Albania exempts Qatari citizens from visa requirements until fall

According to Qatar News Agency, an official source at the Foreign Ministry's Consular Affairs Department stated that the Government of the Republic of Albania has decided to exempt citizens of the State of Qatar from visa requirements for entering Albania and staying in the country for 90 days during the summer season from April 1st to October 31st, 2018.

Albania is a small, mountainous country in the Balkan peninsula, with a long coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian seas. It borders Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro.

The country has a Muslim majority, a legacy from the years it was under Ottoman rule, but there are also many large religious minorities, and religious tolerance is the norm, not the exception. 

If you’re looking to visit this beautiful country, Albania’s capital, Tirana or Tiranë, is surrounded by trees and mountains. Mount Dajt is a popular tourist attraction with an excellent view of the city.

Berat, one of Albania’s oldest towns, is a new member of the UNESCO World Heritage List. Known as the "city of 1001 windows”, Berat’s unique Ottoman/Albanian architecture sets it apart. The town also features a centuries old castle with townspeople still living within its walls.

Korce or Korça in the southeast, is a city several miles from the Greek border. During the summer it is especially full of life. Mount Moravia is a great hiking spot where you can view the beautiful city and its surrounding landscape. You can also view the old houses and bazaar that date back to the 15th century, and were burned three times. Many of the buildings were rebuilt in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The southern city of Gjirokastër is another UNESCO city known for its Ottoman architecture. There is a large castle on the hill in the middle of the city which served as a jail for many generations. A military museum and art gallery are now located inside.

Albania is known for its natural beauty, and the Albanian Alps in the north of the country, which forms the border between Albania and Montenegro are a sight to behold. Rich in rainfall, sheep, bare rocks and scenic views, it is one of the places in Albania you should see.

The Albanian Riviera with its clear blue waters, clean beaches and story-book-like villages is a breathtaking example of the Mediterranean coast when it was largely untouched.

Dhërm is an excellent camping destination as one of the best beaches along the coastal road between the towns of Vlore and Saranda.

If you’re interested in exploring the country’s history, Butrint is the largest archaeological site from Hellenic-era Albania. It is located on the coast in the southernmost tip of Albania not far from the Greek border, with minibuses available from the town of Saranda. Bylis is the second largest archaeological site from Roman-era Albania, and is also worth a visit.

In terms of climate, Albania’s coastal lowlands usually have typical Mediterranean weather, while the highlands have continental Mediterranean climate. No matter the altitude, weather in the country alters considerably as you move northward.

Image credits:

Cover image - limitlessalbania.com; inline image 1 - suitcasemag.com, 2 - moveabroadnow.com, 3 - takeusanywhere.com, 4 - patagonia.com, 5 - noticiasaominuto.com.