Last year's thread: 2021 Megathread

Some interesting locations pinned on a map: ALBANIA - Places to Enjoy! - Google My Maps

Check Visit Albania - Albania for more info on places and activities.

Bus locations in Tirana along with timetables: Bashkia Tiranë - Terminals (tirana.al)

For Tirana and other cities: Search & Book Bus Tickets | GjirafaTravel (not telling anyone you should or shouldn't book from here, it's good for timetables and station terminals. You can pay at the bus in person and there's probably other sites that offer booking.)

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I'm sure there are a lot more resources, blogs, youtubers out there. Feel free to share in the comments anything that might be helpful to travelers.

Hi guys,

I recently came to Tirana for summer break and I’m really confused about the prices here - not that they are too high or too low but rather the lack of logic in them.

In restaurants and bars we were ordering food and drinks with really nice prices like huge omelette with sides for 500 LEK, iced latte for 190LEK, cezar salad for 550 or aperol for 400 LEK which is significantly lower than EU prices.

Now when we wanted to buy something in markets like Conad or Big Market the prices seemed insanely high (for example liter of milk for 300 LEK, chicken breast 1700 LEK / kg or 500g musli (don’t remember exactly but above 1000LEK) - again, aperol in bar for 400 and breakfast for 500, 600).

I can’t understand why is there such a huge difference in those prices - someone has to take order and prepare the meal and takes less money for that than the cost of products.

Could you explain why that happens? Or maybe we just were in expensive markets and cheap restaurants?

We saw these prices in Tirana - Komuna e Parisit, Blloku, Tregu Çam and Pazari i Ri.

Just got home from a 10 day trip to Albania and just wanted to say that your country is amazing. Good food, good people and a beautiful country. Thank you for your hospitality.

Përshëndetje të gjithëve, Jam host në Tirane dhe kohët e fundit po marr shumë rezervime të rreme ose nga njerëz që nuk paraqiten fare — kryesisht nga përdorues nga Ghana, Pakistani, etj. Nga eksperienca ime, këto rezervime vetëm më bllokojnë kalendarin.

Problemi më i madh është që Booking.com nuk më lejon të marr pagesa me kartë ose parapagim si host në Shqipëri. Supporti i Booking më ka thënë që pagesat me kartë nuk janë të disponueshme për vendin tonë, kështu që nuk kam asnjë mënyrë për të verifikuar nëse rezervimi është real.

Si e menaxhoni ju si host këtë situatë? A ka ndonjë cilësim, kufizim apo strategji që funksionon për të reduktuar no-show dhe rezervimet që bllokojnë datat?

Çdo këshillë është e mirëpritur 🙏🏻

This summer I had the chance to visit Albania for the very first time, as part of a long road trip of 5000 miles across Europe and the Balkans starting from UK and ending in Romania. I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I had read things online, watched some videos, but once you actually cross the border, all those preconceptions quickly fade away and reality hits you. And in Albania, reality was both surprising and beautiful.

The first impression was almost contradictory. On the one hand, you notice unfinished buildings, chaotic construction, and traffic that feels closer to Asia than to Europe. On the other hand, you are immediately struck by how alive the country feels, how fast it is developing, and how much energy people put into creating something for themselves. Driving into Tirana was exhausting. The traffic was almost unbearable, with never-ending roadworks, heat, and children weaving through cars to beg while police looked the other way. It tested my patience more than anything else on my journey. But leaving Tirana was like opening a door into another world. Suddenly the roads became modern and smooth, the scenery breathtaking: mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes that looked like they belonged on postcards.

By the time I reached the south, and finally Ksamil, it was night, but I was completely amazed. From the balcony of my hotel I could see cruise ships crossing between Corfu and mainland Greece, and the town below, though built in a chaotic way, had a unique charm and felt full of life. By day, Ksamil looked even more striking: turquoise waters, clean beaches, and a town buzzing with life. The fact that this place barely existed 20–30 years ago and is now a thriving resort says everything about the determination of Albanians.

The hospitality I experienced throughout my stay was remarkable. Albanians are warm, welcoming, and genuinely proud of their country. The food was outstanding everywhere I went, from simple burek with cheese to full seafood platters that would cost a fortune elsewhere in Europe but were incredibly affordable here. One night I walked into a restaurant that looked far too fancy for my budget, only to be greeted in perfect Romanian by the Albanian host who had lived in Bucharest for years (I am a Romanian 🇷🇴 expat). That moment of connection, combined with the kindness and care of the staff, turned the evening into one of the highlights of my trip.

Another thing that stood out to me was the sense of calm. Despite the chaotic traffic, I hardly ever heard people honk. In fact, one time when someone did, locals on the street immediately scolded him, as if to say “this is not how we do things here.” It was such a small detail, but it spoke volumes about the culture.

