Albania is one of Europe’s last hidden secrets.

It's a beautiful country nestled between Greece, Croatia and Montenegro, and is often dismissed by travellers heading to the region.

BUT it's picking up steam now. So... if you ever wanted to go check it out, I suggest you do that sooner rather than later.

It's got its own version of the Alps, a hiker’s paradise, a Riviera that matches the likes of the Greek Islands (without the crowds), and a level of hospitality only matched by those in the far east.

It's just too good to be true.

Now here are 7 things you probably didn’t know about Albania.

Because, let's be honest, we all love fun facts 😉

1 - You'll find bunkers everywhere.
​Between the 60s and the 80s, the country built over 170,000 concrete bunkers, and you can still see them everywhere, from the beach towns to the mountain peaks.

2 - "Yes" means no (sort of).
​Albanians often shake their head for “yes” and nod for “no”. And yes (or should I say no?), it can be as confusing as the iconic Indian nod.

3 - Their language is a mystery.
​Linguists believe Albanian evolved from an ancient Balkan language, and while it absorbed vocabulary from other languages over the centuries, it's not directly related to any other modern European language.

4 - They've got a unique religion mix.
​The country's got one of the highest rates of religious intermarriage in the Balkans, and during communism, it became the first officially atheist state in the world.

5 - Their food culture is super unique.​
Albanian food is a literal culinary crossroads that feeds off of the Mediterranean, Balkan, and Ottoman food traditions. I'll leave it at that for excessive mouthwatering reasons.

6 - It's still ridiculously affordable.
​The good thing about Albania is that you can still get a beachfront room for the same price as a dorm bed in Italy.

7 - We’re leading a small-group adventure there.​
The Broke Backpacker crew is leading a trip to Albania that will take you on a trek through the Albanian Alps, to swim in secret coves, and explore its rich culture alongside local friends who know the real side of the country.

This trip is done through Elsewheria, the new project I'm launching with my team at The Broke Backpacker to take intrepid backpackers like you on unforgettable adventures to some of my favourite places on Earth :)

The Broke Backpaker newsletter subscribers get an exclusive 10% OFF on any Elsewheria trip. Use code TBB10 upon checkout:

This is one of Europe’s last wild frontiers — and I'm keen for you to experience it before the crowds arrive.

In the meantime, follow Elsewheria on IG for more updates: @elsewheriaadventures​

I'll see you there!​
- Will