Albania is a relatively safe country to travel to, with mild threats and no major issues in the main cities like Tirana, Durres, and Vlore. However, it is important to exercise increased caution due to crime, especially petty theft. The Albania 2019 Crime and Safety Report highlights the presence of returned Albanian fighters from Syria and Iraq, which pose a problem for the country.
Albania has policies and procedures to document these incidents, but travelers should be aware of potential risks. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, can occur, and thieves could target foreigners, particularly in crowded public areas. Travel health notices are currently not in effect, but it is recommended to check the vaccines and medicines list and consult a doctor at least once a year.
Albania is considered one of the safest spots in the Balkans due to its solid police presence and low crime rate. The crime index for Albania in 2024 is 45.4, roughly the same as Canada, making it one of the safest places to go. However, there have been occasional shootings and small explosions.
The US State Department Travel Advisory recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Albania due to crime. In conclusion, Albania is generally a safe travel destination with much to offer in terms of natural beauty, culture, and history. However, it is essential to exercise caution due to potential risks and to stay informed about potential risks.
📹 Honest Opinion on ALBANIA – Watch This before Coming! (Crime,Safety,Travel)
Honest Opinion on Albania – Watch this before coming (Crime,Safety,Travel) Today I will talk about how great Travel in Albania …
Can you speak English in Albania?
Most Albanians do not speak English, but around 65 percent of the youth can speak it due to schooling. Fluency in Albanian is not necessary during a visit to the country, but knowing basic greetings and phrases demonstrates respect for their culture. Similar considerations apply when conversing in Spanish while in Spain. Despite the country’s lack of proficiency, it is recommended to encounter locals who speak English during travels.
Is Albania expensive for tourists?
Albania is a budget-friendly destination with relatively low living and travel expenses compared to other European countries. However, travel expenses can vary depending on the travel style, preferences, and specific locations visited. By being budget-conscious and planning your trip carefully, you can stretch your Albania travel budget significantly. The typical costs for travel in Albania can vary depending on your travel style, preferences, and the specific locations you visit.
Is Albania a rough country?
Crime and violence are prevalent in some areas, but foreigners are rarely targeted. Internal disputes over criminal, business, or political interests have led to occasional shootings and small explosions. To protect yourself and your belongings, take precautions, especially in larger cities and late at night. Be cautious of pickpockets and bag thieves in tourist areas, buses, trains, and major public transport hubs.
What to avoid in Albania?
The presence of landmines represents a considerable hazard in the north-eastern border regions of Albania. In order to operate a motor vehicle within the country, it is necessary to possess a valid driving permit, utilize only registered taxis and authorized limousines, and employ public transportation such as buses and trains. It should be noted that political protests in central Tirana can occur with little or no warning, and that large crowds can turn violent.
Is Albania a rich or poor country?
Albania is experiencing declining economic growth and weakened labor markets, leading to increasing poverty. Despite this, the country ranks as the 28th most equal country out of 168. The gap between rich and poor has been decreasing over the past decade and a half, primarily due to a decline in consumption among the wealthy. Albania’s high literacy rate, at 98. 7, is a testament to its efforts to increase literacy through education programs. Life expectancy in Albania has also continued to rise, reaching just under 80 years.
Is Albania a good place for a holiday?
Albania is an underrated European country with immense natural beauty, rugged mountains, rich history, and cultural charm. It is a great holiday destination for visitors seeking outdoor adventure or a taste of unique Balkan heritage. Despite being considered more “off the beaten track” compared to more popular European destinations, Albania is a great choice for those seeking a unique and memorable experience. Here are some main reasons to consider when planning a holiday in Albania:
- Natural beauty: Albania’s rugged mountains offer stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, making it an ideal destination for outdoor adventure.
Is Albania safe for female travellers?
