Long held among popular opinion as one of the more mysterious countries in Europe, the small, beautiful Adriatic coastline country of Albania has in recent times started slowly but surely revealing its many lovely secrets to the world. Standing proud as one of the freest and most open nations on Earth during the last few years of lockdown madness, Albania has quickly become a dark-horse favorite amongst many expats as one of the best places to live in Europe – and also one of the easiest to relocate to (especially for Americans, who get a 1 year visa upon arrival)! All of which has helped raise the question of where exactly are the best cities to move to in Albania, for the short and long term.
With all this sudden and recent influx of travel to this tiny nation, that was once one of the most closed-off and repressed in the world, due to the former Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, there is still not much written or known about Albania in travel forums or blogs, as it remains a mostly untouched slice of Eastern Europe that many expats are only starting to finally scratch the surface of.
However, having spent some time recently in Albania, and been lucky enough to be privy to meet some of the kindest locals in Europe, I’ve been able to discover a little bit about what makes this country a special place for so many, who have decided to relocate to this beautiful land – family, food, culture, as well as fantastic value and affordability, are all things that Albania offers in great strides.
So, if you’re one of the discerning few, ready for a more exotic adventure, and willing to move to a relatively untouched European land, right smack dab between gorgeous coastline, and lovely mountains, then let this article help you discover your new home, right here and now! So without further ado, here are my top 5 best cities to move to in Albania!
#1: Tirana
Starting with the largest city in the country first, one of the best cities to move to in Albania is of course the nation’s capital of Tirana. Despite serving not only as the country’s financial and cultural hub, Tirana is also one of the most relaxed and down-to-earth capital cities I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time in – ensuring you can have a great lifestyle balance between work and play.
Add in the fact that the city is slowly but surely modernizing its beautiful, rustic infrastructure, having even built a brand new football stadium (which recently hosted the first ever UEFA Conference League Final), as well as having endless and delicious Italian and Greek food almost down every street corner, not to mention a fantastic cafe culture, and it becomes clear that Tirana is certainly one of the most underrated cities in Eastern Europe, with an eye towards the future. Truly Tirana must be on your list for the best cities to move to in Albania!
#2: Shkodër
Moving north-west from the capital city, is another one of the best cities to move to in Albania – Shkodër, which for many is known as the gateway to the Albanian Alps. But Shkodër is not only famous for its gorgeous mountain views – but also for its great location on the shores of a lake that shares the city’s name, as well as a border with the lovely, little nation of Montenegro, of which I’ve also written more about in detail here.
Having a lovely pedestrian center, and all the great cafes and food culture that Tirana brings to offer as well, Shkodër may be smaller than some of the other cities on the list, but its more than makes up for it with a massive heart, and the people’s great pride in their city, and local culture. If you are looking for all the amenities of Tirana, but want more natural scenery, as well as easy access to the Montenegrin coastline, then look no further – Shkodër should definitely be at the top of your list for best cities to move to in Albania.
#3: Vlorë
However, Albania, like it’s northern neighbor Montenegro, also has a stunning Adriatic coastline, and Vlorë stands not only as one of the best cities to move to in Albania, but also the nation’s largest coastal city. Despite not having the most incredible beaches (as are to be found further south near Sarandë), Vlorë still maintains a fantastic sea-side promenade, and lots of cafe culture by the sea is to be had for any expat looking at wading their toes in the water, with a move to the lovely Albanian coastline.
Additonally, being Albania’s third largest city, potentially lucrative economic opportunities, from great deals on sea-view real estate, to the rapid growth of small business operations are definitely great possibilities to explore in Vlorë. Ultimately, if you are looking to live by the sea, but still need a city vibe, with all the cultural benefits Albania has to offer, then definitely take a look at Vlorë – one of the best cities to move to in Albania!
#4: Sarandë
That said, if the calm and cool beach life, at a very affordable price, is your true draw to a place to call your new home in Southern and Eastern Europe, then Sarandë, in Albania’s southern-most coastal region, must absolutely be considered as one of the best cities to move to in Albania, let alone anywhere in the region as a whole!
Being altogether much quieter and laid back then the larger coastal city of Vlore to the north, Sarandë also has much better beaches, better cafes, nicer people, and is well connected by ferry to the Greek Ionian Island of Corfu – which also serves as the region’s closest airport. If you are looking for one of the best kept secrets on the Adriatic, then look no further – Sarandë’s call is the call of the sea, and one that surely makes it one of the best cities to move to in Albania.
#5: Berat
Finally, moving away from the coast, and coming a bit full-circle, is the central Albanian town of Berat, which ranks as one of the best cities to move to in Albania, due to sheer beauty and magic of it’s UNESCO World Heritage architectural delights, set into the backdrop of rolling green hills. The main attraction has to be the Berat Castle – a massive fortress that is nowadays inhabited by locals and expats alike, getting to live among the charming white Ottoman homes, living out their own sort of historical fairy tales.
Although smaller than the other places on this list, Berat still maintains great food and great people, as well as good connections to destinations nearby, like Tirana, for more modern comforts. Ultimately however, Berat’s charm lies in its ancient roots, and if you love living and breathing historical beauty on the daily, then definitely be sure to take a look at this central Albanian town – one of the best cities to move to in Albania by far.
Destination: Albania, An Undiscovered Gem on the Adriatic Sea
Despite Albania still ranking among the poorer nations on the European continent, and still facing a myriad of political and economic problems at home and abroad, there is still much to offer the right kind of expat, who is looking to make this charming, relatively undiscovered Eastern European nation their new home. Possessing some of the friendliest locals in the region, a fantastic food culture, and some of the most underrated natural sights in all of Europe, if you choose to move to one of these best cities to move to in Albania, you are sure to not be disappointed!
Meanwhile, if you are interested in Eastern Europe as a whole, and aren’t yet so sure if Albania is right for you, then why not check out my in-depth article on the best places to live in Eastern Europe right here? I wish you the very best in your search for a new home in one of the best places to live on earth, in the heartland of the Balkan Peninsula!