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Albania
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n/File:View_from_SkyTower-Tirana.JPG)

Location

(/en/File:Albania_in_its_region.svg)

Flag

en/File:Flag_of_Albania.svg)

Quick Facts
Tirana
(/en/Tirana)
Developing
Democracy
Lek (ALL)
28,748km²
3,600,523
(July 2007
est.)
Albanian
(There are
two dialects:
Gheg and
Tosk)
 Muslim
56.7%,
Roman
Catholic
10%,
Orthodox
6.8%,
atheist
2.5%,
Bektashi (a
Sufi order)
2.1%, other
5.7%,
unspecified
16.2%
cal_systems) 230V/50Hz
(European
plug)
t_of_country_calling_codes) +355
 .al
zones) UTC +1

Albania
(http://www.albania.al/)
(Albanian: Shqipëria) is a small
country in the Balkans
(/en/Balkans). It shares
borders with Greece
(/en/Greece), the Republic of
Macedonia
(/en/Republic_of_Macedonia),
Kosovo (/en/Kosovo), and
Montenegro
(/en/Montenegro).
Understand
While most people in Albania
are Muslims, there are also
many large religious
minorities. As in other western
states, the idea of religious
tolerance is so normal as to be
completely uninteresting,
differences of ideology will
more often be political.

Traditional Albanian culture

honors the role and person of
the guest. In return for this
place of honor, respect is
expected from the guest.
Albanians enjoy long walks in
the city streets, drinking coffee
and, among the younger
generations, participating in
nightlife activities such as cafe
lounging and dancing.

Recent History

Following the defeat of the Axis

powers at the end of World
War II, a Communist
government was established,
presided over by resistance
leader Enver Hoxha. Albania
became famous for its
isolation, not just from the free
market democracies of
Western Europe and the United
States, but also from the
Soviet Union, China, and even
neighboring Yugoslavia.

The Communist party

relinquished power several
years after Hoxha's death, and
Albania established a multi-
party democracy with a
coalition government. The
transition to democracy has
proven difficult as
governments have tried to deal
with high unemployment, a
dilapidated infrastructure,
widespread gangsterism and
disruptive political opponents.
Today Albania is moving closer
towards neo-liberalism, with
EU integration as its goal;
Albania signed the SAA in June
2006, thus completing the first
major step towards joining the
EU. In 2008, Albania received
an invitation to join NATO.

Climate
With its coastline facing the
Adriatic and Ionian seas, its
highlands backed upon the
elevated Balkan landmass, and
the entire country lying at a
latitude subject to a variety of
weather patterns during the
winter and summer seasons,
Albania has a high number of
climatic regions for so small an
area. The coastal lowlands
have typically Mediterranean
weather, whereas the
highlands have a
Mediterranean continental
climate. In both the lowlands
and the interior, the weather
varies markedly from north to
south.

The lowlands have mild winters

averaging about 7°C (45°F);
summer temperatures average
24°C (75°F). In the southern
lowlands, temperatures
average about 5°C (9°F) higher
throughout the year; the
difference is greater than 5°C
(9°F) during the summer and
somewhat less during the
winter.

Inland temperatures are

affected more by differences in
elevation than by latitude or
any other factor. Low winter
temperatures in the mountains
are caused by the continental
air mass that dominates the
weather in Eastern Europe and
the Balkans. Northerly and
northeasterly winds blow much
of the time. Average summer
temperatures are lower than in
the coastal areas and much
lower at higher elevations, but
daily fluctuations are greater.
Daytime maximum
temperatures in the interior
basins and river valleys are
very high, but the nights are
almost always cool.

Average precipitation is heavy,

a result of the convergence of
the prevailing airflow from the
Mediterranean Sea and the
continental air mass. Because
they usually meet at the point
where the terrain rises, the
heaviest rain falls in the central
uplands. Vertical currents
initiated when the
Mediterranean air is uplifted
also cause frequent
thunderstorms. Many of these
storms are accompanied by
high local winds and torrential
downpours.

Regions
(/en/File:Albania_Regions_ma
p.png)
Map of Albania with regions colour-
coded

Coastal Albania
(/en/Coastal_Albania)
the long narrow strip of
between about 10 and 30km
wide along the whole of the
Albanian coast, bordering
both the Adriatic Sea and
Ionian Sea
Northeastern Albania
(/en/Northeastern_Albania)
the inland region to the north
of the Shkumbin River,
bordering Montenegro,
Kosovo and Macedonia.

