Albania is a small located in Southeast Europe, known for its beautiful beaches, stunning mountain ranges, and rich cultural heritage. Despite being a relatively undiscovered destination, Albania has a lot to offer tourists.
One of the main draws of Albania is its coastline, which stretches for over 400 kilometers along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Visitors can enjoy crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and charming seaside towns such as Saranda, Vlora, and Durres.
Inland, Albania is home to several stunning mountain ranges, including the Albanian Alps and the Sharr Mountains. These are perfect for, skiing, and other outdoor activities, and offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Albania is also home to several historic cities, including the capital city of Tirana, which boasts a mix of Ottoman, Italian, and communist-era architecture. Other notable cities include Berat, known as the “City of a Thousand Windows” for its distinctive Ottoman-era houses, and Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to a well-preserved medieval castle.
In addition to its natural and cultural attractions, Albania is also known for its delicious cuisine, which features a mix of Mediterranean and Balkan flavors. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood, grilled meats, and a variety of locally-produced cheeses and wines.
Overall, Albania is a hidden gem that is well worth a visit for anyone looking to explore a less-traveled destination with plenty of natural beauty and cultural charm.
Unfortunately, Albania has a bad reputation in Europe as a crime-ridden nation.
However, in spite of this bad reputation, it is relatively safe to travel to Albania.
Risks of Traveling to Albania
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Albania is a relatively safe country to travel to. There are mild threats, but nothing that should stop you from traveling there. In the main cities (Tirana, Durres, Vlore) there are no major issues, and the only area you should avoid is Albania’s border with Kosovo.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Means of transportation are various in Albania but not very reliable. Just because there is a schedule, doesn’t mean there actually is a schedule, so you can count on waiting for buses, trains, etc. However, it is mostly safe, but be careful of pickpockets on buses and trains.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Petty crime involving pickpocketing is common, especially if you’re using public transportation. Also, cell phone thefts and wallet thefts do happen, so keep your valuables in a safe place and take basic precautionary measures.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Albania lies in a seismically active zone, and minor earthquakes and tremors are common. Serious earthquakes are less frequent but do occur.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Mugging, cell phone thefts, and carjacking do happen, however, these cases are not too common. Albania is not known for kidnapping, so you should be fine, but use common sense and be vigilant for any dangers at all times.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There haven’t been terrorist attacks in Albania’s recent history, but they shouldn’t be ruled out.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Albanians are mostly warm and hospitable people, but there’s always the risk of getting scammed if you’re a tourist, and this also applies to Albania. Tourists have been overcharged for beers and street food, or given the wrong change, so try to avoid street vendors and negotiate everything in advance and check your change twice.Credit card fraud is also an issue in Albania and visitors should exercise caution by not letting the card out of their sight. As a tourist, be vigilant for strangers looking over their shoulders at the PIN number or for any interference with the machine itself that could indicate a camera or some kind of scamming machine inside the ATM.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
It is safe for women to travel alone in Albania, and most people will probably go out of their way to help in any way, but you should avoid walking in remote areas and alone at night.
How Safe Is Albania Really?
Albania’s bad reputation is hard to shake, although it is really a relatively safe place to visit.
This country does have some issues but they are mainly in the north of the country, on the border with Kosovo (a part of Serbia), since, over the years there have been many political incidents and quarrels with Serbia regarding the territory of Kosovo.
Albanians are mainly considered heavily armed people, so this is the reason why it is not safe to travel to those parts of the country.
Also, there are some unexploded mines left over from wars and conflicts in the region, so don’t go wandering around unmapped areas.
Another danger in Albania is that it is a country with around 100,000 tons of piled-up munitions in various warehouses and depots.
These warehouses and depots represent a serious danger from an explosion and are not sufficiently monitored and dealt with.
In 2008 there was an explosion on a motorway near Tirana originating from one of these depots.
As for petty crime, pickpocketing and cell phone theft, as well as luggage theft are the most common forms of crime you’ll find on the streets, and they are relatively common.
Carjacking is rare in Albania but vehicle theft is common so be sure to lock your vehicle before leaving it, and do not leave any valuables in a visible place in the car.
Things to Consider
- Visas – As a tourist, you don’t need a visa to enter the Republic of Albania. You may stay up to one year in Albania without applying for a residency permit, and your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your stay in Albania. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
- Currency – Albanian lek is the official currency in Albania. Some say that Albania is a little more expensive than Skopje or Bucharest, but it is still cheaper than in most European countries. Use ATM’s with caution and exchange your money in banks.
- Weather – Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters in the lowlands. In the highlands, it is cold from November until March, and snow is a regular occurrence. Cities near mountains are very cold, and even during the summer nights can get very chilly.
- Airports – Albania’s main and busiest international airport is Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, commonly known as Rinas International Airport.
- Travel Insurance – Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Albania, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe for tourists in Albania?
In general, Albania is safe for all tourists. However, the United States has given it a Level Two advisory with the guidance for travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime within the country.
Many of these crimes are considered petty crimes, but there is a possibility of more elevated situations such as human trafficking or assault. If you decide to travel to Albania, be sure to abide by all safety precautions.
Traveling in groups with proper emergency phone numbers and avoiding bad neighborhoods are recommended. Tourists should also keep personal items close to their bodies to keep them secure.
Is Albania safe for solo females?
Although the advisories in place by the United States and the United Kingdom do not explicitly state that females should not travel alone to Albania, there is a level of concern due to human trafficking.
The mafia has been known to engage in human trafficking operations, which are typically targeted at females and children. Therefore, if females are traveling alone, they should stick to being out during daylight and carry a fully charged cell phone with adequate reception at all times.
Females should also make other individuals aware of their travel plans for a level of accountability. Additionally, female visitors to Albania should avoid bad neighborhoods at all costs.
Is Albania in danger?
No, Albania is not in danger. While the country experienced some difficult times, those issues have been rectified. Although the land isn’t in trouble, there are instances within the country that can pose a threat.
Among these situations are the political rallies that take place, as well as a mafia presence within the country. Previously, Albania was in danger due to an influx of pyramid schemes that destroyed the country’s financial economy.
Because of this, a civil war broke out in the late 1990s. However, the situation was remedied within a few years, and there have been no issues since.
Is Albania a poor country?
Historically, Albania has been recognized as one of the poorest European countries. However, recent years and policy changes have increased the level of personal welfare in the country. Many families reside at the middle-class level instead of the lower class, as was the norm in the past.
Because of the increased middle-class level, the amount of crime within the Balkan country has dramatically decreased. This change has brought about safer cities and fewer thefts.
Is Albania a corrupt country?
Unfortunately, the country is considered corrupt due to the collaboration between the government and the Albanian mafia families. While politicians often side with the mafia for their own safety and personal gain, this is disadvantageous to the country’s citizens.
These actions come to a head as political rallies and demonstrations in city centers and in front of political offices. The number of events has risen steadily since 2018. Some have turned violent due to the amount of anger among the participants.
Why is Albania not popular?
The country of Albania is not high on the list of tourist destinations due to there being many unknowns about the destination. Its history precedes it and gives pause to tourists considering travel to the area because of past wars and land mine activity.
Additionally, airfare to Albania is more pricey than in other European countries. Because of its remote location and reduction in demand, there aren’t as many flights that go in and out of the country daily.
As more people become aware of the many benefits and attractions of an Albanian vacation, more travel will occur to the area.
