8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Albania

Albania is an untapped travel destination with clear water beaches, picturesque landscapes, farm to table food, culture, and history. It is just a matter of time before Albania comes into the spotlight as a top travel mecca.

The beaches on the Albanian Riviera are serene. There is something about the way you will be able to completely disconnect and clear your mind there.

If your passionate about history there is plenty of incredible museums, castles, and monuments to visit.

Here are the reasons why I fell in love with Albania on my first trip and now consider it a top vacation destination, above all other countries in Europe and in the world.

Regardless of what time of the year, Albania can offer you amazing experiences. All you need is a little planning, and, in my blog, you will find all the necessary information to help you plan accordingly and have that perfect vacation that you have been waiting for.

Albania is safe and very welcoming in fact the hospitality is top rate. There are English speaking people in major cities, resorts, restaurants and attractions.

Here are 8 of the top reasons I fell in love with Albania and why I know you will too!

1. The Albanian Riviera

Starting in Vlora, down to Saranda, the coastline of Albania rivels European tropical beach destinations in Greece and Italy at a fraction of the cost.

Being in Europe and surrounded by Mediterranean Sea, Albania has mild winters and hot summers.

The Riviera boasts exquisite sandy and pebbly beaches each with their own benefits and attractions. Depending on the type of experience you are looking for there is something for everyone along the coastline. It is easy to enjoy the warm, clear water of the Ionian Sea and the brilliant sunsets that can make you forget anything that troubles you.

If you would like to know more about the beaches in the Albanian Riviera, have a look at blog post: Top 12 Best Beaches in Albania

2. Museums & Castles

Visit the Albanian National History Museum located in Skanderbeg Square. This museum consists of eight pavilions based on periods from Antiquity through Mother Teresa. BUNK’ART 1 and 2 are inside atomic bunkers built during the communist era depicting history through a video museum exhibition. Just outside of Tirana, Skanderbeg Museum in Kruje contains items that date back to Skanderbeg’s time. The walk to Skanderbeg Museum located in Kruje Castle is uphill through a narrow street with shops on both sides. The shops make authentic handmade products. If you are interested in staying at Kruje Castle while visiting, the House inside Castle Kruje is available on Airbnb.

For more information stay tuned for future post 10 Must See Museums In Albania and blog post: Relive History By Visiting These Ancient Castles Of Albania.

3. Culture & Hospitality

Albanians are the most generous, honest people that I have ever met. If you are having a coffee, you will always end up in a fight over who is paying. They don’t simply offer as a show of respect, they insist and will fight it out. If they invited you to coffee or dinner, forget it, they are paying.

Albania’s will greet you with a hug and a kiss on each cheek. Their family values and morals are strong. It is impressive to experience such a loving culture with deep-seeded integrity.

Street harassment is uncommon. Albania’s have respect for people and families. They love tourist. The country is not over saturated with tourism. Because there are fewer tourists you will experience a warmer reception than some other travel destinations.

The experience is truly authentic in Albania. The tourism explosion has not happened yet so when you are visiting, you will experience Albania as Albanians do, you will visit like a local and experience Albania along side them. I genuinely enjoy experiencing Albanian culture. It will give you a better overall world prospective.

Raki is the national drink of Albania. Typically made from grapes it is produced professional and by home distillers. The alcohol content usually excides 40% ABV. Raki is sipped slowly, not shot.

For more on Raki stay tuned for future post: 25 Great Places To Try Raki In Albania.

4. Farm-To-Table Food

Farm to table takes on another meaning in Albania especially in restaurants located on Farms. The food there is slaughtered or harvested on the same day of serving.

You will be surprised how much different the food tastes. The fruits and vegetables are more flavorful. You will remember the flavors long after your trip is over.

Beef, Lamb, Qofte… food made with real ingredients, not processed. At first you will not know why plain beef, salad, yogurt, and other every day foods taste so good. The reason is its real food, no preservatives, no chemicals.