Southeastern Albania
(/en/Southeastern_Albania)
the inland region to the
south of the Shkumbin River
bordering Macedonia and
Greece, and including the
great border lakes, Lake
Ohrid and Lake Prespa.
Cities
Tirana (/en/Tirana) (Tiranë)
— the capital. Trees and
mountains surround the city.
Mount Dajt is a popular tourist
site with a great view of the
city.
Berat (/en/Berat) —
Thought to be one of the
oldest towns in Albania, it is a
new member of the UNESCO
World Heritage List. Berat has
long been known as the "city
of 1001 windows" because of
its unique Ottoman/Albanian
architecture. It has a well-
preserved castle with residents
still living inside its protective
walls.
Gjirokastër (/en/Gjirokast
%C3%ABr) — Another
UNESCO city located in the
south and known for its unique
Ottoman period architecture.
There is a large castle on the
hill in the middle of the city
which served as a jail for many
generations. A military
museum and art gallery are
now located inside. Gjirokastër
is also the birthplace of former
communist leader Enver Hoxha
and Albania's most
internationally famous author,
Ismail Kadare. Their homes
now serve as museums.
Korce (/en/Korce) (Korça) —
Located in southeast Albania,
several miles from the Greek
border, this city is full of life
during the summer, when you
can find couples and families
strolling through the city's
main park, Parku Rinia. You
can hike to the top of the
beautiful mountain Moravia
and view the city and its
surrounding landscape. Don't
miss the Korca Brewery,
famous throughout Albania,
which sponsors a week-long
beer festival every August. Also
see the old houses and the
Bazaar dating in the late 15th
century and burned 3 times.
most of the buildings are
rebuilt in the 19th and 20th
century.
Kruje (/en/Kruje) (Krujë) —
Ancient city of the national
hero Skanderbeg, Kruje
consists of beautiful
mountains. Skanderbeg's
castle is now a museum. Kruje
also contains an old style
bazaar with shops selling
traditional goods amid
cobblestone streets.
Pogradec (/en/Pogradec) —
Although overshadowed by its
glitzy neighbors on the
Macedonian side of the lake,
the town of Pogradec has been
experiencing a revival recently.
Sarandë (/en/Sarand
%C3%AB) — A city in
southern Albania known for its
unforgettable beaches and
colorful spring blooms
Shkodra (/en/Shkodra) —
The biggest town in northern
Albania. The "Migjeni" theater
is located here. The first
cycling race and the first
football match in Albania were
held here, and the first
photograph was developed
here (by Marubi). The Rozafa
Castle is a major tourist
attraction here, as is The Great
Cathedral, the Ebu Beker
Mosque, etc.
Vlorë (/en/Vlor%C3%AB) —
A lively seaside city with nice
beaches in the southern part of
the town. Passenger ferries to
and from Italy dock here.
Erseke (Erseke) — A city
hidden within the Gramozi
Mountain range, Erseke is
located in the southeast region
of Albania. It surrounding
natural beauty is what
separates it from the other
city, while also having old
Albanian villages surrounding
it.
Librazhd (/en/Librazhd)
(Librazhd)- A small town, but
with a beautiful countryside.
'The Red Mountains' is an
attraction for every tourist. It
is a UNESCO heritage in
tentative. there are located
beautiful villages such as
Stebleva with 200-year old
houses.A very funny way to go
to Librazhd (/en/Librazhd) is
by train from Elbasan.
Lushnje (/wiki
/en/index.php?title=Lushnje&
action=edit&redlink=1)
(Lushnje)-.
Other Destinations
Albanian Alps
(/en/Albanian_Alps) — This
mountainous complex in the
north of the country forms the
border between Albania and
Montenegro. Rich in rainfall,
sheep, bare rocks and scenic
views, it is one of the places in
Albania you should see.
Albanian Riviera
(/en/Albanian_Riviera) —
Featuring crystal-clear waters,
unspoiled beaches and
picturesque villages, this is the
Mediterranean coastline as it
once was.
Dhërmi (/en/Dh
%C3%ABrmi) — One of the
finest of the many beaches
along the coastal road
between Vlore and Saranda,
and perfect for camping
Butrint (/en/Butrint) — The
largest archaeological site
from Hellenic-era Albania, it
lies on the coast in the
southernmost tip of the
country near the Greek border.
Minibuses are available from
Saranda.
 Bylis — The second largest
archaeological site from
Roman-era Albania
Durres (/en/Durres) —
Albania's main port of entry is
also one of its most ancient
cities. The town's ancient
amphitheatre is the biggest in
the Balkans.
Llogara National Park
(/en/Llogara_National_Park)—
The park covers an area of
1,010 hectares (2,500 acres)
and protects the forests on the
north side of the Llogara Pass
between a height from 470 to
2,018 m (1,542 to 6,621 ft)
above sea level and only a 16
km ride from the nearest
beach.
Lura National Park
(/en/Lura_National_Park) — A
1,280 hectare national park
with high mountains, big
meadows and glacial lakes.
Tomorr — A mountain ridge
in southern Albania, not far
from Berat (/en/Berat). This
part of the country is formed
by parallel mountain ridges (up
to around 2000-2500m)
separated by valleys. Although
the ridges are not very long,
they offer a few days of hiking
with enormous scenic beauty
and fantastic panoramic views.
Tomorri is one of the most
known ridges with a Bektash
monastery and chapel on the
very top. A beautiful waterfall
called Sotira Waterfall was
recently discovered near
Tomorri and is definitely worth
a visit.
Moscopole - Moscopole or
Voskopoje, is a village near
Korca. It has 7 churches dating
in the early 18th century. The
most famous are St. Nicholas
(1721) and St. Vasili (1719).

(/en/File:Valbona_valley.jpg)
Valbona river in Tropoja
(/en/File:Skrapar.jpg)
One of the canyons in Skrapar

Ksamil (/en/Ksamil) — An
absolute gem on the edge of
the Butrint national park, this
is a coastal town
encompassing three
spectacular islands.
Shëngjin (/en/Sh
%C3%ABngjin) — A growing
beach town in northwest
Albania known for its curative
beach sand and Adriatic Sea
views

Get in

(/en/File:Muriqan.jpg)
Albania-Montenegro shared border
crossing at Muriqan/Sukobin

Visas
Nationals of the United States
(/en/United_States) may enter
Albania visa-free for up to one
year. US passport cards may
also be used for entry in lieu of
a passport if arriving by air.

Nationals of all European

Union (/en/Europe) and
European Economic Area
(/en/European_Economic_Are
a) member states, plus
Andorra (/en/Andorra),
Argentina (/en/Argentina),
Australia (/en/Australia),
Bosnia and Herzegovina
(/en/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina)
, Brazil (/en/Brazil), Canada
(/en/Canada), Chile
(/en/Chile), the Holy See
(/en/Rome/Vatican), Israel
(/en/Israel), Japan
(/en/Japan), Kosovo
(/en/Kosovo), Macedonia
(/en/Macedonia), Malaysia
(/en/Malaysia), Monaco
(/en/Monaco), Montenegro
(/en/Montenegro), New
Zealand (/en/New_Zealand),
San Marino (/en/San_Marino),
Serbia (/en/Serbia), Singapore
(/en/Singapore), South Korea
(/en/South_Korea),
Switzerland (/en/Switzerland)
and Taiwan (/en/Taiwan) may
enter Albania visa-free for up
to 90 days. Those from the
European Union, Kosovo,
Liechtenstein, Macedonia,
Monaco, Montenegro, San
Marino, Singapore, South
Korea and Switzerland may
enter using a national ID card
in lieu of a passport.

Nationals of Antigua and

Barbuda
(/en/Antigua_and_Barbuda),
Armenia (/en/Armenia),
Azerbaijan (/en/Azerbaijan),
the Bahamas (/en/Bahamas),
Barbados (/en/Barbados),
Brunei (/en/Brunei), Colombia
(/en/Colombia), Costa Rica
(/en/Costa_Rica), El Salvador
(/en/El_Salvador), Georgia
(/en/Georgia), Guatemala
(/en/Guatemala), Honduras
(/en/Honduras), Hong Kong
(/en/Hong_Kong), Kazakhstan
(/en/Kazakhstan), Kuwait
(/en/Kuwait), Macau
(/en/Macau), Mauritius
(/en/Mauritius), Mexico
(/en/Mexico), Moldova
(/en/Moldova), Nicaragua
(/en/Nicaragua), Panama
(/en/Panama), Paraguay
(/en/Paraguay), Peru
(/en/Peru), Saint Kitts and
Nevis
(/en/Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis),
Seychelles (/en/Seychelles),
Trinidad and Tobago
(/en/Trinidad_and_Tobago),
Turkey (/en/Turkey), Ukraine
(/en/Ukraine), United Arab
Emirates
(/en/United_Arab_Emirates),
Uruguay (/en/Uruguay) and
Venezuela (/en/Venezuela)
may enter Albania visa free for
up to 90 days, however
nationals of these countries or
territories staying for more
than 90 days within a 180-day
period are required to obtain a
type "D" visa. Those from Hong
Kong and Kazakhstan may
enter using a national ID card
in lieu of a passport.

