Albania 2022 | Top Things to Know Before You Visit Albania
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 มี.ค. 2022
- We visited Albania for the first time in 2022. In this video, we share with you some of the top things to know before you visit - including the pros and cons and honest opinions. Our hope is this video may help others when deciding to visit this wonderful country just so they know what to expect.
We spent time in both Tirana and Saranda during our time living in Albania. What is our honest opinion after spending an extended period here? We were so shocked by just how helpful and friendly the people of Albania are. We also loved the abundance of hip and classy restaurants, pubs, and cafes. The food was not only fantastic but also so affordable making it so fun to spend time exploring and enjoying all the many options.
But after spending this time here, can we see Albania as a place we would want to return to, retire to or stay and extend the time again? In this video, we go over all the Pros and Cons we found and share them with you in hopes it may give you a really honest view before you visit.
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I'm glad you guys like Albania. Your always welcome..Respect from an Albanian in London 🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
We will be back!!
Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie that's nice 🇦🇱🇺🇸🇬🇧
I go in october 2e time to blokku tirana its very nice there
Just come back from your country and I loved it!
Sorry for how xenophobic the British are
@@CrackaPackify I hope you enjoyed Albania...you don't have to be sorry...Great Britain has treated Albanians better than any other country in the world.....Respect to UK 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱I love this country
Oh I am so happy that you are having a great time there. Albania is a very beautiful country and people there are very polite and friendly even though they have suffered a lot before and they are still suffering because of the government, the economy and other problems. The prices are affordable and you can have great vacations there when you are an outsider. Almost everyone there knows another language beside the Albanian one and that is because everyone has to study a lot to have a better life. Albania is really underrated so thank you for sharing your experience there with others so more people will go there. Love u both from Albania🥰🥰🥰
We found Albania to be amazing and plan on going back soon. The people are so kind and welcoming we can't wait to return.
So happy to see this video. We'll be on a 2 week cruise that includes Sarande, Montenegro, Split and Dubrovnik. As well as Corfu, and Cephelonia, Greece. We sail from Athens to Rome. It'll be a new part of the world for us.
Your videos are super helpful! Thanks so much. 😊
Thank you so much for watching and safe travels!!
Cheers!! 🍻
Thanks for the quick response! Safe travels!
Another helpful video. Thank you. 🙂 Keep up the great work (videos) - and keep on living your dream! Cheers! 🍻
Thank you!
Cheers!!🍻
I have visited Tirana and loved it, so I am going in September to do Riviera coast, probably for around two months or so, really looking forward to it, getting great insights from watching TH-cam thank you both for enlightening me
Thank you for watching!! 🙂
As always, your videos rock guys! Can’t wait to see your cost of living video next. Looking forward to hearing from y’all in Greece! Cheers!
Thanks, Renee! That video will be coming your way next week. 🙂
Cheers!!!🍻
Albania it's definitely safe for foreign people. Nothing to worry about it. No one will bother you...I'd be surprised if anyone bothers you...🇦🇱🇦🇱🇦🇱🇬🇧🇬🇧🇺🇸🇺🇸
The absolute nicest people we have had the privilege to be around. Love Albania 🇦🇱
Another wonderful video. Truly the trip of a lifetime. Thanks so much for sharing it with us 🙂
Thank you, Ben! We Are living our dream!!
Cheers!!!🍻
My grandfather is from Albania. Hopefully going there this summer of 2022.
Albania is a beautiful country. We really enjoyed both Tirana and Saranda. Hope you make the trip. Thank you for watching!!
Cheers!!!🍻
Very helpful comprehensive guide 👍
Glad it was helpful, thank you for watching!!!
Cheers!!!🍻
Thank you guys for your rundown on Albania. Great videos and very informative.
I always look forward to your next one.
Thanks, Alex! Albania wasn't really on our radar at the beginning of our travels. We are so happy we decided to visit. Being a non-Schengen country it is a perfect spot to stay for a month or two before re-entering Schengen territory. Thank you for watching!!!
Cheers!!! 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie
I can genuinely tell you that YOU ARE SPREADING THE WORD and that has convinced me that Albania is on my bucket list next time I’m in Europe and that’s thanks to your videos.
By now i know when your new vlog is released. I eagerly look forward to it on Saturday AM here around 10 EST. Thanks for another fine video with details on Albania. Cheers!
