Albania is supposed to be the next Croatia. I lived there for two months, and let me tell you if it makes any sense at all. Albania is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries you can choose for your European vacation. It is gaining popularity, and airlines are expanding their flight networks with more connections. Does Albania have a chance to become the new Croatia? I’m evaluating based on my two-month stay.

Albania, although a fairly popular destination for Poles for vacation, still doesn’t rank among our favorite countries. However, those who have been there even once return with great enthusiasm, often making it their favorite vacation spot.

There’s no denying that some people are still hesitant to visit Albania because they consider it a wild and dangerous country. This is an unnecessary myth to perpetuate. While there are still areas where safety is not guaranteed, most of the country, especially the tourist-oriented regions, is no less safe than other vacation resorts.

Now, with Ryanair launching as many as 17 new routes, including from Poland to Tirana, the capital of Albania, you can experience firsthand how diverse and friendly this relatively undiscovered land is to tourists.

Over the past few years, Albania has gained fame as a more affordable alternative to the Croatian coast. While that was indeed the case, prices have significantly increased over time. Although they are still lower than in Croatia and many other vacation destinations, it’s no longer a place where you can eat to your heart’s content for a small amount of money.

Back in 2021, when I decided to live there for two months to escape the winter, prices in stores were similar to those in Poland, sometimes even slightly higher. This also applied to supermarkets in larger cities. As for restaurants, prices were at a similar level to those in Poland.

Nevertheless, one cannot deny Albania’s stunning natural beauty, with wild beaches hidden among rocks, where crowds of tourists are rare, and a countless number of attractions that somehow remain free. Does Albania have a chance to become the next Croatia? What were my two months in Albania like, and what is worth seeing there?

We decided to come to Albania in a group to work remotely at the beginning of April 2021. Although the pandemic was still rampant at the time, the restrictions were not as severe there, and the weather was quite pleasant. We chose Saranda as our temporary home for the next few weeks and set out by car.

I must admit that my first 24 hours in Albania didn’t look too promising. After a long car journey, we finally crossed the border and headed towards our accommodation, which we quickly decided to book so that the drivers could get some rest. Literally a few hundred meters from the border, we saw burning dumpsters, and a little further down the street, there was an overturned truck.

Due to COVID-19, many hotels were still closed, and the fact that we arrived a few weeks before the start of the season didn’t help. The nearest accommodation from the border was in the town of Elbasan, which we had to reach before the curfew, which started at 10:00 PM.

We arrived at the hotel just in time, which turned out to be a massive complex resembling a palace. The owner greeted us on the spot, and he didn’t seem too friendly. In the reception hall, there were only a few staff members besides us, and they looked at us, pointing fingers and laughing for reasons we didn’t yet understand.

After a while, it turned out that the rooms where we were supposed to sleep were located in the most remote part of the property, right under the pigeon coops, and they belonged to the staff. Their belongings, like slippers and clothes, were in the cabinets, and the toilets were far from clean, to put it mildly.

However, due to the owner’s suspicious and somewhat gangster-like appearance, we decided not to say anything and spend the night there. Fortunately, the place made up for it with a delicious breakfast made from local products, so our memories of the place weren’t entirely bad. Nonetheless, right after breakfast, we continued our journey to Saranda.

Prices and cost of living in Albania

The prices of accommodations in Albania vary depending on the time you choose to visit and the region you select. However, the average price is around 200 PLN per day for an apartment. The cost of groceries is very similar to that in Poland. Still, if you decide to cook for yourself in a resort without a major supermarket, you will likely overpay.

After visiting all the stores in Saranda, it turned out that the cheapest option for lunch was to eat at a local fast-food place with a dish called souvlaki. Although it’s mainly associated with Greek cuisine, it’s also widely enjoyed in Albania. Souvlaki is simply pita or tortilla filled with meat, fries, and vegetables. It cost us about 7 PLN per serving and easily replaced a meal.

It’s also worth noting that Albanians are very hospitable people, and if you rent an apartment from a private individual, like we did, they will likely go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The woman from whom we rented the apartment lived just above us, and every few days, she would give us various local specialties and baked goods. And as a farewell gift, I even received hand-knitted woolen socks.

When going on vacation in Albania, you should expect a cost of living similar to that in Poland. However, when compared to current prices in Croatia, it will still be a more affordable option.

What to see in Albania?

Albania is a vast country with a lot to offer, whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or interested in military fortifications. In some places, you still need to be very vigilant and pay attention to warning signs to avoid accidentally stumbling upon uncleared minefields.

In addition to places like Gjirokastra or the famous Blue Eye, which are typically visited by all tourists, there are many hidden gems. Therefore, it’s worth considering a road trip to Albania, as only in this way will you be able to organize a tour and see as much as possible. Packing a tent and a camping stove will be necessary if you choose this form of travel.

Importantly, wild camping in Albania is allowed and widely accepted, as long as you avoid national parks and nature reserves. If you don’t set up near government buildings or on private property, you probably won’t face any issues.

What places in Albania are worth visiting?

For example, in the town of Berat, also known as the “City of a Thousand Windows”, you will have the opportunity not only to admire the old town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site but also to spend the night at the top of the hill in the castle at fairly reasonable prices.

Interestingly, in Berat, depending on where you go, two separate worlds await you. At the top of the hill, there is a truly idyllic and rural atmosphere, while in the city below, dance parties reign in numerous venues.

A bit lower, not far from Saranda, there are plenty of attractions for nature lovers, such as “Syri i Kaltër”, or slightly less known hot springs in Bënjë.

Although in Bënjë, closer to the season, you could encounter an increased number of enthusiasts for hot (although in my opinion more like warm) springs, the views are breathtaking, and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Driving a car on Albanian roads can also be an attraction in itself. The views are magnificent, but it’s important to remember to drive with particular caution. In Albania, not only do drivers under the influence of alcohol often take the wheel, but also underage individuals without licenses.

Along the way, you can stop in charming mountain or seaside villages, far from the overcrowded Croatian resorts. It’s also a good idea to use the maps.me app, where wild beaches are marked, where you can not only swim in crystal-clear waters but also spend the night.

And if someone prefers places adapted to Polish tourists, I recommend going to the town of Ksamil. There, advertisements for restaurants in the Polish language are even a common sight.

Is Albania ready for crowds of tourists?

Certainly, much more so now than just a few years ago. Increasingly, restaurants and accommodation facilities are catering their offerings to the international community, customizing their menus for them. Locals also make an effort to learn languages to be able to communicate with tourists without any problems. Some of them even understand a bit of our language because they have been serving Polish guests for years.

Airlines are also aware of the tremendous interest in this country, so they constantly expand their offerings with new, relatively inexpensive flights.

As the statistics show, the number of tourists in Albania has been steadily increasing year by year, and compared to the previous season in 2023, it witnessed a remarkable growth of up to 49 percent. The World Tourism Organization ranked it third in terms of tourism growth, right after Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Durrës, Saranda, Vlora, and Ksamil are the coastal cities where tourism is concentrated. Most of the apartment buildings constructed there remain vacant outside of the tourist season, especially noticeable after dark when only a few units have their lights on.

While Albania’s coastline is only about 200 km shorter than Croatia’s, a significant portion of it is still not adapted for leisure and swimming. From many towns, you need to drive several or even tens of kilometers to find a beach rather than cliffs.

Albania has enormous potential to become a tourist powerhouse like Croatia, but this requires a significant investment in the overall infrastructure. While vacations there are undoubtedly fantastic, you can still sense the difference when compared to countries that are more tourist-friendly.

 

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