Albania : Safety by City
If you know only about Albania from movies like Taken and War Dogs or stopped paying attention after the fall of Communism, you’re missing out on one of the best-kept European secrets.
It’s also a secret that is quickly being revealed.
In 2005, the country saw just half a million visitors.
In 2023, that number was just over 10 million, and 30 million are expected by 2030.
This country is home to the Albanian Alps, the Albanian Riviera, and the “Maldives of Europe.”
Nearly 280 miles of coastline straddles the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, with a blissful Mediterranean climate.
The mountains include three national parks and picture-perfect postcard views at every turn.
It truly feels like being dropped into a fairy tale world.
If the cultural and landscape diversity isn’t enough for you, boat trips run to Greece and Italy.
Considering the country was kept isolated for decades, there wasn’t a lot of information before the 21st century about where to visit or what to do when you got there.
That’s all changed now, and I’m excited to tell you more about this safe and versatile country.
Warnings & Dangers in Albania
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Albania is a pretty safe place to visit, with friendly locals and a laid-back vibe. What is more important to note is that the dangerous risks portrayed in Hollywood are mostly exaggerated and don't encompass this stunning country's offerings.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Getting around Albania can be an adventure but also challenging if you're not used to figuring out your own transportation. Public transport is cheap but not always the most reliable, and drivers can be a bit aggressive. Taxis are usually safe, but always use licensed ones and agree on a fare before the ride begins. Ideally, book a tour with a vetted company that provides transportation.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
This is a low risk, but elevate that at night or in dense urban areas. Use abundant caution to keep the risk low, and don't bring valuables with you or flaunt expensive items like jewelry or technology.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
This is a medium risk, and the specific type of disaster depends on the region you're visiting. For example, the mountains can get snowstorms, avalanches, and blizzards, while the coastline can face landslides and floods. Forest fires and earthquakes are also potential hazards.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Mugging isn't a major issue in Albania, even in bigger cities. Walking around feels safe, but like anywhere, it’s smart to stay out of dark, empty streets late at night.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
While there is a presence of drug and human traffickers in Albania (and Europe, to be fair), the main risk would be being at the wrong place at the wrong time if there was an inter-gang fight. There is not an anti-American sentiment in Albania, which can't be said for all European countries. That makes it one of the safer places to travel.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Scams should always be treated as a medium risk when traveling to a new country. Financial and romance scams are far too common. Tourist scams aren’t unheard of, with things like overpriced taxis, sneaky restaurant bills, and shady currency exchanges.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Albania is welcoming to female travelers, and solo trips are common. Most people are respectful, but it’s still good to stay cautious at night, especially in quieter areas. Dressing modestly in rural spots can help avoid unwanted attention, but harassment isn’t a big concern.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water is fine in big cities like Tirana, but in smaller towns and rural areas, it’s better to stick to bottled water. If you’ve got a sensitive stomach, play it safe by boiling water or using a filter. Bring water filtration devices for exploring the mountains. The water may look clean in this stunning scenery, but it needs to be treated before consumption.
Safest Places to Visit in Albania
The National Tourism Agency of Albania hosts the website albania.al as the official tourism site.
Look for the TEA Events section to get a link to download the Tourism Events of Albania (TEA) app.
Albania is divided into four main regions: the coastal lowlands, the northern mountains, the central region, and the southern region.
The coastal lowlands include popular beach destinations.
Durrës is the go-to for an easy beach day, with long sandy shores and plenty of cafes right on the waterfront.
If you want something a bit quieter, Golem offers a more laid-back stretch of sand with family-friendly resorts.
Spille Beach is a nice escape with fewer crowds, perfect for a peaceful day by the water.
For something a little different, head to Divjakë-Karavasta, where you can enjoy the beach and explore the nearby national park with its scenic lagoons and wildlife viewing.
The northern mountains offer rugged landscapes and epic hospitality.
Albania’s mountain communities, like Theth and Valbona, include stunning Balkan alpine scenery, traditional stone houses, and a peaceful escape into nature.
Hiking is a must, with trails like the Theth-to-Valbona trek through the Accursed Mountains.
You can also explore waterfalls, historic churches, and meet the locals.
The hike is 10 miles, but it’s worth every step to see this stunning scenery.
The central region hosts the capital city, Tirana, and cultural hubs.
Skanderbeg Square is the city’s heart, surrounded by museums and lively streets, while Blloku offers trendy cafes and nightlife.
