Albania Car Hire

Guide to Albania

Geography

Located on the Balkan Peninsula, Albania is a landlocked nation in southern and eastern Europe. Along the Mediterranean Sea, its coastline confronts the Adriatic Sea to the northwest and the Ionian Sea to the southwest. Kosovo and Montenegro are neighbours to the north, while Greece lies to the south. To the west are Greece, Montenegro, and Italy, and to the east are Serbia and the Balkans. The capital and largest city of Albania is Tirana.

Climate in Albania

Albania experiences hot, sunny summers and moderate, wet winters, as is characteristic of the Mediterranean region. The lowland beaches and the highlands have different temperatures, although the climate is typically pleasant throughout the year.

Culture

In the late 13th and early 14th centuries, Albania was a kingdom. Skanderbeg's Albanian resistance to the Ottoman invasion gained him respect across Europe in the 15th century. In 1912, Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire following the Ottomans' defeat in the Balkan Wars. Invasion by Italy resulted in the creation of the Greater Albanian Empire. Enver Hoxha established Albania's People's Socialist Republic after World War; and in 1991, the modern Albanian Republic was formed.

Albanians have been able to preserve some remarkable cultural peculiarities as a result of the country's geographical and political history, as well as its distinctive language. People who don't know Albanian will note that Albanians shake their heads when they mean 'yes,' and nod when they mean 'no.' This may make for some hilarious efforts to communicate.

Religion in Albania

Religious tolerance is a cornerstone of Albanian culture. Ask an Albanian about their upbringing, and you'll likely learn that their father is a Muslim and their mother is an Orthodox Catholic. Make your way to Skanderbeg Square's Et'hem Mosque, a petite yet important mosque for Albania's Muslim community. The artwork on the walls of the mosque is a must-see. Tirana is also home to the Bektashi Islamic sect, and the Bektashi Mosque is another must-see site. Even though this magnificent mosque doesn't get a lot of visitors, those who do will be pleasantly surprised by how eager the staff are to share their knowledge of Bektashi culture with you.

Albania's wine country

Albanian Wine is a speciality of the country, even though the country is not well-known for its winemaking prowess. Albania, however, is a wine lover's dream come true. Many grape varieties thrive in the country's ideal temperature and strategic location near the Mediterranean Sea. The country's winemaking heritage dates all the way back to the Bronze Age Illyrians when winemaking was first practised there. In addition, a new viticulture movement centred on the development of organic wines is gaining traction.

We recommend starting your wine tasting tour at Uka Winery, which is located outside of town. Try the Merlot and Kallmet wines (an indigenous grape varietal to the Balkans). Despite its tiny size (just 4 acres), the Uka Winery creates large-batch, flavorful wines in stunning settings. The open dining area is ideal for savouring the fine wines and succulent grilled meats that are served there.

Things To Do in Albania

Explore the fascinating capital of Tirana

If you're planning a trip to Albania, you'll probably begin your journey in Tirana. This vibrant city has a unique blend of Ottoman and Italian architecture, making for a plethora of fascinating sights. The Palace of Culture, the Clock Tower, the National Library, and the National Gallery of Figurative Arts are just a few of the cultural hotspots around Skanderbeg Square. Located in the city's centre, the latter serves as a gathering place for local and national events. At the same time, this modern capital is covered in public art installations, including murals, wall paintings, and other vibrant works of art.

Although Tirana has much fewer vegan/organic/Instagram-perfect cafés and yoga studios than Europe's hipster capital, Berlin, the two cities have the same attitude of "everything is possible."

Discover the mysterious bunkers

When you're out and about, keep an eye out for little concrete pods that have been submerged. Enver Hoxha, the former dictator of Albania, erected these bunkers out of paranoia after the country seceded from the Soviet Union. In case of a nuclear attack, he constructed over 170,000 bunkers around the country. It's worth mentioning that Bunk'Art is an excellent place to start your bunker adventure. The communist rule of Enver Hoxha is on display in this five-story art and history museum at the foot of Mount Dajti.

It documents the time period from many points of view, including the average citizen's, and gives visitors a rare glimpse into Albanian life in the 1950s and 1960s. Museum and event space have been created from the former bunker's 24 chambers.

Admire Tirana from a different vantage point

The mountains that surround Tirana are a source of the city's natural beauty. Ride up Mount Dajti if the weather is clear. Only a 20-minute drive or 30-minute bus journey from the city centre, this trip will leave you breathless with its breathtaking vistas and startling heights. The 'Balcony of Tirana' is located at the top of a hill with excellent views. This excursion is very worthwhile just to get a view of the city from the mountaintop. Once you've disembarked the Dajti Ekspres, you have the option of either mini-golfing or going on a peaceful stroll. The Dajti Express is the Balkans' longest cable car trip, as an interesting side note. The journey from the city centre to Mount Dajti takes around 15 minutes and climbs about 800 metres in that time. There are also a variety of eateries in the nearby tourism complex where you may stop and have a meal.

