It’s more convenient although Albanian roads are notoriously bad. In the south-west of Albania is the popular coastal resort of Vlore, which has long been best known for its olive production – it is believed to house some 280,000 olive trees. Visiting the Blue Eye Spring is also a must for anyone who wants to experience what Ksamil has to offer during their magical Albanian break. Berat is often known by its nickname – the City of a Thousand Windows – due to its mix of Ottoman and Albanian architecture. Numele de Albania este numele țării în latina medievală. To say it is unique is not enough and is the place to go if you are looking for a real European adventure. Located high in the Albanian Alps, Theth is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and it is easy to see why. Lake Skadar, Southern Europe’s largest lake, is found in Albania. It attracts beachcombers, foodies interested in unique traditional cuisine, and history buffs looking for a rich cultural heritage. 2019-12-05T15:54:26+02:00 I don’t consider it as a city, though, because it’s super small. Find what to do today, this weekend or in December. Albania Tourism: Tripadvisor has 155,641 reviews of Albania Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Albania resource. The largest minorities are Vlachs; Greeks, concentrated mainly in the southeast; and Macedonians, living along the eastern border. Shkodra’s Malazeze cuisine is perhaps Albania’s best too. The two main subgroups of Albanians are the Gegs (Ghegs) in the north and the Tosks in the south. Albania Tourism: Tripadvisor has 155,699 reviews of Albania Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Albania resource. It was from this fortress that Albania’s hero – George Kastrioti Skanderbeg – defended the country from Ottoman invasion over a period spanning three decades. Albania - Albania - People: Albania has one of the most homogeneous populations in Europe, with non-Albanians accounting for less than one-tenth of the total population. Albania (Albanian: Shqipëria) is a country in the Balkans with unspoiled beaches, mountainous landscapes, traditional cuisine, archaeological artifacts, unique traditions, low prices and the wild atmosphere of the countryside. Visiting the old Ottoman bazaar in Gjirokastra should be on the agenda for anyone visiting this part of the country. Nestled on a small peninsula on the western shores of Lake Ohrid, the beautiful lake that separates Albania from neighboring Macedonia, the picturesque village of Lin is a must-see when exploring the southeastern reaches of the country.Lin’s beautiful lakeside location is a major pull, the pretty village with plenty of sandy and pebble-strewn beaches ideal for picnics and paddling. Albania is a coastal nation in Southeastern Europe with a population of approximately 3,000,000. I suggest renting a car or taking your own. Part of the larger Butrint National Park, the Ksamil Islands are a fantastic example of Albania at its most untouched and unspoiled. AlbanianTourist.com wants to ensure your trip to Albania is safe and adventurous! The stunning Shebenik-Jabllanice National Park is around 30-45 minutes away from Pogradec as well, while the springs of Drilon are also close. 12 Best Things to do in Anchorage, Alaska. Geographical and historical treatment of Albania, including maps and statistics as well as a survey of its people, economy, and government. A Unesco city, Gjirokastra is without a doubt one of the best places to visit in Albania. While the locals that use the boat regularly may now take the rugged beauty of the Albanian mountains for granted, any first-time visitor will find the sights from the Lake Koman Ferry to be truly jaw-dropping. Albania Tourism: Tripadvisor has 155,450 reviews of Albania Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Albania resource. Albania is one of the most interesting countries I’ve come across in a long time. Over 98% of the population speaks Albanian. Although the regime collapsed in 1990, many of Tirana’s communist sights remain, including the murals and statues in the city centre, the house where Enver Hoxha lived … And, perhaps best of all, travelling to Albania remains an extremely affordable trip, even compared to much of the rest of this part of Europe. In July 2009's elections, the closest since 1990, Berisha's center-right coalition narrowly defeated the opposition socialists, who were led by Edi Rama. Bordering Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo and Montenegro, Albania’s long coastline is one of the most ruggedly beautiful in the world. Skanderbeg Square is one of Tirana’s most important places and this is where the National Historical Museum can be found too. The famous Migjeni theatre is in Shkodra as well, along with an ace market that is well worth visiting. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. This is because it hosts events such as Carnival, Lake Day, the Children’s Festival and Shkodra Jazz Fest, while it is also home to a famous historic castle notable for its important role during the First Balkan War. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Oh Albania! Shkodra has a simply gorgeous lake, while the medieval citadel of Drisht is only a few miles away. If you’re planning to visit, and I highly recommend it, here are 15 interesting facts about this historically isolated country. Berat’s main tourist site is the 140th century castle, Kalaja, which is still home to hundreds of people. Albania is one of the few countries in the world so close to the West who still maintains historic roots in every day life. The seven days that I spent there were full of all kinds of surprises ranging from pleasant to disappointing but combined were ultimately what made it such an exciting country to visit. Find what to do today, this weekend or in August. While Albania is slowly becoming more popular with tourists it remains extremely undiscovered, as well as almost completely unspoiled. We have reviews of the best places to see in Albania. Prin Albania Am mers cu masina pe un traseu pana in Albania. Albania may be a little country but there is a lot to see and do in this exciting up-and-coming location. During that time, it’s become an increasingly popular tourist destination. Lake Ohrid is the deepest lake in the Balkan region and while the Macedonian side of the lake is more popular, Albania’s shore is definitely on the up. [bLacul Prespa, la fel ca si Lacul Ohrid este de origine tectonica. Saranda is located a short trip across the Ionian Sea from the popular Greek island of Corfu. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Albania on Tripadvisor: See 35,009 traveler reviews and photos of Albania tourist attractions. But I can now safely say it is one of my favourite countries and I can't speak highly enough of all the fabulous things to do in Albania. At the top of the pass there is a good range of restaurants, which are ideal places to enjoy some of the most stunning sights in Albania. Disclaimer. Gjirokastra is famous as the birthplace of world-renowned author Ismail Kadare and Albania’s former dictator Enver Hoxha – today their old homes are museums. The riviera has a growing reputation as an important music location, with many international music festivals – including Turtle Fest and Soundwave Albania – having taken place here. Albania in a nutshell. Lin. The city is home to few must-see tourist locations, but the 18th-century Et’hem Bey mosque is well worth a visit. Unique Ottoman period architecture – with houses designed like small castles – can be found all over Gjirokastra, which has a military museum and art gallery in its amazing castle that dominates the skyline. A folklore festival also takes place in Gjirokastra’s castle every five years – the last one was in 2015. Satul are cam 450 de locuitori si se afla aproape de granita cu Albania. Apollonia was once one of the most important cities in the world, and as such it is a must for anyone visiting Albania for the first time. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. The final test is standardized at the state level and serves as an entrance qualification for universities. Albania is bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the west, Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south. Found in the heart of Albania, within easy reach from the city of Fier, Apollonia’s ruins are breathtaking and the views from this part of the country are superb too. Things to Do in Albania, Europe: See Tripadvisor's 35,775 traveller reviews and photos of Albania tourist attractions. Llogara National Park itself is home to animals such as the golden eagle, European wildcat and fallow deer. Albania Tourism: Tripadvisor has 155,687 reviews of Albania Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Albania resource. Dates & length Places Filters. July and August are the busiest time of year for the Ksamil Islands, but even then there are few tourists around here. Let’s have a look the best places to visit in Albania! Albania’s famous furgons (mini-buses) have now been banned from operating in most parts of the country leaving official buses as the only public transport option. Those days are long gone, but Apollonia should still be on the itinerary for anyone who wants to learn more about Albania’s rich history up close. Albania is located in southeastern Europe. Albania boasts some of the best examples of Ottoman architecture in the world, along with supremely clear Mediterranean air and stunningly fabulous beaches. T oday Albania marks 104 years of independence from the Ottoman Empire. It’s a fantastic base because it has an abundance of good restaurants, pumping nightlife in the summer, and from there is good transportation