For more on Albanian food stay tuned for future post: Top 10 Authentic Albania Recipes.

Farms in Albania are an agricultural learning experience. As part of the Agroturizëm (translated: Agrotourism), you can learn about how farms work, eat there, and even stay there. One of the best representations of Agritourism and the Slow-Food Movement in Albania is Mrizi i Zanave.

Mrizi i Zanave Agroturizëm is located about an hour and a half from Tirana, in the village of Fishte, Lezhe. Their on-site restaurant serves food harvested daily on the farm. They grow and produce products daily for the restaurant and their market including, fruits, vegetables, wines, cheese, jams, honey, smoked meats, and cheeses. They also have a hotel on site with 9 rooms.

For more information on farms stay tuned for future post: 7 Best Farms To Visit, Eat, And Stay In Albania.

5. Value For Your Money

I would not call it cheap, that would lead you to believe its low cost, low value. The truth is its low cost, high value. Your money will go a long way, but you will also get a lot for it.

Albania will give you the beaches of the Albanian Riviera, the sites, the fun, the culture, the history and the relaxation all at 10% of the price of other destinations in Europe. Tourism in Albania is expected to expand rapidly in the next few years.

6. UNESCO World Heritage Sites

There are 4 world heritage sites in Albania.

1. Butrint National Park
2. Historic Centers of Berat and Gjirokastër
3. Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
4. Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region

There are also 4 sites on the tentative list.

1. Amphitheater of Durrës
2. Royal Tombs of Selca e Poshtme
3. The Ancient City of Apollonia
4. The Castle of Bashtova

Butrint was the first site from Albania to be added to the list. It was inducted at the sixteenth UNESCO meeting session in the year 1992. The historical center of Gjirokastër had been added to the list of world heritage sites back in 2005. It was scored as the museum city of Gjirokastra. The culturally and historically important center called Berat was included in the list of sites in 2008. It was a contribution to the formation of Historic Centers of Berat and Gjirokastër.

For more information read blog post: UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Albania

7. Relaxation

There is something about the way you will be able to completely disconnect and clear your mind in Albania. It is related to mood and mindset. The beautiful landscape, walk culture and slow food movement are a breath of fresh air compared to the stress of deadlines and high-pressure situations we find ourselves in daily.

Every day the cafes are filled with people having a coffee, relaxing and sharing time with family and friends. Time seems to be less important or at least less of a focus. The focus is on people, relationships and enjoying life.

8. Nature And Landscapes

The nature in Albania is stunning. If you’ve always wanted to travel in Europe and wanted to visit places like France, Italy or Germany you should consider Albania.

Albania is located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula; Albania is just a short flight from major European hubs such as Italy and Germany. The capital of Albania is Tirana. Once you land in Albania, you can be in the heart of Tirana within a half an hour ride. Then you can enjoy everything this European city has to offer.

Do you love mountains, beaches, or maybe valleys? While Albania is a small place, you can enjoy all these views and activities that they have to offer in just one trip. You can skydive from Morava mountain in Korca or swim in the beaches of Vlora, Saranda, Dhermi and so on. You don’t have to go to Caribbean islands to find amazing beaches with warm water. Just visit Albania and you will have it all. And while you travel from one city to another, you can enjoy the view of the beautiful mountains and valleys.

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No matter where you go in Albania there is a positive mindset, new sites to see and experience. I visited Albania for the first time in 2010. A lot has changed for the better since then but the attributes that made me fall in love with Albania are still the same. There is almost nowhere in the world with a mix of wonderful people, picturesque landscapes and clear blue water beaches that gives you as much tranquility as Albania does.

In the 10+ years since I started traveling to Albania the infrastructure and rules of the road have improved infinitely. The progress is highly noticeable each year we have visited. It is only a matter of time before Albania become a thriving travel hot spot.

If you are interested in a list of things to do, see blog post: 14 Things To See And Do On Your First Trip To Albania.