--- title: "Bicycle touring in Albania | Cycle Planet" description: "One of the poorest countries in Europe, and therefore maybe one of the most underrated. Even though the roads are not in the best condition, you might…" canonical_url: "https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania" meta: "og:description": "One of the poorest countries in Europe, and therefore maybe one of the most underrated. Even though the roads are not in the best condition, you might…" "og:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BAlbania%2Cdescription_~T25lIG9mIHRoZSBwb29yZXN0IGNvdW50cmllcyBpbiBFdXJvcGUsIGFuZCB0aGVyZWZvcmUgbWF5YmUgb25lIG9mIHRoZSBtb3N0IHVuZGVycmF0ZWQuIEV2ZW4gdGhvdWdoIHRoZSByb2FkcyBhcmUgbm90IGluIHRoZSBiZXN0IGNvbmRpdGlvbiwgeW91IG1pZ2jigKY%2Cheadline_Southern%2BEurope%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvYWxiYW5pYSI%2Cs_ZR4RGFJ9zP6wWCVq.png" "og:image:height": "600" "og:image:type": image/png "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "Bicycle touring in Albania" "twitter:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BAlbania%2Cdescription_~T25lIG9mIHRoZSBwb29yZXN0IGNvdW50cmllcyBpbiBFdXJvcGUsIGFuZCB0aGVyZWZvcmUgbWF5YmUgb25lIG9mIHRoZSBtb3N0IHVuZGVycmF0ZWQuIEV2ZW4gdGhvdWdoIHRoZSByb2FkcyBhcmUgbm90IGluIHRoZSBiZXN0IGNvbmRpdGlvbiwgeW91IG1pZ2jigKY%2Cheadline_Southern%2BEurope%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvYWxiYW5pYSI%2Cs_ZR4RGFJ9zP6wWCVq.png" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://cycleplanet.org/llms.txt) Southern Europe # Albania [**View on the map**](https://cycleplanet.org/map?at=41.153332,20.168331,6.5) [** Download GPX (6) **](https://cycleplanet.org/api/gpx/AL) ## **About ** One of the poorest countries in Europe, and therefore maybe one of the most underrated. Even though the roads are not in the best condition, you might like the amazing nature, the awesome beaches and the Albanese hospitality. Last updated 3 Sept 2020 by [Cycle Planet](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/RYFRjpH3DfdWPpRfG9MIFBSPzH33) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania/edit/about) ## **People ** - Despite the sometimes bitter poverty, a friendly and lively people where hospitality is of paramount importance. Albanians are jovial, friendly, helpful and have plenty of time, especially in the countryside outside the bigger cities. - Young children are often waving exuberantly along the road. Boys on their rickety bike often ride in front of you and do all kinds of revolutions on the bike, (to impress?), Then suddenly brake with a wide swipe and then look curiously at you. Sometimes they want to compete with you who can go the fastest, you on your - in their eyes: impressive and flashy - bicycle with 21 gears or they on their rickety cart. - Albania is a country with a mixed population ranging from Muslims to Christians and Orthodox. Albanians are not very religious. - Where many tourists come, it has already been discovered that they spend a lot of money by Albanian standards. In the museum cities of Gjirokaster and Berat they even try to rip off all the tourists. Firm action sometimes helps. The condition is that you respect the average prices that are used elsewhere in the country. - Tip: learn some Albanian expressions and they will no longer regard you as a tourist but as a guest! - Up in the mountains and everywhere where no tourists come yet, people can be trusted, although it is important not to show off your wealth here either. They even make it a point of honor to invite you to spend the night and provide you with plenty of food. Do respect the rules of conduct. Last updated 4 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania/edit/people) ## **Routes ** - [Montenegro to Greece](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/cycle-planet-292f5.appspot.com/o/uploads_gpx%2Fcycleplanet-Albania-1599129274979.kml?alt=media&token=3d9cc847-69e8-49ba-95ae-8ced22d52efe) ## **Visa ** Some nationalities can enter Albania without a visa for up to 90 days. Source: [**Wikipedia**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Albania). Last updated 20 Mar 2021 by [Cycle Planet](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/RYFRjpH3DfdWPpRfG9MIFBSPzH33) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania/edit/visa) ## **Border crossings **(2) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Border crossing](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Border.png)**1. Sagiada (Greece) – Konispol (Albania)**To GreeceFast and easy border crossing.](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/c435e7f8-0433-4253-8587-32b169f97c3d) 2. [![Border crossing](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Border.png)**2. Vuksanlekići (Montenegro) – Hani Hotit (Albania)**To MontenegroFast and easy border crossing.](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/abf3d499-34e7-4eec-8dbc-b5c63e7373fe) ## **See and do **(2) Sorted by most likes 1. [![See \& do](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/SeeDo.png)**1. Ferry tour Fierze to Komani**See & doThe ferry from Fierze to Komani is very special. You can get to Fierze via the old main road from Kukes towards Shkoder. The boat departs daily in the morning… 1](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/dc19e6c6-a348-4646-8de0-c52c7a45126e) 2. [![See \& do](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/SeeDo.png)**2. Ohrid region**See & doThis UNESCO heritage around lake Ohrid offers some ancient natural life, as well as medieval buildings.](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/-MGIOIleGTqojO9isrQD) ## **Sleeping ** ### **(Formal) camping** Campsites are practically non-existent. There seems to be one near Sarande. White gasoline for gas fires is very difficult to find. Simple piercing cartridges for camping gas fires can be found everywhere. ### **Ho(s)tels** You can spend the night in good hotels in Albania for about 10 euros per person and the reception was always excellent. A place for the bicycles was always arranged without any