EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING ALBANIA! 🇦🇱 (plan your perfect Albania trip!)
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- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
- Planning a trip to Albania? In this video we share everything you need to know before visiting Albania! From budget to visas, and food and language, to how to move around Albania as a tourist and best places to visit in Albania, we really hope this video helps you plan your perfect Albanian vacation!!
We fell in love with this country, but it's definitely not perfect, so knowing some of these things in advance will help you have a better time and know what to expect! If you are looking for something specific, then click on each time stamp below and it will take you to what you want to see:
Video Chapters:
Intro - Who are we? 00:00
Why Albania? 00:53
Our Albania Itinerary 01:13
Is Albania Safe? 03:20
Money & Budgeting 03:45
Do You Get Overcharged as a Tourist? 10:50
How to Move Around Albania as a Tourist? 13:50
Visas & Entry Requirements 15:29
Our Favorite Stops in Albania 16:05
Food in Albania 18:33
Albanian Words to Learn 20:08
COVID Restrictions 23:18
Albania's History (explained briefly) 24:02
Things We Didn't Like About Albania 25:50
Goodbye 28:09
What's Next? 29:04
Thank you so much for watching our videos and supporting our channel! Remember you can ask us anything in the comments. We are always happy to help :)
Thanks for watching and we will see you guys again in Zurich!
XO,
Aimara & Gordon
★ PDF's YOU CAN DOWNLOAD:
1. Kruja, Albania Travel Guide: creative-producer-4467.ck.pag...
2. An Epic Albanian Roadtrip: creative-producer-4467.ck.pag...
3. Our Entire Albania Itinerary (with links): creative-producer-4467.ck.pag...
★ ALBANIA VIDEOS TO WATCH NEXT:
TIRANA: • TIRANA FIRST IMPRESSIO...
NUCLEAR BUNKERS: • INSIDE A 5-STORY NUCLE...
KRUJA: • KRUJA ALBANIA 🇦🇱 | fri...
COMMUNIST TRAIN: • WOULD YOU RIDE THIS CO...
ELBASAN: • INCREDIBLE TRADITIONAL...
OVERNIGHT FERRY TO BARI, ITALY: • IS IT WORTH IT? | (ADR...
BARI, ITALIA: • ITALY'S MOST UNDERRATE...
OUR WORST ALBANIA TRAVEL DAY: • EPIC FAIL TRYING TO RE...
ALBANIAN RIVIERA PART 1: • WORTH THE HYPE? THE AL...
ALBANIAN RIVIERA PART 2: • ANOTHER SIDE OF THE AL...
SARANDE: • WAS IT WORTH IT? | TOU...
FARM STAY: • WE DID NOT EXPECT THIS...
GJIROKASTER: • IS THIS ALBANIA'S MOST...
ALBANIAN ROADTRIP PART 1: • INCREDIBLE SOUTHERN AL...
ALBANIAN ROADTRIP PART 2: • ALBANIA'S MOST BEAUTIF...
BERAT: • SHOULD YOU VISIT BERAT...
THE ALBANIAN ALPS: • 48 HOURS IN ALBANIA'S ...
LAKE KOMANI: • WE BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW...
- Other Useful Links:
★ SIGN UP TO OUR 'FRIENDS OF THE WORLD' NEWSLETTER FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! bit.ly/WOTWweeklynewsletter (it's a good one!)
★ FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR LIVE UPDATES! bit.ly/waysoftheworldinstagram
★ OUR EQUIPMENT & PACKING ESSENTIALS: bit.ly/whatsinoursuitcases
★ LEARN MORE ABOUT US ON THE BLOG: bit.ly/aboutusWOTW
★ For more outfit ideas, girl stuff and capsule wardrobes you can check out my personal blog:
waysofstyle.com/
★ To shop ALL my updated travel outfits, check out this page: www.shopltk.com/explore/wayso...
★ Direct Links To MY FAVORITE TRAVEL PIECES:
* BEST White Sneakers: rstyle.me/+SEmxYuHzcjteCNZZSv... (I have the OCA Low in White Leather)
* Favorite & Most Flattering Swimsuits: rstyle.me/+-S3n8VzAoYKdxO4Mn2...
