Tirana Albania is a Huge Culture Shock For Me

Tirana Albania is a Huge Culture Shock For Me

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[frenchenglishandspanishimm]

Albanian isn’t just a language — it’s a weapon, a shield, and a roar that echoes through time. It’s the unapologetic voice of a people who refused to be erased, the pulse of a nation that fought back when others tried to break us. This language is rebellion, pride, and power wrapped into every word, every letter, every breath. To speak Albanian is to defy centuries of oppression, to honor our warriors, poets, and visionaries who kept our flame alive. Albanian is a punch to anyone who doubted us and a promise that we will never bow down. It’s not just something we speak; it’s something we live with swagger and pride! This language is our power, our identity, and our defiance against anyone who dares to underestimate us. Albanian is not just spoken—it’s lived, felt, and fought for. It's the essence of who we are. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to speak it boldly, preserve it fiercely, and let the world know that the Albanian language is here to stay, whether you like it or not! 🇦🇱

[toohappytobehomesick]

I am in Albania right now with a local family in the countryside near Shkodër. If you experience once the generosity and humbleness of the Albanians, you’ll never want to leave ❤

[TheYarbros]

Albania has been on our list for the minute! Hoping to visit soon. Appreciated the interesting history you shared.

[amyellen]

So cool to hear the language! Thank you for another amazing tour!

[calumvaughan]

Tirana is changing rapidly! I've visited Albania for the last 3 years... in 2022, I don't think I met a single non-Balkan tourist. In 2023, I started to see the occasional Brit, American, German, French etc... in 2024, I was blown away by how many tourists I saw, and this was before the tourist season even started! It's good to see, because Albania really needs a step-up for its economy. I have also noticed that many of the streets are being sorted out, with the infrastructure improving, better sidewalks, less deadly holes lol. Sadly, with this will no doubt come gentrification and overtouristification, but this will be concentrated in tirana/seranda/vlora/durres and will bring a lot of opportunities for the Albanian people :)

[Roadrunner-xt]

First of all Albania is not a Muslim country is a secular country with all religions and only 46% of population identify as Muslim but are very liberal when the majority don’t go to mosque and drink alcohol you can check the census which was carried out last year you will see lots of churches around the country so next time a bit more research before speaking won’t hurt

[OceanWave-kg]

Albanians we are nice people very family oriented. We respect our family a lot. We cook very healthy food. Back in school I remember we were required to learn multiple languages a lot of Albanians speak few languages it's very common. We have beautiful beaches. We just don't want bad tourists to come and do bad things in our country.

[jps]

As an American who has been in Albania for almost seven years, I can echo some of the others here who have said that religion in Albania is more of a family heritage marker than something taken seriously for its tenets. At the last I've heard, Albania is about 50% Muslim, and about 20% of those are practicing/observant. The largest mosque in the Balkans has been under construction in Tirana for a number of years, and I was told that it is a vanity project and, once open, will be empty.

[Zenigata-san]

Just in case there is some confusion here, Albania is NOT "a majority Muslim country". People who practice religion are likely less than 10% of the population (and almost half of those are Catholic/Orthodox). On top of that and as you correctly explained, Albania was an atheist country for almost half a century. This kind of rhetoric has historically undermined the image of our country and we are to this day still suffering political consequences because of it with the rest of Europe.

[susanonomikoto]

Not a Muslim country, not a Christian contry, the country is before time

[eddievet]

Albanian cuisine is not typically one dish meal
Usually what you had is like a side dish and usually you're supposed to have other smaller dishes to mix the flavours.

[bulSolCommunity]

Although a majority of Albanians are statistically identified as Muslims, it's important to note that most Albanians don't actively practice religion. The label of being a Muslim majority largely reflects historical data from over a century ago, before communism. For Albanians, national identity and cultural traditions are far more significant than religious affiliation. This is why you see such strong religious coexistence in the country, with Muslims, Christians, and followers of other faiths living together harmoniously.

[Wheresthelobster]

In Albania being religious is not important, very few practice their religion Christian or Muslim by attending the church or the mosque. It doesn’t remind you other Muslim countries because Albanian and us Albanians are not Arabic so it’s natural to not remind you Morocco or Algeria or or or..

[RikJamezz]

Sly no one is judging you, and if they are, thats their problem, you’re doing you’re thing👍

[lizcarlyle]

Hello from CA. Notice US bloggers moving to Albania due 2 easy visa. U.S. citizens may stay up to one year in Albania without applying for a residency permit? Looks like a great location in Eastern Europe next to Greece & Croatia. Don't worry about your pronunciation.

[leeashernolan]

that food is way cheaper than the food you normally buy while traveling

[veryvalerie__]

As a Londoner this year Albania has been spoken about and visited more, it's now on my list too

[clirimhoxha]

Welcome to my country brother, enjoy and have fun.

[Mockingjay]

Thank you for covering Albania! I really hope you had a great time in my city 😁 I just wish you would have stayed in a better hotel room cause that was so small 😂😂 I’m a Protestant and we have four official religions here in Albania, Muslim, Catholic Christians, Orthodox Christians and Protestants or Evangelicals. Kalofsh bukur! 🤍

[HK-ppig]

Just returned from a month-long trip to Albania. Amazing place wich is only recently opening to tourism. The best bet for you would be to have a local Albanian guide or accompany you. Many places that we could not visit in a month. Will return as soon as we can. There are many things to fix in Albania, but generally the country is very safe; petty crime so rampant in Rome and other European cities, generally does NOT affect tourists in Albania. Otherwise, the wellbeing and the life of foreigners in Albania is a given, as Albanians have a code of honor up to giving their life to save the guest's life.
Any tourist would do great in Albania; just don't be a jerk, and you'd be treated like a royal.