Solo female travel in Albania is generally safe and rewarding, with low crime rates and warm hospitality. Albanians are friendly and respectful towards female travelers, and many enjoy the country throughout the year. Some of the best, most accessible, and exciting destinations to visit in Albania are the capital, Durrës, the beautiful beaches of the Adriatic Sea, and the historic city of Durrës.
Is Albania bad for human trafficking?
Albania is a major source of victims of human trafficking across Europe and the UK. In 2022, the government and NGOs identified 110 potential victims. Although Albania is a designated safe state under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, there is a risk of stigma and discrimination, particularly for females. However, victims must provide credible evidence of a real risk of persecution or serious harm upon return to Albania. The UK and Albania have announced a Joint Communiqué on 13 December 2022, committed to providing adequate protections within Albania for victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Is Albania a crime rate?
The crime rate in Albania has exhibited a notable decline over the past three years, with a significant reduction observed from 0. 00 in 2021 to 2. 31 in 2021. This represents an 8. 66-fold increase from 2020 and a 5. 92-fold decline from 2019 to 2. 26 in 2019. These findings suggest a substantial decline in crime rates over the recent past.
Why is Albania so popular?
Albania’s unique blend of natural beauty and historical influences from Illryrians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans makes it a popular destination for tourists. The ancient cities of Berat, Gjirokaster, and Kruja offer a variety of attractions, including castle ruins and an abandoned US Air Force jet. The capital, Tirana, showcases a vibrant spirit with former communist buildings painted with murals by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Green spaces are abundant, and families can enjoy scenic views and a cable car ride to Dajti Mountain. The country’s vibrant culture and scenic play park make it an ideal destination for visitors.
📹 Is traveling Albania SAFE? (I had this ONE bad experience..)
My first questions before coming to Albania was, can I travel Albania alone? especially as a solo female traveller? Is Albania a …
Have you ever been to Albania? Let me know your thoughts below 😀 These things might be useful for you: Insurance for Travel in 2022 (needed to enter many Countries, also for Digital Nomads): bit.ly/2TaqcgE Get a 30€/$ discount on airbnb: goo.gl/DJHAij Where I get great Music for my articles (try it our for free): share.epidemicsound.com/sF7P7 Join me on My Instagram : instagram.com/danymalistic/ Check out my second website (spontaneous talks around mindset): youtube.com/c/DanyDev
Albania is on my list, I’m Peruvian and it’s not very common for South Americans to know about a small country like Albania but my dad was in love with this country and taught me a lot about it, he died a year ago and I want to go Albania because it was one of my dad’s dream to visit it (and now it’s mine), I remember my father used to tell me “wherever you go, whatever you see, I go with you and I see it too because I’m part of you”. He may be gone physically but my father will be with me when I go to Albania ❤️. Can’t wait.
The perception about Albania has changed dramatically in the last few years thanks to many young people from all around the world visiting the country and uploading their articles on youtube or other social media platforms. Of course, there are pros and cons as in any other country, however, we no longer need lazy journalists or politically biased, scaremongering tabloid articles to learn about Albania. So, I would like to say a big thank you to all the young people, boys and girls, from all over the world visiting Albania and promoting its beauty and being positive. Please note that with your articles you are contributing to make Albania a better place and make Albanians feel proud and build confidence in their country.
Dany, I went to Albania in September and October because of your first article series about that county and I tried to follow your footsteps and I had a wonderful time. I would have never gone if I hadn’t seen your articles. Now with this second set I am reliving that wonderful trip. You both keep up the great job you are doing.
Thank you for your Albanian articles, Dany! My paternal grandparents are from Borove in southern Albania and I planned on traveling there with several cousins in 2019 but it was rescheduled to 2020. Then the pandemic hit so the trip was canceled until it is safe to travel again. Seeing your articles has helped me get a bigger and better picture of what I will see when the trip eventually happens.
