Are you in the process of deciding where to take your next vacation? Still not sure which destination to choose? I hope this article on Albania and its many attractions will help you make up your mind.
1. The climate
How can we talk about Albania without mentioning its climate? The country boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, and that's a considerable 1st advantage. Temperatures are generally milder than in France. Winters are milder and summers warmer. This leaves you with a much wider range to discover Albania, between April and October.
In summer, however, temperatures can rise to 40°, so check before you go.
2. Diversity of activities / landscapes
I can't stress this enough, but Albania boasts a wide variety of landscapes.
If you prefer mountains, authenticity, nature and outdoor activities, the north of the country is the place for you, with hikes in the Albanian Alps, crossings on Lake Koman and homestays, for example. This part of the country is often associated with traditions and customs. You'll find imposing mountains, lakes and traditional villages.
As you head down to the coast, you'll be delighted by beaches, Ottoman towns and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Influenced by Mediterranean cultures, the traditions are different and so are the landscapes. The crystal-clear waters of the sea offer incredible panoramas as you thread your way along protected paths - Google Maps is your best friend in these situations! In terms of climate and scenery, the south is more arid and rocky.
We don't talk much about the east of the country, yet this region also abounds in many assets. The Kukës region is green and calm, almost Irish at times ☺. As you descend towards Lake Ohrid, the activities multiply and so does the diversity of landscapes. You'll appreciate the fishing villages, the town of Korçë and its French influences, or the Permet region and its slow tourism. Nature and culture are adjectives that perfectly define eastern Albania.
Finally, how can we not mention the natural wonders of Albania? Blue eyes in the north and south, canyons, thermal baths, waterfalls, lakes - all these natural sites contribute to making this country a truly exceptional place.
3. Its Gastronomy
How can you talk about a destination without mentioning its cuisine? Granted, for us French, it's sometimes hard to find a country with a culinary wealth as varied as ours. Nevertheless, Albanian cuisine is a melting pot of Mediterranean, Balkan and Ottoman influences. The result is a wide variety of dishes.
Generally speaking, Albanians eat a lot of meat. As the country has a long coastline, you'll be able to sample seafood in many towns (and at more attractive prices than in France).
Generally speaking, in the north of the country you'll find plenty of cheeses, dairy products and grilled meats, while in the south, seafood and olives are in abundance.
Don't miss out on delicious local specialties like byrek, fërgesë, or the delicious trileçe, (my favorite dessert by far).
4. Its Prices
So yes, even if prices have been rising over the years, Albania is still an attractive destination for our purchasing power. Whether in terms of accommodation, activities or restaurants, everything is more affordable.
You can easily drink a coffee (much tastier than in France) for less than €1, eat for €10 or €15 and stay for less than €50.
Beware of high season, however, as prices soar on the Riviera, particularly in the hotel business. Indeed, a hotel room can easily reach €90 on average during the summer.
Fun fact: supermarket shopping can be more expensive than eating out. Many products are imported from neighboring countries. You'll find a bag of Parmesan cheese for €7 or cookies for €4.
5. Its history
Albania's history is marked by struggles, periods of foreign influence and a transition to democracy.
To cut a long story short, we can refer to 5 main periods:
- Antiquity and the Middle Ages (Illyrians, Roman Empire, foreign invasions)
- Ottoman period (Ottoman domination, Islamization, Skanderbeg)
- Independence (national rebirth, Albanian identity, standardization of the alphabet)
- Communist period (World War II, Enver Hoxha)
- Post-communist transition (fall of communism, NATO, EU).
You'll have the chance to explore Albania's fascinating history, from ancient remains to Communist monuments, religious sites and museums.
6. Its Hospitality and generosity
People who have the least offer the most. This is clearly the conclusion I came to after my first trip there. The Albanians are extremely welcoming people. When I first came and went, I felt like a princess. As there weren't many tourists either, they were all curious and desperate to make a good impression. This has changed a little in some cities now that there are more travelers, but their nature remains unchanged.
