First Impressions of Albania
I used to think that countries that have endured great hardship somehow produce kinder people. I’m not sure why I believed that—it’s clearly not a universal truth. But in Albania… maybe there’s some truth to it?
In parts of the Balkans, I find people emotionally closed off, polite but cold. Albanians were the opposite: curious, welcoming, eager to talk about their country, their families, and where Albania is headed next.
There’s no performative hospitality here. Beaches, wine, simple healthy food, low cost of living – I’m sorry but why don’t I live here? That’s how I felt on day 3 in Albania.
So why do I love Albania so much? It’s the history, it’s the people, it’s the landscape…I’m going to try to explain.
Albania’s History and Identity
Albania has been ruled by the Romans, Greeks, Ottomans, and later Italy during World War II.
From the late 1940s until the early 1990s, Albania lived under one of the most isolated communist dictatorships. Travel was restricted. Trade was cut off. Outside influence was nearly nonexistent.
Many families fled during or just after this period. But somehow, that isolation preserved something rare: a strong national identity without resentment or xenophobia.
Language, Wine, and Ancient Roots
Albanian Language
The Albanian language stands apart as one of Europe’s oldest continuously spoken languages. Many Albanians trace their heritage to the Illyrians, an ancient Balkan people. As do the people of Kosovo, this shared identity is why Kosovonian people wave the Albanian flag with pride as well. Dua Lipa’s parents are actually from Kosovo – former Yugoslavia, but again they consider themselves the same people and she identifies as ethnically Albanian..because theyr’e the same. I wrote a college paper about the war and genocide in Yugoslavia but definitely need to bursh up on this.
Wine, Older Than You Think
Albania has great wine country!! and is one of the world’s oldest wine-producing regions. Archaeological evidence shows wine fermentation here dating back thousands of years, connecting modern vineyards to ancient traditions.
Coffee and Albania: The Ottoman Legacy
I love cafés, and Albanian cafés love me back.
Albania’s excellent café culture is a leftover gift from the Ottoman Empire, which ruled the region for nearly five centuries. Coffeehouses aren’t just places to drink coffee — they were social hubs for gossip, and pass time. It still feels like that.
Fun Fact: The Ottoman Empire officially ended after World War I, dissolving in 1922 when the Republic of Turkey was founded under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
If you’re wondering what to drink in Albania, try the local take on Greek-style cold freddo coffee – or even coffee mixed with Raki, the national grape brandy. I wrote a whole article about the cafes I visited in Vlorë.
Why Italian Is Widely Spoken in Albania
Because of Italian occupation during World War II, and decades of Italian media influence afterward — many older Albanians speak Italian rather than English.
I don’t speak Italian, but I do speak Spanish. More than once, I’d speak Spanish, they’d reply in Italian, and we just made it work. Love.
The Meaning Behind Albania’s Flag
I love Albania’s flag and Albanians really love their flag. There’s a joke – you’ll never have to guess if a man is an Albanian…he’ll have the flag tattooed on him somewhere visible. (cute)
The red flag with a black double-headed eagle. It represents valour, watching two directions at once. After centuries of invasions, Albania has to always be on the defense. The flag perfectly captures Albania’s history of resilience.
Food in Albania: Simple, Fresh, Mediterranean
Albanian food is refreshingly uncomplicated. Tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, olive oil, fresh bread, grilled fish, and seasonal vegetables. Nothing is trying too hard.
They’re famous for byrek (often called Albanian pizza). I’ve had bad byrek. I’ve had incredible byrek. When it’s good—it’s unforgettable!!! This was my favorite place in Vloreë – it takes hours to make so you have to send them a WhatsApp message beforehand to order. Sofra Tradicionale Vlore Restaurant.
Albanian Boat Tour I’ll Never Forget
On a boat tour near the Albanian Riviera, the operator brought his cousins along. They were loud, drunk, and chaotic young men —classic Balkan summer energy.
I think everyone else on the boat (there were about 20 of us) were quite waxed about the rambunctious activity. I, on the other hand —I had front-row seats to a reality show I never knew I needed.
I chatted with all of them, in between their music, jokes, and rough housing over who controlled the speaker. They told me about their lives abroad—Dubai, Barcelona, London—but every summer, they returned here, to this coast, to reconnect with family, friends, and the rhythms of home.
Why I’d Move to the Albanian Riviera
I was on a bus from Tirana to Vlorë, heading toward Albania’s southern coast, when it hit me— this place is next.
It was the same feeling I had in Mexico City in 2018, when apartments were still selling for $70k and Americans weren’t buzzing about it yet. That certainty you get when a place is right on the edge of global attention.
Albania gives me that.
Pros of Living in Albania
- Low cost of living
- Massive room for economic growth (no Uber or Bolt—yet)
- Easy access to Italy and Greece
- Mediterranean diet that promotes a healthy lifestyle
- No history of being a colonizer
- Long tradition of religious tolerance (Muslim & Christian coexistence, no civil war)
- Americans can stay one year visa-free
- Americans can buy property without a permit
- As low as €500 per square meter
- ~$100k apartments still exist
- Albania is actively petitioning to join the EU – although people don’t believe it’ll ever happen
Cons of Living in Albania
- Summers are very hot
- Trash pick up system sucks. There’s a lot of trash.
- The main international airport is about 2.5 hours away
- BUT, a new airport near Vlorë (about 20 miles away), which will accelerate tourism and development even more. BUT, it’s on a bird sanctuary so people are protesting the airport.
Final Thoughts on Albania
Albania feels like a country that knows exactly who it is — and is finally ready to be seen.
It’s affordable, culturally rich, emotionally warm, and still mostly under the radar. There’s a confidence here that doesn’t ask for validation, which might be what makes it so magnetic.
I LOVE HER.
And maybe because I love her, I worry a little too. Rapid development and foreign investment can be a double-edged sword. When things move too fast, the cost of living rises, communities get reshaped, and the quieter parts of a place can disappear before anyone has time to notice.
I don’t know how to protect a country from that. I just hope Albania gets to grow on her own terms.