For a deep dive into Albania’s past, Bunk’Art’s underground exhibits are a must. Just outside the city, Krujë’s medieval castle and bazaar are worth a visit.
Durres combines history with beach vibes, and Berat’s Ottoman charm and vineyards are perfect for a cultural escape.
For nature lovers, Lake Bovilla offers stunning views and great hiking.
The south features UNESCO sites and the Albanian Riviera stretching from Vlorë to Ksamil.
The most popular beaches are found in Dhërmi, Himarë, and the famous Ksamil Islands.
Gjirokastër is like stepping into a time capsule, with its old stone houses and a massive hilltop castle that gives you some seriously stunning views.
A bit further south, Butrint National Park is a must-see, with ancient ruins hidden among lush greenery.
If you’re after a livelier vibe, Sarandë is the place to be—especially in summer, when it’s buzzing with visitors and offers easy trips to Corfu.
For a slower pace, head inland to Përmet, where rolling hills and olive groves make it a quiet escape.
Places to Avoid in Albania
While there aren’t cities that are too dangerous to visit, you have to remember that tourism is a relatively new industry in this formerly locked-down country.
That means some cities aren’t geared toward tourists and won’t have the amenities.
Some of the cities included in that list are Fier, Elbasan, Ballsh, Patos, and Burrell.
Also, avoid dreaming of a winter trip to the Albanian coastline because most of it shuts down to tourists during the winter months.
The beaches are ideal in the shoulder seasons of fall and spring, before the big crowds and blazing summer heat.
Plus, winter in the mountains doesn’t have the infrastructure ready as you might find in places like the Sierra Nevada or Rocky Mountains of the United States.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Albania
- Albania has a dedicated tourist police force in major cities and popular destinations to assist visitors with any safety concerns or issues. In case of an emergency, you can call 112, the general emergency number, for police, medical assistance, or fire services.
- Albanian is the official language, which is unique and not closely related to other languages. It has two main dialects: Gheg, spoken in the north, and Tosk, spoken in the south. English is not widely spoken. Knowing conversational Albanian will help with your travels there.
- If you are visiting from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever, you’ll need a vaccination certificate. A list of impacted countries is available through the World Health Organization.
- The country has many thermal pools touted for having healing powers. However, algae-covered rocks can make the entrance and exit points slippery. Use caution when getting in and out.
- We touched on this earlier, but if you choose to drive in Albania, be prepared for awful, aggressive drivers. The roads aren’t in great condition outside the highways, and Google Maps is all but useless. Time your driving to be on the road during daylight hours only.
- Buy a tourist SIM card when you arrive to stay connected to the internet, which is widely available in most locations outside the remote mountain areas.
- For those familiar with the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, you won’t see much evidence of that practice in Albania. As the tourism industry grows, it’s not uncommon to see mountain summits or lake shores lined with garbage from previous travelers. Please don’t add to the issue. Carry your trash with you until you find a proper receptacle or get back to your hotel/hostel.
- Always know the location and phone number of the nearest embassy. If you are a U.S. citizen, sign up for the Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which will send alerts if there is a safety issue of any kind.
- Use caution when hiking or wandering anywhere near the Kosovo border. There is unexplored ordnance (land mines) throughout the countryside from a previous conflict. Stay on the trails and roads.
- Those sensitive to air pollution might want to avoid Tirana, especially in the winter. Use an app like IQ Air to check the air quality daily.
So... How Safe Is Albania Really?
While Albania doesn’t rank in the top 10 safest countries in Europe, it also isn’t one of the most dangerous.
The United States advisory is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime connected to drug activity and organized crime.
Canadian authorities say normal security precautions are fine for Albania, with no advanced warnings in any regions.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FDCO) also gives normal safety guidance for citizens visiting Albania.
All three also punctuate the point that tourists are not widely targeted as crime victims.
If anything, it’s when a person gets between two rival criminal syndicates that issues arise.
It’s wise to read the advisories for as many countries as you can before you leave, as each one offers helpful guidance and specific details to get help.
For example, just five days before I wrote this article, the U.S. State Department issued an advisory stating the following: “The Embassy is aware of reporting of threats to the shop Ferma Ime located on Rruga Dervish Hima.
The Embassy has advised personnel to avoid the shop effective immediately and until further notice.”
While you should exercise extensive precautions while traveling, Albania isn’t a place that warrants extra concern due to potentially imminent threats.
