Albania has quickly become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe. Just a few years ago, I did not know anyone who had visited, but now several of my colleagues, myself included, have traveled there this year! Although tourism in Albania is on the rise, it still does not draw as many visitors as neighboring countries. The fewer tourists also means that reliable travel information can be hard to find. That is why I have put together this list of essential Albania travel tips I wish I would have known before my first trip.

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This can confuse travelers who do not live in Europe. Albania is on the continent of Europe, but it is not part of the European Union. This means it does not use the euro. Instead, the country has its own currency called the Albanian Lek. I’ll explain more about that in the next section. It also means that if you live in the EU, like I do, your phone plan will not cover Albania so you will need to get an eSIM (I use Airalo).

Albania is also not part of the Schengen Zone, so you will need to pass through passport control at the border. You may also need a visa, depending on where you are from. Citizens from the EU, US, Canada, or UK can stay visa free for up to 90 days. If you have maxed out your 90 day Schengen allowance, you can still enter Albania and stay in the country for an additional 90 days without affecting your Schengen time.

In Albania, cash is king. Most places, including hotels and restaurants, rely on cash. Before my trip, I knew I needed cash, but I did not expect so many places to not take credit cards at all. Credit card machines are rare, so plan ahead.

As explained in the first section, Albania has its own currency called Albanian Lek. It is a “closed currency,” which means you cannot exchange it outside the country. You can either withdraw cash once you arrive or bring foreign currency to exchange locally.

Personally, I would consider bringing cash with you to avoid ATM fees. Exchange locations in Albania do not charge transaction or conversion fees, which is nice. Additionally, you might find that many tourist spots even accept euros, which makes things easier.

A key part of planning your trip is deciding how to get around. If you decide to visit multiple cities, which I hope you do, you will want to do some research on public transportation versus renting a car. During my 2.5 week trip in Albania, I rented a car for the first week and relied on public transportation for the rest of the trip. Having experienced both options, I can tell you there are several factors to consider before making a decision.

Public transportation in Albania can be slow and confusing, but it is also the most affordable way to get around. Since there are no trains between cities, buses are the primary option.

Most bus stations are basically parking lots, the schedules are unreliable, and buses depart once full, which can be earlier or later than expected. Buses display the destination city on the front, but they make multiple stops along the way depending on where passengers need to go.

Most buses are minibuses with limited storage, though larger coaches between major cities offer more space. They are convenient for traveling between cities, but reaching remote locations can be difficult. The biggest advantage, of course, is cost. The most I ever paid was just €10 for a four hour journey.

Renting a car might seem like the obvious choice if you are planning to visit multiple cities. But after renting a car for a week, I can honestly say you might want to think twice before renting a car. Having a car gave me the freedom and flexibility I wanted, but driving in Albania turned out to be stressful and chaotic. The traffic was a mess, and the roads were often unpredictable.

Narrow mountain passes, sudden potholes, and drivers who treated lane markings as mere suggestions. Road signs can be limited or confusing, and GPS directions are not always reliable, especially in rural areas. Also, be aware that the cost of petrol is quite high in Albania.

That said, if you are an experienced driver who is comfortable navigating challenging conditions, renting a car can still be worth it for the freedom to stop at viewpoints, beaches, and villages that buses do not reach. But for most travelers, especially first timers, I would recommend thinking carefully before renting a car.

I know tour buses often get a bad rap, but they might actually be your best option. If I were planning my trip again, I would skip the rental car and book a few organised bus tours instead. I would have combined public buses for getting between cities and used day tours to reach specific attractions.

Tours are especially convenient if you are short on time or prefer not to drive as they run on fixed schedules, are easy to plan around, and take the stress out of navigating Albania’s roads. Here are a few great day tour options:

One of the biggest surprises for me was just how unreliable Google Maps can be in Albania. I always rely on it when I travel and I always download offline maps before a trip. I quickly realized that Google Maps was not up to date. It would sometimes direct me to roads that did not exist or send me to completely wrong locations.

