atl·BEY·nee·uh - /ælbejˈniʌ/
After the Illyrian* tribe, Albani; the Greek's name for the Paleo-Balkan peoples of the region, 7th - 4th c. BCE. Linguist believe the alb is from an Indo-European root for hill / mountain, the root found in the name Alps.
The native endonym of Albanians is Shqiptar of the Shqipëri or Shqipëria, which means Children of the Eagles and Land of the Eagles, [likely derived from the Albanian word shqiponjë = eagle] - the eagle being a common Albanian dynasty heraldic symbol since the Middle Ages, like the Skanderbeg family symbol, the black, double-headed eagle that's on the Albanian flag.
*Illyrian was likely the name of the first, individual tribe the Greeks encountered in the region later named for them, Illyria. The name came to refer to all the tribes, like the Albani, living on the Western Balkan Peninsula.
Why It's Worth a Visit -
Greek & Italian influences compliment the incredibly hospitable ancient Albanian culture creating a truly unique Balkan people. Rugged Albanian Alps for hiking, pristine beaches along the Ionian Riviera, historic sites, Ottoman-era architecture, delicious cuisine and all incredibly affordable and nearly tourist free.
@ a glance essentials:
Language:
Albanian (Shqip)
Many can speak English, particularly the young and in larger cities.
Country's Visitation Limit:
365 Days
Water safety
Generally Safe to Drink in tourist areas. Go Bottled when Remote.
Emergency #
Police: 129 Ambulance: 127
.
How to Say - Hello:
Përshëndetje
Thank You:
Faleminderit
Hot Tip:
Have CASH. Outside of Tirana credit cards are rarely accepted. While the LEK is the official currency, Euro's are generally accepted as well.
Also be warned GOOGLE Maps is not terribly accurate in this region.
Albania has been through multiple nation state states over the centuries. The earliest undisputed reference to the 'modern' Albanian people, (that may or may not be the people the ancient Greeks called Albani,) is of them taking part in a revolt against Constantinople in 1079. And the first known Albanian autonomous principality; Arbanon, was established soon after in the 12th century, followed by the Kingdom of Albania, Principality of Albania & Albania Veneta, among others, all formed between the 13th and 15th centuries in different parts of the country, until, in the late 15th century, it became part of the Ottoman Empire.
a bit of background...
................Modern Albanians go by almost as many ethnonyms (in various regions) as the country's had name changes. There are no fewer than 7 additional, distinct terms for the people: Arbënesh / Arbëresh (Albanian) - Arbanasi - Arvanites - Arnaut/Arnavut - Albanese - Epirot & Shqiptar.
FUN FACT:
In 1912, the Albanian state declared it's independence and by 1928 they were the Kingdom of Albania, which then became Greater Albania after being invaded by, & uniting with ,Italy. After a brief stint as a Nazi protectorate in WWII, the People's Socialist Republic of Albania was formed, which lasted until a 1991 revolution overthrew the communists*, resulting in the current Republic of Albania.
*Their despotic dictator, Enver Hoxha so hardline he viewed the USSR as too lax
Must Try Local Cuisine:
Flija* - layers of crêpe w/ yogurt & honey or sour cream ▪️ Jani me Fasule - white bean soup
Qumështor - baked custard ▪️ Gjize - dry curdled cheese ▪️ Qofte Fërguara - fried meatballs
Qifqi - rice balls w/ mint & black pepper ▪️ Berati schnitzel - pork stuffed w/ hard cheese
Pispili - spinach pie w/ cornbread base ▪️ Lakror - savory pie
Ayran - a yogurt-based drink ▪️ Fërgesë Tirane - creamy clay pot vegetable bake with salted cottage cheese
Tavë Kosi** - lamb & rice casserole baked w/ kos (soured goat milk) or a yogurt & egg topping
*There is a whole day dedicated to the dish; Flija Day, March 18th **From the 15th century
I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit
Albania
(but it's on the list!) - So I don't have any personal . recommendations, but you can start with the most popular spots . below, and I'll be updated with my favorites, hopefully soon!
(If you get there first send me your best finds!)
♦️ Adriatic & Ionian Beachs like Ksamil Village Beach
🔸 Butrint - 3000 year old city w/ remains of Greek, Roman & Ottoman structures
♦️ Historic Berat - town of 1000 windows for it's cluster of coastal hillside Ottoman homes
& Gjirokastër - the stone city & home to Gjirokastër Fortress
🔸 Shkodër - one of the oldest cities on the continent w/ the oldest extant Ottoman Bridge
(over the river Kir)
♦️ Albanian Alps - (called Accursed Mountains because they're only accessible by a handful of
high passes) w/ beautiful hiking across Lake Komani Ferry to Theth & its Natural Park
- (the village is so remote it only has ≈ 20 families & is completely isolated in winter)
🔸 The Blue Eye bubbling spring - 160+ ft (50+ m) deep but w/ water so clear the bottom is visible
♦️ The old capitol, quaint town of Kruja, (at the foot of Mount Kruja) & the new, colorful concrete capitol,
Tirana w/ it's Pyramid of Tirana & Bunk’Art both relics of it's communist past
Most Known For:
🌀 Dita e Veres (March) - pagan holiday celebrating Diana, the Goddess of nature, coming out of her temple to
end winter. People search for a clump of earth w/ roots growing to keep in their home as a sign of good luck
🌀 National Heritage Festivals like the Folklore Festival of Përmet (May) celebrating Albanian traditional
music, dance, & costumes or the huge Folk Festival in Gjirokastër held every five years
🌀 Kruja Mnt Festival (August) - a pilgrimage to a cave in the mountains where miracles are said to have occurred
🌀 Shëngjergj Tomato Festival (September)
Cool Local Festivals:
Planning a Trip?
Make a DONATION of $5 or more and receive a FREE Thank You Gift of a FULL CITY TRAVEL GUIDE with even more favorites and the address/ contacts for all recommendations. Just include your EMAIL ADDRESS in the transaction description of your donation along with the name of the city you're visiting.
Site Key:
Five Star Recommend
Make the Time!
Worth the Effort/ $
UNMOORED DETAILS DESTINATIONS PLAN YOUR TRIP ON A BUDGET TRAVEL BLOG
YOUR HOST- JULIA EUROPE PLANNING, PACKING & PASSPORTS HISTORY & CULTURE
SPECIAL THANKS AFRICA & MID EAST BOOK TRANSPORTATION MYTHS, LORE & LEGENDS
PRIVACY & TERMS OF USE ASIA & OCEANIA SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS FRIENDS & ADVENTURES
CONTACT THE AMERICAS TRAVEL INSURANCE LOCAL FESTIVALS
Notices: Unmoored is not a licensed travel agency. The Site's intended to educate, inform & entertain and is not to be used as a source of official travel itinerary planning, or legal advice. It is merely the experiences and reflections of fellow traveler. - The site may contain affiliated links, (there is never any extra cost to you for using these links) but Unmoored only includes affiliated links for products/ companies that we would willing endorse on the site even without the affiliation.