Is Albania worth visiting?
The answer to this question is YES, and that would be an understatement. This is an especially great destination for female travelers and families; I have never felt so safe and welcomed as I did in Albania!
Safety and hospitality are far from the only reasons you should plan a trip to this Balkan gem. To answer this question in-depth, I am going to list my top five reasons why you should visit Albania below!
Top Five Reasons Albania is Worth Visiting
1. Albanian food is INSANE.
As a foodie, Albanian food was surprisingly not on my radar when planning my trip to Albania. This made each meal such a spectacular surprise once I arrived!
The fish is as fresh as you can imagine, which is expected given that the country lives alongside the Adriatic Sea. What I did not expect was the mind-blowing burger stands, shish kabobs and fresh pita on every corner. Not to mention, the Albanian pastries which would put some French patisseries to shame. (Love you, France, but holy cow…)
Start planning your Albanian culinary adventure with these 10 Must-Try Foods In Albania!
2. The Hospitality in Albania is Unmatched
I can’t remember the last time I felt such warmth from a group of people – And yes, I am putting the entire country of Albanians in a group because I truly did not have one negative experience in the three weeks I spent there.
Whether you’re checking into your Airbnb, dining at a local fast food spot or a 5 star restaurant, even hopping on a bus down the coast – These people want you there. Not only that, but they want you to have a wonderful experience in their country. (Did I tell you about the time a sweet Albanian man called his friend who was a bus driver to pick me up on the side of the road because I was in the wrong town and needed a ride?)
While I was fully aware throughout the trip that tipping is not required in Albania (10% tip is appreciated with good service) – I ended up tipping over 10% throughout the trip because I was so blown away by the service!
3. Albania is affordable AF
THIS. This was the reason I chose Albania for my September adventure. If you’re looking for a Mediterranean beach vacation without the prices you will find in Greece, a trip to Albania is for you.
As a budget traveler, my spending averaged about $45/day, including accomodation, but could have been much less if I chose to cook at home, stay in a hostel, or camp.
See my Full Breakdown On The Cost Of Travel In Albania to calculate the approximate cost of your trip!
Keep in mind, the further South you travel, the higher the prices, but they truly do not stray far from what is listed above.
4. Safety is not an issue in Albania.
From the lack of sharks to the lack of pickpockets, you will feel safe in Albania.
From everything I experienced traveling Albania for three weeks, the people are simply living their lives. Nobody is there to prey on tourists. Nobody is worried about what you are doing or looking for the right moment to strike. This is a tourist destination without the tourist traps – Truly a dream come true!
For context, I stayed in Airbnbs in Albania – These were sometimes on the beach, sometimes 2 miles from the beach, and no matter how secluded I was, I did not feel uneasy in any way.
This makes Albania the PERFECT location for solo female travelers!
5. There’s Something For Everyone!
Obviously, if you’re a beach-lover, Albania has all the beaches you could ever dream of!
However, the cities in Albania have a great mix of historical sites, museums, adrenaline activities, restaurants and cafes, so you can find plenty to do even if you’re not interested in spending all day at the beach!
Keep in mind – If your focus is to see more than beaches – I recommend traveling to larger cities in Albania, such as Durres, Tirana, Vlore, or up north to Shkoder for some outdoor adventure!
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Have I convinced you to make the trip?
Let me know your thoughts on Albania in the comments of this post!
Resources I used when planning my trip through Albania:
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