Since 2019, I have been visiting the ‘land of Eagles’, finally moving here from Cork, Ireland in 2021.

I’ve traveled around the country a good deal and have lived in two cities, one in the north (Shkoder) and one in the south (Saranda).

With my personal experience and knowledge, I hope I can give some insight into whether you’ll need Albania travel insurance.

8 Tips For Albania Travel Insurance

Are you visiting Albania for a quick vacation trip or longer for some immersion into Albanian culture?

Here are my top tips for you – a full guide on whether you need travel insurance for Albania.

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. This helps me continue to offer helpful tips and information. Thank you so much for your support.

1. Do You Need Travel Insurance For Albania On A Short Trip?

The short answer is yes, you definitely need travel insurance for Albania.

Anywhere you travel, insurance is a no-brainer, definitely a must-have travel essential. Albania is a very safe destination in terms of crime – don’t buy into the stereotypes.

But for the health and emergency aspects, it is a real possibility that something could happen and you’d want to be covered.

Since Albania is not in the European Union, you won’t be able to use your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).

I’ll explain more below about the health system and emergency response. If you’re in a hurry, I’d suggest checking out SafetyWing since they offer good coverage but are still very affordable.

I use SafetyWing myself and love how easy they make buying travel insurance. Arranging all my travel plans can give stress so I like that it’s fast and straightforward.

2. Do You Need Travel Insurance For Albania On A Longer Trip?

Recently, Albania has become a more well-known destination for digital nomads and retirees.

One reason for this is that Albania gives American passport holders a 1-year tourist visa upon arrival and they’ve also just made a digital nomad residency visa.

So it’s normal for people to stay from a month to years. If you are also interested in being in Albania for a long period, insurance plays an important role.

For the 1-year tourist visa, travel insurance for Albania is not required or mandatory, though that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it.

When applying for many types of Albanian visas/residency permits (even the digital nomad one), it is mandatory to have insurance.

3. Emergencies In Albania

Albania went through some really atrocious things under Communism.

Even since it ended, there have been other hindrances and tragedies, like the 2019 earthquake, lack of resources during COVID, ongoing corruption, etc.

Recovery from communism has been slow so the infrastructure of Albania still needs a lot of work.

It makes sense to say the emergency response won’t be top-tier if you compare it with western countries and even other Balkan countries.

Along with the infrastructure issues, Albanians have mass emigrated away to the US, UK, and EU countries.

This has left the population low, with many being elderly. Because of this, you’ll find a majority of land in Albania to be rural.

It is normal for some remote areas to not have roads, electricity, and running water.

The solitude you can find in Albania’s stunning nature is what draws many adventurists, but of course, can be dangerous if things go wrong.

Unfortunately, for these reasons, I’d definitely recommend getting travel insurance for Albania.

4. Public Hospitals In Albania

As I just mentioned, many Albanians emigrate away for education and employment opportunities.

This contributes to public hospitals lacking enough doctors and nurses which continues to hurt the Albanian health system.

Albania has a public health system that is technically ‘free’ for citizens of Albania but funded by a tax paid by employees and employers.

I emphasize the term citizens because as I mentioned before, if you are on a resident permit you might need to use your own insurance.

Of course, like most things in Albania, this is not always carried out how it is stated online.

As an example, I was horse riding with friends in the Albanian countryside, when one person’s saddle came loose as we were galloping.

I rode in the ambulance with him and he ended up having some broken bones and bruised ribs. He was asked to show his foreign ID, they treated him, and didn’t ask for payment.

The payment wasn’t avoided purposefully by any means, it was more of the case that all three of us were foreigners and didn’t know how things worked.

Now that I’ve been in Albania for a while I understand that tourists being treated at the public hospital isn’t straightforward.

Even for Albanians, it is normal to bribe doctors and nurses for shorter wait times and better care – which is exactly why I put free health care in quotes.

So the takeaway from this – as a foreigner visiting Albania, it’s hard to tell what to expect if you try to visit the public hospital.

5. Private Care In Albania

As a foreigner, communicating at the public hospital could be difficult since English could be limited there (knowing Italian could be beneficial, many doctors are older and know that better).

If you have an Albanian friend, you could bring them with you, things will go a lot smoother.

The other option is to seek private care, which will be closer to western standards in terms of care and facilities.

In the last decade, private health care in Albania has really expanded.

Private health care will be more likely to have English-speaking staff, so that will make it easier to communicate your issue or emergency.

I’m all for immersing yourself in the local language, but when it comes to medical emergencies, it’s obvious that clear communication becomes a top priority.

Of course, since the care is private it will cost you. I doubt any place will accept insurance.

Rather you will need to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed by your provider later.

So the long answer to whether you need travel insurance for Albania is still yes, you need it.

6. Consider All Of Your Destinations

Usually, when travelers come to Albania, they are visiting multiple countries in the Balkan region.

Of course, I would argue that you could easily spend your whole trip slow traveling in Albania since there are a lot of hidden gems to find.

But if you are planning to cross some borders, you’ll want to make sure to have the right insurance for accurate coverage.

That’s why I’d suggest a company that covers multiple countries or whole regions without charging more. This is actually why I prefer to use SafetyWing.

Since it’s more of a subscription-based insurance, it follows you everywhere you go. This is ideal if you’re spontaneous – one less thing on your travel checklist.

7. Consider Your Health & Safety Needs

Everyone is different and ultimately you know yourself best.

If you know for a fact that you’re accident-prone or always finding yourself in unavoidable travel delays, then travel insurance might be a good call.

Naturally, some people have more medical costs than others and of course, age is a huge factor too.

If you know for a fact that you need expensive prescription medicine, tests, doctor visits, etc. then finding good travel health insurance for Albania is important.

If you live away from your home country (like me), these expenses are bound to creep up since you aren’t just on a short visit.

