Are you planning to visit Albania for the first time? Kick off your journey with a dose of travel inspiration! This curated list features handpicked books, novels, and podcasts—plus TV series and movies filmed in Iceland—that spotlight the country’s rich history and breathtaking natural beauty.
Happy exploring!
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Movies Set
or Filmed in
Albania
The Forgiveness of Blood
Directed by Joshua Marston, this 2011 Silver Bear-winning drama opens a window into the north’s ancient traditions, navigating the tension between modern teens and the ancestral Kanun code, an ancient set of unwritten, customary laws that governed social behavior in the highlands of Northern Albania and Kosovo for centuries. Plus, the film acts as a cinematic brochure for the Albanian Alps, showcasing pivotal scenes filmed in Shkodër and the stone village of Theth. It is the ultimate inspiration for hiking the famous Accursed Mountains, now a world-class trekking paradise.
Sworn Virgin
Based on the novel by Elvira Dones, this film stars Alba Rohrwacher in a powerful role about the burrnesha oath—a custom allowing women to adopt a male identity to gain patriarchal rights. Directed by Laura Bispuri, the story follows a “Sworn Virgin” who leaves the isolation of the Albanian mountains to reclaim her female identity in Italy. The cinematography is stunning, using the rugged, snowy landscapes of the Valbona Valley to mirror the protagonist’s internal journey.
Slogans
This dark comedy serves as a brilliant, if absurd, history lesson. It satirizes the communist era, where students were forced to arrange white stones on hillsides to spell out political text instead of learning in school. Shot near Gjirokastër, the film turns the region’s famous stony landscape into a character of its own, offering a gritty preview of the UNESCO World Heritage site. A critical darling, Slogans made history as the first Albanian film screened at Cannes’ Director’s Fortnight and was the country’s official submission to the 74th Academy Awards.
East, West, East: The Final Sprint
Directed by Gjergj Xhuvani, this spirited road-trip comedy follows an amateur Albanian cycling team in 1990. While competing in Trieste, they learn their isolated regime has collapsed and must pedal their way back to Tirana. The film offers a lighthearted yet poignant look at the country’s chaotic transition, showcasing diverse locations from the ancient port city of Durrës to Tirana, as well as rugged highways connecting the northern borders to the center of the country.
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Albania
Music
Saz’iso
Experience the haunting magic of saze—essentially Albanian blues. Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, this polyphony is one of the world’s most ancient and complex vocal traditions. It’s captured here in crystal-clear quality by legendary producer Joe Boyd (Pink Floyd). With weeping clarinets and soulful, intertwining vocals, this album is achingly beautiful and deeply melancholic, capturing a specific emotion the Albanians call mall—a deep, painful longing for home and loved ones.
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Books
and Novels
Set in
Albania
Discovering Albania: A Comprehensive Travel Guide
Go beyond the Instagram highlights with this essential resource. It navigates the complexities of Albanian travel, from decoding chaotic furgon (minibus) schedules to uncovering hidden Ottoman gems in Berat. Packed with logistical tips and historical depth, it transforms a rugged, often confusing adventure into an accessible journey, ensuring you don’t just visit Albania, but truly understand it. Truly an essential read for Albania travel inspiration.
Free: Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi
This isn’t just a memoir; it is the best book on modern Albania. Ypi recounts her childhood during the collapse of communism with humor and sharp insight. She captures the confusion of a girl watching her world transform overnight from isolated socialism to chaotic capitalism. It is tender, funny, and absolutely essential reading.
The Fall of the Stone City by Ismail Kadare
Albania’s literary giant transports you to Gjirokastër during WWII. The story revolves around a bizarre dinner party between a German colonel and a local doctor, blurring the lines between occupier and occupied. Kadare weaves history, myth, and the misty atmosphere of the “Stone City” into a mesmerizing tale that makes the UNESCO town come alive.
The Accursed Mountains: Journeys In Albania by Robert Carver
In 1998, Robert Carver journeyed into the lawless northern mountains just as the country was collapsing into civil unrest. While the danger he describes is long gone, his travelogue remains a gripping adventure story. It captures the raw, fierce hospitality of the highlanders and the rugged beauty of a region that has always played by its own rules.
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Documentaries
and Videos
About
Albania
The Sworn Virgins of Albania
This BBC’s short documentary sheds light on one of the world’s most unique phenomena: the Burrnesha. Meet the remaining women who swore oaths of virginity to live as men in the patriarchal north. It is a poignant, respectful look at a dying tradition that challenges gender roles and highlights the fierce independence of the Albanian highlands.
Albania’s Bunkers
Why is the Albanian landscape dotted with over 170,000 concrete mushrooms? This BBC audio documentary explores the paranoia of dictator Enver Hoxha that led to the “bunkerization” of the nation. It is a fascinating audio journey into the collective memory of a people who lived under constant fear of an invasion that never came.
Albania Faces its Dark Past
As Albania booms with tourism, this ARTE documentary asks a crucial question: how does a nation heal from 40 years of brutal dictatorship? It explores the lingering shadows of the communist regime and the struggle to confront the past while building a bright future. An essential watch for travelers wanting to look beyond the beaches.
What to Eat if You Have ONE Day in Albania
Prepare to drool of Albania travel inspiration! Food vlogger Mark Wiens takes you on a culinary sprint through Tirana. From savory byrek to succulent grilled meats and clay-pot tavë kosi, his signature “head tilt” of approval says it all. It is the ultimate crash course in what to order, proving that Albanian cuisine is the Mediterranean’s hidden gem.
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Podcasts
About
Albania
The History of Albania
Leaves no stone unturned. From the ancient Illyrian tribes and Roman conquests to the complex Ottoman era and modern independence, this comprehensive series provides the context needed to understand the country’s resilience. It transforms how you see every castle and ruin on your trip, explaining exactly why this crossroads of civilizations is so unique.
Rick Steves’ Europe: Albania
One of the English world’s favorite travel guide chats with local experts to demystify the logistics of traveling in Albania. Perfect for first-timers, this episode breaks down transportation, safety, and the warmth of the people. It shifts the narrative from “former communist state” to “Europe’s next big thing” with the practical, friendly advice Steves is known for.
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TV Series
Set In
Albania
Action Bronson: F*ck, That’s Delicious
Forget the concert stage—pop icon Dua Lipa joins fellow Albanian-American Action Bronson in a kitchen to tackle a massive family legacy: her grandmother’s pita (spinach pie). It is a chaotic, flour-filled, and heartwarming watch that celebrates their shared heritage, proving that no matter how famous you get, nothing beats a home-cooked Albanian meal.
Top Gear
Jeremy Clarkson and the trio embark on a “dead end” road trip to test cars in the Balkans on series 16’s episode 3. While the humor is typically irreverent, the cinematography is the real draw. Witness the breathtaking coastal drives, the winding Llogara Pass, and a race to a secret submarine base.
Netflix Untamed Albania
This visually stunning documentary explores Albania’s rich biodiversity, from the eagles soaring over the “Accursed Mountains” to the pelicans of the Karavasta Lagoon. It reveals a land of wild rivers and ancient forests, showcasing why this country is often called the last wild secret of Europe.