It's almost like clockwork!!! 😆 Thank you for being so loyal CM!!
Cheers!!!🍻
You guys are killing it
Thanks Devin!
I imagine the water is perfect temp in the summer and the bar scene amazing too. Have fun at your next destination.
Hi James!! The water temp isn't too bad this time of year at all and there are plenty of nightclubs in and bars in Tirana and Saranda. Plenty to do here in Albania!
Cheers!! 🍻
Thank you, Good Info!
Thank you for watching!! 😊
awesome, so cool finding these countries where all the tourists dont flock to, and hearing that the people there are friendly, it reminds me of Taiwan, I lived there for 4 years and hardly anyone really knows much about it, but I was blown away by how nice the people were, my first night there a lady showed me around the neighbourhood for like a half hour, even introduced me to all the food I could buy in 7-11, maybe the fact that they get fewer tourists means they're really eager to help out and promote their country whenever they can, it's just.....awesome
That's a great comment R K. We were just discussing this. Spain is so overwhelmed with tourists that they become indifferent or even a bit annoyed with you. I'm sure there are many tourists that deserve to be annoyed with as well. We loved Albania, the positives of that country will have us back sometime soon. Thank you for the comment and for supporting us.
Cheers!!!🍻
I really like Albania and I have been there twic.. The people are very friendly, the food is delicious, the nature is amazing... I will be back soon
You guys are selling Albania. It is making me think about adding it to my list.
What a great overview of the general aspects of the country! Well done! Even though I've been living here for awhile it's fun to go see what other people have to say about the country as well. Safe travels!
Thank you James. Where do you live in Albania? We will probably be back sometime soon. Is Saranda our best bet for a beach town? We really enjoyed our time there. Thank you for watching our channel!
Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie I live in Pogradec. Relatively unknown and largely underrated! I'd say Sarande might be your best bet, but it always depends on what you're wanting in a beach town.
I love Albania! 💕
Thank you for watching!
Cheers 🍻
For just $1800 a month for two people is amazing and such a beautiful country that is definitely on my bucket list when I have to leave the Schengen area when I begin the long-term traveling. Thank you so much for detailed expenses. I’ll keep my T-Mobile plan magenta.
Thanks again for the information...Albania is definitely on our non- schengen countries ...it was funny you mentioning Alicante...it is one of the cities we are most looking forward to visiting
We loved Alicante!! We would say Saranda is a close second. We may be back sooner than we expected to stay in a safe non-Schengen country. Thank you for watching!!
Cheers!!!🍻
Albania is Schengen
Interessanti, precisi , pratici e dettagliati . Ottime le informazioni nel video . Bravi a tutti e due !
Thank you Gentian! We very much appreciate the comment. And thank you so much for the support.
cheers!!🍻
@@BrianandCarrie Thank you guys .I reallly apprecate what you do . Keep
It up . I’m sure that in a short time you will have thousands and thousands folower. Our generation is magic
Our generation is definitely magic! Love it !!
We clicked, we liked, it became a part of us 🤣🤣 These are such great wrap ups you guys do! Tons of great and useful info.(as always). Definitely heading there after Montenegro. Based on your assessment we may stay in Tirana a while. All the best guys!
Thanks, guys!! We could have done two weeks in Tirana but a month may have been too long. We would have needed a better Airbnb to stay much longer. We really loved Saranda!! Go Dawgs! 😜
Cheers!!!🍻
@@BrianandCarrie 🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆
😆😆😆😆😆
You guys are my favorite travel couple~
HAHA!! Thank you!
Cheers!!!🍻
B&C, very well done! When you started talking about how friendly the people are I had a flashback to something I read by Wayne Dwyer years ago. Wayne said he was walking down the street in his hometown when a woman approached him and told him she was from out of town and thinking about moving to his town. She asked him what the people were like in his town. Wayne replied, "What are the people like in your town?" The woman replied, "Just terrible!" Wayne's response, "I'm Sure you will find the same people here." I think the two of you have PMS, positive mental state, and will see the good in things. That is not to say you won't have negative experiences, but when you do, it will be the exception and not the norm. Cheers!
That is a great story Brad, thank you for sharing. We really try to see the positive in life. We have found a friendly smile goes a long way. Thank you so much for supporting us.