* Cutest Sustainable Headbands: rstyle.me/+mS-Vzu5Uih8fWGcq_H...
* Go-to Linen Shirt: rstyle.me/+lzQ_qLtLf-k77X7JnQ... (similar one here in case it's OOS rstyle.me/+8FG_1KwTUtuSKocr8O...)
* Travel Waterproof Birkenstocks: rstyle.me/n/f6pvj2b58jf (they run large)
* Pearl Earrings: rstyle.me/n/gfqqr8b58jf
* Best T-Shirts For Traveling & For Life: rstyle.me/+VRm-NxxIoqiaMti-sg...
* My Favorite & ONLY Sunnies: rstyle.me/+742o3ASjYnSuBhrzp5...
PS: These are affiliate links. Which means we receive a small commission if you shop for anything at no extra cost to you. Thanks in advance for helping us stay on the road so we can keep creating useful content for you!
PS: Still not sure if anyone would be interested in G's outfits, so please ask us if you need any details ;) We're happy to share!
If you need any other questions answered, ask in the comments below or email either of us:
aimara@waysoftheworldblog.com
gordon@waysoftheworldblog.com
Albania, thanks again for the memories ❤ If you guys have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask us! We love Albania and we want you to love it too! Thanks for watching our videos and for being here :)
Oh and remember you can download your PDF with all the details about some restaurants, rankings for each city and all of our Airbnb's here: creative-producer-4467.ck.page/ad93c1a832 (we hope it helps you plan your perfect trip!) - check the description for other links!
And if you are planning to visit Albania, read this blog post too: www.waysoftheworldblog.com/albania-travel/ (we hope you find it useful!)
I just wanted to say that '" everything you need to know" is fucking pretentious coming from a couple of foreigners who were there for a minute or so! Glad you had a good time though 👊🏻
As a British citizen do you need visa to visit Albania and if you don how long do you have to wait to be granted the visa. Or do you apply for Shenanigans visa to travel to this country? Thank you for prompt reply
Oh Albania, we love you! We will be back ❤️🇦🇱
Yes we will ❤️
Gordons pronounviations of albanian cities are spot on
And realy a nice video over all so far
If you like hiking thou you can go to Erseke wich is a very good experience now that winter is coming
I am looking for a wife. Do you agree? ❤
Of all the place you went in Albania, the place that would be top of my list is the farm. Hanging with the friendly locals!
The farm stay was so life changing. You guys would love it there ❤️
Have loved this series! Thank you
Great information! Thanks
Thank you guys for promoting my country i wish you all the best
We can't wait to be back! Albania was really good to us, so thank YOU ❤️ and thanks so much for the wishes :)
Very interesting! I am in Albania now. Have done 10 days of hiking in the Korçë region. Tomorrow going back to Tirana.
Great video well done
Hi :) Thanks so much!!! ❤️
Thanks guys this was super helpful ! Appreciate you
Happy to hear the video was helpful 😎
Great video!
Faleminderit 🇦🇱
Thank you so much for the effort and detail! Rich and super helpful information!
Hi :) Glad to hear it was useful. Safe travels to beautiful Albania ❤️🇦🇱
Beautiful beautiful video
Keep the hard work and Have Fun 🙏🏽✌️
Thanks so much!! We are doing just that :) working hard but having fun too! Thanks for the kind words 💕
Thank you guys so much. I loved your videos, your interactions, your nice words about Albania and its people. I wish you all the best in your life.
Albania and its people 🇦🇱❤️ Thanks so much for your kind words!!! :)
Such great info, faleminderit!
Awww faleminderit ❤️ we love you guys!
Great video. Lots of useful information. I really enjoyed following your adventures.👏🏻👍✌️🤙
Thanks so much!!! It was hard to say goodbye to such an amazing country, but it's time to move on :) Thanks so much for being here!
I’m heading to Albania in April. Your video was super helpful, thank you!
