Are there any age restrictions for this tour?
Yes. This tour is for travellers aged 18 to 45 on the day it starts, and we can't book anyone outside that range. If you're outside it, get in touch and we'll help you find a tour that suits you.
What is included in the price, and what is not?
Included: eight nights of accommodation, eight breakfasts, all transport within Albania, a group leader for the whole trip and every activity on the itinerary. That covers the Tirana walking tour, tubing in the Osumi Canyon, Berat Castle, Gjirokastër's old town and Skenduli House, the Blue Eye hike, Butrint, beach time in Sarandë and Ksamil, the Qeparo hike and the Himarë boat trip.
Not included: international flights, travel insurance, airport transfers, lunches and dinners, drinks and anything you choose to do in your free time.
How big are the groups on this tour?
Groups are capped at 18 travellers, so it is big enough to be sociable and small enough to fit on one boat and around one dinner table. Most people come on their own, so you will not be the only solo traveller.
How fit do I need to be for this tour?
An average level of fitness is plenty. The walking is mostly easy: the Tirana walking tour, the old towns of Berat and Gjirokastër, and Butrint's ruins. The Blue Eye hike on day 5 is scenic and not too demanding, and the hike up to Qeparo old village on day 7 climbs a hillside at an easy pace, with stops for the view.
Berat and Gjirokastër are built on hillsides with steep, cobbled lanes that can be slippery, so good shoes matter more than fitness. For the tubing in the Osumi Canyon and the Himarë boat trip you should be comfortable in the water.
How much spending money should I bring?
Albania is one of the cheapest places to travel in Europe, and your accommodation, breakfasts, transport and activities are already paid for. As a guide, budget around €30 to €40 (about £25 to £35) a day for lunch, dinner and a few drinks.
Allow a bit more for the coast: the beach clubs at Ksamil usually charge for sunbeds, and nights out in Sarandë cost more than dinner in Berat. Add extra for souvenirs, and for any airport taxis at either end of the trip.
Who will be leading the group?
A group leader travels with you for the whole trip, from the first evening in Tirana to checkout on day 9. They look after the transport, activities and accommodation, run the walking tours, and have plenty of ideas for the free afternoons and evenings, from where to eat to where to watch the sunset.
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes. Travel insurance is compulsory on this trip, and your group leader will ask to see it on day 1, so have your policy on your phone or printed.
Check that it covers the activities on this trip, including river tubing in the Osumi Canyon, the boat trip at Himarë and hiking. You can get a quote and buy travel insurance here.
Is Albania safe to travel?
Yes, Albania is a safe and welcoming country to travel in, and crime aimed at visitors is rare. Take the same care you would anywhere busy: keep an eye on your phone and bag in crowded places, on buses and at the airport, and take a licensed taxi late at night.
Albania's drug laws are very strict, with long prison sentences even for small amounts, so do not carry or buy anything. For the latest official advice, check your government's travel advice before you go (in the UK, that is gov.uk).
What is the currency?
The currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). There are cash machines in every town you stay in, and cards are taken in most hotels, bigger restaurants and bars in Tirana and on the coast.
Carry some lek in cash for small cafés, bakeries, beach sunbeds and market stalls. Some places on the coast will take euros, but you usually get a better price paying in lek.
Is tipping expected?
Tipping is not compulsory in Albania, but it is appreciated. In restaurants and bars, rounding up the bill or leaving around 10% for good service is normal.
If you would like to thank your group leader or the boat crew at the end of the trip, that is completely up to you.
Is the tap water safe to drink in Albania?
It is best not to. Tap water in Albania is treated in the towns, but supplies and pipes vary and most locals drink bottled water, which is cheap and sold everywhere. Use tap water for brushing your teeth and showering, and buy bottled water for drinking.
To cut down on plastic, bring a refillable bottle with a built-in filter, or buy large bottles and refill a smaller one from them. Drink plenty, as summer days are hot.
Do I need to speak Albanian?
No. Albanian (shqip) is unlike any other language, but English is widely spoken by younger people and anyone working in tourism, and Italian is understood by many. In the south, some people speak Greek.
Watch out for head gestures: some Albanians, especially older people, shake their head to mean yes and nod to mean no. Faleminderit (thank you) and gëzuar (cheers) will earn you a smile.
Do I need any vaccinations for Albania?
We cannot give medical advice, so speak to your GP or a travel clinic six to eight weeks before you travel, and check the Albania page on TravelHealthPro for the latest recommendations. Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date.
Albania is not in the EU, so a UK GHIC or an EU EHIC does not cover you there. Make sure your travel insurance includes medical cover.
Are there any local customs I should know about in Albania?
Albanians are famously hospitable, and you may be offered coffee or a glass of home-made raki. It is polite to accept, even just a sip.
When visiting a mosque, cover your shoulders and knees, take your shoes off at the door and avoid prayer times. Beachwear is fine on the beach, but cover up a little in towns and old quarters. In the early evening many towns do the xhiro, a stroll along the main street, which is a good time to join the locals for a drink.
