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Albania Travel Guide

The latest travel Information on Albania, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Albania Information

Overview

Travellers to Albania can enjoy its wild and mountainous landscape, with extensive forests, sandy beaches and many beautiful lakes. Bathed by the Adriatic Sea, the southern coastline remains unspoilt and many activities such as swimming, diving, sailing and fishing are possible.

Albania is one of Europe’s poorest countries and continues to face severe difficulties adjusting to the new Europe after decades of Stalinist isolation. Only in 1985, after the death of Enver Hoxha, its president, did Albania began to develop contacts with the outside world.

More recently, conditions were worsened by regional political instability and the collapse of ’pyramid’ investment schemes in 1997. New components of the economy, such as tourism, which were mostly set up with foreign investment, suffered badly in the wake of the 1997 upheaval.

Nonetheless, Albania now enjoys access to funding from the main international donor bodies (IMF, World Bank and EBRD), as well as growing contacts with major European countries, such as Italy and France. Albania hopes to follow the rest of eastern Europe into the European Union and NATO.

Top Things To See

Discover examples of early 19th-century architecture such as the Ethem-Bey Mosque (built 1789-1823) and the 35m- (117ft-) high clocktower (1830) in the capital city, Tirana. The city centre and the government buildings on Skanderbeg Square date back to the Italian era, creating the impression of a provincial Italian town.

Enjoy the best view over Tirana from the Martyrs’ Cemetery, which contains the Mother Albania Monument.

From the Venetian Tower at the harbour in Durres, the second-largest city in Albania, the medieval Town Wall leads to the Amphitheatre dating back to the second century BC and containing an early Christian crypt with a rare wall mosaic.

In Roman times, Apollonia, located 12km (7.5 miles) from the city of Fier, was a large, prosperous city at the mouth of the river Vjosa where there is still much left to be excavated. The amphitheatre, a colonnade of shops and several other parts of the Roman city centre are open to the public. There are monuments of Agonothetes and Odeon, as well as an ancient portico and the Mosaic House with a fountain. Unfortunately, some of the statues and other portable objects were removed before 1946 and sent to other countries. Those remaining have been placed in the well-organised museum which is to be found on the site of a 13th-century monastery. In the courtyard of the monastery is a Byzantine-style church, the Church of St Mary, believed to have been built in the 14th century. Not far from Apollonia, on the route to Durres, is the Monastery of Ardenica.

Vlora is not only a major port, but of great historical importance, for it was here in 1912 that the Assembly was convened which first proclaimed Albania an independent state and set up the first national government, headed by Ismail Qemali. In recognition of this, it was proclaimed a ’Hero City’ in 1962. The Muradiye Mosque (1538-42) was designed by the famous architect Mimar Sinan whose family originated in Albania. On a hill above the city is the tourist centre Liria, which offers panoramic views of the beach and town.

The ancient town of Butrint was once an important centre for the Illyrian tribes. It has been known as a settlement since 1000 BC and has belonged to both the Greek and Roman empires during its long history, leaving a rich legacy. Several sites dating from the first and fourth centuries AD can now be visited, among them a theatre, the Temple of Aesculapius, the Nypheum, the Lion Gate, the Dionysus Altar, Roman houses and baths. The Baptistry, with a floor of colourful mosaics, is not to be missed. The nearby tourist site of Ksamil offers magnificent views of Butrint Lake, the islands and citrus- and olive-tree plantations.

Standing at the foot of the dramatic Morava mountain near the Greek border, Korça is home to the Mirahor Mosque, dating back to 1466.

Visible for miles around, Kruja is an attractive medieval town perched on top of a mountain north of Tirana. It was the centre of Albanian resistance to the Ottoman Turks under Skanderbeg, the national hero, and the Skanderbeg Museum is to be found inside the recently restored castle. The street leading up to the castle is built in the style of a medieval Turkish bazaar.

Situated on Lake Scutari, which divides Albania from Montenegro, Shkodra is dominated by the ruins of the Fortress of Rozafa, one of the ancient Ilyrian castles, built on a rock hill from which a spectacular panorama of the surrounding countryside, the lake and the Lead Mosque can be enjoyed. The Mesi Bridge, 8km (5 miles) from Shkodra, is also well worth a visit, as is the Monument to Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg at his burial ground in Lezha.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Tourist Information

Top Things To Do

With mountains and hills representing two thirds of the Albania’s total area, skiing, climbing, trekking, cave exploration (the Pirrogoshi cave in the Skrapari area is the largest in Albania) and mountain biking are available in Dajti, Llogaraja, Dardha, Bozdoveci,Voskopoja,Valbona and Thethi. Skiing is especially popular in Korça.

