ALBANIA

Albania

The beautiful Balkan country of Albania awaits you. Lovely coastal waters, towering mountains and friendly locals make it a special place to visit.

What you need to know about Albania

Language: Albanian is the national language. You will find some locals speak English in places like Tirana and especially the younger generation are more likely to be able to converse in English.

Currency: The currency in Albania is the Albanian Lek.

Banking: ATMs are found all over the country and all major cards are accepted.

Weather: The country benefits from Mediterranean climate in the summer with the coastal area being a delightful mix of warm weather (as high as the low 30s in terms of Celcius) and inviting sea waves. The mountains are naturally cooler, and the whole country gets markedly cooler in winter when temps can drop to around 12 degrees from December to February.

The coast found on the west of Albania is a great place to see some sights but mix it with sun-basking beach time.

Whether it was inspired by a passion of Game of Thrones or even a chance encounter with shot after photo of the magnificent Adriatic shores, the Balkans are becoming an often highlighted place to contrast typical European attractions. Travelers have also been drawn to Croatia's surrounding neighbours and their towns, such as Kotor Bay in Montenegro and Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While the entire area is attractive and culturally diverse, Albania's turn in the limelight is long overdue. Apart from their cultural importance in Albania, there are quite a number of reasons why the country's shore has become a popular tourist destination for Italians, but let's begin with these four:

The Albanian shores are stunning

The southern coast is quite comparable to and may match Greece in terms of fresh fish and seafood, as well as wonderful beaches that flow into the Ionian Sea. Sarand, Dhrmi, and Ksamil, all of which are located inside Burtint National Park, are among the most popular seaside destinations. Ksamil, on the other hand, is the most accessible, due to a nearby airport and ferry service from the Greek island of Corfu.

Travelers may take a break from the sun by visiting culturally significant places in southern Albania. Butrint, an ancient Greek and subsequently Roman city overlooking Corfu, is one such site. Gijrokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage City farther inland, is another culturally significant destination. A trip to the area and its fortress, which is known for preserving Ottoman-style architecture, is like going back in time.

Amazing views and vistas to lose yourself in

Albania is a small yet diversified nation situated close to the "magic" 45th parallel. This implies chestnuts, sage, pomegranates, cherries, plums, grapes, and a variety of other crops may be grown in the country. The land appears to unroll and roll out to sea, starting in the north amid the Accursed Mountains, or Albanian Alps. The plains of central Albania give way to lesser hills and valleys that rise and fall towards the azure Ionian Sea.

Aside from a gorgeous trip, this implies that tourists will be able to immerse themselves in the culture of each community. Because of the country's ever-changing landforms, there are several microclimates, allowing the major crop in one part of rural communities to be radically different from that of another. As the sorts of food available change, traditional recipes as well as the kinds of cuisine tourists may taste around the country change as well. In the north, visit Devin Farm to learn how to prepare nettle pie, and Shega Farm to taste stuffed grape leaves and fresh fish, while in the south, enjoy the many terroirs of pomegranate juice at Shega Farm.

A melting pot of history and culture

Cultural heritage is still alive and well in Albania today, but recent times and popular culture are also worth discovering during a visit.

Mussolini, who seized Albania in 1939, introduced communism to the Balkan country, which remained communist until Enver Hoxha's death in 1985. Hoxha was forced by paranoia and pressure from his erstwhile Yugoslavian opponent, Tito, to build almost 170,000 concrete nuclear bunkers across Albania, or approximately six bunkers every half square mile.

Modern culture has emerged as the country has advanced from the communist era, celebrating the past while welcoming the contemporary. The renovation of Tirana's Toptani Castle, for example, is a mix of old and new. The ruins of a late-eighteenth-century citadel have lately become the basis for future open air complex with stores selling Albanian goods and eateries serving local and regional fare. Lunch may be had at Luga e Argjendt, and shopping can be done at Edua.

Albania is a proper place to travel

Over the years, international travel has progressively risen, and with it, overtourism. That is why venturing outside Europe's highlight reel ushers in a return to genuine travel. Travelers will encounter perceptions and experiences instead of just a cliché of a city—and often an erroneous caricature at that—by venturing into less-charted, yet highly secure area.

Rural accommodation stays are among of the most genuine experiences tourists may have in Albania, from north to south. Establishments are basically Balkan Airbnb accommodations and excursions merged into one. They are ideal for adventurers trekking throughout the north or culturally-minded tourists in the south. Visitors can get a private room or a separate home and learn to prepare traditional cuisine, enjoy traditional games, and hear to traditional music. Meals are farm-fresh feasts that include fruits, vegetables, dairy, and more. Traditional foods like burek, filled grape leaves, and baklava, as well as freshly made dairy and preserves, are the beginning. Try the delicious rosewater combination offered at Rruga e Mullirit Farm's welcome drink, which is distinctive of the north.

A country now open to the world

Due to its past political positioning as a communist regime in the 20th century, people from the outside world were not able to visit Albania. Now that the country has transitioned into a modern, vibrant and inviting country, there are a whole host of things to do and see that will make any trip there definitely worth it for any traveller.

You will find a wonderful mix of sun-kissed beaches, ancient sites that hark back to a Grecian & Roman past, as well as cities that are ready to be explored.

There is a real rustic feel to parts of Albania where you can journey through the land and view huge mountains, disintegrating castles and some unreal views when you reach the best vantage points.

One of the biggest advantages of a trip to Albania is that it is often not top of everybody's list of travel destinations. Don't delay and get yourself to this brilliant Balkan country soon before it becomes awash with travellers from near and far.