If we take a trip among the most beautiful countries in the Balkans, Albania deserves to be first on the list.
This nature blessed territory gives you the opportunity to see the beauty in every season. Although small as a country, Albania remains a land full of surprises and capable of attracting even the most skeptical tourists. Located between the mountains and the sea, Albania is a place where you can be fascinated by its culture and natural scenery. Colorful landscapes, lakes, high mountains, rivers, valleys, seas. This is the image that Albania offers to any foreign tourist who wants to explore an unknown country before. The rare natural beauties come intertwined with the cultural and historical heritage inherited from our ancestors. All this is accompanied by the welcoming tradition of Albanians, a value that has been recognized for generations. If you are ready or not, foreign tourists as well as locals, we present to you 16 tourist places that will certainly impress in Albania:
1.Berat, the World Cultural Heritage (UNESCO)
Berat is known as the “City of 1001 Windows” and has been declared a museum city. It is situated on the slope of Tomorri Mountain where the castle rises. Some people live inside the castle walls, also there you can find the Onufri Museum. The paintings and icons of the great Albanian painter are exposed there. The old part of the city has some religious buildings like the church and mosques. The city of Berat is the most unique case of a tourist city that hosts and accompanies tourists throughout the seasons. It is a 2400-year-old city and is a member of the World Cultural Heritage (UNESCO).
2.Theth National Park
One of the northern pearls to visit is the village of Thethi. The “Ngujimi” (Isolated) Tower built in Theth, Dukagjin is typical of this area. This is a fort built at the end of the village and used by the whole village to isolate their beloved one from the blood feud. It was the abode of those families who were forced to close there for blood feuds (all men over the age of 14). Only the women of the house were free to go out and work some land in front of the tower. Today the tower is visitable and located in an area of great tourist value. It is located south of the village of Theth and very close to the Shala River. Due to the bad and impermeable roads in winter, it becomes the object of visits and curiosity only in the summer season.
3.Grama Bay
Grama Bay on the Karaburun Peninsula known as Grammata Bay lies within the western slope nearby Orikum. The Grama Bay has served as a refuge for boats struggling along this dangerous coastline in difficult weather. This bay served initially as an area of local stone exploitation and later in large quarries, the traces of which still appear today on both slopes. The name of Grama is associated with the inscriptions graven that in antiquity, rock inscriptions were numerous in Grama Bay, with more than 1500 inscriptions.
4.Grunas Waterfall, Theth
One of the most special natural beauties in the Albanian Alps is the Grunas waterfall, which has been declared a state-protected nature monument. Grunas Waterfall with its slender body over 30 meters high and Bloja Mill, form one of the most interesting places to be visited by any tourist visiting Theth. The waterfall of Thethi has a special characteristic, the snow water which is very pure and cold. For alpinist who can visit the fountain is a special miracle that can’t be found in any European waterfall.
5.Dardha Korce
20 kilometers southeast of Korca, at an impressive geographical altitude of over 1300 m, which leads to the imagination of long snowy winter, glowing springs, summer forest breezes, autumn with rainbow pictorial pallets. Over the centuries, Dardha residents built a village that at the beginning of the 20th century had over 400 houses. Roofed stone houses are the distinctive feature of the village. The tradition of the stone building is highly respected in this village. Dardha offers mountain hiking opportunities, although it is currently particularly known for winter mountain tourism.
6.Gjirokastër, the World Cultural Heritage (UNESCO)
The stone town of Gjirokastra is a must visit for any tourist. The perennial place is built by cobblestone streets and a castle located on top. Make sure you have time for the castle as well, there is plenty to see, including underground tunnels, a weapons museum and its abandoned rooms. You can spend the afternoon wandering the streets with numerous coffee bars.
7. Butrint, the World Cultural Heritage (UNESCO)
The dreamy look, the smooth forehead and the dignified look with the typical combing of hair testify to the appearance of the god Apollo. It is known as Dea of Butrint. Discovered in Butrint by Italian archaeologist Ugolini in 1928. It is the marble head of a man who is in the body of a woman. The statue is 2.5 meters high and was discovered in 1928, during archaeological excavations of the Italian mission to Butrint. It is proved that the building has rare cultural and historical values.