Unfortunately, most regular travel insurances don’t cover smaller medical problems, but rather large emergencies.

If you are wanting more comprehensive health insurance that follows you everywhere, I’d encourage you to check out SafetyWing’s global health insurance.

It’s designed by and for remote workers and digital nomads – plus with this insurance you’re still covered in your home country.

8. Travel Insurance Can Release Stress

For many, travel can create some anxiety, especially if you’re headed to unknown territory.

With unfamiliar circumstances, I think it’s normal to become overwhelmed, even as an experienced traveler. That is also the beauty of getting out of your comfort zone.

You get to grow through new challenges. When I first came to Albania, that’s exactly how I felt but it was honestly fun to experience the chaos.

Back then, I didn’t know how things worked here and also things weren’t as organized as they are now.

Personally, I find it easier to enjoy travel when I know I’m covered, it takes some pressure off.

Final Thoughts On Travel Insurance For Albania

I hope this guide on travel insurance for Albania guide has helped in some way. Albania is a beautiful country with deep history and great food, you should definitely visit.

If you have any further questions about Albania travel insurance, just shoot me a DM on Instagram.

Need some more inspiration for your trip? Check out one of the best road trips in Albania!

My Trip Recommendations

• Rent a car in Tirana – It’s the best way to see Albania, especially if you’re short on time
• Compare hotels and apartment prices all in one place on Trivago – the most convenient way to get a good deal
• Prefer hostels? Find the best ones on Hostelworld – especially with the new Linkups
• Find discounted flight deals with Skyscanner if you’re flying to Albania
• Get a quote for affordable & flexible insurance travel insurance coverage 
• Budget option – free accommodation through volunteering with Worldpackers – get $10 off

For the adventurous person in your life, whether they are your friend traveling abroad for an extended time or someone moving abroad permanently, your gift should be something that will help them on their journey.

It’s best to get them travel-related items like luggage or headphones, while also keeping in mind that the item should be lightweight.

If they’re going camping, hiking or backpacking, you can give them even some practical things like a raincoat or hiking sandals. Here are 20 amazing gifts for someone going abroad!

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. This helps me continue to offer helpful tips and information. Thank you so much for your support.

Affordable Gifts For Someone Going Abroad

Picking the right gift means you need to think about the person and your relationship with them and what you know about them.

What do they like or dislike? Do they have any specific hobbies? Have they mentioned that they need any particular item for their journey?

How close are you to them? This last one is essential because it will most likely dictate how much money and time you want to spend picking a gift for them.

Here are some smaller, more affordable presents that would be a good option for someone who is more of an acquaintance or work friend.

1. Sustainable Tote Bag And Compact Towel

What’s a better gift than one that keeps on giving? A reusable tote bag is a great choice for friends or family going abroad because it can be used in a variety of ways.

Perhaps they’d like a tote bag to carry their groceries home or equipment for work.

You could choose to give your friend or family member a compact towel along with the reusable bag – because who doesn’t want to dry off their hair quickly after stepping out of the shower?

It’s perfect for travel because it dries quickly and doesn’t take up much space.

2. Journals Or Sketchbooks

Travel journals or sketchbooks are great gifts for someone going abroad because they give people the opportunity to record their thoughts, feelings and observations.

When you go on vacation or travel somewhere new, it can be hard to remember what you’ve done and seen when you get home.

If the person receiving this gift loves to write down their thoughts in journals then they will be able to have a really enjoyable experience writing about their trip while they’re still experiencing it!

There are many different kinds of journals that you can buy that help with this goal.

Some have blank pages where people can write any kind of text – others come with different categories such as “what I learned today” and so on.

Some even come with special illustrations inside them (such as animal sketches) which may inspire creativity even further.

My favorite kind are vintage leather style journals like this one and this one.

If your friend enjoys art or sketching then maybe consider getting them one of these creative sketchbooks – there’s nothing better than seeing an artist’s mind at work through their artwork.

3. Travel Book On Their Destination Or Mode Of Transport

Good travel books are perfect gifts for someone going abroad and who also loves to read.

You can find travel books at any major bookstore, or you can order one online with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Make sure to check out these inspirational slow travel books that I carefully picked out for those who love slow traveling. 

Save some time searching by jumping directly to a search based on your friend’s destination:

• Books for traveling Africa
• Books for traveling Europe
• Books for traveling the Middle East
• Books for traveling Asia
• Books for traveling Australia/Oceania
• Books for traveling North America
• Books for traveling Central America
• Books for traveling South America
• Books for traveling the Caribbean

4. Portable Water Purifier

Having a portable water purifier/filter means that you can clean so many liters/gallons of water per cartridge.

They are usually small enough to fit in your pocket or backpack, so your friend can use it while traveling.

When hiking or camping, just fill up the bottle with water from a stream and use the portable water purifier and filter to make sure it’s safe for drinking.

This greatly reduces the risk of getting sick while camping.

5. Earplugs, Eye Mask, Travel Pillow

There’s nothing worse than trying to sleep when you’re traveling.

Sometimes it’s tough to find a comfortable position, and if even if that can be managed, there are usually people talking in the background.

If your friend is going abroad for any length of time, consider getting him or her some eye masks and earplugs to make sure they get quality rest wherever they are.

A good travel pillow should help with neck support while sleeping on airplanes or buses.

It should be nice and soft so it doesn’t create pressure points that would wake up your friend when they shift positions during the night.

A travel pillow like this one works well because it has a memory foam core as well as adjustable.

Personally, I love this inflatable pillow because it takes up less space and weighs way less than a traditional foam neck pillow.

I’ve been using a similar one for 6 years – it has seen so many flights and bus journeys but it’s lasted all that time.

The best eye masks come in different colors so there’s something for everyone – from those who enjoy bright colors (like me) all the way down to those who prefer something more subtle like black.

