5 Reasons to Visit Albania
Always one to jump on a bandwagon, HostelBloggers have noticed a spate of articles trumpeting the touristic cause of Albania over the last few months. The Guardian got the ball rolling, as it were, and then the Independent and the Metro hopped on board too.
So just what is it about this small country that snuggles into the Mediterranean coastline of Southeastern Europe? We’ve been doing some digging, and here (in no particular order) are five reasons why we think Albania has suddenly become the talk of the traveling community.
1) No one has been here. Seriously. Well ok, not quite seriously, but still…
Albania’s modern history has been a little fraught, having included a (semi) iron-fisted Soviet dictator, and a massive influx of Kosovan refugees. As such, prior to the turn of the 21st Century, it hadn’t really been on the traveler’s map.
All that has changed since the end of the 90’s however, and Albania is now happily settled. Which means, all in all, that it’s both largely untouched, and extremely rewarding. And that, in a nutshell, is what backpacking is all about.
2) The People. Take a look around the blogosphere on the subject of Albania, and there’s one thing that seems to unite each and every post: the incredible hospitality Albanians extend to visitors.
This hospitality seems to include (by definition) strong Turkish coffee, and an eagerness to help with anything - big or small.
3) Tirana. Surrounded by rolling hills, Albania’s capital perches on the perfect side of ‘vibrant’ - small and welcoming, there’s nonetheless plenty of culture to keep you entertained.
Sightseeing highlights include the old-fashioned Et’hem Bay Mosque, and the artificial lake that sits in the middle of the city.
4) The Ionian Coastline. It shouldn’t be surprising that Albania’s beaches are stunning - the country’s only a short hop from Italy and Greece, after all. And, what’s more, the beaches here aren’t frequented by the traveling hordes. Which is exactly how the Med should be.
5) The Pillboxes. Take a bus ride through the Albanian countryside and one thing is guaranteed to draw your attention: the domed bunkers that litter the landscape. A legacy from Enver Hoxha’s reign (he was a little bit scared of outside invasion to say the least), it’s estimated there’s one pillbox for every four Albanians.
Today, the structures have become a bit of a cultural icon. Some have been decorated, while others have been turned into idiosyncratic restaurants. It probably goes without saying, though, that their main use now is for something a little less civilized…
