travel fest albania

Awards of the Travel Fest Albania first edition

Categories awards.

NATURE & WILDLIFE

White Wolves – Ghosts of The Arctic | Oliver Goetzl | Germany

ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

The Whale from Lorino | Maciej Cuske | Poland

DESTINATIONS

Serra da Lousã | Filipe Morato Gomes | Portugal

HISTORY & HERITAGE

Antica Trasversale Sicula – Il cammino della dea madre | Francesco Bocchieri | Italy

Uta – The Climb for Kosovo | Jake Tupman, Jack Somerville | Kosovo

EXPEDITIONS & ROUTES

Red Route Home | Adam Lisý | Slovakia

FOOD & DRINK

Caffè e Vino – due mondi un documentario | Vincenzo Lamagna | Italy

TV & WEB SERIES

Dear Mama | Devin Luther, Charlie Taylor | United States

COMMERCIALS

Time for Thailand | Vladi Korn | Thailand

Awakening | Enrique Alexander Gracia Herrera | France

Red Wisdom | Hossein Moradizadeh | Iran

 ALBANIAN

Sparks of Light | Burim Haliti | Kosovë

Special Awards

SPECIAL MENTION

Black Lagoon | Felipe Esparza | Peru

AUDIENCE AWARD

Return to the lost Eden | Adriano Zecca | Switzerland

BEST SOUND DESIGNER

The Whale from Lorino | Jarosław Sadowski, Marcin Lenarczyk |Poland

BEST SCRIPT

Tandem Local | François Legrand | Belgium

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER

Caged with Great White Sharks | Blane Henderson | United States

BEST EDITOR

BEST DIRECTOR

The Whale from Lorino | Maciej Cuske| Poland

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Travel Fest being held in Albania

• 7/19/2022 1:20 PM

Travel Fest Albania has opened its doors.

On the first day of the festival, well-known names of Albanian music, but also politicians and ambassadors joined this activity. In a message on the "Facebook" page, Travel Fest Albania reveals the names of the participants, to whom it sends a thank you, for making the first one special festival day.

"Thanks to all participants in the opening ceremony, for making the first day of the Travel Fest Albania festival so special! Thanks to Jonida Shehu, Bojken Lako, Andi Seferi, Hubert Perr, Ornela Cikuli, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Polish embassy, Tirana city hall, Ema Andrea, Angelina Korn, Katarzyna Bojkowska, Michał Stańczyk, Anastasia Durand, Garnet Mae, François Legrand "- reads the message of Travel Fest Albania.

Nature, wildlife, mountaineering, climbing, landscape, environment and ecology, underwater world, biodiversity, flora, extreme and adventure sports, historical places, heritage, expeditions & routes, food and drinks etc. will be the reference of the first edition in Travel Fest Albania contest, on the big screen where a large audience will enjoy and talk about videos, films and documentaries as well.

Travel Fest Albania will take place in Tirana, capital city of Albania, on July 18-24, 2022, screening films focused on sustainable development and natural tourism, exploring the most innovative tendencies in the audiovisual representation of the travelling experience around the world.

Winners will be awarded at a special ceremony on the last day of the Festival and can register for a three days trip to Albanian amazing travel destinations. This project is supported by Albanian Ministry of Tourism and Environment.

/Klara Ruci/

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[Youth & Festival’s Stories] Travel Fest Albania

Travel Fest Albania 3 July 2023 - 9 July 2023 Tirana, Albania Film, Photography, Video

Travel Fest Albania has concluded the first edition successfully. 128 films from 42 countries were screened in 4 cinemas during one week and 22 prizes were awarded to the winners. About 30 invited creators from as far away as Australia, along with the rest of Europe and neighboring countries, were accommodated in Tirana to attend the festival and then enjoyed a 3-day trip to the Albanian Riviera. We would not have been able to achieve the success of such an extensive activity without the extraordinary help of young volunteers. The call for volunteer registration was opened 2 months before the festival, and about 20 young people received the volunteer uniform. They worked tirelessly to make the festival a success.

Some of them, like Stolija, carried on working the third shift during the night, until 5 in the morning, and at 8:30 she accompanied the invited creators to the cinema. She is an Interpreter (English to Albanian and Albanian to English), part of ESN Tirana and an ex-Erasmus student, and has studied software development at the European University of Tirana.

Klea, who meanwhile was taking the main exam for her master's degree, found time to deal with the co-ordination for the evening shows in outdoor cinemas.

Jonas is founder of Tech Point, an ambassador for next generation tourism graphic designers, also web designer, member of European Youth Parliament Albania and also an experienced editor member of YATA international and volunteer at EU solidarity corps as well as UNDP Albania.

The example of these young people is inspiring for many others and we are convinced that in the next edition we will have other equally beautiful stories from the volunteers of Travel Fest Albania.

Welcome Oli, Jonas, Klea! Oli will be co-ordinator of accommodation, Jonas will be the screening assistant and Klea the co-ordinator of volunteers.

Their volunteer experience will be passed on to other young people as the festival grows.

More info: travelfestalbania.com (General Editor: Simon Mundy)

Small-scale Festivals

The festivals presented in this Zoom-in have under 500 attendees a day, which creates a smaller and more intimate festival experience. The smaller setting creates more space for interaction and collaboration between the participants of these festivals. Discover these festivals now!

Jazz Appreciation Month

This month is all about jazz. This swinging genre with blue notes, complex chords, incredible vocals and lots of improvisation has been uniting people all over the world for centuries. Take your chance to enjoy both well-known icons of jazz and upcoming artists with these European jazz festivals.

World Theatre Day

As the seasons change and the harsh winter days turn into brighter spring days, filled with the scent of flowers, we too are invited to change the scenery of our own lives, as in a play. Why not take inspiration from this on World Theatre Day, celebrated this 27 March?

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• Submit  

Travel Fest Albania (1)

07 Oct 2021 Call for entries

05 May 2022 Festival closed

18 Jun 2022 Notification date

18 Jul 2022 24 Jul 2022

Tomi Kristo St.,  1015, Tirana, Tirana, Albania Web --> Email -->

Festival start: 18 July 2022      Festival end: 24 July 2022

Nature, wildlife, mountaineering, climbing, landscape, underwater world, biodiversity, flora, extreme and adventure sports, historical places, heritage, expeditions & routes, food and drinks etc. will be the reference of the first edition in Travel Fest Albania contest , on the big screen where a large audience will enjoy videos, films and documentaries as well. Travel Fest will take place in Tirana, capital city of Albania, on July 18-24, 2022. During festival days the participants can register for day trips in the museum city of Berat, National Park of Divjaka, anceint fortress of Petrela and the historical city of Kruja – all expenses are covered by the festival. Winners will be awarded at a special ceremony on the last day of the Festival and can register for a three days trip in Valbona valley to enjoy a beautiful experience in Albanian Alps and showing their films in front of tourists visiting the area. Full details of registration will be announced soon.

Best Travel Fest Film Best Nature & Wildlife Film Best Environment & Ecology Film Best Destinations Film Best History & Heritage Film Best Adventure Film Best Expeditions & Routes Film Best Food & Drink Film Best Tv & Web Series Best Commercial video Best Mobile Film Best Drone Film Best Albanian Film Best Director Best Screenwriter Best Editor Best Cinematographer Best Sound Designer Audience Award

• The submitter guarantees the full rights to the submission, this also applies to attached press and advertising material. • Film screenings of the submitted films are free of charge for the organizer. Demo fees, license fees and / or costs of any kind will not be due or will be borne by the submitter. Rights of third parties must not be violated, the responsibility lies with the submitter. Costs of any kind are not covered by the festival and are the responsibility of the submitter. • Submitted films may not have been published before 01.01.2019. • Film must be submitted in English or with English subtitles. The submitter is responsible for the correctness of the translation. • Submission is only possible via FestHome at https://filmmakers.festhome.com/festival/travel-fest-albania. All films must be available for download from FestHome either via Vimeo or YouTube link. • The festival reserves the right to reclassify festival entries into other categories where this is deemed appropriate. • The festival organization does not accept any responsibility for the cancellation of the festival due to force majeure. • All films should be submitted electronically in resolution: Full HD (1920×1080 pixels), 16: 9 (other resolution accepted for mobile films), Video codec: H.264, Audio codec: AAC, format: MP4, MOV, AVI. DVDs or other media will not be accepted. • Unsolicited submitted materials will not be returned. • The submission fee may vary depending on the time of submission. The fee is payable on the day of submission - exclusive early bird discount may apply. • More than one film per submitter may be submitted. Each submission requires separate submission documents and a separate fee. • A refund of the festival fee is not possible under any circumstances. • A pre-jury, organized by the festival management, will nominate up to 15 films in each category (up to 30 films/videos on Commercial, Mobile and Drone category). • The main jury selects the respective winners from the nominated films in each category. The jury may award special prizes. • All nominated films and the respective winners must be confirmed by the festival management. The decisions of the jury are not contestable and not subject to any legal appeal. • Winners who can not attend the festival and wish to receive their trophy after the festival, must inform the organization and pay the respective shipping costs. • The cost of the accommodation will be covered by the Festival for three days, including transport from the airport. • After the awards are announced, the finalists of the festival can take a three days trip in Valbona valley with the best guides to enjoy a beautiful experience in Albanian Alps and showing their films in front of tourists visiting the area. Full details of registration will be announced soon. • The Festival participants stay in partner hotels of the Festival. Private reservations will not be accepted. • With the submission, the submitter assures that he has read, understood and accepted all regulations of the Festival. • The festival reserves the right to compile entries on a “Festival Reel” or similar, also in processed form, and to distribute the same on a medium deemed appropriate by the festival. This also applies to stills/images provided to the festival. The entrants transfer all rights appropriate in this context upon entrance of the festival entry to the festival. • The festival reserves the right to use all recordings taken at the festival for any promotional purpose in any medium deemed appropriate by the festival. The festival reserves the right to exclude entries from the competition. • Changes to the regulations can be made by the festival management at any time. • Submission deadline is 05.05.2022.

