Is Albania Safe for Solo Female Travel in 2025?

Before my first solo trip to Albania, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But after spending months exploring the country on my own (with my small dog), I can confidently say Albania is one of the safest countries for solo female travel.

The Balkan region in general feels quite safe, and Albania in particular is very respectful, welcoming and friendly. It’s an excellent destination for solo female travellers.

Here’s everything you need to know from safety and transport to budgeting and Albania’s must see destinations. For even more practical information check out these Albania travel tips before you go.

Why Albania is Great for Solo Female Travel

There’s a lot of reasons why Albania is so good for women travelling alone.

1. Albania is safe

Despite Albania’s reputation for corruption, crimes against tourists are rare. Female travellers overwhelmingly report feeling safe.

I’ve travelled alone (with my small dog) all over Albania and have never been harassed or felt disrespected. I’ve always felt safe and never worried about walking around with my phone in my hand (google maps navigating).

Usually I rent Airbnbs in local neighbourhoods. My dog and I have stayed for months at a time in Vlore, Durres, Saranda and Tirana and always felt completely safe.

2. The locals are welcoming

Locals are friendly and welcoming. They are known for going out of their way to help travellers, especially women.

Strangers have stopped to ask me if I’m lost, or help me lug a suitcase up a steep flight of stairs. Albanians are proud of their beautiful country and want visitors to love it too.

3. Albania is budget friendly

Compared to the rest of Europe, Albania is very affordable. Hotels, restaurant meals and excursions are cheaper. Prices are increasing, but it’s still budget friendly.

Women travelling alone in Albania can afford seafronts stays, mountain trips, cultural excursions and car rentals without breaking the bank.

4. Albania is easy to navigate (kind of)

Albania is not a big country and it’s easy to get around by bus. There’s no rail network. The buses are a very affordable way to travel around Albania.

If you don’t mind using the informal, but fairly dependable bus network, you can travel all over Albania. Cities with the best transit options are Tirana, Shkoder and Vlore.

Depending on demand, the buses can be full size with AC and comfortable seats – or they can be shared mini-buses (furgons). The furgons aren’t as comfortable, but they are a very culturally authentic experience!

There seems to be a loose schedule, but in my experience the buses leave when full.

When the bus isn’t a good option, I use private transfers. It’s convenient, but more expensive. I’ve used Taxi Landi a number of times. They’re very reliable.

Should you rent a car?

The roads in Albania are pretty good (as long as you stick to numbered highways when possible). Albanian drivers can be aggressive, but I’ve driven in Albania without issue.

5. The landscape is diverse

For a small country there is a lot to see, and it’s relatively unspoilt. You only have to fly over Albania once to realize how breathtaking the scenery is.

Albania has a dramatic coast on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and a vast alpine region. It’s one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. There’s huge inland lakes and spectacular canyons.

Relax on the white sand beaches of Ksamil (dubbed as the Maldives of Europe), explore historic towns like Gjirokaster or Kruja, hike the famous Theth to Valbona trail through the Albanian Alps, or enjoy the beauty of Shkodra Lake or Butrint Lake. Albania has it all!

6. Tirana is an underrated capital

I spent a month in Tirana working online and really enjoyed my time there. It’s a great city to explore solo and I always felt 100% safe. Tirana is one of the most underappreciated European capitals.

Some visitors complain there isn’t enough things to do in Tirana, but that is precisely why I enjoy it so much. There are worthwhile sites, but not an overwhelming number of attractions. With even just a couple of days in Tirana, you can explore leisurely and soak in the eclectic vibe

Tirana is a very walkable city, and full of interesting architecture and street art. There are many wonderful restaurants in Tirana, and hundreds of street side cafes.

7. There is some English

In major cities and coastal towns, many locals speak some English, particularly in tourist areas. But it is a good idea to have some kind of translation app on your phone, because you will meet people who don’t speak English.

And if you learn a few basic Albanian phrases it will go a long way, like: faleminderit (thank you), sa shume? (how much is it?), po (yes), jo (no), uje (water).

