Albania Travel

Travel to the northeastern border areas between Albania and Kosovo is currently advised against due to the poor condition of roads and the risk of unexploded ordnance. Although public security is generally good, particularly in Tirana, crime and violence still represent a serious problem in some areas, and gun ownership is widespread. For further advice, contact your local government travel advice department.

Albania is wild and mountainous, with extensive forests, sandy beaches and many beautiful lakes. It shares borders with Montenegro and Serbia, Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic) and Greece. The southern coastline remains unspoilt. Situated opposite Corfu, Saranda is now visited by daytrippers who come to enjoy this previously inaccessible resort. Tirana, the capital, features many examples of early 19th-century architecture such as the Ethem-Bey Mosque (built 1789-1823) and the 35m- (117ft-) high clocktower (built in 1830). Albanian food is typically Balkan and includes such specialities as fërgese tiranë, a hot fried dish of meat, liver, eggs and tomatoes, and tavë kosi or tavë elbanasi, a mutton and yoghurt dish. The most popular form of nightlife is the xhiro, the evening stroll along the main boulevards and squares of each town and village.