Submissions deadline 05 May 22

Nature, mountains, sea, animals, plants, or other non-human living creatures. Wildlife or ecosystems in relationship to human beings

Impact of human beings on the environment and climate change. Preservation and appreciation of our natural habitats and ecosystems.

Travel films or creative and engaging videos to present their destination: city, region, country, vacation spot, or a trip for recreation or tourism.

Films about traveling to historic places, remote populated areas. Showing events, fairs, heritage and anthropological view of societies.

Films about the celebration of the outdoors and adventures: skiing, running, sailing, extreme sports and adrenaline junkie stunts including also solo Traveler – One traveler film.

Expedition and passion to find new worlds, passion for adventure by exploring new routes traveling around the continents. Biography of travelers or explorers on their road.

Culinary Films celebrating emerging and prominent gourmet chefs, the art of gastronomy, international food and drinks culture.

TV or web-series that is currently running on YouTube, Vimeo, or any streaming service and would like to increase exposure to new fans.

Video commercials about countries and cities, hotels and airlines, museums and parks, travel agents, events and festivals, hotels and tour guides for creative advertisement.

Video/film must have been shot on a mobile device. All kinds of New Media and Video Skits, published or unpublished, vertical or horizontal format related to travel theme.

Film must have been shot mostly on a drone, at least 50% of footage. All kinds of drones UAV or FPV released in Full HD format.

Film, Documentary or Video about travel in Albania from filmmakers around the world, or from Albanians abroad. Must be translated in English.

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Festivali ndërkombëtar i filmit dhe fotografisë “Travel Fest Albania”

Një edicion i dytë i shumëpritur është në horizont, pas inaugurimit të suksesshëm të Travel Fest Albania. Edicioni i parë shfaqi 128 filma nga 42 vende në katër kinema gjatë një jave, duke kulmuar me prezantimin e 22 çmimeve për fituesit e merituar.

Në edicionin e ardhshëm nga 3-7 korrik 2023, Travel Fest Albania do të zgjerohet edhe më tej duke prezantuar një konkurs fotografie. Konkursi do të përfshijë tema të ndryshme si natyra, jeta e egër, alpinizmi, ngjitja, peizazhet, bota nënujore, biodiversiteti, flora, sportet ekstreme dhe aventureske, vendet historike, trashëgimia, ekspeditat dhe rrugët, ushqimi dhe pijet. Tema kryesore e ngjarjes do të jetë “Dedikuar Tokës”.

Përveç konkursit të filmit, festivali i këtij viti do të shfaqë një konkurs të zgjeruar fotografish me tema të ngjashme, duke përfshirë natyrën, jetën e egër, jetën e qytetit, peizazhet, botën nënujore, biodiversitetin, florën, vendet historike, trashëgiminë, ekspeditat dhe rrugët, ushqimin, dhe më shumë. Fotografitë magjepsëse do të ekspozohen pranë kinemave dhe do të vlerësohen nga një panel fotografësh profesionistë të nderuar.

Ne jemi të ngazëllyer të ftojmë kineastët dhe fotografët të marrin pjesë në këtë ngjarje të jashtëzakonshme. Bashkohuni me ne për një festë të Tokës dhe mrekullive të saj në Travel Fest Albania!

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Home > 17 Of The Best Festivals In Albania To Enjoy

17 Of The Best Festivals In Albania To Enjoy

Written by our local expert Drita

Drita is a shy Albanian girl. Her Mom is from Kosovo, her Dad from Serbia. She loves to travel & share travel trips to help first-time travelers exploring Albania & the Balkans.

Albania has a surprising amount of festivals each year. Here, we have selected the best festivals in Albania. From beer to tomatoes and music, we know that you will find one to enjoy.

Albania is fast becoming the newest and hottest destinatio n on the travel must-visit list, but the great news is that it’s not gone mainstream quite yet. This means you can visit and enjoy local traditions and customs without dealing with mass tourism. It might come soon, so get in fast.

Until then, now is undoubtedly the best time to head to Albania .

The beaches are lapped by the Adriatic and the Ionian seas , with stunning beaches to chill out on. You can also head into the Albanian Alps and enjoy dramatic scenery anywhere you turn.

Visit Tiran a and explore history and culture while enjoying a shopping spot along the way. Albania has so much to offer, and if you’re a fan of festivals, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy the wide range this country provides.

To help you plan your time in Albania , check out this selection of the best festivals in Albania, listed in order by month:

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

1. Dita e Veres

Dita e Veres is not a festival but an annual celebration that is hugely important in Albanian culture. If you’re visiting the country in March, you’re in for a treat as there are huge celebrations all around the country, with families and children often spending time together. You’ll find lots of traditional food , dancing, and general merriment.

This celebration is a pagan holiday that celebrates when Diana, the Goddess of forests, greenery, and nature, comes out of her temple to break the winter season. As such, it marks the change from winter to spring and strongly emphasizes nature. The day before Dita e Veres, you’ll see people searching for a clump of grass containing soil and roots, as they will then keep it in their home as a sign of good luck.

When: March  | Where: Across Albania

2. National Festival Of Urban Folk Songs

Folk music is quite important across this region of the world. Every March, you will find this nationwide celebration of the local folk music, which varies from village to village.

Elbasan is the place to be for this particular festival, as there is a large concert of different performers from across the country and a generally fun-filled feel in the air!

When: March | Where: Across Albania

3. South Outdoor Festival

The South Outdoor Festival is located in Borsh, in the south of the country, every April for four days. You can enjoy local foods, cultural performances of music and drama, and learn more about this beautiful part of the country and its local customs.

The fact that South Outdoor Festival is located on the idyllic Albanian Riviera certainly doesn’t hurt either! However, be sure to venture past the beaches and into the surrounding countryside, where you’ll find peaceful olive groves.

When: May  | Where: Borsh

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4. përmet national folklore festival.

Held in the picturesque town of Përmet, this festival celebrates Albanian traditional music, dance, and costumes. It’s a vibrant display of Albania’s folk heritage, attracting performers and spectators from across the country.

The festival usually takes place in May, offering a deep dive into the country’s rich cultural traditions in one of its most scenic regions.

When: May | Where: Përmet

Kala is a relatively new festival, having its first outing just two years ago. However, it was such a huge success; it happened both years afterward! Kala is a music festival that attracts big named DJs from across Europe. Located in Dhërmi , you can enjoy the beautiful scenery while dancing ’til dawn.

Kala traditionally takes place in June, but check ahead of time as the exact date changes every year. Remember to check out the beautiful and secluded beaches around Dhërmi to top up your tan while enjoying the music.

When: June  | Where: Dhermi  

6. UNUM Festival

Spanning over three days towards the end of May into June every year, the UNUM festival is a fun-filled music festival that doesn’t allow you to sleep! Packed with local and international music acts, you’ll find something to suit your taste, and it’s located in the stunning north of the country, in the Lezhe area.

UNUM is about celebrating nature and music together; however, it’s certainly not the most relaxing of festivals – there is too much to do! Fun though? Certainly!

When: June  | Where: Rana e Hedhun Beach

7. Berat City Festival

This festival celebrates the heritage of Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the “town of a thousand windows.

The Berat City Festival includes a series of cultural events, traditional music and dance performances, art exhibitions, and more, highlighting the city’s historical and cultural significance. It’s an excellent opportunity for visitors to explore Albanian traditions in one of its most iconic cities.

When: July  | Where: Berat

8. Korca Beer Festival

The Korca Beer Festival is a must-visit for four days every August if you’re a lover of local and international beers. This is a hugely popular festival, with more than 100K people in attendance every year. The other plus point? It’s free, and you’ll get to sample beers from all over the world and some locally produced in the Korca region.