That's amazing! Have so much fun. Albania is amazing 🤩
I look forward to your new adventures. Thanks. See you.
Thanks for following along Hyde!! :) See you next time!
I've been researching Albania for the past two months and have watched a gazillion You Tube videos in the process. Yours is the best ever! I learned a few tips that I haven't seen in any other videos. Now I need to go back and view all your other Albania videos. Subscribed.
Thanks for the wonderful comment & welcome to the channel! Glad you found the video helpful 😉 We loved our time in Albania so much 🇦🇱
Albania 🇦🇱 is so beautiful 😍 .
It really is 😍 we fell in love!!
This video is made very well and nicely organized. I appreciate how detailed it is. Keep it up!
Thank you very much!
Great video
Thank you 🇦🇱
Well taken criticism! You guys look lovely and your Albanian was so cute to hear! Cheers and happy traveling. Love the positivity!
We love Albania so much!!! Can't wait to be back 😍
This was one of the most informative travel video of any country I've ever seen. Great job and thank you!!
Thanks so much for the nice comment 😊 great to read that you found this video helpful! Hope it helps you plan your visit to wonderful Albania 🇦🇱
I love Albania 🇦🇱 Thank you for videos ❤❤
We love Albania too!! 🇦🇱
You guys are so cute 😄 I'm glad you enjoyed Albania. Even natives haven't experienced the whole country like you.
We were very lucky to spend so much time there. Albania has so many wonderful places to visit! 🇦🇱❤️
Great video, thanks! What were those lakes you mentioned? Lin and orham? Didn't quite catch those!
Hello - Lin is the name of the town...Lake Ohrid is the name of the lake. It's super beautiful out there and you can cross the border into Macedonia if that sounds interesting to you 😎
@@waysoftheworld_ thank you!
Guys just to clarified, Berat and Gjirokaster are NOT Ottoman cities. This cities are at list 2000 years old way before the Ottomans came to Albania in 15th century. Glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience to my beautiful country. We are the best. hahaha
Hi Martin! Thanks so much for clearing that up, we learned that later. It's confusing because even local guides call them that... 🙈 but anyways, yes! We love your country so much!!! 🇦🇱 We had the best time!
@@waysoftheworld_The architecture of towns is ottoman style (infrastructure wise) but the towns itself are inhabited since antiquity and have many layers of historical periods (Illyrian/Roman/Byzantine/Ottoman).So ottomans are literally the last that’s why it’s what smn can visibly see. Ps: the churches inside the castle are of Byzantine time. The walls of the castle are of Illyrian times.Roads like via Egnatia crossing close by is of Roman time.
Yes, but today's architecture of those cities is pure otoman!!
New subscriber here. I'm also Albanian. Albania is such a beautiful country and the people are friendly!!! I thought this was great! Plus both of you spoke Albanian really well!!! All the best!! 🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱
hahaha that's the best compliment! Yes, Albania is such a special country to us. So much beauty and so many kind people. We can't wait to be back ❤️🇦🇱
Great videos guys..
I watched them all.
Hi! Thanks so much for supporting our channel! 🙏🏼
You guys are awsome! Great observations of our country. Your food observations need a little uplift. If you go back and see yourselves in videos where you show your impressions while eating our food you may notice the difference of those videos and this one. However, you seem to have had sometimes disappointing experiences in certain restaurants and that is true. Most restaurants owners think that our traditional cuisine is not good for tourists and they are wrong. And for "byrek" we are Champions of the World haha which we make it in all kinds and shapes imaginable. But most importantly are the basic ingredients that make our food exceptional. That is during communist rule the country was totally shutdown from western world so everything was kept as it was for thousands of years although some pesticizing and chemicals were used mainly in lowlands near the sea. However, the mountains were kept clean and most crops were kept truly organic. Now all that is changing rapidly unfortunately but you still can find that taste of the old world which you cannot find in any other country be that around Mediterranean or around the world. Another factor is our land is very fertile. Haha and the "no" is not "yo" but "jo" haha. Thank you very much for giving our country such a positive overview. Cheers and good luck in your future travels.
