Albania

Tiranë, Tiranë County
Tirana Hostel is in the center of Albania’s capital city. The hostel staff are funky and helpful. A very laid-back atmosphere with an semi-outdoor kitchen and a huge garden (don’t steep on the turtles!). I went back to this location several times and it became my home in Tiranë. While it’s good the the staff are laid-back, it also meant that while I was there, they forgot to pay the internet bill, so we had no internet for a few days. But that didn’t matter because this place was so awesome!

Berat, Berat County
Berat Backpackers is across the river from the hotels and the touristic side of the town. Walking through the residential area, you really feel like you’re escaping the tourists. The rooms are clean and spacious and the ‘cave’ entertainment room is a real getaway! Try the hostel’s homemade rakis- I love their lemon raki. The staff can give you good recommendations for transportation and restaurants and if they’re slow, they might even join you!

Theth, Shkodër County
The Polia Family Guesthouse Theth is wonderful! I can’t say enough about the Polias. Liljana cooks amazing food over a wood fire (no oven, no stove) and phenomenal bread under the fire. You can send Pavlin an email at pavpolia@gmail.com or find them on Facebook under ‘Guesthouse Theth’. If you can get in touch with them, they can probably arrange for your transportation from Shkodër to Theth.