The festival also features music from local and national bands, with food stands and a fun feel in the air.

When: August  | Where: Korce

9. Kruja Mountain Festival

In August, you will be able to enjoy the Kruja Mountain Festival, which certainly has a lofty perch to enjoy the scenery from! Many religions take this pilgrimage route throughout the country, visiting the cave within the mountain where several miracles are said to have occurred.

You can head up the mountain on foot if you’re feeling energetic, or you can drive up instead. The views are unique, so make sure you have plenty of space on your camera memory card.

When: August  | Where: Kruja

10. Zâ Fest

Zâ Fest is a newer festival that focuses on promoting Albanian culture, nature, and spiritual traditions through music, art, workshops, and outdoor activities.

It typically takes place in the Dajti Mountain area near Tirana. This festival offers a unique blend of contemporary and traditional experiences, making it an exciting addition for those interested in Albania’s natural beauty and cultural depth.

When: Summer | Where: Shkoder

11. Gjirokastër Folk Festival

This particular festival isn’t as frequent as the others, as it takes place every four years in September. Despite that, it is quite a big deal, with the first one happening way back in 1968.

Gjirokaster Folk Festival is full of music, dancing, performances, and art from around the Balkan region , and many international performers take to the stage. UNESCO recognizes this festival for its cultural heritage roots , and you can be sure of a massive crowd on the day.

When: September | Where: Gjirokaster Castle

12. Tirana International Film Festival

If you are in Tirana in November, head to the International Film Festival. Every year since 2003, the festival has been full of movie clips, full-length titles from all over the world, and many local films also showcased.

When: September | Where: Tirana

13. Tirana Jazz Festival

For music enthusiasts, especially jazz lovers, the Tirana Jazz Festival is a must-attend.

This event brings together local and international jazz musicians for several days of performances, usually held in various venues around Tirana. The festival occurs annually, offering a platform for jazz in a country rich with musical diversity.

14. Tomato Festival

As obscure as it may sound, the Tomato Festival is a popular yearly event in September in Shëngjergj Village. The village is only a short distance away from the capital of Tirana , but the drive is sublime through the beautiful Priska pass.

You’ll be able to enjoy local traditions and cultural performances, as well as plentiful, delicious, locally-grown foods , including tomatoes! Check out the folk dancing and music, and you’ll also find lots of trinkets and handmade souvenirs to take home with you.

When: September | Where: Shëngjergj Village

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15. Albanian Independence Day

Albania’s most significant public holiday takes place on November 28th and marks the day when independence was declared in 1912, after hundreds of years under the Ottoman Empire’s control.

You’ll find countless celebrations going on around the country, and because most people are off work, there is likely to be something happening no matter where you are! 

When: November | Where: Across Albania

16. Olive Festival

On November 3rd of every year, the Olive Festival takes place in Brar. This festival showcases many locally-produced foods from around the country, but mostly anything to do with olives! You’ll also get to enjoy a tour of the olive groves around the area, some of which date back thousands of years.

This fun festival allows you to try lots of local produce and, of course, purchase some to take back home with you. Locally-produced olive oil from here is divine!

When: November | Where: Brar

17. The Lighting Of The Torch Festival (Festa E Flamurit)

While not a festival in the traditional sense, this event marks Albania’s National Youth Day on November 8th. It is deeply rooted in the country’s history, commemorating the Albanian struggle for independence and freedom.

The celebration includes various activities, such as the symbolic lighting of torches, parades, and cultural performances, mainly in the city of Vlorë, where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed.

When: November | Where: Vlorë

So tell us, which festival in Albania will you head to first?

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Dancing Till Dawn on the Albanian Riviera

A weeklong music-and-wellness festival on the beach is just one reason visitors are now flocking to a country that was sealed off to the world for decades.

About 3,500 mostly young revelers descended on Dhermi, Albania, in late May and early June to spin and sway to the beats of world-famous D.J.s at five stages for the weeklong Kala music festival. Credit... Maria Mavropoulou for The New York Times

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By Valeriya Safronova

Valeriya Safronova, based in Vienna, has been hunting for good places to dance for 15 years. This was the first time that quest left her facing down a goat in a village street.

• July 31, 2023

More than a dozen sweaty people in various states of undress giggled as a capoeira instructor directed us to crawl around on the floor. Make eye contact, he told us as we tried to follow the flow of one another’s bodies. But it was hard not to stare at the sparkling blue Ionian Sea.

On one side of an open-air pavilion in Dhermi, a village on the Albanian Riviera, those waters glimmered under the summer sun, free of the yachts that crowd the Croatian and Greek shorelines to the north and south. On the other side, palm trees dotted the landscape. Behind them loomed the lush, green Ceraunian Mountains.

A sound check interrupted the class, an abrupt reminder of the larger reason we capoeira novices had gathered: Kala , a weeklong music-and-wellness festival. I was part of a crowd of about 3,500 mostly young people, resplendent in transparent flare pants, crop tops and cowboy boots, who had descended on Dhermi in late May and early June to sway and spin in the moonlight, hypnotized by the beats, and to pack our days with Kundalini yoga, breath work, massage and capoeira classes.

Across four stages, D.J.s like Hunee and Antal , CC:Disco! , Grace Sands and Daphni performed nightly, spinning techno and electronic beats mixed with funk, disco, jazz and more. A fifth stage, open during the daytime, beckoned from Gjipe, a canyon with soaring red cliffs, a short, scenic boat ride away.

In Dhermi, restaurants served fresh, delicious seafood and drinks at reasonable prices. Kala’s weeklong packages, which included tickets and accommodations, started at $370. (Similar U.S. festivals this year charged about $200 to $400 for a two- or three-day ticket, without lodging.) Residents joined in the fun, blasting their own music from bars, cars and balconies at night. And in the morning, some hung-over revelers were surprised to find themselves face to face with wandering goats on the village streets.

“I’ve gone from Ibiza, which got really built up, to Croatia, which got really busy. And I’ve spent a lot of time in India, and now Goa is super busy, too. And Greece is so expensive now,” said Annabel Turbutt-Day, 38, a corporate affairs director from London who drove to Kala from Tirana, Albania’s capital, with her partner and three friends. “Albania is still a little bit undiscovered, and a bit more affordable.”

From hermit state to hot spot

Since its debut in Albania in 2018, Kala has helped drive a boom in international tourism in Dhermi. Three more events have joined Dhermi’s summer dance card, with support from Mainstage Festivals , the company that runs Kala, including the upcoming Ion Festival , which takes place there from Sept. 6 to 13. The tourism season in Dhermi, which used to last about six weeks, now runs from the end of May through September.

Dhermi’s landscape was integral to Kala’s appeal: The beaches where people sunbathed during the day turned into parties that lasted till sunrise — and the cycle repeated every day.

Each open-air stage was its own little world — a cozy cove, a platform jutting into the sea, a vast space surrounded by palm trees. When I got tired of bobbing my head to the music in one spot, I could weave down the street through shouting, laughing festivalgoers and slip into a different crowd swaying to a different set.

Spontaneous parties formed in the streets, too. One evening, after hours of dancing, I devoured a slice of pizza while watching a trio of locals and visitors join hands and spin in a circle, first to Albanian songs and then to Justin Bieber’s “Sorry.”

Dhermi’s rising popularity has mirrored Albania’s as a whole. In 2022, a record 7.5 million people visited the country, spending around $3.1 billion, compared with 6.4 million and $2.4 billion in 2019, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. And in the first three months of 2023, Albania experienced a 54 percent jump in visitors compared with the same period in 2019, according to the World Tourism Organization.

Many of those tourists head straight for the resort towns and beaches of the Albanian Riviera, which are drawing European sun-and-sea seekers who find the Greek island of Corfu and Dubrovnik, Croatia, too expensive and crowded. On Instagram and TikTok , influencers compare Albania’s seascape to that of the Maldives or Bali.

At the same time, history buffs are flocking to Albania’s ancient Greek and Roman ruins , Ottoman-era architecture and the tens of thousands of repurposed concrete bunkers built by Enver Hoxha, who ruled the formerly Communist country with an iron fist for four decades. UNESCO World Heritage sites like the prehistoric ruins of Butrint and deep, ancient Lake Ohrid add to the attractions.

Outdoorsy types come to bicycle along the wild Vjosa River and hike in the Albanian Alps . Nearly 300 government-certified agritourism operators offer farm tours, wine tastings and homemade meals at properties growing cherries, walnuts, plums, quince and more.

Today’s tourist-friendly environment stands in sharp contrast to the Albania of the early 1990s as it emerged from four decades of isolation as one of the poorest countries behind the Iron Curtain. An economic crisis and a near descent into civil war followed. In early 1997, during a popular uprising, an estimated 550,000 weapons were looted from armories and at least 2,000 people died as government forces cracked down and insurgents battled. The United Nations finally sent in a multinational force to restore order. But all this left Albania with a reputation as a crime-ridden, dangerous country.