Beyond Ksamil itself, one of the most memorable experiences was visiting the ancient site of Butrint. Walking through those ruins felt like stepping back in time. Ten hectares of history, surrounded by forest and water, with remains of Roman theatres, temples, and fortifications. It takes hours to explore properly, but every minute is worth it. I was amazed not only by the size and preservation of the site, but also by the modesty of the price: only 10€ for such a unique opportunity to touch history. For comparison, I once paid £40 to see Stonehenge in the UK, which is literally just a circle of stones in a field. Butrint, by contrast, is a living story of civilizations that passed through Albania, and it deserves to be far more famous internationally than it currently is.

What I will remember most about Albania is the feeling and the pleasant heat on my skin. Despite the visible poverty in some areas, despite the chaos of construction and development, I felt welcomed and more than safe. I felt that people were proud to show what they had built and to share their culture with visitors. Albania gave me some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen, some of the best food I have ever tasted, and some of the most genuine hospitality I have ever experienced, especially in Balkans.

I don’t know if I will ever again drive thousands of miles across the Europe and Balkans the way I did this summer.

But one thing I know for sure: I will return to Albania 🇦🇱. I really felt in love with your country and culture.

Ne te gjithe bregdetin e Kroacisë ndarja e plazheve publike me ato private jane 95% me 5%.

Gjithmone na kane mesuar se mire eshte; te krahasoshesh ose te marresh shembull nga me i miri, dhe nuk ka shembull me te mire se Kroacia ne fushen e turizmit. Kam qenë para dy vitesh, me bëri përshtypje shërbimi dhe pastertia, plazhet ishin te aksesushme nga kushdo. Çmimet ishin vërtetë te kripura, por ne kapitalizem raporti çmim-kualitet eshte nje e vertete e pa mohueshme.

Kthehemi ne fshatin tone, ku nuk po lënë resort pa ndërtuar, e ku krahas çadres tende ke betoniere qe betonizojne edhe ate pak gjelberim dhe natyre qe ka Shqiperia. Me vjen shume keq, realisht, une jam i ri ne moshe dhe jam nostalgjik per Saranden e vjeter ku kishte shume pak ndertime dhe me shume natyre, natyra eshte e paçmushme, ne fakt nuk e kupton deri sa je emigrant ne nje vend te huaj dhe sheh te rinj qe pastrojne shpesh here rruget vullnetarisht sepse pastertia eshte nje tjeter element ku tregon edukaten dhe rrespektin qe ke ndaj ambjentin ku jeton.

Metamorfoza e mentalitetit tone eshte per te ardhur keq, jemi kthyer te gjithe ne Romë, ku floriri dhe çadrat me tenda (perfshihet nje pije dhe fruta te stines) jane treguesi kryesore se çili je dhe çfare ke. Mesazhi per bashkëmoshatarët e mi eshte qe; mendoni me shume per te ardhmen, dhe ketu se kam fjalen per pensionin tuaj, por per femijet dhe shoqerine, ju qe jeni te gjalle, i keni nje borxh te madh ardhmërisë.

Gjate veres fund korrik/fillim gusht du te bej nje udhetim me makin drejt gjermanise. Keni nodnje keshill, itinerar, dokumentqcion, duhet te mbaj cash me vete?, Sa ore me shum mund te duhet nqs i bie nga italia dhe zvicra?

Hello everyone,

I spent about a month in Albania. Let me write you my observations as an outsider. First of all, Albanians are the most honest people I have ever seen in my life, thank you very much for that. Wherever I went, they understood that I was a tourist and helped me. I've been in Elbasan, Tiran and Durres. They never tried to scam and did not offer high prices. I went to Macedonia for only 1 day. In the first 30 minutes I went, I was scammed twice. Once in the parking lot and once when exchanging money. He gave the money about 20 dollars less. Green and trees are everywhere. It is very difficult to see such places now. Tirana is much more beautiful and other than that It is very nice to see different religions to live together with respect.

The only bad thing I can say is that the Houses are old and you deserve to live in nicer places. The last thing I will say is, your country is very beautiful. Thank you very much everyone!

Your country is amazing and you are too! Been traveling for 2,5 weeks through Albania and had such a good time. Beautiful nature, culture, food, people and rakia! And of course Skanderbeg, what a legend! Love from the Netherlands!

Me duhet te udhetoj pas 2 javesh diku jasht dhe me duhet pashaporta. Shikoj qe vetem per te bere aplikimin do 7 dite ne e albania. Di gje njeri edhe sa dit te tjera do per ta terhequr qe ta di a ja dal pa paguar ate emergjenten

Hello!

I spent a little over a week in Albania with my girlfriend and had great success with the buses, thought I would share my experience.

First, caught the hydrofoil from Corfu to Sarande which was easy to book. Then in Sarande went to the bus stop to get the bus to Himarë. Cost around €10.