You made a very honest & good description about Albania, well said mate. I keep telling to my westerns friends that Albania is safe, safer than most countries in the balkans, especially for turists like yourself, but unfortunately some european countries including our neighbours have damaged allot our image and reputation. We are the easy target to get the headlines, (Example) if 5 Greeks and 1 Albanian are cought in drug trafficking the headlines will focus on the Albanian because our government is to weak and corrupted to protect Albania’s image or it’s people, but that does not mean that Greeks are better or less criminals, they just hide better and have stronger government which strongly invests and protecs their image and reputation. And yes religion is not everything to us, we don’t care that much. For us being Albanian’s is more important than being muslim, catholic, orthodox ..etc, after all we are one of the oldest nation in the continent, long before religion appeared, but that does not mean that we disrespect anybody’s belief or religion, in fact it’s the opposite. Thanks again for you kind words and glad you enjoyed your time in Albania. 🇦🇱 Respect 🤝
Albania Is beautiful. And people are great. Telling you that, as a Serb . I realy respect and like them . We have some desputes on a national level, but, among dozens of Albanians I have met personally, in Montenegro and Albania, I can’t say anything against these people. And country Is beautiful and wellcoming.
Because of Covid travel restrictions, I show some of my students (they all live in group homes, so I use Zoom to ‘see’ them) a different country ever week. Well, this week I chose Albania and I was so pleasantly surprised! This country has everything I love; beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, good places to eat, and friendly people. I now want to visit this lovely country some day. They seem to like the articles, also.
They say if drink Albanian water you will always comeback there, or you’ll never gone leave that place ! It looks like you enjoyed too much your journey there and really it’s a heart stealing place for everyone ! Good luck with your ideas and don’t forget we need people like you in Albania because sometimes other people know the values of what we owe better than us. Yes Albania is booming in next 10 ten years and tourism is flying high.
My nanna and granddad were very secretive about where they were from, I grew up being told my nanna was from hawaii and my grandad from Australia, they’ve moved around alot with my grandad being in the army… some of my aunties and uncles were born in hawaii, my dad in England.. last week I found out im only a small minority of hawaiian, 40% Albanian which obviously was a shock so here I am discovering my actual background 😂💯
Albanian here and I am being very objective with my thoughts. If you want to spend 1-2 month here as a tourist go for it. Food, car, house and a lot of other things are really cheap and decent quality. We have almost everything every big and popular countries boss about for the 1/10 of the price and add the unconditional love that we have for foreigner tourists. Crimes and Problems do not occur out of nowhere. If you go after 1am in a dark, unpopulated street you will have a problem everywhere, but people make it looks like only in Albania mafia exists. If you want to live in Albania it’s another problem that would need an essay to explain it. But basically the harsh truth is that people complain too much about everything and do nothing to solve the problems. Basically we are alive as a country because of emigrants that send money to their families. To sum up: Nothing works properly there except the tourism and Televisions/ entertainment sector. All the other fields are almost dead.
I’m passing through Albania for 48 hours, and I’m really curious and excited to see some of the country. Gjirokaster, Sarande and the capital Tirana are my major stops so hopefully I’ll get a good feel for the place and its people. Hopefully the road is good quality since I’m travelling on a motorcycle, which is my only concern.Your article was quite helpful so job well done!
I spent a week travelling all over Albania and this article captures my experience completely. I would add that my partner and I have also considered purchasing a property (“base”) there as well because it’s incredibly central with many quick flights all over and plane tickets are very cheap to/from there for now.
I never knew anything about Albania until a few weeks ago. My fiancee has been stuck in Russia for 18 months, and I haven’t been able to see her as an American since then. We noticed Albania was one of the more affordable tickets that would allow both of us to visit. I personally wanted to go to North Macedonia because of the Taken movies. I started to read up on history, watch multiple articles like this, and it became clear that this is somewhere we both really want to go to without realizing it. Only 46 more days, and I cannot wait!
Good job Dany! Thank you for sharing your honest opinion about Albania. These kind of experiences are pretty much needed to dismantle old misconceptions through showing the Beauty and the Truth of the Land of Eagles. I’ve been following Byanca and you (both vlogs) in the past few weeks and watched all your articles on the country. Glad to see you have enjoyed your time and Albania has nourrished your souls. Good luck guys!!
