Europe · Southeast Europe

Albania

Republic of Albania

Flag of Albania
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+01:00
🏛️ Capital
Tirana
👥 Population
2,363,314
📐 Area
28,748 km²
💱 Currency
Albanian lek (L)
🗣️ Languages
Albanian
📞 Calling Code
+355
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+01:00
🌐 Region
Europe / Southeast Europe

About Albania

Albania is one of Europe's best-kept secrets, a country of dramatic contrasts where rugged mountain ranges tumble down to a shimmering Adriatic and Ionian coastline. Nestled in the heart of the Balkans, this small but captivating nation offers you a travel experience that feels genuinely undiscovered, with pristine beaches, ancient ruins, and UNESCO-listed historic towns waiting to be explored at your own pace. Despite its turbulent past, Albania has emerged as one of the region's most welcoming destinations, surprising visitors at every turn.

As you travel through Albania, you'll encounter a landscape that shifts dramatically — from the snow-capped peaks of the Albanian Alps in the north to the turquoise coves of the Riviera in the south. Tirana, the capital, pulses with a youthful energy, its colourful buildings and vibrant café culture reflecting a nation confidently looking forward. Ancient cities like Gjirokastra and Berat, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, preserve a living architectural legacy that rivals anything you'd find in more heavily touristed corners of Europe.

What truly sets Albania apart is the warmth of its people and the concept of Besa — an unbreakable code of honour and hospitality. You'll find that travellers are treated as honoured guests rather than tourist fodder. Prices remain refreshingly reasonable, crowds are manageable even in summer, and authentic experiences are everywhere. Whether you're hiking through Valbona National Park, swimming at Ksamil's crystal waters, or sipping raki with locals at a mountain guesthouse, Albania rewards the curious traveller with unforgettable moments that money simply cannot manufacture elsewhere.

History & Background

Albania's history stretches back thousands of years to the ancient Illyrians, fierce warriors who inhabited the western Balkans long before Rome cast its shadow over the region. The Romans eventually conquered Illyria in 168 BC, leaving roads, amphitheatres, and towns that you can still visit today. After Rome's fall, Albania passed through Byzantine, Bulgarian, and Serbian rule before the Albanian nobleman Gjergj Kastrioti — known as Skanderbeg — united the Albanian lords and led a legendary resistance against the Ottoman Empire for over two decades in the 15th century. Skanderbeg remains the national hero, his double-headed eagle emblem now the centrepiece of the Albanian flag.

Following Skanderbeg's death in 1468, the Ottomans consolidated control for nearly five centuries, profoundly shaping Albanian religion, architecture, and culture. Independence was declared on 28 November 1912, a date still celebrated as Flag Day. The 20th century brought immense upheaval — occupation in both World Wars and, most strikingly, nearly five decades of one of the world's most isolated communist regimes under Enver Hoxha. The regime's collapse in 1991 opened Albania to the world, and the country has since made remarkable strides toward democracy and economic development.

Culture & People

Albanian culture is shaped by a rich tapestry of Illyrian, Ottoman, Byzantine, and Mediterranean influences, producing a society that is fiercely proud of its unique identity. The concept of Besa — a traditional code of conduct emphasising honour, loyalty, and hospitality — remains a cornerstone of Albanian life. This deeply ingrained value means that guests are treated with extraordinary generosity, and promises made are kept without question. Albanians are proud of their cultural distinctiveness and the fact that their language, one of Europe's oldest, belongs to its own branch of the Indo-European family.

Traditional music, colourful folk costumes, and vibrant festivals bring Albanian culture to life throughout the year. The iso-polyphony of southern Albania is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Family ties remain strong, and communal celebrations around weddings, religious holidays, and seasonal festivals are marked with music, dance, and abundant food. Albania is predominantly Muslim, yet the country has a long tradition of religious coexistence, with Catholics and Orthodox Christians living harmoniously alongside their Muslim neighbours, a source of immense national pride.

Food & Cuisine

Albanian cuisine is a delightful fusion of Mediterranean freshness and Balkan heartiness, drawing on centuries of Ottoman influence while celebrating local ingredients. Grilled meats — lamb, veal, and chicken — are central to the Albanian table, often served with fresh salads of tomato, cucumber, and white cheese. Tave kosi, a baked lamb and yoghurt casserole, is considered the national dish and is a must-try wherever you find it. Byrek, a flaky filo pastry stuffed with spinach, cheese, or meat, makes for a perfect street-food breakfast alongside strong Albanian coffee.

Seafood along the coast is exceptional and extraordinarily fresh — grilled sea bass, octopus salads, and mussels from Butrint's lagoon are highlights. The Albanian Riviera's restaurants serve fish pulled from the Ionian Sea that very morning. Inland, you'll encounter hearty mountain fare like fergese (peppers and cottage cheese), slow-cooked lamb, and cornbread. Raki, the fiery grape brandy, is the national drink, offered to guests as a symbol of welcome. Albanian wine, particularly from the Berat region, has been improving rapidly and deserves more international attention.

