Albania Travel Guide: How to Travel Europe's Best Kept Secret
Albania is an insiders‘ tip - but that might soon change. More and more people are discovering Albania as a travel destination. And Albania has a lot to offer - the sea is as blue as in the Carribean, the mountains as tall as in Switzerland. Prices are moderate and visitors are met with a lot of hospitality. DW‘s Astrid Benölken has travelled in Albania and gives you a glimpse of what to expect. Plus - some helpful tips for your trip!
00:00 Intro
00:42 Tirana
01:19 How to get around by bus
01:43 Car driving
01:55 Durrës
02:22 Tourism in Albania
03:10 Shkodër and Rozafa Castle
03:53 Lake Komani
05:00 Hiking in the Valbona Valley National Park
06:35 Bunkers
07:20Guest house Arben Selimaj
CREDITS:
Report: Astrid Benölken
Camera: Marco Borowski
Editing: Marvin Stamer, Roberto Reis
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe to DW Travel
/ dwtravel
Would you like to find out more about DW Travel?
▸Website: dw.com/travel
▸Facebook: facebook.com/dw.travel
▸Instagram: instagram.com/dw_travel
DW Travel is showing you the captivating world of travel. Come along with us to regions and cities in Germany, throughout Europe and to far-away destinations.
#albania #travelingvlog #traveleurope #tirana
Been in Albania and many many tourist from Swiss UK US and Nordic Albania is simply amazing and Albanian people as one of oldest in Europe are very very friendly ! Albania it’s really lovely ❤
In Bulgaria, we have a famous Albanian in Sofia called Leo Kadeli married to a Bulgarian lady dedicated to aiding poor families. He represents the Albanian spirit and never lost his traditions. I think Albania is cruely underrated and glad that it is becoming more and more popular. All my best wishes to the land of the eagles and very interesting history.
Salute to our Bulgarian neighbors
thanks for the nice story, best wishes to bulgaria!
this is exremely heartwarming
The only country on mainland Europe which had more Jews after WWII then it had before the start of the war. If that doesn't speak for itself. A thousand blessings on Albania and her people.
It's truly heartwarming to hear about Leo Kadeli's positive influence in Bulgaria, bridging cultures and making a difference in the lives of those in need. People like him play a vital role in promoting understanding and unity among different communities. Albania indeed holds a rich history and a vibrant spirit that often goes overlooked. It's wonderful to see Albania gaining more recognition and appreciation for its unique heritage and contributions. Here's to the land of the eagles and its fascinating journey through history. Best wishes for its continued growth and prosperity!
As an American i was in Albania early this year (2023). I Planned on staying for 1 month but ended up staying 6 months 😂. Incredible views and good people. The only thing I didn’t like is the way they drive on the road..
Nice but I'm curious in which city do you live
@@Shqiptari335I lived in a small town called shengjin
A fact of history which proclaims loud and proud about Albanians... The only country on mainland Europe which had more Jews after WWII then it had before the start of the war. If that doesn't speak for itself. A thousand blessings on Albania and her people.
As a Pakistani I fully support love respect and support Albania and its beautiful people from Pakistan 🙂, best regards from Pakistan 🙂.
I love pakistani people, u are friendly like we Abanians are, wish can visit soon Pakistan
@@eagledon No they aren't and no you don't.
@@bletrick3352 have you ever been to pakistan ? stop spreading hate .
Shqiptare jam lalo@@erjonvlogs4446
Love Albania, Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱
Went to Albania on my last trip to Europe when on my way to Greece and I enjoyed my time there.
Albania definitely is a must see if you are on the area, I started my vacations this year in the neighbouring country North Macedonia and from lake Ohrid my plan was heading to Greece, however after talking with some people from Albania I got a really good impression and changed my plans, I spend two weeks exploring the country and can confirm Albania has it all, travelled with my girlfriend and we always felt safe and welcome, took a moment to cross the border but me coming from Costa Rica got them by surprise since the visa requirements changed (for good now we can stay 90 days without visa) literally one day before my arrival, anyways don't miss the chance to visit a country with so much history and not yet been hit by massive tourism!
Visiting Albania riviera every summer since 2021-22-23 realllly lovely people , food and vibe! Ready for next 2024 🎉
Nice but where are you from?
What airport did you arrive at ?