The food really does taste different in Albania - specially the vegetables and salads, they were really so so good!!! And yes, the food you saw in the videos of course were the incredible experiences we had, but we had a lot of bad experiences too. We chose not to share that in our videos because it's really such a small part of our travels and does not compare to all the positive and amazing experiences we had in Albania, but we feel like for this type of video it's better to share the good and the bad too. We miss the Albanian byrek! We had really good one in Sarande and in Elbasan. hahaha and happy to hear you were entertained by our Albanian 😂 that was the case for everyone we interacted with in Albania hahaha we like to try :) Take care and thanks so much for the well wishes :) Thanks for being Albanian! Your country was really really good to us! 🇦🇱 It's a very special place.
Thank you guys. Very intellectual, which is a pleasant surprise comparing to typical American videos where they eat half of the time. Thanks again
Hi Natalia! Thanks so much for the kind words! Full disclosure, we do like to eat a lot hahaha but we like to show and talk about other stuff as well. Let us know if you have any questions planning your trip to Albania 🇦🇱
@@waysoftheworld_ Thank you. I am planning to go there for few months but waiting till the war ends . Europe is uneasy now due to possible nuclear attack.
You are so positive couple 💑
Thanks Rozeta :) We try to stay positive always!!
I am just smiling on your albanian words really like you 2
hahaha we try to learn some words everywhere we go :) We wish we learned more words in Albanian hahaha but it was hard 🙈 hopefully next time we will pick up more words!
👏👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️❤️❤️👌👌👌👌👌Thank you ! Good job 👏
Great job guys - what a useful and informative video. I've read the comments and I'm also learning how locals can add more "flavour". Wink.
HAHAHA yes 🤣 if you guys ever plan a trip to Albania, don't hesitate to reach out for more tips :)
Welcome guys 🇦🇱❤️🌎
Thank you! We fell in love with Albania ❤️🇦🇱
I'm from Albaia
We love Albania!
1. How did you get around by bus with your luggage? Do the busses have luggage storage?
2. Is getting your leftovers to go a thing there?
3. Can you drink the tap water?
4. Do all the people speak or understand a little English?
Thanks.
Hi :)
1. So, from city to city all buses had luggage storage, so we had no issues with that when moving around in the country... a lot of the buses are small, but they have space in the back for suitcases..
2. Yes, you can. But as the replied stated, the places where they had no menus and served a lot of food were in very small villages. In most cases honestly, the food wasn't great, so we were not interested in taking leftovers with us.
3. This depends on the city.. some airbnbs had filters installed. We always ask our host. In a lot of the places in the mountains the water was super fresh and safe to drink from the tap. But in the places where this is not possible, you can buy water drinking water at the grocery store.
4. For the most part, younger people speak enough English. Some older people we talked to spoke Italian or German, but rarely English. However, our hosts at guest houses and airbnb's did speak enough and we were able to communicate with no issues. At restaurants I think most people speak enough so you can order and you can always learn a couple extra words :) but people are so extremely nice that they will go out of the way to make sure you understand them or that they understand you. It really is crazy to see how helpful people are in Albania!
Thanks.
@@rookiemaquillage you're welcome! feel free to reach out if you need anything else or are planning to visit Albania. We can answer any questions you may have via email or IG too 🥰
Do any of the grocery shops have self checkouts? Or are there supermarket chains even? I am visiting Sarandë if that makes a difference 😊 your video is super helpful
There was definitely no self checkout when we were there, and I doubt it has been introduced since leaving. There are some chains, but not many. I think Spar is the biggest, and then there is Conad, which is typically more expensive and not necessarily that much better. Look for a Spar in Sarande, they should have it :) thanks!!
@@waysoftheworld_ thank you soooo much !!!
