Albania

Is Albania safe to visit?

Yes, for most travellers, and safer than its old reputation. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says crime targeting foreigners is rare, and Eurostat recorded 41 homicides in 2024, about 1.7 per 100,000 people. That is close to Montenegro (1.92 that year) and below the levels of the late 2010s. The 2026 Global Peace IndexGlobal Peace IndexAn annual ranking of 163 countries by how peaceful they are, based on conflict, crime, militarisation and political instability.More in the glossary ranks Albania 36th of 163.

The US State Department rates Albania Level 2, "exercise increased caution", because of violent crime linked to drug networks and organised crime. That violence is real, but it is aimed at rivals. The risks most likely to affect a visitor are on the road, in the water supply and in the hospitals. We score Albania 73, below Montenegro (76) and Greece (81).

How dangerous is driving in Albania?

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary puts it plainly: driving can be very hazardous and often aggressive and erratic, and road deaths are among the highest in Europe. The Transport Community counted 200 road deaths in 2025 (provisional), up from 175 in 2024. That is 85 per million people, about twice the EU average of 43, and level with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The dangers are specific. Even major routes have no street lighting, and power cuts can turn off lights in towns. Mountain roads to Theth, Valbona and the Llogara pass are steep and narrow. Minor disputes can escalate, and the FCDO notes some drivers may be armed; do not respond to tailgating or gestures. If you have an accident, even a small one, you must wait for the police, or you can face charges. Carry a 1968 international driving permit and a green card if you bring your own car.

Crime, organised crime and blood feuds

Albania's homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary fell from about 2 per 100,000 in 2019 and 2021 to 1.27 in 2023, before rising to about 1.7 in 2024 (Eurostat). The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary notes occasional shootings and small explosions tied to criminal, business or political disputes. These target specific people and rarely affect bystanders.

Petty crime is the everyday issue. Pickpockets and bag thieves work tourist areas, buses, trains and transport hubs, including Tirana airport. Keep phones and wallets in front pockets in Tirana's Blloku bar district and on crowded Riviera beaches.

Many visitors ask about blood feuds, the traditional revenge killings between families in parts of the north. They involve local families, not outsiders, and neither the FCDO nor the US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary lists them as a risk to visitors.

Health care and water

This is Albania's weakest area for visitors. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says medical and dental facilities, including emergency departments, are very poor, especially outside Tirana. Serious injuries may need evacuation by air ambulance, so buy insurance that covers it. Do not drink the tap water. Air pollution can be high in Tirana. CDC recommends hepatitis A and B vaccines for unvaccinated travellers.

For water sports, the FCDO notes reports that rented jet-skis and boats may lack basic safety equipment, and a 2023 European Environment Agency report found a small number of beaches polluted by sewage.

Earthquakes, wildfires and floods

Albania sits on an active boundary between the Eurasian and Adriatic plates. On 26 November 2019 an earthquake near Durrës killed 51 people, injured at least 913 and affected about 202,000, according to the post-disaster needs assessment by the government, EU, UN and World Bank. National authorities called it the strongest in 30 years. Tremors are common.

Wildfires are common from April to October, and causing one is a crime. From December to February, storms can flood the north and heavy snow can close mountain roads.

Protests and politics

Political demonstrations in central Tirana have sometimes turned violent. They mostly cause traffic diversions, but avoid rallies and follow local news. Old landmines remain in remote hill areas near the Kosovo border; hikers should stay on marked paths.

How to stay safe in Albania

• Do not drive at night, and avoid any road confrontation.
• Drink bottled water and buy insurance that covers air ambulance evacuation.
• Rent boats and jet-skis only from licensed centres.
• Keep valuables in front pockets in Tirana and on busy beaches.
• Call 112 for any emergency, 127 for an ambulance.

How we scored it

Violent crime (82) and conflict (80) are the strongest factors: homicides in the 1–3 per 100,000 band and a mid-table peace ranking. Health (62) and natural hazards (62) are the weakest, reflecting poor medical care outside Tirana, unsafe tap water and the 2019 earthquake. Road safety (70) sits in the 8–15 per 100,000 band.