Is Shkodra , Albania safe?
Posted by AccomplishedPie5160@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 36 comments
I want to travel by car is it safe ? Can I Pay with credit cards? Any good places to eat ? What should I visit ?
Barbak86@reddit
No man. They'll make you drink till you pass out or puke your guts out.
vainglorious11@reddit
Sounds like you ran into Australians
Ledd10@reddit
Man, it's 50:50. You might get stopped by gangs patrolling in the streets with kallashnikovs and stripped naked. They might also kidnap you and ask your family for ransom.
On a serious note, bring cash as credit cards are not accepted everywhere and look out for how people drive.
vainglorious11@reddit
Was just there, can confirm it felt pretty safe in the city centre, at least as a medium sized guy. Most of the time people either mind their business or go out of their way to be helpful
Tyragram@reddit
Please put /s
Organic_Musician9191@reddit
That's not accurate at all. Shkodra, Albania is a very safe place to visit. The depiction of gangs patrolling the streets with Kalashnikovs is pure propaganda and doesn't reflect reality. Like any place, it's always good to be cautious and aware of your surroundings, but Shkodra is known for its welcoming and hospitable atmosphere. As for practical advice, it's true that it's a good idea to carry some cash since not everywhere accepts credit cards, and driving can be a bit chaotic, so be careful on the roads. But overall, you can feel confident and safe visiting Shkodra.
Informal_Moose_2542@reddit
I dont think theres anywhere in albania i would consider unsafe to be honest.
The most unsafe thing i would say about albania is the driving, people driving here like its GTA and they are about to miss a flight… it has gotten better though.
Oh and if youre a westerner be careful with the dairy, idk what it is maybe different bacteria cultures but ive heard form some westerner friends that it gave them upset stomach and diarrhea. You as a balkaner though i dont think that applies, you should be fine.
AccomplishedPie5160@reddit (OP)
So if I get the Tirana belly I’m a westerner :)
aeberhar@reddit
I visited shkoder twice a few years ago. Everyone I met was so nice, food was amazing…much better than in the States IMO.
Over-Shelter-1091@reddit
As an Albanian its pretty ok
Pederakis@reddit
Only thing to watch out for are the organ thieves and the lunatics driving like Stevie Wonder.
WeakZookeepergame155@reddit
Last time I was in Shkodra 24 years ago. Place was just recovering from Xoxa’s nightmare but people were kind, friendly and coffee was better than in most of Italian towns. I can only imagine how “bad” it is now. Would expect these kind of questions from some Westerner, but from fellow Balkaner, come on man, just enjoy.
kondorb@reddit
Coffee is still great that’s for sure
kondorb@reddit
On a serious note - Albania these days is one of the safest places in Europe. Example - Copenhagen has more violent crimes per capita than Albania. The Scandinavian safe haven is less safe than Albania. Let that sink in.
The only advice - Albania uses its own currency - Lek. EUR/USD is accepted near border crossings but that’s it. And half the business don’t take cards at all. So get some Lek exchanged somewhere if you plan on staying for some time.
Important_Rain_5729@reddit
Is it still the center of Catholicism in Albania?
AccomplishedPie5160@reddit (OP)
I was surprised to see a catholic church in Albania.
Important_Rain_5729@reddit
They’re almost 20% of the population, more in the north of the country.
Polaroid1793@reddit
No, they kidnapp the second you enter the city. Go away. Better some safer place like Skid Row, Los Angeles.
AccomplishedPie5160@reddit (OP)
Man if I come back without a kidney it’s your fault.
_newtesla@reddit
You have two so you can spare one, stop whining!
cressida0x0@reddit
You can probably steal it back faster than they can sell it, so it's all good 👌
devjohn023@reddit
Am fost prima data in Albania in 2015, cei drept nu in shkodra, dar am o prietena deacolo. Am fost in duress, tirana, vlore, saranda. Va feeling, ca în România, oamenii mai prietenosi și mai civilizați un pic parca, in comparație cu oameni de la Craiova (represent) sau caracal :))
Polaroid1793@reddit
Albanian hospitality
Warm_Researcher_5721@reddit
No, it's the most dangerous place in the entire world
AccomplishedPie5160@reddit (OP)
I’ve visited the city it was a nice experience. The center has some touristy spots but it was hard to find a parking spot. ATMs had some insane fees for leke withdrawal. Even spotted some Romanian words in different writings. Felt safe most of the time , sorry for treating you guys bad :)
Foreign_Thought_5252@reddit
As long as you don’t have any goats with you, you should be fine
SnooSuggestions4926@reddit
trouble wont find you there unless youre looking for it ,like everywhere else in the world .
albardha@reddit
You think you have to deal with vampires? Wait till you hear about kuçedra. She is a seven-headed dragon-like monster with red hair in the back, with breasts so saggy they reach the floor. Usually she uses them to clean her stove, you know, from eating people, but in cases of strangers like you, she squirts acidic milk out of them, and even uses them as nunchaku weapons.
Catbro02@reddit
Lol
Slavic_Dusa@reddit
Yes it is.
Pirro_shqiponja@reddit
Pretty safe, visit the castle, the old town and the mountains nearby. You can pay with credit cards in most big supermarkets but small kiosks only take cash.
KrajlMeraka@reddit
Is it safe? No. Werewolves, werewolves everywhere. Credit cards? Nope, trade and barter only. Places to eat? Why would werewolves need restaurants? Places to visit? One of the werewolf-proof shelters.
mal-sor@reddit
Dangerous if you act stoopid,lived there all my life never had a problem
Hot_Satisfaction_333@reddit
Not as soon as you enter the territory of the Republic of Albania, there will be 30 armored police cars that will surround you because they found out that you are from Romania and thought that you are the person who took the commissioner's wallet when he was on vacation in Turkey. Obviously i'm joking. Not only in Shkoder but also in the rest of Albania, it is quite safe, but of course, as in other countries, you must be respectful, the locals are usually friendly with tourists, you must have both cash and a credit card as there are store that does not accept credit cards, for restaurants i suggest you go to a village near the city called Shiroke, the village located on the lake of Shkodra, there are some restaurants with very good food.
rydolf_shabe@reddit
no no its dangerous please dont go especially if ur romanian 😳😳😳😳
blitzdisease@reddit
It just me that I find this question ridiculous...