People who travel to a foreign country usually bring gifts and souvenirs with them. Those who are going on a trip to Albania should decide in advance what to bring from here for themselves, their family and friends. After all, this country is not as popular with tourists as some others. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the possible list of souvenirs, interesting things and products, so that later in a hurry you do not have to worry about what to bring from Albania.
What to bring from food.
Some of the most traditional gifts from Albania are alcoholic beverages. Here it is worth paying attention to the cognac under the Stendenberg brand, made from grape alcohol. Thanks to three years of aging in special oak barrels and grape alcohol, the bouquet of cognac has an unusual and bright taste.
If you are not a fan of alcoholic beverages of different strengths, then you need to pay attention to different types of sweets, high-quality olive oil, aromatic cheeses and all kinds of spices.
Spices.
Since Albania is a southern country, a wide variety of spices are grown here, typical for this region. Buy dried Albanian mint, red hot or black allspice, purple or green basil, bay leaf. And at home, on long winter evenings, you can enjoy the aroma of southern herbs, which smell especially fragrant.
Sweets.
Of course, when visiting Albania, you can’t miss out on the variety of baked goods. And if you can’t bring back Albanian lemon pie, cornmeal muffins with fruit filling or other baked goods, then still treat yourself and your family to Albanian baklava or chocolate-covered fruits. Children will love them, and adults will hardly be able to tear themselves away from them.
Olive oil.
The quality of olive oil here is high. When choosing vegetable oil, pay attention to the fact that it is produced in the Vlora region. The fact is that olives growing on the coast of Borsh have the highest percentage of fat and a specific olive flavor.
Such delicious olive oil is difficult to find in another region of this part of Europe.
Cheese.
If you are one of those tourists who have not yet decided what to bring from Albania as a gift, then we advise you to pay attention to the various types of cheese.
Yes, Albania cannot be called a country that gave the world cheese. But there is the famous white Albanian cheese. In fact, it is feta cheese made from sheep’s milk. When choosing this aromatic product for yourself, you should give preference to those types that are produced in the southern regions of the country. They are famous for their high quality and excellent taste.
Alcohol.
We have already mentioned the Albanian cognac (brandy) Skenderbeu. Now let’s take a closer look at what a tourist can buy in Albania if he wants to focus on alcohol. If you like strong drinks, then you should really pay attention to Skenderbeu, but keep in mind that it, like any other cognac, has different types of aging.
3 years is the youngest alcoholic drink.
Whereas brandy aged 13 years can be given to a loved one, if he is a true fan of such a drink, or to a friend.
If you want to give a gift to a woman, then of course the right choice will be Albanian wine. It can also vary in aging. The most valuable wines are those that have been in bottles for up to 10 years. And of course, the price depends on the variety and year of harvest.
Do not miss the opportunity to buy Albanian rakia — a drink made with grape alcohol.
Albanian beer Korca is also famous all over the world. It has been repeatedly awarded various international prizes as one of the best beers in the world.
If you want to buy really high-quality local alcohol, then you should go to small shops that specialize in selling alcoholic beverages. Here you will find the widest selection.
Clothing.
Shopping in Albania is unlikely to appeal to ardent fans of such a pastime. It is worth noting that in large shopping centers, of course, you can find a wide variety of brands. But the price will be the same as in other countries. Therefore, you can buy clothes at home, of the same quality and at the same price.
If you pay attention to something, it will most likely be souvenir T-shirts with traditional tourist inscriptions.
You can also buy something from national clothing. These can be Albanian slippers, traditional embroidered vests, light summer dresses for women with Albanian ornaments.
Souvenirs.
This category of gifts is the most suitable for tourists with different needs. The fact is that this country is rich in national culture, which it has carefully preserved for centuries.
Therefore, if you have such an opportunity, then buy a traditional carpet. This souvenir from Albania will please you for many decades, because here they are produced using old technologies, natural and high-quality materials. If you manage to find a market where you can buy woolen carpets, then a wide range will allow you to choose a product suitable for any occasion. It is best to buy carpets in the cities of Shkoder or Tirana.
Pay attention to traditional ornaments — they reflect the spirit of this southern country.
Another traditional Albanian souvenir will be real Christmas tree decorations made of glass. The fact is that Albania has preserved the tradition of making real decorations for this holiday. They do not save on them, they are made of high quality, hand-painted and given the most unusual types and shapes. Very often, Christmas tree balls and figurines are decorated with traditional Albanian ornaments and patterns. Albanians themselves pass such decorations from generation to generation, thereby increasing their value, as they become rarities.
In all other respects, when making purchases in Albania, a tourist needs to look at the back of the item. That is, where the manufacturer’s stamp is usually placed. And make sure that it does not say «made in China», because you still want to buy a truly Albanian thing, and not cheap Chinese goods.
If even after reading this article, you have not decided what to bring from Albania — tourists’ reviews will help you make the right choice in each specific case. The main thing is to choose things that are made in this country, so you can get to know the culture of this people better and get a truly national thing at home.
