Tirana is colorful, chaotic, and quirky. Buildings are painted in bright colors. Skanderbeg Square is the city center with the National History Museum and a statue of Skanderbeg (Albania's national hero). The Bunk'Art museums (built in Cold War-era bunkers) tell the story of Albania's communist past. Tirana is loud, dusty, and a bit rough around the edges, but it's also lively and interesting.

The Albanian Riviera in the south has some of the best beaches in Europe at prices that are a fraction of Greece. Saranda is the main beach town (touristy but affordable). Ksamil has white sand beaches and turquoise water. Himara and Dhërmi are smaller beach towns with fewer tourists. The beaches are beautiful, the water is crystal clear, and you can get a meal for $5.

Gjirokastër in the south is a UNESCO town with Ottoman-era stone houses and a castle on a hill. It's charming and less touristy.
Berat (the "City of a Thousand Windows") is another UNESCO town with white Ottoman houses climbing up a hillside and a castle at the top. It's one of the most beautiful towns in Albania.

The north has mountains and hiking. Theth and Valbona are remote mountain villages with trails connecting them. The hike from Theth to Valbona is stunning and takes about 6-8 hours. It's rugged, beautiful, and feels like you've stepped back in time.

Butrint in the south is an ancient city with Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins. It's a UNESCO site and worth a visit if you're near Saranda.
Albanian food is Mediterranean with Balkan influences. Byrek (savory pastry with cheese or meat). Tavë kosi (lamb baked with yogurt). Fërgesë (peppers, tomatoes, and cheese). Albanian food is simple, fresh, and cheap. A meal at a restaurant costs $3-7.

Albanian people are warm, hospitable, and proud. They'll invite you into their homes, share food, and help you if you're lost. English is hit or miss (better with younger people), but people are patient and willing to help.

Getting around can be rough. Buses (furgons) connect cities and towns, but they're old, cramped, and run on loose schedules. Roads are improving but still rough in places (especially in the mountains). If you want to explore the coast or mountains, rent a car (but be prepared for rough roads and aggressive drivers).
Albania is one of the cheapest countries in Europe. Hostels run $8-15/night. A meal at a restaurant is $3-7. A beer is $1-2. Even in touristy areas like Saranda, prices are incredibly low.

When to go: Spring (May-June) and fall (September-October) are perfect. The weather is warm, the beaches are less crowded, and prices are low. Summer (July-August) is hot and more crowded (but still not as crowded as Greece or Croatia). Winter (November-March) is cold and rainy, and many beach areas close.

Albania is raw, beautiful, and incredibly cheap. If you want adventure and don't mind rough edges, it's one of the best values in Europe.