Safety in Albania for two women

Hi, We’d like to spend about twenty days in Albania next July. We’re two women traveling together and we’re thinking of renting a small car. Does that sound reasonable, or should we avoid it? Thanks for your advice.

Hi Dominique,

I don’t really see why Albania wouldn’t be safe for two girls?

As for renting a car, it’s a great idea to get everywhere. No particular difficulties except in Tirana, where driving in traffic jams and through construction is pretty intense... Another thing to note: the roads are often winding!

The coast is probably quite busy in the summer. It’s now very built-up...

I’d recommend the inland areas more.

Thanks for visiting my country! There’s no problem traveling in Albania. Foreigners are very respected here, and even more so women!

Hi there,

Albania is a particularly safe country. Driving requires a bit of relaxed attentiveness, but nothing overwhelming.

Michel

Thanks to all of you. This really encourages us to explore Albania.

Hi there, I’ve just finalized my 15-day trip to Albania. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my itinerary below (I’m really into nature): 1 & 2 days: CAPE OF RODON 3 & 4 days: Spille Beach / Divjakë-Karavasta National Park 5/6 days: RHADHIME (I’ll definitely stop at Vjosë-Nartë for a few hours—is this protected area large? Should I stay a full day?) 7/8 days: RHADHIME/HIMARË 9/10/11 days: KSAMIL 12th day: GJIROKASTËR 13/14 days: BERAT 15th day: BERAT/AIRPORT Is the E853 road between GJIROKASTËR and BERAT in good condition? Same question for the SH72 road.

Super safe! Go for it! The only possible issue: finding a car in summer. We used a local agency to help us out, goalbania, because we didn’t want to deal with the usual problem French travelers face at foreign rental agencies—credit/debit cards. In short, car rental agencies in Albania only accept credit cards, and French people usually only have debit cards. So you have to pay a huge deposit to rent a car. Unless you plan ahead and go through an agency. Anyway, that’s the solution I found. Have a great time!

Hi,

In short, car rental agencies in Albania only accept credit cards, and French people only have debit cards.

A lot of people have deferred debit cards labeled "credit."

Michel

the French only have debit cards.

The vast majority of people who travel have a deferred debit card = credit card.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on my itinerary below (keeping in mind I have a soft spot for nature).

Hi, In that case, I’d lean more toward the north (the Dinaric Alps).

This mountain range in northern Albania—which also "spills over" into neighboring countries (under the name "Prokletije")—offers stunning canyon, valley, lake, and river landscapes. You can also hike there and enjoy the two national parks it’s home to (Theth and Valbona Valley National Park).

The coast, aside from a few exceptions, isn’t anything special (lots of concrete and not-so-great developments), and on top of that, it’s *super* crowded!

Yeah, it's totally misleading! You think you have a credit card—it's even called that here. But the rest of the world sees them as "debit" cards (which is what they actually are). And the trouble starts when you rent a car...

As soon as you have a deferred debit card, it's all good for renting a car; and most people have one.

Michel

No, nothing misleading. A deferred debit card is a "credit" card, and a large majority of people who travel have one.