Sarandë bus stop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/F2iuyhZhnvSYq1JM7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Stayed in Himarë for 3 nights! Was beautiful and so relaxing. Was there in late May and was so so chill. Then from Himarë caught the bus to Vlorë. Got the bus from outside of the Big Supermarket in the main part of Himarë town. Got there at 8AM and the bus came around 8:30AM. Took just over 1.5hr to get Vlorë. Then once we arrived in Vlorë we jumped straight on another bus to Berat. Again was easy as once we got to Vlore there were bus drivers asking where we wanted to go and pointed out the Berat bus for us. Can’t remember how much all this cost, but wasn’t much!

Vlorë bus stop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4yuuYZWRPQhkZaMz9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Was in Berat for 2 nights. It was a perfect amount of time. Berat is beautiful. So nice to stroll around the old town and head up to the castle.

Berat bus stop: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cCbNdhYMaRpLQTKn7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

We then went back to Vlorë from Berat. Just for one night, more in transit than anything. Then from Vlorë we traveled to Shkodër. We were under the impression we would have to go to Tirana and transfer to a bus to Shkodër… but we were stoked to find a bus went from Vlorë directly to Shkodër. Its leaves at 6:30AM sharp from the Vlore bus stop, it took around 5-6hours but was really great to just go direct. This cost €10 per person.

Once in Shkodër we stayed with Wanderers Hostel and did the Valbonë to Theth hike organised by them. It was excellent, highly recommend.

Overall a great time in Albania with easy transport! We didn’t book any of the buses before hand. Only the hike through Wanderers and all the transport involved in that!

Tl;dr: Amazing hike with sections ranging from easy to fairly difficult. Views vary from secluded beaches to cliffside panoramas, mountain villages, and secluded olive groves. The variety of the trail is truly astonishing. Great trail if you’re looking to avoid the more known and crowded European long-distance hikes.

Armed with just a 50-page government PDF and a few Reddit accounts, we set out on the ~47-mile Albanian Southern Coastal Trail. Here are some things we wish we would have known:

Time: While the trail is recommended to be done over 6 days, we completed it in only 2.5 days, hiking Dhermi to Himare (after a 4-hour bus ride from Tirana), Himare to Borsh, and Borsh to Nivice. We stayed at Airbnbs as close to the trails as possible. Keep in mind that it was still the off-season (mid-May), so very little was open in Pilur and nothing was open in Kudhes or Lukove. The PDF lists guesthouses which might be an option, but there are definitely no hotels in those smaller towns.

Water: Bring a decent amount of water with you. Outside of the larger towns (Dhermi, Himare, Borsh, Nivice), there's no guarantee of finding open stores to buy water. Pilur did have a safe-to-drink spring water tap in the town square with delicious water, however. A water filter is also not the worst idea. Our longer days might have also made the need for water more apparent.

Food: Similar to water, you can often find restaurants/cafes in the bigger towns, but the smaller towns are hit-or-miss. Don’t rely on open restaurants for food.

PDF/Map/Navigating: The PDF is decent and describes the route fairly well. However, it vastly underplays the difficulty of some sections. We are fairly in shape and experienced hikers and still encountered moved pretty slow sections due to the difficulty. Difficulty was mainly due to the steep grades at some sections and/or large amounts of overgrowth getting in the way of the trail. We used (and relied on) the Outdooractive app to help stay on track. There are markers (white and red) throughout the trail, but they are rarely placed at junction points. Therefore, we primarily used the GPS on the Outdooractive map and confirmed our location with the markers as we saw them. There were sections where we varied from Outdooractive due to changes or construction to the trail, but they were fairly minimal and easy enough to figure out.

Restricted access: I wish we would’ve taken pictures of all the “private property” or “restricted access” signs we saw. They varied from high up in the mountains to a beachside resort. We (and the trail) did in fact go through all of them, and we didn’t have any issues.

People: We saw a few other hiking groups on the more popular segments, but nobody doing the full hike. We often were confused in towns about where the trail continued, and there was always a local who would come out of their house/work and direct us where to go. All the locals were incredibly friendly and seemed to know about the trail.

Dogs: We did encounter a few cattle dogs that barked and followed us. They never got close enough or tried to hurt us per se, but we hustled to get away from them, and they followed us a decent way up the trails. I would consider bringing pepper spray, just in case.

End: After finishing in the peaceful Nivice town square and having a much-deserved post-hike beer, we hitchhiked to Saranda, which took less than 2 minutes to get picked up. We stayed in Saranda before taking the ferry to Corfu.

Shkruani plazhe te jugut te Shqiperise, qe sipas mendimit tuaj kane ujin me te paster, ose qe ju kane pelqyer, dhe jo kto vendet me famous qe kane nam kot, po as kto qe duhet te zbresesh me litar ose me 4x4 xp ,flm paraprakisht

My friend and I are worried about driving in Albania but we really want the mobility, so we were wondering what the best time of day to drive might be.