Export to EndNote / Reference Manager(non-Latin). Foreigners and locals generally stick to bottled water in Albania, as its not advised to drink the tap water and make sure any meat you eat is well cooked. Please enter the message. The capital, Tirana, is a curious and cosmopolitan place. Award Winning Travel Blog and Podcast helping real travelers plan real trips to their own backyard or around the world. It is also a top destination for foodies, with affordable fine dining and delicious local dishes such as fges stew to try. If youre abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Police have taken some measures to decrease the number of accidents. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Palasa Beach, surrounded by rocky cliffs and green hills, is also a great place to relax, as is Dhermi beach, which has a party vibe. You can only get IDPs over the counter from 2,500 UK Post Offices. Top image: The Skanderbeg Museum in Kruje, Albania Mitzo/Shutterstock, From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Travel Guide Albania, Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates. Would you also like to submit a review for this item? s.async = true; However, when visiting hill towns on the northern border with Kosovo you should take care, particularly if hiking and follow the signs warning about unexploded landmines and other unexploded ordnance. Credit cards are not accepted everywhere, so be sure to have some cash on you. You can sign up to get email notifications when this page is updated. Planning to travel here? Travellers no longer need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test in order to enter Albania. A comprehensive guide to the worlds best travel destinations, its print heritage stretches back more than 30 years, with the online portal reaching its 20-year anniversary in 2019. Refresh and try again. It is often flavoured with aniseed. Here are some basics: prshndetje (hello), faleminderit (thank you), mir (its OK), naten e mir (good night) and mirupafshim (goodbye). Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe. Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including places visited by foreigners. If youre travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. A list of incidents and accidents can be found on the website of theAviation Safety network. Demining is ongoing on the Kosovo side. Heavy snowfall in mountainous areas can lead to disruption to transport and services. Check the latest information on risk from COVID-19 for Albania on the TravelHealthPro website. You can find further information on the Albanian Ministry of Interior website. Check FCDO travel advice for the countries you plan to visit before travelling. Tirana, the capital, is the most expensive city, but you still wont spend too much compared to other Eastern European destinations. Its countless communist-era apartment blocks have been enlivened with licks of brash, bright paint, and in parts of the city these sit shoulder-to-shoulder with Ottoman and Italian architecture. Hike Your Own Hike It covers all aspects, from cities to airports, cruise ports to ski and beach resorts, attractions to events, and it also includes weekly travel news, features and quizzes. Only children under the age of six will be exempt. They also offer super cheap scuba diving classes there (I think $300/one week instruction + PADI certified). We strongly suggest renting a car, because buses will not necessarily get you where you want to go. If you need urgent consular assistance, contact your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate. You may also need to seek treatment there. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. The FCDO cant offer advice on the safety of individual airlines. You can also drive in Albania with an International Driving Permit (IDP). The authorities in Albania set and enforce entry rules. The epicentre was in Mamurras, in the northwest of the country, with tremors felt in Tirana. You should be vigilant at this time. Albania is one of the least dangerous places in Europe. Information on travelling with mental health conditions is available in our guidance page. Drink raki. s.type = 'text/javascript'; Public transport and taxis are operating as normal. {js=d.createElement(s); You should also check with your airline or travel company for the latest information. Although street money-changers operate openly, they do so illegally. of the country or territory youre travelling to. See the healthcare information in the Coronavirus section for information on what to do if you think you have coronavirus while in Albania. For shopping, bear in mind that many shops take only Albanian lek (the local currency), but hotels take euros as well. If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 127 or 04 2222 235 and ask for an ambulance. To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake, see this advicefrom the US Federal Emergency Management Agency. If you are travelling at night, watch out for unmarked road works, potholes and unlit vehicles. Bring a pair of stretchy pants with you, because Albanian cuisine is fantastic. Its rippling mountains and pristine beaches, lands littered with historical Roman ruins and pretty Ottoman towns remain largely undiscovered. These were no family shelters, as might be expected, but strategic positions to which every able-bodied man was expected to head, weapon in hand, at the onset of war. Booking.com Terrorist attacks in Albania cant be ruled out. UK Emergency Travel Documentsare accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Albania. The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in the UK can be different in other countries. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad, evacuation by air ambulance and repatriation. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs); Create lists, bibliographies and reviews: Your request to send this item has been completed. Consult the Albanian Embassyin London before you leave. Elsewhere, even on the major inter-urban arterial routes, there is no street lighting. You should avoid any political rallies or demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities as there is always a possibility they could turn violent. Abandoned bunkers still line the country from back when their fear of invasion had nothing to do with tourists. You can drive in Albania with a valid UK driving licence for up to one year. Albania is a small country with around 3 million inhabitants, most of them in the capital city, Tirana. Avoid reacting to provocative behaviour by other road users. Most never see the alluring azure lakes or the picturesque valleys occupied by immensely hospitable locals, and instead bypass the country for its far more popular neighbours. If you stay longer than one year, or live in Albania, you will need to apply for an Albanian driving licence. He recommends we start in the capital of Tirana and from there go to Kruj and its legendary Skanderbeg castle. Information about COVID-19 vaccines used in the national programme where you live, including regulatory status, should be available from local authorities. Youre seeing this ad based on the products relevance to your search query. In every town youll see an Orthodox church and a Catholic church within a few metres of a mosque. If you rent a car here, youll understand. If you need further information about entry requirements, contact the local immigration authorities or the nearest Albanian Embassy/Consulate. Be pleasantly surprised by the world-class beaches of the Riviera, or find your inner adventurer by hiring a car and driving into the mountains. One of the best things about travelling to the Land of the Eagles is that wherever you go, from the capital city to the Riviera, from the mountains to the historical towns, you will be welcomed by the locals. We cant find a country that matches your search. [CDATA[ To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". The Amateur Traveler talks to Francis Tapon from WanderLearn.com about Albania which has gone from a totally closed society 20 years ago to a destination that Lonely Planet ranked as the #1 destination for travel this year (that was before some of the recent protests). Tirana has several gay-friendly bars and a number of LGBT support groups. The question of refunds and cancellations is a matter for you and your travel company. