Albania

Albanian is the official language, and it's unrelated to most other European languages, which can make menus and signs hard to guess at. English is widely spoken by younger people in Tirana and along the coast, but less so in rural areas and the north — a translation app helps outside the main tourist spots. Italian is also fairly widely understood, a legacy of Italian television being watched across the country for decades.

Tap water is generally treated in Tirana and other larger cities, but bottled water is the safer choice in smaller towns and rural areas, and it's cheap and widely sold everywhere. Pharmacies (farmaci) are easy to find in cities and marked with a green cross; stock and opening hours are more limited in remote areas. No special vaccinations are required for most travelers beyond being up to date on routine immunizations — check with a doctor or travel clinic before your trip for personal advice.

Citizens of the EU/Schengen area, UK, Canada, and Australia can enter Albania without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period; EU/EEA citizens can travel on a national ID card instead of a passport. US citizens get a notably longer allowance: under a bilateral agreement, they can stay visa-free for up to one year, though border officers sometimes default to stamping the standard 90 days, so US travelers planning a longer stay should mention the agreement at entry. Travelers from many other countries can also enter visa-free for shorter periods or need a visa in advance, depending on nationality.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Albanian hospitality runs deep — being invited for coffee or a meal is common and it's polite to accept. A well-known quirk: traditionally, Albanians nod the head up and down for "no" and shake it side to side for "yes" — the reverse of most of the world — though many people, especially in cities, have shifted to the international convention, so don't rely on this alone. Dress modestly when visiting mosques and Orthodox or Catholic churches, and remove shoes before entering a mosque. Coffee culture is central to social life; lingering over a coffee for an hour is normal and not rushed.

Public holidays can close shops, banks, and government offices, especially in smaller towns, though restaurants and cafés in tourist areas usually stay open. Many shops keep long hours seven days a week in cities and resort towns, while smaller-town shops may close for a midday break and on Sundays.

• By furgon (shared minibus): the backbone of intercity travel — furgons run frequently between cities and towns, leave when full rather than on a fixed timetable, and are cheap. Ask locally for the current departure point, since they don't always use a formal bus station.
• By bus: larger coaches run the busiest routes (Tirana–Durrës, Tirana–Shkodër, Tirana–Vlorë) on more predictable schedules than furgons.
• By train: Albania's passenger rail network is very limited and slow, and not a practical way to get around for most visitors.
• By air: domestic flights aren't really an option — the country is small enough that road travel between any two major towns rarely takes more than a few hours.

Albanian food blends Mediterranean, Balkan, and Ottoman influences. Breakfast is often light — coffee and a pastry — while lunch is traditionally the main meal of the day, though this has loosened in cities. Dinner tends to be eaten later in the evening, especially in summer.

Look out for byrek (a flaky savory pastry filled with cheese, spinach, or meat), tavë kosi (baked lamb or veal in a tangy yogurt sauce), and fërgesë (peppers, tomatoes, and cheese cooked together). On the coast, fresh grilled fish and seafood are a highlight. Raki, a strong grape or fruit brandy, is the traditional welcome drink and aperitif, while Albanian coffee culture — often Turkish-style or espresso — is central to daily life. Locals eat out often, from simple family-run restaurants to street stalls selling byrek and grilled meats.

Tirana, the capital, is the country's main transport hub and a good base with its museums, communist-era bunkers turned attractions, and lively café scene.

On the coast, Durrës is the main port city with a Roman amphitheatre and long beaches, while further south the Albanian Riviera stretches through Vlorë to Sarandë and the turquoise coves of Ksamil, near the Butrint ruins.

Inland, the UNESCO-listed old towns of Berat, known for its stacked Ottoman-era houses, and Gjirokastër, with its stone-roofed old quarter, are among Albania's most rewarding stops. Krujë draws visitors for its hilltop castle tied to national hero Skanderbeg, and Elbasan anchors central Albania.

In the southeast, Korçë is known for its Ottoman-era old bazaar and cooler mountain climate, and Pogradec sits on the shore of Lake Ohrid, shared with North Macedonia.