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 observe any journey blogs or learn journey information, (and since you might be right here studying this, I will assume you do!) then you may have undoubtedly examine Albania.

This small nation positioned on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe has been gaining increasingly more consideration just lately for vacationers in search of one thing completely different, inexpensive, and delightful.

Digital nomads additionally adore it, and for good reason.

I spent 5 months in the beginning 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 nations since then, at any time when individuals ask, “what country has been your favorite” or “what country left the greatest impression,” the reply is all the time 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 stunned 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 may need heard individuals confer 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’ve interacted with some gruff older males whom we had been a bit intimidated to strategy at first however ended up consuming rakia round a desk with their household by the tip 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 manner that will help you and make you are feeling welcome, permitting them to be reliable and holding 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 had been uncertain the place to go. He didn’t communicate any English and was shouting at us and demanding my cellphone, scary proper?

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

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

A Not-So-Secret Secret

It’s humorous as a result of most individuals I communicate 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 reputation for a lot of causes.

After going viral on TikTok recently, Albania is just not such a top-secret vacation spot anymore. Yet, once we arrived in Albania in January 2021, we had been stunned to see so many different ex-pats residing right here already.

When doing our analysis, we assumed it was comparatively unknown, nevertheless it ended up being the one nation the place we made so many pals 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: a lot of these we met had been Americans, as we will 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 understanding this and was nonetheless stunned at how little you possibly can spend right here and stay comfortably.

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

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

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

Pro-tip: turn out to be 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 contemporary mussels each time and all over the place you go!

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

In the tip, it’s all about the way you wish to stay, however do understand that the Albanian Riviera will get expensive because the summer time season approaches, so ensure that to know 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 discuss in regards to the seashores. Most individuals who come to Albania within the hotter months achieve this looking for the Albanian Riviera, and for good purpose.

Albania has probably the most stunning 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 possibly can get pleasure from, and naturally, Ksamil is turning into increasingly more well-known as being as stunning 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 comprehend, although, is that whereas not practically as crowded as different common European locations, a lot of Albania’s seashores are removed from a secret come summer time.

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

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

bunkers in albania — Bunkers Bunkers Everywhere

Postcard Perfect Views

I was, and proceed to be stunned at simply how stunning Albania is. Everywhere you look, there can be a turquoise coast crashing under the cliffs, or mountains and gorges, rivers, and the whole lot in between.

One factor that I couldn’t consider 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 stunning and necessary, in actual fact, that it has simply turn out to be the primary Wild River National Park in Europe.

If you might be fortunate sufficient to name Albania house for some time, you’ll doubtless be stunned to see how simple a lot of the nation is to discover through public busses and, in fact, by renting a automobile.

(*5*)

Yes Means No And No Means Yes

While English is broadly 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 troublesome, 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 feels 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 could get simpler, and it did, however even after months, there have been nonetheless many conditions the place this interplay prompted some confusion.

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

I hope my expertise leads you to e-book 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 in regards to the Rakia energy, although!

But significantly, in case you are in search of an fascinating and distinctive place to discover, with fantastic individuals and engaging tradition… the reply is all the time Albania.