Albania Tourist Health And Safety Guide

The Albanian authorities do not require foreign travellers to have any mandatory vaccinations (except yellow fever, if you’re coming from an infected zone), but there is some risk of diseases like hepatitis A & B, typhoid, rabies and polio. You might do well to get vaccinations beforehand, especially if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside Tirana. Tirana is anyway about the only place with really adequate medical facilities; in other areas, it’s often difficult to find a good doctor. It’s best if you take care of yourself- don’t eat food that may be contaminated; drink only boiled or bottled water, and keep clean. And- doesn’t forget to get medical insurance done before you leave for Albania.

If you’re going to be staying within the tourist circuit- Tirana, Shkodra and other such cities, the only crime you need fear is petty theft. The xenophobia, which had once marked Albania, has more or less disappeared with the communists, and tourists are fairly safe in most parts of the country. If you keep an eye on your valuables (particularly in crowded areas) and don’t display your wealth, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Some border areas- especially Kosovo- continue to be strife-torn; it’s safer to avoid these areas, and if you really must go, then contact your embassy beforehand to find out what the situation is like.