Why Albania is a hidden gem.

After spending the last 10 months in Albania (doesn’t time fly?) and having travelled through the North, South, and Middle, I feel confident I have enough insight to explain to you why I feel that this country is a hidden gem.

Whilst it is located in Europe, many travellers have failed to put Albania on their bucket lists and this is due to a number of reasons. Firstly, there are lots of misconceptions flying around about what it is like in Albania- some believe it is a dangerous place, others believe that as a woman you have to cover up here (this was a real question I received), and the rest don’t have a clue what it is really like. Secondly, many people are not exposed to the idea of Albania being a holiday destination- there is a lack of international recognition of its virtues and many travel bloggers and sites just pass it by. Whilst I am keen not to see Albania’s beauty ruined by hoards of drunken tourists and package holiday philistines, I would like to see the countries international reputation become better. Here are some reasons why:

1. I have written this in another blog but it is quite possible to visit the beach, the lake, the river, the mountains, the country, and the city in just one short hour. Of course, ideally you should take longer so that you can really enjoy and appreciate the truly incredible landscape, but if you wanted to, you could visit all in one fell swoop.
2. Albania is home to some truly wonderful beaches and coastline. Whether you want pebbles and rocks, or soft white sand- Albania has it on offer. There are party beaches, exclusive and luxury resorts, secluded and hidden secret bays, and everything in between. Family beaches, adventure and sport orientated beaches, and beaches where you can just sit back with a cocktail and listen to the waves crash- the beaches of this country have something to suit everyone.
3. Albanian cuisine is to die for. Whilst it might be tricky to get your fill if you are gluten or lactose intolerant, for those that aren’t, there is an incredible array of food on offer. Albanian food is simple and doesn’t rely on overpowering herbs or seasonings to provide flavour, instead relying on the natural flavours of the fresh ingredients to bring the dish into its own. Fresh fish, tender meat, delicious cheeses, and more fresh vegetables than you can shake a stick at, local food is a real treat.
4. For those that love a glass of wine, you are in luck in Albania. With the perfect climate for growing grapes and several native varieties, Albanian wine is going from strength to strength. Personally, I have been hard pressed (excuse the pun) to find a poor Albanian red wine, and there are some wonderful whites emerging recently. What’s more is, many of the kantinas are open to visitors so you can go meet the people behind the bottle and see just how much love and care goes into creating the perfect wine. In my opinion, Albanian wine has something really special to offer wine lovers on a global scale.
5. Albania is a wonderfully colourful place- from street art and brightly painted apartment blocks in the cities, to pastel coloured houses in the country, colour is everywhere here. Beautiful roses, sunflowers and poppies line the countryside and even typical Albanian interiors are characterised by bold geometric patterns and bright paint jobs.
6. Whilst you might not quite group Tirana together with Paris, London and Milan when it comes to fashion, you would be surprised what interesting styles are emerging here. From the moment I arrived I noticed a distinctly Albanian style- colour, cuts, and accessories are really unique here and I love the selection of styles on offer. There are lots of local people making beautiful jewellery and accessories as well as some truly outstanding ateliers, including ones that will make your designs from scratch. Albanians have a great love of colour and style and it has even influenced my own wardrobe in just 10 short months.
7. Albanian people are incredibly friendly and welcoming and will bend over backwards to make you feel at home. I have been truly overwhelmed with the kindness and hospitality that has been extended to me by almost every single Albanian that I have met. For tourists wanting to visit a country they do not know much about, this is something that will be incredibly comforting. Locals are smart, generous, curious, direct, passionate, and blunt in every single way- traits that I deeply admire in anyone. Furthermore, Albania is safe, tolerant and laid back- perfect for visitors from any country, culture, or background.
8. The weather is pretty awesome. I come from England and am used to pretty much constant rain, hence why I moved to two countries where it barely rains at all. Albania has a great mix of the two- in one day you can experience torrential rain, beach weather, and a thunderstorm- it certainly keeps you on your toes. The winters are short and mild, the spring is delightful, the summer is long and hot, and the autumn is full of golden colours and blue skies- for me, this country has the perfect climate.
9. When it comes to culture, there is just so much to absorb. Museums and galleries are plentiful and there are always exhibitions, talks, and concerts you can attend (often free) which give you a good insight into Albania’s creative community. There are a wealth of wonderful musicians, singers, artists, actors, tattoo artists, fashion designers, writers, and other creative geniuses- be sure to explore as many of them as possible.
10. The history of Albania is not for the faint-hearted but is as fascinating as it is traumatic. From its Illyrian roots to surviving the Ottomans and communism, the Albanian people are incredibly courageous and resilient in the face of so much adversity. Take time to read about its intricate past and to explore the historical sites throughout the country- you will not be disappointed.
11. Albania is totally unique and I am convinced that there is nowhere else anywhere that is in any way like it. From the culture to the food to the language and way of life, it is one of the few places that has retained its originality. You couldn’t walk through Shkodra or Dhermi and be anywhere else except for Albania, and this is something I truly adore.
12. Yes, the country has its problems (where doesn’t?) but there are a growing number of people that passionately want more. Remember this is a “new” country in terms of democracy and whilst things may not be quite how they should be in some respects; this doesn’t detract from the growing number of people that want to do their company justice. During my 10 months, I have had the pleasure of meeting many people- from shop girls to waiters, journalists to entrepreneurs, and even people in cafes and bars, who are and should be a credit to their country.

So whilst summer may be coming to an end, these are 10 reasons why you should put Albania on your list of places to visit.

Post image by Shpetim Garuci