Top Attractions

  • Berat (City of a Thousand Windows) — A UNESCO World Heritage Site where Ottoman-era white houses cling to a hillside beneath a medieval castle, creating one of the Balkans' most iconic skylines.
  • Ksamil Beach — Four emerald-green islets just offshore and crystalline turquoise waters make this small southern resort one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful beaches.
  • Butrint National Park — An extraordinary archaeological site layering Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian ruins within a stunning coastal lagoon landscape.
  • Valbona Valley National Park — Dramatic alpine scenery, traditional stone guesthouses, and the famous Valbona-Theth trail through the Albanian Alps attract serious trekkers.
  • Gjirokastra — Another UNESCO-listed Ottoman city built in grey stone, birthplace of novelist Ismail Kadare and home to a formidable castle with panoramic mountain views.
  • Tirana's Blloku District — Once reserved exclusively for communist party elites, Blloku is now the beating heart of Tirana's café, bar, and street art scene.

Practical Travel Tips

  • The Albanian lek (ALL) is the local currency; carry cash for smaller towns and rural guesthouses as card acceptance remains limited outside Tirana.
  • Driving is the most flexible way to explore Albania — roads have improved significantly, but mountain tracks can be rough, so a 4WD is advisable for remote areas.
  • Download Maps.me or use offline Google Maps before venturing into the highlands, as mobile signal can be patchy in mountainous regions.
  • Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; rounding up bills or leaving 10% in restaurants is customary and warmly received.
  • English is widely spoken by younger Albanians and in tourism-facing businesses, but a few words of Albanian will earn you genuine smiles.
  • Tap water in Tirana is generally safe, but stick to bottled water in rural areas to be cautious.
  • Book the Valbona-to-Theth hike accommodation well in advance during summer — guesthouses fill up quickly for this popular multi-day trail.

Visa Overview

Citizens of EU countries, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many other nations can enter Albania visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Albania is not yet a Schengen member, so its 90-day allowance is separate from the Schengen zone's limit. Travellers from countries not on the visa-free list must apply for a visa in advance through an Albanian embassy. It is always advisable to check the latest entry requirements with the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your home country's travel advisory before departure.

Getting Around

Albania's transport network has improved considerably but remains a work in progress. Tirana's Nënë Tereza International Airport connects to major European hubs. Within the country, furgons (shared minibuses) are the backbone of inter-city transport and are cheap and frequent between major towns. Taxis and ride-hailing apps like Bolt operate in Tirana. Renting a car unlocks Albania's most scenic corners, particularly the mountain roads of the north and the coastal Riviera. The new Rruga e Kombit expressway dramatically cuts travel time between Tirana and Kosovo.

Safety Notes

Albania is generally a safe country for tourists, with violent crime against visitors being rare. Petty theft can occur in busy urban areas, so keep an eye on valuables in crowded markets and on public transport. Road safety is a greater concern — Albanian drivers can be aggressive, and mountain roads demand concentration. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Some border regions with Kosovo and North Macedonia involve rough terrain; stick to marked roads and trails. The FCO and US State Department both currently list Albania as a standard travel destination with no heightened advisories.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Albania.