Here’s one of my favorites, you can get it in black, gray, or a cute shade of pink. If you are looking for a combination of all three, check out this complete rest kit.

6. Passport Holder

A classic leather passport holder is a stylish way to keep a passport, money, credit cards, and other important documents safe while traveling abroad.

It can be clipped onto a backpack or purse so there are no worries about losing it.

It’s also a plus to buy one because your passport is not always recognizable with a cover on it, which could protect it by keeping it a little incognito.

If you’re looking for a holder with cute designs, check this one out and this one.

7. Compact Reusable Utensils, Coffee Mug, etc.

If your friend or loved one is moving abroad, they’re going to be somewhere new and unfamiliar.

It’s good to have a few items that make life easier wherever you go. The best tools are the ones that are small, lightweight, and can be used for multiple purposes.

• Compact reusable utensils: You never know where you might find yourself eating a meal with friends or family when living as a foreigner! This stainless steel set from Finum includes fork, spoon, knife and chopsticks—all in one little case that takes up very little space in your bag.
• Eco reusable coffee mug: If they love coffee as much as I do, then this portable travel coffee mug will be a welcome gift on their journey overseas!
• Ultra-durable water bottle: The Nalgene brand of water bottles are BPA-free, almost indestructible, and leakproof. Though they aren’t fancy (not insulated whatsoever), they are good for someone who needs something simple, long-lasting, and can brave all elements!

8. Compact House Decorations

If your friend is following a nomadic lifestyle, they won’t want extra items weighing them down.

But if your friend is going to live abroad for an extended period of time, it might be nice to give them some house decorations that they can use once they settle in.

However, if they are going abroad and settling in one place for a while, it might be difficult because you don’t want to give them anything large or heavy because it will be harder to transport.

Both fairy lights, posters, scratch-off world maps are great gifts for someone going abroad because they can easily be put up and are lightweight and easy to pack.

This is my favorite scratch-off map, I always take it when I move to a new country.

If you purchase some specialty, handmade throw pillowcases, they can be packed easily and then filled with pillow stuffing when they arrive at their destination.

The most important thing to keep in mind is whether the gift is lightweight, easily packed, and unique enough to be worth transporting around the world.

For unique, handmade items made by local artisans, check out the online store Etsy, they have fabulous stuff.

Higher Priced Gifts For Someone Going Abroad

If you are closer to someone going abroad, you might want to get a more expensive gift for them.

There are so many present options for a friend moving abroad or someone traveling abroad, it might be hard to pick.

Here are some ideas for durable, high-quality gifts for someone going abroad.

9. Long-Lasting Outdoor Gear

If you’re looking for something that’s compact, lightweight and durable, look no further than long-lasting outdoor gear.

These items can be used in any weather and are perfect for cycling, hiking, camping or backpacking.

Examples of long-lasting outdoor gear include:

• Lightweight umbrella
• Waterproof boots – for the city or for hiking
• All-terrain hiking sandals – Chaco brand is the best!
• Waterproof raincoat – Berhaus brand is extremely good quality
• Backpacking/hiking/day trip bag – nothing can compete with the Osprey brand 

10. Power Bank

A portable power bank is a must-have for any traveler, especially long-term ones.

With a power bank, your friend can charge a phone and other devices on the go without having to worry about finding an outlet or charging station.

Power banks come in various capacities—so you need to choose one that works for the length of their trip and the type of device(s) they’ll be using it with (e.g., smartwatch, tablet).

Make sure before buying a power bank that it’s compatible with both their phone and other electronics!

11. Portable Wifi Hot Spot

You know when you’re traveling, or even just out and about, and you have to keep checking your phone for important texts or emails?

Well, that’s annoying. And if you’re abroad and don’t have access to a stable connection, it can be downright impossible.

A portable wifi hotspot is a small device that connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth or USB and extends its mobile data signal—your friend will never have trouble staying connected again.

Portable wifi hot spots are small enough to fit in a pocket or purse and weigh only a few ounces at most.

They’re also much cheaper than data plans from a mobile carrier ($10-$30 per day for unlimited 4G LTE service).

Most models even come with an app so the battery life can be tracked.

12. Portable Translator

It’s a good idea to learn even just a little bit of the local language before traveling to a new place. It helps with making friends and getting around easier!

Of course, becoming fluent overnight is impossible so don’t underestimate the power of Google Translate to help.

Many people use it to translate signs, menus, and websites. That’s great for more common languages because it can be pretty accurate.

Unfortunately, it needs to have a stable data connection or alternatively have pre-downloaded an app that has offline translation.

It gets a bit trickier if translation is needed for a language that is not as common because online translators won’t do very well at those.

Living in Albania means that I found out quickly how bad google translate is for Albanian.

Getting a portable translator will make your friend’s life so much easier.

Instead of worrying about data connection, offline downloads, and just general translation reliability, they can focus on enjoying their time and being present in their surroundings.

A translator can be a little expensive, which is why many people opt to just struggle with other subpar alternatives.

But this is exactly why it makes a great gift – it’s something that someone could really use but wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves.

13. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are a great gift because they can be used to block out the noise of an airplane, train, or bus ride.

They can also be used to sleep soundly in a hotel room if the hotel is too loud with their guests, or construction workers outside.

They’re also great for focusing during work or while sharing a living space with others.

14. Luggage Set And Luggage Scale

Though it’s a more expensive gift, they will really appreciate having a sturdy set of bags to transport their belongings to their new home or homes.

I highly recommend the Briggs and Riley brand. I own a set myself and they last forever.

They are extremely high quality and one of the only luggage brands to give you a lifetime guarantee.

If any of your bags break, they will fix it or replace them if fixing isn’t an option. Purchasing a Briggs and Riley suitcase is a meaningful investment for your friend going abroad.