Nationals of Bahrain
(/en/Bahrain), Belarus
(/en/Belarus), China
(/en/China) (PRC), Oman
(/en/Oman), Qatar
(/en/Qatar), Russia
(/en/Russia), Saudi Arabia
(/en/Saudi_Arabia) and
Thailand (/en/Thailand) are
temporarily exempt from
obtaining visas until the 31st
of October 2018.

Nationals of any country who

hold a valid multiple-entry visa
issued by a Schengen Area
country, the United Kingdom or
the United States may enter
Albania visa-free for up to 90
days. Visas must have been
used at least once before
arrival to Albania. The visa
exemption also applies to valid
United States Green Card
holders, holders of resident
permits issued by a Schengen
Area country, or holders of
refugee and stateless travel
documents issued by an EU or
EFTA member state.

Nationals of any country who

have Albanian ethnicity may
enter Albania visa-free for a
maximum stay of 90 days
within a 180-day period.
There is no longer a visa
charge for any foreigners upon
entering Albania.

You don't pay on entrance and

exit to/from Albania by car.
The former €10 entrance fee
per person has been abolished.

Border with Macedonia -

Struga is famous for frequent
border controls. I personally
had car inspected there for 40
minutes, just like with special
scanner. I also witnessed other
cars on foreign plates having
the same procedure. Guards
are polite, yet suspiscious.

By plane

Tirana's "Mother Teresa"

International Airport [2]
(http://www.tirana-
airport.com/) is located just
15 minutes away from the city.
It is served by numerous
European flag carriers such as
British Airways, Alitalia,
Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa,
Austrian, and the low cost
carriers. A new, larger and
modern terminal was opened
in 2007. A tourist information
centre was opened in 2012.

At the airport exit, there are

numerous taxis 24/7 that can
take you to the city. The taxi
fee to the city center is €15
(2000 lek). Taxi fees to other
locations are posted on a
placard just outside the exit
doors.

There is a bus called Rinas

Express that runs once an hour
between the airport and
Skanderberg Square. It costs
ALL350 each way and leaves
on the hour from both the
airport and from Skanderberg
Square. It runs from about
08:00-19:00. The trip takes
around 25-30 minutes. From
the airport exit doors, walk
towards the parking lot past
the taxi touts to find the bus
stop. At Skanderberg Square,
the bus stop is located around
the northwest corner, near
other bus stops. The bus is not
only punctual but sometimes
even early, so plan to be there
a few minutes in advance. Do
not be intimidated by the signs
not mentioning "airport" or
any variation of it at the
Skanderberg Square stop.
"Rinas" means the bus goes to
the airport. If in doubt, ask the
locals, who will be happy to
point you to the correct bus.

Another cheap and convenient

way to reach the Albanian
Riviera in Southern Albania is
by landing in Corfu and taking
the hydrofoil to Saranda.

By train )

It is not possible to enter or

leave Albania via train. There
are, however, trains that
operate within the country.
Though the service is limited,
the price is inexpensive. There
is no direct service to Tirana
due to closure of the capital's
only railway station. However,
Tirana is served by the
renovated Kashar station
located 10 km west of the
capital. You can go to Librazhd
from Elbasan by train, Shkodra
and Lezha from Tirana.

By bus )
You can reach Tirana by coach
from

Istanbul (/en/Istanbul),
Turkey (/en/Turkey) (20h, €35
one-way)
Athens (/en/Athens), Greece
(/en/Greece) (9h, €30-35)
Sofia (/en/Sofia), Bulgaria
(/en/Bulgaria) (22h, €25)
Tetovo (/en/Tetovo),
Republic of Macedonia
(/en/Republic_of_Macedonia)
(6h, €15)
Prishtina (/en/Prishtina),
Kosovo (/en/Kosovo) (4h,
€10-15 )

You can reach Korca by coach

from

Istanbul (/en/Istanbul),
Turkey (/en/Turkey)
Thessaloniki
(/en/Thessaloniki), Greece
(/en/Greece)
Athens (/en/Athens), Greece
(/en/Greece)
Larisa (/en/Larisa), Greece
(/en/Greece)
Ohrid (/en/Ohrid), Republic
of Macedonia
(/en/Republic_of_Macedonia)

There is a daily bus link

between Ulcinj in Montenegro
(/en/Montenegro) and
Shkoder (/en/Shkoder), with
buses departing from the bus
station at 06:00 or 07:00 (this
can be confirmed by calling the
Ulcinj bus station on +382 85
413 225) and 12:30 (€5).
There is also a shared taxi
(minibus) from the parking
place next to the market in
Ulcinj; it departs at 13:00 and
costs €5, and the trip takes 1.5
hours. The stop is not marked,
and a reservation can only be
made by finding the driver in
the cafe at the corner of the
parking place. Ask around and
be persistent, as not all the
locals know about this.

There is also (as of May 2016)

a daily bus from Podgorica to
Shkoder and Tirana, leaving
Podgorica at 10:45 and going
via the Hani I Hotit border
crossing

Buses also run daily from

Ioannina (/en/Ioannina)
across the border at Kakavia
and on to Gjirokaster. In
Gjirokaster, you can buy a bus
ticket to Athens, Greece or
anywhere in between. The
buses are new, cheap and air
conditioned, and they stop at
some service stations along
the route.

By boat

Ferries to Durrës (/en/Durr

%C3%ABs) arrive from Bari
(/en/Bari) (9h, €50) and
Ancona (/en/Ancona) (19h,
€70). A high-speed service
operates from Bari (3h,
€60).[3]
(http://www.apdurres.com.al)
There is also a reliable
overnight ferry service
operated by Skenderbeg Lines
from Brindisi (/en/Brindisi) to
Vlore (/en/Vlore) Skenderbeg
Lines [4]
(http://www.skenderbeglines.
com/index.htm) .
Ferries from Corfu
(/en/Corfu) to Saranda
(/en/Saranda) every day.[5]
(http://www.portisarande.co
m.al)
Ferry between Brindisi
(/en/Brindisi) and Shengjin
(/en/Shengjin) re-established
in June 2015 by European
Seaways [6]
(http://www.europeanseaway
s.com) operating twice a week
in the summer.

