Is Albania Worth Visiting? Some Honest Pros and Cons

Albania is a bit of a contradiction. On the one hand, it remains highly underrated and still manages to fly under the radar compared to better-known European destinations.

At the same time, Albania saw tourism rise by almost 125% between 2019 and 2024, so the word is clearly getting out! (A big factor was the pandemic, when there were fewer travel restrictions in place in Albania compared to other countries at the time, helping to put it on the travel map.)

While there’s been some buzz around Albania in recent years, you might not yet know as much about this Balkan nation and wondering just what to expect.

I’ll be honest: I think Albania is wonderful, but for the moment it may not be quite for everyone (yet). A lot depends on whether you just want to travel to Albania and stay on a beach, or whether you wish to travel around in Albania.

The southern coast is well-suited to a budget-friendly summer holiday. Personally, I would recommend a more laidback place like Himara over the more pretentious/expensive Ksamil. Yes, Ksamil is a lot more Instagrammy (it has those beaches with cristalline waters that went viral), but I think the overall vibe further up the coast is a lot nicer. Fly into Corfu (only a short ferry ride away) or soon to the new Vlora airport and you can have an easy and fun beach trip with at most an hour or two of travel to your chosen location.

If you wish to travel around Albania for culture/nature/cities in addition to the beaches, just know that Albania is not yet as developed as other countries in Europe. Public transportation can be tricky to figure out and not everywhere has been done up yet for tourists. I think backpackers will love it, but Albania on the whole doesn’t have the level of polish and ease of travel yet of nearby countries like Croatia, Italy or Greece that I think most tourists want. It’s still, to use a cliched phrase, a “diamond in the rough”.

Let me share some impressions of Albania so you can make up your own mind as to whether it’s the right destination for you.

Level of development

Let me stress that Albania remains one of the least developed countries in Europe. It often reminded me more of traveling in Central or Southeast Asia more than of (Western) Europe.

While I consider this part of its charm, I just want to make it clear what type of destination Albania is.

I think transportation in particular can be a surprise if you haven’t travelled in developing countries before. Timetables found online usually aren’t real or accurate and you can’t usually buy bus tickets online. Tirana’s bus station is bit of a shitshow: it’s actually just one big car park with coach buses and minivans parked in random spots, no signs or timetables, no information desks, and you just have to figure out where to board. I’ve spoken to a number of tourists who found this very stressful and confusing.

However, if you bring a backpacker spirit, this is all just part of the fun. By improvising you can actually get around quite efficiently. In a certain sense, getting around in Albania is actually easy, as there are minivans (called furgon) going constantly between the major locations. Forget the timetables, just show up at the local furgon spot, shout out where you want to go, and chances are there’ll be a van going there.

Infrastructure is improving, with new bus stations and roads under construction. However, if you like going off the beaten path or if you’re going on your own road trip, know that some of the side-roads are unasphalted or still potholed to the extreme. Some parts of Albania are still “work in progress”.

That said, I now think Albania is reaching the point of mainstream appeal. Central Tirana has had enough renovations and trendy businesses pop up to have a real vibe. The coastline of Albania is wonderful — developed, but not the kind of continuous string of development you often see in the most popular Mediterranean destinations. I especially love Albania for its nature: trekking in the Accursed Mountains is absolutely epic and the newly established Vjosa Wild River National Park promises to turn this wild river into a major ecotourism destination.

Yes, Albania definitely has the potential to be the ‘next Croatia’. For now, it is still relatively off-path, so now is the time to explore it before the rest of the world finds out!

Reasons to Visit Albania

The diverse landscapes

Adventure lovers and beach bums will both find Albania to their liking, with the Albanian Alps, the Adriatic Sea, and many mesmerizing lakes to explore.

Almost three-quarters of Albania’s land is mountainous, making for some pretty spectacular trekking opportunities and jaw-dropping vistas.

If you’re into hiking, then the Valbona to Theth trail in the Alps is an absolute must. I promise the stellar views are worth every bit of this day-long hike! For longer treks, don’t miss the Peaks of the Balkans trail.

Looking for a beach? Head to the Albanian Riviera towns of Sarandë or Ksamil, where you can swim in gorgeous turquoise waters. These are the beaches that went viral online, and while they almost look tropical, know that it’s mostly the domain of private beach clubs with some charging insane prices (e.g. €25 for one cocktail). For a more down to Earth vibe, head for Himara further north.

The history is fascinating

Did you know that Albania was once sometimes referred to as “the North Korea of Europe”?

Albania has some of the most fascinating histories I’ve dived into in Europe, owing in particular to its grim decades under the ruthless and paranoid dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.

For a considerable part of the 20th century, Albania was completely closed off to the Western world, developing on a separate track from its neighbors — all the while being linguistically unique from the rest of Europe.

Over the centuries, Albania has also been repeatedly conquered by the likes of the Roman, Ottoman, and Bulgarian Empires, each adding their marks on the country.

The turbulent history remains evident throughout modern Albania. Ottoman architecture dominates cities like Berat, while nuclear bunkers from the late 1900s are scattered around Albania, some of which you can visit in Tirana.

It’s safe to say Albanians have been through a hell of a lot of hardships, and brushing up on your history at sites like the National History Museum will give you a new appreciation for this resilient country.

It’s highly budget-friendly

The days of Albania being absolutely rock-bottom cheap for tourists maybe over, but it still offers some amazing value for money. You can travel here for quite a lot less than you would pay in the likes of Greece and Italy, making it a great alternative to these Mediterranean hotspots.