If you want to get only one bag, that would still be helpful and you can always include a lightweight luggage scale so they can always make sure they adhere to the different weight requirements of international airlines.

I have this one, it has worked well for years now.

Digital Gifts For Someone Going Abroad

The best way to ensure that your gift for someone going abroad will be useful to them is to make it take up zero space in their suitcase.

Nowadays there are so many digital gifts that you can give. Unfortunately, many people don’t think of them right away.

It is sort of a newer idea and also some of the joy of gift-giving is physically opening a present.

But, if it’s up to me, I would prefer to get something that someone can actually use, rather than a present that they will have to donate or give away because they don’t have space for it.

15. Online Travel Magazine Or Audio Book Subscription

A subscription to an online travel magazine like Condé Nast Traveler is also ideal if you don’t want to give a physical item.

It’s easier than ever before to get magazines through your email inbox every month.

Audiobook subscriptions like Audible are another option if you don’t want to give anything physical at all.

It’s a great way to be learning something new while taking transport to the next destination.

16. House-Sitting Membership

House sitting is a great way to “travel for free” aka, saving money on travel accommodation.

If you get a house-sitting membership as a gift for your friend going abroad, it means that can find house sits in many countries around the world.

It’s a great way to meet locals and learn about the culture. They don’t have to be an expert at gardening or painting walls.

Just maintain the place as if it were their own home, take care of any pets, feed any fish and water plants.

An individual doesn’t need a lot of experience to become a house sitter – read more about what exactly a house sitter does.

If you want to jump straight to purchasing a memmbership, I recommend going with the largest, most reliable house-sitting website, Trustedhousesitters.com.

17. Work Exchange Membership

What is a work exchange? The main gist is that someone swaps their time for free accommodation and food and sometimes other perks too.

A work exchange membership is another great gift for anyone who wants to travel affordably while also making a difference in the world.

It allows a traveler to swap their time for free accommodation, food, and other expenses.

But how does it work? You can purchase a gift membership on one of the many websites that offer work exchanges.

Your friend that is going traveling would then create a profile that describes where they would like to go, when, and what kind of help exchange they are looking for.

Then they would message hosts from all over the world to inquire about the volunteer opportunity.

With a yearly membership, your friend can send unlimited messages to hosts or other work exchangers.

For example, I helped at an eco-tourism villa in Montenegro for 1 month, volunteered at a hostel in Budapest, Hungary, and helped with a language exchange in Tunisia.

A lot of people want longer periods such as 6 months or 1 year but many want shorter ones like 2 weeks at a vineyard or helping out in a hostel.

There are many options so this is great if your friend is very open-minded and adventurous.

The best work exchange platform for beginners is Worldpackers, use my code ‘MAPTREKKING’ or this link to get $10 off.

They don’t have a specific gift membership option but you can always purchase it under your friend’s name. 

18. The Gift Of Language (Rosetta Stone)

Having a portable translator is best for convenience and portability.

However, if your friend is moving abroad and settling permanently in one place, then learning the language fully is the best option.

Rosetta Stone is a program that helps a person learn a language quickly. It is available on a lot of different devices, including computers and phones.

This means that your friends can use it to learn a new language even if they are traveling with just their phone.

It’s also a good option for taking up zero space in the suitcase—one less thing to worry about packing!

19. Spotify Or Netflix Gift Card

Spotify and Netflix gift cards are great gifts for someone going abroad.

Both are good entertainment options for people who love to travel, especially if they’re going somewhere with limited internet access.

You can choose from a three-month subscription or even a year-long membership, depending on how long you think your friend will be traveling for.

If you want to give them some specially curated music, use Spotify to create some playlists with all their favorite songs.

And if you want to give them something fun while they’re going abroad, Netflix has tons of movies and TV shows that can be pre-downloaded on a device.

20. Amazon Gift Card

If you’ve made it this far and still haven’t found something suitable, well you might as well just give up!

Just kidding, when in doubt, you can always get your friend an Amazon gift card so they can choose.

Honestly, some people are incredibly picky, so there’s no shame in letting them pick what they want.

Final Thoughts

I hope these gifts for someone going abroad have inspired you! Hopefully, it helped you find the perfect gift.

No matter what you end up choosing, I’m sure they will appreciate it and know that you are wishing them all the best on their exciting new journey.

Check out these practical gifts for road trip lovers in your life – ps all of them are under $40!

Loved This Article? Pin For Later!

After living abroad in Albania for a year now, I wanted to write about Albanian hospitality as a sort of tribute, since it is a huge part of why I’m still obsessed with this Balkan country, even after all this time.

If the stunning natural beauty of Albania doesn’t make you fall in love, the hospitality sure will.

I normally hate bringing up the number of countries I’ve visited because many travelers use their number as a way to brag.

If you know about me and my site Maptrekking, you know I’m all about promoting slow travel, but for the sake of my point, I need to bring it up.

I’ve now visited 28 countries. Out of all of these, Albania has been my all-around favorite. A large part of that is due to Albanian hospitality!

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. These help me continue to offer helpful tips and information. Thank you so much for your support.

1. No Ulterior Motives

One of the main things I noticed on my first trip to Albania in 2019, was that the hospitality was genuine, even pure.

What I mean by this is that there is a general feeling that something isn’t expected in return – which I find really beautiful.

Albanian hospitality is more than hospitality, it’s this level of trust. You can expect that 99% of the time a person does not wish you harm.

They don’t have an ulterior motive. Someone is doing something simply because it’s nice/the right thing.

Though I had traveled to a lot of places, even ones known for their hospitality, Albania had this raw, authentic attitude that I hadn’t encountered before.

2. Time Doesn’t Matter

Albanian hospitality isn’t something that takes years to cultivate either. I’m always impressed with how fast it works.

You could have just met an Albanian and it feels like you have gotten a friend for life.

