Business Class Flights To Albania

Those who have taken flights to Albania have learned firsthand what natives of the country have long known; Albania has both a beautiful coastline and a lush, mountainous landscape. To the west, Albania juts up against the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, sharing both with Italy. To the north and east, the country shares borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. Because of its location as a key region connecting the Middle East and Europe, Albania has endured a long history of rule by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, as well as facing frequent invasions from the likes of the Huns, Visigoths, and others. 

After World War II, Albania was a communist state up until the collapse of communist regimes in 1989 and 1990. As a result, Albania spent most of the 20th century closed to travelers and international visitors. Near the end of the 20th century, when Albania started opening up its borders, those who were able to fly to Albania were finally able to see the richness, beauty, and friendliness for which Albania is quickly becoming known for. 

Albania is a nation of about 2.8 million people. Though they are mostly secular in social and public spaces (in large part due to the atheistic laws of their former communist regime), 59% of Albanians identify as Muslim and 17% as Christian. Many travelers, particularly European, who have taken flights to Albania highlight the friendliness and warmth of the Albanian people, citing it as the reason why exploring and visiting Albania can be such an underrated and enjoyable experience. 

Because Albania is such a mountainous country, the climate is diverse and varied. Travelers who fly to Albania can expect subarctic temperatures in the Albanian Alps in the northern part of the country and warmer temperatures along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, with variable climates in between. 

During the summer months, beach lovers book plane tickets to the Albanian Riviera, which is the coastline along the Ionian Sea. This area is a beautiful stretch of beachfront that encompasses many resorts, popular landmarks, castles, and a national park. One of the most popular attractions is the city of Sarandë, which gets its name from the Greek word meaning “Forty Saints.” A plethora of cruise ships pass through the Sarandë area, and travelers to the city can explore the nearby remains of Butrint, an ancient archeological city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Other attractions at the Albanian Riviera include Ksamil, a popular resort near the gorgeous Ksamil Islandsand Himara, an area known for its white, sandy beaches and olive and citrus trees. Near Himara is Porto Palermo Castle, one of three castles in the Albanian Riviera region. In 2014, Porto Palermo Castle was ranked number one in a Huffington Post list of “15 Undiscovered European Destinations” for its interesting history as a defensive position and view overlooking the bay of Porto Palermo.

Skiers who book Albanian flight tickets won’t be disappointed. There are several small ski resorts in the country. The ski resort Bigëll – Dardhë, one of the more popular destinations, features 1.3km of slopes and two lifts. While smaller than other European ski resorts, travelers have cited its beauty and the opportunity it offers skiers to explore a hidden, relatively unknown gem. 

For those looking to explore the culture of Albania, Tirana, the nation’s capital city, is a hub for culture and arts. Travelers who book tickets to Albania can explore the National Library, the National Theatre, the National Museum of History, the Opera and Ballet Theatre, and numerous city orchestras throughout the city. Albanians are known for their folk music, which is traditionally played at weddings, festivals, and other social events. Of the many instruments played, a two-stringed mandolin known as the çifteli and a type of clarinet known as the gërnetë are deeply rooted in Albanian traditional folk music.

For travelers interested in a little more history, the city of Krujë is home to the Krujë Castle. This famous castle is home to a Turkish bath; the Teqe of Dollme of the Bektashi, which is a cultural monument and a Sufi shrine; and two cultural museums, one of which is dedicated to Skanderbeg, an Albanian hero revered for leading a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. The castle is open to tourism, and beyond its cultural and historical significance, it offers breathtaking views of a nearby mountain and the surrounding region.

For tourists looking for a relatively undiscovered or less-traveled region, flights to Albania offer a variety of historical and natural attractions across the country’s lush, mountainous region and amazing coastline. Among Albania’s many cities and small villages, there’s plenty to explore.