6 Best Cities to Live In Albania from a Local’s Perspective

Mediterranean feel, velsmagende mad, prices that don’t break the bank (compared to Western Europe), and friendly, warm people… if this sounds like your ideal lifestyle, Albania might be where your future home is.

I’ve put together a list of top best expat-friendly cities in Albania to consider moving to.

Tirana

Tirana, the capital of Albania, is where most of the country’s activity and energy is centred. The city has undergone significant changes in recent years in multiple industries, and it continues to develop to this day.

Tirana is home to many Caféer, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. The centre, Blloku, Lake, and Arena are among the popular areas in the city.

(Speaking of that, feel free to check out my article on the top kvarterer i Tirana.)

To be transparent, renting in Tirana around the main areas is not cheap. At least if we take into consideration the average salary of the employees here. It might cost you around €600-€700 per month if you rent in a good area.

At the same time, renting is much more affordable if you compromise on areas like Astir, Kombinat, Fresk, and others located further from the centre.

Offentlige tjenester er tilgængelige for gå rundt the city and outside Tirana. The bus system is a bit outdated and can get very crowded; I almost always skip this option. Taxis are always available if you prioritize comfort. And if you enjoy walking, Tirana is a city you can easily discover on foot (not a good idea during the summer, though, as it can get very hot).

Tirana tilbyder gode offentlige tjenester, herunder internationale skoler og moderne sundhedspleje. Offentlige og private hospitaler ligger spredt rundt omkring i byen.

Green spaces are limited but not absent. The Grand Park is the biggest park in the city, while Parku Rinia (Taivani) is a small park located just next to the city centre

Pallati I Brigadave (The Palace of Brigades) is a hidden gem that gives a royal feeling straight out of a Bridgerton scene. You can visit this spot only on weekends, from 09:00 to 20:00.

In Tirana, you’ll find a community of expats who have decided to make the city their home. You can connect with them through Facebook groups and find begivenheder to attend together. This is a great way to find like-minded people and make new friends. Especially with the recent increase in the number of expats and digital nomads moving to Albania.

Albanians are also welcoming and friendly. They are willing to assist you if you ask for help. English is widely spoken, mostly by the younger generation, and many people also know Italian.

Tirana is also a digital-nomad-friendly city. There are many coffee shops and co-working spots from where you can work at your own pace. And you can always enjoy your time off! There’s always something going on in this city.

Durrës

Durrës is the second-largest city in Albania and just a 40-minute drive from Tirana. It’s a nice coastal city located on the Adriatic coast, known for its ancient history, home to a Roman amphitheatre and ancient city walls.

Durrës tilbyder en mere tilbagelænet livsstil end Tirana, men har stadig alt, hvad der skal til for at leve komfortabelt. Byens sundhedsvæsen er tilgængeligt med faciliteter som American Medical Centre, der ligger inden for rækkevidde. Det regionale hospital ligger også i nærheden og sikrer adgang til lægehjælp, når der er brug for det.  

While international school options are limited, Albanian College for English speakers is an institution that expats with families can consider.

Durrës er godt forbundet med pålidelig offentlig transport, herunder busser og taxaer. Byens kompakte opbygning gør det til en fornøjelse at gå, især fordi man får mulighed for at nyde havudsigten. Middelhavsklimaet i Durrës betyder milde vintre og varme somre, hvilket er perfekt for strandelskere.

Restaurants and cafés are plenty, and events take place once in a while.

As you walk through Shëtitorja “Vollga” (Promenade), you’ll find a nice area with well-maintained pathways, relaxing spaces, restaurants, and cafés. You can go for a run, a slow walk, or simply enjoy the sunset sitting near the sea to get the most out of the experience.

Durrës tilbyder en rimelig leveomkostninger, combining the beach life with the city life. Main facilities are available, and the proximity to Tirana and the Tirana International Airport makes it a convenient and appealing destination for expats.

Shkodër

Shkodër is a beautiful city in northwestern Albania. It has a vintage, movie-like vibe, especially since many people use bikes as their mode of transportation.

Men Shkodër er også en by fuld af historie. Rozafa-slottet, som er forbundet med legenden af samme navn, er et af de vigtigste historiske steder.

Shkodër har en venlig atmosfære og er vært for forskellige kulturelle begivenheder i løbet af året. Byen er også billigere end Tirana og Durrës, hvilket gør den til et godt valg for dem, der ønsker lavere leveomkostninger, men stadig vil have en rig kulturel oplevelse.

Shkodër offers city bus lines, providing an affordable means of travel within the city. The city centre is compact and easily accessible on foot. However, to truly explore the beauty of Shkodër like a local, consider renting a bike from one of the options, like Shkodra Rent Bike. Taxaer med taxameter, såsom Speed Taxi, Lux Taxi osv., giver praktiske og omkostningseffektive muligheder for bynavigation.

