Anybody Been To Albania On Holiday, Especially Camping!

[Bramleyboy]

I am thinking of going to Albania this year, back packing or camping. Do you have any advice or suggestions?

[whirlyhurly]

No, but on a completely different subject, Norman Wisdom was extremely popular in Albania and hailed as a legend.

[eastern]

Been to Albania twice and was there for a month at a time. It's a very poor country in some respects and corruption is rife. I don't think camping in a tent would be recommended especially as I didn't see many camp sites. I really enjoyed my time there especially going to Velora which is their holiday resort. It gets very hot there in the summer so I would go there in April/May. Also the roads are a disgrace, especially in the South around Berat. Hotels weren't too bad and about the same price as the UK. I would jump at the chance to go again as I met some really great people and I loved the country and scenery but it's different when you know where your going and you have contacts in the country.

[jno]

here's the governmetn advice

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/albania

I went there years ago; an interesting place to visit, but I was safely in a group. I'm really not sure I'd go it alone backpacking. But as I say, it was years ago and I can't advise on the current situation.

Have you thought of Croatia just to the north? Very well set up for camping (though Albania has better beaches).

[maggiebee]

I worked in Albania for a year and have travelled most of the country. I would not recommend backpacking or camping, but transport is cheap as is accommodation. Beautiful country, especially around Berat. Roads very much improved even since I was there 3 years ago thanks to big boost from European funding. Durres is great for beaches and Tirana for shopping. I'm going back in June but will be staying with friends in Tirana.

[maggiebee]

Albanian friend sent me these links - worth a look.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=603439983052909&;set=vb.159765217374982&type=2&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=287764848055642&;set=vb.173943119437816&type=2&theater

[atalanta]

I enjoyed Albania - in a tour group. It was extraordinarily hot, which I much enjoyed, though not everyone would. However, you will find not many people there speak English. You could manage with a bit of Italian, perhaps, or maybe Greek, but in the smaller hotels there may be only one member of staff with (some) competence in English. The Roman ruins are very fine, especially at Butrint.

[Bramleyboy]

Thank you very much all. It's put my mind at rest. Bramleyboy

[slinkycat]

I backpacked in Albania a few years ago and stayed in a mixture of hotels, b&b's,a campsite with ready pitched tents and one where we used our own tents. We travelled entirely on public transport, walked between a couple of destinations and on one occasion got a lift from some friendly Kosovans in a very dodgy looking car!
It was a fantastic holiday, the people are amazingly friendly and helpful, but as others have said the infrastructure isn't great.
I think I may have some details of where we stayed, so depending on which areas you're planning to visit I might be able to help with

[slinkycat]

oops pressed submit by accident! Might be able to help with further info on accommodation and transport.