From Vlora to Tirana, visitors have chosen to stay not just for two or three days but for as long as two weeks, exploring the destinations Albania has to offer, from its beaches and mountains to its diverse natural landscapes stretching from the coast to the highlands.

One tourist, who arrived in Albania about a week ago, said one of her favourite experiences so far had been exploring the mountains.

“I’m in Tirana now and, fortunately, I may be going to the beach for a few days. I’m sure it will be beautiful. Albania is wonderful. I really liked it here,” she said.

Another visitor, who has been in Albania for around two weeks, described Tirana as a city with a rich mix of cultures and distinctive architecture.

“The architecture is different from anywhere else in the world. So I think it’s a very interesting place, and I’m really enjoying my time here,” the tourist said.

“First we went to the Artificial Lake, then to Bunk’Art and the museum. Now we’ve come here to the city centre. It’s a wonderful place, with so many photogenic spots. We’ve taken lots of photos and made some great memories to take back home with us,” another tourist said.

Skanderbeg Square, where the city’s past meets its modern character, is one of the most popular destinations among foreign visitors.

“I see some buildings that are just wow. They’re very beautiful. For example, the one behind me – I hadn’t realised it was the face of a person. It’s impressive. When I took a photo and looked at it again, I said, ‘Oh, it’s a face.’ There are so many places and so many things to enjoy here. I hope everyone gets to experience Albania. You’ll really like it,” one tourist said.

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Besmir Meta, an IT specialist at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said the e-Visa system, developed by the National Agency of Information Society (AKSHI), had modernised the visa application process for foreign nationals who require a visa to visit Albania.

“Visa issuance in Albania used to be a manual process, requiring applicants to appear in person at counters and submit documents by hand. This created irregularities and difficulties in reading data,” Meta said.

Since 2020, Albania has moved to a fully digital visa application system through e-Visa, he said.

The system allows applicants’ data and supporting documents to be registered electronically, improving the accuracy of information and eliminating errors that could arise from manual data entry.

Another advantage of the system is that applicants can access their applications and track their status step by step until the visa is issued, depending on the type of visa.

The e-Visa system reduces the need for in-person procedures and provides applicants with a simpler, faster and more secure visa application process.

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Tourists from the United States, France, Spain and Italy shared their impressions while visiting Gjirokaster Castle, highlighting the city’s rich heritage and distinctive character.

“I came here to visit Gjirokaster Castle. It is really beautiful and has a very rich history, dating back several centuries. That makes the city really interesting,” said an American visitor.

She said the visit had given her an opportunity to see first-hand elements of the past and how traditions and historic landmarks had been preserved across generations.

French visitors also praised the city and castle, singling out their history and architecture as well as Albanian cuisine.

“We visited the castle, which is full of interesting history. It is beautiful, as is the city as a whole. We also really enjoyed the food. We had tavë kosi (yogurt and lamb casserole) and moussaka,” they said.

Visitors from Spain were particularly impressed by the castle’s history and architecture, while describing the surrounding landscape as a place to relax.

“We are here to visit this beautiful castle. We read that it is also linked to World War Two, and its history and architecture are very interesting. The city is beautiful, and the landscape we can see from here is wonderful. You can really relax, and we also enjoyed the food,” a tourist from Barcelona said.

An Italian visitor said even a short stay had been enough to appreciate the city’s appeal.

“Unfortunately, we stayed for only one day, but it was enough to see the beauty of the city. Both the castle and the surrounding nature were truly precious. The landscape is very beautiful,” she said.

For foreign visitors, Gjirokaster offers a combination of history, architecture, nature and cuisine, making it one of the destinations drawing tourists to southern Albania.

Gjirokaster Castle, the historic city and the surrounding landscape remain among the area’s main attractions, contributing to efforts to promote Albania’s cultural heritage and tourism.

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In a video posted on social media, tourists from the United States, Switzerland and Germany described their experiences in the region, highlighting the lake’s scenery, outdoor recreation opportunities and the welcoming atmosphere of northern Albania.

“Visitors from different countries come here to marvel, explore and enjoy the nature of the reborn capital of the North,” Rama said in a message accompanying the video.

An American visitor said she had first learned about northern Albania through online travel content and decided to visit because of its mountain landscapes, tourism offerings and vibrant cultural life. She also noted the city’s ongoing development and the range of events taking place during the summer season.