If you go to places that are still unexplored, you'll discover communities that are delighted to show you their country, their culture and their traditions. They'll go out of their way to make sure you have everything you need and are as satisfied as possible.
I also found that most of them were very generous. When I went to the market the first few times, didn't understand a word and didn't know how to do the lek-euro conversion (at the time, the euro was very interesting), I was already prepared to be taken for a ride - after all, that's what traveling is all about. In the end, none of that happened. When I made mistakes, I was told, I was made to look at the amount on a calculator, I was given exact change - in short, it was a pleasant surprise.
For the record, one day at the market, my eyes fell on a very old man selling nothing but cucumbers. Almost on the ground, with just two boxes and a bucket for him to sit in. Even though at the time I wasn't yet a cucumber enthusiast (you become one when you live with an Albanian), I naturally decided to take some from him to help him in my own way. This old man didn't want me to leave him more than the price he was selling them for. The older generations are clearly a model that commands respect and will help you understand just how lucky we are. They've been through a lot, and you can see it in their faces.
7. The nature
Despite its growing development, Albania retains vast tracts of unexplored nature, including national parks, nature reserves and protected areas.
To name but a few:
- The Albanian Alps
- The Llogara Mountains
- Dajti, Butrint and Prespa national parks
- The Vjosa
- Ohrid and Shkodër lakes.
Unfortunately, the coast is undergoing a great deal of construction to accommodate the growing number of tourists, and in my opinion, certain urban development plans need to be reviewed.
Nevertheless, Albania remains a destination of choice for nature lovers. Its biodiversity, landscapes and numerous activities are sure to delight you.
8. A Unesco heritage
Albania has an extremely rich history, which is reflected in its landscapes and monuments. Today, several buildings are listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites.
The famous archaeological site of Butrint has been on the list since 1992. It reflects the history of the Mediterranean, from the earliest traces dating back to 50,000 BC to the 19th century AD.
How could we not mention the famous town of Berat and its Ottoman houses? Listed since 1995, the city of a thousand windows has been inhabited since Antiquity. It bears witness to the coexistence of different cultural and religious communities.
In the same vein, it's important to mention Gjirokastër. It has only been listed by Unesco since 2005. Its architecture is characterized by the construction of corbelled houses.
As far as intangible heritage is concerned, we can mention the Albanian popular polyphony iso. Listed since 2008, it can be divided into two groups: the Ghegs in the north and the Tosks in the south. Albanian iso polyphony is characterized by songs comprising two solo parts (vocals and counter-vocals), accompanied by a drone maintained by the choir.
Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest lakes in the world (2 to 3 million years old). It measures around 358km². It lies between Macedonia and Albania. The Ohrid region has been a Unesco World Heritage site since 1979, but the Albanian part of the coast will only be listed in 2019. The lake is home to many endemic plant and animal species. Its waters are home to over 200 plant and animal species specific to the lake. Its birdlife is particularly diverse.
If you'd like to take a tour of the lake, which is around 110 km long, please refer to my article “Touring the lakes”.
Finally, the Gashi nature reserve completes the list. Its primary Carpathian beech forests are the reason for its listing. The reserve was created in 1996 to preserve not only its natural beauty but also its exceptional fauna. It is home to bears, wolves and, of course, the golden eagle, the symbol of the country.
9. Restaurants and bars
This is certainly one of the things that always amazes me. Albania has an immeasurable number of bars and restaurants - they're everywhere! It's easy to understand when you know that Albanians always drink coffee outside, or eat lunch outside.
You'll have the chance to eat in some incredible places that in France would mean eating nothing but pasta for the rest of the month. Here, there are rooftops, establishments in the middle of the sea, terraces with views of the entire coastline and so on, for modest sums of money.
10. A change of scenery
For a country so close to France, I can guarantee that it's quite different in many ways, especially if you choose to visit places still untouched by tourism. You'll see ingenious means of transport of all kinds, the older generations in traditional dress and costume, animals everywhere... In short, you'll have a superb experience.
For all these reasons, I invite you to choose Albania for your next travel experience.
Don't hesitate to contact me to work out together the tour of your choice in the land of eagles.
