Visit Albania

View Albania Hotels »

Cities & Towns Select A LocationDurresSarandaTiranaVlore

ALBANIA COASTLINE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS

KOLONJES MONASTERY

TIRANA

Albania is located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. it is a small country bordered by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece. The country has as fascinating history. The residents of Albania are very hsopitalble and welcome visitors. Albania manages to offer tourists the traditional Mediterranean charm and an intriguing blend of different religions, cultures and landscapes.

Albania is one of the least visited countries in Europe, but this is changing rapidly as visitors dicover the beauty and charm of this country. Albania has many things to offer the visitor. There is rugged scenery, a beautiful coast, authentic villages that have survived the communist period and archeological sites to name a few.

For the best scenery head north where you can take a boat across a huge artificial lake from Komani to Bajrum Curri. Komani can be reached by road from Shkoder. In Komani you can drive your car onto the ferry. This boat takes about 2 hours to cross the lake. Alternatively, there is a smaller bus-boat that takes about four hours to cross. If you can, choose this one! On the other side of the lake you're half an hour by minibus from the town of Bajram Curri. This is a good base for exploring the surrounding mountains. From Barriam Curri, you can either take the boat or take the much longer road back, or go to Kukes via Kosovo (where roads are much better).

The Albanian riviera is as good as the best Greece has to offer. Much of the coastline is uninhabited except for the occasional mushroom shaped bunker on the beach. The two cities of Vlore and Saranda on the coast are wonderful places to stop.

If you want to feel like an archeologist for a day, head for Butrint, near Saranda. The area has great historical importance, and has not been significantly exploited. Make sure to hire a guide. Structures are not marked and guidebooks offer vague explanations of the historical importance of Butrint. English-speaking guides are available at a reasonable price.

Tirana , the capital city, has a small city center that is best explored on foot. Its architecture shows considerable Italian influence of Italian as well as Turkish monuments. The city lies exactly between Rome and Istanbul. The Skënderberg Square is a huge open space in the centre of the city while Mt. Dajti, at 5,030 ft, towers over the eastern side. Tirana is dotted by many museums and cultural life is on the rise.

Durrës (aka Durazzo ) is a historical city founded by native Illyrian tribes ancestors of Albanians. You are unlikely to miss the magnificent Roman Amphitheatre and the King Ahmet Zog Palace, both of which stand on a hillside.

Shkoder and Butrint are two places that would be of much interest to a history buff. Shkodra is one of the oldest cities in Europe while the ruins of Butrint are a treasure trove of antiquities relating to the Illyrians and Greeks.

Among the lesser-known places, you can visit are the ancient town of Berat known as the 1000 thousand windows town , Gjirokaster, Elbasan, Korce , and Kukës. Also, Albania has some of the finest beaches in Europe. Hiking, trekking and cycling are some other options in Albania.

Gjirokaster is an easy stop if you're heading south toward the Greek border. It's worth a day or two, as it was the home of writer Ishmail Kadare and former dictator Enver Hodja. When you arrive, ask a taxi driver to take you to up to the old city. Stay overnight in the old city, high up the side of the mountain. You'll find two nice guesthouses, both with English speaking owners -- Kelemi House and Kotoni House. Roam the cobblestone streets, head up, up, up to the castle fortress which sits atop the hill like an eagle. You can finish the day drinking coffee or tea from a cafe overlooking the entire valley. .

You also may wish to visit towns like Kruja, which was the capital of Albania during the historic resistance against the Otoman Empire and became the stronghold of Christianism under the leadership of the Albanian national hero Scanderbeg.

Gjirokastra which is the birthtown of the famous albanian writer Ismail Kadare (candidate for the Nobel Prize in litterature) has a weapons museum located inside of the Argjiro castlle.

Close to Saranda is the acient city of Butrint where many cultural events take place during the summer, including the famous russian ballet group Bollshoi Theatre.

Another town on the southern coast is Dhermi. It is also very lovely. It's a small beach town whee man Albanian people go to vacaion. It has very quiet and lovelly beaches and one very cool bar sitting in the middle of a small hotel.

The thing that propably will astonish you is the friendliness and warn wellcome which will be offered by the people during your stay in Albania.