wealbaniansAt only 11,100 square miles (28,748 square kilometres) and with a total population of just under three million people, Albania might be small, but it’s certainly not lacking in things to do and see.
1. Albanian Riviera
The Albanian Riviera is, with the capital city Tirana, the most popular place in the country. The reason is that it is just amazing: long sandy and pebble beaches lapped by turquoise water, and lovely coastal hamlets with small Orthodox churches, cobblestoned streets and flowers everywhere. The best places to visit are Dhërmi, Drymades beach, Vuno, Qeparo and the seaside town of Himara.
2. The UNESCO town of Gjirokastra
One of the most stunning destinations in Albania and the Balkans is Gjirokastra. This town is located in the south of the country and, for its unique Ottoman architecture, has been included in the heritage sites by UNESCO. Gjirokastër is home to one of the most beautiful castles in the country, which offers spectacular views over the city.
3. Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows
Located in the middle of Albania, Berat is one of the oldest towns in the country. It is also known as the City of a Thousand Windows due to the several windows on the buildings’ façades. Berat is part of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2008, not just for its beauty, but also because the town is a unique example of religious tolerance.
4. Theth: rugged beauty
In the north of the country, hidden among the Albanian Alps, there is Theth, one of the most beautiful natural areas of Albania. Theth is the perfect place for hikers and nature lovers because it is located in a dramatic mountainous scenery surrounded by nature and offers a lot of activities to do.
5. Valbona Valley National Park
Hidden between the Albanian Alps, Valbona is a national park dotted with amazing views, alpine landscapes, glaciers, rocks, forests, waterfalls, natural reserves, that constitute a unique untouched and pristine ecosystem.
6. Visit one of the two ‘Blue Eyes’
The Blue Eye Albania is a popular tourist destination in the south of the country. The Blue Eye an emerald blue water spring of over 50 meters deep. The spring pumps crystal clear water to the surface. It is a magical, fairy-tale like place. The spring looks like a human eye since it has a deep blue color in the center and the light blue color on the sides. The many dragonflies add to the almost fairy-tale like experience.
7. Ksamil
Ksamil is a 12km drive down south from Saranda, and very simple to get to by cab or bus (which will set you back cents rather than dollars). When we got off the ferry from Corfu we caught a cab to Ksamil (they’ll be waiting out the front of the terminal), and came back by bus.
8. The city of Apollo, Apollonia
Far from anywhere, and little known to most foreign visitors to Albania, the ruins of the ancient Illyrian city of Apollonia are a huge 2,500-year-old complex of half-buried walls, mosaics and pillars, spread across olive tree-dotted hills. The theatre and the administrative centre still retain great grandeur, and the treasure-stuffed museum is well worth a visit. Away from the main ruins, one of Apollonia’s biggest draws is its feeling of quiet solitude. Come for the history, stay for the tranquility.
9. Butrint
Arguably the most impressive historical site in Albania, Butrint is an ancient Greek city of sunflower-yellow stones and rocks. Some of the ruins here – the theatre, Forum and public baths in particular – are extraordinarily well preserved, but just as much pleasure is to be had poking about the lesser-known ruins. To add to the wonder of the site, the whole complex is beautifully situated under shady woodland and on the shores of a quiet coastal lagoon.
10 Tirana
The capital of Albania, and the only place that genuinely feels like a city, Tirana isn’t overwhelmed by its recent repressive history. Instead of hiding away the Communist-era interrogation centres and prisons, city authorities have transformed them into darkly fascinating museums, art galleries and memorials – and then surrounded them with an ever-changing cast of hipster bars and restaurants. At weekends, ride the cable car up Mount Dajti to join the locals for a spit-roast lamb lunch with a view down over the city.
