I Spent 5 Months In This Trending Country And Here’s What Surprised Me The Most

Last Updated 11 hours in the past

If you comply with any journey blogs or learn journey information, (and since you might be right here studying this, I will assume you do!) then you’ve undoubtedly examine Albania.

This small nation positioned on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe has been gaining an increasing number of consideration lately for vacationers searching for one thing completely different, reasonably priced, and delightful.

Digital nomads additionally adore it, and for good reason.

I spent 5 months at first of 2021 residing in Albania, and I am a kind of individuals who received’t shut up about it.

Despite having been to many extra international locations since then, each time individuals ask, “what country has been your favorite” or “what country left the greatest impression,” the reply is at all times Albania.

Here Are Some Things That Surprised Me The Most About Albania:

berat albania white houses — If you get to Berat, ask for Lili (you’re welcome)

Keep The Promise

The very first thing that shocked me probably the most about Albania was the individuals.

The individuals you can see on this nation are a few of the nicest, most useful, and most welcoming that I have ever encountered in all my years of touring and residing overseas.

You might need heard individuals consult with “Balkan Hospitality,” and that is completely a factor. Balkan individuals may appear a bit tough across the edges, however that is only a little bit of a tough exterior that a few of them have constructed up over time.

I can’t inform you the variety of instances we now have interacted with some gruff older males whom we have been a bit intimidated to method at first however ended up ingesting rakia round a desk with their household by the top of the dialog.

In Albania, there’s a time period: BESA, which implies to maintain the promise.

This is extra of a lifestyle right here, and the individuals will exit of their approach that will help you and make you are feeling welcome, permitting them to be reliable and maintaining the promise of peace.

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gjirokasta albania buildings — The city of Gjirokaster can’t be missed

For instance: One time we took a public bus to a different metropolis and upon reaching the vacation spot, the driving force realized we have been not sure the place to go. He didn’t converse any English and was shouting at us and demanding my cellphone, scary proper?

Upon taking my cellphone he known as our guesthouse and discovered the place it was, after which proceeded to principally maintain our fingers and escort us there, ensuring we have been okay.

We have been actually speechless at how out of his approach he went to assist us. This is the Balkan hospitality that I am speaking about. Name one other nation the place this is able to occur, I’ll wait.

A Not-So-Secret Secret

It’s humorous as a result of most individuals I converse to about Albania have by no means heard of it, and it appears the one ones who do know are different vacationers and digital nomads.

While it was once a little bit of a secret, Albania has been rising in recognition for a lot of causes.

After going viral on TikTok recently, Albania shouldn’t be such a top-secret vacation spot anymore. Yet, once we arrived in Albania in January 2021, we have been shocked to see so many different ex-pats residing right here already.

When doing our analysis, we assumed it was comparatively unknown, however it ended up being the one nation the place we made so many buddies rapidly as there was a reasonably well-established group of ex-pats and locals right here. So, if Albania was a secret earlier than social media, it wasn’t a really well-kept one.

Note: lots of these we met have been Americans, as we are able to keep a year visa-free.

woman standing in Gjirokaster
castle Albania — An Albanian couple helped us get in right here once we confirmed up simply at closing, so good!

From Budget To Bougie

Albania is an affordable destination, that is completely true, and most vacationers who come already know this.

I got here to Albania figuring out this and was nonetheless shocked at how little you’ll be able to spend right here and dwell comfortably.

My house in Saranda value below $500 a month and had sea views and a pool, to not point out high-speed wifi and sensible TVs. I have buddies who pay below $300 a month for his or her house as a result of they made some good native connections, so it may be achieved.

You can get a beer for below a greenback at most locations, and meals (other than imported gadgets) could be very low cost as properly.

However, one factor to grasp is that you could additionally splurge in Albania, and a few lodging and eating places can run you Western costs after which some.

Pro-tip: develop into regulars at a few of the seashore bars within the early days of the opening season (springtime) and be handled to a free bowl of recent mussels each time and in every single place you go!

korca beer and mussels on the beach albania — Enjoying free mussels on the seashore in Saranda

In the top, it’s all about the way you wish to dwell, however do understand that the Albanian Riviera will get pricey because the summer season season approaches, so make certain to grasp any rental agreements beforehand.

Many individuals I know had their hire doubled in the summertime, so that is one thing to work out earlier than signing something.

Beach Please

Ok, let’s speak concerning the seashores. Most individuals who come to Albania within the hotter months accomplish that looking for the Albanian Riviera, and for good cause.

Albania has probably the most lovely seashores I have ever seen. The rocky shores make for crystal-clear water, and the sunsets are unbelievable.

Saranda has some first rate smaller seashores round it you’ll be able to take pleasure in, and naturally, Ksamil is turning into an increasing number of well-known as being as lovely because the Caribbean.

@maldivosaur Best seashores in Albania half 1 #hot #holiday #beach #destination #travel #traveldestinations #albania ♬ Calm Down Andre Soueid – andresoueid

One factor to appreciate, although, is that whereas not almost as crowded as different standard European locations, lots of Albania’s seashores are removed from a secret come summer season.

While beautiful, I was so shocked that these locations get crowded rapidly, and costs begin to creep up.

If you might be actually searching for a quiet place to flee, head north and hunt down some smaller seashore cities alongside the coast. Ask any native, and they’ll most likely insist you be a part of them and their household on a visit (severely).

bunkers in albania — Bunkers Bunkers Everywhere

Postcard Perfect Views

I was, and proceed to be shocked at simply how lovely Albania is. Everywhere you look, there might be a turquoise coast crashing beneath the cliffs, or mountains and gorges, rivers, and every thing in between.

One factor that I couldn’t imagine was the crystal clear green-blue of the Vjosa river that runs from Greece throughout Albania and into the Adriatic Sea.

This river is so lovely and necessary, in reality, that it has simply develop into the primary Wild River National Park in Europe.

If you might be fortunate sufficient to name Albania residence for some time, you’ll possible be shocked to see how straightforward many of the nation is to discover through public busses and, after all, by renting a automobile.

(*5*)

Yes Means No And No Means Yes

While English is extensively spoken in Albania, the official language is Albanian, known as Shqip. When talking Shqip, one factor to concentrate to is how individuals point out sure and no.

Yes is Po, and No is Jo. Not too tough, proper?

Now comes the difficult half, Albanians point out sure with a shake of the pinnacle, that means they’re saying Po and shaking their head, which seems to be and seems like No to a foreigner.

@maptrekking how cute is that this place?! #albania🇦🇱 #travelalbania #visitalbania #traveltiktok ♬ albania. – ssuzieed

When they imply no, they nod their head up and down and say Jo. Still with me?

If you suppose it’s a bit complicated to learn, think about residing it. You would suppose it might get simpler, and it did, however even after months, there have been nonetheless many conditions the place this interplay brought on some confusion.

Luckily, Albanians are understanding and affected person with foreigners, so it’s all good.

I hope my expertise leads you to guide that ticket, bus, and even the ferry from Corfu, Greece to discover Albania and all it has to supply.

Don’t inform me I didn’t warn you concerning the Rakia power, although!

But severely, in case you are searching for an fascinating and distinctive place to discover, with fantastic individuals and engaging tradition… the reply is at all times Albania.