Albanian lek (ALL) L
Updated: 2026-05-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.131126
AAVE 0.000137
ADA 0.048575
AED 0.044730
AFN 0.765439
AGIX 0.144148
AKT 0.015377
ALGO 0.103839
AMD 4.480635
AMP 14.451666
ANG 0.021955
AOA 11.167713
APE 0.083200
APT 0.012723
AR 0.005460
ARB 0.107628
ARS 17.027193
ATOM 0.006050
ATS 0.144184
AUD 0.017022
AVAX 0.001301
AWG 0.021802
AXS 0.010000
AZM 103.528191
AZN 0.020706
BAKE 14.012256
BAM 0.020494
BAT 0.122472
BBD 0.024360
BCH 0.000033
BDT 1.497230
BEF 0.422693
BGN 0.020494
BHD 0.004580
BIF 36.268155
BMD 0.012180
BNB 0.000019
BND 0.015566
BOB 0.084154
BRL 0.060964
BSD 0.012180
BSV 0.000808
BSW 16.426910
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.038103
BTN 1.177532
BTT 37,780.972415
BUSD 0.012185
BWP 0.165218
BYN 0.033373
BYR 333.727476
BZD 0.024523
CAD 0.016748
CAKE 0.008303
CDF 27.952529
CELO 0.148807
CFX 0.205226
CHF 0.009589
CHZ 0.265169
CLP 10.946552
CNH 0.082832
CNY 0.082836
COMP 0.000533
COP 45.209808
CRC 5.507848
CRO 0.175767
CRV 0.050668
CSPR 4.103539
CUC 0.012180
CUP 0.292321
CVE 1.155440
CVX 0.007050
CYP 0.006133
CZK 0.254615
DAI 0.012187
DASH 0.000242
DCR 0.000698
DEM 0.020494
DFI 13.476132
DJF 2.170943
DKK 0.078303
DOGE 0.116437
DOP 0.717328
DOT 0.009726
DYDX 0.079703
DZD 1.616471
EEK 0.163950
EGLD 0.003070
EGP 0.650709
ENJ 0.269584
EOS 0.149438
ERN 0.182697
ESP 1.743439
ETB 1.966092
ETC 0.001342
ETH 0.000006
EUR 0.010478
EURC 0.010470
FEI 0.012253
FIL 0.012559
FIM 0.062301
FJD 0.026810
FKP 0.009061
FLOW 0.337187
FLR 1.457597
FRAX 0.012268
FRF 0.068733
FTT 0.037116
GALA 3.559079
GBP 0.009061
GEL 0.032502
GGP 0.009061
GHC 1,406.463576
GHS 0.140646
GIP 0.009061
GMD 0.896655
GMX 0.001821
GNF 106.850423
GNO 0.000102
GRD 3.570473
GRT 0.482074
GT 0.001720
GTQ 0.092867
GUSD 0.012206
GYD 2.547926
HBAR 0.136091
HKD 0.095404
HNL 0.323980
HNT 0.014670
HOT 30.158858
HRK 0.078949
HT 0.084469
HTG 1.594799
HUF 3.768412
ICP 0.004761
IDR 215.041018
IEP 0.008252
ILS 0.035385
IMP 0.009061
IMX 0.070401
INJ 0.002397
INR 1.177532
IQD 15.957520
IRR 16,098.397096
ISK 1.502601
ITL 20.288773
JEP 0.009061
JMD 1.927449
JOD 0.008635
JPY 1.935277
KAS 0.348427
KAVA 0.206381
KCS 0.001519
KDA 1.472924
KES 1.577272
KGS 1.065400
KHR 48.855990
KLAY 0.238163
KMF 5.154974
KNC 0.084741
KPW 10.962032
KRW 18.229148
KSM 0.002430
KWD 0.003762
KYD 0.010129
KZT 5.752160
LAK 267.243833
LBP 1,087.299464
LDO 0.033648
LEO 0.001211
LINK 0.001261
LKR 4.197049
LRC 0.722775
LRD 2.229535
LSL 0.200601
LTC 0.000224
LTL 0.036179
LUF 0.422693
LUNA 0.190258
LUNC 158.701532
LVL 0.007364
LYD 0.077535
MAD 0.112355
MANA 0.136179
MBX 0.311268
MDL 0.211721
MGA 51.145606
MGF 255.728028
MINA 0.212321
MKD 0.645914
MKR 0.000007
MMK 25.574357
MNT 43.582871
MOP 0.098266
MRO 4.868864
MRU 0.486886
MTL 0.004498
MUR 0.577372
MVR 0.188121
MWK 21.120394
MXN 0.210700
MXV 0.023930
MYR 0.048347
MZM 777.893409
MZN 0.777893
NAD 0.200601
NEAR 0.007287
NEO 0.004183
NEXO 0.013783
NFT 43,111.395035
NGN 16.706253
NIO 0.448256
NLG 0.023091
NOK 0.112885
NPR 1.884934
NZD 0.020745
OKB 0.000150
OMR 0.004689
ONE 5.997876
OP 0.093655
ORDI 0.002842
PAB 0.012180
PAXG 0.000003
PEN 0.041636
PEPE 3,250.250970
PGK 0.053116
PHP 0.748909
PI 0.080207
PKR 3.394040
PLN 0.044508
POL 0.133848
PTE 2.100706
PYG 75.130847
QAR 0.044334
QNT 0.000165
QTUM 0.013522
ROL 548.869991
RON 0.054887
RPL 0.006963
RSD 1.230391
RUB 0.870868
RUNE 0.027585
RVN 2.209271
RWF 17.828729
SAND 0.167786
SAR 0.045674
SBD 0.097878
SCR 0.178102
SDD 731.028080
SDG 7.310281
SEK 0.113748
SGD 0.015566
SHIB 2,094.595289
SHP 0.009061
SIT 2.511014
SKK 0.315669
SLE 0.278307
SLL 278.307133
SNX 0.038348
SOL 0.000140
SOS 6.950767
SPL 0.002030
SRD 0.452303
SRG 452.302858
SSP 57.335930
STD 258.767681
STN 0.258768
STX 0.049952
SUI 0.011286
SVC 0.106573
SYP 1.346469
SZL 0.200601
THB 0.396570
THETA 0.060127
TJS 0.113219
TMM 213.686182
TMT 0.042737
TND 0.035395
TON 0.005902
TOP 0.029333
TRL 555,187.936589
TRX 0.033992
TRY 0.555188
TTD 0.082595
TUSD 0.012197
TVD 0.017022
TWD 0.384751
TWT 0.026293
TZS 31.830015
UAH 0.539210
UGX 45.944063
UNI 0.003371
USD 0.012180
USDC 0.012186
USDD 0.012187
USDP 0.012199
USDT 0.012194
UYU 0.491189
UZS 147.270883
VAL 20.288773
VEB 631,572,507.598364
VED 6.315502
VEF 631,550.244160
VES 6.315502
VET 1.824291
VND 321.160632
VUV 1.448872
WAVES 0.031337
WEMIX 0.043498
WOO 0.706810
WST 0.032981
XAF 6.873299
XAG 0.000160
XAU 0.000003
XAUT 0.000003
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.032976
XCG 0.021955
XCH 0.003367
XDC 0.347582
XDR 0.008915
XEC 1,674.345294
XEM 18.128776
XLM 0.084331
XMR 0.000030
XOF 6.873299
XPD 0.000009
XPF 1.250391
XPT 0.000006
XRP 0.008847
XTZ 0.035582
YER 2.906313
ZAR 0.200601
ZEC 0.000019
ZIL 3.062787
ZMK 231.320715
ZMW 0.231321
ZWD 4.407865
ZWG 0.319655
ZWL 798.730538