Cheers!!!🍻
I was in Tirana in December. I enjoyed it but had a different experience. I barely found people who spoke English. And when I tripped and fell - oops - a minor crack that caught my shoe - I went to the German hospital and received excellent care. They didn't accept my travel medical, but for the Dr. visit, x-rays and a cast, it cost $72. Excellent care there. The doctor did speak English.
Nice to know that you were able to get good care. We have learned that you will be taken care of in most cases wherever you decide to travel. It is also nice to know you won't break the bank like in the US! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Cheers 🍻
I would be interested as you journey to you desired spot over the next year or two some discussion of the visa requirement to your stated goal of finding a place to stay 3 months to one year . Albania provides US citizens a one year residency without a visa. Portugal can extend for and additional 90 days past the initial 90 days but you have to stay in Portugal…how would they know if you went to Spain for a month or two.
On another matter, having followed your advice we put Alicante on our list of check-out spots and we love it. Visited the Red Corner Sports Pub and took the Tram to Beindorm. We actually liked it despite what we read. Anyway keep up the wonderful and insightful travel log. Cheers
Hi John! So happy to hear you enjoy Alicante!! Love that you went to the Red Corner Pub!!!
Unfortunately, Albania just changed residency for US citizens to 90 days. We will be in Portugal in May and June and plan on doing a video on what is required for the different types of visas and residency. Thank you guys so much for the support! If you find a great spot for us to visit please let us know!
Cheers!!!🍻
I just added 🇦🇱 to my list.
HAHA!! You should!!! 😆
@@BrianandCarrie , I am still watching your videos, can't stop , lol
Love it!! Thank you so much!!!
What is a size of a town/city that you enjoy staying for a month? Love the videos!
Great question, Tim. That is something that we are still trying to figure out. We don't want to stay in a big city for any longer than a few days but don't want to get bored in a small town either. We don't believe that we have found that perfect spot yet. The search continues!! Thank you for watching!!
Cheers!!🍻
I am considering Albania as a retirement location at least for part of the time. They allow for USA passport holders to stay up to 1 year with no Visa. I appreciated your positive point of view from your month there.
Thank you, Donnie!
Albanians love Americans because you helped 25 years ago with the war. So they will treat you so much better
Americans
Health care is the downside of retirement in Albania. Chances are that at some point you will need it.
Healthcare is pretty good actually. A suggestion, what you you see online doesn’t always match reality. Pregnant women for example , unlike in the Uk healthcare, are taken immediate care.
That's probably very true! Thanks for information and feedback. We can only go off what we read online and give the best info we can so we really appreciate first hand knowledge. Thanks again!
Cheers 🍻
Just discovered your channel, nice video. I will be coming to Saranda from Corfu this summer and then traveling on to Tirana after a few days. I was wondering if you can offer any tips on travelling the route to Tirana or to and from Corfu. Unrelated but anything to offer about Durres as well? Thanks. Steve
Hi Steven! Thanks for watching. We cover some of this in another video on Saranda. The ferry from Corfu arrives in Saranda at 8:30 every morning and costs 20 Euro. It only takes 30 minutes. The bus to Tirana takes about 5 hrs and runs through Derrus as well. I believe the ticket is about 13 Euro. You will love both Saranda and Tirana! Safe travels!
Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie Folks, thank you for your response. One more question; I may be taking a ferry from Albania to Italy which I believe runs to Bari and/or Brindisi. Curious, have you ever had the occasion to use either or know of any details? Thanks.
Look forward to watching your Albania content.
Hey Steven. The ferrys leave from Corfu to destinations in Italy. There wasn't a ferry that left Saranda while we were there but we watched plenty sail by from Corfu. Sorry I don't have more information on that.
Really great vlog guys. I’m a solo traveler and am looking to head to Albania 🇦🇱 for a quick 5 days break. It’s nowhere near the amount of time you’ve spent there but is it worth spending half the time in Tirana and half the time at the seaside place you visited, or will Tirana be enough. I will probably hire a car if I need to travel outside the city. Thanks 👍
If you only have 5 days a car is a great idea! We'd say a couple days in Tirana before heading out to the coast. Thank you for watching and safe travels!