“The image of Albania was not the real one,” said Mirela Kumbaro, the country’s minister of tourism and environment. “It was only the bad parts.” Now, Albania want to show its “real face,” she said.

“Kala is one of our best ambassadors,” said Ms. Kumbaro, who had dropped by the festival for a news conference, following in the footsteps of other officials, including Prime Minister Edi Rama, who showed up to the first Kala in 2018 and later sent a pallet of free beer.

Gratitude and growing pains

Development in the Dhermi area has accelerated at a breakneck pace: Half of the adjacent village of Drymades seems to be a construction site. The influx of foreign visitors to a place that only a few decades ago was sealed off to the world has brought both prosperity and challenges.

“It’s been a 100 percent transformation,” said Erjon Shehaj, 46, whose family opened a 10-table restaurant in Dhermi in 2016. “When we started, there was nothing.” Today, they own and operate the Empire Beach Resort , a luxury hotel on the same land where the small restaurant once stood. The resort hosted the biggest stage of the festival and was booked solid all seven days.

“I’ve never encountered so many tourists in Albania,” said Anisa Koteci, 33, a lawyer, who was born in the country then emigrated with her family to London when she was 8. Returning to Albania for Kala for the first time in four years, she said, has been “a bit of a shock to the system.” The abundance of foreign visitors made her excited and happy, she said, but she also worried that Albania might become known as just a party destination. She called the wave of tourism a “stress test” for her homeland.

In Dhermi, the electricity or water was sometimes turned off at hotels without warning, and bathrooms in restaurants and bars were left uncleaned for long stretches. On the second day of the festival, one local shopkeeper wiped her brow and grumbled as she surveyed an endless line of impatient bathing-suit-clad tourists waiting to buy chips, water, beer and sunblock. She was running the grocery store and the adjacent currency exchange alone, she explained, because her brother had stayed up all night registering local SIM cards for tourists.

The flood of visitors is also raising fears about possible harm to the region’s flora and fauna. In the city of Vlore, about an hour’s drive from Dhermi, an airport construction project the government promotes as a way to bring more tourists to the Albanian Riviera has faced protests from environmental groups that say it could endanger sanctuaries for birds like flamingos and pelicans.

Tomi Gjikuria, 34, an entrepreneur and a D.J. who grew up in Dhermi, said he was happy with all the new business and hoped for more visitors, but wondered how all the new construction would affect the landscape.

“When I was a child, there was no tourism,” said Mr. Gjikuria, who operates a campsite called the Sea Turtle Camp on land that his family owns in Drymades.

“I have 5,000 square meters where I put a campsite,” he said. “I could have built a casino, but I don’t want to cut down the trees.”

A spirit of hospitality

Despite all the challenges of development, residents of Dhermi have kept the welcome mat out — even if it sometimes has had a few wrinkles.

Alan Crofton, the manager and director of Mainstage Festivals, recalled the fall of 2017, when he and Rob Searle, Kala’s creative director, went to Gjipe Canyon to ask the owner of a local campsite if they could use its beach during Kala. The man they met insisted that before they agreed to anything, they needed to break the ice by toasting each other with a shot of raki, a local liquor. One shot turned into several, until finally the man told Mr. Crofton and Mr. Searle — by then quite buzzed — that he would lease them a space for the festival, Mr. Crofton said.

But when Mr. Crofton and Mr. Searle returned several months later, they found out that their raki-toasting host was not actually the landowner. He was the security guard who looked after the campsite in the winter.

Andrea Kumi, 47, founded Havana Beach Club , a place that helped draw some of the area’s first waves of tourists, after moving to Dhermi, his father’s hometown, when he was 24. Mr. Kumi, who grew up in Vlore and Athens, began inviting world-famous D.J.s to perform at the club about 15 years ago.

Today, besides the Havana Beach Club, Mr. Kumi owns two other restaurants. As the area continues to change, Mr. Kumi said, everybody is trying their best to be gracious and helpful hosts. As an old saying in Albania goes: “Our house belongs to God and guests.”

He illustrated this point with a story. In 2009, Mr. Kumi persuaded the Dutch D.J. Tiësto to perform in Dhermi. There were no luxury hotels, so, eager to please, he rented a three-story, 80-foot yacht for Tiësto to sleep on, but the D.J. started feeling seasick as soon as he boarded.

All the hotel rooms in the area were booked with the thousands of guests who’d come to see Tiësto perform, so Mr. Kumi offered up his own bedroom in his family’s house in the hills. Tiësto accepted, and the next day, Mr. Kumi said, the D.J. joined his parents and nephew for homemade pancakes.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2023 .

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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The Best Summer and Music Festivals in Albania 2024

Last Updated on November 6, 2023

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Albania is fast becoming a festival haven, even for big music festivals.

There is a wide range of events and festivals in Albania every year from jazz to some of the biggest EDM festivals in Eastern Europe.

With the combination of beautiful scenery, hospitable locals, and cheap prices suddenly festival organisers are jumping on the train of hosting big music festivals in Albania.

Here are the top ones that are coming to Albania this year as well as more traditional festivals celebrating Albanian culture.

📚 P.S. Grab access to my Travelling Albania Guide to get a comprehensive insight into more places to visit in Albania (including secret spots that are not recommended in the usual guides!)

Table of Contents

Top Festivals in Albania to Check out

South outdoor festival.

Location: Borsh Dates: 29 April – 3 May

The South Outdoor festival is located along the Albanian Riviera in the village of Borsh.

This unique Albania festival combines tradition and food and celebrates Albanian culture in a totally one-of-a-kind setting.

Borsh is a beautiful spot in the south of Albania – and one of my favourite places in Albania ! It is famous for the longest stretch of beach in Albania.

So it’s no surprise it’s also one of the best Albania beaches .

It’s also home to an impressive amount of olive groves and a castle which often gets missed by the average tourist.

The event is held in the olive groves and is one not to be missed to learn more about Albanian culture and relax in a beautiful spot.

🎫 Get your tickets here

Colour Day Festival

Location: Sheshi Nënë Tereza (Mother Teresa Square) in Tirana Dates: 28 – 29 May

The colour festival is located on mother Teresa Square in Tirana and seems to be a popular festival popping up all over the world.

Although it has become a worldwide celebration, it is based on the famous Holi festival which is a day in India celebrated by Hindus.

In India, this festival signifies victory over the immoral and is celebrated by people throwing an array of different coloured powders in the air.

This festival in Tirana doesn’t quite have the same meaning, nor do a lot of other colour festivals around the world.

Instead, it’s just a fun day to throw some colour around, enjoy some music and get together!

Unum Festival

Location: Rana e Hedhun Beach in Shëngjin Dates: 1 – 6 June

This 3-day Albania music festival is celebrated in beautiful Shëngjin, in the Lezhe district (North Albania).

UNUM Festival Albania strives to unite the four elements of nature (sand, pines, the sea, and the mountains) with music.

The UNUM elements music festival is held on Rana e Hedhun, an area famous for its beautiful sand dunes! Each year there are over 50 international and local acts.

If you are looking for an Albania techno festival, UNUM is one of the best EDM and techno festival concerts in Albania.

You’ll get to experience some of the best techno Albania has to offer from local and regional artists, as well as many international names.

Are you ready for an UNUMaginable experience? #becomeunum

Location: Dhërmi Dates: 8 – 15 June

This one-week Dhermi festival had their first appearance in 2018 and made big waves in the music festival world!

The Kala music festival was on the world stage and was quickly named one of the biggest festivals of the summer. 

Located on the Albanian Riviera, which is full of incredibly beautiful, secluded beaches, this festival is a great excuse to explore more of Europe’s hidden gems.

Thanks to its stunning location in Dhërmi, the Kala music festival has become one of the best beach festivals in Europe.

With the continued success, I have a feeling this is going to be one of the biggest and most important Albania music festivals.

Don’t forget to check out this festival packing list so you don’t forget anything!

Outside of the festival, make sure to spend time travelling through the beautiful Albanian Riviera.

I have a 10-day itinerary of South Albania to help you make the most of your time.

Anjunadeep Explorations

Location: Dhërmi Dates: 15 – 22 June

This festival not only focuses on music but also has a wellness centre where you can practice some yoga, get a beach massage and focus on your well-being.

Anjunadeep Explorations is another Albania festival that takes place in Dhermi, one of the hotspots along the Albanian Riviera.

Dhermi is fast becoming a tourist mecca due to its beautiful beaches and nearby attractions. It also hosts multiple music events in Albania each year.

There are some truly exciting acts that are coming to this festival (many returning) including:

• Daniel Curpen
• Dom Donnelly
• Eli & Fur
• James Grant
• and many more!

