurely, and local traditions are important.
What is the food like in Albania?
Albanian cuisine is influenced by the Mediterranean and the Balkans, with lots of grilled meat, fresh vegetables and simple, flavoursome dishes.
Similar destinations in Europe
If you like Albania, there are several destinations in Europe that combine beaches, nature and history - often at a more affordable price and with fewer visitors.
- Montenegro - dramatic landscapes, coastline and historic cities in a compact format
- Croatia - crystal clear waters and historic coastal towns
- Greece - islands, culture and classic Mediterranean flavour
- Bulgaria - affordable beaches and variation between coast and inland
- Bosnia and Herzegovina - nature, culture and genuine experiences near the coast
English (UK) 
Svenska
Ulrika says:
Hello!
I want to start by saying that I love your blog! So much useful info and inspiring pictures!
Now to my question - we are a family of 2 adults and 2 children (11 & 14 years old) who are looking to explore some of Albania this summer. We plan to fly down after midsummer and stay two weeks. We would like to have a fixed point and then do day trips and maybe some overnight stays in other places. I am looking for houses to rent, which we usually do when we are travelling. The question is Saranda or Ksamil? We want sun and swimming but at the same time are a little afraid that it is TOO touristy and crowded .....
Can you give us any advice?
Many thanks in advance!
Greetings Ulrika
22 November 2017 - 11:03
Helena says:
Hi Ulrika! Thank you so much for your nice comment about our blog! It's warming to hear! I will send you an email to answer as best I can.
26 November 2017 - 19:52
Annika Kiiskilä says:
Also thinking about Albania ... saranda and the hotel delfini ... is it lively around the hotel disco, pub
02 December 2017 - 21:40
Helena says:
Hi Annika! We have been in Saranda during the day. Then it is nice and quite lively. We haven't lived in Saranda, so we can't say what it's like in the evening.
09 December 2017 - 16:03
Ebba says:
Hi!!! What a great blog you have and finally found someone who might be able to give me some info about Albania / Saranda. We go at the end of July and need tips on hotels / apartments and where to stay if you want sun & bath and the opportunity for excursions / activities:) if you have the strength and desire, would you send me an email? Hugs!
16 January 2018 - 21:36
Helena says:
I have sent you a reply by email, Ebba.
27 February 2018 - 6:57
Sven Erik Pettersson says:
looking at the possibility of going to Albania in August. As I understand public transport is difficult, what are the possibilities to hire a taxi, and at a reasonable price? And can you do it from Sweden?
Imagine the northern part, both coastal and mountainous areas.
Thank you for an informative site.
sven erik
25 February 2018 - 15:51
Helena says:
Glad to hear that you appreciate our site Sven-Erik! Unfortunately, I can't really answer how it works with taxis. We travelled in our own motorhome so we never tried a taxi. Prices are low compared to Sweden, so my guess is that taxis are relatively cheap. I wouldn't think you need to book in advance either. You may be able to find more information if you search for Albania on Sweden Abroad or at http://www.albaniantourist.com/
27 February 2018 - 7:02
sandra says:
Hi! Very good and content rich blog. Me and a group of 6 people (age 30) are planning to go to Albania in July. However, we are a bit unsure where the best place to go is. We are looking for sun and swimming but also want to make some excursions. We are an active bunch who like where things happen and like nature. Do you have any tips for us where which area you think would be suitable for us.
19 March 2018 - 20:27
Helena says:
Glad you are going to Albania Sandra! Of the places we have visited, we think Saranda is a good starting point.
20 March 2018 - 8:10
Catharina says:
We got tips from my mother-in-law (husbilenhelge.blogspot.se) about your blog. We want to go to Albania this summer. Out for the clear water and sights. Want tips!
02 April 2018 - 11:13
Helena says:
Glad you found our site Catharina! Hope you find tips here!
26 February 2019 - 6:49
Muteber says:
Hello!
Can I get advice on how to get from Tirana airport to Tirana city centre?
Regards:Muteber
25 February 2019 - 20:17
Helena says:
We have only travelled by motorhome in Albania, so I cannot answer this with certainty. I would guess that there are both buses and taxis.
26 February 2019 - 6:50
Anton says:
The bus to saranda. Regards Anton
15 January 2020 - 21:27
Marie-Louise says:
Hello!
Since the euro is expensive for us Swedes, won't it be expensive to first change to euro and then change to lek? But maybe it is cheaper anyway than holidaying in Spain, Greece etc.?
If I use e.g. Master Card/Visa - what is the exchange rate there?
Regards
Marie-Louise
02 March 2019 - 12:45
Helena says:
Hi Marie-Louise! You do not need to change into euros first. You can change directly to lek or withdraw lek directly from an ATM in Albania. Of course, the value of the Swedish krona is always important when travelling, but regardless, Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe.
02 March 2019 - 12:55
Bo Degerfeldt says:
Hi! What about campsites? Are there any near the beaches.
16 April 2019 - 18:36
Helena says:
There are campsites, especially along the coasts. There are fewer campsites than in many other European countries, but they do exist. We've written about the ones we've visited here: https://www.freedomtravel.se/stallplatser/balkan/albanien/
14 June 2019 - 15:14
FrkM says:
What a great guide!
I understand that the euro is used in parallel with Albania's currency. Did you get that impression? I'm wondering if the difference in value is so great that it's worth changing to the local currency for food and drink when everything else is paid for.
A very excited Albania traveller setting off this week 🙂 .
01 July 2019 - 20:59
Helena says:
We found that euros can be used sometimes, but not always. In some shops they only took local currency. Now it's a few years since we were there, but at least we needed to play.
19 July 2019 - 21:54
FrkM says:
Hi, thanks for the answer. I only saw it when we got back home 🙂 It was fine to use euros. As usually they gave back in lek which meant you had two currencies. ALL used the same exchange rate so I guess it is well controlled. Did not experience that you lost so much on it. Now at the beginning of July they shared 120. So 120 lek is 1 euro in other words. The only thing you had to make sure was not to sit with play when the flight went home. But it went well - I just got an extra glass of wine 🙂 .
24 July 2019 - 8:41
Cecilia says:
hello
Thanks for the great and useful tips!
5 years ago we were in Croatia and there they had like small signs on their houses if they rented out rooms so you could just knock on a house that had a sign and see if the room was available (we travelled in low season). I wonder if you have seen if Albania has something similar or do you have to book in advance on eg air-bnb? We like to take the day as it comes ...
Regards
15 July 2019 - 13:05
Helena says:
We travelled by motorhome in Albania so we didn't really think about it (or we forgot, it's been a few years), but I'd be surprised if there aren't rooms to rent. Like I said, we haven't really travelled that way, but our guess is that it's fine!
19 July 2019 - 21:59
Annica says:
Hello and thank you for all the "good stuff" to read in the blog.
My son and I are planning to go hiking this summer. Do you know of a good hiking trail with the possibility of a food stop and overnight stay on the way?
We can also consider travelling by bus/train on certain routes.
I understand that you have travelled by motorhome but maybe you have some good tips for us.
//Annica
02 January 2020 - 21:49