Recently a new form or tourism is taking roots in Albania prompting many agencies to add Local Living Tours as part of their offerings. These tourns entail accommodations in houses located in typical areas suitable for this type of tourism. Here tourist have the opportunity to take a closer look at and become a part of the Albanian lifestyle and traditions, as well as become part of an Albanian family. Tousits can experience the traditional hospitality of Albanian families, enjoy authentic dishes, participate in the preparation of meals with Albanian family members who may share with you an old “family recipe.” You can try some raki, wine and other home-made drinks produced by locals artisans. You will also have the opportunity to “get lost” on old village paths (if you choose to go to a village for a local experience), go hiking, ride a horse or other animals while travelling from one destination to another, talk to local residents, fill water jugs at the fountains as Albanians have been doing over the years and much more.
You can obtain accommodations in a boutique hotel inside authentic old houses or villas, which retain many elements of their antique architecture and furnishings from the area where they were built. Alternatively, you can rent a house, frequently advertised on Airbnb, in a known neighborhood mainly surrounded by old shops and centers. These accommodations will offer you even more opportunities to have an authentic local experience.
There are several agencies across Albania offering Local Living Tours. Some of the agencies we recommend are “Off Limits Albania,” “Albanian Treasures,” “Vato Tours” and “Gabby Tours.”
Recommended Places for Live Locally
There are several houses and guest houses offered for tourists in the following places: the old neighborhoods of Mangalem and Gorica; the old neighborhoods of Gjirokastra; houses in the neighborhoods of the city of Saranda; the old quarter near the Roman amphitheater in Durres; the houses around the Bazaar of Tirana, or around the Castle of Tirana and the Toptani Shopping Center; Krujë Castle and the old town quarters from Abaze to the neighborhoods after the castle; houses aroundKole Idromeno Street in Shkodra; and guest houses placed at the Albanian Alps starting with the village Reç in Shkodra, Lepushë, Vermosh, Theth, Koman, Valbona and the villages of Dibër and Mat. Also, the old villas in Korça built at the beginning of the 20th century turned into boutique hotels preserving every detail, located in the old neighborhood streets and around the Old Bazaar of Korça; or, the houses located the old road of Pogradec inside the city center; houses in the neighborhood of Elbasan Castle; and so on.
