Albania is a fascinating country for many reasons, but one that you may not have considered is its cuisine! A fantastic mixture of eastern and western dishes, Albania is a foodie’s delight, whether you’re visiting a Michelin-starred restaurant or a mountain family’s dining room.
Add into this mix a hugely eventful and interesting history and you have yourself a holiday that combines all the most interesting cultural locations with some of the very best culinary experiences that you could hope to experience, every bit the equal of those in Italy or France! All the while you will learn about blood feuds, the sworn virgins of the mountains, life under Enver Hoxha, one of the most crazed of all European dictators, and much, much more besides.
Overview
A food tour in Albania is a fantastic way to explore the country’s rich culinary heritage, blending Mediterranean, Balkan, and Ottoman influences with fresh, local ingredients. I’d recommend starting in Tirana, where you can sample traditional dishes like byrek and fërgesë, then head to the coast for seafood in Vlora or Himara. For a well-rounded experience, a tour could last anywhere from 5 to 10 days, depending on how many regions you want to cover—think 5 days for a quick taste of key spots like Tirana, Berat, and Saranda, or 10 days to dive deeper into rural areas like Theth or Pogradec. Don’t miss a visit to a family-run agrotourism spot, such as Agrotourisms, for authentic slow food and a glimpse of farm-to-table life. Whatever you choose, pace yourself—Albanian portions are generous, and the raki flows freely!
Highlights
- Tirana’s Street Food Scene
- Berat’s Ottoman Flavors
- Coastal Seafood in Vlora
- Pogradec’s Lake Ohrid Korani