Turtle Fest

Location: Drymades Beach in Dhërmi Dates: 30 July – 1 August

This Albania summer festival comes every year to Drymades beach in Dhermi during the months of July/August.

Turtle Fest Albania is a music festival and annual event in Albania that is particularly popular with backpackers.

The festival has been coming to Albania for the last 9 years which makes it the longest-running music festival in Albania.

As one of the most established music festivals Albania hosts, there have been some amazing acts attending Turtle Festival. So we’re always excited to hear their lineup.

You must be 18+ to attend Turtle Fest.

Korca Beer Festival

Location: Korca Dates: 18 – 22 August

Beer beer beer!! Located in Korca, the famous home to Korca beer, it’s all happening at one of the best Albanian festivals.

This four-day festival celebrates, well you may have guessed it already: Beer. You’ll find unique beers from all over the country here.

The Korca Beer Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Albania with over 100,000 people in attendance every year.

This is a free festival with music as well as international and national beer options.

👡 PACKING TIP: Looking for the best shoes for travelling? I highly recommend getting a pair of Chaco’s – They are my favourite!

Jazz in Albania

Location: Tirana; Fier/Apolloni; Pogradec Dates: 7 – 10 September (Tirana); 8 – 9 September (Fier/Apolloni); 10 – 11 September ( Pogradec)

Since I started getting interested in what Albania festivals there are, I am continually impressed by the range available.

For example, I had no idea there was a festival in Albania for jazz until I was researching for festivals in Albania to attend.

Albania is always full of surprises!

This festival celebrates European jazz with a focus on Balkan jazz, and features musicians from all over Europe.

So for anyone in Albania who is interested in jazz music then this is definitely the Albania festival for you.

The festival happens in three different cities across Albania (Tirana, Fier, and Pogradec) during the same weekend. The event in Tirana typically runs longer than the other two.

ION Festival

Location: Dhërmi Dates: 7 – 14 September

The ION Festival is one of the most unique music celebrations in Albania as it places heavy emphasis on exploring the country.

As one of the top tech and electronic festivals in Albania, you’ll get to listen to amazing artists and meet like-minded people.

Around 3,000 people attend the festival, most of whom are foreign as the festival aims to introduce people to Albanian music and culture.

All tickets are automatically booked with accommodation. This keeps numbers under control and ensures all attendees will have accommodation for the duration of the festival.

Peza N*Fest

Location: Peza Dates: TBC

This festival is a celebration of the end of summer and is located in the small town of Peza, which is only a quick hour away from the capital of Tirana.

Although Peza N*Fest is more of a local festival, there is also a range of international and national music acts.

Unlike many of the Albania events on this list, this is a family-friendly festival so it’s one that can be enjoyed by all!

🧳 MUST-HAVE: Before you head out on your trip, make sure you have travel insurance. I recommend either SafetyWing or World Nomads .

Frequently Asked Questions

There are multiple Dhermi festivals each year. The most popular ones are Turtle Fest, ION Festival, and the Kala musical festival.

Yes, UNUM is a predominantly house and techno music festival. ION also has techno and electronic music and is a growing Albania festival.

There’s your big list of the best festivals in Albania that you can check out during your travels there. If you know of any other festivals then make sure you let me know in the comments. Don’t forget to join my Facebook group ‘Travelling Albania’ to meet other like-minded travellers coming to Albania!

Other articles you will love:

• Backpacking Albania: The Best Hostels in Albania
• Albania Travel Guide for First Timers: Everything You Need to Know!
• 14 Important Tips Before You Travel to Albania

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The Comments

Dear Anita, your blog is awesome.

I wonder if you would suggest Kala or the Unum festival für this year?

Best wishes

Rita Apanavice

Hi, we would like to come to the Turtle festival from Sweden, but the official website is not working, and there is no information on Facebook. Is this festival really planned? If so, when will the tickets go on sale?

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The Future of Environmental Sustainable Tourism in Albania

Be a part of FESTA!

Gain insights and explore new opportunities in the global tourism market.

What is FESTA?

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) under the special care of the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama , and Secretary – General of the UNWTO, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili , will organize the International Tourism Forum “ The Future of Environmental Sustainable Tourism in Albania (FESTA)” that will be held from the 3rd to the 5th of April 2023 , in Tirana, Albania.

In the framework of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), together with the Albanian Agency for the Strategic Program and Aid Coordination (SASPAC), the forum aims to include the most important topics within the strategic policies of the Albanian Government and UNWTO.

FESTA will be a platform for a range of panels and discussions amongst policymakers, entrepreneurs, operators of hospitality and all those who contribute to the shaping of this vital industry.

The Forum thematics will be focused on the current trends of sustainable travel, using insights, while exploring the transformational power of the travel industry and jointly strategise how to move forward in the road ahead. Being among important actors who are at the forefront of the profession, will be a great networking experience among all attendees, against a background of Albanian food, culture, music, and hospitality.

Get to know our high-profile speakers and be part of FESTA

H.E. Edi Rama

H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili

H.E. Frans Timmermans

Daniela Santanchè

Mirela Kumbaro

Belinda Balluku

Mohamed Alabbar

Prof. Bettany Hughes

Ilin Dimitrov

Why should you attend, gain insights, explore the future, day 1 - april 3, 2023.

6:00 PM - 6:20 PM

6:20 PM - 6:30 PM

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Day 2 - April 4, 2023

10:00 AM - 10:10 AM

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Day 3 - April 5, 2023

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

• Welcoming Performance
• Master of Ceremony / Prof. Bettany Hughes BBC
• Welcome Speeches
• Tradition in Evolution / Tasting Albanian Specialities
• <a href="https://tourismforum.al/timetable/event/registration/">Opening Remarks</a>
• Panel 1: The Role of Governments in Shaping the Tourism Agendas of the Future
• Panel 2: Investment Perspectives Strategies
• Panel 3: The EU & Donors in Tourism Development Strategies
• City Tour / Museum Visits
• Symphonic Concert "Carmina Burana"
• Panel 5: Jobs, Skills and Hospitality
• Panel 4: Branding Sustainable Destinations and the Latest Trends
• Panel 7: Agriculture, Rural & Gastronomy Tourism
• Panel 6: Cultural & Active Tourism

Albania Tourism Week ‘23

FESTA + Expo Tourism

ExpoTourism is a unique exchange platform in the tourism industry, which brings together the demand and supply of all interested parties, where, in addition to doing business, it is also possible to exchange valuable information about the future of tourism in the country, in order to advertise Albania as a destination for tourism for various purposes, in the region and in the world. In this way, we can offer sustainable and long-term tourism throughout the year.

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Opera & Ballet Theatre

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My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania

From London to Tirana, via Chambéry’s medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania’s dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn

M y overriding memories of crossing countries by train, on a trip from London to Albania, are of half-empty carriages and countryside sweeping past windows bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. I remember cypress trees, red-roofed villages with square churches, farmland in neat strips and row upon row of vineyards.

On my London-Paris-Chambéry-Turin-Bari-Tirana journey over land and sea, there was, for long stretches, little to do. The wifi was patchy. It took a while to adapt to having so much time to simply watch the world go by, travelling through landscapes without having to navigate them.

The biggest stress happened long before I set off, when a landslide not far from the French border with Italy blocked the rail line between Chambéry and Turin, forcing a closure that continues today. Byway, the no-fly operator I had booked with, offered to reroute me through Nice and on to Turin via the Vermenagna valley (with changes in Tende and Cuneo), or book me on the FlixBus service over part of the Mont Blanc massif. I was keen to see Chambéry and the Alps, so I chose the bus.

People seemed surprised when I told them I was travelling overland to Albania. As I gushed about the romance of slow travel by train and sleeper ferry, and my excitement about Tirana, I got comments about being “brave”. I didn’t feel especially brave: all the planning, tickets and hotel bookings were done for me, and friendly help was a WhatsApp call away if needed.

I just had to download the Rail Planner app for my Interrail pass and make sure I was at the right station at the right time (Turin was the biggest challenge: it has four main railway stations and taxis scream between them bearing anxious-looking passengers).

The entire journey took four days. If I did it all again, I’d stay longer in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot – and remember to buy my Paris Métro ticket from the cafe on the Eurostar.

Day one: London to Chamb éry

First to Paris’s Gare du Nord, then the metro to Gare de Lyon, where I make a beeline for a cafe opposite the station. Noise pervades the pavement tables of Café Terminus, but the cacophony is delightful – an atmospheric place for a citron pressé .

I’m in plenty of time for the train to Chambéry and, excitingly, am on the upper deck. Soon, we break free from the suburbs to trace huge stands of forest. Beyond Lyon begins a ripple of hills, lazy rivers and thickly forested slopes. As evening approaches, it’s all Alpine scenery. I arrive at an almost-empty station and walk to the boutique Hotel des Princes in Chambéry’s old town.