8.Ksamil Island, Sarande
Ksamil represents one of the most frequented seaside resorts in the summer. The small town on the southern edge of the country offers small, clean beaches, among the most beautiful on the Ionian coast. Many visitors choose Ksamil for the beauty and the tranquility of the islands. The beaches located just a few kilometers south of the city of Saranda and very close to Butrint National Park allow vacationers easy access to these two destinations for both nightlife and cultural tourism.
9. Korca
This city was founded in 1280 under the name Episkopi. Korca is renowned for its architecture and well-preserved buildings. From the 17th century and forward it was also an important center of trade. Today, it’s the 6th largest city in Albania.
10. Shkodër
It is located in the north of Albania. This town is original and an excellent threshold for some fantastic climbing in the area. You can tell that Shkodra is the city of bicycles. It is also an extremely cheap place. The architecture is different from other cities in Albania. You can feel yourself back in time like in an old movie.
11. Dhërmi
On the verge of the tourist season, the Albanian Riviera and especially Dhermi Beach remain the most popular destination for tourists, both locals or emigrants. Dhermi village, built on the slopes of the Lightning Mountains, is one of the most picturesque villages in the south. The church built on top of the village is easily accessible and worth your time. When you get there, notice the contrast between Ibiza-style nightlife and traditional village scenery, which together create an allure that is hard to find elsewhere!
12. Blue Eye Sarande
From the bottom of the tunnel through which the water comes to the surface, the fountain takes on the blue color that resembles the eye. As soon as the flow begins, the color begins to turn azure. The vegetation that surrounds the Eye at its top resembles eyelashes, this is why it is named the “Blue Eye” (Syri i Kaltër). It is the largest and most interesting source among the 18th springs that erupt at the foot of the Greater Mountain. Today it has the status of a natural monument. It’s depth is very large, reaching up to 45 meters. It is located opposite the village of Krongj, 45 meters below the level of the Drino valley. Blue Eye is a source of freshwater surrounded by dense vegetation and evergreen.
13. Kruja
Kruja is one of the most historic cities in Albania. It is characterized not only for its unique geography, impressive fortresses but also many traditions passed down from generation to generation. The history that was built in the ancient city makes us feel proud every time we visit it. Not forgetting Skanderbeg’s battles, folklore, and many Krutan traditions. Kruja is also known as the “white city” and has a geographical altitude of over 600 meters above sea level and when the weather is cloudless it can be seen Adriatic coast of Durres.
14. Pogradec
The Koran, swans and flowers…. and then verses of famous poets! It is enough to mention these key words and it is understood that this is one of the wonders of nature in our country, Lake Ohrid, the soul and life of Pogradec. Lake Ohrid is very famous in Europe and around the world for its age, depth and rare species, the Koran fish that grows in emerald waters. Its age is estimated to be 2 to 5 million years. The lake was created by a collapse of the soil.
15. Valbona National Park
In the north of Albania, it’s a place that you should visit, Valbona Valley in Tropoja. In the Valbona guesthouses, mostly traditional two-storeys building with sloping roofs, visitors find traditional food as well as a fireplace to heat. The road to Valbona is a miracle. Cruising into Fierze-Koman is a real tourist attraction for anyone visiting Tropoja. Mountain tourism enthusiasts can make a wonderful trip this season to the Valbona Valley National Park with rich natural resources which are fascinating. It has an area of 8,000 hectares and is considered the miracle of the Albanian Alps.
16. The Ancient City of Apollonia
Written evidence proves that the ancient Illyrian city was built in the early years of the 6th century year 588 before Christ by colonists coming from Korinth and Korkyra, after the founding of Epidamus – Dyrrah. Earlier in this area was an Illyrian settlement, with the arrival of the colonies the city was named Apollo in honor of the god Apollo. The geographical position of the city played an important role, so Apollonia was raised not far from the sea, communicating via the Vjosa River in a very rich area of southern Illyria inhabited by the Illyrian tribes of the Taulants.
