According to softwareleverage, Albania (Albanian: Shqipëria or Shqipnija) is a country in Europe bordering Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro. The capital of Albania is Tirana. A number of large cities in Albania are: Durrës, Vlorë and Elbasan.
Albania is known for its poverty, but also for the hospitality of the people. When it comes to nature you will not be short of anything in Albania. There are beautiful waters, large beaches and white-capped mountain peaks. You can practice both winter and summer sports in Albania. Think of mountain climbing, fishing or skiing. Albania also has many old towns and a range of museums. Albania has become an increasingly popular holiday destination in recent years. See thenailmythology for Albania destinations.
Where is Albania?
Travel information of Albania
Official name: Republic of Albania
Continent: Europe
Area: 28,748 km²
Capital: Tirana
Country code: AL, ALB
Population: 2,845,955 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 2,764 m (Korab)
Distance (Amsterdam – Tirana): 1,665 km
Flight time: approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: Attention, safety risks.
Current color code: Yellow.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in Albania that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs in Albania, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Albania. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Albania?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in Albania at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
The coastal climate is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. The mountainous interior, especially in the north, has harsh winters and mild summers. In general, summer temperatures are around 25 to 30 degrees and winter temperatures are around 0 to 10 degrees.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Albania can be found on our extensive weather page.
Extensive information about the climate of Albania can be found at Climate info.
Best time
May, June, July, August and September are the best months to travel to Albania. In these months you have the best chance of good weather with little precipitation.
Language
Albanian is the official language in Albania. In addition, Greek and Macedonian are spoken on a smaller scale.
Would you like to translate from or into Albanian for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport or identity card that is valid for at least 3 months upon arrival in Albania.
A visa is not necessary if you stay in Albania for less than 3 months.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Albania: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Albanian Embassy in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory for Albania if you have visited a yellow fever country in the seven days before you visit Albania.
In addition, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Money and Currency
In Albania, payments are made with the Albanian Lek (ALL).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Albania can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Albania are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -55% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (70% cheaper), food (52% cheaper), imported beer in catering (67% cheaper), cigarettes (64% cheaper) and public transport (90% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Albania it is customary to tip. Good service is about 5-10% tip.
Time difference
There is no time difference with the Netherlands.
Summer time in Albania is the same as in the Netherlands.
The local time, date and time zone for Albania can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
You must drive on the right in Albania.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Albania.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Albania.
Electricity
In Albania the same plugs and sockets are used as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity in Albania can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 19 or 129
– Fire: 18 or 128
– Ambulance: 17 or 127
Tap water
The drinking water is safe, but can still cause stomach and intestinal complaints due to the slight chlorine content.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Albania can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Albania can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Albania end in.al.
Albania’s official website: president.al.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Albania is 00355 or +355.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Albania? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
All Albania area codes can be found on Wikipedia.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of Albania.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from Albania.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Albania.
Holidays
Albania’s national holiday falls on November 28 (Independence Day).
An overview of all other holidays in Albania can be found on Beleven.org.
Places of interest
Albania has a long history including Roman influences. This is reflected in the many sights that the country has to offer. On our places of interest page you will find an extensive overview of the most beautiful and famous places of interest in Albania. Here you will find general information, photos and videos.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in Albania, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Albania?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Albania. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Albania can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Albania can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Albania? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Albania.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking at all ages.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.1.
– Tobacco: Buy from the age of 18, smoking at all ages.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…Albania gets all its energy from dams?
…In Albania nodding yes means no and shaking no means yes?
…Albania was the best holiday destination of 2011, according to Lonely Planet?
…Albanian is one of the oldest languages in the world?
…Mother Teresa was born in Albania?
… There is no McDonald’s restaurant in Albania?