I live in an area which was 40 years ago kind of under rated, much like Albania. Mountains, lakes, ocean, good climate. Well. Now there is so much development, the mountains are being blown up to make more housing, traffic has become hideous, farm animals are rare and pretty much a tourist attraction. I haven’t had livestock in 10 years 🙁 So, I’m heading for Albania, struggling to learn the language online but getting there, just waiting for my vaccine. I saw on a different website the person’s interpreter saying “Albanians want everyone who gets in their home to be happy”. To me, this is perfect. I want to be where people are attached to their land, not trying to sell it for the highest dollar. Looking forward to buying a Lada 4×4!
Dany thank you very much for everything, and you will always be welcomed in Albania, hope I’m speaking on behalf of the Albanians majority, yes garbage issue is still there unfortunately, I think the country is growing and garbage will go as ppl mentality will change for the better life,you need time to address all the issues and trying to sort them, time and patience will only do good things for Albania and albanian ppl,believe the process, maybe someday foreigners will come to Albania with different perspectives and trust, cheers and all the best onwards.
Another good thing about Albania now in 2021 is that the government is very relaxed with the covid 19 restrictions. Other countries all around the world have been crippled by governments trampling on people’s basic human rights, using CV19 as an excuse. Eg, if you fly in to UK, Canada, Australia, ect, the government is going to require you to quarantine for 10 days minimum at an approved hotel with guards preventing you to leave. And it is going to be at your own expense.
Is there anyway foreigners coming in can help the people who live in albania who are struggling? I mean everyone wants different lifestyles I guess but Like a collaboration of sorts. “How can we all be empowered with our unique talents and dreams?” “How can we come together to make a shared community?” Lol it’s a lot, I’m just thinking
We’re just now in Gjirokaster, a wonderful UNESCO world heritage site. It’s damn hot here with 42 degrees. But we definitely enjoyed the rest of the places we’ve seen: Shkodra, Tirana, Vlore, Sarande, The Blue eye, Ksamil, Butrint, Gjirokaster and Berat yet to be seen. It’s an amazing country with great musis, traditional food and very friendly people.
The building are for tax purposes I believe. The garbage is absolutely out of hand. However you didn’t mention the oil reserves. I’ve watched North American oil companies take full advantage of the Albanian people. The city of fier will give you a good example. You also didn’t mention that the entire country smells like petroleum
Your negatives are good to hear, because the world is not all rosy. I’m sure there are more is one takes certain risks. But you rather closely paralleled some of my experiences here in Romania where I live now. In thinking where to escape to if Putin goes absolutely psycho it seems like Albania be be an affordable destination.
I am albanian and adding on the religion thing,during the communist era the ruler outlawed religion and albania was the first country to do that also,but since then religion came back,atheism is about 3% on albania now. Christianity and islam are the major religions in albania (there are both catholic and orthodox in albania)and people are living together with no problem at all with each other so you wont have to worry about religion at all albania is open to all religions,they actually dont even ask you about your religion or anything cuz its not important to them at all. Also if you go to albania you might see so houses have some type of tedi bear hanged outside which many foreigners find creepy but it is considered that they keep the bad eye away so no need to worry about that either
Whats interesting is what others may see a Organized crime is just ethnic solidarity. Which the rest of the European world; CAN, USA, AUS is finally catching up with after so many years of constant human smuggling… This gets to the heart of nievity of English mindset which is quickly catching on the only way to survive genocide is ethnic solidarity which Albanians have through all their struggles..
Albania is very beautiful and glad I had my husband with me the whole time. People ARE in fact very welcoming and friendly. Of course, pros and cons but number one tip, make sure you are fluent in Shqip if they hear you speaking English or another language very fluently, they will over charge you on anything. Most of the time when out on coffee bars, restaurants or shopping…I had to stay quiet when waiters or workers were around, it had happened just cause they heard me speak, rapidly they added some random charges.
