Spoiler alert…. yes, overall Albania is a safe country to travel to.
Has it been in the past? No way.
Albania has been through the ringer in their recent history, going through terms of civil wars, dictatorship, communism and more. In fact, it’s only been since around 2005 that you’d want to set foot in the country safely as a traveller.
Tourism started to pick up over Covid as Albania’s rules were pretty lax around travel compared to surrounding places. It has now been duped into the “next Croatia” and its beaches are said to be “just as beautiful as Greece”. And after my recent trip, I can confirm – it is up and coming, baby!
As always with travel, you should be cautious and use your common sense. But Albania is not the place is once was and tourism is slowly but surely picking up. While is fantastic for the economy, what really makes it special is the way the locals welcome you in with open arms, feed you up and show you how life is done in Albania.
But – is Albania safe?
Let me get into absolutely everything you need to know based on my trip!
Unlock Our GREATEST Travel Secrets!
Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox.
How Safe is Albania? (Our Take)
Compared to other European destinations, traveling to Albania seems to fly under the radar. It is still pretty new on our traveller maps, so I understand why people might feel a bit uneasy about visiting. We don’t know a lot about it!
But tourism in Albania is ramping up… big time.
However, it’s still nowhere near as developed as its neighbours. The country has had an extremely challenging time in recent years. It operates in what can only be put as a subtle sense of chaos (well, to us travellers anyway!) This might be an important factor for you, especially if you’re not used to visiting less developed countries.
Photo: @harveypike_
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
It’s a bit rugged around the edges, but for many of us, that’s why we love a place. Its chaos works perfectly for them. If you end up at the bus stop in Tirana, you’ll understand. It feels like madness to a traveller but every Albanian there seems super chill, everything is workin’ smoothly in their eyes.
The most unsafe I felt during my travels in Albania was on the roads, which I guess is common while backpacking the Balkans. The driving is seriously WILD – the passing on blind corners was pretty terrifying, the speed is unnecessary and there are often goats or cattle on roads where they really shouldn’t be.
Some of the roads are not ok for driving (well at least you wouldn’t want to take your rental car on them – unless it was a big ol’ 4WD). Before you hit the road on your adventures, ask the locals what the road is like. Especially, if you plan to drive from Tirana to some of the hiking spots further north.
If you plan to rent a car, I’d urge you to be extra cautious. If you are not comfortable with how your taxi or shuttle driver is driving, ask them to slow down. It’s not worth it.
There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. The question of “Is Albania Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers.
The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism.
Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Albania. It won’t be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. If you use our guide, do your own research, and practise common sense, you will have a safe trip to Albania.
If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe!
It’s a wild world out there. But it’s pretty damn special too. 🙂
Is Albania Safe to Visit Right Now?
During our stay in Albania, we got to know a few lovely local people. We made friends with one particular guy – shout out to Gerti – who we met while hiking in Theth, we ended up having dinner together and he told us all about Albania’s turbulent recent history, much of which had happened within his lifetime (he’s in his late 30’s).
Albania was under a strict dictatorship scheme up until 1990 (less than 40 years ago!!). Since this time, the country has transitioned to democracy but that’s not without a few economic and civil challenges along the way. Albania has only been deemed safe to travellers for the best part of 20 years – which is pretty damn recent.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
These days, Albania is known to be one of the safest places to visit in the Balkans. As with anywhere you travel, you should always take precautions but locals are ready to welcome us travellers, safely, into their borders.
The main safety issues in Albania come down to the usual petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing. Oh, and of course, the driving!!
Albania Travel Insurance
Do you need travel insurance for your trip? ABSOLUTELY. Even if you’re only going for a few days, that’s more than enough time to get smoked by wrathful angels.
Have fun in Albania, but take it from us: overseas medical care and cancelled flights can be seriously expensive. Insurance can, therefore, be a life-saver.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Safest Places to Visit in Albania
Honestly, most of Albania is pretty safe to visit these days. But it’s always a good idea to stick to the usual tourist route, this is where you’ll experience Albanian hospitality at its finest. These spots are used by travellers – so you’ll find police presence and you’ll often, feel more secure.
Tirana
Tirana is the Capital City of Albania and it is one of the most modernised places in the country. The centre of the city felt safe to me, even at night time – there were plenty of people around and if you stick to the busy places you should be fine 🙂 There is also an increased police presence in the city and there is tourist-friendly infrastructure in place, including some epic hostels.
Albanian Riviera
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
The Albanian Riveria is filled with small towns that POP off in summer. Places like Vlora, Himara, Ksamil and Saranda are great places for tourists with amazing beaches. They are packed with touristy-friendly places to eat and stay. I felt safe in all of the Albanian Riveria towns that we visited, they are very used to seeing travellers.