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel. The FCDO travel advice helps you make your own decisions about foreign travel. There is a good reason why most tourists visiting Albania come to its beaches: the Albanian Riviera has some of the finest stretches of coast in Europe. According to the 2011 census, just under 60 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim, 10 percent Roman Catholic and seven percent Eastern Orthodox, with Bektashi Muslims, other Christians and other religions also represented. Drink raki. With its winning combination of sandy beaches, engaging history and affordable prices, Albania's once-unsung charms are now being shouted from the garishly-coloured rooftops. For Albanians, raki is the answer to everything but what is it? You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while youre abroad. So dont be afraid to ask for directions or other information there will always be someone who will help you find what youre looking for, be it accommodation, a place to eat or transport advice. However, the International Air Transport Association publishes a list of registered airlines that have been audited and found to meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. Deaths from road traffic accidents are amongst the highest in Europe. If youre concerned about whether or not its safe for you to travel, you should read the travel advice for the country or territory youre travelling to, together with information from other sources youve identified, before making your own decision on whether to travel. Available in English, German and Spanish versions, the WTG provides detailed and accurate travel content designed to inspire global travellers. Many European languages originate from Greek, Latin or Slavic families, but not Albanian. Idyllic beaches, warm weather, rich history, spectacular mountain scenery and bargain prices; it sounds like an impossible wishlist for a European destination. Of particular note are the now deteriorated and occasionally repurposed domed bunkers, paranoid follies ordered by the isolationist ex-ruler Enver Hoxha. On returning to the UK, you will be expected to follow the rules to enter the UK from abroad. Updated every day by a dedicated global editorial team, the portal logs 1 million+ unique users monthly. The World Travel Guide (WTG) is the flagship digital consumer brand within the Columbus Travel Media portfolio. Archaeological sites include prehistoric mounds, as well as ancient Greek and Roman temples and forts, and medieval bathhouses. Some features of WorldCat will not be available. You will not be able to buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. For information on entering Albania, see Entry requirements. A trip to Albania is a real adventure. Start by marking Lonely Planet Albania as Want to Read: Error rating book. Read more about how the FCDO assesses and categorises risk in foreign travel advice. Please re-enter recipient e-mail address(es). Please enter your name. If you cant find the page youre looking for there, send the Travel Advice Team a request. If you drink milk, make sure it is UHT (pasteurised). When it comes to activities, parks are free, and while museums require tickets to enter, the fees are low. If youre looking for a previous version of the FCDO travel advice, visit the National Archives website. Don't have an account? All land borders are open. Drin river Albania lies in a seismically-active zone, and tremors are common. Please select Ok if you would like to proceed with this request anyway. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); Check with your travel company or airline for any transport changes which may delay your journey home. From December to February, severe weather may cause flooding, particularly in northern Albania. Sign up for travel advice email alerts and follow the British Embassy on Twitter and Facebook. Christians, Muslims and Jews all feel safe and welcome here. In 2014 the International Civil Aviation Organisation carried out an audit of the level of implementation of the critical elements of safely oversight in Albania. Bad day? If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. Note that in addition to Lonely Planets Western Balkans, Bradt has a guidebook solely for Albania which is a much better resource. After this podcast its migrated higher up on my list of places to go! Looks and sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Most travellers make a beeline for the capital, Tirana, a buzzing city with a mishmash of garishly painted buildings, traditional restaurants and trendy bars. The country does lie in an earthquake zone, and a 6.4-magnitude quake in 2019 killed 51 people. Im catching up on episodes I missed while traveling and was especially interested in this one as I was in Albania last October. by Lonely Planet. Theres a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Sports championships, theatre, artistic and cultural performances, and conferences, are allowed, with full audiences. One of the most beautiful things about Albania is that it is a tolerant nation when it comes to religion. Copyright 2022 Apa Digital AG, all rights reserved. Go tailor-made! Yet Albania fulfils all of these criteria and more. Albania is one of the friendliest countries youll ever visit. Major credit and debit cards are accepted in most banks, large supermarkets and international hotels. !function(d,s,id) Keep up to date with information from your tour operator, transport or accommodation provider on the impact on any existing travel plans. })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); Erick Smith recommends when you Travel to the Black Hills of South Dakota (Episode 252) you visit Minuteman Missile National Historic Site All passengers who are allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Albania, in addition to complying with international airline standards and protocols, must also adhere to the rules listed below: You can transit Albania on your way to another country without showing proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative PCR test. Lonely Planet Eastern Europe (Multi Country Guide) As of 1 May 2022 nightclubs have re-opened. Needless to say, driving in the country can be quite a challenge. //]]>, Be the first to ask a question about Lonely Planet Albania. Tension between religious groups and expression of extremist views is very rare, and attitudes to western countries are overwhelmingly positive. (function(d, sc, u) { If youre a British national living in Albania, you should seek medical advice from your local healthcare provider. However, those seeking to take Albanias true pulse should head to the mountainous hinterlands, particularly sleepy hillside towns of Berat and Gjirokastra both essentially open-air museums of life in Ottoman times. Drink raki. Gjirokastr //