Albania has visa-free entry for citizens of many countries for short stays. Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Free Trade Association (EFTA), United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom and several other countries can visit Albania for tourism, business, or family visits without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. US citizens can visit Albania for up to 1 (one) year without a visa.
Check out the full Visa Regime For Foreign Citizens announced by the government here.

Visiting Albania without any knowledge of the Albanian language is not a bad idea at all. While knowing the local language can certainly enhance your travel experience and make interactions smoother, Albania is a welcoming and tourist-friendly country where you can manage well with English and sometimes even other languages like Italian (mainly spoken in Durrës or Vlorë by the older generation) or Greek (mainly spoken in the south of Albania).
You can read more here.

The majority of tourists in Albania come from European countries. Here are the main source regions for tourists visiting Albania in 2022:
· Europe: 6.9M tourists
· America: 177k
· Middle East: 41k
· East Asia and Pacific: 26k
· South Asia: 10k
· Africa 4.6k
· Other / Not specified: 360k
You can read more here.

Some of the articles written about travelling to Albania:
· Beaches, mountains, ancient towns and low prices? Albania has it all | The Guardian - 2022
· Albania Travel Guide: How to Travel Europe's Best Kept Secret | DW Travel - 2023
· 8 Reasons Why You Should Visit Albania This Summer | Traveling Lifestyle - 2023
· The 9 best places to visit in Albania | TimeOut - 2023
· Low cost, lovely locals and beautiful scenery: Why Albania is no longer Europe’s best kept secret | euronews - 2023
· ‘Little Italy’: tourists flock to Albania’s low-cost resorts | FINANCIAL TIMES - 2023
· Albania untamed | FINANCIAL TIMES - 2023
You can read more here.

Public transport is generally reliable and very cheap in Albania where it exists, but it has its downsides. Both intercity and intracity public transport is slow. There are generally no fixed schedules for buses and minivans. They leave the station when they are full and consequently the arrival doesn't have a fixed time. There are areas in the country not covered by public transport at all, even areas that are frequented by tourists. The best way to travel around Albania is by car. Car rental is affordable.
You can read more here.

Some of the most stunning beaches in Albania are Ksamil, Dhërmi, Drymades, Himarë.
You can find the rest here.

Albania is one of the safest countries in Europe.
Theft, assault, burglary, robbery rates, etc. in Albania are one of the lowest in Europe and the world. Men and women can walk alone in the streets of any city at any time of the day or night in the country and be completely safe. There are no off-limit/ghetto areas anywhere in the country.
You can find out more here.

Albania has a huge variety of traditional foods. Besides being a small country, each region (northern, central and southern Albania) has its own dishes. Some of the dishes are vegetarian and some are meat based.
Below you can see a list of some of the most popular ones:
· Tavë kosi
· Fërgesë e Tiranës
· Byrek me qumësht
· Turli me perime
· Speca te mbushura
· Trahana
· etc
You can find out more here.

No, Albania is not expensive.
One of the main reasons western tourists visit Albania is because Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe to visit and offers very good value for money.
The minimum salary in Albania as of July 2023 is 40,000 LEK, 380 Euros or 420 USD per month. The average salary is 66,000 LEK, 620 EUR/month or 690 USD/month as of Q4/2022.
You can find out more here.

Albanians are very friendly and welcoming. They will go out of their own way to try and help you and will do their best to talk to you even if they can't speak your language. If you are lost or are not sure where to go, ask politely locals that you can find nearby and they will help you.
Despite Albania not being as prosperous as other countries in western Europe, Albanians are also generous. As a tourist, you might receive a free meal, drink, ride from random people that you will meet.
You can find out more here.

Albania shares land border crossings with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Greece.
The main airport in the country is the Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza located in Rinas, 20 km or 30 min away by car from Tirana (the capital of the country).
The most popular sea ports for tourists are the ports of Durrës, Vlorë and Sarandë.
You can find out more here.

While the majority of locals are genuinely friendly and welcoming, like any popular tourist destination, there might be some unscrupulous individuals looking to take advantage of unsuspecting visitors. However, by staying informed and vigilant, you can easily avoid falling prey to tourist scams in Albania. Here are some common scams and tips to steer clear of them:
· Unlicensed Currency Exchange
· Overpriced Items and Services
· Avoid paying in foreign currency
You can find out more here.

Navigating public transport while enjoying the enchanting beauty of Albania has become a breeze, thanks to the government-created eTransport.al website. This dedicated platform offers tourists a hassle-free solution to access essential information about destinations, arrival times, schedules, detailed itineraries, and even transfers to your desired locations. With just a few clicks, visitors can seamlessly plan their journeys, ensuring an efficient and enjoyable travel experience throughout Albania.
You can find out more here.