complaints. In the big cities there are sometimes smaller private hotels near the big international hotels; they are atmospheric, you are treated kindly, led to an excellent room, and a place for your bicycle is cleared. Last updated 4 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania/edit/sleeping) ## **Places to sleep **(1) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Campsite](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Campsites.png)**1. Camping Albania**CampsiteCampsite run by a Dutch family, which has been the first campsite in Albania. Good facilities. https://camping-albania.eu/](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/2e7d0a10-ab58-4f45-8790-3fced80f71f2) ## **Safety ** ### **Traffic** - Loaded donkeys, donkey carts and horse and cart are still fully part of the traffic, although this is already a rarity in the cities. Many Albanians own a smoky and rattling car and everyone should know that. Loudly honking, they skim over the continuous asphalt roads. Also in the cities you constantly hear horns and you almost suffocate in the smelly exhausts of disrupted engines. - Where the roads are asphalted, which are most connecting roads between the cities, people drive as fast as the car or road surface allows. Because speed limits of 80 km / h or 40 km / h (cities) are only adhered to when police are in the area. - In stark contrast to this are the roads that run through the mountains. Here you will only encounter 2 or 3 vehicles per day. The mountain roads all look alike, although the map suggests otherwise. Only the people on the spot can tell you with certainty whether you are on the right track. Last updated 4 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania/edit/safety) ## **Transport ** ### **Airplane** Taking the bicycle with you differs per company. Always wise to inquire about the conditions when booking. An option is to fly to Corfu and then cross by ferry to Sarande. The crossing takes about 45 minutes and costs 25 euros. Of course you can also take the boat from Corfu to the Greek mainland and then cycle into Albania, which is quite adventurous. Another option is to fly to Ohrid in Macedonia. Until now, this is only possible in the summer. Ohrid airport is only 15 kilometers from the Albanian border. ### **Train** There is no international train connection with Albania. You can take your bike on the various train routes after some insistence. Your bicycle will then be placed on the front of the locomotive and monitored by the conductor. There is no place to park a bicycle in the trains themselves. Keep in mind that the train runs bizarrely slowly and stops very often. An experience! ### **Bus** Because buses are always packed, it is very difficult to get a bicycle with you. The preferred means of transport is a minivan. It is slightly more expensive than a regular bus, but still cheap. If he has space, the driver will gladly take your bike. ### **Boat** Several times a week boats sail to Albania from the Italian airports of Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and even Trieste. Please note that meals on board of these companies are not included in the price. There are also regular ferry services from Corfu, just off the coast. If you buy a boat ticket in Albania, you have to pay it in cash. More information about boats can be found at [**http://www.cemar.it/ferries/1\_ferries.html**](http://www.cemar.it/ferries/1_ferries.html) There are also ferry services between the different port cities, but these do not sail very often and are mainly focused on freight transport. Last updated 4 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania/edit/transport) ## **Food and drink ** - It is best to go to various food stalls along the way, in small establishments as we know them in Third World countries and in the local markets. There is one important difference, however. Everything has a fixed price, bargaining is only done on luxury goods, not on foodstuffs. - There are plenty of restaurants, especially in the vicinity of beautiful panoramas along the way. The menu is usually quite simple (sometimes the choice is even limited to one menu that everyone is served, very cheap). The quality is variable, but usually acceptable. In the south of Albania, the cuisine is mainly Greek. There are also many pizzas and pastas available. Pilaf (rice with sauce) is a much consumed dish. However, you shouldn't go to Albania for culinary delights. Along the way you will also come across plenty of shops where you can buy some food and drinking water. - (Jurriaan Rot, 2009) I did not get sick from the tap water in the north and north-east, but I was only there for about four days. It does not seem wise to drink tap water everywhere. There are lovely cool streams in the mountains; if you sit high enough, that water is perfectly drinkable (note if there is a village and / or cattle above it). Last updated 4 May 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania/edit/foodDrink) ## **Other places **(1) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Other](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Other.png)**1. Komani Lake Ferry**OtherVery useful (and panoramic!) river connection that allows for a nice circuit in the scenic north. Connects Komani to Fierze. 1](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/1f6d7e54-7ea0-48b9-a177-0421978b9188) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#website","@type":"WebSite","description":"Cycle Planet is the bicycle touring platform: visas, border crossings, places to sleep and points of interest per country, and a community of cyclists who host each other.","name":"Cycle Planet","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/","publisher":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#identity"}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/albania#webpage","@type":"WebPage","description":"One of the poorest countries in Europe, and therefore maybe one of the most underrated. 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