Berat
Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as a peaceful city with a small-town feel. It’s a very popular place for travellers, so again, the locals here are used to seeing us. The town has a focus on cultural tourism and many of the local people here run businesses to cater to us.
Gjirokaster
Again, Gjirokaster is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, focused on cultural tourism. The centre of the Old Town in Gjirokaster felt super safe. However, Gjirokaster is a bigger city than just the Old Town, we stayed on the outskirts and although I felt safe during the day, I probably wouldn’t have wandered the streets alone at night as a solo female.
Theth/ Valbona
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Both Theth and Valbona are tiny mountain towns that see a ton of travellers looking to experience the best of the Albanian Alps through epic hikes. Both are brimming with guesthouses with familiar amenities. They feed you, house you and give you tips and tricks on staying safe. There are so many 9+ star rated properties on Booking.com to choose from. I’ll link you to the places and recommend below:
Places to Avoid in Albania
Overall, most of Albania is pretty safe to travel. There are only a few places I’d recommend avoiding or at least just practising a higher degree of caution. These are:
- Driving on some of the rugged roads – particularly those en route to Valbona or Gamti Mountain. To say they aren’t developed is an understatement, they are full of potholes and are not where I’d recommend taking your rental car (in fact, some companies don’t allow it). You’re best to hire a taxi or jump in a shuttle. Before heading off on your road trips, ask the locals what the roads are like.
- Outskirts of Tirana – as with many capital cities around the world, there are places in Tirana that you wouldn’t want to be roaming alone, especially at night. If you’re not staying in the tourist centre, take precautions and make sure you feel safe before heading out at night.
8 Top Safety Tips for Traveling to Albania
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Although Albania is relatively safe for us travellers, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise precaution. We should always aim to look after our safety when travelling anywhere. These are my top travel safety tips for staying safe in Albania:
- Stick to the tourist trail – most of Albania is safe but it’s still recommended to stick to the usual tourist spots (those that I mentioned above). These are the places where I felt safe and where the locals are more accustomed to looking after tourists. Staying in Tirana is definitely the most familiar.
- Take the buses and shuttles if you don’t feel confident driving – as I mentioned, the roads can be crazy. If you are not confident in driving yourself, use public transport or jump on a tour.
- Read reviews – Before booking an accommodation or a tour, I ALWAYS recommend reading reviews. See how other people found it and if they would recommend it. Find reviews from people similar to you – if you’re a solo female traveller, find a review from another solo female traveller. Just because a load of men find something safe, doesn’t mean you will.
- Respect local customs – Albania is over 50% Muslim and you’ll find mosques all over the country. Be respectful of not just the Muslim culture but the Albanian culture in general.
- Dress modestly – Obviously, if you’re hitting the beach, you’re fine but if you’re not at the beach, I’d recommend covering up, especially for us gals. This is to respect the local customs (you’ll notice most of the locals will be covered up in towns) and to avoid any unwanted stares.
- Don’t wear flashy things – you might as well chuck a target on your head. You’ll stand out ANYWAY, but seeming rich is going to really put you at risk. Keep your cash in a money belt, if you feel the need.
- Don’t keep all your things in one place – if you get something stolen with all your stuff in it, you’ll be screwed. Be smart! Consider leaving your important bits in the hotel room safe
- Learn some basic Albanian – it’s always helpful to know a little, especially if you end up in a situation where no one speaks English (which is rare in tourist hot spots).
Combination Padlocks
It doesn’t get more essential than this! Not only do they allow you to lock up your backpack wherever and whenever, but they’ll also come in handy if you show up to a room without a lock. The combination style means you don’t have to worry about losing a small key either!
Apple Airtags
This really might be one of the best products Apple has ever made – the peace of mind it will give you when you inevitably have to check a bag is worth the price tag. I’ve found them to be super helpful and reliable, and you can put them in so many different things.
Samsung Galaxy Smart Tags
The same epic concept, except for Androids.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
This little satellite communication device is a must if you plan to get off the beaten path. It allows you to stay in touch with family and friends even if there’s no cell service, AND it has a SOS feature that can be activated anywhere. It even gives weather updates, a literal lifesaver when off grid.
First Aid Kit
A good first aid kit should always be on your packing list, even if you’re just headed to a resort. It’s good to fill it with essential medicines as well as equipment, you never know when you’ll be caught out!
Is Albania Safe to Travel Alone?
Overall, I’d say yes. I met a ton of solo travellers who were hiking from Valbona to Theth – and they all said they had felt fine travelling alone in Albania. There are plenty of companies who can organise tours, there are safe public transport options and in high season, there are enough travellers around that it is easy to make friends (especially if you stay in hostels).
