Culture

Albanian culture is heavily influenced by that of mainland Greeks, particularly in urban areas; nodding one’s head means ‘no,’ while shaking one’s head means ‘yes.’ Handshakes are preferred when greeting someone, though Shoku (Comrade) was once used but is now long forgotten. People dress casually here. Swimsuits are only appropriate for the beach; otherwise, women are not expected to wear revealing clothing. When addressing someone, use Zoti (Mr) or Zonja (Mrs) before their name, and always remember to bring gifts when visiting someone, even if flowers aren’t widely accepted. Coffee, raki, or sweets are served to the guests. Smokers should not be concerned, but they should avoid areas where there is a sign of Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Internal travel within the country –  Albania is a mountainous country that is also one of Europe’s smallest. The inhabitants are said to be descended from ancient Illyrians.

Buses with relatively low fares operate in the country’s major cities, and taxis are another option that provide service to some major hotels.

Visit Dajti Mountain and ride the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car for an unforgettable 15-minute ride to Tirana through Dajt Oark. The ride is approximately 4.2 kilometers long and costs €6.5. Alpha Yachting offers crewed yachts, which is a luxury in and of itself. Tirana Bank is the best place to withdraw money because it accepts Visa cards.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always adequately heated, so dress warmly if going out at night during the winter. Foreigners are charged a higher rate than locals. Both the entry fees and any merchandise will be higher, so it’s best not to reveal that you’re a foreigner when out on the streets.

Site Seeing

This is the place to be if you enjoy canoeing. There are places just outside Tirana that are fantastic for not only canoeing but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want a 5-Star experience, check out The Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, which is located in the heart of a shopping and entertainment district. There are approximately 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, in addition to the convenience, one can shop at the same time here. Hotel Mondial is another hotel that has all modern amenities. It is 1000 meters from the city and a good example of traditional architecture.

Image Sources

How to Get There

Traveling by air is one of the best and most convenient options. Albanian Airlines is the national airline that, in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, serves almost all major European cities. Mother Teresa Airport is 16 miles or 26 kilometers from the capital. A tourist bus runs every three hours and takes about 30 minutes to get to the city center. Taxis are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tourists can visit the airport’s duty-free shops, bank, restaurants, and car rental while waiting for a ride. All foreign nationals must pay a departure tax of $10 USD.

If you want to travel by sea, try the ferry services provided by Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. Durres (ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Saranda (ferry connection to Corfu), and Shen Gjini are the main ports (has ferry connection to Bari).

Another option is taking the bus. Buses leave Istanbul, Athens, and Sofia. Bus services provide many options for internal passengers. There is a road network to the Kosovo region if traveling by private car, but it is too dangerous to use due to political tensions within the region. Crossings can be made at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija. If you get tired, you can rest in hotels or other designated areas. For local travelers, there is a network of 18,000 km, of which only 7450 km are main roads. A 2138-kilometer stretch of these roads is in poor condition and has potholes, and extreme caution should be exercised when driving on such roads. On highways and in towns, speed limits should be strictly enforced. Except in urban areas, driving at night should be avoided due to the lack of street lights on the road. Traffic should be driven on the right. Because there are fewer gas stations in the countryside, travelers should fill up their tanks completely when passing through urban areas, and because there is no national recovery system, travelers should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown ahead of time. Documents such as an International Driving Permit and a national driving license should be carried.

Duty-Free Purchases

The following items can be transported without incurring customs duty:

1. 1 liter of distilled spirits or 2 liters of wine

2. Eau de toilette (250ml)

3. 250g tobacco or 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars

4.A 50ml bottle of perfume

 

Items Prohibited
Firearms, narcotics, and ammunition are all prohibited items. Precious metals, books, antiques, works of art, and materials of national or historic value should be exported with special permission.