By yacht

Yachts can be anchored at

Albania's only marina in
Orikum, south of Vlore. You can
also an anchor in the ports of
Sarande, Vlore, Durres, and
Shengjin. By the end of 2019
there is another 5-star marina
"Porto Albania" expected to
open.

By car )

You can reach Albania from

anywhere by car by crossing
through one of the major cities
of the neighboring countries
such as:

Podgorica (/en/Podgorica),
Montenegro (/en/Montenegro)
Ohrid (/en/Ohrid) ,
Macedonia
(/en/Republic_of_Macedonia)
Prizren (/en/Prizren),
Kosovo (/en/Kosovo)
Thessaloniki
(/en/Thessaloniki), Greece
(/en/Greece)
Ioannina (/en/Ioannina),
Greece (/en/Greece)

No road tax anymore for

foreigners (as of 2017). You
don't have to pay anything
while entering Albania by car
To enter the country, make
sure that your International
Motor Insurance Card (Green
Card) is valid for Albania (AL)
along with the Vehicle
Registration and a Power of
Attorney from the owner if the
car is not yours. The border
guards are very strict about
allowing cars through without
these documents. Insurance
can be purchased at the border
if you do not have a Green
Card. Gasoline (petrol) stations
are numerous and staffed with
attendants who will pump the
gasoline for you. Police
checkpoints are numerous.
Most consist of two officers
standing alongside the road
waving over selected vehicles.

The road between Ioannina,

Greece and Tirana
(E853/SH4) is in great
condition since it has recently
been renewed as of
2013/2014. When you are in
Gjirokaster you will be about 2
hours and 45 minutes from the
capital. But still travel with
caution. This is the main north-
south route between
Montenegro and Greece.

(/en/File:Gjirokaster-
Kakavie.jpg)
The new road between Kakavije
(Greece) and Gjirokastra

The road between Struga,

Macedonia and Tirana
(E852/SH3) is of decent
quality. There are a lot of slow
moving vehicles along the
curvy, mountainous route, so
extra caution must be
exercised, especially around
corners and during over-
taking. A new motorway is
being constructed between
Elbasan and Tirana. Sections
of the motorway and a long
tunnel are now complete (May
2017) allowing high-speed
travel in some areas. However,
other sections are still under
construction. As of May 2017,
it appears that most motorway
construction will be completed
within a year. The winding
highway down the mountain
pass from Macedonia to
Elbasan has yet to see
significant change.

The road between Prizren

(Kosovo) and Tirana (Albania)
(E851/A1) is comparable in
quality to that found on roads
in other parts of Europe. Much
of the road is dual carriage
(autobahn/motorway style),
but some is single carriageway.
Extra caution should be
exercised along some bridges
near the Kosovo border, as
they have not been widened to
dual carriageways. Also be
aware of the fact that cows run
free on the motorway: there is
no fence, and before dusk they
return home using the
motorway itself. As of March
2018 the road is tolled and a
fee must be paid to use the
motorway.

The road between Shkoder

(border of Montenegro) and
Tirana (E762/SH1) is of
sufficient quality for driving,
but there are a lot of slow-
moving vehicles and
uncontrolled access points, so
extra caution must be
exercised, especially during
over-taking. A portion of the
road between Milot and
Thumane has been widened to
motorway standard as of 2012.

The road between Han i Hotit

(north of Shkoder) and
Vermosh (beside the border
crossing with Montenegro in
the mountains) (SH20) is half
unpaved as of summer 2015.
The first 30km from Han i Hotit
is a high quality new asphalt
road; however the road
abruptly turns into a stone
track for the remaining 30km
until Vermosh. The unpaved
section is suitable for 4x4
vehicles and motorbikes with
good suspension and tires.

Tirana: New highway

construction is underway (May
2017) in and around Tirana.
Until the highways are
complete, the only way
through Tirana is on secondary
streets which are unbelievably
congested and unruly. Best to
avoid driving through Tirana
during the morning and
evening rush hours. However
certain routes will require
driving through downtown
Tirana.

Borders

In the north of Albania there

are three border control
points with Montenegro. The
narrow road from Ulcinj,
Montenegro to Shkoder via
Muriqan/Sukobin
(E851/SH41) is used mainly by
locals. As of 2012, the
Montenegrin section is under
construction. However, it is
worth a try to avoid heavier
traffic on the main road
(E762/SH1) to Hani i Hotit
which has almost finished
(2012). Ask any police officer
to point you in the right
direction from Shkoder; they
are helpful, courteous and
friendly. The border crossing in
the mountains (SH20) near
Vermosh is accessed by a
30km section of unpaved
mountain track (as of summer
2015), although there is
construction work ongoing.
This road is only suitable for
4x4 vehicles and motorbikes
designed for off-road use.

There are multiple border

crossings with Greece. The
biggest and most famous one
is the Kakavie Border, which is
about 45km from Gjirokaster.
Another border crossing, which
is less frequently used, is Qafe
Bote, which is after Butrint and
about 43 km from Saranda.
This road can get you to many
calm beaches in Greece and
the city of Igoumenitsa. The
border crossing Tre Urat is
best used only if you are going
to Permet or want to see some
wonderful scenery; this border
crossing is about 35km from
Permet. Another important
border crossing with Greece is
Bilisht. This crossing is mainly
used for traveling to Kastoria,
Thessaloniki, Istanbul, and/or
other parts of Eastern Greece.
The closest major Albanian city
from this border crossing is
Korca at about 35km away.

There are two major border

control points with
Macedonia. The most well-
known and often-frequented
one is Qafe Thane This border
crossing is the fastest way to
get to Ohrid, the Albanian
parts of Macedonia and Skopje.
This crossing is about 65km
from Elbasan and 30km from
Pogradec. The other border
crossing, named Tushemisht,
is the closest one to Pogradec
at only 6km and is mainly used
for tourists and locals who
want to see the St. Naum
Church and the Macedonian
parts of Lake Ohrid.

By taxi

Albania is a small country and

as such it is possible to leave
the country by taxi.