Cheers 🍻
Another great video. Just out of curiosity, why didn't you guys go to the north of Albania (Shkoder, Theth, etc)?
Hi Irena. We stay in one place for a month at a time. Costs on travel and new accommodations each week can add up. We will be traveling around a bit more in Romania starting in July.
@@BrianandCarrie Agreed. We are travelling in the Balkans and even though it's not as expensive as the Western Europe, transportation, restaurants (because we don't have time to cook for only 3 days stay), etc. Can add up very fast. Also we're not eating as much healthy food as we want because we eat out most of the time.
It will be interesting to see what are expenses turn out to be in Romania. Will will be in Split, Croatia for 2 months in the fall so that will be an opportunity to save money...we hope.
It is true Albanians look after the foreigners more thn their own
We believe that to be true!!!
Cheers 🍻
Thank you for your honest view of Albania. In the beginning of your video, you've mentioned that your plan has changed, may we know why?
We had planned to go to Argentina from Spain but couldn't get in at the time because of covid. We can only be in the Schengen nations for 90 days so our options in Europe were limited. So, we ended up in Montenegro and Albania, two countries that weren't on our list that we really enjoyed!
🍻
We are looking to go to Albania in September. How did you choose where to stay? Sarande vs Vlore or Durres? And for onward travel did you return to Tirana - or ferry to Corfu?
We decided on Sarande because of its location to Corfu. We did fly out of Corfu to Santorini for our next destination. It is a very easy ferry ride and a convenient airport to fly out of. While in Sarande we met some other vloggers, Jen and Stevo,( Two can Travel ) that went to Vlore and preferred Sarande so we are happy that we made the choice that we did. Thank you for watching and safe travels.
Cheers!!!🍻
Very nice, which months you were in Albania ?
We were there 4 weeks between Feb. and March this year.
Could you include prices in your videos. It would be helpful in budgeting.
Hi, Steph. We do monthly cost of living videos on our channel. We have one on our month in Albani.
Would you recommend Albania (or Montenegro) for an American family travelling with young kids (entertainment, safety, food, quality of airbnbs etc? Any advice will be appreciated!
Hi! We really enjoyed both Albania and Montenegro and felt very safe. But it would be hard for us to give advice on what is available for family travel as we don't travel with children so we don't really pay much attention to what food or activities would be available. Sorry we can't be of more help on that. Cheers 🍻
Based on what you said about the buses, how did you get from Tirana to Saranda and back again ? did you just turn up at that bus stop you showed and getting back to Tirana or was there a more organized bus schedule ?
We took a bus from Tirana to Saranda. There is a schedule for when it leaves Tirana, but the station isn't that easy to navigate. There will be people that direct you in the right direction, however. We left Saranda by ferry to Corfu Greece and flew to Santorini from there.
@@BrianandCarrie Yes makes sense , thanks
Is there a car rental place that you would recommend to include all the Balkans? We looked at toprentacar but they do not include Albania. We are from Philadelphia area planning a 3 week trip to the Balkans.
We haven't rented cars before, but we do know that there are several in Croatia and Romania.
Carrie, are you having any issues with the Ukraine situation. I assume they are as up to date on the news as we are if not more than us. Is there any tension or worry?
Hi J B. We have several news sources here in Albania to stay up to date with everything going on. There isn't any tension or worry here, however, we have drastically changed our future plans. 💛💙
Did you get your Sim card at the airport or in Tirana when you got settled in for Albania and the cost
We usually try to get sim cards at the airport if available. We will sometimes head out the next day and find a place to pick one up. I can't remember what we did in Albania but know that they are available and affordable.
I’m in the country that speaks Albania
Thank you for watching!
Cheers!!!🍻
What months we’re you there? Me and my fiancé are planning our honeymoon there in late March.
We’re looking at places to stay that give us the resort feeling and have plenty for us to do day and night.
Congratulations! We were there from the middle of February to the middle of March this year. Thank you for watching!!
Cheers!!!🍻
@@BrianandCarrie thank you. we’re looking at the Vlore area. Found a really nice 5⭐️ resort. Can’t wait to travel 🇦🇱
Nice!! We didn't make it up to Vlore but have heard good things. Safe travels!!! 🍻
Great video, apart from annoying music
Thanks Anthony! Our most recent video we cut the annoying music! :)
Cheers 🍻
Too much music
Albanian food is fantastic , nightclubs are wild
We really enjoyed Albania, a hidden gem for sure!