Chambéry has an Italian feel – it was the seat of the House of Savoy before the dynasty moved on to Turin – and its medieval alleys, cathedral and pastel-coloured townhouses are quietly impressive. The 1838 Fontaine des Éléphants sits in the middle of the closest square to the old town, and peeking from the end of every street are the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. My stay is peaceful and easy.

Day two: Chamb éry to Turin

From Chambéry, the train to Turin would take about 2½ hours, but the bus takes double this. I’m on the top deck again, which is worth it for the sight of misty fingers of early morning light breaking across the mountain ridge. Snoozing backpackers rouse themselves to snap pictures of remote Mont Blanc peaks, before slumbering once more through the tunnel to Italy. In Turin there’s perfume in the air from the blossom-covered trees.

Turin’s grid of long, straight boulevards is testament to its development by the Romans – the redbrick Palatine Gate is another Roman relic – and its grand piazzas, royal palaces and graffitied colonnades date from the city’s Savoy heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the number one attraction is the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum).

My favourite moments? Ricotta and fig ice-cream on Piazza San Carlo, an aperitivo on off-the-beaten-path Via Sant’Agostino and the towering neoclassical Mole Antonelliana (national museum of cinema). I eat Turin’s famous doughy pizza al padellino (pan pizza) and spend a comfortable night in the eaves of Hotel Urbani in 19th-century residential streets close to the grand Porta Nuova train station.

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Day three: Turin to Bari

The views from my next train are of cinematic Tuscan scenes. Scorched fields, vines and Italian cypress trees. Neat red roofs and shabby-chic farmhouses. Fluffy clouds cling to hills that Google Maps tells me are the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. After hours of soothing golden landscapes, the opal-blue Adriatic wallops into view just north of Ancona. Beach bars whip by and cypress trees are replaced with palm trees: I’ve arrived in the south of Italy.

Bari is hands down my favourite stop. The noise, heat and energy as we step off the train in the early evening are joyous. After Chambéry and Turin, Bari feels brash, a little rough around the edges even; a proper port city. The labyrinthine alleyways of the whitewashed old town are almost cliched in their cuteness. Despite the troupes of tightly packed headphone-wearing Americans following guided tours, it somehow manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere.

Old ladies yawn from the shade as tourists surreptitiously snap pictures and laundry flutters from balconies. I could stay for ever, but after 24 hours (which includes a lot of pasta, a stroll along the posh promenade to the not-so-posh city beach and a night in an elegant aparthotel, Residence Zodiacus , halfway between the station and the old town), it’s time to board the night ferry to Albania.

Day (and night) four: Bari to Tirana

I arrive at the ferry on foot and am escorted through the car deck to jokes about going in the wrong direction (to Albania, instead of from it). In the early morning I spot a pink sky through the cracked window of my comfy en suite cabin, and head to the top deck to see the sun rise over the distant outline of Albania. Disembarking in the port of Durrës is a bit of a scrum and there’s a bus to the capital waiting, but I opt instead for a five-minute taxi ride to the centre of town and breakfast of pastries and espresso on a dazzling white road lined with boutiques and palm trees. I later regret this though, as the aircon on the grubby public bus I eventually take to Tirana is more tired than I am, and drops me in an urban sprawl miles from the centre.

Tirana itself is a revelation. My hotel, Padam Boutique , is a grand villa with handsome rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s striking new skyward architecture on every nearby street. A short stroll away is the landmark Pyramid of Tirana , which stands as a symbol and monument to change (and is fun to climb at sunset). Skanderbeg Square – a jumble of buildings erected on a roundabout at the time of the celebrations to mark the fall of communism in 1992 – is now a pedestrianised, glossy public space. There are nods to Albania’s recent, wretched history behind the iron curtain, of course – the Bunk’Art and Bunk’Art 2 museums, in nuclear bunkers are unmissable – but Tirana and the country are more than just the last century. My journey is done, but it feels like Tirana is just getting into its stride.

The trip was provided by Byway , which offers sustainable travel and accommodation packages across the UK and Europe. Its Alps to Albania trip costs from £679pp

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A foodie guide to Albania

Y ou’ve probably seen the TikTok clips of glorious white sandy beaches lapped by crystal-clear waves with the teaser: “This isn’t the Maldives, this is…” The country in question? Albania .

It has also been called “the next Greece” and “the next Croatia”, and is fast becoming the hottest travel destination for young Brits searching for stunning, unexplored landscapes. It also offers an exciting festival scene and thrillingly cheap beer. The average pint is: (look away now, Londoners) a mere £1.50.

In fact, from 2010 to 2019, the number of tourists visiting the Balkan country tripled every year, peaking at 3.3 million, with 120,000 of those visitors coming from the UK. But what you might not know about the most hyped holiday location of 2023 is that the cuisine is also worth boarding a flight for.

Despite writing about food for a living, I knew nothing about the county’s gastronomy until, on a trip to the southern coast of the country last year, I met and fell in love with an Albanian. Since then, I’ve travelled around much of the country — and neighbouring Kosovo, also populated by Albanians — and have been introduced to, and eaten, a lot of incredible traditional dishes. In fact, when people ask me what I like most about the country, my answer is always: the food.

These are my suggestions for the foods to seek out on your next visit to “the Caribbean of Europe”.

I cannot stress enough: Flija is the best thing ever . Found in the north of Albania but mainly in Kosovo, flija or fli takes everything that’s great about a French crêpe and multiplies it.

Thin layers of pancake are built up in a distinctive sun-ray-like pattern (which ultimately results in more crispy bits) and are cooked slowly in an enormous pan under the residual heat of a lid that’s been heated over flames. It’s cooked outside and is an absolute labour of love, taking several hours from start to finish. Recipes vary but normally between each layer is a drizzle of a slightly tangy, yoghurty-cheese, which adds so much flavour.

The finished result is truly something to behold. The edge of the huge circular pancake-cake is burnished with delectable crunchy, blackened bits and cutting an (always-generous) slice reveals its many impressive layers.

You eat it with your hands, tearing it apart and enjoying the pleasing combo of soft, hot, crispy, carby goodness with a delicious sour hint from the soft cheese. I’ve heard that some people drizzle it with honey to make it sweet but I love it in its original savoury form.

Many traditional restaurants will have little bites of fli on the menu, while some allow you to order a whole one — which I’d advise if you have multiple mouths to eat it. I got one for my birthday, and it was 100 times better than any cake I’ve ever had.

Burek is a super popular and inexpensive snack in Albania and Kosovo, found in differing forms.

It’s essentially a filo pastry pie that can be rolled into a spiral shape, layered flat and cut into huge wedge slices. It’s also made in thin cigar-like strips that are cut into bite-size pieces. However it’s prepared, think: flaky, golden layers of paper-thin pastry with intensely tasty fillings.

The main fillings are cheese (almost like a feta), spinach and a flavoursome, slightly spiced minced beef, but some places also do it with potato or pumpkin which gives it a sweet edge.

I love to dunk the hot savoury pastries in cooling yoghurt or wash them down with an ayran , a popular salty and sometimes fizzy yoghurt drink, kind of like kefir but more refreshing.

You can find the cheap, moreish and filling snack in bakeries all over Albania and Kosovo.

Soak something in syrup and you’re unlikely to get any complaints but this famous Albanian dessert, known as sheqerpare, is especially delicious. It originates from Turkey but has been fully adopted by the Albanians who sell them in bakeries, restaurants and supermarkets all over the country.

It’s a short, buttery biscuit soaked in sweet syrup resulting in a moist and moreish dessert. Recipes vary regionally (vanilla can be added to the syrup and almonds or walnuts to the top of the cookie), but whatever way you try them, they’re stupendously nice.

It’s not the only syrup-soaked Turkish dessert you’ll find in Albania. There’s also top quality baklava and kadaif — a shredded filo dessert with walnuts and lemon.

Tavë kosi and other lamb dishes

Lamb is a popular meat in Albania due to the abundant amount of sheep on the hills, and it is cooked excellently. I ate a fantastic lamb orzotto dish in the south of Albania — a deep, umami ‘risotto’ made with orzo, with a meltingly soft piece of lamb on top of the savoury, brothy pasta. Pure Heaven.

It’s also integral to the traditional recipe of tavë kosi, for which the meat and some rice are placed in a dish with a yogurt mixture that, when baked in the oven, sets in a way reminiscent of the Greek dish moussaka. It’s rich, decadent and garlicky with nutmeg, oregano and parsley running through the creamy mixture.

Speaking of meat, qofte,or little minced-beef meatballs, are a must-try in Albania. Occasionally made with lamb, they’re irregularly shaped, have subtle spices running through them, and are either fried or baked.

