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[edit] Other destinations

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  Butrint - Largest archaeological site from Greek era in Albania. It lies on the coast in the southernmost tip of the country, near the Greek border. Minibuses are available from Saranda.
  

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  Tomorri Mountain ridge in the southern part of Albania, not far from Berat. This part of the country is formed by parallel mountain ridges (up to around 2000-2500 m) separated by valleys. Although the ridges are not very long, they offer few days of hiking with enormous scenic beauty and fantastic panoramic views. Tomorri is one of the most known ridges with a Bektash monastery and chapel on the very top.
  

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  Albanian Alps, . This mountainous complex on the north of the country forms the border between Albania and Montenegro. Rich on rainfalls, sheep, bare rocks and scenic views it is one of the places in Albania you should see. One of the places where you can be less than 10 km away from the nearest village and still have a day long trip there.
  

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  Dhermi - one of the finest of the many beaches along the coastal road between Vlore and Saranda, perfect for camping.
  

Map of Albania

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  National Park of Lura - a 1,280 hectare national park with high mountains, big meadows, and glacial lakes.
  

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

But in 1992, several years after the death of Hoxha, the Communist party finally relinquished power and Albania established a multi-party democracy with a coalition government. The transition has proven difficult, as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents. Today Albania is making progress, with EU integration as its goal; Albania signed the SAA on June 2006, thus completing the first major step towards joining. In 2008 Albania received an invitation to join NATO.

[edit] Get in

Sign at the Albanian - Macedonian border crossing on the southern shore of Lake Ohrid [Photo: Rolf Palmberg]

[edit] Visas

As of 2008 the entry fee has been changed from €10 into €1. There is a scam going on at the border with Montenegro: guards ask for €10, but when you give them €1 they agree and let you in.

As well as paying to get in, you need to pay €1 to leave the country. When crossing the border with Macedonia on foot, the guards only accept €1 and €2 coins, you can not pay with two €0.50 coins.

[edit] By plane

At the airport exit there are numerous taxis 24/7 that can take you to the city. The taxi fee to the city center is 25 Euros. Taxi fees to other locations are posted on a placard just outside the exit doors.

There is a bus that runs once an hour between the airport and Skanderberg Square in the centre of Tirana. It costs 200 lek each way, leaves on the hour from the airport and at 25 past the hour from Skanderberg Square. It runs from about 8AM to 7PM.

[edit] By train

[edit] By bus

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  Istanbul, Turkey (20hr, €35 one-way)
  
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  Athens,Greece (13 hr, €30)
  
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  Sofia, Bulgaria (22 hr, €25)
  
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  Tetovo,Macedonia
  
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  Prishtina,Kosovo (10 hr, €20)
  

[edit] By boat

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  Ferries to Durrës arrive from Bari (9h, €50) and Ancona (19h, €70). A high-speed service operates from Bari (3h, €60).
  
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  There is also a reliable overnight ferry service operated by Skenderbeg Lines from Brindisi to Vlore Skenderbeg Lines.
  
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  Ferries from Corfu to Saranda every day.
  

[edit] By car

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  Podgorica, Montenegro
  
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  Ohrid , Macedonia
  
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  Prizren, Kosovo
  

There is a 10-euro/person tax, which must be paid upon entering Albania. After payment of the tax to the police, the customs officer will issue a "road tax certificate", which you must keep until you leave the country. When you exit the country, you'll pay 2 euro/day and return the certificate.