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Only recently has beautiful Albania opened its arms to tourists—and thank heavens it has! Gay travellers are raving about the Albanian Riviera’s emerald and sapphire water lapping onto both pebble and white sand beaches. Residents of the gorgeous coastal cities seem blissfully unaware of the sheer beauty that surrounds them. Meanwhile, Ottoman ruins are backdropped by towering mountain ranges and dense forests. Finally, the country’s unpretentious capital, Tirana, has shaken the dust of communism off its shoulders and offers visitors ample history, culture and coffee—no seriously, the city’s cafes are some of the world’s best.
Since the collapse of communism in 1991, the Albanian government has made massive strides in protecting LGBTQ2+ people. In fact, for a Balkans country it is arguably one of the more tolerant towards our community, going so far as to explicitly ban discrimination on the grounds of gender identity—something many “liberal” countries have yet to even do. Unfortunately, Albania’s legal protections haven’t reached Marriage Equality-status, and nor do they necessarily reflect public opinion. Homophobia is still widespread, especially outside of the capital and tourist destinations. Discretion is advised.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Not legal
Right to Change Gender: Ambiguous
Same-Sex Adoption: Singles only
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal
Equal Age of Consent: Equal
Since 2012, Tirana has hosted an annual Pride Parade focusing on awareness and acceptance. But despite the colourful event, there are no known queer-oriented bars or spaces to check out. If you are looking to connect with locals, apps are the easiest way to do so, however, expect a level of privacy and skittishness uncommon in more LGBTQ2+-welcoming destinations.
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Tirana Pride—Hosted annually in May. The parade tends to be more of an advocacy and awareness event rather than a celebration. Many participants wear masks to protect their identity while walking.
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On the foot of Valbona Valley National Park (more on this in a moment) sits this wood and stone village ripped from a fantasy novel or medieval blockbuster.
Albania’s capital has come into its own since the fall of communism. Be sure to indulge in the city’s renowned cafe culture.
Easily the least-known European riviera, this slice of Adriatic heaven is perfect to catch some rays and a little R&R.
‘The City of a Thousand Windows’ is Albania’s most notable claim to tourism fame. The UNESCO-listed city sits right on the Adriatic Sea and features a series of Ottoman houses clinging to a hill that’s adorned with a crumbling castle.
Home of the nefariously named Accursed Mountains, this park is an adventurist’s playground. From hiking, biking and even horseback riding, you’ll find plenty of ways to engage with the rugged landscape.
Best Time to Visit: June through August offer gay travellers the best weather for hiking in Albania. The beaches may be hot, but the Adriatic remains fairly cool and refreshing along Albania’s coast.
Electricity: The power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more info, click here.
Time Zone: Central European Summer Time (GMT+2)
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Albania, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: Most travellers from Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom and The United States do not need a visa to enter both Albania for up to 90 days. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
LGBT Rights in Albania
Since the collapse of communism in 1991, the Albanian government has made massive strides in protecting LGBTQ2+ people. In fact, for a Balkans country it is arguably one of the more tolerant towards our community, going so far as to explicitly ban discrimination on the grounds of gender identity—something many “liberal” countries have yet to even do. Unfortunately, Albania’s legal protections haven’t reached Marriage Equality-status, and nor do they necessarily reflect public opinion. Homophobia is still widespread, especially outside of the capital and tourist destinations. Discretion is advised.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Not legal
Right to Change Gender: Ambiguous
Same-Sex Adoption: Singles only
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal
Equal Age of Consent: Equal
Gay Albania Travel
Since 2012, Tirana has hosted an annual Pride Parade focusing on awareness and acceptance. But despite the colourful event, there are no known queer-oriented bars or spaces to check out. If you are looking to connect with locals, apps are the easiest way to do so, however, expect a level of privacy and skittishness uncommon in more LGBTQ2+-welcoming destinations.
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Tirana Pride—Hosted annually in May. The parade tends to be more of an advocacy and awareness event rather than a celebration. Many participants wear masks to protect their identity while walking.
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Best Places to Visit in Albania
On the foot of Valbona Valley National Park (more on this in a moment) sits this wood and stone village ripped from a fantasy novel or medieval blockbuster.
Albania’s capital has come into its own since the fall of communism. Be sure to indulge in the city’s renowned cafe culture.
Easily the least-known European riviera, this slice of Adriatic heaven is perfect to catch some rays and a little R&R.
‘The City of a Thousand Windows’ is Albania’s most notable claim to tourism fame. The UNESCO-listed city sits right on the Adriatic Sea and features a series of Ottoman houses clinging to a hill that’s adorned with a crumbling castle.
Home of the nefariously named Accursed Mountains, this park is an adventurist’s playground. From hiking, biking and even horseback riding, you’ll find plenty of ways to engage with the rugged landscape.
More Info
Best Time to Visit: June through August offer gay travellers the best weather for hiking in Albania. The beaches may be hot, but the Adriatic remains fairly cool and refreshing along Albania’s coast.
Electricity: The power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. For more info, click here.
Time Zone: Central European Summer Time (GMT+2)
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Albania, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: Most travellers from Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom and The United States do not need a visa to enter both Albania for up to 90 days. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
After hiking Montenegro and Albania’s remote forests and mountains, we’ve reserved some extraordinary hotels to kick back in.
Read MoreTo help you prepare for our Montenegro & Albania gay hiking tour, we compiled everything you need to know below. Read on, and then trot on.
Read MoreBreaking down common anxieties and concerns many solo travellers feel joining a gay group tour.
Read MoreSweat and schlep on one of Out Adventures’ epic international Gay Hikes. From the Peruvian Andes to exhausting Everest Base Camp.
Read MoreOut Adventures’ ultimate gay guide to purchasing hiking boots.
Read MoreGreat opportunity to experience this part of the world before others catch on and people start to swarm here. We had a very charismatic and intelligent guide that contributed to making the trip special. (photo courtesy of domonthego.com)
