Albania is Europe's best-kept secret for Americans

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Approximately 11.7 million tourists visited Albania in 2024, according to the government's official Institute of Statistics. Most visitors come from nearby countries like Kosovo and Italy, while only 306,000 people vacation from the Americas. While Europeans are waking up to the charms of this Mediterranean country, it is still a bit of a hidden gem for Americans.

Looking for the perfect dupe for Greece's beaches at half the price? Craving great pizza and pasta without the crowds of Rome? Albania has it all: beaches, mountains, picturesque historic towns and a lively capital city, all at affordable prices and with a family-friendly atmosphere.

Albania's unique communist history

Part of the reason for Albania's unfamiliarity to Americans is its recent Cold War history of isolation. From the end of World War II until 1992, Albania was dominated by the Communist Party and, in particular, one man named Enver Hoxha.

Coined as Europe's version of North Korea by observers Bajrovic and Satter in the 2014 issue of the " Journal of Democracy," Hoxha built an estimated 30,000 concrete bunkers around the country to protect against possible invasions. Foreign relations were halted even with fellow communist countries. These bunkers are popular tourist attractions today. Party control did not extend long past Hoxha's death in 1985.

Albania's move to embrace tourism

Since the first free elections in 1992, Albania has moved towards becoming part of the EU community and modernizing its country. Tourism has been vital in the economy's growth, with 1 in 5 jobs supported by tourism according to the World Travel & Tourism Council in 2024. Rural development and agritourism are a particular focus of the government.

While Albania's post-communist economic recovery has been problematic for its citizens, its lower cost of living makes it attractive for tourists. Restaurant prices are nearly 30% lower in Albania than in Italy and 24% lower than in Greece.

English is taught in primary and secondary schools and is widely spoken by younger generations who are attending school post-communism. Most street signs now feature both Albanian and English translations. Albanians are particularly welcoming to Americans as they appreciate the NATO support during the Kosovo War.

Tirana

The capital city of Tirana is the cultural and financial hub of the country. With nearly a million people in the municipal area, it is by far the biggest urban area.

Start your visit in Skanderbeg Square, the city's central plaza named for its national hero. The large 40,000 square meter plaza is home to a statue of Skanderbeg himself on horseback and the historic Et'hem Bey Mosque, one of the few religious buildings in the country to survive the communist purge. The square also includes the historic Clock Tower, the National Opera, the National History Museum, the National Library, the Bank of Albania, several government ministry buildings and a handful of cafes overlooking the square.

Many of the tourist attractions in the city highlight its communist past, especially Bunk'Art 1 and Bunk'Art 2, two museums housed in sprawling underground bunkers built for party officials. Bunk'Art 2 is located near Skanderbeg Square, while Bunk'Art 1 is located just outside the city center, next to the Dajti Ekspres, the longest cable car in the Balkans. The cable car has sweeping views of Tirana and Dajti National Park, and the top has activities like hiking trails, ziplines, horseback rides and mountainside dining.

Another fascinating communist museum is the House of Leaves, a museum located in the former headquarters of the secret police and dedicated to surveillance techniques used during Hoxha's dictatorship. You can also walk by his former residence in the Blloku neighborhood of the city, once the area where the party elite lived, but now full of trendy restaurants and nightclubs. This is a popular area for tourists to stay, with several apartment rentals and small hotels.

The mountains

Albania is mostly mountainous, with the Albanian Alps in the north and several Balkan mountain ranges in the central and southern parts of the country. Two historic towns, Gjirokastër and Berat, sit in southern mountain ranges and are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites known for their traditional stone houses, Ottoman architecture, winding cobblestone streets and large castles. Also in the southern mountains is the Blue Eye, a famous natural spring with vividly clear blue water.

The Albanian Alps in the north, also called the Accursed Mountains, are the tallest in the country and a top trekking destination. The Valbona-to-Theth hike is a popular route, taking hikers over a high mountain pass between two remote villages. It's a full-day hike with tremendous views and cozy guesthouses offering hot meals and showers at the end. The journey to Valbona is an adventure by itself as it includes a ferry ride through a stunning mountain lake.

The Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera has long been popular with tourists from Italy and neighbouring Balkan countries. As the meeting point of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and with dramatic mountains lining the coast, the beaches here are varied and beautiful.

Ksamil, located by the border with Greece, has long been a popular destination, as evidenced by the Iron Age, Greek, Roman and Byzantine structures found in the adjacent Butrint Archeological Park. Nearby, Sarandë is one of the liveliest towns on the coast, with lots of high-rises, a busy harbor full of yachts and a quick ferry to Corfu for day trippers.

For a quieter vibe, head north along the coastal road from Sarandë to Vlorë. This stretch is the heart of the Albanian Riviera. The curving road along the coastline is a magnificent drive reminiscent of California's Highway 1. Towns like Himarë and Dhërmi are favorites for their laid-back charm, but you'll also find small villages and private beach resorts.

Vlorë has a stunning setting on a massive bay and faces the undeveloped Karaburun Peninsula, where you can take boat tours to small coves and hidden beaches. Hotels and houses stretch around the bay and into smaller nearby towns. Just offshore, Sazan Island guards the entrance to the bay. Once a military base, the island was recently sold to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump for $1.4 billion to develop into a luxury resort.

Albania should be your next family getaway

Albania may still be under the radar for many American travelers, but it won't stay that way for long. With its mix of beaches, mountains, fascinating history and delicious food, this affordable and welcoming country packs in far more than you'd expect. Whether you're chasing views in the Alps or sunsets on the coast, Albania delivers a great vacation with affordable prices and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Amanda Luhn is a freelance writer who escapes from her never-ending cabin renovation by traveling, whether that is camping in her beloved Smoky Mountains or hopping on a plane to a new country. She writes for her family travel blog, Simply Awesome Trips, and her East Tennessee blog, Knoxville Backyard & Beyond.