Adventure through the Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera is a scenic stretch of coastline along the Ionian Sea in southern Albania, between the cities of Vlore and Sarande. There are around 150 kilometres of largely untouched beaches and stunning mountain scenery to enjoy. While the country's whole coastline may be referred to as the Riviera, the Ionian Sea Coast is in the south and the somewhat flat Adriatic Sea Coast is in the north are distinct regions within that shoreline. The Ceraunian Mountains separate the coastline from the interior. The area is well-known for its nightlife, ecotourist attractions, and upscale retreats.

The region is home to some of the most magnificent beaches, including Llamani, Porto Palermo, and Filikuri, in addition to typical Mediterranean villages, historic castles, and orange, lemon, and olive plantations. The beach in Drymades is one of the most popular in the Balkans, and with good reason. You might don your bathing suit and go swimming right as you exit your hotel room. The Albanian Riviera resort town of Himara is one of the most fascinating and up-and-coming places to visit.

Visit the largest lake in southern Europe

Shkoder is a wonderful, low-key vacation spot. While the majority of tourists stop in Shkoder on their way to or from Tirana or Montenegro, or use it as a base for a climb in the mountains, it is well worth a trip on its own. It's a great place to visit when in Albania. Lake Shkoder, located on the Albanian-Montenegrin border, is the biggest lake in Southern Europe and has crystal-clear water surrounded by mountains and woods. There are several tour companies that provide trips throughout the region, or you can simply rent a bike and pedal through the surrounding countryside.

Lake Komani, a more intimate and charmingly sized lake nearby, is well worth a visit. Shkoder, a vibrant town near Shkoder Lake, is easily accessible. In addition to being one of Albania's most significant cities, Shkodra is also a hub of Albanian Catholicism, culture, and interreligious harmony. On a rocky hilltop 130 metres above sea level, the Rozafa Castle is a sight to see. St. Stephen's Cathedral, a Venetian Catholic cathedral from the 13th century, lies in ruin within the castle walls.

Discover a magnificent heritage site

Berat, Albania's finest town, was inducted into UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008. This mediaeval city, which sits on the banks of the River Osum, was originally conceived as a vast castle. You may have heard of it because of the white Ottoman homes that dot the landscape there. Berat Castle, once a fortified fortress perched high on a hill, is today a sprawling community of houses and businesses. Onufri National Museum has Christian icons as well as Byzantine churches and the Red Mosque. For those interested in traditional crafts and a rebuilt mediaeval bazaar, head east to the Ethnographic Museum, housed in an 18th-century mansion. It's no coincidence that Berat is known as the city with "thousands of windows." The Church of St. Mary of Blachernae and the Mangalem Quarter are also noteworthy stops.

Eating Out in Albania

Albanian food is influenced by the Mediterranean, so visiting a local restaurant is a great way to sample some of the country's best dishes. Here are a few of our personal favourites:

Uka Farm in Tirana serves organically grown fresh vegetables, cheese, cured meat, and wine manufactured on the premises. Incredibly kind staff, as well as a posh setting with cobblestone floors and wooden furniture, all combine up to an unforgettable dining experience. Piazza in Durres is a must-visit for seafood connoisseurs. It specialises in fresh seafood with a hint of Italian flair. Tempt your tastebuds with scallop compote in the shell and slow-cooked fish with veggies in the oven.

Berat's Onufri serves traditional Albanian cuisine. To start, you may have a lot of stuffed peppers, byrek, qofta, and stuffed aubergines, as well as grilled chicken. A piece of handmade honey cake is the perfect way to round up dinner. Saranda's Mare Nostrum is a high-end restaurant. Attending this seaside restaurant means dressing to impress and taking in the beauty of Albania's crystal-clear ocean. The posh interior and creative menu, which features a hybrid menu of dishes, are guaranteed to wow you and your guests.

Albania Transport

Airport

The country's primary international airport is Tirana International Airport (TIA), also known as Rinas International Airport. Serving the city of Tirana and the surrounding area, the airport services the whole country of Albania. It's in Durres County's Kruje municipality, 11 kilometres northwest of Tirana.

Getting Around Albania

Buses and furgons are the primary modes of public transportation in Albania (shared minibus). They have a flexible schedule, inexpensive rates, and you may buy tickets once you hop on board. In addition, there is a small rail network in Albania. Taxis are readily accessible, and hitchhiking is another popular travel option in this area.

However, many visitors travelling across Albania still opt to hire a car for maximum flexibility, comfort, and convenience.