Blog
News

106 years since the founding of the National Library of Albania

Albania celebrates 106 years since the establishment of the National Library of Albania, founded on July 10, 1920. The library began with the collection of the Albanian Literary Commission, which moved to the Ministry of Education in 1920. After its foundation, the institution worked to expand its collection and strengthen …

Read More
News

“Telegraph”: Albania becomes one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations

British newspaper “Telegraph” highlights Albania as one of Europe’s most attractive travel destinations. The country attracts visitors with its crystal-clear waters, natural landscapes, affordable prices and growing popularity on social media. A few years ago, Albania was still a little-known destination. Today, more tourists are discovering the Albanian Riviera, historic …

Read More
News

MIK Festival opens ninth edition in Korça with Morina Trio jazz concert

Tirana, July 10 – The ninth edition of the MIK Festival has opened in Korça. The four-day event brings concerts and cultural performances to historic venues across the city. Organisers will present a wide range of musical genres throughout the festival. Festival founder and internationally acclaimed soprano Inva Mula said …

Read More
News

FM Hoxha: European Union enlargement is a strategic investment, Albania targets 2027 to conclude membership talks

TIRANA, July 10 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part in the Friends of the Western Balkans meeting in Rome, hosted by Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Participants discussed the region’s European future and the European Union’s enlargement process. In a post …

Read More
News

Albania and Italy strengthen cooperation on digital customs and AI

Albania and Italy are expanding customs cooperation by focusing on digital systems, electronic data exchange and the use of artificial intelligence in customs operations. Director General of the Albanian Customs Administration Besmir Beja met with Roberto Alesse, Director General of the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency, during an official visit …

Read More
News

Kumbaro hails EU negotiation milestone on education and science

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro welcomed the approval by COREPER to close the first three chapters of Albania’s EU accession negotiations, calling it a major achievement for the country and its negotiating team. Kumbaro highlighted that two of the three chapters are directly related to the Ministry of Education: Chapter 25 …

Read More
News

COREPER approves provisional closure of three EU accession chapters for Albania

COREPER approved the provisional closure of three chapters in Albania’s European Union accession negotiations, pushing the country another step forward on its path toward membership. The Agency for Media and Information (MIA) announced that the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU member states endorsed the EU’s Common Position on closing …

Read More
News

EtnoArtGallery in Korçë showcases Albania’s cultural identity and heritage

EtnoArtGallery – “The House of Memory” in the heart of Korçë’s Old Bazaar invites visitors on a journey through Albanian history, traditions and cultural heritage. The gallery displays authentic traditional costumes, rare objects and handmade elements that reflect everyday life in Albanian cities and villages of the past. Prime Minister …

Read More
News

Albanians Hold ALL 1.8 Trillion in Bank Savings, Top 10 Depositors Control 7.5% of Total Deposits

Albanian households and businesses hold approximately ALL 1.8 trillion (around €18 billion) in bank deposits, while the country’s ten largest depositors account for about 7.5% of the total savings in the banking system. According to the Bank of Albania’s Supervision Report, total deposits reached ALL 1.8 trillion at the end …

Read More
News

Qafë Qelë–Koman Road Reconstructed, Improving Access to One of Northern Albania’s Key Tourist Destinations

The 31-kilometre Qafë Qelë–Koman road has been reconstructed, significantly improving access to one of northern Albania’s most promising tourist destinations. Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi, together with the Director of the Albanian Road Authority, Ami Kozeli, inspected the completed works during a site visit. The investment is considered …

Read More
News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 20, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News
Gjirokastër Castle draws record number of visitors

Gjirokastër Castle remains the most popular tourist attraction in southern Albania. More Albanian and international visitors have explored the landmark this summer, highlighting the growing appeal of the UNESCO-listed museum city and its rich cultural heritage. The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage reports that about 130,000 people have visited the …

News
Albania’s exports rise sharply in June

Albania recorded strong growth in foreign trade in June 2026. According to the latest report from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), merchandise exports reached 35.4 billion lek, up 13.6 percent from a year earlier. Exports also increased 8.3 percent from May. Imports climbed to 83.5 billion lek, marking a 9.1 …

News
Albania’s inflation reaches 3.2 percent in June

Albania’s annual inflation rate reached 3.2 percent in June 2026, according to the latest data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices tracks retail prices and aligns with European Union standards. Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation, adding 1.02 percentage …

News
Luxury Superyacht “Yas” Docks at Port of Durrës

The luxury superyacht Yas docked at the Port of Durrës this weekend. At about 141 metres long, Yas ranks among the world’s largest private superyachts. It stands out for its sleek design and futuristic appearance. Engineers transformed a former military vessel into the iconic luxury yacht. According to the Port …

