Guide To Albania

A guide to Albania would be incomplete without a brief overview of the country’s unique history which is crucial for understanding the Albanian unique character and culture. The country is relatively young but it has a rich history that dates back to the 2nd millennium BC.

Albanian Hero - Skenderbeg

The Albanians trace their origin to the ancient Illyrians who inhabited the present-day Albania and the western Balkans long before the arrival of the Romans. Prior to the arrival of the Romans, the Illyrian tribes on the area saw the arrival of the Greeks who established their colonies at today’s Durrës, Butrint, Apollonia and many other places. All the mentioned cities continued to flourish under the Roman rule and the ruins of either ancient Greek or Roman settlements, or both still reveal their presence.

After the division of the Roman Empire at the end of the 4th century, the country was under the Byzantine rule until mid-14th century when most of Albania   became a part of the Serbian Empire. However, the Serbian rule was short lasting. Like the rest of the Balkans, Albania was faced with Ottoman invasions in the mid-15th century which saw the rise of one of the most celebrated Albanian national heroes – Skenderbeg. He successfully repulsed all Ottoman attacks but after his death the country could not resist the Ottoman pressure and was forced to accept the Turkish rule in 1479.

Ottoman Empire Map

Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Turks for over four centuries during which most of its population converted to Islam. Decline of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century and the national awakening of the Balkan peoples encouraged the Albanian independence movement. Their struggle for independence reached its height with establishment of the League of Prizren in 1878 but they finally gained independence in 1913. Albania was declared principality and William of Wied as its prince. However, he was not accepted and left the country shortly after the outbreak of World War I. During World War II, Albania was occupied by Italy, while King Zogu I fled the country.

Enver Hoxha

The World War II was marked by the rise of the Communist Party and Enver Hoxha who was the leader of Albania until his death in 1985 and virtually isolated the country from the rest of the world. The communist regime collapsed in 1992 and Albania entered the democratization process.

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Albania is located in southeastern Europe and borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia and Greece. It can be reached via the land, air and sea. Europeans as well as citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some other countries do not need visa to enter the country. You need only a passport that is valid for at least six months but all travelers who enter Albania without visa may be charged a fee up to 10 Euros at the entry. You are allowed to stay in Albania for 90 days if entering without a visa.

Albania has one international airport – Mother Theresa International Airport which is about 15 minutes from the Albanian capital of Tirana. It is served by many European airlines including British Airways, Lufthansa, Alitalia and many others including low cost carriers from most larger European cities. You can get to Tirana from the airport by a bus or taxi.

Albanian Airlines

It is also possible to get in Albania by a bus from all the neighboring countries and Bulgaria and Turkey in 1 to 22 hours depending from where you departure. If you travel by car, you can enter through one of the major border crossings. From Greece, you can enter Albania at Kakavia/Ktismata, Krystallopigi/Kapshticë and Sagiada/Qafë Botë. Border crossings with Montenegro are at Sukobin/Muriqan, Bozhaj/Hani i Hotit and Gusinje/Vermosh. You can also enter Albania at four major crossing with Macedonia and six with Kosovo. Make sure that you have your International Motor Insurance Card valid for Albania and Vehicle Registration.

Mother Teresa Airport - Tirana, Albania

Another way to enter Albania is by boat from Italy to Durrës or Vlorë and from Corfu (Greece) to Sarandë. It is not possible to get in or out from the country by train. Trains do operate within the country but the service is limited. For that reason the best way to get around Albania is by a bus or better yet by a car. The roads in Albania are not comparable with other European countries, especially minor roads. They are being fixed and upgraded intensively but fifty years of communist regime and isolation have left their mark on the transport infrastructure. If you intend to drive around Albania on your own, make sure that you take a good road map along your guide to Albania.

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Albania is not that small but with a good Albania travel guide and a car, you can visit all its top attractions in few days only but it is crucial to start your Albanian tour either on the southern or northern tip of the country. A few day trip is, of course, not enough to truly experience the country’s beauty but enough to visit its prime attractions and perhaps spent a day or two on its beautiful coast as well.

If you enter Albania from Greece, you do not have to drive far to reach one of the country’s greatest treasures – Butrint National Park. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Albania’s most important archaeological sites. Butrint is famous for splendid ancient Greek and Roman ruins which include a Roman amphitheater, public baths, early Christian basilicas and many other structures that reveal its rich history. A reconstructed castle on the top of the acropolis hill houses objects that were excavated on the site.

Less than 50 kilometers north of Butrint is another UNESCO World Heritage Site – Gjirokastër or Gjirokastra marked by remarkably well preserved Ottoman architecture. Most of its buildings (which are still inhabited) date to the 17th and 18th centuries. The town is also known as the birthplace of the Albanian communist leader Enver Hoxha.

Butrint

About 120 kilometers further north is another astonishing town – Berat that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well for its splendid architecture, most notably well preserved citadel from the 13th century, a number of Byzantine churches from the 13th century and mosques from the 14th century.

Tirana, the capital of Albania is situated somewhere in the middle of the country and is worth visiting as well. Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Tirana include Et’hem Bey Mosque and the nearby Clock Tower of Tirana, Enver Hoxha Mausoleum, National History Museum, Tanners’ Bridge, Petrela Castle and Skenderbeg Square.

The city of Shkodër is one of the oldest towns in Albania and home to a lovely Mes Bridge across the Kir River and spectacular ruins of the Rozafa castle. It is located on the Shkodër Lake (on the border with Montenegro), a popular summer destination for both the locals and tourists.

Mes Bridge

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