Albanian from North Macedonia. Proud albanian. 🇦🇱 🇲🇰
We are one! My respect from Albania. Do të bashkohemi. 💫🇦🇱💫
Long live ethnic Albania 🇦🇱!
Breathtakingly beautiful. The report was very motivational, informative and inspiring. I'm from Sydney Australia and a group of friends and I are planning on moving there next year for a couple of years. Cannot wait!
Where in Albania are you going to?
WE'VE ARRIVED!!! Couldn’t wait and landed Friday 3 November 2023. We're so happy. At the moment, we're in Tirana exploring the city, eating most deliciously flavourful food and dinking the best wine, coffee, hot chocolates. Looking forward to our future and we’re even going to start a new channel ourselves. Stay tuned!
@@CKK131 Are you still in Albania, how is it going?!
@@lameguduzaku3772 Yes, we’re still here. Holidaying for a few days in Sarandë. We can’t live here longer than 1 more month unless we get real jobs (as opposed to digital nomads) so we’ve been searching. It’s so frustrating. Besides that we’re really enjoying being here, getting to be amongst the people and the lifestyle. Are you in Albania?
Beautiful Albania 🙏🇦🇱
Albania is 😍
Wow didn't know much about Albania! Thanks for sharing DW Travel!
Danke Deutschland for doing the opposite of content made by France and Uk towards us, instead of doing content which show bad side of my country like how they always do, you have shown the good side of our country, it is not for nothing that you’re the strongest state in eu or whole Europe, you guys have a strong economy but you also have a strong mind. 🇩🇪❤️🇦🇱 GOTT MIT DIR
the best comment ever. Simply because when you are strong and sure of yourself, you dont need to speak about other nations.
and trust me marseille and birmingham are way much worse than any part of albania
Albania is beautiful country, is in developing process, and has a bright future in the coming years 👍
Albanians are generous people and by the way forget Croatia and visit Albania the prices are 90% cheaper!
Albania is beautiful with its beaches and mountains...it is very picturesque...
Beautiful country, still unspoiled und untouched by global tourism like many other. Would always go there again, especially Himare and Dhermi. ❤
Thank you nice video ❤️🇦🇱🇩🇪 Danke Deutschland für das schöne Video von Albanien
American here, this was my first trip outside of the US and I'm glad that i chose Albania. Lots of beautiful landscapes and great historical monuments which serve as reminders to the importance of tradition, and the evils of communism. And the women, absolutely beautiful and much more feminine than most of the women in modern America. I felt very welcome there as our countries are great allies, same case for Kosovo which i also visited during the same trip. I'll definitely be coming back some day 🇺🇸 ❤️ 🇦🇱 🇽🇰
I hope to go to America once, love from albania 🇦🇱
Wow an American that visited Albania first instead of France, Spain, Greece or Italy 👏
@@jkeekI hope you have a great time when you do! My recommendation would be states like Boston, Virginia, and Tennessee if you're in the East, as well as Texas if you decide to visit the deep south. Overall you'll see a lot of great historical landmarks from the Revolutionary War and Civil War as well as some of the natural beauty of the US, plus we do food better in the South than the yanks up North in New York do lol.
@@bletrick3352I was very attracted to the traditionalist nature of Albanian society, they care a lot about their history as well as the moral and family values that come from their tightly-knit and religious communities. Unfortunately those things aren't as common in the globalized Western Europe, especially countries like France, it feels like they've generally lost pride in their cultures and they're so hyperfixated on progressivism that they've done away with a lot of their traditions. I think that's why I appreciate the Balkans so much, as well as the lessons they have to teach about the dangers of communism and ethnic conflicts. I'll be visiting Bosnia next year, which is arguably the heart of that conflict in the 1990s. I hope to learn and experience a lot when I'm there, well as long as I don't experience a landmine lol.
@@kidfox3971 thank you
Albania is such a beautiful country
Albania is a beautiful country with beautiful people, People are friendly and like tourist. Albania is Europe most pro America country. So, American tourist will feel at home in Albania. I think the United States Government need to help more the most pro American country in Europe.
Some of these tips are very helpful…. Some we know already! We’re here now exploring and documenting and loving it!
Thanks for this I'll definitely will try Albania ❤
Albania is my country ❤❤❤
Lovely looking place.
Same 🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱
@@GreatCityAttractions ty
Great video, Astrid did an excellent job presenting this!