Photo: @joemiddlehurst
One of the most popular is The Wanderers Hostel in Shkoder, these guys make it SUPER easy to meet friends and organise tours to most of the northern tourist activities. I would definitely recommend staying here if you’re travelling solo.
More On Safety in Albania
It’s always important to consider your safety before travelling to a country. This will look different for everyone depending on who you’re travelling with, where you plan to go and what you plan to do. So, here are a few more pieces of advice on staying safe when travelling in Albania:
Is Albania safe to travel for families?
Yes, especially if you stick to places that cater to tourists. There are some super family-friendly spots along the coast such as Dhermi or Ksamil Beach. These places are set up with hotels and safe beaches for you and the kids to hang out on.
Is Albania safe for solo female travellers?
I’m a female traveller and other than a few lingering, unwanted stares, I felt very safe in Albania. However, for the most part of my trip, I was with my 6’4 boyfriend… which always makes me feel a tad safer. Albanian is, for the most part, a Muslim country so the culture can be rather conservative. I always felt more comfortable when I was wearing more modest clothing. Obviously not at the beach, but as soon as I was not on the beach, I’d chunk on some flowy pants and a t-shirt.
Is it safe to drive in Albania?
Yes, we rented a car but the roads are LOOSE. If you’re not a confident driver, I’d recommend avoiding it and taking the buses. I’m talking potholes, overtaking on blind corners, goats coming head-on … ya know, just the usual.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
Are Taxis Safe in Albania?
Unfortunately, there is no Uber or similar rideshare App in Albania. The closest that was found was Blue Taxi in Tirana, this came recommended by our Airbnb host and the service was very professional. If you want to order a taxi to or from the Airport (or anywhere in Tirana), you can WhatsApp them on +355 67 444 4444.
In other places around the country, I’d recommend asking your accommodation to help you book taxis. This way you know you’re using a trusted taxi by an accommodation/ host that you trust. I’d avoid jumping in any ol’ taxi, but if you have to, just trust your instincts, if your gut is saying no, don’t get in.
Is Public Transportation in Albania Safe?
The public transport in Albania is well-used by travellers and locals alike. It can get you around most parts of the country. We used the bus to get from Tirana to Shkoder (and back again), but the air conditioning didn’t work on the way there… which sucked. But the bus was big and comfortable. I saw plenty of buses during our travels – some big some small. After talking to other travellers, I think it’s definitely a good option to get around the country.
Is the Food and Water in Albania Safe?
Overall, it’s not recommended to drink the water in Albania. We purchased big bottles of water to travel with so that we could be well-hydrated. The only exception to this was up in Theth and Valbona, you could even drink the hose water outside. The water was divine!
In terms of food, I want to say you’ll be sweet because the food is truly delicious. However, Harvey and I did get food poisoning when we were in either Shkoder or Tirana and a friend of mine who visited a few months earlier also got wiped out with food poisoning.
It’s hard to know what would’ve caused it – maybe they washed the salad in yucky water? Maybe the chicken wasn’t cooked? Who knows, but although the food is delish, be mindful of what you order and where it is from. (Again, it’s always good to check Google Reviews!)
Is it Safe to Rent an Airbnb in Albania?
Harv and I stayed in Airbnbs throughout our trip and honestly, I’d say I experienced some of the most attentive and helpful hosts in Albania than I have in any other country. In fact, having local hosting in Albania made me feel more safe. They always gave tips and advice on things to do, where to eat, taxis to use and also where not to go.
FAQs About Safety in Albania
Planning a safe trip to Albania can get quite overwhelming. That’s why I’ve compiled (and answered) the most frequently asked questions about safety in Albania.
So, is Albania Safe?
As I spoiled at the very start of the article, YES Albania is safe for travellers. It gets a bad rep, especially with the ol’ parents. When I first told my parents I was heading to Albania, I got the good old WTF reaction. They have known Albania to be a pretty dangerous place in their lifetime. But things have changed, which is amazing for the Albanian people and us travellers who can now explore this INCREDIBLE country.
I absolutely fell in love with Albania – its beauty, its food and its people. I encourage you to explore it before it becomes tooooooo developed and touristy. I visited in October last year and the country was peaceful and quiet. We even had some hiking tracks and beaches all to ourselves.
Stay safe out there, folks. If I missed anything crucial, or if anything has changed in Albania – please, please let me know in the comments. We always want our safety series to be as up-to-date as possible to keep our traveller community safe <3
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
- We’ve also got where to stay in Albania covered with our epic guide.
- You’ll also wanna stay in the best hostels in Albania too!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the best places to visit in Albania covered.
- Albania is just the start of your awesome backpacking trip around Balkans.
- Then there are the most epic beaches in Albania for the beach bums.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