News
Permet to host National ‘NONA’ Festival in August

Prime Minister Edi Rama has invited the public to attend the National “NONA” Festival, which will take place in Përmet from August 7 to 9. In a social media post, Rama described the festival as a celebration of tradition, gastronomy, and the invaluable role of grandparents. He said the event …

News
Travel off Path: Europe’s Top New Tourism Hotspot Faces Major Visitor Rule Changes Upon EU Entry

Europe’s newest tourism hotspot could see major changes for visitors after joining the European Union, writes Vinicius Costa in the American travel magazine Travel Off Path. For nearly a decade now, Albania has been a beacon of freedom for travelers, especially digital nomads looking for hassle-free ways to extend their time in …

News
Organized Beaches and Improved Services Make Pogradec a Summer Destination

Pogradec, one of Albania’s most popular destinations on the shores of Lake Ohrid, is attracting many domestic and international visitors this summer season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from Pogradec’s beaches, showing organized public spaces and free umbrellas available for visitors. The lakeside city offers clean waters, open areas …

News
Gonxhja Highlights Nikaj-Mërturi’s Mountain Tourism Potential

Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja described Nikaj-Mërturi as one of the Albanian Alps’ greatest treasures and a destination with strong mountain tourism potential. He met guesthouse owners, hotel managers and tour guides to discuss challenges, opportunities and sustainable tourism development. Moreover, Gonxhja stressed that close cooperation with local communities and businesses …

News
General’s Beach, Crystal Waters Hidden Among Kavaja’s Rocky Coastline

General’s Beach, located along the Kavaja coastline, offers visitors crystal-clear waters, unique landscapes and a peaceful natural environment. The beach lies between Durrës and Kavaja and surprises visitors with its rocky coastline, blue sea and green hills, creating a landscape that resembles the southern Albanian Riviera on a smaller scale. …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 20, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Gjirokastër Castle draws record number of visitors

Gjirokastër Castle remains the most popular tourist attraction in southern Albania. More Albanian and international visitors have explored the landmark this summer, highlighting the growing appeal of the UNESCO-listed museum city and its rich cultural heritage. The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage reports that about 130,000 people have visited the …

News

Albania’s exports rise sharply in June

Albania recorded strong growth in foreign trade in June 2026. According to the latest report from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), merchandise exports reached 35.4 billion lek, up 13.6 percent from a year earlier. Exports also increased 8.3 percent from May. Imports climbed to 83.5 billion lek, marking a 9.1 …

News

Albania’s inflation reaches 3.2 percent in June

Albania’s annual inflation rate reached 3.2 percent in June 2026, according to the latest data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices tracks retail prices and aligns with European Union standards. Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation, adding 1.02 percentage …

News

Luxury Superyacht “Yas” Docks at Port of Durrës

The luxury superyacht Yas docked at the Port of Durrës this weekend. At about 141 metres long, Yas ranks among the world’s largest private superyachts. It stands out for its sleek design and futuristic appearance. Engineers transformed a former military vessel into the iconic luxury yacht. According to the Port …

News

Permet to host National ‘NONA’ Festival in August

Prime Minister Edi Rama has invited the public to attend the National “NONA” Festival, which will take place in Përmet from August 7 to 9. In a social media post, Rama described the festival as a celebration of tradition, gastronomy, and the invaluable role of grandparents. He said the event …

News

Travel off Path: Europe’s Top New Tourism Hotspot Faces Major Visitor Rule Changes Upon EU Entry

Europe’s newest tourism hotspot could see major changes for visitors after joining the European Union, writes Vinicius Costa in the American travel magazine Travel Off Path. For nearly a decade now, Albania has been a beacon of freedom for travelers, especially digital nomads looking for hassle-free ways to extend their time in …

News

Organized Beaches and Improved Services Make Pogradec a Summer Destination

Pogradec, one of Albania’s most popular destinations on the shores of Lake Ohrid, is attracting many domestic and international visitors this summer season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from Pogradec’s beaches, showing organized public spaces and free umbrellas available for visitors. The lakeside city offers clean waters, open areas …

News

Gonxhja Highlights Nikaj-Mërturi’s Mountain Tourism Potential

Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja described Nikaj-Mërturi as one of the Albanian Alps’ greatest treasures and a destination with strong mountain tourism potential. He met guesthouse owners, hotel managers and tour guides to discuss challenges, opportunities and sustainable tourism development. Moreover, Gonxhja stressed that close cooperation with local communities and businesses …

News

General’s Beach, Crystal Waters Hidden Among Kavaja’s Rocky Coastline

General’s Beach, located along the Kavaja coastline, offers visitors crystal-clear waters, unique landscapes and a peaceful natural environment. The beach lies between Durrës and Kavaja and surprises visitors with its rocky coastline, blue sea and green hills, creating a landscape that resembles the southern Albanian Riviera on a smaller scale. …