throughout Albania and onwards to Athens or Corfu (Greece). Many cultural events and feastings are held in Durres throughout the year, while the city is also the birthplace of Bujar Nishani, the current President of Albania. The Church of St. Mary of Blachernae is a must-see sight for anyone visiting Berat, as is the Mangalem Quarter. Saranda is home to some of the most unforgettable beaches in Albania, while the Unesco World Heritage site at Butrint is located just outside of Saranda and is well worth a visit too. Nightclubs such as Folie Marine in Jale beach and Havana Beach Club near Dhermi draw young people from across Europe to the Albanian Riviera. Often described as one of the world’s great boat trips, the journey takes visitors from the hydro-electric dam at Koman to the port of Fierza. Albania has been an independent country for 104 years. Located in the Kruja castle, the museum is one of Albania’s most important and popular tourist attractions. Things to Do in Albania, Europe: See Tripadvisor's 155,699 traveller reviews and photos of Albania tourist attractions. At the heart of Skanderbeg Square – and therefore the heart of Tirana – is a statue of the historic Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. Saranda is one of the hottest tourism locations in Albania, with the town having undergone a huge amount of development in the last 20 years or so. We have reviews of the best places to see in Albania. Albania is located in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula or Southeastern and Southern Europe. The lake, whose surface area varies between 370 sq km and 530 sq km, is shared between Albania and Montenegro. Berat is in the middle of Albania and it is believed to be one of the country’s oldest towns. Feel free to ask us any pre-trip questions and where the best attractions are. Lekursi Castle is one of the best places to go in Saranda, with people flocking here to enjoy stunning sunsets. Still very much off the beaten path, year-on-year Albania is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination thanks to its stunning scenery, interesting historic sites, and welcoming people. Today, there is a monument dedicated to this defining moment in Albania’s history. When I decided to live in Albania, I choose a city called Saranda, which is along the Albanian Riveria.. Things to Do in Albania, Europe: See Tripadvisor's 35 084 traveller reviews and photos of Albania tourist attractions. Isolated and shut off from the world for so long, Albania emerged from communist rule … Away from Albania’s biggest cities, in the north of the country, is Theth. Pogradec is famous for its rich folklore, while its Puppet Theater Festival is one of the most interesting events on Albania’s tourism calendar. Tirana: Delve into Albania’s communist past. While Albania is slowly becoming more popular with tourists it remains extremely undiscovered, as well as almost completely unspoiled. If you know some more beautiful places to visit in Albania, feel free to share in the comment section! Your email address will not be published. For the most breathtaking scenery in the entire Balkans, visiting Lake Koman in Albania should be on anyone’s bucket list. The mountain peaks of Thethi, Boga, Razma and Vermoshi provide an unforgettable experience of Albania in its most natural state. Albania’s main port, Durres is also one of the nation’s oldest cities. Kruja is home to the national ethnographic museum, but it is best known for being where the Skanderbeg museum can be found. Once upon a time, Apollonia was listed among the dominions of Pyrrhus of Epirus. Albania, known as Shqiperia in Albanian, is situated on the Adriatic Sea between Greece and the Republic of Montenegro. Tirana’s people, like the vast majority of Albanian locals, are exceptionally friendly and the city is supremely affordable, with surprisingly excellent food and drinks both very cheap. Located a short trip away from the capital Tirana, Kruja is a must-visit spot for anyone heading to Albania for the first time. The seaside town of Himara is one of the riviera’s best places to visit, while Porto Palermo Beach, Llamani Beach and Filikuri Beach are some of the area’s finest sandy stretches, while Drymades Beach is one of the liveliest spots here. 10 Best Things to Do in Saranda (Albania). The area of Cold Water in Vlore is popular with younger tourists due to its choice of hip bars and restaurants. In the 15th century, Albania was conquered by the Ottoman Empire. Bordering Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo and Montenegro, Albania’s long coastline is one of the most ruggedly beautiful in the world. Just like every country in the Balkan Peninsula, Albania has a vast history which you can see in almost all of its cities. Tirana, the capital and the largest city in the country, is located inland near the center of the country.