Compared with other places I’ve lived, it can take years to develop a friendship. You might not ever be invited to someone’s house – or it can take years.

Sometimes relationships in the western world can feel almost transactional, whereas that’s not the case at all in Albania.

3. Albanian Hospitality Comes In Many Forms

Albanian hospitality could be many things, like when a taxi driver offered to hotspot me so I could use Whatsapp to text my friend who was meeting me, and no he didn’t expect anything in return.

I have asked people on the bus if they know if I’m going to the right place/getting off at the right stop, and they have literally gotten off and walked with me to make sure I get to the right place.

My Albanian friends never let me pay, even though I insist! If I go to their house, I won’t ever leave hungry.

They never make fun of me if I say an Albanian word wrong. They are always so patient to help me learn correctly – many times people will make you feel bad/laugh if you say something wrong in their language.

There is no hesitation on my part to message them if I need help.

Whether I need to find an apartment or help translating something, I know I can count on them. 

4. Always Feeling Welcome

Generally, I have always felt so welcome in Albania – in other countries, both living and traveling, not so much.

They are eager to share their way of life with me. They are proud of their traditions, and rightly so.

I have never been made to feel like I’m not allowed in Albanian culture. In fact, I’ve been named an honorary Albanian a few times now!

Being American, we don’t always have strong traditions that have been preserved for my generation since it’s a country of immigrants.

Plus, I come from an abusive family that I don’t have much contact with. This means I have never had this strong sense of pride that Albanians do.

And I also don’t have family support, which is at the center of Albanian culture. These two things, along with many others, draw me to Albania.

5. Albania’s Hospitality Promotes A Sense Of Trust

Seeing how generous and relaxed Albanians are has made me want to embody that more in my own life.

It’s to the point where I let my guard down and trust people – something that can be difficult in the western world.

Through all the places I’ve traveled, I have never let my guard down like this.

The only issue is that I get used to it, then I need to remind myself when I travel abroad to put it back up since many people do not have your best intentions at heart.

6. TikTok To National TV To Being Adopted By An Albanian Family

Most of what I’ve written here are my opinions from having lived in Albania for the past year, but I wanted to share a specific story of an evening that really touched my heart.

It all started with some of my videos about Albania on TikTok going somewhat viral. If you aren’t following me, you should!

I make travel videos showing the beauty of Albania and also jokes about living in Albania. My username is @maptrekking. 

Anyway, a journalist from Top Channel saw my videos and contacted me about doing a live interview with them on national television.

I used to be a very shy person – I’m getting better now, but there’s no way I could say no to such a cool opportunity.

The interview went well, you can watch it here.

Afterward, the journalist, Lorena, checked back in with me and told me to let her know if I’m ever in Tirana so we could meet. I thought that was sweet since she doesn’t even know me well.

A few weeks later, I come up to Tirana because I had a flight in a few days. I let her know and we set up a time to meet.

I thought we might get a coffee and chat for an hour or two so I was a little surprised at what unfolded. 

We go for a drink and immediately she is so friendly and open with me, and this is when she tells me I’m her first foreign friend – I felt so special.

And she also tells me she’d love to take me to her house after to meet her family.

Now I know some people in the western world might find this weird or unsafe, but it’s not that unusual for me since I used to live in more rural areas of the US where this isn’t weird.

And of course, I’m pretty used to Albanian culture so I know this isn’t out of the ordinary either.

As we’re walking to her place, she mentions that her family has never had any foreigners in their home.

She told me that her parents were super excited to meet me and her mom had prepared a bunch of food.

It was 10 PM so I wasn’t expecting that at all, but I didn’t have dinner that day so it worked out well.

I felt so special to be invited into their home, especially as the first foreigner and because her mom had made such an effort to welcome me – food is their love language!

As we’re getting close, Lorena mentions that since it is already late, her brother can drive me home or I can always sleep at their house.

I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t want to be rude, but I had been thinking, “wow, it is already so late, will I need to walk home alone after this?”.

I’m not that familiar with Tirana either, so these thoughts had crossed my mind.

But of course, when you are with Albanian friends, they always take such good care of you – I should’ve known!

We get to her family’s apartment and her parents come to meet me at the door. Immediately, I felt so welcome.

As I turn the corner to the living room, I see how much food her mom has set out and it is essentially a feast.

I tell Lorena that she didn’t need to go to all this trouble for me, and she said that this is the bare minimum in Albania. This made me inwardly chuckle a little bit.

So we sit and chat, while her mom keeps telling me how hungry I look and that I need to eat more.

And of course, whenever I look away to speak with someone, her mom sneaks more food onto my plate and more juice in my glass.

You might be wondering what Lorena’s dad was doing during this…

Well, he took on the role of always trying to refill my glass with their homemade raki or wine, plus making sure I tried their honey as well.

Everything was so delicious – I wouldn’t expect anything else though. Albanian food is amazing.

We talked about many things. They had plenty of questions for me, especially her parents.

They wanted to know why I like Albania, where I had visited, how it compares with the US, and even if I had heard traditional Albanian music and learned the traditional dancing called valle.

He played some videos for me, and I jokingly told him he should sing some of the songs. Low and behold, he starts and the whole family joins in.

It was at that moment I felt so happy – to be immersed in Albanian culture, something they were so obviously proud of.

It was also witnessing such a beautiful family coming together to sing and see the joy it brought them. It felt nice to be a part of this intimate moment.

Plus, it wasn’t just normal singing, you could tell it’s something they do all the time together because it sounded great and all the voices worked in harmony.

Maybe it is very normal for them, but for me, seeing a family be like that together is very special.

Also, it reminded me of indigenous singing in North America called throat singing. I thought that was cool to see similarities.

Time passed so quickly and before I knew it, it was 2 AM!

I had been there for 4 hours. They insisted that I should stay the night but I had a flight the next day so I knew it would be best to go back home.

