Untouched, Unfiltered, Unforgettable

Why Visit Albania?

Albania is where experienced European travellers are heading now — a country that was almost completely sealed off from the world until 1991, and has opened up to reveal extraordinary beauty, almost zero mass tourism, and some of the most genuinely welcoming people you will encounter anywhere. The Albanian Riviera has beaches that rival Croatia's at a fraction of the price. The mountain roads through the Accursed Mountains are among Europe's great drives. And the country's UNESCO towns of Berat and Gjirokastër are jewels.

Albania\'s isolation under Communist rule paradoxically preserved its culture — folk music, traditional dress, ancient guest-hospitality codes (the besa and the kanun) and its unique religious syncretism, where Muslims, Orthodox and Catholics have lived together for centuries. Tirana is a young, energetic capital that has transformed dramatically since the 1990s.

Berat — City of a Thousand Windows

Berat's Ottoman old town climbs a hillside above the Osum river — white houses with dozens of windows stacked on top of each other, a Byzantine castle at the summit, and churches with medieval frescoes. UNESCO World Heritage, and still utterly un-touristy.

Gjirokastër

The birthplace of Enver Hoxha (and, coincidentally, of Ismail Kadare) — a dramatic stone city of Ottoman mansions and a castle that contains an improbably placed American military aircraft. The bazaar and the old houses are extraordinary.

Albanian Riviera

The stretch of coast from Vlorë to Sarandë — with beaches at Dhërmi, Himara and Ksamil — is the Mediterranean riviera before it became expensive and crowded. Turquoise water, almost no development, and restaurants serving fresh fish for £10 a plate.

Tirana's Communist Heritage

Tirana's colourful central boulevard — once Enver Hoxha's Stalinist showpiece — is now lined with cafés and art galleries. The Bunk'Art museums, built inside former nuclear bunkers, are among the most gripping Cold War history experiences in Europe.

Travel Tips for Albania

• ✦ Albania is exceptional value — a full restaurant meal with wine rarely exceeds £15.
• ✦ Rent a car to explore the riviera and mountain roads — public transport is limited.
• ✦ The code of besa means Albanians take hospitality obligations extremely seriously. Reciprocate.
• ✦ Driving in Albania requires patience and attention — road quality varies wildly.
• ✦ Download offline maps — mobile signal disappears in the mountains.

Albania at a Glance