The capital is Tirana, a kaleidoscope city: there is colorful oriental architecture, neat European-style buildings, and unexpected Soviet monuments – either Lenin will wink with a sly eye, or a partisan will wave a powerful hand. Tirana was founded by the Turks, who built a mosque, baths, a bakery and shops at the intersection of trade routes, but life was in full swing here before: fragments of a Roman building and a Byzantine fortress of the 3rd-6th centuries will not let you lie.
Until recently, the Albanian capital looked depressing: gloomy streets, mountains of garbage, outdated infrastructure. But the 21st century and the identity revitalization program have turned it into a vibrant green city that continues to evolve.
Tirana is divided into 11 districts, most of the attractions are concentrated in the center – so compact that it is easy to get around on foot. The best hotels are also located there: the outskirts, unfortunately, are not yet well suited for tourists.
The second largest city in the country is Durres on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Of the antiquities – the Roman amphitheater, a mosque, baths, an aqueduct, bizarre mosaics: from 627 BC. e. Corinthians, Romans, Byzantines, Italians and Ottomans ruled here. The beaches begin south of the port, in the Golem area there are beautiful sunsets, and in Cerret there are luxury hotels and a charming fishing village.
Another place with amazing beaches is Vlore: the coast is sandy, well-groomed, the sea is warm and clean, the air is fresh, filled with the aromas of pine needles. Having had a good rest, you can go to Corfu or Italy – you will not have to go far. Or continue to enjoy Albania: the silence of Saranda on the Ionian Sea – small, picturesque, with an archaeological reserve and a Byzantine fortress. The mild climate of Pogradets on Lake Ohrid, where diseases of the nervous and respiratory systems recede. The mountain air of Berat, reminiscent of Switzerland. Monuments of the times of the Ottoman Empire, which gave GjirokastraUNESCO treasure status. In general, everything that the cities of an unknown country are so rich in.
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Climate
Albania has a mild Mediterranean climate with fairly hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The average July temperature on the coast is +28…+32 °С, in January – +8…+10 °С. High summer temperatures on the coast are easily tolerated due to the constantly blowing Mediterranean breeze. The tourist season lasts from May to September, but it is also comfortable to be outdoors in April and October. There are about 300 sunny days in a year. It rains in early spring and late autumn. In the mountains of Albania, the climate is much colder – in winter the temperature can drop to -20 ° C, and above 1000 m for most of the year there is snow.
See citypopulationreview.com for weather information.
Albania Hotels
The network of Albanian hotels is rapidly expanding: hotels of different “star” ratings are opening everywhere, not always ultra-modern and thought out to the smallest detail, but almost always cozy, clean and inexpensive. The most budget option is, as usual, hostels: in Tirana, a bed in a dormitory room costs from 760 ALL, in a separate room with shared facilities – from 1000 ALL per day. In Saranda, you can rent a tent in a campsite for 630 ALL or a bed in a 4-bed room for 1250 ALL per day.
The voltage in the Albanian electrical network is 220 V, two-pin sockets, types C and F, which do not require an adapter.
The classics of the genre are standard three-ruble notes: in the capital – from 2300 ALL for two, in Durres – from 2500 ALL, in Vlore – from 2900 ALL per night. For connoisseurs of luxury, we recommend the few so far “five” with swimming pools and other pleasant options: in Tirana there are decent double rooms from 6300 ALL (breakfast included), in Pogradets – from 8200 ALL, in Gjirokastra (though a maximum of 4 *) – from 6200 ALL in a day.
Adepts of privacy rent apartments: in the capital – from 2150 ALL, in Berat – from 3000 ALL per night. And fans of the Balkan flavor choose farmhouses away from the hustle and bustle: prices – from 2500 ALL for two per day, the pleasure of outdoor recreation and the hospitality of the owners is guaranteed.
Money
The monetary unit of the country is Lek (ALL), in 1 lek there are 100 kindarok. Current exchange rate: 1 ALL = 0.51 RUB (1 USD = 112.95 ALL, 1 EUR = 118.82 ALL).
You can exchange currency for Albanian leks at bank branches and exchange offices (kambim valuator). Euros and dollars are accepted equally willingly. Banks are open from 8:30 to 14:30, except Saturday and Sunday, exchangers do not adhere to a strict schedule, but it is not recommended to postpone the exchange of money until late in the evening. In some hotels it is possible to change currency at the reception.
Banknotes of the same denomination can look completely different: banknotes of three issues are in use, so you should not be afraid of fakes.
ATMs are ubiquitous in large cities; at a time, you can withdraw an amount equivalent to 500 USD. However, most often credit cards will not be accepted for payment, with the exception of single European-class hotels and an even smaller number of expensive restaurants.
Albania has an “old” and a “new” price system, the difference between which is an extra zero in the amount. So, a bottle of water will cost 500 old leks or 50 new ones, that is, about 0.3 EUR. In most cases, the population uses the old price system, but it will never be superfluous to ask again.
Tips are not obligatory: even in large restaurants they are rarely included in the bill, and in small family eateries they can even accept coins left on the table as forgotten change. But they do not live well here, so if you liked the service, it is not forbidden to encourage the staff. In a taxi, you can round the amount up, in a hotel – hand over 150-200 ALL to the porter.
