I Spent 5 Months In This Trending Country And Here’s What Surprised Me The Most

Share The Article

Last Updated 11 hours in the past

If you comply with any journey blogs or learn journey information, (and since you might be right here studying this, I will assume you do!) then you’ve got undoubtedly examine Albania.

This small nation situated on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe has been gaining an increasing number of consideration just lately for vacationers on the lookout for one thing totally different, reasonably priced, and delightful.

Digital nomads additionally adore it, and for good reason.

I spent 5 months firstly of 2021 dwelling in Albania, and I am a type of individuals who received’t shut up about it.

Despite having been to many extra nations since then, every time individuals ask, “what nation has been your favourite” or “what nation left the best impression,” the reply is at all times Albania. 

Here Are Some Things That Surprised Me The Most About Albania: 

Keep The Promise

The very first thing that stunned me essentially the most about Albania was the individuals.

The individuals you’ll find on this nation are a number of the nicest, most useful, and most welcoming that I have ever encountered in all my years of touring and dwelling overseas.

You might need heard individuals seek advice from “Balkan Hospitality,” and that is completely a factor. Balkan individuals might sound a bit tough across the edges, however that is only a little bit of a tough exterior that a few of them have constructed up over time.

I can’t let you know the variety of occasions we now have interacted with some gruff older males whom we have been a bit intimidated to strategy at first however ended up ingesting rakia round a desk with their household by the top of the dialog. 

In Albania, there’s a time period: BESA, which implies to maintain the promise.

This is extra of a lifestyle right here, and the individuals will exit of their method that can assist you and make you are feeling welcome, permitting them to be reliable and conserving the promise of peace. 

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

For instance: One time we took a public bus to a different metropolis and upon reaching the vacation spot, the driving force realized we have been uncertain the place to go. He didn’t converse any English and was shouting at us and demanding my telephone, scary proper?

Upon taking my telephone he known as our guesthouse and discovered the place it was, after which proceeded to mainly maintain our fingers and escort us there, ensuring we have been okay.

We have been actually speechless at how out of his method he went to assist us. This is the Balkan hospitality that I am speaking about. Name one other nation the place this might occur, I’ll wait. 

A Not-So-Secret Secret 

It’s humorous as a result of most individuals I converse to about Albania have by no means heard of it, and it appears the one ones who do know are different vacationers and digital nomads.

While it was once a little bit of a secret, Albania has been rising in recognition for a lot of causes.

After going viral on TikTok recently, Albania will not be such a top-secret vacation spot anymore. Yet, once we arrived in Albania in January 2021, we have been stunned to see so many different ex-pats dwelling right here already.

When doing our analysis, we assumed it was comparatively unknown, nevertheless it ended up being the one nation the place we made so many mates rapidly as there was a reasonably well-established group of ex-pats and locals right here. So, if Albania was a secret earlier than social media, it wasn’t a really well-kept one.

Note: a lot of these we met have been Americans, as we are able to keep a year visa-free. 

From Budget To Bougie

Albania is an affordable destination, that is completely true, and most vacationers who come already know this.

I got here to Albania realizing this and was nonetheless stunned at how little you may spend right here and dwell comfortably.

My residence in Saranda value below $500 a month and had sea views and a pool, to not point out high-speed wifi and good TVs. I have mates who pay below $300 a month for his or her residence as a result of they made some good native connections, so it may be achieved. 

You can get a beer for below a greenback at most locations, and meals (except for imported objects) may be very low cost as nicely.

However, one factor to grasp is that you may additionally splurge in Albania, and a few lodging and eating places can run you Western costs after which some.

Pro-tip: turn into regulars at a number of the seashore bars within the early days of the opening season (springtime) and be handled to a free bowl of contemporary mussels each time and all over the place you go!

In the top, it’s all about the way you wish to dwell, however do take into account that the Albanian Riviera will get expensive because the summer season season approaches, so ensure to grasp any rental agreements beforehand.

Many individuals I know had their lease doubled in the summertime, so that is one thing to work out earlier than signing something. 

Beach Please 

Ok, let’s discuss in regards to the seashores. Most individuals who come to Albania within the hotter months achieve this in the hunt for the Albanian Riviera, and for good purpose.

Albania has essentially the most stunning seashores I have ever seen. The rocky shores make for crystal-clear water, and the sunsets are unbelievable.

Saranda has some first rate smaller seashores round it you may get pleasure from, and naturally, Ksamil is changing into an increasing number of well-known as being as stunning because the Caribbean. 

@maldivosaur Best seashores in Albania half 1 #hot #holiday #beach #destination #travel #traveldestinations #albania ♬ Calm Down Andre Soueid – andresoueid

One factor to appreciate, although, is that whereas not almost as crowded as different well-liked European locations, a lot of Albania’s seashores are removed from a secret come summer season.

While beautiful, I was so stunned that these locations get crowded rapidly, and costs begin to creep up.

If you might be actually on the lookout for a quiet place to flee, head north and search out some smaller seashore cities alongside the coast. Ask any native, and they’ll in all probability insist you be a part of them and their household on a visit (severely). 

Postcard Perfect Views 

I was, and proceed to be stunned at simply how stunning Albania is. Everywhere you look, there will likely be a turquoise coast crashing beneath the cliffs, or mountains and gorges, rivers, and all the things in between.

One factor that I couldn’t consider was the crystal clear green-blue of the Vjosa river that runs from Greece throughout Albania and into the Adriatic Sea.

This river is so stunning and necessary, the truth is, that it has simply turn into the primary Wild River National Park in Europe. 

If you might be fortunate sufficient to name Albania residence for some time, you’ll probably be stunned to see how simple a lot of the nation is to discover through public busses and, after all, by renting a automotive. 

Yes Means No And No Means Yes 

While English is broadly spoken in Albania, the official language is Albanian, known as Shqip. When talking Shqip, one factor to concentrate to is how individuals point out sure and no.

Yes is Po, and No is Jo. Not too troublesome, proper?

Now comes the tough half, Albanians point out sure with a shake of the top, which means they’re saying Po and shaking their head, which appears to be like and appears like No to a foreigner. 

@maptrekking how cute is that this place?! #albania🇦🇱 #travelalbania #visitalbania #traveltiktok ♬ albania. – ssuzieed

When they imply no, they nod their head up and down and say Jo. Still with me?

If you suppose it’s a bit complicated to learn, think about dwelling it. You would suppose it might get simpler, and it did, however even after months, there have been nonetheless many conditions the place this interplay prompted some confusion.

Luckily, Albanians are understanding and affected person with foreigners, so it’s all good. 

I hope my expertise leads you to e-book that ticket, bus, and even the ferry from Corfu, Greece to discover Albania and all it has to supply.

Don’t inform me I didn’t warn you in regards to the Rakia energy, although!

But severely, in case you are on the lookout for an fascinating and distinctive place to discover, with fantastic individuals and interesting tradition… the reply is at all times Albania. 

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the newest reopening information, conversations, and Q&A’s occurring each day! 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your e-mail deal with to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.

This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com