When we chose to visit Albania it was to check it out and see if it was the right place for us to retire too, it wasn’t on a whim. We’d overspent last year, so affordability was super-high on this year’s travel-priority list. We also try to travel where the weather fits our sweet spot – no snow, and not too hot or humid. Albania checked those boxes. And honestly, part of the appeal was its mystery.

Albania doesn’t show up on most Americans’ must-visit lists. When we searched for information, most of what we found was glossy marketing pitches or quick-hit blogs written by tourist after just a week here. What we really wanted was the lived-in view: could Albania be a comfortable, affordable base for retirees like us? So, we came to see for ourselves.

Blog Posts from our time in Albania

• Port to Port: Our Journey Getting from Italy to Albania – A Step-by-Step Guide for Budget Travelers
• Our Walking Tour of Korçë Albania: Coffee, Cobbles & Culture
• Albania – A Guide for Retirees, Slow Travelers & Senior Nomads
• Our Cost of Living in Durrës, Albania for 61 Days
• What Is It Like to Visit Albania? Understanding Modern Albania: History, Culture, and Everyday Life for Travelers and Expats
• 7 Amazing Day Trips from Tirana
• ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know
• Three Days in Corfu Town: What You Can Do (and What You Can’t)
• What was our Cost of Living in Pogradec Albania? (2025)
• Retiring to Albania & How to Apply for Residency in Albania
• Daily Life in Albania for American Expats and Senior Nomads
• Cost of Living in Sarandë, Albania: What We Actually Spent
• A Real-World Cost of Living Report: Our First Year in Albania

Bookmark this page! More coming soon!

Why Albania? — Quick Highlights

We didn’t know much about Albania when we first arrived – and that’s part of what made it so special. The more time we’ve spent here, the more we’ve realized why it’s quietly becoming a favorite among retirees, digital nomads, and long-term travelers.

Here’s what’s made Albania stand out for us:

Affordability That Actually Holds Up

Albania is still one of Europe’s best-value destinations. Rents, groceries, and dining out are often half of what we paid elsewhere in Europe – sometimes less. You can live comfortably on a modest retirement or Social Security income without feeling like you’re constantly watching every dollar.

One-Year Visa for Americans

Unlike most of Europe, Albania welcomes U.S. citizens to stay up to one full year visa-free. No paperwork, no consulate visits, no visa runs every 90 days. It’s an incredible opportunity to test drive expat life without red tape – or use Albania as a slow-travel base to explore the Balkans and beyond.

Four Distinct Seasons — Without Extremes

From warm Mediterranean summers to crisp, cozy winters, Albania’s seasons make it easy to find your ideal pace. Swim in the Ionian Sea in June and sipped mulled wine in the mountain towns in December. It’s the kind of seasonal rhythm that makes long stays feel natural.

Warm, Welcoming People

Albanians have a phrase – “Mikpritje” – meaning hospitality. And it’s not just a word; it’s a way of life here. Locals go out of their way to help, often curious (and delighted) when they learn you’re American. Whether you’re at a café in Durres or a family-run guesthouse in Pogradec, the kindness is genuine.

Small Country, Big Variety

You can watch the sunset over the sea in Duress and be in a mountain village by lunchtime. Cities like Tirana buzz with culture and food, while places like Pogradec and Sarandë offer lakeside or coastal calm. It’s compact enough to explore, yet diverse enough that no two places feel the same.

Expat-Friendly (and Growing)

Every month, more retirees and remote workers discover Albania’s charm – and stay. English is increasingly common, especially in urban areas, and Facebook expat groups are active and supportive. You’re never far from a friendly face or someone who’s figuring it out right alongside you.

Still “Off the Beaten Path” – For Now

Albania feels like what parts of southern Europe used to be: authentic, unpolished, and refreshingly real. It’s changing fast, but for now, it still offers that rare blend of affordability, culture, and community that’s hard to find elsewhere.

How Big is Albania Compared to Oregon?

Albania is tiny compared to our home state of Oregon. At about 11,100 square miles, it would fit inside Oregon nearly nine times.

• Coastline: Albania has about 280 miles of Mediterranean coast, while Oregon has 360 miles of Pacific. The length is similar, but the vibe is worlds apart — Oregon’s dramatic cliffs and cold surf versus Albania’s warm, turquoise waters.
• Cities: Tirana, the capital (~500k), is Portland-sized. Berat (~60k) feels closer to Eugene. Sarandë (~30k) has the vibe of Bend — compact and growing. Pogradec (~20k) reminds us of Ashland, smaller and lakeside artsy.

The best part? You can cross the whole country in less than a day.

Is Albania Worth Visiting?

Albania is layered. You’ve got Roman ruins, Ottoman towns, Cold War bunkers, and a café culture that feels distinctly Mediterranean. Add to that one of the lowest costs of living in Europe, and it’s no wonder retirees and budget-conscious travelers are paying attention.

And here’s the kicker: U.S. citizens can stay in Albania for up to one year on a tourist visa. No complicated paperwork – just a passport stamp on arrival. For retirees and nomads juggling the Schengen shuffle, that flexibility is priceless.

When’s the Best Time to Visit (or Settle In) to Albania?

