Albania Travel

Albania is the smallest country in Europe and was once the most isolated on the continent. For decades it was cut off from the outside world, but since the 1990's it is increasingly becoming a popular tourist destination. It's a small mountainous country in the south east of Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea. Visitors are drawn to its rugged landscapes, enchanting forests, fascinating historic buildings, beautiful lakes and coastal resorts.

Albania tours

Tirana is the capital and the largest city in the country. Skenderberg Square, a vast open in space is the first stop for most tourists. There are also many museums, cafes and restaurants. Be careful when walking around as there are many potholes in the roads.

A 3 hour bus ride from Tirana is Berat. Within the ancient stone walls are more than a dozen churches and many old houses. Berat is often called ‘the town of a thousand windows,' because many of the old homes dotted around the hillside have such large windows.

Step back into the ancient past with the ruins of Butrint. The remains span 2500 years. The Greeks settled there in 6 th century BC and you can see the ruins of the acropolis. At the foot of the acropolis is an amphitheatre that was used by the Romans. It dates back to the 3 rd century BC.

If you want to relax by the sea, bathed by the sun's rays, there are the pristine sandy beaches of Vlora along Adriatic coastline, and Dharma by the Ionian Sea. For more active pursuits there are hiking and trekking holidays in the Albanian Alps in the north of the country, or in the south at the Llogara National Park.

Albania travel

Albania is becoming easier to fly to. The national airline is Albanian airlines, and is connected to major European cities. Mother Teresa airport is the county's main flight hub. There are also four main ferry ports.

At present there are no international rail services and internally there's a limited rail network. Many trains can be old and rundown, and frequently overcrowded. Journeys are slow, so be prepared to spend some time getting to your destination.

Many Albanians travel in private minibuses known as furgons or on state-owned buses. The roads in rural areas are generally poor, but the main highways are improving.

Albania climate

Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and cold winters.