Practical details
Albania (Republika e Shqipërisë) lies in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, with coastlines on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. It borders Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south; covering about 28,748 km², it is one of Europe's most mountainous countries. Its landscapes range from the Albanian Alps in the north and the Korab and Ceraunian mountains to the Adriatic lowland plains, with a coastline roughly 476 km long. Home to Illyrian tribes in antiquity, the land passed through Roman and Byzantine rule; in the 15th century national hero Skanderbeg resisted the Ottomans, and independence was declared in 1912. After World War II it lived under the communist rule of Enver Hoxha before turning to a multiparty system in 1992. The capital and largest city is Tirana, followed by the port of Durrës, Vlorë in the south and Shkodër in the north. Cultural highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of ancient Butrint and the historic centres of Berat and Gjirokastër, noted for their Ottoman-era architecture, while the Albanian Riviera stretches along the southern coast. The cuisine blends Mediterranean and Balkan influences, with dishes such as byrek and tavë kosi. The official language is Albanian and the currency is the Albanian lek (ALL). The interior is continental while the coast is Mediterranean; summers are hot and dry and winters mild, so spring and autumn are generally comfortable for travel. Current opening hours, prices, visa and transport details are not written without source-based verification, and for missing details we say we don't know. (Source: Wikipedia, Wikivoyage)