8. Local dress norms

I think it’s wise to dress more conservatively no matter what country you’re travelling in. Unsolicited male attention is the last thing a solo female traveller wants.

Albanian women dress more on the conservative side, with knees and cleavage covered. Of course in high tourist areas you’ll see more skin (Ksamil, for example), but these are not usually locals.

9. Rich culture and history

From Ottoman architecture to Roman ruins, to the more recent communist past, Albania is culturally rich and often pleasantly uncrowded.

As a solo traveller, you can explore museums, forts, castles, and historic towns without heavy tourist traffic.

10. Albania is not over-commercialized

For the most part, Albania still feels like a hidden gem. Tourism is relatively new, and the country is developing its tourist infrastructure.

Albania is an ideal destination for solo travellers seeking something more authentic.

While things may not be as organized or modern as other European destinations, there is real cultural integrity and it’s not over-commercialized.

11. Growing digital nomad scene

Albania has been popular with expats and digital nomads for a while, particularly the coastal city of Saranda.

The relatively affordable cost of living, welcoming attitude of locals, reliable internet, and beauty of the country make Albania a good choice. And the fact that is not in the Schengen zone is a huge plus!

Best Destinations in Albania for Solo Female Travel

To be honest, the whole country is great for women travelling alone. It’s not like one region of Albania is much safer or friendlier than another.

Now that you know why Albania is such a great choice, here are some of the best places to visit as a solo female traveller:

• Tirana: Albania’s capital city is compact and walkable, making it ideal for solo female travellers. There’s many communist related sites, excellent food and a huge coffee culture. It’s a vibrant, interesting capital and a wonderful base for exploring other parts of the country.
• Albanian Riviera: A 120 km stretch of glorious coastline that starts in Vlore and ends in Ksamil. Includes the lovely Ionian seaside city of Saranda and the predominantly Greek town of Himare. The coastal drive on SH8 is one of the most scenic drives in Albania.
• Shkoder: Charming northern city recognized as the capital of northern Albania. It’s a popular base for exploring the Albanian Alps, but well worth spending time in. I love the lakeside location and easy going vibe of Shkoder.
• Kruja, Gjirokaster, Berat: Historic and beautiful towns in the mountains of Albania. All are very popular day trips, but each one is worthy of an overnight stay, particularly Berat – the city of a thousand windows.

If you’re travelling solo for a couple of weeks, this 14-day itinerary might help you map out your daily plan and choose where to stay.

Budgeting for Solo Travel

Albania is a budget friendly country compared to most other European destinations. But to save even more money, these are tips I learned:

Accommodation:

• Rent an Airbnb with a kitchen so you can cook some meals. It’s far cheaper to buy groceries and prepare meals than eating out. There are local markets everywhere with fresh produce and locally produced items, like honey and cheese.
• Rent an Airbnb by the month or week. Most hosts offer discounts for weekly and monthly rentals.
• Travel during off or shoulder season. Prices drop considerably for accommodation outside of peak season (restaurants are often cheaper too).

Transport:

• Use the local bus (furgon) system to get around. They are significantly less expensive than taxis and car rentals.
• Check local FB expat pages for shared ride opportunities

Dining & Food:

• Eat at places away from tourist hot spots that locals frequent. Generally, the further out you get from the tourist areas the less expensive the food gets. This is true of grocery stores and markets also.

ATMs & Currency:

• Albania is a closed economy. You cannot get local currency (Albanian lek – ALL) outside of Albania. Euros are not widely accepted. Use atms to withdraw cash.
• Take out larger amounts of cash at a time from atms. Withdrawal fees are 700 to 800 lek ($8.40 – 9.60 USD), regardless of the amount of withdrawal. Abi machines have the lowest rates (500 lek – $6 USD).

Staying Safe in Albania as a Solo Female Traveller

I practice the same safety precautions everywhere I go. The most important ones are to dress conservatively, and not to go out alone at night.