Served with a big salad, pickles and yoghurt they’re some of the best meatballs I’ve ever eaten and, once again, won’t set you back a lot of money. The perfect, quality fast-food and great with a briny, pickled hot pepper.

Fresh fish with super salads

Thanks to its nearly 300 miles of coastline, you can eat plenty of fresh fish in Albania. Simply grilled so the skin goes crispy and the flesh remains moist and flakey, all you need is a squeeze of lemon. I’ve also eaten excellent ceviche in Albania along with great squid and other seafood.

To accompany your seafood, try a fresh salad . They’re always high quality in Albania. Greek salads are very popular due to the sweetness of the tomatoes and onions in the Balkans, but you can also find some more unusual recipes.

In a seaside town called Himare, an orange, black olive and onion salad is the local speciality due to an abundance of both orange and olive trees. It’s drizzled in delicious local olive oil and a sprinkling of dried oregano, and is sweet and savoury at the same time. I couldn’t get enough of this refreshing, exciting salad when I was there recently, much to the locals’ delight. Definitely one to try.

Move over hummus, a new dip is in town and it’s crazily addictive. Albanian fergese is a delicious blend of roasted red peppers, cooked tomatoes, yogurt and a type of salty cheese similar to feta. This is then mixed with a roux until combined, and baked in the oven. It results in this warm, thick, full-flavoured dip, which is perfect for scooping up with bread, eating with grilled meat or alongside fresh, seasonal vegetables.

Petulla, or dough balls

Are there any two better words? Albanian petulla are little balls of yeasted dough which are deep fried in oil until perfectly golden. Brilliant for breakfast, or just for a 10 out of 10 snack, they can be enjoyed with jam, honey, chocolate spread or, my favourite, with little pieces of local feta-like cheese and a drizzle of honey for a salty-sweet delight.

Grilled green peppers in sour cream

In Albania, they know how to cook peppers. Pointy, long green peppers are common though you can get sweeter red and yellow ones. One of my favourite ways they are prepared is when the skins are blackened, removed and the peppers gently fried in oil to create the softest, slightly bitter, sweet and salty taste.

It’s also common to see them cooked in a type of sour cream and cheese sauce known as speca me maze . The sauce is great for bread-dunking and the peppers are perfectly cooked. You can also get it with a traditional sausage instead of peppers.

I’d like to take a moment to congratulate Albania on its coffee game. Espresso is just as good as it is in Italy, consistent in quality, and very reasonably priced. You cannot go wrong unless you order a cappuccino, which was once served to me as espresso with a topping of whipped cream — no bad thing but not what I had in mind.

With parts of the country having quite a large Italian influence, you can also rely on other Italian dishes to be of a good quality, including gelato, pasta and risotto. Some of the best vongole and puttanesca I’ve ever eaten has been in Albania.

While talking about coffee, I should also note that tea in parts of Albania and especially in Kosovo is very good. Sometimes known as ‘Russian tea’ or ‘Turkish tea’, it’s served black and in small measures in distinctive little clear glasses. A big spoon of sugar is often added (you have to say if you don’t want this), which makes it especially easy to knock back one, two or even five in a row.

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I've visited 93 countries, 57 of them with kids. These 5 underrated spots are great places to enjoy with your family.

• Karen Edwards has traveled to 93 countries, and 57 of them have been with her young children.
• Edwards said that her family has had more fun exploring underrated spots than the popular ones.
• Her favorites include Tanzania for its safari tours and Abu Dhabi for its vibrant festival scene.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karen Edwards , who blogs about her family's travels around the world. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Since 2000, I've visited 93 countries and 57 of them have been with my four children who are all under the age of 10.

I am a nurse by background, but I have been blogging about traveling with my husband and kids since 2014. I cover a lot of off-the-beaten-track destinations and write itineraries for places I've been to, explaining how they work for families with children.

Many popular family destinations tend to be overcrowded. They're usually the ones that get a lot of media exposure or are shown in viral videos on social media. In America, it'd be places like Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida, while for Europeans, it might be some of the Spanish resort areas.

Although my family and I have visited these places, we have always come away disappointed. They often lack educational experiences, feeling like pointless affairs.

I think traveling to underrated spots makes trips feel more exclusive and you can learn more about the cultures of the countries you visit — it also keeps you away from tourist traps.

We went on a safari tour in Tanzania

Our family visited Tanzania in 2019 in collaboration with a tourism brand. We were there for 12 days.

Our flights to the country were kind of expensive; we paid about $9,000 for our then-family of four, including a stop in Zanzibar at the end of the trip for a few days. However, overall, the entire trip didn't end up costing us that much.

We had some really unique experiences in Tanzania. We went to Mto Wa Mbu village , which is beneath a banana plantation, and we went on a safari tour in its Lake Manyara National Park .

Interestingly, Tanzania is one of the few places in the world where lions are known to climb trees. I remember seeing them sit in tall trees; it was quite unusual, but my kids really enjoyed how close they were to the animals.

Throughout our trip, we actually felt like we were experiencing life in Tanzania. Our campsite was on a river's edge in the depths of nature. It was nice not to feel surrounded by tourists.

My kids fell in love with Abu Dhabi's culture

Many people mistakenly believe that Dubai is a country, but in reality, it's a city in the United Arab Emirates, with Abu Dhabi being its capital.

My family and I moved to Abu Dhabi in 2021 and lived there for 18 months. The city does have a lot of similarities to glitzy and glam Dubai , but you get a more down-to-earth experience.

There are amazing festivals in Abu Dhabi where they display their culture in different formats, whether that be through local food or crafts. It does feel authentic because it's usually mainly locals participating and organizing them.

The city is also 1.5 hours away from Al Ain, which sits at the foot of  Jebel Hafeet , one of the tallest mountains in the region. Along the way up, you'll find many ancient artifacts, such as beehive huts, which have been there for thousands of years. At the top, you can watch incredible sunsets.

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The city also has the Al Ain Oasis , which uses an ancient irrigation system. It has these beautiful paved pathways that look like cobbled streets.

My kids loved Abu Dhabi and are constantly asking me to go back — they really liked all the cultural celebrations.

We love Sri Lanka so much, we're building a villa there

In 2022, my family and I moved to Sri Lanka from Abu Dhabi. We thought we'd have more family time here, and it was going to be an affordable place to live.

We're building a family-friendly villa here that should be completed by August. The area where we are building has a lot of nice cafes, bars, and restaurants nearby.

Overall, Sri Lanka is an amazing country that has so many diverse experiences. There are tea plantations, mountains, and beaches. As for wildlife, their national parks have loads of elephants and leopards.

On one occasion, we went on a safari boat tour to an isolated national park where we watched elephants swim across a lake and onto a tiny island. It was amazing.

The beaches in Sri Lanka are pristine. They have beautiful scenery with swaying coconut palm trees, clear water, and perfect waves. Our favorite is Kabalana Beach .

Because we're always on the beach, my children have learned how to surf. I think it's the most fun thing that we do on the weekends as a family.

The ski resorts and spas are amazing in Andorra

We visited Andorra in 2018 for about six days. It's a tiny country nestled in the Pyrenees between Spain. It's a two-hour drive from Barcelona and three hours from Toulouse, France.

The city has a unique fusion of cultures, though I think Catalonian is the strongest influence. During our trip, my family and I toured many ancient churches.

We also went to some amazing spas and resorts in Andorra. The hotel and ski system there is really family-friendly.

During our visit to the Grandvalira ski resort , my daughter learned how to ski and my husband got to snowboard — the resort has a kindergarten at the foot of its mountain, where kids can play or ski.

Andorra also has amazing spa facilities that are suitable for families and are sectioned off for different age groups.

Our trip was in collaboration with Andorra's tourism board, but I feel like it wasn't overly expensive in comparison to some other places around the world.

I was treated like family in Macedonia

Macedonia is a Balkan country just north of Greece. I haven't been there with children, but I wouldn't have any issues taking my kids there.

It has many beautiful small villages and it's great for skiing too.

The country is also home to one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe named Lake Orchid, which borders Albania. There's this beautiful, small village on the lake that has charming restaurant and a lovely atmosphere for relaxing and enjoying good food.

I visited the country in 2008, and then again in 2012 with my then-boyfriend and now-husband.

The first time I visited, I went with two girlfriends, and we were backpackers. We arrived in the middle of the night by bus and had no idea what we were doing. The bus driver just made a call, and a stranger came and picked us up in his car — I thought I was going to die.

The opposite happened. He took us back to his home with his family, and we stayed there with them for a few days. We ended up extending the trip because he and his family were so amazing.

They didn't speak a word of English, and we couldn't speak a word of their language either. We'd just gesture at each other, and they'd give us food and red wine.

I just totally fell in love with them and their country.

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Why May Is the Best Month to Visit Disneyland in 2024

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For a brief period this month, the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is bringing together a trifecta of entertainment across both of its theme parks.