As we were driving to my place, I had this wonderful feeling of happiness (maybe it was all the raki) and also sadness because I had to leave the next day even though I had just met such a wonderful family. 

All of this happened the night before leaving Albania for three months to reset my visa.

It was the perfect ending to my first year of living in Albania. Thinking about it now as I write this still leaves a smile on my face.

7. There’s No Such Thing As Perfection

Of course, Albanian hospitality doesn’t erase other issues that Albania has.

Nor does it mean that every interaction will be life-changing. Like any place, there are still bad people.

Yes, sometimes I have gotten overcharged for things because I’m a foreigner. It isn’t always perfect.

But the majority of people are very nice and will help you if you think you might be getting overcharged on rent or something like that.

Albania is all about connections – as long as you know people you can always ask for their advice or help.

Final Thoughts

Experiencing Albanian hospitality has not only made my time in Albania amazing but it’s also taught me to be a better person.

I find myself shedding more of my ‘western’ tendencies and adopting a more relaxed, generous attitude.

I hope this has given you a good peek into Albanian hospitality, at least from my point of view!

Let me know in the comments if you’ve visited Albania before.

Check out Explore Albania By Slow Traveling (7 Great Reasons Why It Just Makes Sense)!

My Trip Recommendations

• Rent a car in Tirana – It’s the best way to see Albania, especially if you’re short on time
• Compare hotels and apartment prices all in one place on Trivago – the most convenient way to get a good deal
• Prefer hostels? Find the best ones on Hostelworld – especially with the new Linkups
• Find discounted flight deals with Skyscanner if you’re flying to Albania
• Get a quote for affordable & flexible insurance travel insurance coverage 
• Budget option – free accommodation through volunteering with Worldpackers – get $10 off

Love This Article? Pin For Later!

If you’ve been wondering if you should explore Albania, take this as a sign that you should make it your next slow travel destination – I don’t think you’ll regret it.

It’s one of my favorite countries for slow traveling, so much so that I keep getting drawn back to it and now I even live here!

Some people might be skeptical of Albania since there are a lot of damaging stereotypes that piggyback on this country, but I’m here to say that most of that is a load of poo. 

Trust me, I wouldn’t have moved here if I didn’t love the culture and felt completely safe. 

Besides that, it is the perfect place to spend time slow traveling! How about we break down some stereotypes and talk about how you should explore Albania through slow travel.

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. This helps me continue to offer helpful tips and information. Thank you so much for your support.

Slow Travel In Albania

Most people assume that ‘slow travel’ means you need a long amount of time to do it, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Yes, slow traveling does often mean staying in on places for a longer period, but it also means you could be doing a slow journey to a destination by alternatives to ferries like trains, ferries, busses, etc. 

Above all else, slow travel is more of a mindset.

Whether you have months to explore the Albanian Riviera or just a weekend break in Albania’s capital, Tirana, you can apply the slow travel mindset to your journey. 

Check out our main slow travel page for a lot more detail on how to integrate slow traveling into your adventures.

7 Reasons To Explore Albania By Slow Traveling

A lot of Albania’s characteristics as a country really align with the mindset of slow traveling. I don’t think many people know that though, but I want them to. 

Let’s get into 7 reasons why you should explore Albania through slow travel.

1. It’s Very Affordable

One of the main attractions for travelers is that Albania is a very affordable destination. 

It’s easy to find information online about traveling to Albania and how the cost of living makes it the perfect place for budget travelers, especially as a country on the European continent. 

While travel is cheap, prices do inflate in the summer since that is how locals make their income for the entire year. 

Even with summer inflation, if someone is coming from a Western country, the prices are still very affordable – at least for now, Albania is becoming quite popular!

If you come during the offseason, not only is the weather is still great (though it can be pretty rainy/snowy in the mountains) prices are even lower. 

Also, Albania kind of works off of who you know, so the longer you stay and the more connections you make, the more likely it will be cheaper (example: when you rent an apartment for longer so you pay less rent per month).

2. Americans Can Stay For 1 Year Without A Visa

There’s great news for you if you have a US passport because you can enter Albania without issue and stay for up to 1 year. 

You literally don’t have to do anything to activate this visa-free year besides going through the regular immigration when you arrive via plane, bus, ferry, etc.

This is how I’m staying in Albania, and how many others are as well. Because of this, the large majority of foreigners here tend to be from the US.

Plus, if you want to stay longer than 1 year, it’s a pretty simple and cheap process to apply for a 5-year residence permit. 

If you don’t want to deal with paperwork at all, you can always leave Albania for 3 months to reset your time and re-enter for another visa-free year.

This is perfect because even if you don’t plan to stay for a whole year, you can slow travel around Albania without any worries of time restraints in the back of your mind.

Not too worry though, many other countries get a 3-month tourist visa on arrival, which is still plenty of time to get into the fabric of what really makes Albania tick.

3. Slow Living Is Normal

If you’ve traveled a bit, you probably know that many non-western countries live life a little bit slower and that it’s just something you need to adjust to. 

We are so used to a fast-paced lifestyle that it can feel very foreign to see people prefer to do things slowly – but sometimes, that is exactly what you need!

Because of this, slow travel and exploring Albania go together like bread and butter. If you try to travel fast in Albania, it probably wouldn’t work out too well. 

There’s a lot of reasons that go into this like Albania’s history with communism, a general relaxed culture that matches other Meditteranean countries, etc.

As an example, private car ownership was banned until the early 1990s when communism fell. That is when the first highway was built. 

So it’s only been 40 years for road development, whereas other countries have been updating their transport networks for hundreds of years.

4. There’s More Bio-Diversity Than You Think

While some might see Albania solely as a great Meditteranaean beach destination, there’s a lot more than meets the eye. 

For example, did you know that Albania has 6 different climates? There’s Hot Mediterranean, Warm Mediterranean, Subtropical, Oceanic, Continental, and Subarctic climates. 