A Swiss tourist visiting Albania for the first time said he was impressed by the natural beauty of Lake Shkodra, its rich flora and fauna, and the opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities in the surrounding area.

A visitor from Germany described Shkodra as a unique destination, citing the combination of lake and mountain scenery, biodiversity, local hospitality and the city’s role as a gateway to the Albanian Alps.

Recognised by UNESCO as part of a transboundary biosphere reserve shared by Albania and Montenegro, Lake Shkodra is one of the region’s leading tourism assets and continues to attract a growing number of domestic and international visitors each year.

The lake offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including water sports, hiking, birdwatching and nature-based tourism, making it an attractive destination throughout the year.

Straddling the border between Albania and Montenegro, Lake Shkodra is the largest lake in the Balkans and one of Europe’s most significant biodiversity hotspots, home to a rich variety of plant and animal species. Its deepest point reaches approximately 45 metres, while the city of Shkodra lies along its southeastern shore.

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The Bank of Albania said foreigners spent 4.4 billion euros in the country in January–September 2025, up 14.5% from the same period a year earlier.

In the third quarter, foreign tourists and visitors spent 2.3 billion euros, an increase of 21.6% year-on-year.

Average spending for the nine-month period rose to 431 euros, compared with 398 euros in January – September 2024.

The rise in spending is directly linked to higher visitor numbers. Statistics agency INSTAT reported that 10.2 million foreign nationals visited Albania in the first nine months of 2025, up 5.7% from a year earlier.

At the same time, Albanians travelling abroad also increased their consumption. According to the central bank, their spending reached 2.1 billion euros in the nine-month period, nearly 20% higher than a year earlier.

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The tourists, mainly from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Spain and Japan, disembarked at quay No. 5 of Albania’s largest port.

The Durrës Port Authority said thousands of tourists have arrived by cruise ships this year, confirming the city’s growing appeal as a stop on Mediterranean itineraries.

The presence of visitors during autumn, it added, shows that Durrës’s tourism season extends beyond summer and that maritime tourism is becoming a year-round trend.

After its stop in Durrës, the Seven Seas Grandeur will continue its voyage to Kotor, Montenegro. The visit marks the final cruise call of the 2025 season in Durrës.

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Alket Qendro, Director of Saranda port, told Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) that upon arrival, tourists, accompanied by local guides, visited local attractions including the ancient city of Butrint, Lekuresi Castle, the numerous beaches of the coastal city, and the museum city of Gjirokastra.

“We have taken all necessary measures to welcome cruise passengers,” Qendro said. “As in the past two years, cruise visits to Saranda are expected to continue through November,” he added.

Known as the gem of Albanian Riviera, the southernmost Albanian district of Saranda is a top destination during summer, offering tourists a combination of rocky and sandy beaches as well as cultural heritage attractions such as the Butrint UNESCO World Heritage site and the Blue Eye spring.

L’Austral is known for offering unique and relaxing travel experiences on various waters, featuring comfortable facilities suited for both short and long voyages.

After Saranda, the cruise ship is scheduled to sail to the port of Itea in Greece.

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The “Ms Amadea” cruise ship with 700 foreign tourists on board arrived this morning in Durres, Albania’s largest seaport and the most popular beach destination although the official summer tourist season is already over.

During their one-day stay, the large group of foreign tourists, who arrived from the port of Corfu, Greece, will visit the archaeological sites, history museums, and cultural heritage sites in Durres, Tirana and Kruja.

The Bahamas-flagged “MS Amadea” cruise ship is 198 meters long and 28 meters wide. After completing visit to Durres, the cruise ship will sail towards Croatia’s Dubrovnik port and will then go on exploring Mediterranean coast.

Durres has been a top destination for cruise ships and yachts this year. As many as 23 cruise ships have brought thousands of foreign visitors to the port of Durres during the period from April through October 2023.

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Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) report show the number of foreign citizens visiting Albania for vacation purposes, visiting relatives grew by 54.3% in February to 630,000, whereas 31, 271 more foreigners traveled to Albania for business and professional purposes.

The region with the highest number of visitors to Albania is the European region with 300,057 citizens, followed by America and East Asia/Pacific, respectively with 6,250 and 1,363 citizens.

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