Albania travel guides
Town-by-town guides written by someone who lives here, plus the basics every first-timer asks about.
Destination guides
Coming soon
Guides we are writing now. Until then, the tours page covers the best trips to each.
- Berat — the UNESCO “town of a thousand windows” and the Çobo wine country around it.
- Gjirokastër — stone-roofed Ottoman houses under a huge castle; pairs with the Blue Eye.
- Himarë — the quieter middle Riviera: Livadhi, Gjipe and Jale beaches.
- Shkodër — lakeside city in the north and the jumping-off point for the Alps.
- Theth — the mountain village at the start of the Theth–Valbona hike.
- Durrës — Roman amphitheatre and the closest beach to Tirana.
First time in Albania?
[Replace with your own advice.] The questions we get asked most, answered briefly.
- Money. The currency is the lek (ALL). Euros are widely accepted on the coast but you will get a poor rate; withdraw lek from a bank ATM and carry cash — many small places do not take cards.
- SIM cards. Local prepaid SIMs from Vodafone or One are cheap and sold at the airport and in every town. EU roaming does not cover Albania.
- Driving. Roads are far better than their reputation. Drive defensively, expect livestock in the mountains, and never leave valuables visible in the car.
- Safety. Albania is generally very safe for visitors. Normal city precautions apply in Tirana; the coast is relaxed.
- Language. English is common with anyone under 40, Italian and Greek with older people. “Faleminderit” (thank you) and “Gëzuar” (cheers) go a long way.
- Getting around. See our transfers guide for airport journeys, and the individual town pages for local buses and boats.