Albania: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Albania Tourism has been on the rise over the past few years. With beautiful beaches, affordable costs, fun cities, and a growing food scene; it is clear to see the draw of Albania.
While the draw of Albania’s beaches, cities and affordability is clear to see, there are many aspects of traveling this country that can really throw visitors for a loop.
After my second trip to Albania (Tirana, Sarandë, and Ksamil) in August 2024, I have had many “live it learn it” moments that will hopefully help others navigate this beautiful country a bit more seamlessly.
Weather
I visited Albania in opposite extremes: January and August.
I am a beach and sun lover, and am tolerant of colder weather, so both months were great for my visit, but here is a breakdown of seasons to help you decide when it may be the best time to visit Albania.
Spring (April to June)
Weather: Mild and pleasant with blooming landscapes.
Advantages: Fewer tourists, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities like hiking.
Negatives: Some coastal areas might still be cool for swimming.
Summer (July to August)
Weather: Hot and sunny, perfect for beachgoers.
Pluses: Vibrant atmosphere, lively festivals, and ideal beach conditions.
Minuses: Crowded tourist spots, higher prices, and hot temperatures inland.
Autumn (September to October)
Weather: Warm and comfortable with less humidity.
Pluses: Fewer crowds, beautiful fall foliage, and still pleasant for beach activities.
Minuses: Shorter daylight hours and cooler evenings.
Winter (November to March)
Weather: Cold, especially in the mountains where there can be snow.
Pluses: Great for skiing in the mountains, lower prices, and fewer tourists.
Minuses: Many coastal resorts and attractions may be closed or have limited services.
When is the best time to visit for you?
“Best” really depends on the experience you are looking for, what type of activities you are seeking, and what your priorities are, but overall":
Best Overall: Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) for comfortable weather, fewer tourists, and a good balance of activities.
Beach Lovers: Summer (July to August) for the best beach experience but be prepared for crowds and higher prices.
Winter Sports Enthusiasts: Winter (December to February) for skiing and snow activities in the mountains.
Money and Currency
Do you need cash in Albania? YES.
The official currency of Albania is the Lek (ALL), however; most establishments will take Euro (and some prefer it).
Whether you are in the capital city of Tirana, in mountain towns, or beach villages, “cash only” reigns true in the majority of establishments, from street food to fine dining, and even in some supermarkets where there is a credit card minimum.
Cash is also the only form of payment accepted on city buses, and many intra-city buses (especially if buy tickets in person), as well as taxis.
To my surprise, our hotel in Kasmil was also cash only (make sure to scroll alllll the way down on your “pay at property” confirmation), which I learned is common in parts of Albania.
ATMs
🏧ATMs in Albania are known to have very high fees (averaging about €8) and pretty poor exchange rates.
When I was in Ksamil and realized on arrival I needed to pay for the hotel in cash, I was committed to not paying bonkers ATM fees so did some research and found many blogs and posts that said Credins bank is one of the very few ATMs with no, or low, fees. I sought out the only one in Ksamil and was thrilled to find it was, in fact, no fee.
Cash Exchange
Cash exchange places are on just about every block in Tirana and are in abundance in beach towns as well. They are all no fee (or at most equivalent to €1) and give the fare exchange rates. They will exchange USD, Euro, and GBP.
Be sure your bills are in good condition. I had some bills rejected for minute tears and ink marks.
Transportation
🚌 Buses
From Tirana Airpiort: The bus is a great, and affordable way to get from Tirana airport to the city center. It runs about every hour (but in my experience, just leaves once it’s full) and costs 300 Lek (about €2,40). The bus takes cards, but only Mastercard. Payment is made to the bus attendant who will come to passengers once the bus leaves. They will accept cash payment in USD, Euro, or GBP and change will be given in Albania Lek.
To get the bus: walk out the terminal (toward rental cars and KFC) and through the parking lot. The buses will be at the far end of the lot with signs for Tirana City Center.
City Buses: City buses in Tirana are an affordable and efficient. Google Maps is quite accurate for navigating the transit system. Buses are paid on board, in cash, to an attendant who will come to you to collect payment. The average fare for a bus ride in Tirana, Albania is 40 lek (about 35 cents). Children under the age of 7 ride free.
Buses in smaller/beach towns often run on their own schedule and can be a bit unpredictable- they will come, but not always on the schedule given, so allot plenty of time if you are on a schedule. Fares are also collected on board, and paid in cash.
Intra-City Buses: Albania lacks a train system, so unless you rent a car, if you are visiting multiple areas, and regions, you will likely be taking buses. If buying tickets on-site, they are cash only and subject to availability. Some bus companies do sell tickets online, at a slightly increased cost. If you buy tickets online, be sure to check in and get a paper ticket. If you neglect to do so, your seat may be sold to someone else.
The buses are in varying states, with some being modern and comfortable and others being quite dated and a bit worn.
⭐If you buy a ticket in person, last minute be SURE you have a seat, as the buses will oversell, and passengers will be sitting on floor.
🗺️Be sure to check the location of your bus as there are several bus terminals in Tirana. Domestic buses leave from the Noth/South Station and international buses leave from the East Station. They are not in close proximity of each other, so be sure to double check which station your coach departs from.
🚕Taxis
There are no ride-share apps (ie: Uber, Bolt) in Albania and navigating taxis can be a little tricky/intimidating. In Tirana, the Speed Taxi app is great for calling taxis and I found it really easy and reliable. Taxis in Tirana are very affordable, and cash only.
Taxis outside of Tirana can be more tricky to navigate and often require being assertive and negotiating. Be sure to give your route a quick Google, or ask at your accommodation, to have an idea of what it should cost before talking to a taxi driver.
When we arrived in Saranda, we were approached by many taxi drivers to take us to Ksamil offering a rate at double what we had seen on line. We asked several drivers to take us and use the meter, but they all insisted it was a flat rate. We stood strong in what we would pay and eventually a driver agreed to that rate.
Accommodations
Like much of the Balkans and Eastern Europe, building facades can initially be really off-putting and make you question if you are in the right place. This was the case for all three of my Tirana stays and even my small Ksamil hotel, but once I got inside, my Airbnb and 2 hotels were a stark contrast to the outside.
Smoking
🚬 Cigarette smoking is very common throughout Albania and is common in bars and restaurants, though most have smoking and non-smoking sections, and some have gone completely non-smoking inside.
While some travelers find this off putting, remember it is common in the place that you are visiting. If you want a smoke free dining experience, you can filter restaurant searches by “non-smoking” to find a good fit for you.
I did also read several blogs, reviews, and Reddit posts about bus drivers smoking on the buses. While I did not experience this firsthand in Albania, it wouldn’t surprise me. My bus trips to/from Saranda did include several smoke breaks for both the drivers and passengers, as did my bus trip from Albania to Montenegro.
If you have an overall intolerance to cigarette smoke, Albania may not be the best fit for you overall.
No matter how, where or when you visit Albania, you will be sure to love this country and all it has to offer. Having this knowledge in your pocket, as well as some patience, will help plan and execute a more seamless trip.
