Albania located in the western part of the Balkans, in the southeast of Europe. It borders on Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and Macedonia. From the southwest side it is washed by the Ionian Sea, from the western Adriatic.
The population of Albania is approximately 3.5 million people, of which 95% are Albanians. The rest of the nationalities that inhabit it are Montenegrins, Slovaks, Greeks and Gypsies.
The official language in this country is Albanian, but you can also find Italian, Greek and even some Slavic languages.
The local currency, called lek, equals 100 kindarks. In circulation, banknotes from 100 to 5000 lek and coins with a face value of 1 to 100 lek. In different years, banknotes of the same denomination were issued, but differing in appearance. Also in Albania, you can freely pay with American dollars and euros.
The 2010 census showed that Muslims in Albania account for 48.8%, Orthodox Christians - 43% and Catholics - 8%.
Albania - the capital and major cities
Tirana became the capital of Albania in 1920. The population of the metropolis is according to official figures for 2010 - 386,420 inhabitants, and according to unofficial figures - almost a million people. Its population is almost uniform in ethnic composition, most of them Albanians. The city is quite compact, and therefore pleasant for hiking. About 80% of all industrial enterprises of the country are concentrated in it. There are very few architectural attractions in the capital. Only in the old center of Tirana, the traditional oriental features in the layout were partially preserved.
You can also note such large cities as Durres, Vlore, Berat, Lushnya, Korcha, Elbasan, Fier and Shkoder.
Albania - holidays and tours
The shore of the Adriatic Sea is a wonderful vacation spot for the whole family, especially since hotels in Albania are located among a pine forest. The Ionian Sea compares favorably with the rest with its small beaches and crystal clear water. Albania is a mountainous country, it is also famous for its lakes. Almost all cities have their own lake.
In Albania, you can successfully combine sea tours with historical and cultural. This country, in addition to the clear sea, white sand, nature, ancient history and the Mediterranean climate, offers quite a rich cultural and modern holiday.
Albania - Attractions
Tirana is a very beautiful cosmopolitan city with its own unique charm. He gradually gets rid of the gray past and blooms right in front of his eyes. There are many charming cozy parks, vibrant beautiful buildings, galleries, entertainment centers and museums. In the very center of Tirana there are beautiful statues, murals and the Pyramid, in which Enver Hoxha found eternal peace. Despite the fact that Albania had a communist past, the city has many religious buildings, churches that store valuable wall paintings and icons.
Not far from the capital, in Krui, stands the medieval Skandenberg castle, which houses two museums, and next to the castle is the restored Ottoman bazaar, where you can buy souvenirs and works by local artisans.
No less interesting is the Rozafa fortress, which was built before the Roman conquest. She was involved in military operations in 1913.
One of the oldest cities in Albania is considered Berat. Its architectural monuments were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the city itself is a kind of open-air museum. Berat is often called the city by thousands of windows, as it has simply outstanding monuments of the Ottoman Empire.
The magical city of Saranda is suitable for those who dream of a romantic vacation on the beach. It has a fairly developed tourist infrastructure and affordable prices. The pleasant atmosphere immediately captivates travelers! The magnificent coasts, picturesque streets and unsurpassed landscapes will be remembered for a long time after a romantic vacation.
But you do not need to be limited only to the coast, because in Albania there are a lot of beautiful places. In almost every village or town you can find breathtaking landscapes, charming houses and picturesque churches with ancient icons and murals.
For example, in Berduotchi you can observe the life of herons, curly pelicans and other equally beautiful birds. No one will be indifferent to the mountain scenery, color and culture of local villages, explorations of accessible and interesting archaeological sites, such as the abandoned city of Apolonia or the Roman amphitheater in the town of Durossi.
You can go hiking in the mountains of Albania, for example the Torroni massif or in the north of the country in the Alps.
There are also great bike trails, and in winter you can go snowboarding and skiing. Moreover, there are many mountain rivers, so there is the opportunity to go rafting, kayaking or canoeing, but in places where the river is calmer.
Albania - weather
The climate in Albania is temperate subtropical Mediterranean. Hot dry summers (in July +24 +28 C) and wet cool winters (in the north +6, in the south +14С). The temperature regime depends on how the place is located in height above sea level. Therefore, in some areas of the country in winter it can even reach -20 ° C, in summer no higher than + 10 ° C.
Precipitation falls in the amount of 600-800 mm per year, their largest number falls in the spring and autumn periods. In mountainous areas, at an altitude of about 1000 meters, snow cover can last for several months.
Weather in Albania now:
Albania - Cuisine
In Albania, meat (lamb, beef), fish (trout and carp) and vegetables are preferred. At one time, Slavic, Turkish and Greek cuisines had a great influence on the local.
It is imperative to try such national dishes as corn, furgesa-tyrant, shish-kebab, shark ice-cream and sweet rice cakes. In summer, preference is given to cucumber soup and tarator.
Albanians prefer very strong coffee, this should not be forgotten when making an order at a local restaurant.
Of alcohol, white wines are the best. Fans of stronger drinks will be satisfied by tasting herbal fernet tincture, local brandy and fruit liqueurs.
Albania - interesting facts
Strange as it may seem, the Albanians confirm what was said not with a nod, but with a shake of the head from side to side. Their negative gesture corresponds to our yes, that is, a nod of the head. In Tirana and other large cities this is not so common, but in the province people are faithful to their customs, so often there is a misunderstanding between tourists and local residents.
Albania - visa application
Citizens of the Russian Federation who decide to visit this country from May 30 to October 31 do not need to apply for a visa (a private visit of 90 days is possible during this period).
If you have a national D category visa from any of the Schengen countries or a C category Schengen visa, you will also not need an Albanian visa. If there are no such documents, then you need to take care of applying for a visa in advance. By private invitation, its cost will be from $ 5, a business visa will cost $ 20.
Albania - Embassy
117049 Moscow, Mytnaya St., 3 apt. eight
Tel 230-77-32
Map of Albania
