r/askalbania

Hi everyone,

I'm a French Black tourist and I'm planning to visit Ksamil and Sarandë in two days.

While scrolling through TikTok, I came across the news about the 20-year-old Portuguese tourist who was recently killed in Ksamil after being stabbed. I understand that he was travelling with a group of French tourists.

I know that one isolated incident doesn't mean that Ksamil or Albania in general is dangerous, and I don't want this post to come across as disrespectful towards Albania or Albanians. However, since I'm coming very soon, I have to admit that reading about this incident made me a little worried.

I would therefore really appreciate advice from Albanians or people who know Ksamil/Sarandë well.

Are there any particular behaviours tourists should avoid to prevent getting into trouble? For example, arguments in bars/clubs, interacting with security staff, nightlife, alcohol, approaching women, etc.?

Are there any specific places, beach clubs, bars or areas in Ksamil or Sarandë that you would personally avoid, especially late at night?

And more generally, are there any unwritten social rules or things that might seem normal in France but could create unnecessary problems in Albania?

I'm not looking to create fear or suggest Albania is unsafe. I just want to understand the local culture and know how to behave respectfully and safely.

Thank you for your advice.

I am on a mission now to ask each country subreddit what people think about beans (my favorite meal), just to see how people like or dislike them all around the world out of curiosity and for fun. If you like beans, hate them, they are a big part of the culture, anything else, just share your thoughts 🫘

Albanians you're the 2nd alphabetically so it's your turn now after the Afghans!

(I'll assume here is a better sub to ask this since it was removed from the main Albania sub, if not, I'm sorry moderators and I'll move on)

I bought plane tickets to Corfu in mid September but just realized that most accommodations are quite expensive. Knowing that Sarande is much cheaper and literally across the sea, I am now thinking of spending 2, 3 or all 5 nights in Albania. Not just because it's cheaper, I know it's beautiful as well.

Does this make sense? Should there be enough ferries in mid September? Now of course they also cost money (around 50 euros round trip?), but it still seems like a good deal?

I try very hard to be respectful. But different cultures have different norms and even sometimes different ideas of how to show respect. Sometimes I do something to show respect, then wonder if what I'm doing is misinterpreted because it means something different here. I worry about this.

What are things you feel foreigners commonly do that you find disrespectful and what is it you feel they should do instead?

(Let us assume that the foreigners are already trying to learn Albanian and speaking the amount of Albanian they are capable of right now...)