Albania, which is not yet popular with tourists, boasts beautiful mountain and forest landscapes, wild beaches and a small number of tourists. All this allows you to spend your vacation in harmony with nature, enjoying clean air, clear sea water and getting to know the peculiarities of Albanian life.
The state is just beginning to take the first steps towards the development of the tourism business, so the Albanian service cannot compete with the offers of many resort destinations. However, the country has its own characteristics that distinguish it favorably from well-known leaders (Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, etc.). These include unique historical and natural attractions, delicious cuisine and still low prices.
For those who are looking for a place to stay, we recommend that you study information about the climate, prices, accommodation, excursions and entertainment in a state that is still unknown to many travelers. This will allow you to decide whether to go to Albania, and, if so, prepare for the trip.
Reviews about prices for holidays in Albania
The good news for Russians is the visa-free regime between countries, which saves on the purchase of a visa.
Holidays in Albania do not require big finances. In summer, you can book a hotel by the sea for 5-6 thousand per day, in autumn - for 4-4.5. The budget option is a modest apartment for 3 thousand in high season. However, food costs should be added to the compulsory expenses. most hotels only offer breakfast. According to tourists' reviews about Albania, you need to take about 100 euros for food on a 10-day trip.
It is more profitable to buy food and eat in a cafe in the country than, for example, in Greece, Serbia or Slovenia. Prices in supermarkets are close to those in Moscow, but such exotic things as freshly caught seafood, olives, oil, ripe figs, etc. can be purchased at very attractive prices (for example, 1 kg of mussels will cost only 150 rubles).
When calculating costs, do not forget about the cost of plane tickets. The flight to Tirana (the capital) is carried out from St. Petersburg and Moscow with a transfer in Athens or Belgrade. You can buy round-trip tickets for 16-20 thousand (Air Serbia, Aegean, etc.). Low-cost airlines such as Turkish Airlines and Pegasus sometimes offer more profitable options (13-15 thousand).
Many tourists prefer to fly on their own, considering transfers as an opportunity to visit European cities. However, when traveling with children, it is more profitable and more convenient to purchase vouchers that include charter flights. Depending on the direction, location of the hotel and type of food, you can buy a 10-day tour for 30,000-40,000 rubles.
In general, vacation in Albania, when compared with its neighbors - Italy, Macedonia, Greece and Montenegro, is characterized as inexpensive, but it cannot compete in price with Turkish and Egyptian all inclusive.
Note
Prices are based on 1€=90 ₱; 1 Albanian lek = 0.73 rubles.
Saranda resort | photo by Elion Jashari
Weather Reviews
Albania, located on the Balkan Peninsula and washed by the Adriatic and Ionian seas, has a favorable climate. The sun shines here 300 days a year, and the temperature, even in winter, rarely drops below +5 ° C... The country is characterized by a long summer period (almost six months).
In summer, the thermometer is kept at 30-gr. markand the weather is dry and calm. A vacation at the sea in Albania, according to tourists, becomes pleasant due to the humidity and breeze off the coast.
Albanian climate allows you to enjoy the beach season from April to October, although swimming in the 19-gr. the sea in the middle of spring is not all decided. In addition to being on the coast, we advise you to consider the beginning of May and June for excursions, because walking in the hot months (July and August) will be uncomfortable. The rainy and cloudy period from November to March is the worst time for a trip.
It should be borne in mind that a beach vacation in Albania (according to tourists) on the Ionian Sea ends a month earlier (in October the water is already cool).
On a note
The weather in the mountainous part of the country is different. In summer, the air heats up to 10-15 gr. Winters are severe here (the column drops to -20) and are accompanied by frequent precipitation; snow melts only at the end of spring.
Ksamil | photo by Tanya Pro
Hotels and private rental
As tourists write in reviews about the resorts of Albania, the largest selection of hotels is presented in Durres. The city has a number of advantages: proximity to the airport, a large number of shops, cafes and other infrastructure facilities. It is here that you can find accommodation for every taste and budget, including the most budgetary options.
Vlora and Orikum are more compact. Accommodation of the latter is represented by inexpensive apartments, which are located far from the coast (20-30 minutes walk). In the high season, apartments are available here for 2,000 rubles. per day.
Such resorts of Albania on the sea as Borsh, Saranda and Ksamil are no less in demand by tourists. In July-August, the territory of the latter is crowded, and the cost of rent rises greatly.
If we talk about private housing, then from November to March you can rent an apartment by the sea 1,000-1,300 rubles. April, May and October will cost 1,800, June and September - 2,200-2,700. According to reviews of sea vacations in Albania, the most expensive apartments are in July and August - 2,700-4,500 rubles. and more.
If we talk about housing in Albania, the pros and cons are:
- proximity to the sea, inexpensive cost;
- lack of infrastructure, poor transport accessibility, low level of service.
