Albania

[Ruby0707]

Has anyone been to Albania and if so, what did you think?

I keep hearing that it is up and coming and a cheaper option than somewhere like Greece.

Have read a couple of things that say it's not like you see on social media so looking for honest reviews!

We spent a day in Seranda about 7 years ago, check trip advisor and beach reviews as it was a long time ago.
The place was ok didn't go to the beach as we heard it had sewage issues, went to Blue eye
We hired a local who took us out in a limo!
Road was horrendous for the final bit but place is fantastic
https://type1travelling.com/blue-eye-albania/

Went to a view point ate a castle / restaurant, was very nice.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g303165-d6870093-r243983879-Lekuresi_Castle-Saranda_Vlore_County.html

I'm going in a month. Very excited.

I was there last year and that was quite a lot of work being done on the infrastructure: route to Ohrid in north Macedonia had a lot of construction work. Some new toll roads too. Eating out was inexpensive and there was good Italian food, kebabs etc. Tirana is very good value for a capital city: easy to navigate, couple of interesting museums (house of leaves), but traffic was a nightmare at rush hour. Berat has a unesco listed heritage centre, kruje was also interesting, but Schkoder was not that great imo. I didn’t visit the coast.

Northern Albania is really beautiful. Roads are terrifying, although something else when the traffic jams are caused by cows or a tortoise! Durres is not particularly interesting. Sarande is ok, quite fun but there are loads of cigarette butts etc on the crowded beaches it’s not as stunning as the empty photos portray, there’s also children begging which you don’t see outside of the tourist spots and can be quite sad. I’ve not seen the blue eye sadly. Tirana is a nice place to visit. Consider going to Corfu and then getting a short boat trip to sarande.

It's an interesting place! I went a few years ago, 2009 ish. Our hotel was finished, but built in a shopping centre that was under construction which we didn't know when we booked so I won't recommend! They like coffee and packet croissants for breakfast. We saw a bear being taken for a walk like a dog up the middle of a very busy main road. The infrastructure is (or certainly was!) very much still developing!

Tirana and Berat were both nice!

Following as hoping to visit ksamil next month but unsure as of yet.

I did a group tour of Albania a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Food and excursions were very good. Would definitely consider going back for a beach holiday.

I’d suggest Ohrid in North Macedonia instead if you don’t mind a lake rather than sea. Found it much more relaxing.

As JER says- Macedonia is recommended by me too. Fabulous place

Agree with pp, North Macedonia is beautiful.

I've just got back from Albania and I loved it! Excellent value for money, loads of interesting places to visit (Theth was lovely), loads of interesting history.
Planning on Macedonia and Kosovo next year.