This means you can go to beaches with some of the clearest water in Europe and hike in mountains so stunning that they have been nicknamed the ‘Albanian Alps’ or Accursed Mountains. Hiking in Albania is one of the best ways to see the country.

Don’t even get me started on the gorgeous lakes, bubbling freshwater springs, hidden canyons, and waterfalls, etc. You could a lot many months to explore Albania and still not see the whole country. 

Slow traveling in Albania is perfect because yes there are many places that bloggers have written about, but there are still so much more that remains hidden. The only realistic way to find those places is because you’re taking your time.

5. Friendly Locals Make You Want To Stay Longer

Many travelers have come to Albania expecting to stay for a short time before moving on, then find themselves sticking around for months! 

If you’re wondering why that is, well the locals are so amazing.

Albanians have a strong streak of hospitality that runs deeply in their culture. If you’re from a Western country and you’re a frequent traveler, you might be familiar with being very guarded when you travel because of things like travel scams. 

They are some of the nicest and most authentic people I’ve met in all of my travels. 

When I first got here, it was hard for me to trust such genuine and innocent hospitality. And as a woman, I feel like I need to have my guard up even more when traveling, but not the case in Albania.

Of course, I’m sure Albania is not immune from the likes of travel scams, but I have found that 95% of the time, people don’t have an agenda. 

With that being said, they are oftentimes brutally honest with you, so don’t be offended if you are surprised by their directness!

Read more about Albanian culture – 7 things you should know about Albanian hospitality.

6. Explore Albania’s Food

Albania has two major food groups and they are based on geography since the cuisine is highly dependent on what you can grow or source nearby. 

Generally, all Albanian food strongly emphasizes local vegetables, cheese, and meat, but the mountainous regions even more so. 

If you’re further inland, especially in the mountains, you can expect the cuisine to be very hearty.

Whereas, along the Albanian coast, food will heavily be based on seafood and Greek and Italian cuisine. 

This is because Albania is right above Greece and since Italy is right across the Adriatic sea.

Albania’s food is similar to what you can typically find in the whole Balkan region, but many dishes are made differently compared to the other Balkan countries and also some dishes that completely unique to Albania.

Some amazing dishes are localized to a region or town (kind of like in Italy). So don’t be surprised if you hear someone say, “Oh you have to go to [insert town] to try [insert local dish]”. 

It’s possible to sample traditional Albanian cuisine on a short trip, but if you want to really delve into it, it’s best to spend more time since there is a lot to taste!

Interested in finding local food experiences wherever you go? Check out my guide on how to enjoy local food wherever you go.

7. Easily Finding Solitude

A lot of people adopt a slow travel mindset because they’ve already spent time doing what is considered ‘normal travel’ before realizing that they weren’t getting much out of it. 

So they decided to slow down a bit to let their surroundings soak in. 

For me, I find it easy to do this when I stumble upon hidden travel gems. As we talked about earlier, it’s very easy to find those in Albania. 

There are so many beautiful places where it’s peaceful and serene.

This opens up the opportunity to be alone with your thoughts to reflect or meditate, practice yoga, draw or paint the landscape, etc. 

The possibilities for finding solitude are endless!

Final Thoughts

If you want to explore Albania, I hope these 7 reasons for slow traveling have helped you! 

Hopefully, this has helped you understand a little more about Albania and why it’s the perfect place to have slow travel experiences.

My Trip Recommendations

• Rent a car in Tirana – It’s the best way to see Albania, especially if you’re short on time
• Compare hotels and apartment prices all in one place on Trivago – the most convenient way to get a good deal
• Prefer hostels? Find the best ones on Hostelworld – especially with the new Linkups
• Find discounted flight deals with Skyscanner if you’re flying to Albania
• Get a quote for affordable & flexible insurance travel insurance coverage 
• Budget option – free accommodation through volunteering with Worldpackers – get $10 off

Love This Post? Pin For Later!

Though slow travel is a mindset that you can put into place whenever you travel, certain places make perfect slow travel destinations. 

If you’re looking to experience Europe by immersing yourself in the local culture and spending time supporting the local economy, here are some amazing options for you.

Amazing Slow Travel Destinations In Europe

If you’ve ever been to popular tourist sites in Europe, you might have seen firsthand the overwhelming display of over-tourism. 

I’m talking about swarms of tourists that often degrade ancient historical sites, inadvertently destroy the local economy, ruin precious natural environments, etc. 

It might feel almost impossible to get off the beaten tourist path in Europe, but it isn’t, I promise! There are still destinations that are great for slow traveling!

Here are 8 amazing slow travel destinations.

1. Albania

One of my favorite places to slow travel in is Albania! Nicknamed the ‘Land of Eagles, this country is a unique blend of Europe, the Middle East, and Mediterranean vibes. 

Its location means that there are a wide variety of places to explore, like beaches with crystal clear, turquoise water, or mountains so beautiful that they are called the ‘Albanian Alps’.

It’s almost like Albania is made for slow travel. It’s very affordable and you can find some of the cheapest accommodation in all of Europe. Check out accommodation in Albania.

Life moves a bit slower for Albanians.

Due to the general atmosphere of slow living, plus the fact that the country’s infrastructure isn’t the best, it’s a bit ridiculous to assume you’ll be able to speed through the country and find all the best Instagram spots.

It’s best to accept the slow pace of life instead of fighting it. Embrace the laid-back mentality, it will do wonders for relieving stress!

PS if you’re American, you can stay in Albania for up to 1 year without a visa! And if you fall in love with Albania (like I have) you can leave for 3 months to get another visa-free year.

2. Georgia

You might be wondering why there’s a US state on the list – well it’s not a state, but a country in the Caucasus region. 