On one occasion, Google Maps rerouted me and several other drivers onto a side road with a nonexistent highway onramp, leading me stuck under a bridge rather than the main road. 

Apparently, Google maps have not been properly updated since around 2016. My advice to you is not to rely on Google maps too heavily, do not blindly follow the rerouting suggestions, and not be afraid to ask locals for directions. Expect traffic, give yourself extra time, and be patient when finding your destination.

WiFi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, and cafés, but the quality can be hit or miss. If you need reliable internet, especially for navigation, it is worth getting a SIM card for your phone. 

I always use Airalo when I travel because their eSIMs are cheap and have excellent coverage. You can buy one for just a few days or for several months, and topping up for extra data is easy and affordable. 

If you are visiting multiple European countries, their regional SIM cards are a great option too. Honestly, Airalo has been a total game changer for me. I don’t worry about buying local SIMs or paying outrageous roaming fees with my home carrier.

As with any foreign country, do not expect English to be widely spoken in Albania. But, do not let that deter you! Outside of Tirana and the main tourist areas, it was rare to find someone who spoke English. Most of the people we interacted with did not speak it, so we relied heavily on Google Translate, gestures, and a bit of patience.

That said, Albanians are very kind and resourceful. People often went out of their way to help, whether it meant calling a friend who spoke English or using translation apps. You would be amazed at how much you can communicate without sharing a language.

That said, learning a few basic Albanian phrases goes a long way. “Hello” (përshëndetje, pronounced PUR-shen-DEH-tyeh) or “thank you” (faleminderit, pronounced fa-leh-min-DEH-reet) is always appreciated.

One of the things that surprised me was how expensive groceries were compared to eating out. My trip to Albania was 2.5 weeks, and I had planned to save a bit of money by making a few meals at our accommodation.

I quickly realized that groceries were not as cheap as I expected and in many cases, eating at local restaurants was actually cheaper. Of course, it depends on the city and where you choose to eat, but you can get a souvlaki, a popular street food, for around €2–€4. Such a steal!

Don’t expect fast service. Dining in Albania is relaxed and unhurried. Meals are meant to be enjoyed, giving you time to converse and unwind. There are also virtually no fast-food chains, and surprisingly, there is not a single McDonald’s in the country.

Raki is the national drink of Albania and beloved by locals. This strong fruit brandy ranges from about 40% to 60% ABV. You will often be offered a shot at restaurants or as a welcome gesture at accommodations or tours.

Locals might tell you to drink it all at once, but one of our tour guides explained this is a playful trick on tourists and most Albanians actually sip it slowly. Raki is often homemade, so the flavor and alcohol content can vary. Drink with caution!

Albania is generally very safe for travelers, but as always, it pays to use common sense. Avoid driving at night in remote or mountainous areas, keep your belongings secure, and stay alert for pickpockets in crowded places or on public transport.

Some common scams include taxi overcharging, so always agree on a fare before getting in. Another is unlicensed currency exchange locations, which may charge high fees or offer inflated rates. All licensed exchanges in Albania operate with no commission, and daily rates should be clearly displayed.

Personally, I felt very safe walking alone at night in most cities. Just stay aware and cautious, and you’ll be fine.

I heard mixed advice about tap water in Albania, and since I get sick easily while traveling, I decided not to test my luck. I was actually quite surprised to see that locals usually drank bottled water. For me, if locals are not drinking the tap water then I should not be either.

I brought a LifeStraw filtered water bottle, which worked amazingly well. You can fill it with any kind of water, and the built in straw filters out contaminants, bacteria, parasites, and even microplastics.

The double filter and carbon layer also improve the taste. Honestly, I can not recommend this water bottle enough for traveling somewhere where tap water isn’t safe to drink.

Albania is great to visit almost any time of the year, but what you do depends on the season and region.

