Albanian Riviera known as the Ionian coast, situated in the Coastal Mountains, is one of the pearls of the Albanian nature. It offers spectacular views of the coastline, beaches, rivers, sea bays, etc.
Albanian Riviera is a reach area of national parks with natural heritage such as the Llogara National Park, Sazan – Karaburun the only Marine National Park, but the main and the most important one is Butrint Archaeological Park, 2500 years old ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It has also a number of nature monuments such as caves, waterfalls, springs, special forms of relief, special and rare species of plant and animal world.
Culture lovers or curious tourists will discover the beauties of nature and the spirit of the people reflected even in the rare ‘Polyphonic songs’ of the Coast, an ancient art form, which constitute a UNESCO World Heritage.
Here is a list of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in Albania.
Iso-poliphony consists of multi-part songs with usually four or more singers joining voices in a gradual, harmonious manner.
Throughout Albanian Riviera, there is a stunning combination of sea and beach with mountain, greenery, and characteristic settlements. Such an intersection makes it very fast to cross the marine area of Vlora bay at altitudes above 1000m at the neck of Llogora, and in a few kilometers, you can reach the seashores of Dhermi, Himara, Borsh, Lukova, Saranda and Kasmil.
The Ionian coast is characterized by a great variety of cultures where besides hospitality, generosity, and traditions, you can also find a great mosaic of folklore, ethnography, architecture, history, and archeology.
There are a lot of sites of interest to visit as the antient city ruins of Butrinti, Foenike (Finiqi), Likursi castle, Onhezmi, Porto Palermo castle, Himara (or Kimera), Dhermiu (one of the oldest villages in our country) Oriku, the castle of Kanina, etc.
These historical and cultural values make this region more attractive to foreign and Albanian tourists. Of particular interest to visiting are the cult objects such as churches, mosques, masjids, etc. which preserve the traces of a history of coexistence and tolerance among religious beliefs in our country.
Himara has are a number of objects that constitute cultural, historical and artistic wealth such as the Muradie mosque in Vlorë, the monastery of Panaya (St. Mary), the monastery of St. Theodor, the church of St. Stephen, the cave of Pirates, Parashqevija cave, St. Nicholas church in Dhërmi, the tower of Vreto and Kumi tribes etc.
