15 Key Tips for Visiting Albania
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Albania is one of Europe’s most underrated travel gems; a country filled with rugged mountains, turquoise beaches, ancient ruins, and welcoming locals. But while it’s becoming more popular every year, traveling here still feels like stepping back in time in the best way possible. To help you make the most of your trip, here are 15 essential tips for visiting Albania, from practical advice to insider insights that will make your visit smoother and more enjoyable. We visited Albania in July 2025 and completed a road trip all throughout the country! Can’t wait to share what we learned.
1. Bring Cash — You’ll Need It Almost Everywhere
Credit cards are not widely accepted in Albania, especially outside the biggest cities. Many restaurants, small hotels, and shops are cash-only, so always have Albanian lek on hand. ATMs are widely available in towns and cities, but it’s smart to withdraw what you need before heading into rural areas. Most places in Albania also accept Euros. Since some of your biggest expenses will likely be hotels/apartments, I’d recommend reaching out to each location ahead of time to confirm what type of payment. Some hotels only wanted Euros for instance. Our approach was to get Euros from our bank ahead of time (enough to cover any hotel that required Euros). Then – when we arrived in Albania we went straight to an ATM to withdraw lek. We always use our Charles Schwab debit card and checking account to withdraw money. We transfer over money into that account so we can withdraw in foreign countries with no FEE!! The lek is a closed currency, so you cannot get out money ahead of your trip, but there are plenty of ATM’s everywhere you go.
2. Hotels Are Often Guesthouses — and That’s a Good Thing
In Albania, many accommodations are family-run guesthouses rather than traditional hotels. (kind of like a bed and breakfast in the USA). Rooms are often simple but clean, and hosts go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Booking platforms like Booking.com are widely used, so it’s easy to reserve in advance or even last minute. We booked all of our lodging ahead of time, but we actually changed some of our lodging to better locations while we were already on our trip! As long as you book free cancellation, this is fairly simple. There are so many places to stay. Below is our guest house in Theth. It was so charming. We also booked our share of airbnbs as well.
3. Driving Is Safe — But Expect Windy Roads
If you want to explore Albania’s hidden beaches, mountain villages, and scenic viewpoints, renting a car is the best way. Driving is generally safe, but roads can be narrow, steep, and full of twists and turns, especially in the mountains. Give yourself extra time for journeys and be prepared for slower travel than GPS estimates. We had a few drives where we thought it would take an hour and it took two hours. But, driving is part of the fun. The views are incredible and you’ll pass so many things along the road that you would miss out on if you only stayed in a beach resort: think – sheep and cows, olive oil vendors, gas stations with hotels overtop, men on bicycles and amazing cafes.
4. Public Transport Exists, But It’s Limited
Buses and minibuses (called furgons) connect most towns, but they don’t always run on strict schedules. In the city center, they don’t have traditional ride sharing apps either. If you’re sticking to major cities, you can manage without a car, but for more freedom — especially to visit remote beaches, waterfalls, or mountain trails — a rental car makes a huge difference. We were so glad we had a car so we could go at our own pace and be more flexible with what we wanted to do each day. We found driving in Albania better than expected.
5. English Is Common — But Learning a Few Words Helps
You’ll find that many younger Albanians speak basic English, especially in tourist areas. However, in rural villages or small towns, that’s not always the case. Learning a few words like faleminderit (thank you) and tungjatjeta (hello) is appreciated and can go a long way in building connections. We used google translate to help us as needed, but we didn’t run into too many issues connecting with people.
6. It’s Very Safe for Travelers
Albania is one of the safest countries in Europe for visitors. Violent crime is extremely rare, and locals are known for being warm and welcoming. Of course, the usual travel precautions apply — keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas — but overall, you can travel here with confidence.
7. Food Is Fresh, Local, and Delicious
Albanian cuisine is a delicious mix of Mediterranean and Balkan influences. Expect freshly grilled meats, local cheeses, garden vegetables, and flaky byrek pastries. Meals are often generous and affordable, and eating out is a highlight of any visit. We enjoyed the baked cheese, the fergese (tomatoes, onions, garlic and cottage cheese), tres leches, borek, and the grilled meat.
8. Tap Water Is Safe in Most Places
In most parts of Albania, tap water is safe to drink, especially in the mountains and smaller towns. In some coastal areas, locals prefer bottled water due to taste rather than safety. Ask your hosts for advice — they’ll be honest about the local water quality. We tended to be better safe than sorry and often picked up bottled water from local stores.
9. Albania Is Very Affordable
One of Albania’s biggest draws is how far your money goes. From meals to accommodations to activities, prices are significantly lower than in Western Europe. You can often enjoy a great restaurant meal for under €10 and stay in lovely guesthouses for €30–50 per night.
10. Summer Is Hot — But Shoulder Seasons Are Perfect
July and August bring hot weather and crowds, especially along the coast. For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting in May–June or September–October, when the weather is still warm, the sea is perfect for swimming, and prices are often lower. We don’t have the ability to do trips outside of the summer months usually, so we just went for the hot summer months. We were there when it was nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit and it was very hot on some days. We just made sure to leave time to rest at the hotel/apartment during the day and booked places with air conditioning. Or – jump in freezing cold water to cool off!
11. Nature Lovers Will Be in Heaven
Albania is a paradise for hiking, swimming, and outdoor adventures. Don’t miss places like the Theth for epic trails and mountains, the Albanian Riviera for swimming in turquoise water, or the Blue Eye natural spring. Many of these natural wonders are still crowd-free compared to Western Europe. Nearly everywhere you go, you’ll see mountains and pristine nature. We also really enjoyed Permet which had the Vjosa river and incredible mountains.
12. Explore Beyond the Riviera
While the Albanian Riviera is stunning, there’s so much more to see. Spend time in Gjirokastër and Berat for Ottoman architecture and UNESCO-listed old towns, explore the Albanian Alps, or visit the Permet for a small town with amazing white water rafting.
13. Locals Are Exceptionally Welcoming
Albanian hospitality is legendary. It’s common for hosts to offer coffee, rakia (local brandy – its so strong!), or snacks, even if you’re just passing by. We enjoyed meeting the locals, talking to our guest house owners and learning more about their culture.
14. The Infrastructure Isn’t Quite as Advanced
While we found that every place we went was beautiful, had amazing lodging options and tons to do – there are a few things that may be surprising if you don’t leave the USA often. For instance, there are occasional power outages. Usually they don’t last too long, but we had it happen a few times to us. Also, some smaller towns (Permet for instance), the guest houses use a hand written ledger to track if you’ve paid for your lodging. There are also some open construction sites, so keep ahold of little kids around them!
15. Be Flexible — That’s Part of the Charm
Things in Albania don’t always run on strict schedules. Buses might leave a little late, restaurants may open when the owner arrives, and plans can change with the weather. Embrace the laid-back rhythm, and you’ll discover the magic of traveling here.
Final Thoughts
Albania rewards curious travelers with wild landscapes, welcoming people, and a slower, more authentic pace of life. A little preparation — like carrying cash, renting a car, and learning a few local phrases — will go a long way. Once you’re here, relax, explore, and let Albania surprise you. Chances are, you’ll leave already planning your next visit.
