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Albania

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Albania Tours

Our Albania tours explore this small country which was once ruled by the Ottoman Empire over 100 years ago. Albania can be found on Southeastern Europe's Balkan Peninsula and is bordered by three countries - Montenegro, Greece and Macedonia.

Our Albania tours take you to its capital city of Tirana, which is one of Europe's sunniest cities, boasting an an average 2,544 hours of sunshine annually. Albania may be small, but it hosts an incredible amount of flora - in fact, it boasts more than 3,250 species of plants, which accounts for 30 percent of all flora in Europe.

Our Albania tours educate you about the country's iron communist regime that survived until 1990, five years after the death of its great dictator, Enver Hoxha.

Highlights of Albania

A trip to Albania will take you to the stunning beaches along the Albanian Riviera, the Blloku cafe culture in Tirana, explore the breath-taking Ottoman-era mansions and impressive hilltop fortress of Gjirokastra and more.

More information about Albania tours

Do you want to know more about Albania and its beauty? Or do you need accurate visa information?

Contact the Albanian tourism board for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it safe to visit Albania?

Albania is a safe country and very welcoming to tourists. There have been few reported acts of violence and crimes.

What is the official currency of Albania?

The currency used in Albania is the Albanian lek, which is subdivided into 100 qindarka.

When is the best time of the year to visit Albania?

The best time to visit Albania is between April to June and September to October, as the weather is pleasant for a holiday by the beach or in the mountains.

Should you tip in Albania?

Like in most European countries, you should round up the bill when eating at a restaurant. If the service is good, you can give more of a tip, and tipping hotel maids is appreciated.

Is the tap water safe to drink in Albania?

The tap water is drinkable, but it contains a high amount of chlorine and drinking too much of it can cause stomach cramps. We recommend drinking filtered water.

How much is a meal in Albania?

Prices of meals in Albania will vary from restaurant to restaurant. However, on average a burger meal at a fast-food chain like McDonald's will cost approximately $4.50 while a cup of espresso coffee would cost $0.87.

Do people in Albania speak English?

The primary spoken language in Albania is Albanian. However, English is widely taught in schools, making it the most commonly spoken foreign language in Albania.

Do you need vaccinations to go to Albania?

While not always required, the following vaccinations are recommended to those travelling to Albania; hepatitis A, hepatitis B, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

Where should we go in Albania?

Forming part of the breathtaking Balkan Peninsula, Albania has many must-see destinations. These include the capital city of Tirana, Springs of Drilon and Lake Ohrid.

How many days in Albania is enough?

If you are planning a trip to the small, mountainous country of Albania, we suggest that you spend around one to three days minimum in this country. This will allow you to see some of the most important sites this country has to offer.

What is the best month to visit Albania?

The best time to visit Albania would be between April to June, and September to October. These months are warmer, with temperatures reaching on average between 59°F and 84,2°F.

TOUR REVIEWS

Encounters Travel did such a superb job in organizing this tour. I had never heard of them before going on the Maldives Magic tour, however now I will recommend them to friends/family and use them for my future planned trips.
Our tour is what made the trip that much more memorable. Rather than being plopped at a westernized resort, we were able to get a taste of how the locals live, eat and entertain themselves. We stayed in quaint guesthouses on the islands amongst the locals, ate authentic Maldivian cuisine (one day even with a Maldivian family who made us breakfast), and viewed a traditional dance/singing performance which was absolutely delightful. This was a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget.

My experience with Encounters was excellent from start to finish. The Tour Guide, Sheriff, was the most passionate, enthusiastic and professional guide I have ever had on a tour and his love for Egypt really made me enjoy my time so much more.
I was cautious about arriving in Egypt given the current circumstances about the country, but felt safer that I did living in London as soon as I arrived. All of the Encounters staff are very professional.

Encounters Travel did an excellent job in all aspects of our trip! Egypt was amazing and the trip was made especially enjoyable as a result of the quality of the guides. I highly recommend Encounters Travel!
Worth every penny! Go to Egypt with Encounters Travel!

Conscientious in early communication; knowledgeable, humorous and caring tour guides; an exemplary itinerary that was well organized yet flexible; an overall extraordinary experience. I'd recommend them enthusiastically.

The trip was excellent and very well run, we have no complaints it was exactly as we expected.The guide was knowledgable and courteous, it ran on time and accommodation was fine.We have no complaints and have now booked again to go to India.
The trip was as above and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, all destinations were as expected and lived up to our expectations.We went with the idea of visiting Turkey and especially Gallipoli which achieved our goals.The historical part of thetrip was very well done and memmorable.

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Factfile


Time: GMT+2
Dial Code: +355
Area: 28,748 km2
Elevation: The lowest point in Albania is the Adriatic Sea 0m (0 ft.) | The highest point in Albania is Mount Korab 2,764m (9,068 ft.)
Population: 2,934,363 (2018)
Capital: Tirana
Government: Parliamentary system, Parliamentary republic
Language: Albanian

Albania, officially the Republic of Albania, is a country in southern eastern Europe. Tirana is the country's capital, the most populous city, and the main commercial and economic centre. Albania is also a unitary parliamentary constitution republic.

Situated in the southwestern portion of the Balkan Peninsula, Albania is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south and southeast.

The country is mainly mountainous including the Korab Mountains, the Albanian Alps in the north, the Ceraunian Mountains in the south and the Skanderbeg Mountains in the centre. The Adriatic Sea is along the country to the northwest and the Ionian Sea to the southwest.

With an upper-middle income economy, Albania is a democratic and developing country. After the end of communism in 1960, the country underwent a process of transition from a centralised economy to a market-based economy. The country provides universal health care along with free primary and secondary education to its citizens.

Albanian is small, and its landscape is characterised by high or mountainous terrain. The mountains run the length of the country, north to south. The hydrographic network of Albania includes an assortment of the largest and most ancient bodies of freshwater in southern Europe.

Most of the country experiences a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The country is home to 58 species of mammals, 353 species of birds and 3,000 species of plants.

Highlights

  • Tirana - the capital of Albania, famous for its vibrant, Ottoman-era architecture and Skanderbeg Square.
  • Kalaja - a castle that houses the ancient neighbourhood of Kala within its walls.
  • Gjirokastra Castle - a fortress in Gjirokastra that looks out over the town and the river valley.
  • Bunk'Art - a Cold War bunker that was converted into a history and contemporary art museum.
  • Cold War Tunnel - a massive bunker underneath the Gjirokastra Castle, that can be explored with guided tours.
  • Onufri Museum - a national museum in Berat dedicated to Byzantine art and iconography.
  • Rozafa Fortress - a castle near Shkodër, resting on a hill surrounded by the Buna and Drin rivers.
  • Ardenica Monastery - an Eastern Orthodox Monastery located on the national road that connects to Lushnjë to Fier.

Tips

  • Wear layers on your holiday, as the weather can change from hot to cold.
  • Bring good walking shoes for exploring the mountains and cultural sights.
  • Do not attempt to enter a mosque during prayer time.
  • As in Greece, a shake of the head means 'yes', and a nod means 'no'.
  • Try and learn a few basic phrases of Albanian to interact with the locals.
  • If a local offers to pay for your meal, accept it not to be rude.
  • It's a good idea to carry cash because some places don't accept cards.
  • It is acceptable to haggle at markets and shops, and for long distance taxi rides.

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Our video features bring our tours to life in a way the no photo can, you'll feel like you're on the tour.

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