Greece

Regions and cities

Athens remains the starting point for many trips, with the Acropolis rising over the city, the old quarter of Plaka beneath it, and the Monastiraki market close by. Thessaloniki, in the north, has its own waterfront and old town (Ano Poli), and sits closest for anyone travelling overland from north-eastern Albania. Ioannina, minutes past the Kakavijë border crossing, draws visitors for its lake and traditional bazaar. Further south, the islands open up an entirely different world: Corfu is reached by a roughly 30-minute ferry from Sarandë, no flight required; Halkidiki, with its three peninsulas, is a favourite family destination near Thessaloniki; Santorini with its sunset over Oia, the larger island of Crete with historic Chania, and Mykonos for nightlife round out the Aegean map.

When to go

June and September bring the best beach weather, clear of the crowds and heavy heat of August. Orthodox Easter, when the date aligns with the Albanian calendar, makes for an atmospheric time to visit Athens or Ioannina. Winter stays mild across mainland Greece, but ferries to the smaller islands are cut back sharply from October to April, so planning an island trip outside summer takes more care.

Food

Souvlaki and gyros turn up on every corner, moussaka and horiatiki salad (tomato, cucumber and feta) remain table staples, and seaside tavernas serve fresh fish sold by weight. Ouzo accompanies the evening meze, Greek coffee is drunk slowly, and desserts like baklava and loukoumades (honey-soaked fried dough balls) close the meal — flavours that sit close to Albanian tradition.

Getting around

Overland travel is genuinely straightforward: the Kakavijë, Qafë Botë and Kapshticë crossings let you enter Greece by car or coach without ever going near an airport, especially toward Ioannina or Thessaloniki. For the islands, the ferry network out of Piraeus is extensive, backed up by domestic flights from Athens in season. The short Sarandë-Corfu ferry remains the fastest way to pair the Albanian coast with a Greek island on the same day.

Visa and practical notes

Greece is part of the Schengen area, so biometric Albanian passports enter visa-free for short stays — it's still worth checking current conditions before you travel. Albanian travellers often ask whether Corfu can be reached without flying (yes, by ferry from Sarandë) and which island suits children best — Corfu and Halkidiki tend to be the more family-friendly picks compared with Mykonos or Santorini.