Albania is a country located in Southeastern Europe. Along the coast of Albania is the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea on the other side. It is also just 72 km from Italy, which makes travel to Albania convenient for those looking to go cross-country exploration. The modern day cities in Albania were the same ones that were part of the Roman provinces of Dalmatia during the earlier eras.
The form of government in Albania is a parliamentary republic. The capital city of Tirana is the industrial and financial center in the country. In fact, around 800,000 of the nearly 3 million residents in Albania live in the metropolitan capital. The economy of Albania experienced a surge with free-market reforms that encouraged foreign investors, as well as a boom in vrious industries including infrastructure, transportation and energy. Albania is affiliated with several international organizations such as NATO, UN, World Trade Organization and the Council of Europe.
Travel to Albania will have you exploring your adventurous side – about 70% of the country are made up of mountainous terrain that are rugged and often inaccessible. The climate in the coastal Albania is also similar to that of the Mediterranean – summers are warm and winters are mild.
Currency: Lek
Official Language: Albanian is the official language of Albania.
Wi-Fi Availability: Most hotels and other accommodations, restaurants and commercial establishments in Albania do offer Wi-Fi. Therefore, you should have no problem staying connected.
Airport/s: The Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza is the main international airport for flights that travel to Albania.
Visa Required: Unless you come from one of the visa-exempt countries, you need to obtain an Albanian visa to travel to Albania.
International Driver’s License Accepted? You need a valid driving permit and international driver’s license to be able to drive in Albania.
Driving: In Albania, you will be driving on the right hand side of the road.
Crime: The crime rate in Albania is pretty high. In fact, Albania ranks number four in the world in terms of crime following Russia, France and Moldova. Homicide is one of the worst crime problems in the country.
Electrical Adapters: In Albania, the standard voltage is 230 volts at 50 Hertz.
Trivia: DID YOU KNOW that private cars were illegal in Albania in 1991’s communist era? Despite having a population of 3 million, there were only 3,000 cars in Albania that time.
Top Places to Visit
Berat
This attraction is located at the heart of the country near the Osum River. It used to be a castle that was built on a hill. Today you will find the original Kalaja castle at the hill and there are also numerous churches and mosques. Make sure you explore the castle and all the surrounding attractions in Berat when you travel to Albania.
Albanian Riviera
Aside from Mexico and France, Albania also has its own Riviera and it is just as exotically beautiful. The southwestern part of Albania features a steep coastline that tourists take advantage of during their visit. You can swim, sun bathe or indulge in the beauty of the ocean. The growth in tourist visit in the area also prompted more hotels and resorts to spring up within the area.
Apollonia
This is a famed ruins in Albania that showcases the remains of an ancient town named after Apollon. It was one of the most important cities during the ancient era. In the site of the ruins, you will find libraries, theaters, temples and other buildings of the similar kind. The historical site is also situated on a hill with impressive views.
Where I’ve Been to in Albania
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