It’s located at the intersection where Europe meets Asia, so it’s going to be very different from what is typically thought of as Europe, like Spain, France, Italy, etc.

Previously, it was a Soviet republic, but there’s also plenty of other histories that go back thousands of years that you have to learn about! 

Georgia has plenty of slow travel experiences, like exploring cave monasteries, learning ancient techniques to make wine, lounging on beautiful Black Sea beaches, discovering quaint mountain villages, etc.

Similar to Albania, Georgia isn’t very developed so it’s harder to get around quickly. You should expect a slow pace of life with very friendly locals and delicious cuisine. 

Take your time exploring ancient wine practices (sampling as you go is highly suggested), hiking in the stunning mountains, and getting lost in the cobblestone lanes of Tiblisi (the capital of Georgia).

Check out accommodation in Georgia!

PS 93 countries can stay in Georgia for up to 1 year without a visa, which makes it a wonderful place to take your time when visiting. 

If you don’t have a passport from one of those 93 countries, you can apply for Georgia’s digital nomad visa. There’s no fee, but you do have to prove you make at least $2,000 (USD) per month.

3. Italy

There’s no need for an introduction to this famous European country since its reputation is known worldwide. 

Italy is on the top of people’s bucket list and for many good reasons like the food, wine, architecture, history, etc.!

Though many famous tourist sites are constantly flooded with tourists, there is still a quiet side to Italy that many have yet to discover. 

These are the places that actually want foreigners to come so that their towns and regions to be revitalized.

These little Italian towns are trying to breathe life back into their local economies by luring remote workers to come to live there.

They are offering incentives like 50% rent reduction, thousands of Euros to start a local business in the tourism industry, and even €1,500 for every newborn child.

Italy is a great slow travel destination simply because there is so much to see that it can be overwhelming. You could probably spend years there and still not see everything.

It’s so much better to take your time to really enjoy the Italian lifestyle to the fullest. 

The cost of living in Italy is higher than in some other places on this list, but it’s possible to find affordable accommodation in Italy.

You should also look into house sitting in Italy as it’s a great way to save money and live life like a local!

4. Malta

Located close to Italy, this archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea. If you’re looking for a slow travel destination that has the sun, sea, great food, and ancient history, then Malta is perfect!

Malta has friendly locals, great public transport, and plenty of places to explore. It’s not as widely known compared to other European beach destinations and has a lower cost of living compared to Italy.

Check out affordable accommodation in Malta and the available house sits in Malta.

5. Portugal

Another great option for those who can’t say no to a sunny destination, Portugal checks the boxes for being a great slow travel destination. 

It’s affordable compared to other Western European countries and has plenty of things to see and do. 

You could easily spend months fully enjoying local life, exploring small villages, and finding secret beaches.

Immerse yourself in Portugal’s signature orange rooftops, medieval castles, affordable seafood, and so much more. Check out available house sits and accommodation in Portugal.

PS if you fall in love with Portugal, there are some great long-term visa options for those who work remotely!

6. Northern Ireland

Usually, when people think of the United Kingdom, their minds go to the massive city of London, but if you’re looking for a destination perfect for slow travel, then you should consider Northern Ireland.

Compared with the rest of the UK, it is a bit more affordable with a lower cost of living, but still has plenty of amazing places to explore. 

You can find affordable accommodation in Northern Ireland, but it’s worth checking the available house sits too.

Many people don’t even consider visiting because of Northern Ireland’s negative stereotypes. 

Don’t let that fool you though, there’s plenty of great food to try, friendly locals, and beautiful natural sights. It is completely safe and totally worth slow traveling in!

Many don’t realize that Ireland and Northern Ireland are separate countries. Northern Ireland is in the United Kingdom, so you might be able to stay visa-free for up to 6 months! 

Check if that applies to you here.

7. Poland

Though Poland is growing in popularity among travelers, it’s very much still an underrated place that is begging to be your next slow travel destination.

If you’re interested in exploring cobblestone streets, colorful town squares, beautiful forests, stunning mountains, then Poland is great for you to slow travel. 

It has a wide variety of things to do in nature and in the cities. There are many different foods to try depending on the region too. 

Unlike some of the countries on our list, the country is well connected with good public transport that also happens to be pretty cheap – the best of both worlds!

Poland’s cost of living makes staying for longer periods still doable too. Plus, the accommodation in Poland is great quality while still being very affordable. You definitely get a lot of ‘bang for your buck’!

Check the available house sits too!

8. Estonia

Lastly, this Baltic country has a lot to offer even though it’s pretty small geographically speaking. Estonia has only three large cities, so it’s mostly a natural landscape which is great for outdoor enthusiasts!

Estonia has 2,222 islands and islets – how cool is that? It is known for being one of the least crowded countries in Europe. 

If you’re thinking of slow traveling in Estonia, consider cycling to enjoy the small villages and beautiful natural landscape.

Estonia makes for a great slow travel destination since it’s not crowded and the cost of living is low. Check out the accommodation in Estonia and the available house sits.

If you completely fall in love with Estonia, there’s a possibility to stay long-term. As Estonia’s population is in decline, they are trying to attract remote workers through their digital nomad visa.

And if you do stay long-term and become a resident in the capital, Tallinn, then you get free public transport (all Tallinn residents get free public transport)!

Final Thoughts

When traveling, getting off the beaten tourist path is something I always try to do to combat over-tourism.

Small changes to your travel plans can really help struggling local businesses, while also helping you be immersed in the local culture. 

There is so much to see besides the popular places shown on Instagram, and usually, slow traveling can help you find those! 

I hope these 8 slow travel destinations in Europe have inspired your travel planning. And please remember that no matter where you go, you can embody slow travel principles.

For more inspiration, make sure to get my free slow travel bucket list!

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Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offers me a little commission for any purchases made. This helps me continue to offer helpful tips and information. Thank you so much for your support.