Here are some ideas of the prices:

Mid-range apartment or hotel in the capital: around €40 to €50
Dorm bed in a backpacker hostel: around €12.
Local dishes in a casual restaurant: €6 – €8
Street food such as burek, an Albanian meat-filled pastry: just €1.50

It has a thriving backpacker scene

The Balkan region is a mecca for backpackers looking to get a little off the beaten path, and Albania has become somewhat of a hub for travel in this pocket of Europe.

It’s much quieter than the ever-popular backpacking trails of Western and Southern Europe but has become an up-and-coming spot for travelers who want to experience a more untouched collection of countries.

The hostel scene is thriving in Albania. Something I appreciated a lot was how many hostels are local and family-run, having a real ‘traveler vibe’ that is sometimes missing from larger chain hostels. (This also goes for nearby Bosnia-Herzegovina by the way, where I found the hostels to have a genuine local charm.)

If you like down-to-earth travel, you will surely love travelling in Albania, where things aren’t yet so overorganized or commercialized.

The food is to die for

Albania’s location in the southeast of Europe means it’s influenced by the cuisines of its Balkan neighbors, as well as that of countries like Turkey and Italy.

This has made Albania’s food a unique melting pot of flavors. Even within the country, you’ll come across different dishes depending on the region you’re visiting.

Here is a quick rundown of all of the foods you simply can’t leave Albania without trying:

• Burek – This flaky pastry dish is typically filled with beef but is also commonly made using cheese, potatoes, or vegetables. You won’t have to look far to get your hands on some, as this super-inexpensive favorite is found in bakeries and cafes in almost every corner of the country. Though it’s often considered a breakfast food, it’s perfectly acceptable to tuck into burek at any time of day.
• Baklava – Having spent centuries under Ottoman rule, it’s no surprise that baklava is among Albanian’s top choices when it comes to desserts. If you’re unfamiliar with this sweet treat, it’s a combination of crispy filo pastry, nuts, and syrup. Like byrek, you’ll be able to find baklava just about anywhere in the country.
• Tavë Kosi – Albania’s national dish, tavë kosi, is a hearty mix of baked lamb, rice, yogurt, and eggs. Although it sounds like a peculiar combination, each ingredient comes together perfectly to create a warm, casserole-like dish that’s perfect after a long day of hiking! There’s plenty of debate about where serves the best tavë kosi, but I can’t fault Tirana’s take on this culinary delight.
• Fërgesë – Feta cheese, tomatoes, and peppers are baked together in this tasty dish, which can be enjoyed on its own or as a side. Depending on where in the country you find yourself, the cheese can vary, so every plate is a little different from the last. It’s usually served in central Albania, but you won’t struggle to find fërgesë in most towns and cities.

The nightlife scene

Admittedly, being an older backpacker, I don’t dive into the nightlife as much these days. However, I could easily tell that Albania has so much to offer on this front.

While I skipped the nightlife in Tirana, fellow travelers were very much into the scene there. Cozy pubs, swanky cocktail bars, and nightclubs open until the early hours are found in many of Albania’s larger cities, but the capital is home to some of the best locations for a night on the town.

Even if you’re not typically a bar-goer, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll consume some raki by the end of your stay. This is Albanian’s best-loved spirit, and it also happens to be strong enough to make your eyes water!

Enjoyed after meals, as a toast, and even as part of breakfast by some Albanians, this traditional drink will probably be offered to you more times than you can count.

Albanian people are very hospitable

On the subject of raki, the reason this pungent liquor will be served up to you over and over again is largely because of how welcoming and warm the Albanian people are. If you’re invited for a meal by locals, expect tons of raki to be flowing.

Now, to be honest, I’ve heard varying reports on the hospitality or friendliness of Albanians. Some Reddit threads out there seem to paint Albania as having some kind of threatening aura or something, which I absolutely do not recognize in my own experiences. It makes me wonder if these are impressions are from 20 years ago.

In my two trips here I’ve found Albanians to be extremely friendly and hospitable. The country is also very safe: the fact that so many travellers hitchike through Albania tells you a lot about what to expect.

It’s always difficult to generalize from a limited number of (subjective) encounters on a trip. Maybe you could meet some less-friendly characters in a remote village somewhere. However, I’ve received nothing but wonderful hospitality. Not once have I been scammed in Albania, and people have even gone out of their way to help me find the right furgon to my next destination.

It’s much safer than you might expect

Finally, what keeps some visitors away is outdated information about the security situation in Albania.

To be fair, Albania did have quite a ‘wild west’ period after the fall of the dictatorship in the 1990s, which rightfully earned it a reputation for crime and violence. But those days are luckily long past.

Today Albania is a safe country to travel through and one that’s focused on reducing crime and corruption so as to one day join the European Union. While illicit business does take place, it’s something that is very much behind-the-scenes and not a visible part of daily life (not unlike how it is in, say, southern parts of Italy).

You may be aware that there is still such a thing as the ‘Albanian mafia’. When action movies require some baddies, they will often wheel out the Albanian stereotype. But while they still have some basis in reality, you have little to worry about as a tourist. While some things may be happening deep behind the scenes, you will have zero awareness of it as a visitor and won’t be affected by it in any way.

Thanks to a generally low crime rate, Albania has actually gained a reputation as one of the safest spots in the Balkans. I’ve met many solo (female) travelers in Albania who considered it very safe, and even hitchhiking seems to be a popular way to travel around Albania, which would not be the case if there were many dangers involved.

Of course, when it comes to major cities, I usually tend to be especially conscious of keeping my belongings hidden and avoiding isolated or dimly lit areas, though Tirana felt much safer than a lot of similarly sized cities.

So, all in all, is Albania worth visiting?

My answer is an emphatic “YES!”, especially because I love budget and adventure travel for which Albania is most suited.

But if you’re looking for a travel destination where the buses always run on time and where all the tourism infrastructure is perfect, then other countries will (for now) be a better choice.