Your hotel will be able to

arrange a taxi to the border,
where you should be able to
change to a taxi on the other
side. For example, a taxi from
Tirana to the Macedonian
border, a distance of 70 miles,
will take three hours and cost
about €100. A metered
Macedonian taxi from the
border to Struga should cost
no more than €6 (December
2009) and take 20 minutes,
while a taxi to Skopje would
take 3 hours on much better
roads and cost about €120
(prices January 2008). Getting
through passport control will
take about 30 minutes.

A taxi ride from downtown

Pogradec to the Macedonian
border at Sveti Naum costs
about 5 euros and takes less
than 10 minutes. After
Albanian exit procedures, walk
about .5km down the road to
the Macedonian border control
point. The beautiful Sveti
Naum Church is very close by,
and from there you can get a
bus north around the lake to
Ohrid (110 denars) (prices
April 2010).

A taxi from Ulcinj in

Montenegro to Shkoder in
northern Albania costs about
€30 and takes 1 hour. You do
not have to change at the
border; the taxi will bring you
all the way (price June 2010).

Some taxis can take you into

Greece; however, most will not
go farther than Ioannina.

Get around

By bus

Most people in Albania travel

by public bus or by private
minibuses (called "furgons")
which depart quite frequently
to destinations around Albania.
Furgons have no timetable
(they depart when they are
full) and in addition to big
cities provide access to some
smaller towns where buses
don't frequently run. Furgon
stations aren't always in
obvious locations, so you can
ask around to find them, or
keep an eye out for groups of
white or red minivans gathered
together. Destination place
names are generally displayed
on the dashboard; prices are
never posted. Furgons are
loosely regulated and provide a
real "Albanian" experience.

From Tirana (/en/Tirana),

many furgons a day depart to
Shkoder (/en/Shkoder),Korca
(/en/Korca), Durres
(/en/Durres), Elbasan, Fier
(/en/Fier) and Berat
(/en/Berat). Furgons departing
to southern destinations like
Gjirokaster (/en/Gjirokaster)
or Saranda (/en/Saranda) tend
to depart fairly early in the
morning. Generally, furgons
cost a little more and go a little
faster than buses, but can be
uncomfortable over long
distances because of the close
quarters with other
passengers. The following
approximate operating
schedule for services leaving
Tirana was provided by the
tourist information office there.

(/en/File:Tirana-Furgon-
Departures.jpeg)
Tirana Furgon Departures

Buses are cheaper and more

comfortable and run on a time
schedule (though it is very
difficult to find printed
schedules), and they are
generally well regulated. There
are different bus stations in
Tirana for different
destinations. The following
timetable for services leaving
Tirana was provided by the
tourist information office there
on the 4th of September 2013.
It is subject to change and
should not be considered
100% reliable.

(/en/File:Tirana-Bus-
Departures.jpeg)
Tirana Bus Departures

One publicly-edited list of the

departure locations and times
of furgons and buses in
Albania may be found at: here
(http://www.matinic.us
/albania/furgon.php) -- but of
course these should be viewed
with caution. The latest (2016)
bus schedules are available
here (https://gumroad.com
/products/rCqy/) , verified by
locals and including detailed
information about the bus
stops, their GPS coordinates,
prices etc.

By train

A train ride is a must, as there

are few such enjoyments in
Europe these days. Tickets are
very cheap, journeys are very
long, and the views and the
atmosphere are usually
priceless. Among the things
you will see along this
unforgettable journey are
people working their land with
primitive tools, beautiful
landscapes and wild terrains,
houses under construction
with various things hung on
them to ward off the evil eye,
and a chance to meet
interesting passengers, mainly
from rural areas. At most
stations you'll find people
selling sunflower seeds, fruits,
chewing gum and many other
different things.

Services operate between

Durrës (/en/Durr%C3%ABs)
and Shkodër (/en/Shkod
%C3%ABr), Fier (/en/Fier),
Ballsh, Vlorë (/en/Vlor
%C3%AB) and Librazhd
(/en/Librazhd) via the Vorë
junction. The train route from
Lezhë (/en/Lezh%C3%AB) to
Shkodër has scenic beauty.

No direct service to Tirana has

operated since September
2013, due to planned
relocation of the capital's only
railroad station and
redevelopment of the previous
site into a residential area.
Kashar is thus the closest rail
station, at a distance of
approximately 10 kilometers.
The station was completely
renovated in May 2015. Rail
replacement bus services are
reportedly operating between
the old station sites at Tirana
and Kashar, departing twenty
minutes prior to the advertised
train departure from the
Kashar station.

Train timetables are available

here: [7]
(http://www.transporti.gov.al
/files/userfiles
/Transporti_Hekurudhor
/Grafiku_i_Ri_i_Trenave_te_Ud
hetareve_(Maj_2015).pdf) .

Albanian trains are still in

relatively poor condition.
Wealthier Albanians never use
trains and, if not traveling in
their own cars, use the many
mini-buses. On the other hand,
trains offer more space than
the often overloaded
minibuses.

Note that the train from Durrës

to Librazhd in eastern Albania
(via Elbasan) takes about four
hours. So instead of going up
to Kashar from Tiranë to catch
the train, you might want to
consider taking a bus to
Elbasan, which is only about
30 kilometers away.

No service has operated

between Librazhd and
Pogradec since 2012.
By car

Roads between important

destinations have been re-
paved and fixed recently and
offer most of the security
measures one would expect on
a highway. There are no fees
for using the highways.

Beware of minor roads: road

surfaces can be poor, deeply
pitted, or non-existent, and
sometimes a decent paving
can suddenly disappear,
necessitating a U-turn and
lengthy doubling-back. This is
the case for the road between
Tirana and Gjirokastër. It
seems that all the expensive
cars in Albania are SUVs rather
than low-slung sports cars -
and for good reason. Consult
the locals in advance if you are
planning to travel away from a
highway.

Highways have frequent

changes in speed limit,
sometimes with little apparent
reason, and there are frequent
police mobile speed checks.
Police will stop you if you have
not turned on your car lights.
Police will often stop foreign
cars (often owned by Albanian
and Kosovan expats returned
home), which seem to be good
targets for extracting fines or
other money. However, it
seems that once the police
recognize you as a foreign
driver, they wave you on with
minimal fuss, sometimes
without even checking your
documents. Expect to be
stopped by police once per
hour while driving in Albania
(that frequently!). Beware of
temporary lane closures and
temporary rules such as no left
turn which serve no apparent
purpose but are watched by
police who are ready to stop
you if you misinterpret the
confusing signs. Make sure you
travel with a proper driver's
license and insurance
documents (ask your car hire
company for these) to present
to the police.

