About YourAlbania.com
The story behind Albania's independent English-language travel guide
Meet Dritan
My name is Dritan Hana, and I am the founder and lead writer of YourAlbania.com. I was born and raised in Tirana, spent my childhood summers on my grandmother's farm near Vlora, and grew up swimming in the same turquoise waters of the Ionian coast that I now write about.
After studying journalism at the University of Tirana, I moved to London in 2014 to pursue a master's degree in digital media. Living abroad gave me a new perspective on my home country. I watched as friends and colleagues knew almost nothing about Albania — or worse, associated it only with outdated stereotypes from the 1990s. Meanwhile, back home, Albania was transforming at an extraordinary pace: new restaurants, boutique hotels, restored Ottoman towns, and a coastline that rivals anything in Greece or Croatia.
I started writing about Albania in 2017, contributing travel pieces to various publications. But I kept running into the same problem: there was no single, comprehensive English-language resource where travelers could plan an Albanian trip from start to finish. The existing guides were either outdated, superficial, or buried in forums. So in 2025, I built YourAlbania.com to fill that gap.
Our Mission
YourAlbania.com exists for one reason: to help English-speaking travelers discover the real Albania. Not the Albania of Cold War documentaries or crime thriller cliches, but the Albania I know — a country of jaw-dropping natural beauty, 5,000 years of layered history, unbelievable food, and some of the most generous, hospitable people you will ever meet.
Every article on this site is researched firsthand. I drive the roads, eat at the restaurants, hike the trails, and stay in the hotels before writing about them. When I cannot visit a place personally, I rely on a small network of local contributors across Albania — friends, fellow writers, and tourism professionals who share my passion for honest, useful travel content.
What We Cover
- Beaches & coastline — from Ksamil's Caribbean-like coves to the wild, undeveloped stretches of the northern Adriatic
- Cities & towns — in-depth guides to Tirana, Berat, Gjirokaster, Saranda, Shkoder, and beyond
- Albanian cuisine — must-try dishes, regional specialties, and where to find the best traditional restaurants
- History & culture — from Illyrian ruins and Byzantine churches to the communist-era bunkers and Albania's vibrant modern art scene
- Practical travel info — visa requirements, budgeting, transport, safety, and everything else you need to plan your trip
- Hiking & adventure — trail guides for the Albanian Alps, Llogara Pass, and hidden canyon routes
- Investment & real estate — for those considering Albania not just as a destination, but as a place to live or invest
Editorial Independence
YourAlbania.com is not affiliated with the Albanian government, any national tourism board, or any travel company. We do not accept paid placements or sponsored content disguised as editorial. Our recommendations are based entirely on firsthand experience and honest assessment.
This site is supported by advertising through Google AdSense and occasional affiliate links, which are always clearly disclosed. Advertising never influences our editorial content, rankings, or recommendations. If a place is not worth visiting, we will say so — even if it is popular.
Get in Touch
Have a question about traveling to Albania? Found an error in one of our guides? Want to suggest a hidden gem we have missed? I genuinely love hearing from readers.
You can reach me through our contact page, or connect with us on social media:
Faleminderit — thank you for reading. I hope YourAlbania.com helps you fall in love with my country the way I have.
— Dritan Hana, Tirana