Anyone been to Albania on holiday?

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Any recommendations?

It's looks beautiful 😍

No but following!

We had planned to go to Montenegro but then covid happened. One thing we found was that self catering accommodation was a bit lacking, often very dated and to a different standard to what we’re used to finding across other parts of Europe. I’d guess Albania could be similar!

Yes I have. Absolutely stunning country! Durres is amazing and close to Tirana if you want to explore. Vlore is also nice.

The most spectacular part is Sarande. You can also take a boat trip to Corfu from there.

The people are among the most friendly and hospitable in the world. It's part of their culture that guests are treated like Kings. It is very poor though and you'll see lots of poverty in the towns. The younger men can occasionally be a little intimidating approaching women they fancy, but if you learn a few words in Albanian (my husband/boyfriend/best mate is Albanian) they soon scarper!

I have spent time there.

It was many years ago though.

Head for the mountains of Theth(i).

Shpella guesthouse. Amazing unspoiled beauty. Although the road there has been improved so there are many more day trippers.

Tirana was so ugly. The fault of the last dictator who pulled down all the historic buildings.

When we stayed In Greece (many years ago) the Greek really disliked the Albanians who would come over. They had a real issue with them. I think they viewed them as dishonest and untrustworthy but I'm sure they're just people like any race with good and bad. It's not a country viewed as a holiday destination normally but I'm sounds lovely in parts.

My friend has and said it was the most beautiful country she's been to.

She recommends Ksamil

Probably in the same way many neighbouring countries have beef.

Albania is very popular as a holiday destination this year.

I cycled through albania a few years ago. We were hounded by begging children and it was quite stressful. Might be different if you're not on a bike though.

Watching with interest. DH is keen on the idea.

Yes! Make sure you go to Butrint, it is stunning

We stopped at durres on a cruise several years back. Honestly it was run down, dirty, graffiti/rubbisheverywhere.. my dad has a prostitute approach him and me and my husband watched a pizza man delivering in a stab vest.
I'm sure there are some beautiful places, but for me never again 😬

Girokaster and Butrint were amazing. The former is a beautiful mountain village. The scenery is stunning. Butrint is a complex of ruins that we had to ourselves.

That's where the positives ended for us. We stayed in one of the main resorts, Saranda and it was shabby and run down. Tirana is a bit of a dump. Lots of beggars, stray dogs and cats.

We did meet some lovely people. But I'd not recommend it. Croatia, monte Negro, the Greek islands etc are so much more special.

I live in Puglia so it's very close and the landscape is very similar. It's becoming quite an "in" destination for Puglians. Lots of teenagers make their first international foray there (obviously in Albania everyone speaks Italian as the TV and music has been very Italy centred for decades) and it's become almost like Chiantishire is for middle class Brits. Middle class Italians are heading to Albania.

Not stayed but went on a trip there from Corfu about 30 years ago. It was very poor but the people were very friendly. The ruins at Butrint were spectacular, completely untouched. I remember there being tortoises everywhere!

Yes, multiple times. It's absolutely breathtaking. Theth (road still fairly dodgy) to Valbona, Butrint, Girokaster, Ksamil, Shkoder, blue eye. Driving is seriously interesting but I've driven all over with no major issues. I wouldn't drive myself down to Theth though. Beachside tourist resorts at Durres and Sarande are not really up to it though. I would expect to be disappointed if that was my main base.

I got the bus from Greece into Albania and it was, err, quite the experience! We stopped at the border for passport checks and to use the toilets. My boyfriend told me not to use the toilets but to go in the bushes and dear god, I wish I had listened. There was shit everywhere. On the floors, in the sinks, up the walls, just everywhere.

A few of the passengers didn't have papers to travel between Greece and Albania so the driver let them out a few hundred metres before the border so they could cross through the woods then picked them up on the other side! The scariest part was when they decided to change drivers on a steep mountain road without stopping the bus. Something went wrong and the bus suddenly swerved towards the edge of the cliff. One driver ended up on his arse in the aisle while the other grabbed desperately for the steering wheel to stop us all plunging to our deaths. I'd still go back though 😁

Oh... you guys have really put me off it now... :(

Don't be put off! One of my trips was with my elderly and very unadventurous mother and she loved it and it keen to go back!

I nearly booked a long weekend in Tirana this morning but was put off by the fact that LP don’t think the country merits a guide book so wimped out for Warsaw.

We have just been for a week. Himarë and Ksamil. Beautiful++++. Far surpassed our expectations. Food great. Beaches stunning. Hotels clean and modern. Absolutely perfect place for a family holiday. Highly recommend.