Car-driving behavior on the

highways is not as orderly as
elsewhere in Europe. Expect
cars to pull out in front of you,
little use of indicators, and
hair-raising overtaking. Lanes
on dual or triple carriageways
tend to be observed. Also
expect pedestrians, horses or
donkeys to cross highways or
walk on them. Especially
beware of cows on the
motorway.

Navigation is pretty easy,

although some maps of the
country are out-of-date or
contain errors. It is strongly
recommended to have an up-
to-date GPS in your vehicle, as
new roads are constantly being
added to the Albanian road
network. In case the GPS does
not work, have a paper or
internet-based map available
as an alternative.

In the cities, especially Tirana,

many roads are being
upgraded and fixed. As a
result, traveling by car inside
the city is slow. Be aware that
Tirana in particular suffers
from great traffic congestion
during mornings and midday.

The Vlorë-Saranda
(/en/Saranda) mountain road
is a very nice ride. It is a
typical Mediterranean road,
and offers an amazing view of
the sea from the mountains.

Gypsy and beggar children

may approach your car at
major stop lights. Nudge
slightly forward to get them off
your car and, if necessary, go
into the traffic intersection to
get rid of them. The locals will
understand.
Note that around Greek holiday
seasons, including Orthodox
Easter, the roads leading to
and from Greece (/en/Greece)
can be crowded with cars with
Greek plates of Albanian
immigrants going to Albania or
returning to Greece after their
holidays.

Renting a car is a good option

to choose, but the practice is
fairly new in the country.
Rental companies are available
mainly at the Tirana Airport
and in Tirana proper. Various
travel agencies may offer such
services as well.

By bicycle

There is a lack of respect for

people riding on bikes on the
highways. Also, there are few
places to put your bike. These
and other challenges make
Albania a difficult cycling
destination, but a rewarding
one. Often asking around to
see if you can stay in
somebody's home or camp in
their garden is the only option.
Food and water are easily
available in the many roadside
cafes and bars.

It is OK to camp in all not-

strictly-private places, and
even if a place is private, there
should be no problem with
your stay; just ask someone if
you are in doubt.

Be aware that it's very hard to

get parts or repairs for modern
bicycles. Be careful with the
dogs while riding bicycle...
Many stray dogs walking the
roads, some of them in groups
and can be dangerous. Just
like the dogs guarding the
sheep and cows. That's why
it's the best to travel in group
or have something "special"
for the dogs.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is not very

common in Albania; however,
many people will pick you up if
they are able.

Travelers can get assistance

from Albanian travel
authorities like Albanian
Tourism Association (Albania
Travel Assistance), [1]
(http://expatriates.pro
/albania-travel-assistance-
for-expatriates/) .   and other
edit

non-government sector, too.

It's always advisable for
travelers to request
information from the relevant
organization/s before traveling
to a destination.

See
There are many things to do in
Albania. Many roads are paved;
however they are very windy

The coastline
(/en/Coastal_Albania) is
always a place to go, with its
clear turquoise seas, and its
many islands cast upon it, like
in Ksamil, Vlore and Saranda,
the southern most coastal city
in Albania. Note that the
coastline stretching to the
north from Vlore (/en/Vlore) to
the Montenegrin border is flat
and contains sand beaches.
This is the hub of mass tourism
in Albania. You can visit
seaside towns such as
Shengjin, Durres and Vlore and
enjoy the curative sands of
Velipoje. To the south of Vlore,
the Albanian Riviera is made
up of rocky or gravel like
shores with spectacular
turquoise waters. The area
contains mainly wooden villa
complexes, bed and
breakfasts, camping sites, and
family owned hotels as
accommodation facilities.
Llogara Pass is a mountain
pass located at the start of the
Riviera near Llogara National
Park which offers a majestic
view of the riviera from above.
Nearby is found Cesar's Pass,
the place where Julius Cesar is
said to have passed in his
pursuit of Pompey.

(/en/File:Ksamili_beach.jpg)
Beautiful and quiet beach at Ksamili

Dajti Mountain, a popular

sight in Tirana allows you to
get a whole green view of the
capital.
A walk around southern
cities like Butrint (/en/Butrint),
a UNESCO world heritage site,
is always ideal and memorable.
Butrint is home to many
ancient ruins.
Castles are in many cities in
Albania. Their beauty reminds
everyone of the ancient times
of Albania, and the world.
There is Petrela Castle near
Tirana (/en/Tirana), Rozafa
castle in Shkodra
(/en/Shkodra), the inhabited
castle of Berat (/en/Berat),
and Skanderbeg Castle in Kruje
(/en/Kruje), (named after the
national hero and now a
popular museum holding his
belongings).
Palasa, Near Himara. Palasa
is a beautiful village in Himara
with great beaches and
amazing nature. This is the
place where Julius Caesar
rested his legion at the pursuit
of Pompey. There are no
touristic resorts, but you can
ask for an apartment at the
local caffe. The apartments
usually are with two rooms and
a toilette, but usually clean,
safe and comfortable.   edit

In southern Albania you can

see the influence of Turks and
Greeks. In northern Albania
you can see many ancient
Illyrian ruins and very little
foreign influence.
(/en/File:Dhermi_clear_water.j
pg)
Beautiful and quiet beach at Dhermi

(/en/File:Golem_Beach.jpg)
Golem beach south of Durres along the
western lowland

Do
There are plenty of things to
do in Albania. The Albanian
seaside is perfect for those
who prefer a relaxing holiday.
The beautiful beaches of the
Ionian and Adriatic seas, great
Mediterranean climate and
some delicious, freshly-caught
seafood make for a great
holiday.

For those who are interested in

World History, historical tours
around the towns of Butrint,
Gjirokaster, Berat, Durres and
many others will not leave you
disappointed.
Albania also has a lot to offer
the traveler who prefers a more
active holiday, including sea
kayaking in the Albanian
Riviera; rafting on the Vjosa,
Osum, and Black Drin rivers;
trekking, cycling, and
snowshoeing; paragliding; and
hiking the peaks of the Balkans
[8]
(http://www.peaksofthebalka
ns.com) [9] (http://zbulo.org
/peaks-of-the-balkans)

Talk
Albanian
(/en/Albanian_phrasebook) is
the official language. Other
useful languages include
Italian (/en/Italian), which is
often viewed as the de facto
second language and is spoken
mainly in the western part of
the country (which received
Italian TV and radio broadcast
stations until the bandwidth
was occupied by local Albanian
stations). English is widely
understood in Tirana and to a
lesser extent in cities
frequented by tourists. In the
southernmost areas of the
country, you might also
encounter minority speakers of
the Greek (/en/Greek)
language.