In fact, planning a trip sooner than later means getting there while it’s one of the most affordable places in Europe and before the huge global travel crowds realize this gem of a country is more than a bunch of misconceptions.
How Does Albania Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Albania | 75 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Portugal | 57 |
| Japan | 83 |
| Greece | 73 |
| Australia | 86 |
| Slovakia | 80 |
| Kazakhstan | 72 |
| Norway | 85 |
Useful Information
Visas
Most travelers can enter Albania visa-free for short stays, usually up to 90 days within 180 days, depending on nationality. U.S. and EU citizens don’t need a visa for tourism. If you're planning a longer stay, check Albania’s official immigration website for the latest requirements and entry rules.
Currency
Albania uses the lek (ALL), and while cash is still king in many places, credit cards are increasingly accepted in larger cities and tourist areas. ATMs are widely available. However, it's a good idea to carry cash, especially when visiting smaller towns or off-the-beaten-path spots.
Weather
Albania has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers along the coast and cooler temperatures inland. Winters can be mild in coastal areas but quite cold in the mountains. Summer is the peak season, but spring and fall offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds, making them great times to visit.
Airports
Tirana International Airport (TIA), also known as Nënë Tereza Airport, is the country’s main gateway and handles most international flights. It’s about 30 minutes from the capital.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance isn’t required, but it’s a smart idea. It can cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and unexpected hiccups like lost luggage. Healthcare quality is improving but can be basic in some areas, so having coverage for medical treatment and evacuation offers peace of mind.
Albania Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 12 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 33 | 33 | 29 | 23 | 17 | 13 |
| Low °C | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| High °F | 54 | 55 | 61 | 68 | 77 | 86 | 91 | 91 | 84 | 73 | 63 | 55 |
| Low °F | 36 | 37 | 41 | 46 | 55 | 63 | 66 | 66 | 59 | 52 | 43 | 37 |
Albania - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Tirana | 59 |
The area you tell people to avoid is the safest, educate yourself please!
I don’t know who was that ignorant person who wrote that part:-“You should avoid the area near border with Kosovo”. Are you kidding or what?!
Please educate yourself and ask more before you say such thing.
Just a reminder to you, that area you told to be the part to avoid, is the safest and the most welcoming area in Albania, where people can even ask you to stay in their houses as a guest for free!
The only area in Albania and even all Balkans where people the guest is a God!
So please think and study about something before you give wrong conclusions about any places and people!
Strangers inviting you to stay in their home for free… Does that not sound sketchy to you? What, do you give your cab driver your social security card? That does not sound safe to me! Steer clear! Strangers asking you to come into their home is a red flag. Sounds to me like you need to “educate yourself” on stranger danger and travel safety.
Travel safely, Blero.
The only bad think about Albania maybe transportation, as there are no fast-track Trains and the public transport is not very accurate. Nonetheless the North part of Albania which Blero refers to is extremely welcoming and warm for tourists. I would recommend you to visit Theth/Valbone area.
Best Natural resources in the whole Balkan!
i live in albani and in durres its safe tirana and vlora too but i dont know about the borders im going with blero for this thats rude anonymouse
Safe and beautiful country <3
You are probably not from the Balkans Anonymous :). For us inviting someone to your house is a gesture of hospitality and usually there are no bad intentions behind it. Of course, you should always be careful, but for Balkan people it’s a cultural thing! Albania is an amazing country, I have been there multiple times. I have been to Tirana, Sarande, Durres, Ksamil, Gjikaster just to name a few. The people are amazing, and kind. As a women I felt really safe! I would recommend Albania to anyone who wants to enjoy some of the worlds best hospitality, real organic food, enjoy breathtaking scenery and just enjoy life! I am already planing my next travel to Albania, and I plan on seeing Korca (some of the best beer comes from Korca by the way)
Whene i saw ” only area you should avoid is Albania’s border with Kosovo.” i was like WTF this is not even truth plz u need to change
Albanians are Angels!
This is absolutely true! I’m a solo Canadian female traveller and I traveled through every part of Albania, as well as spending many weeks in Kosovo. The people on the border are AMAZING! Anytime I needed anything Albanians stumbled over each other to come to my help. I could write a book detailing examples of the kindness of Albanians. I love Albania !
Very safe everywhere in the country
In Albania, and especially in Tirana, you’ll feel safer than most European capitals.
It’s a non-sense written in the text about the border with Kosovo. That’s totally a bias. The north, and especially the border with Kosovo (including Kosovo as well) are some of the most welcoming places to visit.
