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10 things to see if you want to visit Albania
May 22, 2023
- Tiranë
Tiranë, the capital of Albania, is the cradle of culture, entertainment and politics of Albania.
Here you will immediately discover the warmth of the hospitality of its inhabitants, since having been isolated for a long time because of the communist regime, which ended in 1992, the citizens are very friendly, especially with tourists.
You can visit the central part of the city in one day, starting from Skandeberg Square, dedicated to the great leader Giergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu, who managed to keep the Turks away from the territory for over two decades, thus becoming a national hero. At the center of the square we find a statue that depicts it, while around it we find the most important museums and buildings, such as the Clock Tower, from which we can enjoy the view of the city from above.
Near the square we also find Etem Bei, one of the oldest mosques in the city, and the Opera House, the largest theater in Albania.
The most important and significant museum of the city is certainly the National History Museum, where the history, culture, art and traditions of Albania are told, from the Illyrians to the communist regime.
Typical dishes of Albanian culture
If you visit the city, you can’t help but taste typical Albanian dishes, such as Tave Kosi or Byrek, and discover how the history of the country has influenced its dishes.
The first great culinary influence comes from the Turks, followed by the Italian colonization, which brought to Albania some typical Italian dishes, such as pasta, in Albanian makarona, or risotto, rizoto and other tricolor dishes, and then by the Greek influence, especially in the south, mainly due to the proximity.
If you are interested in learning recipes and trying your hand at an Albanian cooking class then this tour is for you!
- Saranda
Saranda, a seaside town located in the south of the country, near the border with Greece, is one of the main tourist destinations of the Albanian coast and loved especially by young people.
The city is known for its beautiful beaches, between white sands and limestone rocks, and crystal clear water, among them: Ksamil (the most famous beach in Albania), Gjiri i Midhjeve (the beach of the bay of mussels), Plazhi i Manastirit (the beach of the monastery) and Plazhi i Pasqyrave (the beach of mirrors).
The promenade is also entirely pedestrian, and is one of the most beautiful in Albania. Walking along this street, we can admire the sea on one side and the palm trees on the other, while on it there are many hotels, bars and restaurants, and a small marina, where you can rent boats or go hiking.
The beauty of Saranda is not only due to its beaches but also to its city center and other famous attractions such as the karst source of the Blue Eye, or Syri i kalter in Albanian.
Finiq Archaeological Park
From Saranda you can quickly reach the village of Finiq, which represents a great historical and archaeological value of Albanian cultural heritage, and that deserves to be visited.
In this town, we find a beautiful archaeological park, located 283 meters above the sea level and where we can admire the ruins and monuments of the ancient city and an exceptional panorama overlooking the plain of Bistrica, Lake Butrint and the area of Delvina.
If you are interested in visiting the archaeological park of Finiq, take a look at our tour!
https://albania.mytour.eu/en/details/archaeological-park-of-finiq-half-day-tour
- Durrës
Durrës, the second largest city and the main port of Albania, boasts a very ancient history and allows you to understand the evolution of the country.
The city is famous for its long beaches, the old town and several archaeological sites; in fact, in the city you can visit the Roman Amphitheater, the largest in the Balkans, the Mosque, located in the old town and built on a former Ottoman mosque, and the walls of the Byzantine Castle, which surrounded the city in the period when Durazzo was occupied by the Venetians and equipped with a panoramic terrace.
Very well known is also the main and busiest street of the historic center of the city, the boulevard, where you can find clothing stores, ice cream parlors, restaurants and clubs.
Apollonia and the monastery of Ardenica
From Durrës you can reach Fier, a city in which there are the most famous archaeological sites of Albania, such as the archaeological site of Apollonia, a park that still hides many mysteries, since the excavations have not yet been completed, but where you can visit the Agora, the Byzantine Monastery of Shen Meri and the Archaeological Museum.
In the town there is also the monastery of Ardenica, built in the twelfth century by the Byzantine emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos. The monastery is located on the top of a hill and has a characteristic arrowhead shape; inside you will find the Church Maria Theotokos (Mother of God) and the chapel of San Triadhe (the Chapel of the Trinity).
If you are interested in a tour of these places, take a look at our website!
https://albania.mytour.eu/en/city/durres
- Berat: the wine region
Berat, also called "The city of a hundred windows", is of Ottoman origin and is a fascinating place full of history, entirely composed of white houses perched on the mountain.
Since 2005, its historic center has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after being a Museum City during the years of the communist regime.
In Berat we find three most famous neighborhoods, Magdalem, Kala and Gorica, where the Onufri Museum and the Ethnographic Museum are located.
Important is also the Berat Castle, the fortified citadel, with its stone houses and small chapels, which today as then is inhabited by local families.
In the city there are shops built in old houses, some locals selling fruit, horses grazing along the streets and flocks of sheeps.
Berat is famous above all for its vineyards, which were planted for the first time after the Second World War; almost all families living in this area produce wine. The Çobo Cellars, located in this city, are famous for the Kashmer, known as the Berat Red; the name of this wine is inspired by the red color of the icon painter Onufri.