Disneyland regularly hosts special festivals at the park for Halloween and other holidays, but this is one of the rare times of the year when visitors can experience two festivals at once.

This year’s Pixar Fest and Seasons of the Force feature two beloved franchises — Pixar and Star Wars — through over-the-top food and meet-and-greets with characters never seen before in the parks. Unique entertainment options include a fireworks show that depending on where you view it is either Pixar- or Star Wars-themed with two separate soundtracks.

And that’s not all. One of Disney’s most iconic nighttime shows, “Fantasmic!,” returns in May.

Plus, there’s a ticket offer for Southern California residents that could make experiencing this somewhat affordable — at least by Disney standards.

What to expect when visiting Disneyland in May

Pixar fest kicks off.

A sculpture sitting on the esplanade between Disney's two California theme parks pays homage to all things Pixar. (Photo by Sally French)

From now through Aug. 4, Disneyland Resort is sporting a new makeover for Pixar Fest, a festival devoted to films made by the company’s computer-animation subsidiary, Pixar Animation Studios. NerdWallet got an inside look during a press event for the festival's kickoff.

As part of Pixar Fest, there’s an abundance of Pixar-themed entertainment, including a dance party and a new daytime parade. Character meet-and-greets will include Pixar characters such as Wade and Ember from “Elemental" for the first time at the Disneyland Resort.

You’ll also see decorations throughout both theme parks, including a 25-foot tall sculpture of the iconic Pixar Ball outside Disneyland’s main gate.

An assortment of desserts is on sale for a limited time during Pixar Fest. (Photo by Sally French)

One of the big draws of Disney festivals is the food. For example, you might see Mr. Potato Head-inspired churros, which top the iconic snack with, yes, potato chips.

On May 10, a series of marketplace stands will open at Disney California Adventure Park with even more limited-time food offerings based on some of Pixar’s newer films, including Hanger Management inspired by “Inside Out.”

One of the most popular pieces of merchandise for sale is a Pizza Planet truck, seen in the film "Toy Story." (Photo by Sally French)

Then, there are the fireworks. Tinker Bell is the usual star of Disney fireworks shows, but during Pixar Fest, Buzz takes the torch and flies across the sky between Matterhorn Bobsleds and Sleeping Beauty Castle. Later, Carl and Ellie’s house featured in “Up” floats above the castle.

Season of the Force continues

For fans who prefer Chewbacca over Sulley as their hairy creature of choice, May also features a Star Wars-themed festival called Season of the Force. Season of the Force runs through June 2, providing about a month where both festivals overlap.

“The two festivals aren’t actually intended to interact with each other,” says Tracy Halas, creative director at Disney Live Entertainment. “It’s really just an opportunity to share everything and have something for everybody at the parks.”

And there are plenty of Star Wars fans, indeed. After all, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” still holds the title of highest-grossing film of all time in the domestic market, according to Box Office Mojo.

Among the festival's star attractions is a temporary retheming of the Space Mountain ride to Hyperspace Mountain, where the soundtrack now includes the films’ iconic theme song. There’s also Star Wars-themed food, including a bantha burger based on the furry, horned mammals that roam the fictional planet of Tatooine.

While those Disneyland special events spotlight two of Disney’s biggest franchises, that’s still not the only reason why May could be the best month for Disneyland fans.

Fantasmic! returns

“Fantasmic!”, a nighttime show at Disneyland involving costumed characters, stunts and pyrotechnics, went dark after a massive, fire-breathing dragon prop fell victim to its own flames during a live performance in April 2023. That performance was cut short, marking the last show for more than a year. That changes on May 24, when the show returns.

Ways to save money at Disneyland

Southern california resident tickets.

Disney uses variable pricing on its theme park tickets , where higher-demand days command higher prices. Disneyland prices its one-day admission tickets across seven tiers, ranging from Tier 0 (least expensive) to Tier 6 (most expensive).

The average single-day ticket price in May is $162, about 7.4% cheaper than July’s average of $175, according to a NerdWallet analysis of Disney ticket prices.

For locals, a limited-time ticket option offers even lower prices. Southern California residents can purchase a three-day ticket package that costs $225 for weekday tickets ($75 per day) or $275 ($92 per day) for the version that offers weekend access, too.

The last day to use tickets sold through that promotion is June 2.

Hotel discounts

Then, there's another offer available to anyone — not just local residents — that could make trips more affordable. Hotel stays on Sunday through Thursday nights are as much as 15% off for trips booked via Disney's website through June 3 and completed by June 7.

Hotel prices can be the biggest cost in a Disneyland trip — more so than other expenses like food and theme park tickets. The weeknight hotel deal could make them more affordable. Plus, weekday theme park tickets tend to be cheaper than weekends, adding to the savings.

Beware of crowds

But for all the goodness set for May, you might have to contend with crowds. The ticket prices of Fantasmic!'s reopening weekend falls into the highest pricing tier, suggesting Disney is bracing for big crowds on that weekend.

High school students also descend upon Disney California Adventure on certain nights in May and June for Grad Nite. There may be bigger daytime crowds if students arrive early, and the park will close earlier than usual. This year’s Grad Nites are set for May 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28 and 31, as well as June 2, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 14.

Plus, with Southern California resident tickets expiring on June 2 and the summer blackout dates starting May 31 for certain annual pass holders, many people might squeeze in a visit in May.

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Disneyland's Pixar Fest is here: A high-energy show for kids, relaxing for parents

ANAHEIM, Calif. − M ad onna has got nothing on Edna Mode .

"The Incredible s " character slides side-to-side onstage, hitting Vogue-y poses that could rival the queen of pop herself. Watching with rapt attention are several small children, all of whom appear no more than 10 years old. They jump up and down with her, hitting their own poses and sliding left to right.

At several points, non-character cast members give energetic dance instructions to the kids over music, telling them to flex, rock back and forth, clap, run, freeze and more. The kid-friendly moves look as if they could have come straight from an '80s workout video, but instead of Jane Fonda, the instructors are Edna Mode, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone and other beloved characters from "Toy Story" and "Inside Out."

It's all part of "Pixar Pals Playtime Party" (try saying that three times fast) − a new show coming to Fantasyland Theatre at Southern California's Disneyland for Pixar Fest, which runs through Aug. 4. USA TODAY caught a media preview of the show on Thursday, as well as a glimpse at the wide array of creative food offerings. Here's what to expect.

What's the Pixar Palace Playtime Party like?

Really tiring if you're a kid, but really relaxing if you're a parent. (Isn't that how theme parks ought to be?)

For about an hour, cast members get participants up on their feet and encourage them to dance, taking them through moves that include walking in an impromptu fashion show and forming a conga line. It's an energetic hour, but there's plenty of bleacher seating in the back for parents and kids who just want to sit, watch and catch their breath.

It's also a great opportunity to see some beloved Pixar characters up close. Woody, Jessie and Bo Peep from "Toy Story" join the non-costumed cast members onstage, as do Happiness and Sadness from "Inside Out." The characters also come down from the stage to dance with the kids on the floor, creating a more lively − and likely more memorable − experience of interacting with a character than waiting several minutes for a quick photo.

The show itself is pretty adorable and serves as more of an activity than a viewing. The kids at the preview event were constantly moving. At one point, a little girl dressed as Jessie jumped with glee at seeing the cowgirl herself onstage. Sadness from "Inside Out" also elicited plenty of laughs as Joy did her best to get her to move to the cheerful music.

For kids who aren't interested in dancing, there's also a "Luca"-themed area where they can color and chill out.

More: Disneyland revamps Mickey's Toontown to improve accessibility, relaxation: An inside look

What's the food like?

Decadent. Chances are, whatever you're in the mood for, they have for Pixar Fest − so long as that mood doesn't include anything healthy. (But aren't Disneyland days automatic cheat days anyway?)

On display for media were cookies and cupcakes galore, "Finding Nemo" cake pops, churros covered in gummy candy and chocolate sauce and mini-chocolate cakes decorated like tires from "Cars." And those sweets don't even scratch the surface.

For more savory options, there are also chicken and potato waffles in bite-sized pieces, pesto pasta, a pizza topped with burger patties, and even a "Ratatouille Pizzetta," a mini-pizza topped with eggplant, squash, zucchini, tomato sauce and a wedge of French camembert cheese.

More: Here's an inside look at Disneyland's new Runaway Railway ride and Disney100 celebration

What else is at Pixar Fest?

So much. There's decor where you can pose for photos at the fronts of both Disneyland and California Adventure. There's "Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!," which is a California Adventure parade with the most Pixar characters of any parade in a Disney park. There's Club Pixar , which is an interactive DJ dance party that also features games like cornhole and tic-tac-toe. And there's "Together Forever − A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular," an evening projection show that includes beloved Pixar characters old and new, as well as new emotions from the upcoming "Inside Out 2" film.