Albania is a safe country despite its dubious reputation. Public security is good in general and while there are some places where crime and violence do occur, there are few reports of crimes specifically targeting foreigners. Albanians are highly welcoming to guests.
In Tirana and other larger cities, petty crime occurs but is still relatively rare. Of course, following general safety rules is encouraged: don’t expose your valuables unnecessarily, don’t walk alone in the outskirts of neighbourhoods at night, don’t tell strangers your accommodation address, and don’t carry all your cash in one place.
Vehicle theft is uncommon in Albania.
From time to time, payment card fraud is reported in Albania. Do not take your cards out of your hands and withdraw cash only from ATMs that are part of bank branches if possible.
Violent crime is most often associated with Albanian organised crime. There have been occasional shootings and small explosions related to internal disputes over criminal, business or political interests. But this type of crime hardly affects foreigners at all.
You take some risk if you come into contact with drugs or prostitution.
By far the greatest danger lurks on the Albanian roads. Although the situation is changing for the better, Albania still has one of the highest accident rates in Europe. A high degree of caution is required when driving, and such oddities as cattle herds or roundabouts on motorways are no exception.
Some areas on the border with today’s Kosovo were partially mined during the Cold War and unexploded ordnance was found there. Albania declared in 2009 that all of its territory was mine-free. It is always better to check with the locals if your route is safe.
Natural disasters do occur in Albania often. This includes floods, which tend to be rapid and violent due to excessive deforestation of the landscape. Wildfires break out regularly in summer, as elsewhere in the Mediterranean. But the most devastating natural disaster in Albania is the earthquake. The latest one hit the northwest of the country in November 2019, killing over 50 people. A large number of buildings here do not meet construction standards and are therefore best abandoned at even the slightest tremor.
In the countryside, you will almost certainly encounter herding dogs, who can aggressively guard their territories. If possible, it is better to walk around at a sufficient distance and not to irritate them with direct eye contact. If the dogs get too close to you, they can usually be easily chased off with a few thrown stones.
Street dogs are a common part of life in cities. Although they hardly ever attack humans, you should get medical help right away if they do bite you since they may have rabies.
Beware of venomous snakes in the wild. The horned viper is widespread throughout Albania and although it tends to be very shy of humans, it has a very toxic venom that may be fatal without medical intervention.
Important phone numbers:
Ambulance: 127
Fire brigade: 128
Police: 129
Emergency number: 112
The universal 112 emergency number works in Albania similar to in all EU countries, integrating emergency services, police and firefighters. Operators on this number should be able to receive calls in English and possibly other world languages. On other emergency numbers, dispatchers usually speak only Albanian.
Useful Links
Accommodation
Explore diverse, reliable accommodations in Albania with Booking.com, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Flights
Find the cheapest flights to Albania on Kiwi.com. It combines various airlines into a single itinerary.
Car Rental
Discover Albania with cheap & reliable car rentals through Rent from Locals.
Mobile data
Airalo provides affordable and convenient mobile data to keep you connected wherever you travel. Forget local SIM or roaming charges.
Experiences
Viator.com offers a way to book diverse tours and activities in Albania, providing access to trusted local partners.