31.05.2025
On May 30, charter flights from Łódź to Albania were launched. Planes will operate every Friday.
In recent years, Albania has attracted growing interest. This country, which has managed to retain its authentic character and is not yet overrun by tourists, may prove to be a discovery for those who have already visited Turkey and Greece and are now seeking new experiences.
Albania is a country of three million people in the Balkans, 75% of which is covered by mountains, and it boasts a 300-kilometer coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Tourists are drawn to its stunning natural landscapes, crystal-clear waters of the Albanian Riviera, ancient monuments, and excellent Balkan cuisine with Turkish influences. The country is changing rapidly, building new roads and high-standard hotels.
Planes from Łódź will land at Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa (Mother Teresa of Calcutta was an Albanian nun). From there, tourists will travel to the Albanian Riviera to popular resorts such as Durrës, Golem, Velipojë, Saranda, Ksamil, and Vlorë. The most beautiful beaches can be found in the south of the country, near the Greek border, around Dhermi, Vlorë, and Ksamil.
Albania has a lot to offer to tourists who prefer sightseeing over lounging. It’s worth visiting ancient cultural monuments such as the archaeological site of Illyrian Apollonia in the Vlorë region or the Roman amphitheater and archaeological museum in Durrës, Albania’s oldest city. Meanwhile, the city of Gjirokastër, with its preserved Ottoman architecture, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The same goes for the city of Berat, known as the “city of a thousand windows,” located on a mountainside. From the Albanian port of Saranda, visitors can also take a ferry to the Greek island of Corfu—a 40-minute journey.
The inauguration of the route between Łódź and Albania was attended by Her Excellency Ms. Mimoza Halimi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Albania to Poland.
"I am delighted to take part in the inauguration of the new charter line connecting Łódź with Tirana—this is an important step in strengthening the ties between Poland and Albania. The direct connection not only brings our citizens closer but also opens up exciting prospects in tourism, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation.
From pristine beaches to the raw beauty of the Albanian Alps—Albania’s diverse landscapes offer extraordinary opportunities for exploration. The country boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Butrint, Berat—the city of a thousand windows, the medieval charm of Gjirokastër, and the Vjosa River—the first Wild River National Park in Europe.
The rapidly growing culinary tourism scene includes over 260 agritourism initiatives promoting local traditions and hospitality. Albania’s tourism infrastructure has also undergone an impressive transformation: 17 global hotel brands now operate in the country, including Melia, Marriott, Movenpick-Accor, Mercure-Accor, Maritim, Radisson, Hyatt, Hilton, Pullman-Accor, and InterContinental Hotels Group. None of these brands were present in the country just five years ago.
The emerging festival tourism sector—a novelty in Albania—is drawing thousands of young people from across Europe. Festivals such as UNUM in Shëngjin, Kala in Dhërmi, South Outdoor Festival in Borsh, and many other summer events play a key role in promoting Albania’s vibrant and diverse culture. Known for its warmth and generosity, Albania is not only a hospitable and welcoming country but also a safe destination for international tourists. I warmly welcome this initiative and look forward to the continued development of bridges of friendship between our two nations,” said Ambassador Mimoza Halimi.
The first passengers flying to Tirana were also accompanied by Dr. Paweł Michalak, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Albania in Łódź.
“Until recently, Albania was a little-known country. There are still many places untouched by tourism, where life moves at a slower pace and you can still see a donkey pulling a cart. Many visitors choose Albania because of its folklore, unspoiled nature, and beautiful landscapes that are increasingly rare in urbanized Europe. At the same time, infrastructure is developing rapidly. Hotels and roads are being built, and a new airport is under construction in the southern city of Vlorë. Hotel standards are high. Investors in new four- and five-star properties can benefit from government incentives. Albania is a country with a stable political situation and is safe. The locals make great efforts to ensure visitors are satisfied,” said Dr. Paweł Michalak.
“The rapid growth of interest in Albania among Polish tourists is one of the clearest trends of recent seasons. The country attracts visitors with its excellent value for money, beautiful beaches, authentic culture, and delicious cuisine—reflected in sales results: the first flights from Łódź are fully booked. Launching this route from Łódź Airport is especially significant for us—this is where Rainbow’s headquarters are located, and expanding our regional offerings is one of our key goals. Customers are increasingly expecting convenient connections from airports close to home, so expanding the charter network from our Łódź hub is a natural step in response to evolving market needs. We believe this connection has the potential to become a long-term vacation hit,” said Andrzej Tokarczyk, Director of the Agency and Franchise Network Department at Rainbow.
At the end of April, Łódź Airport inaugurated flights to Marsa Alam in Egypt, operated by the tour operator Join Up! Poland. The same tour operator will launch a second Egyptian destination from Łódź—Sharm El Sheikh—on June 18. Additionally, holiday flights from Łódź will be available to Antalya in Turkey (eight times per week), Burgas in Bulgaria, Tunisia, and the Greek islands of Crete, Rhodes, and Zakynthos. The airport offers residents of the city and region a total of nine charter destinations and 16 weekly charter flights. Trips are available from tour operators such as Rainbow, TUI, Itaka, Grecos, Coral Travel, and Join Up, as well as in local travel agencies.
“Charter traffic from Łódź is growing dynamically. At the peak of the season, 15 charter planes will depart from our airport weekly. Year after year, it’s clear that tour operators increasingly recognize the potential of Łódź Airport, and we are responding to market demand. This year, we will surpass a record 100,000 charter passengers. This confirms that we are meeting the expectations of our travelers. We’re happy that thanks to the new connection to Albania, passengers have even more vacation options without needing to fly from other airports,” said Robert Makowski, Commercial Director of Łódź Airport.