Welcome to Albania !

Albania has natural beauty in such abundance that you might wonder why it's taken a full 20 years for the country to take off as a tourist destination after the end of a particularly brutal strain of communism in 1991. So backward was Albania when it emerged blinking into the bright light of freedom that it needed two decades just to catch up with the rest of Eastern Europe. Now that it arguably has done so, Albania offers a remarkable array of unique attractions, not least due to this very isolation: ancient mountain behaviour codes, forgotten archaeological sites and villages where time seems to have stood still are all on the menu. With its stunning mountain scenery, a thriving capital in Tirana and beaches to rival anywhere else in the Mediterranean, Albania has become the sleeper hit of the Balkans. But hurry here, as word is well and truly out.

Area 28,748 sq km

Capital Tirana

Country Code 355

Currency lekë

Emergency ambulance 127, fire 128, police 129

Language Albanian

Money ATMs in most towns

Population 2.77 million

Visas Nearly all visitors can travel visa free to Albania

Getting There & Away

Albania has good connections in all directions: daily buses go to Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Greece. The southern seaport of Saranda is a short boat trip from Greece's Corfu, while in summer ferries also connect Himara and Vlora to Corfu. Durrës has regular ferries to Italy.

TELEPHONE

Albania's country phone code is 355. Mobile numbers begin with 06. To call an Albanian mobile number from abroad, dial +355 then either 67, 68 or 69 (ie drop the 0 before the 6).

VISAS

Visas are not required for citizens of EU countries or nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Norway, South Africa or the USA. Travellers from other countries should check www.mfa.gov.al.

MONEY

The lekë is the official currency, though the euro is widely accepted; you'll get a better deal for things in general if you use lekë. Albanian lekë can't be exchanged outside the country, so exchange them or spend them before you leave.

Credit cards are accepted only in the larger hotels, shops and travel agencies, and few of these are outside Tirana.

POST

The postal system is fairly rudimentary – there are no postcodes, for example – and it certainly does not enjoy a reputation for efficiency.

Car Hire

There are lots of car-hire companies operating out of Tirana, including all the major international agencies. Hiring a small car costs as little as €35 per day.

Road Rules

Drinking and driving is forbidden, and there is zero tolerance for blood-alcohol readings. Both motorcyclists and passengers must wear helmets. Speed limits are as low as 30km/h in built-up areas and 35km/h on the edges, and there are plenty of traffic police monitoring the roads. Keep your car's papers with you, as police are active checkers.

HITCHING

Though never entirely safe, hitchhiking is quite a common way for travellers to get around – though it's rare to see locals doing it.

TRAIN

Albanians prefer bus and furgon travel, and when you see the speed and the state of the (barely) existing trains, you'll know why.