FAQ Albania
Heading off to Albania? Exciting!
There is so much to think about when visiting any new country, from making sure you’ve got the right adaptor to what the weather will be like!
To help you focus on the excitement instead of the admin, our Albania travel specialists have used their own personal experience for making your trip hassle-free and answered some of the most frequently asked questions from our travellers below.
Whilst we have done our best to cover as much as possible below, please feel free to get in touch if you still have any questions and we will do our best to help.
Before departure
In order to travel to Albania, your passport must valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’).
If you are a British Passport holder, you do not need a visa to visit Albania, but there are some specifics you need to be aware of which we have outlined below. If you hold another passport please check with your Albanian embassy for the entry requirements.
Yes, we would always recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance when travelling, especially overseas, that is suitable for your family requirements and needs.
It is always best to get the advice of a GP or travel nurse before travelling overseas to check which vaccinations you might need or if any boosters are required. The Fit for Travel website provides a comprehensive guide on all the vaccinations you should consider.
Departure
We know heading off on holiday is always a little bit stressful, especially on the day you leave, so we would advise doing these things before you depart:
- Check you have all your necessary documentation, including your passport!
- Take a photo of your documents and email it to yourself and travelling partners. Having a copy on your phone always comes in handy too.
- Ensure you have all your chargers and converters for any phones, cameras, tablets you are taking. A portable battery pack is a handy item to have in your hand luggage.
- Take snacks and a big bottle of water for your flight.
- Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare, we advise arriving 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
- Pack a change of clothes in your hand luggage and take a photo of your checked bag in case it goes missing en route.
- Sit back and relax knowing we have your holiday sorted!
Arrival
The official language is Albanian, but in more touristy areas English and Italian are widely spoken too.
Here are some phrases and words that might come in handy:
Hello! (formal) – Përshëndetje!
Hi! (informal) – Tung! (short from tungjatjeta)
Goodbye – Mirupafshim
Thank you – Faleminderit
Yes – Po
No – Jo
Good – Mirë
English – Anglisht
Cheers! – Gëzuar!
Albanian cuisine is varied and influenced by the country’s diverse history and geographical location. In many ways, it’s similar to Greek, so a fresh salad with feta or some other cheese is very common. So are vegetables, especially aubergines, courgettes and sweet peppers (try the delicious one pot “burani”).
The Northern part of the country will welcome you with some fragrant hearty stews (goat and sheep are the most common meet here) while by the coast seafood is in abundance.
Top it up with flaky boreks with different fillings and melt-in-you-mouth baklavas drowning in honey, and you’ve got it in a nutshell.
Albanian culture is hugely influenced by its rich (and often turbulent) history. You can easily spot some Roman remnants, Ottoman heritage and traces of the recent Soviet era everywhere across the country. This melting pot of cultures makes Albania very special, and the locals take pride in their traditions.
A few things you might want to know before you embark on your adventure:
- Albania is referred to as Shqipërisë within the country (and albanian language is called shqip)
- There are 3 main religions in the country: Islam (the majority), Greek orthodox and Catholicism and it is very important to be respectful of them
- A nod means “no” while a shake of a head means “yes”
- Albanians are extremely hospitable: if you’re invited into someone’s home for a coffee, expect a full spread
- Similar to Spanish siesta, during the hot months most businesses are closed for a few hours around lunchtime
Safety
Yes, Albania is a very safe destination to travel to, and the local people will go out of their way to help. Like anywhere we would advise to take precautions and keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy cities like Tirana.
We are contactable in the UK during office hours and our local partners in destination are available 24/7 for any support or help you might need. They are in the best position as they will be on the same timezone, they should be your first contact in a case of emergency.
Tips and practical information
Albania has its own currency called Albanian Lek (ALL), which is divided into a 100 Quindarkë. There are notes of 200, 500, 1000 and 5000 Lekë and coins of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Lekë.
Paying with cash is very common, but debit and credit cards are accepted in bigger hotels and restaurants. It is best to contact your bank to check on any restrictions and advice for using your cards abroad. ATMs can be found in most large cities.
Tipping is not very common in Albania, but you can tip for a good service at an eatery (10% should be enough) or round up the bill if you’re travelling by taxi.
