Albanian Travels

In Albania, pet dogs are becoming more common, especially in major cities like Tirana and Durrës, where many locals own companion animals. However, outside of large urban areas, the culture surrounding « owning » dogs is less developed than in Western Europe, and many dogs live semi-free or are strays.

We were a bit worried about strays and how they would act around our dog.
So far, we haven’t had any real problems as, when we tell them off, they don’t insist. I think a thing that helps is that our dog doesn’t bark.
But just in case, we go on longer walks, we used to take a pet corrector with us (no sound just air one)… We don’t even take it anymore. The dogs are intrigued, they come barking to show it’s their territory but if you keep moving, they don’t really approach. Honestly, I’ve had more problems with dogs on leash in France… than stray dogs here.

Albania is a fantastic destination for nature lovers, and the good news is that you can absolutely travel there with your dog!
However, some preparations are necessary to ensure a smooth and worry-free trip.

We’re in Albania with our 2 years old lab… We thought you might like some information as we barely found any before coming here and we were a bit worried.

Entry Requirements for Your Dog

** please note, we are europeans. we don’t know if anything additional is required for dogs coming from outside the EU **

Before traveling, make sure your dog meets the following conditions:

• European Pet Passport: Required for traveling with a dog to Albania.
• Rabies Vaccination: Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before entering Albania. Depending on where you’re coming from, please check regulations.
• Microchip or Tattoo: Your dog must be identifiable. (even though they have not asked us to get its information while entering the country).
• Health Certificate: It’s recommended to get a certificate from your vet confirming your pet is in good health before departure.

2. Conditions on Site

Accommodation Options

• Hotels and Guesthouses: Not all places accept dogs, but it’s very important to check in advance and notify the host.
• Airbnb: Many rentals allow pets; make sure to review the terms before booking. Some add extra charges for cleaning.
• Camping and Outdoors: Albania offers great opportunities for camping, which can be ideal when traveling with a dog.
• Restaurants : if there is a terrasse, they usually let you with the dog. We have tried once to bring our dog inside a restaurant, they said not… but overall, if it’s a big dog, they’re not found of having it inside. Smaller dogs are less of a problem.

Getting Around with Your Dog

• Car Rental: Generally allowed with a dog, but check with the rental agency. Some taxis also accept dogs. You can ask them through whatsapp first.
• Public Transport: Not very pet-friendly; renting a car is usually the best option. It does depend on your dog size 🙂
• Hiking and Beaches: Many natural areas are dog-friendly, though some beaches may restrict dogs during peak season.

3. Food and Veterinary Care

Dog Food and Supplies

• Dog food is available in supermarkets and pet stores, but options may be more limited than in France or other European countries. We bought our food from vets.
• If your dog has a specific diet, it’s best to bring enough food for the trip. Our dog needs sterilised ones and neither in Italy nor in Albania were we able to easily find some. (** we found a brand called Ambrosia that sells for sterilised dogs. You’ll find it in pet shops called petville**)

Veterinary Services

• Cities like Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër, Vlora and Saranda have well-equipped veterinary clinics. (we LOVED the one in Saranda : its called PAWS and she also can pet sit )
• Vet costs are generally lower than in Western Europe. However, I would recommend checking the price before accepting anything.
• It’s always a good idea to locate a nearby vet in case of emergency 🙂

4. Stray Dogs in Albania

Albania has many stray dogs, especially in rural areas and some cities. Most of them are used to people and are not aggressive, but they may approach out of curiosity or just to show your dog it’s their territory (they all have their own territories). If you have ever been to Morocco, we found that there are less stray dogs in Albania than Morocco.

To avoid any issues with your dog we would recommend to :

• Avoid direct contact with stray dogs if you have your dog with you, especially in urban or rural areas.
• Keep your dog on a leash to control interactions (unless your dog is aggressive on a leash)… We use it to make our dog walk faster.
• Watch for signs of stress or aggression in dogs and bring a per corrector, just in case.
• If a stray dog approaches, stay calm, divert attention, and slowly move away… We also sometime « shuuuush » them. It works really well. (Or just telling them off really !)

5. Pet-sitting

At first, we had trouble finding sitters… but we found expats groups on facebook where you can ask & find a sitter quite fast.
Also, some vets pet-sit, like PAWS in Saranda (her facebook page if you don’t have instagram).

6. Other Practical Tips

• Pack a first aid kit for your dog (tick repellent, disinfectant, etc.).
• Be mindful of the heat: Summers can be very hot, so ensure your dog always has access to water and shade… Sometimes it’s better to let it inside a home, than bring it on an adventure that would be to warm !
• Follow local rules: While dogs are generally accepted in Albania, some areas require them to be leashed.
• There are quite a few « bins » laying around in Albania… and this attracts cats. There are many cats so be ready to pull on your leash more often than you would at home 😉 ! Also, if your dog is like ours… it’ll try and go through the trash laying around to see if there’s anything interesting.

With the right precautions, you and your four-legged companion can fully enjoy your trip! We certainly loved it !

Bonus : here is another pitcure of Vaya 🐾