Thanks for the great information. I have a question about the weather, how was it?too hot or ok?😅 I’m going in a day there and it is supposed to be 30 degrees, is it humid or dry kinda weather? And i heard there are many seafood , but you didn’t mention anything about that
Hi! Yeah it's hot and humid, but it depends on where you're going too :) I guess seafood is in a lot of their dishes, but honestly we didn't notice that much because we don't eat seafood at all. That's why we didn't mention it. But you will love Sri Lanka, of that we are sure 😊
goes to Kosovo for a visit, I love the American people, you speak Albanian very well
Thanks so much!!!! We want to go to Kosovo! Hopefully next year :)
I just came from Albania a couple of days ago. Great video. Thanks for sharing your experience.
My experience was a bit different; people stared a lot, and it was uncomfortable. Before communism, people were isolated from the world, and thus, some people lack the maturity of seeing a person who may not look like them. Other than the constant stares, I was called inappropriate names that I will not write here. A few sad moments that I will not forget 😢...
I had a good time, indeed, because I focused on the people around me who made my trip the best.
What happened to you?
❤❤
Guao, Que bien
Gracias :) Albania es espectacular!
Was there a call to prayer from the mosques during the day? or are those just for tours and visiting? Thank you.
I think you are asking about actual prayer visits to mosques? And not the call to prayer over the loud speakers? I think only some select mosques have active prayers during the day - in general it isn't a particularly religious country.
thanks for the video. It sounds like there is NOT an affordable option to hire scooters / motorbikes ?
Hi! Thanks for watching :) We never rented scooters in Albania, so we really don't know. We don't remember seeing a lot of rental scooters honestly... but maybe there's something in the more touristy cities...? I would look into Sarande or the other popular towns down the coast!
Can you go by everywhere if you speak some Italian?
from what we noticed, the preferred second language spoken by Albanian's will vary based on their age and where in Albania you are. Older Albanians are more likely to speak German and/or Russian, and younger Albanians in the cities are more likely to speak English. And then Italian and Greek also are relatively common - but more so along the coast. All that said, I think English and Italian are the best combo of second languages to get around Albania - but definitely don't expect everyone to speak it.
If Poland is one of your next countries to visit… reach out, i just spent 8 months there
Thank you 🙏🏼
I wanted to give a trip to albania to my boyfriend for christmas bu i' a bit lost on what to plan
I just want to ask I want to settle down in usbakistan or Albania first usbakistan which person we can meet for my papper work please guide me thanking you
What is good in shopping
Wellcome to Albania🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱
Thank you!! Your country was very good to us ❤️
Is there any access to mountain towns without a car?
Yes, there are mini-buses that can take you from Skoder to Theth. They are organized for tourists, so not public transport. In less touristy places there might only be sporadic public buses from the nearest major town/city to mountain villages.
What are the souvenirs we can bring back from albania
Some towns have handmade rugs, traditional wool hats/shoes and that kind of stuff. And you'll find a lot of antiques and vintage items in bazaars in towns like Kruja and Gjirokastra.
Yo is the pronunciation for "no", it is written "jo".
👍🏻
Did you guys felt safe as us citizens in albania, I heard it has good beaches and its cheap. To go to albania as us citizen, besides my us passport and plane ticket and hotel where I'm going to stay, do I have to bring where I work, my income, my bank acount to prove that I'm going to albania, do they check my phone once I arrive at the airport, or I just show my us passport, my plane ticket and the hotel where I am staying?
Yea we felt very safe - locals are generally fond of the US and Bill Clinton 😂 (because of Kosovo). Customs at the airport is happy to receive you, you can stay 12 months visa free with a US passport. We didn't have to show exit flight nor hotel, nor anything else besides for a passport. AndAlbanians are lovely and welcoming.
@@waysoftheworld_ that is good because starting in 2025 all the European union countries are going to require you to apply for the etias visa before booking the plane and hotel, European union countries are going to loose a lot of tourism because of the visa, the good thing about albania is that is not part of European union country
You forgot to mention the great Tirana nightlife. I was flabbergasted. Beautiful people having fun and dancing until really late. Young Albanians dress and look sharp despite limited resources. Tirana puts many larger cities to shame in the nightlife department.
Yeah that's true! We went out a couple of times and had so much fun!
How do you afford traveling all of the time? Do you work as you travel?