Although I never flash money, expensive jewellery or wave my phone around -in Albania I felt like I could and nothing would happen. I often walked around holding my phone using it to navigate or take photos.

I never experienced unwanted attention in Albania, even while hiking alone. My dog got far more attention than I did! That said, I recommend avoiding remote areas after dark unless you’re with a group.

How to Meet Other People While Travelling

To meet other travellers, consider joining an FB group for expats or women travelling independently. I’ve met wonderful people this way that I’m still friends with. Some of the FB groups I like for women travelling solo:

• Solo in Style: Women over 50 Travelling Solo & Loving It
• Women Who Travel
• The Solo Female Traveler Network

Most cities and major towns have their own expat FB page. Many are quite social and arrange regular meet ups.

Is Albania Safe for American Tourists?

I’m Canadian, but I’ve never witnessed Americans being harassed or treated rudely in Albania. In fact, I get the distinct impression Albania thinks of Americans very favourably.

There’s even a George W. Bush bakery and statue in Fushe-Kruje, and in July 2025 Tirana warmly welcomed Bill Clinton.

Is Albania LGBTQ Friendly?

Albania is fairly conservative. LGBT rights exist legally but may not be widely accepted socially. Travelers should exercise discretion in rural areas.

Emergency Contacts

• Albania emergency number: 112
• US Embassy: 14 Rruga Stavro Vinjau, Tirana (tel:
  +355 4 2247 285). Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get real time updates on safety issues, and so the embassy can contact you in case of emergency.
• Consulate of Canada to Albania: Rruga Ibarahim Rugova, Tirana (tel: +355 4 225 7274). Register under the program: Registration of Canadians Abroad for safety updates, and so you can be contacted in case of emergency.

Health & Medical Care in Albania

Healthcare in Albania is affordable, but level of care can vary. In major cities like Tirana there are private hospitals that expats favour. For minor ailments I would not hesitate to go the local hospital to seek help. Most doctors speak some English.

Pharmacies are everywhere, and I have found pharmacists to be quite helpful. Prescription medication is much less expensive than in Canada (at least for minor ailments).

It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance. I like and use SafetyWing.

Connectivity & SIM Cards

Vodafone and One Albania are the biggest cell service providers in Albania. Both offer pre-paid tourist cards.

I always use Vodafone. Locals all say it has better coverage, and it’s always worked well for me. You can pick up a SIM at the Tirana airport, or there’s Vodafone shops in all cities and major towns.

There’s different plans, but I pay about 2400 lek ($29 USD) for 30 days and 30 GB.

Not all cafes and restaurants have free Wi-Fi. Some of the larger coffee shop chains like Mulliri Vjeter in Tirana have free Wi-Fi, but you should never count on it. Most hotels and Airbnbs have free Wi-Fi.

How to Get to Albania

There are two main ways to get to Albania: flying into Tirana (the capital), or by taking the ferry from Corfu, Greece to Saranda, Albania.

Tirana has good connectivity to the rest of Albania by bus. A lot of visitors skip over Tirana, but it’s a great small city and worthy of a few days at least. Despite being the capital, it’s very safe.

If you want to travel onward to anywhere other than Saranda or Ksamil, this is the best option.

The ferry from Corfu to Albania works well if you are travelling to Saranda or Ksamil. The crossing is 30 minutes on the hydrofoil and 1.5 hours on the slow ferry.

Corfu Port is only 3.5 km from the Corfu airport, so it’s easy to get to. Once you arrive in Saranda, the port is in the centre of town so you can probably walk to your hotel.

If you’re travelling onto Ksamil, just grab a taxi or the Ksamil – Butrint bus (but not recommended in summer – it gets extremely crowded).

Last Words on Is Albania Safe for Solo Female Travel in 2025?

Personally, I think Albania is one of the safest countries I have ever travelled in. And I felt equally as safe in the capital as in smaller towns and cities.

The welcoming attitude of locals together with their genuine desire for visitors to appreciate their country makes Albania a very safe travel destination for women.

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