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Cities in Albania 190
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Ana e Malit Antigonë Bajram Curri Bajram Curri Ballsh Ballsh Belsh Berat Berat Bërdicë Bilisht Bilisht Bulqize Bulqizë Burrel Burrel Cepo Çërravë Cerrik Cërrik Corovode Çorovodë Delvine Delvinë Dimal Dishnicë Divjakë Dropull i Poshtëm Dropull i Sipërm Durres Durrës Dushk Elbasan Elbasan Erseke Ersekë Farkë Fier Fier Fierze Frakull Fratar Funar Fushë Çidhën Fushe-Arrez Fushë-Arrëz Fushe-Kruje Fushë-Krujë Fushë-Kuqe Gjirokaster Gjirokastër Gjoçaj Gorë Gosë Gramsh Gramsh Helmas Himare Himarë Horë-Vranisht Iballe Kala e Dodës Kamëz Kamze Karbunarë Kavaje Kavajë Kelcyre Këlcyrë Kelmend Kerrabe Klos Klos Konispol Konispol Koplik Korce Korçë Kozare Kraste Kruje Krujë Krume Krumë Krutje Kthellë Kucove Kuçovë Kukes Kukës Kurbnesh Kurvelesh Lac Laç Leskovik Leskovik Lezhe Lezhë Libohove Librazhd Librazhd Lopës Lunxhëri Lurë Lushnje Lushnjë Luzni Maliq Maliq Mamurras Maqellare Mbrostar Ura Memaliaj Memaliaj Milot Odrie Orikum Orikum Paskuqan Patos Patos Peqin Peqin Permet Përmet Perrenjas Peshkopi Peshkopi Pogon Pogradec Pogradec Polican Poliçan Postribë Prrenjas Puke Pukë Pult Qafë-Mali Qelëz Qendër Qendër Qendër Bulgarec Qendër Dukas Qendër Ersekë Qendër Leskovik Qendër Libohovë Qendër Piskovë Qendër Skrapar Qendër Tepelenë Qendër Vlorë Qerret Roskovec Roskovec Rrapë Rreshen Rrëshen Rrethinat Rrogozhine Rrogozhinë Rubik Sarande Sarandë Selenice Selenicë Selitë Sevaster Shalë Shengjin Shëngjin Shijak Shijak Shkoder Shkodër Shkrel Shosh Skënderbegas Tepelene Tepelenë Tirane Tiranë Ulze Ure Vajgurore Vëndreshë Vlore Vlorë Vore Vorë Xarrë Zagorie

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Albania needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Albania?
The capital of Albania is Tirana.
What currency does Albania use?
Albania uses the Albanian lek (L) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Albania?
The official language(s) of Albania include Albanian.
What is the population of Albania?
Albania has a population of approximately 2,363,314 people.
What region is Albania in?
Albania is located in Europe, specifically in the Southeast Europe subregion.
What is the international calling code for Albania?
The international dialing code for Albania is +355.
What time zones does Albania observe?
Albania observes the following time zone(s): UTC+01:00.
What is the current time in Albania?
The local time in Albania is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Albania?
Albania covers a total area of 28,748 km².
How many states or provinces does Albania have?
Albania is divided into 38 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Albania in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Albania in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Albania?
Visa requirements for citizens of Albania vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.