From a country of 3 million,

there have been about 1.2
million emigrants, and many of
them have returned to Albania
from countries such as
Germany, France, Greece
(especially those in the south
of Albania) and Italy, so you'll
find a lot of people in Albania
who speak those languages. Of
the large number of Albanians
who have emigrated to Greece
over the years, around
200,000 people have returned
and now live in Albania, Greek
is widely understood.
Macedonian is occasionally
understood in areas near
Pogradec and Korca.

Many Albanians will also have a

decent command of Serbian.
However, due to the political
problems with Serbia, it is best
to avoid speaking Serbian
unless you absolutely have to.
Buy
The national currency is the lek
(ALL). It is subdivided into 100
qindarka (singular qindarkë),
although qindarka are no
longer issued.

Notice that some Albanians will

say prices with an extra zero.
They are not trying to charge
you 10 times the going rate;
they are merely using the old
currency. The accurate price is
in the new currency and can be
found on a written sign or
posting.

Hundreds of new ATMs have

been installed in most major
cities. Use the MasterCard ATM
Locator. [10]
(http://www.mastercard.com
/us/personal
/en/cardholderservices
/atmlocations/index.html) or
Visa ATM Locator [11]
(http://visa.via.infonow.net
/locator/global/) to find them.
ATMs accept most
international VISA and
MasterCard Credit/Debit cards.
Many rural convenience stores
will not accept any other
method of payment other than
cash. However, supermarkets,
the better book stores and the
better boutique stores will
accept credit or debit cards.
The most widely accepted
cards are VISA, MasterCard,
and Diner's Club.

Today many, if not all,

Albanians accept the Euro.
However, the rate of exchange
may be poor, so pay in lek
wherever possible.
In all Albanian cities you can
find numerous shops which
offer different goods of well-
known brands. Of great
interest to tourists are the
traditional bazaars of Kruja,
Korca, Shkodra, and
Gjirokastra dhe Tirana, where
you can find artisan works
produced by Albanians over
the years. You can buy carved
wooden objects, ceramics,
embroidered things with
popular motifs, and copper
objects. Albanian shops are
usually open from 09:00 to
20:00 (until 22:00 in the
summer). Most shops are open
on Sunday.

Souvenirs: raki, alabaster

bunker ashtrays

Lek
Currency Amount
Conversion

Euro 1 136.8

(/en/File:Us-flag.png)US dollar 1 123.1

(/en/File:Uk-flag.png)pound sterling (UK) 1 163.5

(/en/File:As-flag.png)Australian dollar 1 91.6

(/en/File:Ca-flag.png)Canadian dollar 1 94.8

As of June 2016

Eat
Restaurants are very easy to
find. Albania, like the Balkans
in general, has a primarily
Turkish influence in its cuisine.
This influence stems from over
400 years of Ottoman rule in
the region. Recent influences
after the fall of communism in
the early 1990's have been
from Italy and Western Europe
in general. Most of what is
available in neighbouring
countries such as Greece and
Italy will be available in
Albania, particularly in the
larger cities.

Many people grow fruits and

vegetables around their
houses, most popularly all
kinds of grapes, (red, black,
green), that are used to make
raki.

Albania is a very mountainous

country, and these mountains
have scattered olive trees that
influence Albanian cuisine.
Salads are usually made with
fresh tomato and onion. Most
Albanian people make their
own bread, but going out for
meals is very common.

Some sort of hearty stew is

commonly included in Albanian
dinners. These stews are easy
to make, and flexible with
ingredients. They include
potatoes, onion, rice, etc.

Byrek - a type of savoury pie

is also common, and is made in
different ways. One way is with
spinach and feta cheese.
Another is with ground meat
and onion. Baklava is a popular
dessert and is always made as
a dessert during New Year's
Eve. If going to Albania, expect
lamb to be the main meat in
many places. Lamb there is
naturally fed, and does not
have any odor like it does in
North America. Two byreks and
an ayran is a very common
breakfast, so try it to
understand why.
Cheese - lots of different
types but mostly feta cheese.
In village shops be prepared
that you'll get the cheese in
less hygienic way then in
supermarkets but it's worth to
try as it's usually delicious and
in very good price (try those
higher priced first). The
"Gjirofarma"[12]
(http://www.gjirofarm.com)
feta cheese is similar to the
Greek feta cheese, although a
bit more expensive. However,
most of the restaurants,
especially in Tirana and the
southern part of the country,
use this cheese. Its very
delicious, and its one of the
few cheeses that are exported
from Albania.

Lastly but not least, don't

forget to check out the many
pastry shops (pastiçeri)
offering a wide variety of tasty
pastry including delicious
cakes.

(/en/File:Ushqim_Tradicional.j
pg)
A table with Albanian traditional food

Drink
The legal drinking/purchasing
age of alcoholic beverages is
18.

The preferred alcoholic hard

drink is raki that is locally
produced in small towns as
well as in many homes in the
countryside; in some instances
you may run across men
washing down breakfast with a
few shots. Try the mulberry
rakia - Albanians are the only
people in the world that
produce this drink with
mulberry and plum, and its
very delicious, especially
around Gjirokaster. The
number of homemade beers,
wines and raki is as varied as
the population itself; the
quality of these drinks is as
varied as the quantity
available. Non-alcoholic drinks
range from the well-known
international and regional soft
drink brands to the locally
produced ones. You can find
any type of soft drink in
Albania, as well as natural
mineral water,energy drinks,
etc. Qafshtama
(http://www.qafshtama.com/)
water is especially good, and
found in all of the country.
Boza
(http://www.pacaraboza.com
/eng/) , a popular sweet drink
made from maize (corn) and
wheat is a traditional Albanian
drink, and Albanians have been
known as the best boza makers
in the world.

Sleep
Inside the cities, hotels are
abundant and prices per night
start as low as €15. Hotels are
usually clean and their staff in
major cities generally speak
English and/or Italian
(/en/Italian).

Outside the big cities, hotels

are less common, but in places
like Gjirokastra can be
excellent value (eg
ALL1000).There is a great
opportunity to experience local
traditions, hospitality and
cuisine by staying at one of the
guesthouses in the North. The
price of full board
accommodation will not be
more than €25 a person. If, for
any reason, you find nowhere
to sleep, the Albanian people
have always been known for
their hospitality, and will treat
you like royalty as you stay
with them.