Cheers!!!🍻
Ibuprofen is not English though, it's the chemical name of a certain substance (medicine) so in all countries it's the same name, just like Paracetamol for instance :)
That makes my ignorance even more laughable!! The more we travel the better I understand. Travel is the best education there is. Thanks for all your support on this channel Radu!!
Cheers!!!🍻
What time of year were you there?
We were there in February 2022.
Do you have plans to slow travel in Africa? Maybe Rwanda or Zimbabwe?
We plan to go but not sure how we will travel through yet. That trip may be as early as fall of 2025.
Nice! I’ll stay tuned.
We are not used to LAWSUITS here because I fell on the sidewalk. Haha. These are the reasons on why you in USA have sooooo much to deal with safety.
Yes, we do have a lot of regulations in the US. We really enjoyed our stay in Albania and plan on being back soon.
Cheers!!🍻
If you get a second chance would you have spent a month?
Yes, I believe that we would. Saranda is nice and Tirana is a fun city. We'd like to go when the weather is hotter, of course it would be more expensive but there would be more to do.
Where did you stay in seranda
Hi! The link to our place is in the description of the sarande video 😊
Just so you know, Ibuprofen is a name of a chemical, not an English word - it's called the same anywhere you go. The word is actually Latin.
at 9:30 you said the Baltic states. Albania is in the Balkans.
Miss pronounced. My apologies.
Cheers 🍻
I lived in Albania from 1994-2002 durring that time was anarchy in 1997 and the Kosovar crisis in 1999. We were christian missionaries and we were accepted very well. Those that claim to be muslim is because of history not that that they actually practice it. Long ago if they didn't convert to Islam by the Turks they were persecuted, so they would change their name and claim to be muslim. Then durring the communist years religion was banned. So coming out the other end of that in the early 1990's Albanians really didn't have religion. There has been a lot of changes since I've been there.
After watching Albania 🇦🇱 videos and living 4 months in Tirana, I think it’s good place to visit but not to retire. Married couples and honeymooners seem to enjoy 😉 the country. I don’t think 🤔 it’s a good place to old, single person who speak English only and have NO friends or relatives there. Speaking of experience and I don’t make videos or earn money on TH-cam or other social media.
You will be safe till you are not in Albania.
We spent 5 weeks in Albania and felt completely safe. Thank you for watching.
Cheers 🍻
@@BrianandCarrie I wasn't feeling safe walking in Albanian community in NYC during the day alone. Lots of crime committed there.
Albania it's a safe country! I've been there with my friends and it was amazing! Beautiful places, kind people and good food.
@@jessyjjj Again. You are safe. Till you not. A lot of crime commited by Albanians with Albanians in NY. They are known by beheading their own and throwing headless bodies in Hudson River. In Albanian north lots of drug related crime as they grow herbs there and police afraid to go there as they are armed.
As an American tourist you won't know that as they want your money and will smile and play cute.
Never ever has that happened in New York.
Albanians doing that in New York , is a total lie. Not sure where you get your information from.
Many Albanians are police officers in the NYPD.
So you’re just being malicious in your posting.
Total nonsense.
Stop coming in Albania you are skyrocketing apartment prices the average monthly salary in Albania is 200 EURO Albania is chip for tourist only not for locals
This is a legitimate concern, Sotos. Hopefully, tourism can help the economy in Albania. You have a wonderful country that has a lot to offer. We appreciate that you took the time to watch our video and don't mean any disrespect.
@@BrianandCarrie Definitely you are welcome in Albania, but you need to know that Albania is super poor because of politician bad management wrong distribution of wealth and of course albanian are friendly only with the tourist. Albania still remain very very very corrupt country.Thank you for your comment and i hope this country to change soon have nice day.
Thank you Sotos. Have the best of days!!
Be careful in Saranda. Don't fall victim to fisherman who are hunting your money pushing rentals on you. That is what happened to me and it completely ruined being in Saranda. Had to leave after less than a week becase of Angelo
We have heard about getting scammed by others as well. We haven't experienced anything like this at all. We think it's because we are here in the off-season and rentals aren't open yet. Sorry to hear this happened to you. 😡
Renting what?