A country that has only recently begun to trending as a travel destination is Albania. It sees far fewer tourists than most other countries in Europe, which adds to its appeal for some travelers. However, is it a safe choice for seniors? Let’s explore its pros and cons.
Mountains and Beaches
Albania has a lot for travelers who enjoy spending time outdoors. If you’re looking for an active vacation, you’ll love the chance to hike in the mountains. However, if you want a more laidback trip, Albania is still a great destination for its stunning beaches.
Historical Sites
Other things to do in Albania relate to its rich history. At different times, the country was ruled by Romans, Ottomans, and Bulgarians — traces from each era remain. There are a large number of archeological sites, including ruins and castles. Modern history is also fascinating, especially because the country was closed off from the rest of the world for much of the 20th century when it was ruled by a communist dictator.
Low-Cost Destination
One of the biggest selling points for Albania is its affordability, including for accommodation, food, and day tours. The most expensive place is Tirana, but even prices there are low.
Less Developed Than Most of Europe
The low prices do come with a tradeoff: services in Albania are often quite basic. You’ll need to read reviews of hotels to ensure you find one with all the features you want (including reliable Wi-Fi). Other issues include trash in the streets, stray animals, and noise in touristic areas. You should also be aware that you’ll need to bring cash, as some places don’t accept credit cards.
Is It Safe to Travel to Albania?
There’s a misconception that Albania is dangerous, but this is mostly based on old information. It’s true that the country used to have a problem with crime — however, this was when it was recovering from the dictatorship in the 90s. Today, Albania is considered a safe destination, including for solo female travelers. Despite being more conservative than many European countries, it’s also LGBT+ friendly.
Mild Temperatures
Its location in Southeast Europe gives Albania a Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are milder than most of Europe, although you’ll want to avoid visiting in the height of summer if you struggle with heat. In the winter, temperatures rarely fall below freezing.
Cuisine
Albanian dishes have elements of both Mediterranean and Balkan cuisine and include pastries, grilled meats, stuffed eggplants, and casseroles. If you’re adventurous with your food choices, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. However, if you have dietary restrictions, it will be easier to find options during the tourist season. If you want to accompany your meal with a drink, you’ll be pleased to hear that Albania also produces its own wine. Plus, like the rest of the Balkans, there’s always raki available.
Difficult to Get Around
Exploring outside touristic areas may pose a challenge due to fewer people speaking English. In addition, the roads beyond the main cities are often in poor condition and public transportation is difficult to navigate. For instance, there are no bus stations — instead, buses leave from street corners.
Where to Visit
Where should you consider visiting in Albania that won’t cause too much hassle? A few main destinations stand out as top choices.
Tirana
The most obvious choice is Tirana, as it’s the capital of Albania. Although you won’t find any direct flights from the U.S., there are flights from many major airports around Europe.
Tirana has a variety of historic sites and fascinating modern culture. Many of the top attractions are located around Skanderbeg Square, including the National History Museums, City Hall, and the Palace of Culture. Other places to visit include Bunk’Art (a contemporary art and history museum located in a Cold War bunker), Tirana Castle, and the Pyramid of Tirana.
Saranda
For the best beaches in Albania, head to the resort town of Sarana. It’s more of a place to relax than anything else, although it does put you in reach of Ksamil Island and the famous archeological site of Butrint. There are a couple ways to reach Saranda, including driving the coastal route from Tirana (which takes five hours) or taking a ferry across from the Greek island of Corfu.
Berat
A couple hours from Tirana (by car or bus) is Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll need a maximum of two days here to fully explore the town and take in the architecture, which includes Berat Castle, some Byzantine churches, and the Red Mosque.
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