Albania has long been a popular low-cost beach escape for European vacationers. Now, it’s showing up on the radars of U.S. travelers—and it’s easy to understand the appeal…
It boasts a lively capital city (Tirana), rugged mountain scenery, historical towns, and a stunning coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas of the Mediterranean.
One of the most popular destinations in Albania is Vlorë, a coastal town along the Albanian Riviera with rich history and gorgeous beaches. Here, it’s possible to buy property for under $100,000. Rent is low cost, too. You can get a one-bedroom, sea-view apartment for about $750 per month.
It’s a tourist beach town, the former capital, and the country’s third-largest city so it offers all the amenities you’d need for year-round living.
In the shoulder season, Vlorë is quiet. In winter months you can enjoy long walks on the coast or relax on the beach or in a restaurant or café.
In the busier summer months, there are beach clubs and all sorts of water activities to keep you entertained, including boat trips, snorkeling, and kayaking.
The beaches along this riviera are stunning, with turquoise waters and white sand. You can explore caves and coves or hike in the nearby Ceraunian mountains.
As Vlorë has a rich history, there is plenty to do for culture with museums, monuments, and Ottoman architecture all around.
There are plenty of options for grocery shopping in Vlorë. For less than $5 you can pick up a big bag of fresh produce from a roadside stand. The bigger, nicer supermarkets are located in the central part of town, like the Italian store Conad.
Your monthly grocery bill will come to about $350. Budget about $70 a month for utilities—electricity, water, heating, and cooling.
For lunch out, coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich will cost around $4 per person. For a mid-range dinner, you’ll be paying about $10 to $15. That would get you a kebab or grilled chicken, including a draft beer. In a traditional Albanian restaurant you can enjoy fresh seafood and a generous pour of wine for under $50 for two.
For transport, a cab won’t cost more than $10, and the local bus will set you back just 42 cents. To get out and explore the area, you can rent a motorbike, which costs $25 a day.
A couple can live very well in Vlorë on $1,500 to $1,700 a month.
English is not very widely spoken in Albania, so have patience with the locals, many of whom are happy to chat and practice with you.
Americans can stay in Albania for one year visa-free. That’s not a typo. You can stay there for 365 days just because you have an American passport. That gives you plenty of time to bounce around and check out a few different places to see if you like it and find the best fit for you.
Until next time,