Summer: Coastal temperatures average 28–34°C (82–93°F), inland 30–36°C (86–97°F), and 20–25°C (68–77°F) in the mountains.

It is peak tourist season and popular beaches in Ksamil and Sarandë will be packed. Smaller towns, however, will not usually be crowded. It is the hottest part of the year and August can be extremely hot (up to 40°C or 105°F). Great for beaches and hiking in the northern Albanian Alps.

Spring/Autumn: Coastal temperatures 20–28°C (68–82°F), inland 15–24°C (59–75°F), mountains 10–18°C (50–64°F).

Warm, fewer crowds, occasional rain, lower prices, and ideal mountain weather for hiking.

Winter: Coastal 12–15°C (54–59°F), inland 8–12°C (46–54°F), mountains 0–5°C (32–41°F).

Mild along the coast but snowy in the mountains, with possible road closures in the Albanian Alps. Days are shorter, and some tourist locations may have reduced hours or be closed entirely.

Packing depends on where you plan to go. Albania has a diverse landscape and climate, which makes packing difficult if you want to visit multiple locations.

• • Coastal trips: Bring beachwear, light clothing, sunscreen, and something to cover your shoulders when visiting religious sites.

• • Mountain trips: Pack layers, sturdy hiking shoes, a rain jacket, and bug spray (especially in summer near water or hiking areas).

Other essentials include:

• • A filtered water bottle like a LifeStraw
  • Tissues or travel wipes (public restrooms may not provide toilet paper)
  • Type C or F travel adapter
  • An eSIM for your phone, since Albania isn’t covered by most European phone plans

One of Albania’s best features is its incredible variety of landscapes. Mountains dominate the north, vineyards and farmland spread across the center, and stunning beaches in the south.

Hikers will love the rugged Accursed Mountains, also called the Albanian Alps. The view are absolutely breathtaking. For a relaxing trip, the beaches in the south rival those in Greece or Croatia. You will also find hot springs, waterfalls, forests, canyons, and gorges. Albania offers endless natural beauty and any type of vacation you can imagine.

If you have the time, stay longer! I spent 2.5 weeks in Albania, and even that did not feel long enough. There are so many incredible places to explore, and many towns are worth an overnight stay.

For example, we decided to stay two nights in Berat. Many travelers only do a day trip, but we were intrigued by the city and wanted to explore more. I’m so glad we stayed for a few nights. Berat ended up being my favorite city, and there was so much to see that we could easily have stayed an extra night.

Albania is one of those destinations where slower travel is best. Don’t try to see everything in a week. Stay longer, enjoy your time, and savor each place.

Albania is home to a variety of religions, with Islam and Eastern Orthodoxy being the main ones. There is also a high percentage of non-religious people.

Alongside this diversity, the country has remarkable religious tolerance. This stems from Albania’s recent history under Enver Hoxha, who ruled from 1945 to 1990 and banned all religious practice.

Under his rule, mosques, churches, and monasteries were either closed or destroyed. Religious freedom returned in 1990, and today faith is often celebrated as a shared cultural tradition rather than an exclusive practice.

In practical terms, this means all religious sites are open to visitors, regardless of your faith. You can enter mosques, churches, and monasteries at any time. Our tour guide in Tirana mentioned that it is common for Muslims and Christians to celebrate holidays together, and interfaith marriages are widely accepted.

There is a reason Albania is becoming a popular tourist destination. The country has stunning natural landscapes, rich culture, safety, and friendly people. But because it is still relatively less travelled, information for tourists can be limited online. As someone who likes to plan every detail before traveling, I found I had to figure out many things once I arrived.

Hopefully, these travel tips help you on your first trip to Albania. This is everything I wish I had known before I went. And as always, be flexible, go with the flow, and embrace the unexpected.

Looking for more travel inspiration? You may also enjoy these posts:

Albania Travel Tips for First Time Visitors

Is Albania Worth Visiting?

7 Best Day Trips From Tirana to Add to Your Itinerary

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