Introducing Albania
Awaking Sleeping Beauty–like in the 1990s from her hardline communist isolation, Albania was a stranger from another time. Her cities weren’t choked by car fumes, her beaches were unspoilt by mass tourism, her long-suffering people were a little dazed and confused. While things have changed a lot since then, this ancient land still offers something increasingly rare in Europe these days – a glance into a culture that is all its own. Raised on a diet of separation and hardship, Albania is distinctly Albanian.
You’ll continue to find beautiful pristine beaches on parts of the Ionian Coast (try the charming town of Saranda), fascinating classical sites like ancient Berat, and dramatic mountain citadels, but the mad traffic of Tirana is symptomatic of a bustling, bright city shrugging off its Stalinist grey patina. Squat toilets are no longer the norm and you can even sip cocktails at hip bars while listening to rock bands. Meanwhile, Northern Albania keeps the country's reputation as a wild frontier alive and well, with bleak mountains and the occasional blood feud.
Not just the preserve of the adventurous, Albania is a warm and sincerely hospitable country – with enough rough edges to keep it interesting.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
Sights in Albania
Activities in Albania
Tirana
Lively, colourful Tirana has changed beyond belief in the last decade from the dull, grey city it once was.
Tours in Albania
Central Albania
The region of central Albania includes Berat and Durrës.
Albania destination guides
Durrës
With miles of coast and its proximity to Tirana, Durrës should be a seaside resort par excellence.
Hotels in Albania
Budget Hotels & Hostels in Albania
Guesthouses and B&Bs in Albania
Apartments in Albania
Berat
A highlight of any trip to Albania, Berat is one of the country’s most beautiful towns, having been preserved as a museum city by the communist government.
Entertainment in Albania
Southern Coast
With snow-capped mountains squeezing up against sparkling white beaches and the azure water of the Ionian, southern Albania is the most visually arresting part of the country.
Shopping in Albania