Thank you!
#1 Albania 🇦🇱
Love Tirana ❤
I love comments from the ones saying that visited Albania as a plan of moving from country to country and sticked with Albania❤🖤. Thank you guy's and you welcomed back and back❤️!
Hehe. Unrelated to this report, I chose to visit Albania this summer. Went for 10 days and generally - I can recommend it as a destination. I stayed in guest houses very similar to the one in the end of the report. All of them were clean and the people were very friendly. The roads were fine (I was driving a normal budget car, not a big-@ss off-roader). Very few places one will need a 4x4, like shown here. As drivers Albanians are one of the most UNdisciplined I've seen in Europe, but I survived ;) The things not shown in the report and probably worth visiting, are the preserved towns from Ottoman period, like Berat and Gjirokastër. And if you want, you can go to the beach as a typical tourist - sunbed, beach umbrella, "the whole nine yards" as Americans say.
Learned so much in this video - thank you for sharing.
Thank you DW for this amazing presentation of my country! We really need this uplifting image as we are facing with a lot of problems high corruption, massive leaving of the youth and with a going on transtion, already 32 years… Thank you 🙂
I love to visit . Soon I am going to visit this beautiful country
Thank you visiting our beautiful country!
Beautiful place ❤.
I love Albania ❤❤
Thank you. I was curious about Albania and this answered a lot of questions.
thank you for bringing a positive thing to albania
I am from Albania🇦🇱🇦🇱
How can connect with you I am coming to Albania in the next couple of days I need a local to take me around
Thank you so much for this documentary
Very nice travel guide video. Beautiful country and its people. I also love German accent. ♥
got to admit, you make Albania appealing 🇦🇱
Albania has very beautiful places and historical cultural heritage to be heard. You can also find good food and people who respect you. But be careful. Albania is a small country and is not ready to receive mass tourism.
True. They're buildings infrastructure for truism, but need to do more, cause now Albania has been discovered by tourists and it will get more and more visitors.
@@dios1ish868yes but people belive all those stupid stereotypes and think we are bad for no reason😢
@@erjonvlogs4446 We should not pay attention to everything that it's said. We should continue to improve better our country, the rest will follow with time. Unfortunately, we were the last to come out of isolation after communism fell and the western world had been in different progress for 50 years, so it was kind of a shock.
I agree, they’re coming and we are underprepared for this massive wave of tourists. This year was insane.
All countries are beautiful but we have a really really great country with amazing clime and geography ❤❤
From Bangladesh,liked your presentation under DW
Dankeschön DW für das wunderschöne video
Sehr gerne 😊
My former boss is from Albania. She’s like a second mom to me. I hope to visit this beautiful land one day.
Thank you for visiting our country❤️, and im glad that the number of tourists are increasing year by year, our people literally deserve more, especially our mothers and grand mothers that had a very difficult past with the dictatorship. Zot ruji gjith nanat shqiptare 🙏🏻
thank you for making Albania look good ! bcause for many years enemies worked hard to make us look bad !
Wonderful tourist video.
Very nice ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Your accent ☺ is unique.
Thank you!
It's my dream to travel the world......
Bravo Astrid 👍
Have you seen Hollywood's movie "Taken". Then don't take any ideas about Albanians from this movie. I travelled there this summer. People are friendly and I felt safe. Let's keep it a secret since the prices are reasonable and Albania is not overrun by tourists.
It's nice to hear that you have made such good experiences in Albania! 😊
Masallah ❤
Great video
Albania is so awesome as a travel destination 👍🏻 very good video 😉 I uploaded yesterday my short Albania travel video too 🎥 a paradise for filmmakers
It's certainly one of those places that deserves more attention.
Hmmm interesting video 🙏
Faria’s food looked delicious 😋
great documentary. DW is always the best in documentary
Thank you!
Whole world belongs to Albania 🇦🇱 👐👐👐
It will be difficult to keep mass tourism from this gem country hope they take care good about the environment
GREAT.😍😍😍
Thank you so much DW
Great Video! We just found you and are on our way to Albania ! You have helped up with some wonderful information! Thank-you and Cheers Chris and JIm😀..... we just subscribed!
It's so nice to hear that we could be helpful! Welcome to our channel!