Enjoy Albania’s 450 km (280 miles) of coastline and shallow beaches. Durres and Golem are the largest beaches. Albania’s southern coastline remains completely unspoilt. Situated opposite Corfu, Saranda is now much visited by daytrippers who come to enjoy this previously inaccessible resort. Various water activities and sports, including beach volley, are popular along most of the Albanian Coast.

Fish in the Ohrid Lake (southeast Albania), the deepest lake of the Balkan Peninsula, renowned for its clear water and rich in alcoran (similar to a trout) and carp.

Visit Tirana’s numerous museums such as the National Historical Museum, the National Art Gallery and the Exhibition of Folk Culture. Tirana’s Pyramid, which was built as a museum for Enver Hoxha (Albania’s former Communist leader), has been turned into an international Cultural Centre. In Tirana, you can also find the Palace of Culture, which houses the Opera and Ballet Theatre and the National Library .

There is an excellent Archaeological Museum in the port of Durres, best known for the nearby beach resort of Durres Plazh.

Both Berat, known as the ’city of a thousand windows’, and Gjirokastra, in the far south, have been declared ’Museum Cities’. The Onufri Museum in Berat, dedicated to the 16th-century painter and his contemporaries, houses restored icons in an orthodox church. Gjirokastra is dominated by the 13th-century Fortress which was extended by Ali Pasha in 1811. It now contains the National Museum of Weapons; the collection ranges from medieval armour to a shot-down US reconnaissance aircraft (the museum was looted in 1997 but most of the collection is still there) and the view is not to be missed. The surrounding area is renowned for its many mineral springs.

In Korça, visit the Museum for Medieval Art, the Museum of Education (where the first Albanian school was opened in 1887) and a listed, though decaying, bazaar quarter.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Private restaurants are appearing rapidly in Albania. In the more popular places, it is necessary to reserve a table and to be punctual. Food is typically Balkan with Turkish influences evident on any menu – byrek, kofte, shish kebab.

National specialities:
• Fërgesë tirane, a hot fried dish of meat, liver, eggs and tomatoes, and tavë kosi or tavë elbasani, a mutton and yoghurt dish.
• The koran, a trout from Lake Ohrid and the Shkodra carp.
• Popular Albanian desserts include oshaf, a fig and sheep’s milk pudding, cakes soaked in honey and candied fruits or reçel.
• A favourite in the south is kukurec (stuffed sheep’s intestines).
• Continental breakfasts are usually served in hotels, but in the country the Albanian breakfast of pilaf (rice) or paça (a wholesome soup made from animals’ innards) may not be to everyone’s taste.

National drinks:
• All bars and restaurants serve raki, local red and white wines and different liqueurs.
• The Albanian cognac, with its distinctive aroma, is also popular.
• Many imported drinks can also be found, including Austrian canned beer, Macedonian wine and ouzo from Greece.
• Turkish coffee (kafe Turke) is popular with Albanians, but many bars also serve Italian espresso (ekspres).

Tipping: Previously frowned upon by the authorities, tips are gratefully received in restaurants or for any service provided.

Nightlife

The most popular form of nightlife is the xhiro, the evening stroll along the main boulevards and squares of each town and village. Cultural life takes the form of theatre, opera and concerts. Discos and games arcades are beginning to appear. Some hotels have taverns with music and dancing.

Shopping

Special purchases include carpets, filigree silver and copper, woodcarvings, ceramics and any kind of needlework. Old markets are often worth exploring. Bartering is very much the order of the day for foreigners as well as for locals. Some of the tourist hotels also have shops.

Shopping hours: Generally Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1900 (although regional variations are possible). Many shops are also open Sunday.

Climate

Temperate climate with warm and dry periods from June to September, cool and wet from October to May. April to June and mid September to mid October are the best months for visits. Flash-flooding is possible throughout the year.

Required Clothing

Warm clothing and rainwear is advisable for winter. Lightweight for summer.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May May Day.
2 Oct Lesser Bairam (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Independence and Liberation Day.
9 Dec Greater Bairam (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May May Day.
21 Sep Lesser Bairam (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Independence and Liberation Day.
28 Nov Greater Bairam (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Lesser Bairam (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Lesser Bairam itself. Lesser Bairam and Greater Bairam (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: No

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No*

Health Care

Medical facilities are extremely basic (including accident and emergency) and there is a lack of supplies and doctors. Visitors are advised to avoid using the dental facilities available. If taking prescribed drugs, visitors should bring a supply. Foreign travellers will be excluded from payment for emergency medical treatment and first aid. However, international travellers are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance before departure.

Note

* A certificate of vaccination is required from travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Lek (ALL) = 100 qindarka. Notes are in denominations of ALL5,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of ALL50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Currency Exchange

Currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and banks. US Dollars are the preferred foreign currency.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Rarely used. Cash is preferred in nearly all cases. However, American Express, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted by some banks and hotels.

Traveller's Cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Euros. They may not always be easily changed in all places.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1600.

Passport/Visa

British