To get a glimpse of the beautiful Albanian nature and enjoy the views that will leave you speechless, you can take a trip to Theth (76.2 km). Shkodër’s nature shines with greenery, tall peaks, and colourful plants, and the journey to Theth isn’t just a road trip.

It’s an entire adventure through the untouched beauty of Shkodër, as it reveals the natural wonders that make this part of Albania so special.

Vlorë

Kendt som porten til den albanske flod, Vlorë ligger, hvor Adriaterhavet og Det Joniske Hav mødes, og det er en by, som udstationerede og pensionister ser ud til at elske. Nogle af de bedste kvarterer her er Lungomare, Transballkanike, Pavaresia eller Skela, Uji i Ftohte, Muradie og Rradhime.

Vlorë har en travl havn og er et knudepunkt for maritime aktiviteter. Det varme vejr og den attraktive Strande er ideelle for udendørsentusiaster. Byen er også et godt rejsemål for dem, der nyder den smukke havudsigt og foretrækker en afslappet livsstil.

Historiske steder som Muradije-moskeen og Uafhængighedspladsen bidrager også til byens tiltrækningskraft.

Der er offentlige busser og taxaer til rådighed for at komme rundt. Det er også oplagt at gå, især fordi man kan nyde godt af havudsigten.

Parks are not popular in the city; however, going for a run or a nice walk on the beaches is never a bad idea. On the other hand, Llogara National Park, a beautiful and well-known park in the south of Albania, is about 40 minutes’ drive from Vlorë.

Saranda

Saranda is becoming increasingly expat-friendly, thanks to its appealing coastal setting and growing infrastructure. Its setting, sea views, and pleasant climate throughout the year add to the advantages of living here.

The city’s waterfront promenade is lined with restaurants and cafes, and socialising with other expats is simple, especially with the large expat community here.

Saranda is known for its beautiful beaches, with Ksamil and Mirror Beach, being among the tourist hotspots recently.

Byen er porten til de gamle ruiner i Butrint, som er på UNESCO's verdensarvsliste og fortæller om regionens rige historiske og kulturelle arv. Lokalt festivaler and cultural events often take place in Saranda, especially during the summer.

Saranda offers a more relaxed lifestyle compared to Tirana. Public services and amenities are not as advanced as in the capital; however, you can find essential amenities like healthcare facilities and public services.

Leveomkostningerne i Saranda er generelt lavere end i større byer (det kan blive dyrt om sommeren). Det er dog værd at bemærke, at byens infrastruktur måske ikke er så omfattende som i Albaniens større bycentre, men det varme, imødekommende samfund og de smukke omgivelser gør det til et fantastisk sted at kalde sit hjem.

Korçë

Korçë, der ofte kaldes "Serenadernes by", er en by i det sydøstlige Albanien, der er kendetegnet ved sin kulturarv og traditionelle atmosfære. Albanerne kalder den også "Lille Paris" på grund af den franske kulturelle indflydelse under Første Verdenskrig.

The city’s mountain views, historical architecture, friendly energy, and affordability make it a pleasant place to live, at least for a short-term period.

Korçë gets specifically popular during winter, as it’s one of the most preferred holiday destinations by natives and tourists.

Korça er tilgængelig på forskellige måder med et godt vejnet, der forbinder den med de større byer i Albanien. Offentlige busser giver bekvemme transportmuligheder for dem, der rejser til denne by.

Korçë tilbyder flere busforbindelser til forskellige byer på forskellige tidspunkter. Den hyppigste rute er Korça-Tirana-Korça-linjen, som har flere afgange og returneringer i løbet af dagen. Andre vigtige forbindelser omfatter Durrës, Lushnjë, Fier, Vlora, Berat, Bilisht, Pogradec, Elbasan, Saranda og Gjirokastër med specifikke afgangs- og hjemkomsttider. Nogle ruter kører dagligt, mens andre kun kører på bestemte ugedage.

Dardha og Voskopoja er to maleriske steder. landsbyer i Albaniens Korça-region, kun få minutter fra byens centrum. Hver landsby har sin egen skønhed og giver besøgende et indblik i den rige natur, den traditionelle mad og den smukke udsigt.

Byen har nogle få sundhedsfaciliteter, herunder lokale klinikker og Korça Regional Hospital, som tilbyder grundlæggende lægehjælp. Nogle af faciliteterne omfatter en række lokale butikker, restauranter og caféer, selv om udvalget måske ikke er så stort som i større byer.

When it comes to education, Korçë is home to several public schools with a strong emphasis on cultural and historical education. However, there are no international schools, which might be a deal-breaker for expat families with children. 

Korçë is famous for its café culture, the National Museum of Medieval Art, and the beautifully renovated Old Bazaar area.

The city is more affordable compared to larger cities like Tirana, and less developed compared to it.