Kosovo isn’t a part of Serbia anymore. Throwing that statement in there is unrelated to the actual reason for this website. I visited Northern Albania a few years ago and people were super friendly, as well as the people from Montenegro and Kosovo. The only bad experience I had was a questionable transportation service for Tourists. Needs better infrastructure. The coastline is one of the best and most welcoming experiences I’ve had and I’ve visited many locations. I’m not entirely too sure where the reviewer got their information from.
Hit and miss
Article seems to be biased as far as the border area with Kosovo( not part of any country completely independent as it stands) is concerned.
Caution should be taken in any country when travelling, I live in London and there are some parts which I would actively avoid.
All in all a very welcoming country with lots to see and do.
Albania is welcoming and a lot safer than people think
From what I know so far, I would say that Albania is a lot safer than many people would assume it is. I didn’t visit it years ago and maybe things were different back then, but nowadays, most areas and cities are safe, with many friendly people that are very welcoming and hospitable towards tourists.
Yes, their means of transport are not the best or most reliable. Sometimes buses are late or very late so this is to be expected. There is a pickpocket risk especially in crowded areas or in buses. Just pay attention and you won’t have any problems. They usually target people that are on their phones, daydreaming or that are not paying attention.
What can happen is you run into a “scamming machine” inside an ATM (usually one that is not near a bank). I know this happened to a friend of mine and he had to call his bank and they blocked his account because criminals had gotten hold of his card and managed to steal some money. Thankfully he had a daily limit on his card so he didn’t lose a lot of money and had plenty of time to call the bank. But if you have a lot of money on your card and this happens to you, well, you might lose it all. I would only use ATMs inside or near a bank.
As for places or cities to visit I would visit Berat which is known as “the city of a thousand windows” as many houses have large window frontages. The Albanian Riviera is a great place to relax, unwind and just admire the beauty. Durres is also a great city that should be visited. It has an amphitheater, museums and many cultural events take place here. Plus there are beaches, nice ones. If you want to see some very unique architectural styles then visit Gjirokastra which is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site.
First of all, border is very safe, Kosovo is very safe and Kosovo is not part of serbia. If you say advoid border kosovo-serbia i would understand.
But Albania-Kosovo border is same as
Usa-Canada border.
There is no reason to be dangerous because Kosovo is Albania they are Albanian people over there same as in border with Macedonia where 50% of population is Albanian , same as border with Montenegro where 50% of population is albanian, same as border with Greece where a lot of population near the border is albanian population, it was albanian land before.
There is no war in any border.
There is no reason for any of the borders in Albania to be dangerous.
The bad reputation for Albania is because of
Albanian mafia most of it focused in drug dealings worldwide.
Even the crime in Albania is connected to those groups of people who has connections with the mafia and the crime stays between them they don’t bother other people, they don’t kill innocent people there are not such mass shootings or kidnappings or thefts that can put your life in danger.
Is like every other country.
If something happens its just bad luck (wrong time wrong place) like it would happen to you in every other country.
Visiting albania and kosovo is very safe everywhere.
I just got stole by the police in 350 euros In a car trip (he wanted 800! I spend hours to reduce)
Extortion, very common in Mexico and Argentina, now in Albanian Riviera
You alone are at fold if you are not wrong then just call another police or go with him to the police station an explain to them
The real information about Albania-Kosovo Border.
I am happy that here is a space to share our opinions. Albanians are extremely welcoming and hospitable. The border with Kosovo is just a formality, because Albania and Kosovo are one nation. Anyway, I would recommend to visit the north of Albania, and you have absolutely no reason to be frightened because there is no chance to get harmed, and that part is the most hospitable part of the Albania.
Things have changed for the better
It is amazing to me to read what has happened in Albania over the last 20+ years since I lived there (in Elbasan and Berat). Back then, the people were extremely friendly and the landscape was tremendous. But the roads were downright terrifying and there was a lot of crime, more often than not involving the mafia. Women traveling alone did not do so safely. And the police were not who one went to in order to report a crime. But it always struck me as a country with so much potential as a tourist destination in Europe. It’s amazing to hear this transformation and someday maybe I will get back there.
I find the guide generally good. I would like to see some sources or at least have an explanation why the border with kosovo should be avoided, as I hear this for the first time and it does not reflect my personal experience.
Here is my tip for foreigners in albania:
DO NOT trust traffic lights. Before crossing the road always look both directions, and don’t follow pedestrians who cross the road when the light is red.