❤ALBANIA IST. DER SCHÖNSTE LAND EUROPAS❤
Love your video thank you you are so sweet
You should try kosovo too its fun so many creative things in prizren and in prishtina
In prishtina there is an interesting library and in prizren there is kalaja there is so many good things there the whole city can be seen from there and you can take very cool photos and you can explore things
Please DW make more documentaries about Albania's nature, hospitality and monuments
Ma Sha Allah , what a beautiful country
Astrid is really cool!
Toll
Yay pepole like albania ❤❤
Can I just say i have never been disappointed by DW for the disinterested reporting, and this time yet again you’ve done a wonderful job at telling the truth.
I Love to settle in Albania
Love ❤❤❤
👌👏
Albania and the balkans are a lot safer than most European capitals. I don’t get why she keeps repeating this.
Like by far. I have been in Amesterdam, Milan, Turin, and i can tell, i didnt find a single place in Europe that is safer tham East Europe. No drug zombies, no crowded stations with drubk people, pretty homogenous. I would let my wife, sister, mother alone to take a trip from Shkodra to Saranda and would not be worried. Was not so much when lived in Turin, after the sunset.
Balkan is "not safe" as they say because of the politics! But come discover Albania or other countries of the Balkan,you will find wounderful peoples,cultures,cities,architecture,folk,street style and more!❤
There are more Mercedes per head in Albania than anywhere in the World, but most were stolen in the rest of Europe, especially Germany. The Albanian Mafia are amongst the most brutal anywhere. Just small points but when you get through the skin there is a lot rotting in Albania, mainly political corruption and sending begging groups to Europe´s Capitols. It is a very long way from joining the EU because of this.
Well, thanks to your video, it is no longer a best kept secret!!!
It makes me proud how Albania is opening for the world! Albania is more than communism era, its rich of ancient and medieval history to discover 🇦🇱✝️☪️❤️
Yes Hello ❤
This is my things-to-do bucket list Skydiving Bungy jumping Archery Target practice Hand gliding Ride a superbike, Elephant, Dolphin, boat, ship, airplane, quad bike, snowmobile, sled, paddle boat, chariot, litter, quadricycle, rickshaw, jet lev/flyboard, blokart, golf cart, bobsleigh, drive a monster truck, freight truck, RV, formula one racecar, nascar, bus, superbike, dirtbike, dune buggy, zeppelin/airship, seaplane, hydroplane, hot air balloon, yacht, speedboat, rowboat, lifeboat, rubber dingy, tug boat, sailboat/yacht, catamaran, riverboat, gondola, airboat, hydrofoil, speed boat fishing boat, go-kart, soapbox kart, cablecar, tram, stretch limousine, supercar, sports car, Caterpillar 797, tractor, combine harvester, firetruck, tuk-tuk, rickshaw, scooter, chariot, wagon, caravan, raft, horse-drawn open/closed carriage, litter (vehicle), hovercraft, funicular, monorail train, sea scooter Visit a strip club Visit a car factory Visit every continent Visit a theme park Visit an earthquake simulator centre Be in a music video Record a song in a recording studio Make a cameo appearance in a movie Water skiing, ice skating (rollerskating in a roller skating rink), snowboarding, skating park, skating romp Rock climbing Rafting Kayaking surfing fencing Snorkeling, scuba diving Deep-sea diving Go-kart, GP karting Bowling Golf (Miniature golf) Play every game at a casino Sightseeing (tour bus) Go on a sea cruise on an ocean liner. ride a 2 seat bicycle tandem, unicycle Go for a WWF match, sumo wrestling, nacho libre, Turkish oil wrestling, mud wrestling Watch a movie in 3D with the 3D glasses Zipline Attend a beauty/bodybuilding contest spend the summer on a farm (dairy farm) build a snowman karaoke Ride a segway Ride an airboat Use a paintball gun Ride a trike Walk on stilts Take flying lesson Attend a parade (military/Thanksgiving, samba/carnival, mardi gras, Christmas, easter, independence day, Chinese new year, St. Patrick's day) Watch the live taping of a sitcom (Saturday night live) Attend and watch a live rocket launch Attend a bullfight/rodeo visit a radio/TV station, movie set Use a pogo stick visit a spa Do a road trip in a freight truck/RV/trailer/mobile home/SUV/sedan Zorbing, water ball watch a movie at a drive-in theater food fight, snowball fight pie-eating contest play every instrument Attend a Christie's auction Attend a cabaret, burlesque, showgirl