Also some things important to mention are that Albania is in a negotiating process for joining EU, so EU is investing in every sector with big amounts and fast projects, that’s why everywhere you see objects getting building. An example for you like an optional investment in Albania in city of Durres is starting being built the biggest touristic port of Mediterranean sea by an investment that crosses 2 billion €. Also it offers good policy for foreigners who wants to buy a house or invest in country. From one year to another country changes a lot with big steps of development. Also VERY IMPORTANT point to mention for all sceptic people around Europe or world is that Albania by an EU poll is the most pro EU country with 97% of population being pro-europe. VERY IMPORTANT point nr2 is that Albania is one of most religious tolerant countries in world, at least at this point we can give some lessons to more developed countries of the world haha. Welcome in Albania 😊 PS: for nature and everything else, just enjoy articles of Dany
It’s definitely third world but in a boring way. The people will exploit you if opportunity arises and if looking for housing they will charge you more. It’s more a family holiday destination from other poorer Balkan countries. Do not exchange any more money than you need because you cannot exchange their currency back into your own without difficulty. This was not brought up.
Qi_ the WORD * Qi * in ALBANIAN MEANS = F… WORD ; AND THE NAME * SH-Qi-PËRIA (SHqiPËRIA) IS THE NAME OF ALBANIA IN ALBANIAN ; HOW MESSED UP IS THAT ; COULDN’T THEY INSTEAD CALL IT = SHiJPËRIA, for example, So it DOESN’T SOUND DIRTY WORD, THE WORD EAGLE = IS * SHqiPONJA ( SH qi PONJA ) IF THEY CHANGED ONLY 2 LETTER$ ONLY 2 LETTER$ = FROM * Qi * to = iJ ; SO IT BECOMES * SHIJPONJA, NOT = SHqiPONJA but = SHiJPONJA ; ( WITH * iJ ) SHIJPËRIA ❤ SHiJPONJA = A MUCH BETTER APPROPRIATE WORD TO USE ESPECIALLY IN FRONT OF YOUR FAMILY ; RESPECT FOR MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS 🇦🇱 NOT ; SH’Qi PËRIA, BUT ❤ SHiJPËRIA ❤, THAT IS WHY SO MANY CHILDREN IN ALBANIA GET MOLESTED IN YOUNG AGE BY ADULTS AND OLDER AGE CHILDREN ; THEY THE CHILDREN IN ALBANIA DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORD = SH’qi,PËRIA is ACTUALLY A DIRTY WORD AND THEY USE IT AND GET MOLESTED BY OLDER ALBANIAN$, 1 IN 5 CHILDREN IN AL’BANIA = GETS MOLESTED BY THE AGE 7 OR 10 THEY GET MOLESTED AND BECOME CRAZY LATER ON IN LIFE, THE MOST AWFUL COUNTRY IN WORLD, NO NATION IN WORLD USES MIXES THE DIRTY WORD WITH THE NAME OF THEIR COUNTRY, SO IN ENGLISH, THE AWFUL WORD * SH-Qi-PËRIA is TRANSLATED = LITERALLY = SH’FUCK’EAGLE’RIA, Qi MEANS * FUCK * AND * SHqiPONJA MEANING * EAGLE *, SO = SH’FUCK*EAGLERIA it Would Literally BE TRANSLATED, OR, FUCK’EAGLERIA, SH(Qi)PËRIA, THAT IS SO WRONG, AND EARTHQUAKE IS GOOD THING THEN FOR ALBANIA, EARTHQUAKE$ BY GOD TO PUNISH THE DIRTY ALBANIANS THAT DON’T CHANGE THEIR WORD FOR ALBANIA TO A BETTER WORD ; LIKE * SHiJPËRIA ( iJ ) WITH = iJ, not * Qi * the BAD DIRTY WORD FOR CHILDREN IS SO INAPPROPRIATE SO INAPPROPRIATE FOR WOMEN & CHILDREN & FAMILY AMONGST FAMILY TO USE SUCH TERM IS A SIN, SO THEREFORE * EARTHQUAKE IS THE PUNISHMENT THEY DESERVE, AND NO OTHER NATION SHOULD HELP ALBANIA WHEN EARTHQUAKE FALLS AGAIN DON’T GO AND HELP SUCH NATION SUCH PEOPLE LIKE IN 2019, EARTHQUAKE OF 2019 NOVEMBER 26, NO NATION SHOULD HAVE HELPED ALBANIA WHEN EARTHQUAKE FELT IN 2019, BECAUSE WHEN CHINA 🇨🇳 WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO HELP ALBANIA IN 2019 WITH 2 MILLIONS DOLLAR$ 💵 HELP, CHINA DID A MISTAKE GIVING MONEY TO ALBANIA FOR HELP BECAUSE THEN, CORONA VIRUS GOT CHINA, IF CHINA DID NOT HELP ALBANIA IN 2019 EARTHQUAKE, IF CHINA MIND IT’S BUSSINESS AND DON’T HELP SUCH EVIL PEOPLE, CORONA VIRUS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IN CHINA, CHINA LIKE STUPID GOES AND GIVES ALBANIA HELP 2 MILLION DOLLAR$ 💵 IN FIRST DAY OF EARTHQUAKE AND IN 2 WEEK$ LATER CHINA GETS CORONA VIRUS MILLIONS OF CHINESE GET CORONA VIRUS GET CURSED BY MISTAKE HELPING EVIL PEOPLE LIKE ALBANIA, THAT CALLS IT’S COUNTRY BY DIRTY WORD = SH’qiPëria * SH’FUCK’EAGLE’RIA, HELP SUCH PEOPLE YOU GET CURSED TOO, IT WAS GOD THAT GAVE ALBANIA EARTHQUAKE AND CHINA SHOULD HAVE MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS NOT HELP NOT GIVE 1 PENNY TO SUCH PEOPLE THAT CALL CHINESE BAD NAMES AND ARE RACIST$ AND CALL CHINESE PEOPLE BAD NAME GOOG & etc.
I just hope ppl understand our total disregard for religion even though there are many mosques and churches. FIRST THING U BELIVERS VISITING HERE IS THE NOTION that “OUR RELIGION IS BEING ALBANIAN” and RELIGION per se is mostly a private matter. The relationship to God IS a PRIVATE MATTER and there is no breathing human on this earth that can play the intermediary. Sure we have priests but THEY WILL TELL YOU THE SAME THING. A remnant of our Gnostic past I suppose. So PLZ do not come here to find drowse of believer’s. Do keep in mind we were the 1st and only ATHEISTIC country on earth. This may have helped us with our intrareligious tolerance and we cherish this very much. PPl that do try to disturb this balance are dealt harshly, so do not see Albania as a Muslim country, we are a SECULAR one with freedom of religion, just like France and Germany. But since we suffered so much because of religion every hate mongering doctrine is frowned upon with great disdain not only from the authorities but from the entire population. So JUST SOME INFOS FOR THOSE WHO THINK WE ARE A MUSLIM COUNTRY. Those stats are from Ottoman times and our national HERO is a Christian HERO. YOU FIND HIS STATUE IN EVERY EU COUNTRY, Because he stopped the Muslim hordes from destroying the Civilized World. THE RAINESACE! Albania paid the highest price for missing this advancement because we had to deal with the Ottoman hordes. STILL THINGS ARE LOOKING UP as they always do in times of piece.
Beautiful nature aside, there is one serious issue with Albania (I know I’m gonna get tons of dislikes, but I feel it needs to be said): Albanian nationalism and expansionism. Albanians are mostly obsessed with the idea of Greater Albania, which would incorporate various parts of all surrounding countries. It creates serious tension in the region and it’s a ticking time bomb. The nature is really beautiful though.