Albania – everything you need to know before travelling

Albania is one of the simpler countries to plan and travel to, but we thought it would be a good idea to compile a short list of information you might need if you decide to travel to Albania.

EU citizens can enter Albania using either their identity card or passport, as no visa is required. However, entry requirements may vary, so it’s advisable to check with your government or relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information before you travel.

The currency in Albania is the Albanian lek (ALL). There are exchange offices at every turn, so there’s no need to worry about how to get your hands on an Albanian lek. Of course, the exchange rates vary, with the worst one at the airport being the expected one, but a few steps further on you can get a better exchange rate. Payments can also be made in euros, or as the gentleman told us when we hired the car:

In Albania, we take everything, euros, dollars, cards,  even a ring and gold if you have it. As long as you pay. :-)

The euro/ lek exchange rate is currently somewhere around 1:100, so to make it easier to calculate prices, just divide by 100, e.g. 1000 is €10. When paying with euros or dollars in shops and hotels, they have their own exchange rate, which can vary considerably.

You can pay by card in the hotel, restaurants and shops, but I advise you to have some cash, as they just don’t have card payment options everywhere.

The official language is Albanian, but many in tourist areas speak English. Some, especially the older ones, also use Italian.

Although most of Albania is safe for travellers, it is always a good idea to be vigilant about your safety and belongings. We didn’t feel threatened anywhere ourselves, and the people are friendly and welcoming.

As always, when traveling outside the EU, it’s best to opt for an eSIM for data to avoid high roaming charges. In Albania, we went for a 5GB package for €15 through the Airalo app, which offered roaming on multiple networks. The service worked reliably, even in more remote areas and mountain passes, mostly at 4G speeds, which was more than sufficient for seamless navigation.

Before my trip, I had read a lot of blogs and tips warning about the state of the roads in Albania, so I was mentally prepared for the worst. We didn’t push our little Panda to the limits, but honestly, we found the main roads and motorways to be in pretty good condition. Sure, there were a few potholes here and there, but nothing too concerning.

The roughest stretch of road was the first day, driving from the airport to Bunk’art 1. Even that wasn’t bad, just a bit bumpy because they were in the process of constructing a new road.

The only truly stressful part of the drive was navigating through Tirana. The traffic is heavy, and the rules—especially in roundabouts—seem to be more of a “survival of the fittest” situation. It’s essential that everyone in the car stays alert and pays attention, because the traffic dynamics change so quickly, and a driver can easily miss something important.

Albania’s cuisine is a true delight, offering a rich variety of flavors. We enjoyed delicious meals every day during our 4-day stay, sampling both upscale restaurants and humble local eateries, and we weren’t disappointed anywhere. From sarma, burek, and pita, to rakija, olives, seafood, various cheeses, honey, and jams, everything we tasted was absolutely excellent. Fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant, thanks to Albania’s favorable climate.

In most urban areas, tap water is typically safe to drink, though it’s always a good idea to check with locals first. In smaller towns or rural areas, the quality of tap water can vary, so it’s wise to be cautious. We chose to avoid any potential risks by purchasing bottled water for drinking. One thing we learned during our stay is that the water system can occasionally run dry, and to mitigate this, many buildings rely on rooftop tanks. However, these tanks may not always be maintained properly, and using water from them could lead to some stomach issues. It’s always best to err on the side of caution.

Is Albania cheap or not? For this paragraph, I have been thinking for a while about what to write.

It is definitely cheap, especially compared to other European countries. The prices of accommodation, food and other services vary greatly depending on which city you are in in Albania, as well as what time of year you choose to travel. Given that the gap between rich and poor is quickly felt, so are the prices. In my opinion, Albania offers something for everyone, it is up to you to decide how deep you want to dig into your pockets. You can have accommodation for 80€ or 23€. Both are equally clean, good, but the better one might have a little extra. But at the end of the day, you can still sleep comfortably in both.

Overall, I can say that Albania is an affordable destination for most visitors. I’ve gone into more detail about accommodation prices and what’s on offer in the other article on this blog.

I hope you found this information useful and that you are better prepared for your trip to Albania. I believe that if you decide to travel you will enjoy your visit to this wonderful country.