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Destination - The Land of Eagles - Albania

Aug 6, 2024

4 min read

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Destination – Albania

Albania is an eastern European country that sits to the north of Greece and across the Ionian sea from the heel of Italy. It shares much in common with it’s more popular cousins whilst maintaining its own distinctly individual feel.

This article will gives a review of the basics of Albania and will take a look at wheelchair and other accessibility issues.



When to go?

Albania offers a range of activities to do year-round. The most flexible months, as with most of the Mediterranean countries are April through to June and September and October. Albania can get very hot in July and August with temperatures exceeding 40, so beachside holidays are the better option here.

In the cooler times Albania offers the traveller the widest range of options. Hiking through the Albanian Alps, mountain ranges and verdant valleys, visiting uncrowded monuments and towns, kayak adventures as well as it being easily warm enough to top up your tan at one of the beautiful beaches and taking a dip in the Ionian.


How to get around in Albania

Albania’s rail network largely fell into disrepair in the communist era and has never been re-invigorated. The country relies on an intricate network of buses which run from hectic terminus' in most towns and cities. Purchasing tickets is largely down buying in situ on the day of travel and rarely are cards accepted. Travelling this way allows you to see the countryside and travel as the locals do. Also, it’s cheap.

Taxis are readily available and there are plenty of taxi firms operating, but are more expensive than the buses.

Hire cars stations are also very common in Albania and relatively reasonably priced. Hiring a car is a great way to see Albania at your own pace and getting to some of the more off the beaten track locations.

Travel in and around towns and cities is done by bus and taxi. The city buses are cheap (30 or 40p a journey). Never be afraid to ask where you need to get off, the people will be more than happy to help.

Passports need to have at least 3months on them at the point of entry. UK, EU, Canadian and US citizens can enter without visas.



The Food and Drink

Albania culinary delights reflect its location in the world. Local dishes such as Byrek (flaky pastry snack with spinach and cheese), Tava I Cobani ( a savoury dish with tomato, egg, pepper, mozzarella, gouda) are mouth-watering, but the smell of meat on grills preparing dishes such as Zgara is everywhere. Although the foods are meat heavy, dishes such as Qifqi (spiced and herbed rice balls) and a plethora of salads ensure there is plenty to choose from for everyone.

There is also a heavy Italian influence in Albanian cuisine, and pasta dishes and pizza are available on most menus as well as the Greek influence that make dishes such as Dolmades and Tzatziki common.

There is a wide range of local beers, and Albanian wines are growing in popularity. Cobo Wineries ‘Puls’ and its sparkling ‘Shendevere’ are two to look out for.


Culture

Albania is an ancient country, with Albanians seeing themselves has having descended from the ancient Illyrians (contemporaries of the ancient Greeks). They have been ruled over by Romans, Ottomans and Italians and each of these cultures has left its mark. Sites such as Butrint in the south offer an insight into Albania’s distant history, whilst UNESCO towns like Gjirokaster shows off Ottoman architecture at it’s best.

Albania was also completely closed to the outside world from 1962-1991 by its communist leader Enver Hoxha and the impact of this relatively recent legacy can be seen across the country. In fact Albania is said to be dotted with over 170’000 bunkers. The labyrinthine Bunkart 1 and Bunkart 2 are powerful examples of the era.



Tips for travel

Although there are some international hotel brands staking their claims on this relatively new destination, staying in local hotels can provide a more connected feel and bring you closer to the incredibly friendly Albanian people.

Booking travel in advance on the buses is tricky and sometimes more expensive. Get comfortable with turning up on the morning around an hour before the bus you want to catch leaves.


Practical information

The local currency is Albanian Leke. Leke is a closed currency and you won’t be able to buy any until you arrive. Leke and Euros are used more or less interchangeably but it is certainly worth bearing in mind that, even in the city, a lot of places do not accept card payments. Cash is King in Albania.



Accessibility

  • Pavements and Streets – Accessibility for wheelchairs will be hit and miss. Pavement maintenance is also a bit hit and miss and cars are frequently parked on them. Older streets are cobbled and can make it tough going. 2/5

  • Sites – Some of the more modern facilities have ramps but older buildings are rarely accessible by wheelchairs. It is always best to check ahead in each location. Some of the ramps that I saw were quite steep and may suit pushchairs more than wheelchairs. 1/5

  • Accommodation – The more modern the hotel the more likely you are to have lifts and or disabled friendly rooms. Again please check ahead by speaking to the hotels, at least one of the hotels I stayed with had a wheelchair icon on the booking site but on arrival had steps down into the breakfast room and no lifts. 2/5

  • Public Facilities – Quite simply they are very limited and rarely accessible. Relying on restaurant and bar facilities can also be risky. Some of the more modern restaurants will have wheelchair friendly toilets but not many. 1/5

  • Public Transport – Some town/city buses have hydraulics that lower the bus to pavement height and have positions for wheelchairs on the bus. The people of Albania are exceedingly helpful and I often saw them helping people on and off. Intercity buses are again, quite limited and rarely will have any accessible or adjustable seating. 2/5

  • Local attitudes – I have travelled to quite a few places around the world and the Albanians rank towards the top end of the scale for openness and helpfulness. 4/5

Aug 6, 2024

4 min read

8

88

2

Comments (2)

Guest
Aug 06, 2024

Great review and thank you for your hints and tips before I came here. So helpful. I've not eaten out at all as it is very NOT vegan friendly here, though my host family in the mountains got totally on board and fed me adn themselves vegan for the few days I was there - the people here are just amazing. The transport infrastructure though. Wow. I've taken now to just getting on any bus I can and seeing where i end up. When I tried to plan I just got disappointed by buses that didn't exist.


I think that July/August is not ideal as you suggest. It is SO hot. A little better by the coast or in the mountaints but I have spent a lot of my hikes getting into rivers or sea fully clothed just to cool down a little!

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Guest
Aug 06, 2024
Replying to

this was Pooky from instagram btw.

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