performance attend a parliamentary session (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) watch a woman give birth live visit a Native American/Amerindian/Aboriginal reserve Use a hydro flyer Hire a detective to help you find out what happened to former classmates, teachers, neighbours and construct a family tree. Hunting Gymnasium play twister, backgammon, dominoes, contract bridge attend a soapbox derby pay for everybody's groceries at a convenience store Attend a ballet, orchestra, symphony, opera, broadway, theatre concert Attend a polo match Attend a jousting match Play croquet play bowls play bingo Attend a stand-up comedy show Attend a poetry show Go to an art gallery jump on a trampoline, walk a tight rope, trapeze, vaulting. attend a fashion show (New York, Paris, Milan) sleep in a water bed/vibrating bed walk through a hedge maze take a mud bath dance on a dance pad Pottery class Attend a live taping/recording of a talk show/sitcom visit a mental asylum/institute/hospital visit a fortune teller (tarot cards, palm reading, tea leaves, crystal ball) Ride a carrousel/carousel swing on a stripper pole swim/play in a ball pit dive into a crowd of people triathlon wipeout, wibit water inflatable use a gramophone skype zoom swim in a portable/ inflatable swimming pool skate on a synthetic ice rink parasailing shuffleboard sea bobbing ice/street hockey (rollerblades) Motocross ride a gravitron, rotor (ride) velcro fly wall smash junk with a sledge hammer/baseball bat play against baseball/tennis ball machine do to a flea market, garage/yard sale road trip on a Harley Davidson on route 66 hunting (fox hunting) Acupuncture, Hypnosis Be a contestant on a game show eg (Wheel of Fortune) climbing wall/indoor climbing airbag jump giant swing shuffleboard driving range, indoor golf, golf simulator run along a racetrack, steeplechase, pass the baton, long-distance, sprint, javelin, pitball, long metre jump, vault pole jump take a polygraph test do a DNA test for ancestry swim in a mermaid tail costume Sail upon the Götheborg Of SwedenGo on a skateboard, snow & water skiing and motorcycle ramp, motorbike domeSummer camp: log roll, hit opponent off the log, axe throwing, sawing truck/log offVisit a Smurf-themed park Attend The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus fly an inflatable boat/hand glider (FIB) dodgeball have my name typed and printed in Chinese, Indian and Arabic font flag and baton twirlingfalconryMRI CAT scan attend a ribbon cutting and smashing champagne bottle on ship ceremony-eat marijuana cake, brownie take dance classes hip hop, break dance, ballroom dancing, salsa, rhumba, waltz, tap danceDJboxingtrack and field gymnastics surf simulator jump through a plane of glass or paper roller blade hockey/ice hockey visit a sand castle and ice sculpture exhibition Go to a roller disco, dancehall, discotheque, night club, rave, ballroom Attend a Moulon Rouge show play poker and Monopoly with real money attend a book signing event on travel (Happy Travels)
❤
Albino u having fun I see
I visited albania and I'm very happy is like albania have everything
Ben Türkiye olarak gidemiyorum ama siz gelebiliyorsunuz hoş geldiniz kırmızılar :) Example çalışmak work
Is Albania good to visit in November? How is the weather?
It's 10 to 17 degrees celsius.
À l b a n i a ❤
❤❤❤❤
Ich sah auch deutsche aus niedersachsen in albanien,irgendwie auch sehr fröhlich wie die albaner!
Not a secret anymore.....
Haha - telling the whole world about the place!
"As a woman traveling alone" Kudos to cameraman :D
DW now finally taking about something good about the balkans and not as usaul, you known what I mean as other News channel do. Now that you've started with albania hope you'll make a Romnia Travel Documentary
A scenic country.
Should have shown gjirokaster berat and Saranda.
Hello @DW Travel - this is a great video and looks like a very nice destination. Very much noted! Do you have some information on Albania for LGBT travellers? Would be lovely to visit but it would be important to know for us
It’s very safe, but we don’t have a gay nightlife. Grindr and tinder are full now. Wasn’t the case 10 years ago. 2 guys can rent a hotel room without a problem, i don’t think you’re planning fo wear a pride flag on the street, are you? Even then I would doubt anyone would care.
the reporter seems to be crazy, at another level ..too much electricity in her..thankyou for representing my country ..
How to come Albania can you tell