Hi. So, we saved money for over 4 years to be able to travel full time. Our current jobs are 2 websites we own and this YT channel. Which do not pay the bills just yet, but it's getting there and we hope that over time, it will generate a decent income so we can keep creating travel content 😊
Do you have any references for car rental or private guides? I want some transport facility from Tirana to Kruje. Anyone please?
Hello - there are private guides to Kruje which you can book through Viator.com . We can't recommend any specific car rental company in Tirana, but there are a lot - especially at the airport. We traveled to Kruje by bus from Tirana and it was affordable and relatively easy.
hi there, I'm Albanian and haven't been in a while but plan to go this summer with my girlfriend. she's from Kurdistan (Iraqi region) and I've been trying to find a proper source for visa requirements for Iraqi passport holders. do they need to apply for an e-visa, if so, how?
e-visa.al/apply#visa-types it seems if she needs a visa for Europe (Schengen) that she'll need one for Albania.
Im sorry, i replayed but couldn’t hear your favorite cities correctly. Help?
Hi, so sorry, we will put the text next time!! Here you have the names: Lin, Lake Koman, Berat, Gjirokaster, Farm Stay (in Nepravishe) and Tirana :) There's a link to a PDF in the description where you can see all the stops (ranked) and links to our accommodations, more info on each stop and restaurant recs ;) Hope it helps!
Very informative and straightforward video! Thanks especially for the things you didn't like. I sudpected as much from a former communist country.
🇦🇱👏👏👏
🇦🇱❤️
Nice video. If tipping is not expected… Keep it that way. I don't understand the western obsession with wrecking a good thing. If the economy is set up where that's not normal, don't do it. And of course anyone who gets more money than expected is happy. That's no surprise and true in any human endeavor. Surprised about the expensive prices for food. I'm wondering if that was in tourist areas.
RESPECT ALBANIA AUTONTIC NATYRAL TOP DESTINATION TURISTIC 2021 ECONOMIC ❤❤❤❤❤💯
We love Albania 🇦🇱
hi guys, i congratulate you for the video, but there are some incorrect info about history. 17:33. Berat was never an ottoman city. but Illyrian City, dating from over 3500 years ago. while ceramics find from 7th century BCE. initially attest to a settlement of the rocky hill of Berat by the Illyrians, and Berat has been called with ancient name Antipatrea. and Albanorum Oppidum from the roman empire, it is the city where the Ptolemy was born. even though the place where he was born is still unknown from world history, and some call him of greek ethnicity, while some others as roman egyptian , but the evidence and facts prove that he was born in Berat . even the name itself have meaning only in Albanian LANGUAGE . thats why it is important to know that manipulatet history is now over. as we know, greeks was never exist, they was just an Albanian tribe that was separated and created a new language which is Greek language today. and the term of hellenic helen or macedonia have nothing to do with greeks today, they are clearly connected with ILLYRIAN ALBANIAN origin. we know that Albanian language is the oldest in world, from where even SUMMERIAN language cames from. sorry for my english. have a nice day
I'm traveling in French and Belgium and asking for information about bus train and I'm stoping 10 people and 10 people not help me to mach stupid people I'm not saying all people is stupid.only help me is homeless people help me about bus train information
Hi Please can you assist
O my God. You stayed 2 months and speaking only for pricessss!!!!! You could summarize this part ans speak more about human, cultural and nature based experience
You probably didn't watch the whole video lol - but ok. We made about 22 videos in Albania that cover each destination in more detail ;) This video is not about that.
Never never safe anywhere is safe. You're taking a risk for being sued or fake news teller.
Huh?
Many thanks guys for a very informative video! What about the Internet coverage and Internet speed, in particular outside Tirana?
When we visited it was terrible, haha. I believe all the places we stayed in had Wifi - enough for basic usage... but not solid enough to take calls are anything like that. Our data coverage worked in the more populated areas, not in the countryside...
Thank you so much for so much good information! the File is 🤌🤌
Our pleasure! Happy to hear you liked it ❤️ Safe travels to paradise!