Work

Stay safe
Take the usual precautions.
Foreigners are generally not
targeted by the local crime
scene, though pickpocketings
do occur.

Take extra caution when

driving, especially in big cities
like Tirana. Most drivers drive
like crazy and do not follow
any round about rules, give
ways, etc. They will also honk
their horn constantly which
can make any foreign driver
even more nervous and
frustrated. Just keep yourself
calm and ignore the honking.
Be careful of animals and little
children crossing the roads.
Stay healthy
It's best to drink bottled water,
but potted water is usually
drinkable too. The food in
Albania is mostly safe
anywhere you go in the
country, but in the summer be
aware of possible high
temperatures and inadequate
refrigeration. You can walk
around to stay fit, as many
people do in the capital, but be
aware that the city suffers from
severe air pollution. In
summer, insect repellent
should be used, as the
mosquito season is very active,
especially near former swamps
and along the Western
Lowland. Be careful at the
beaches because shards of
glass and sea urchins are
common on the sea floor.
Health clinics in small towns or
village areas are not well
equipped, so trips to nearby
cities can be expected. The
government banned smoking
in bars and restaurants in
August 2014.
Respect
Albanians are very hospitable.
Even more so than in the rest
of the Balkans, elder males
expect to be shown respect on
account of their age. Men of
the family have to be respected
in particular. Shake hands with
them and do not argue about
topics such as religion and
politics. In the north, avoid
topics that go beyond local
understanding. On the other
hand, rest assured that in
Tirana you will find very
cosmopolitan people who are
as open to new and modern
ideas as citizens of Western
Europe are. Perhaps the most
important thing to remember is
to respect local people at least
as much as you respect people
back home.

Traditions

In Albania it's common for men

to kiss the cheeks of other men
their age or younger, even the
very first time they meet. This
is especially true in the regions
of Fier, Tepelena, Vlora and
Gjirokastra. In northern
Albania, men touch each
other's cheeks but do not kiss
them. Women also kiss one
another, sometimes from the
very first time they meet, but
men and women do not kiss
each other on the cheek unless
they have been friends for a
long time. Kissing on the
cheeks is very common among
young people 15-20 years old.
If there is a baby in an
Albanian family, always ask to
see him or her, and don't
forget to add a compliment
(usually "qenka i shendetshem,
me jete te gjate" or "what a
sweet baby" works best). If
you are a man, or a woman
with a group of men, don't
compliment females unless
they are under 10-12 years of
age.

If you don't speak English, but

a language where "you" in
informal and "you" in formal
are not the same, be aware
that some Albanians do not
use the formal form in their
language. Sometimes even the
prime minister is adressed with
"ti" if a journalist is a friend of
his. However, when meeting
people for the first time, it's
better if you address them in
formal form, although they will
shortly after ask you to
address them in an informal
way.

Policemen in Albania are often

polite. Police at checkpoints
will very often stop foreign
cars, many of which are owned
by returning Albanians or
Kosovars who are good targets
for extortion. When police see
that you are a foreign tourist,
they will usually tell you to go
on (usually with a "ec, ec,
rruge te mbare" which can be
translated in "go on, have a
nice trip"). When this happens,
it's very polite if you respond
with a "Faleminderit" (thank
you in Albanian).

Albanians love dancing,

especially at weddings. If you
are attending a party, don't be
afraid to dance! Maybe you
don't know the traditional
dances, but try to learn.

Cope

Electricity

Officially 220V 50Hz. Outlets

are the European standard
CEE-7/7 or the compatible,
but non-grounded, CEE-7/16
"Europlug" types. Generally
speaking, US and Canadian
travellers should pack an
adapter for these outlets if
they plan to use North
American electrical equipment
in Albania.

Unexpected power outages are

common in Albania. These is
largely dependent upon the
amount of rainfall the country
receives in any given year, as
virtually all Albanian electricity
is generated by
hydroplants.However, this is
becoming more and more rare.
With the exception of Tirana,
one can anticipate power
outages in other cities.
Although all major cities and
most towns have back-up
generators, it is best to err on
the side of caution and ask
beforehand whether or not the
place has a generator to avoid
risking(for example)getting
stuck in an elevator.

Contact
You can buy a local sim card
for ALL600 (Vodafone). You
need to provide ID (passport,
or ID card for EU/EFTA
citizens) and give an address
in Albania. Though you may
need to find a storefront (as
opposed to Vodafone cards
readily available from street
vendors) Eagle cards work well
and have very good coverage.
Eagle is the mobile branch of
the government owned
AlbTelecom. As a result, Eagle
cards offer significant savings
when calling land based
phones in Albania. Being the
"Government" carrier, be
prepared for a bit more
formality when getting one of
these cards. You will still need
your travel document, but you
will also need to sign several
forms.

Get out
You can go from Shkoder in
northern Albania to Ulcinj in
Montenegro by taxi or van.
Fares can be negotiated
between €15 and €20, and the
trip takes between 1 and 2
hours. There are also three
scheduled buses a day. From
Ulcinj, you can take buses to
some of the main cities in
Montenegro, including Bar,
Budva, Kotor and Podgorica.
You can leave by plane from
Rinas International Airport.
You can go to Greece by
Gjirokaster at the border
crossing at Kavavi. You can
leave for Italy from Durres or
Vlora. From Saranda, you can
go to Corfu, Greece. You can
go to Kosovo from Kukes on
the new highway. There are
also border crossings into
Macedonia.

Crossing into Macedonia at the

border between Pogradec and
Ohrid, Macedonia is fairly
straightforward. From
Pogradec, one can take a taxi
to the border - this will likely
cost around €5 and take
around 10 minutes. Once you
get to the border, it is possible
to walk into Macedonia, but do
not expect to find taxis on the
other side of the border.
Instead, hire a taxi on the
Albanian side (€25, 40 minutes
to Ohrid) or wait for the
minibus that turns around at
the border. This bus comes
every few hours and is the
same bus that services the
Sveti Naum Monastery, which
lies a few kilometers from the
border. If the bus does not
show up, your best option
would be to head to the
monastery's parking lot a few
kilometers distant to find the
bus (check Google Earth first
to get a fix on its location).

Studying in Albania
You can go to Shkoder in
northern Albania and study the
Albanian language. There are
language courses for foreign
students to learn
Albanian,offered in English,
Italian, French, German and
Spanish. There are many
universities in Tirana, as well
as in Korca, Gjirokaster,
Elbasan, Berat, Kukes, Shkoder,
Durres etc too.

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