By Georgia Pearson. AD written for Prisoners Abroad as a Youth Travel Ambassador for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

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From Tirana to the coast, Albania is an increasingly popular tourist destination.

Purchasing travel insurance in advance of all trips abroad is a necessity. You must declare any pre-existing medical conditions and buy the right cover for your travel plans – covering your activities while you’re away. If you were to experience a medical emergency while holidaying in Albania and you didn’t have insurance you would have to cover expensive medical bills and repatriation costs yourself.

The best months to visit Albania are during their “shoulder season”, which is the time between off-peak and peak season, so May to June or September to October. This is because July and August, as the peak summer travel season can be incredibly busy (particularly along the Albanian Riviera), expensive and hot.

Sign up for email alerts for Albania Travel Advice on GOV.uk, it’s free and if anything changes you’ll get notified immediately. The Travel Advice page shares information on  safety, travel laws, customs and culture so you can stay informed and prepare for your trip.

Visiting Albania

You can visit without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for tourism or business but if you want to stay for longer, you must apply in advance for a long-stay visa, or apply for a residence permit from within Albania.

A cash-first economy 

Albania is still a cash-first country, with travellers expected to bring physical Albanian Lek (often abbreviated with the currency code ‘ALL’ or a currency symbol of ‘L’) rather than relying on card payments during transactions. Digital-only travellers may struggle as while Apple Pay and contactless systems exist, they are not widely available so make sure you withdraw physical cash before visiting Albania. ATMs and banks are available, but  not necessarily as ubiquitous as in other destinations, so plan ahead.

Drugs, alcohol and illegal substances 

British nationals are subject to local laws and you must adhere to this to avoid harsh penalties. These may include high fines and long prison sentences. The British Embassy/Consulate may not be automatically informed of any detention. You must always purchase alcohol from licensed vendors, keep your drinks covered and keep an eye on your mates, as recommended in any country when on nights out. For more information on staying safe on nights out, check [travel aware – stick with your mates].

 Albania also carries severe penalties for the carrying and consumption of illegal drugs. Make sure you don’t accept packages or carry items for others to avoid unintentionally incriminating yourself. 

Respecting a country’s culture and having decorum as a tourist

It is important to respect local norms. Avoid public drunkenness or disorder such as excessive drinking, shouting and spitting. There are also harsh penalties for antisocial behaviour. If arrested or detained, ask to speak to the British Embassy or Consulate immediately and do not assume local authorities will notify them automatically.

Do not take photographs or video content of military or police sites.

Getting around

In Europe, renting a car is a generally easy and accessible way to get around, especially when hopping between different towns, cities and even countries (you must seek prior permission from the renting company if you are inter-country travelling in a loaned car). If you’re planning to use your own car or campervan while travelling across Europe and visit Albania with it, you must carry a green card as proof of vehicle insurance.

It’s worth noting that the roads in Albania may be roughly-surfaced and have potholes, or mountain roads with no safety barriers. Ensure you take a valid driving license and declare any driving or vehicle hire activities on your travel insurance.

Also remember that if you’re involved in a traffic accident, even a minor one, you must stay at the scene until the police arrive – failing to do so could result in charges under the Albanian Penal Code and you could get a fine.

If you choose to rent a boat in Albania, ensure you use reputable companies;, that safety gear is on board;, that you’ve had thorough safety demonstrations. Make sure you have comprehensive insurance which clearly states you will be hiring a boat and/or driving the boat and that you bring a valid form of ID.

Remember not to surrender your ID or passport as insurance or collateral while renting a boat or car.

Albania is the perfect friends’ holiday destination and is also great for solo travellers. Remember to Stick with your Mates, purchase the correct travel insurance and sign up for travel alerts.

Udhëtime të sigurta (safe travels)!

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