Useful materials about holidays in Albania
- Where better to go to rest
- What you must see
Llogara Pass | photo by Renns Art
Reviews about beaches and the sea
According to positive reviews about the beaches of Albania, the leading positions are occupied by:
- Sandy Dhermi beach, located at the confluence of two seas; a favorite place for young people (there are many bars and nightclubs nearby).
- The pebbled pebble Gjipe Beach in Himare; it is chosen by lovers of spending time on the coast, diving and walking in the mountains.
- Ksamil Beach - Ksamil Beach; according to reviews of the sea in Albania, this part of the coast is comparable to the Maldives and Seychelles due to the azure water of the Ionian Sea and fine white sand.
- Borsh beach (Borsh) is distinguished by a long coastline, consisting of small pebbles, and a small number of hotels; will appeal to lovers of space and privacy.
According to tourists' reviews of the Himara coastline, Livadhi and Llaman beach areas are good options. The beach of St. Peter in Lalzit Bay (near Tirana), which is a favorite place of the Albanians, deserves no less attention.
According to reviews about holidays in Albania with children, Sigal Resort in Shengjin is considered one of the best beaches: it has a sandy surface, a gentle slope and is surrounded by Mediterranean pine trees. There are many family-style hotels nearby with a buffet concept. The gentle bank of the Vlora is also suitable for families.
For your information
According to tourists' reviews about the city of Durres in Albania, despite its developed infrastructure, the beaches are not clean and picturesque.
Entertainment and excursions
Trips to historical and natural sites will allow you to diversify your trip:
- Albanian Alps and Teti National Park;
- lakes Skadarskoe and Koman;
- medieval fortresses in Kruj, Berat and Shkoder;
- to Apolonia (ancient Greek port);
- to the capital (excursions include a funicular ride to Mount Daiti, a visit to the Bunk Art Museum and the Tyrant Pyramid);
- to the city-museum of Gjirokastra.
Vacationers in their reviews of Vlora are advised to go to the nearby Berat - the oldest city with fortresses, castles and religious buildings of the 13-15th centuries.
For those who spend their holidays in Saranda, we recommend going to the archaeological museum of Butrint, visiting the Lekursi fortress and the picturesque Blue Eye spring.
On travel sites, in reviews of holidays in Durres and its attractions, you can find many interesting places to visit:
- antique amphitheater;
- Byzantine tower;
- Archaeological Museum;
- Royal villa, etc.
Entertainment at the resorts is represented by water sports (diving, rafting, trekking, paragliding) and ecotourism (rock climbing, horse riding, cycling).
Korca town | photo by Renns Art
What to try in Albania
Among the dishes that you should definitely try, tourists name:
- seafood: fish, mussels, shrimp, octopus, oysters and lobsters; they are grilled, baked, served as a separate dish and as salad ingredients;
- burek pie with various fillings of meat, herbs, tomatoes or cottage cheese;
- Tave Kozi (baked lamb with yogurt);
- dessert Trileche (biscuit soaked in milk - sheep, cow and goat).
Among the products with excellent taste, vacationers mention cheeses, dairy products, olives, figs. Rakia (wine made from grapes or blackberries) and Skandeberg brandy are famous for alcohol.
On a note
Albanian products are environmentally friendly, because the country has banned the use of chemicals and GMOs.
Tips for planning your trip to Albania
When planning a vacation in Albania, reviews of tourists will help to avoid the troubles associated with ignorance of the country. Having studied the information on Internet resources, we have prepared a number of useful recommendations.
- Tips.
They are the main income of waiters, therefore it is customary in a cafe to give the staff 10% of the check amount (personally in hand).
- Brands on the street.
Buy branded glasses, bags, etc. from street vendors. not worth it; it will almost always be a fake.
- Theft.
On the street and in public transport, you need to keep an eye on things; tourists are especially attractive to petty thieves.
- Sockets.
You do not need to take adapters; voltage and frequency of current correspond to Russian ones.
- Clothing requirements.
The girl's open swimsuit will not attract attention, but topless sunbathing and wearing thongs is not accepted by Albanian standards.
- Buses.
Public transport is rare and mostly before lunchtime; tickets are purchased from the driver.
- Trains.
Those who decide to travel by rail should take into account that trains often do not have toilets and there are no glass in the windows.
- Roads.
I have a very poor quality, practically not equipped with pedestrian crossings and traffic lights (you need to be extremely careful).
- Banks.
Financial institutions are open Mon-Fri from 08-00 to 16-00.
Going to Albania, you need to be prepared for the lack of a large number of shopping and entertainment facilities, as well as a low level of service in hotels and restaurants. However, the country will appeal to those who are ready to devote their rest to the sea and walks in historical and cultural places, appreciate the beauty of nature and love to enjoy natural food.