If you are interested in a tour through the vineyards and cellars of Berat, take a look at our website!
https://albania.mytour.eu/en/details/visit-two-wineries-near-berat---wine-tour
- Vlorë
Vlorë, located in the south of the country, is the second national port after Durrës, and it is the city where modern Albania was born; in fact, right here, the political leader Ismail Qemali declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912 and established the first parliament.
Here we find the Museum of Independence, which tells of this historical event.
The construction of the buildings in Vlorë is quite recent and the old buildings have given way to new buildings. The Old Vlorë has been largely destroyed, and consequently the things to see in the historic city are not many.
Worth a visit is the Muradije Mosque, located in the city center and believed to have been built betweenby the architect Sinani.
The highest point of the city, called Kuzum Baba, is a hill overlooking the eastern part of the city, where there is also a restaurant bar with spectacular views.
Vlorë is also one of the most popular seaside destinations in Albania in summer; the beach, sand and stones, is very long and during the summer months is equipped with sun beds and umbrellas.
The island of Zvërnec
A few kilometers from Vlorë, we can admire the Island of Zvërnec, one of the most fascinating places in southern Albania, reachable on foot through a bridge, which seems almost leaning on the water.
On the island you can admire different species of birds such as: pelicans, wild ducks and sometimes the Dalmatian pelican, a rare specimen to meet.
The protagonist of this place is the Monastery of Zvërnec, of Byzantine creation, located in the center of the island and surrounded by rich vegetation.
If you are interested in visiting the island, take a look at our tour!
https://albania.mytour.eu/en/details/day-tour-from-vlore-to-zvernec-monastery
- Shkodër and Tropoje
Shkodër and Tropoje are two cities in the north of Albania that deserve to be visited, because despite being of a different beauty these two cities are as beautiful as those of the south.
Shkodër is one of the most important cities of the country, located between the mountains and the sea and in a strategic position, because it is close to the border; it is beautiful and famous for its museums, the castle from which dominates the valley and the lake not far away.
Tropoje, on the other hand, is a mainly mountainous area, which is part of the Albanian Alps, and occupied for the most part by mountains. During the winter there are frequent snowfalls and there are some peaks on which the snow never melts, for this reason, it is a place also suitable for skiing.
Koman Lake and Valbona National Park
Lake Koman is located 60 km from the town of Shkodër and reaches 45 km in length. It is rich in magnificent landscapes with rivers, waterfalls, such as the Shalla or the island of Peace.
The Valbona National Park is the flagship of the Albanian Alps, or Damned Mountains. Valbona is the name of the river flowing in the valley and of the village, which is located in Tropoje district. In the park there are wonderful trails, connecting the whole area and offering hikers the opportunity to explore the Valbona Valley and Montenegro.
If you are interested in visiting these two cities, take a look at our website!
https://albania.mytour.eu/it/city/tropoje
- Korça and the carnival
Korça, located in the southern part of the country, is surrounded and protected by mountains.
The current appearance of the city is due to the modernization of the Ottoman era, in which it became flourishing and known for the manufacture of carpets, and for a bazaar, important for trade to Asia.
The old town, enclosed between Shen Gjergji and Republika Bulevardi, is small and pretty, with low houses and villas, which are paved with pebbles.
In Korça, before the Orthodox Easter, the largest and most fascinating carnival of Albania is organized, which deserves to be seen if you happen in the city during this period.
If you are interested in visiting the city, take a look at our website!
https://albania.mytour.eu/it/city/korca
- Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër, known as the "City of Stone", is one of the most important cities of southern Albania, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town of Gjirokastër was founded as a castle in the fourth century and inside the fortress you can find the Museum of Arms, where weapons from different periods are displayed until the Second World War, and the Bazaar Mosque.
The characteristic of Gjirokastër is the use of stone for the construction of houses, which resemble fortresses, with cobbled streets that lead all to Bazaar.
Butrint
Located near Gjirokastër, we find Butrint and its national park, which is home to several endangered animal species and a rich cultural history. Butrint is home to 17% of Albanian animal species; In the park we find amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals and is the only Albanian site to house the epirhotic frog, tortoise, sand buoy and Balkan lizard.
If you are interested in visiting Butrint, take a look at our website!
https://albania.mytour.eu/it/details/visita-di-butrinto---da-gjirokaster
- Peshkopi
Peshkopi is a city located in the northeast of Albania; it is located east of the Black Drin River and the Drin Valley is the lowest part of the district. It is also an important industrial center in Albania and its name cames from the word peshkop which means bishop in Albanian and from Episkopè in Greek. It is known mainly for its mountain tourism, as it is mainly occupied by hills and a large amount of forests.
Mount Grama
On Mount Grama we find the extraordinary village of Grama and the wonderful lake of Grama with the diversity and variety of flora and fauna. In this natural landscape there are also the stables of the Kaloshe and Sohodolli, where small cattle, horses or mules are raised.
If you are interested in visiting the mountain, take a look at our website!
https://albania.mytour.eu/it/details/climbing-nel-monte-di-grama