For a quick trip, the answer’s easy – spring and fall are gorgeous. But if you’re planning to take advantage of Albania’s one-year visa-free stay for Americans, timing your arrival can make a big difference in how comfortable – and affordable – your first months feel.

Our pick? Arrive in spring or early fall.
May through June or September through October give you mild weather, reasonable rents, and fewer crowds. It’s warm enough to enjoy outdoor life but cool enough to explore neighborhoods, meet locals, and handle errands without melting. These shoulder months are ideal for getting a real feel for day-to-day living – grocery shopping, apartment hunting, figuring out the bus system – all while the country still hums with life.

Summer (July–August) brings high-season prices and plenty of energy along the Albania Riviera. If you love that lively seaside vibe (and don’t mind the heat), it can be a fun time to settle in. Just know that many landlords switch to short-term rentals, so long-stay apartments can be harder to find and rent can double if not triple.

Winter (November–March) is a different story. Along the coast, life slows to a crawl – many cafés close or reduce their hours, but rents drop dramatically. It’s a cozy, quiet time for writing, reading, or simply settling into a slower rhythm. In the mountain towns, expect cold nights and occasional snow, but also that warm Albanian hospitality that really shines once the tourists are gone.

If you’re using the full one-year stay, think about where you’ll want to spend each season.
A common rhythm we’ve seen (and tried ourselves):

• Spring–Summer: Base yourself along the Riviera or in a coastal town.
• Summer: Mountain Towns
• Fall–Winter: Back to the Albania Riviera to enjoy the milder weather and sea views.

That way, you’ll experience both the buzzy beach season and the cozy, everyday Albania most visitors never see – all within your visa-free year.

How Do You To & Get Around Albania?

Most visitors fly into Tirana, but we arrived by ferry. After traveling down Italy, we caught the overnight boat from Bari to Durrës. It was a bit of a puzzle of trains, ticket windows, and shuttles, but worth it. (Pro tip: bring your own snacks for the ferry. The onboard burgers are better left in their tray.)

By sunrise, we were stepping off in Durrës, Albania – our third country this year, and our tenth since becoming American expats – and one of the smoothest border crossings we’ve had. That experience showed us how approachable Albania can be for seniors and budget travelers.

Public Transport: Inside the cities, buses are cheap but different from what we’re used to. You pay cash – no cards. In Durrës, getting on a bus is more of a scrum than a line, and once the bus starts rolling, a conductor comes through to collect fares (about 40 lek). In Pogradec, innercity buses don’t exist at all – it’s small enough that everyone just walks. Between cities, again you’ll need cash. You pay the driver or conductor directly, and online booking or card payments aren’t an option. (This is changing and we’ll update soon!)

Sidewalks are walkable, though often in need of repair, and in some pedestrian areas, slick marble can surprise you in the rain. Both Durrës and Pogradec were flat and easy for us to manage, but accessibility varies by town.

Where to stay in Albania

We’ll be updating this information as we travel through the country!

Food and Drink in Albania

Meals here are hearty and inexpensive. Byrek pastries, qofte meatballs, fresh seafood on the coast – all washed down with strong Turkish coffee or raki. Eating out is affordable enough that we often do, but the joy is in the ritual: meals linger, coffee stretches, and conversation flows.

And if you’re near Pogradec or anywhere along Lake Ohrid, you’ll see menus highlighting the “infamous” Ohrid trout (Koran). We’ve tried it several times in different restaurants, and found it tasty – a lot like the salmon we enjoyed back home in Oregon. But a word of warning: prices can vary wildly. Some spots charge a premium for trout dinners. Our advice? If you’re a fish lover, absolutely give it a try, but check the menu prices before you order.

👉 We recommend trying the Lake Ohrid trout at Restorant Zgara Familjare and Oborri Familjar

Is Albania Affordable?

Albania is one of the few European countries where retirees can truly stretch a fixed income. Eating out is affordable, daily groceries don’t strain the budget, and housing costs are far below what you’d expect in Italy or Greece. We’ll cover specifics in another post, but the bottom line is this: Albania makes slow travel and long stays surprisingly attainable.

Our Cost of Living in Durrës, Albania for 61 Days

What was our Cost of Living in Pogradec Albania? (2025)

ATM Fees in Albania (2025): What Travelers Need to Know

We’ll be posting more of cost of living in Albania info very soon!

Is Albania Safe for Retirees?

Albania feels safe, and people are genuinely welcoming. It’s the first country we’ve been too that we feel like we can let our guard down a little bit (is that a good thing?).

But accessibility isn’t guaranteed. Sidewalks can be uneven, and some towns have slick marble underfoot. Apartments may lack elevators, and even when they do, they’re often too small for a wheelchair. Ramps are rare – Albania doesn’t follow ADA-style standards.

That said, for most retirees, the daily rhythms are comfortable: walking promenades, relaxing in cafés, shopping in small markets. It’s not perfectly polished, but it is approachable.

Final Thoughts: Is Albania Right for You?

For us, Albania has been a reminder that Europe doesn’t have to be expensive to be rewarding. It’s smaller than Oregon, friendlier than we expected, and layered enough to keep us busy for months.

Would Albania fit your style – coast, culture, or café life?