In July, 1,403,333 foreign nationals visited Albania, an increase of 21.1 percent year-on-year, the country’s Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) says.

The figure is significantly higher than that registered in pre-COVID-19 pandemic year, 2019.

In the first seven months of this year, 3,957,080 foreign nationals arrived in the country, 39 percent more than in the same period in 2021.

According to INSTAT, 3.8 times more Spanish citizens visited Albania in July than in the same month a year ago.

Between January and July 2022, the year-on-year increase in the number of visitors was the highest from Spain (4.5 times) and Greece (3 times).

The visa liberalization for tourism purposes with eight countries, implemented by the Albanian government from May to end of September 2022, has played a major role in the increase of the number of tourists.

In total, 5.6 million foreign nationals entered Albania in 2021. However, the best year for tourism remains 2019, with 6.4 million visitors.

What Albania offers

Tourism in Albania is characterized by archaeological heritage from Illyrian, Greek, Roman and Ottoman times, unspoiled beaches, mountainous topography, delicious traditional Albanian cuisine, Cold War-era artifacts, unique traditions and hospitality, and the wild and peculiar atmosphere of the countryside. 

A growing trend has become canyon rafting, cycling and mountain biking, hiking, or off-road touring in the countryside.