While tourists have been drawn to Greece and Turkey in recent years, Albania is now increasingly becoming an interesting travel destination. In many places, more hotels are being built directly on the beach, so that many tourists can start the day every morning with a breathtaking view of the Adriatic coast.
Albania – Country and People
From the point of view of many tourists, the south-east of Europe has become more and more popular in recent years. Albania is on the Adriatic Sea. The capital of the European state is Tirana. At the same time, Tirana is also the cultural center of Albania and, with almost 1,000,000 inhabitants, the largest city in the country. The newcomer of European dream destinations for tourists was voted number one in 2011 by a major travel book publisher. Since then, one can really no longer speak of an insider tip. Because the state on the Mediterranean has developed in recent years from a gray mouse for tourists to a great holiday destination. The Mediterranean climate of Albania invites its visitors to linger. In midsummer the thermometer can exceed 35 degrees Celsius, but also in autumn and spring the temperatures – compared to the Central European climate – are mild. While the subtropical climate with mild winter rains and an annual average temperature of around 16 degrees represent the ideal holiday temperatures, it can also get bitterly cold in individual regions of the country. Those who need cooling rather than heating should familiarize themselves with the country’s mountainous regions. Here it is the harsh winters and the cool summers that shape the landscape. The journey into the adventure There are many ways to get to Albania. Whether from the north, the south, the east or the west, with the 16 degrees represent the ideal holiday temperature, but it can also get bitterly cold in individual regions of the country. Those who need cooling rather than heating should familiarize themselves with the country’s mountainous regions. Here it is the harsh winters and the cool summers that shape the landscape.
With the plane Albania can be easily reached within a very short time. Planes depart daily from many regional airports for Albania. But Albania can also be reached by car. It is almost 2,000 kilometers from central Germany to Albania. So a similar distance as from the center of Germany to Madrid in Spain. But if you are thinking of going to Albania by car, you should definitely include the toll in neighboring European countries. Since Albania has not yet been fully developed for tourism, travelers should always bear in mind that the tourist strongholds on the Adriatic give them the highest level of security. But also the best infrastructure. However, those who love adventure can discover the country on their own. Since Albania is not part of the European Monetary Union, travelers should change money in advance so that they don’t have to look for an ATM forever. Smaller exchange offices are also not recommended, because the rates there are usually unfavorable to the detriment of the euro. Nevertheless, the prices in Albania are very cheap by Western European standards.
Albania – experience and enjoy
Albania has developed enormously in terms of tourism in recent years. The country is particularly characterized by great beaches, typical Mediterranean hospitality and an ever-improving infrastructure. In many places, more hotels are being built directly on the beach, so that many tourists can start the day every morning with a breathtaking view of the Adriatic coast. But the typical Albanian way of life has also remained in the tourist strongholds. In many places there are still small markets and interesting restaurants.
Berat – the country’s cultural heritage
Albania also has a lot to offer culturally. The city in the mountains is an architectural masterpiece of days long gone. For every art-historical fan, Berat is a must-visit. The absolute highlight of Berat is the Kalaja Castle. The tour is now preceded by a sporting activity – a steep ascent has to be mastered in order to reach the castle – but once you have reached the top, the castle and the panorama compensate for all the effort.
The multinational cuisine of the Balkan state
Albanian cuisine is particularly influenced by the neighboring cuisines of Greece and Kosovo. But offshoots of Turkish cuisine can also be found on Albanian plates. Overall, the Albanian cuisine is characterized by a large variety of basic foods. Whether wheat, barley, potatoes or corn, everything is used in Albanian cuisine. Since there are different faiths in Albania, different meat dishes find their way onto Albania’s plates. With Muslim believers it is the lamb, but also the beef, which is very popular. Christians eat pork in addition to lamb and beef. Nobody should miss out on the country’s desserts. Due to the oriental influence, the desserts are pretty much the best in Europe. Another specialty of the Mediterranean cuisine is that the main meal time is lunch. While in many countries around the Mediterranean you eat very late, tourists can feast courageously in Albania as early as lunchtime.
Durrës – a safe harbor for every ship During their vacation in Albania, every tourist should visit the port city of Durrës for at least one day. The Greeks in the 7th century BC Founded in the 4th century BC, the city is a Mecca for those interested in history. In addition, there are many small streets with small craft shops and local restaurants. If you really want to immerse yourself in everyday Albanian life, you shouldn’t miss the small alleys of the port city. But the city’s port also offers a spectacle. There is always something going on in the country’s largest port. Ships from the Mediterranean find their safe harbor in Durrës day and night.
Discover Albania your way, start with a flight to Tirana: