Year-on-year Albania is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination thanks to its mix of natural beauties, beaches, interesting historic sites, and welcoming people. Visitors are surprised at all that it has to offer; beautiful beaches lying alongside breathtaking mountain ranges and glittering lakes.
Thanks to its long and interesting history, Albania offers a combination full of amazing old castles, Roman ruins, and Ottoman-era mosques and buildings, which make the country fascinating to explore. With picturesque towns such as Gjirokaster and Berat for visitors to enjoy in the south and the beautiful Alps in the North, there is always something for every visitor.
Below you find the list of our top 10 Top Places to Visit in Albania:
1. Tirana
Once full of grey, unwelcoming communist buildings, Tirana has been transformed considerably since the early 90s. Albania’s capital is now a fun, colorfull place to visit.
Now the city is full of life. The architecture is a mixture of communist, Ottoman-era buildings and Italian architecture that highlights the country’s rich past. There are a number of great museums and art galleries worth checking out. Of particular interest is BUNK’ART, which was once a huge government bunker but now hosts art installations.
With endless bars, cafes, and restaurants to be found around the trendy Blloku area, Tirana has a lively nightlife scene. Visitors to this under-visited capital invariably come away impressed at all that the city has to offer.
You can always skip to ‘Gjiri Lalzit’ beach and Dajti mountain for some hiking or a delightful dinner with a view of the city.
2. Kruje
Kruja is famous for being the home city of Albania’s national hero Gjergj Skanderbeg. In the 15th century, Gjergj managed to hold out against the Ottomans for 25 years from his base in Kruje.
Known as the ‘Adriatic Balcony’ by locals, the craggy mountain that looks over the city is home to the majestic Kruje Castle, which was once Skanderbeg’s base. Nowadays, there is an interesting museum about the hero as well as a fantastic 15th-century church located within its walls. The panoramic views from the castle are simply spectacular.
The Old Bazaar in the center of town is just as fascinating to walk around. Nestled away amongst its atmospheric streets you’ll find some delightful little cafes and restaurants, alongside the plethora of shops selling anything from souvenirs and artisan goods to antiques and leather products.
You can also visit the colorful Mountain of Qafshtama, with a beautiful Teqe on the top. On your way on the top you can drink the water the queen form the spring ‘Nena Mbretereshe’ (Mother Queen) in which the queen herself drank every day.
3. Butrint National Park
Butrint National Park is a popular tourist destination, in large part due to its proximity to the Greek island of Corfu. Many people come to see its majestic blend of history and nature.
Covering a peninsula that is bordered by the huge Lake Butrint on one side and the Vivari Channel on the other, the natural beauty is magnificent; over 1,200 different types of animals and plants reside amongst its scenic wetlands, hills, and islands.
The main attraction, however, is the amazing archaeological site which covers over 2,500 years of history; this includes ancient city walls, remnants of a Roman theater, a Byzantine Basilica, and two castles. Wandering around the ruins with the beautiful scenery all around you is a delightful experience. This is undoubtedly one of the hidden gems of what Albania has to offer.
4. Shkodra
Shkodra is the city of Culture. You can find everything in Shkodra. Beautiful city, culture, mountains, lake, castle, rivers, see.
The undoubted highlight is Rozafa Castle. Over the course of its history, it has been ruled by the Illyrians, Venetians, and Ottomans, to name a few. The magnificent ramparts and ruins of the castle are fun to explore, and the views over Shkodra are breathtaking.
Although the center of the city has recently undergone extensive renovations, there are still plenty of lovely old buildings and historic sites to be found, such as the Ebu Beker Mosque and Orthodox Cathedral. The Historical Museum showcases just some of the region’s rich history and heritage.
With so much beautiful countryside surrounding Shkodra for visitors to explore, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
5. Berat
Widely regarded as one of the prettiest cities in the whole of the Balkans, Berat is known as ‘the Town of a Thousand Windows,’ as so many windows peer out at you from the front of its hillside buildings which are so tightly clustered together.
Located on a hillside, there are a number of Ottoman-era mosques and Byzantine churches scattered about town. One of the best views of Berat is from across the banks of the Osumi River which runs through it.
While simply wandering around Berat is a lovely way to spend time, the town also has a great 13th-century hilltop castle, which is worth visiting for the outstanding views. There are also two interesting museums with some fascinating local costumes and artifacts on display and some splendid 16th-century icons.
6. Gjirokaster
Located in the south of the country, Gjirokaster is a delight to visit. Its beautiful old town is perched on the side of a hill overlooking a valley and its winding cobbled streets are full of quaint buildings and historic sites.
With over 500 homes and buildings protected and preserved as ‘cultural monuments’, Gjirokaster is full of wonderful architecture. It is often known as the ‘City of Stone’ due to the distinctive local rooves that can be seen everywhere you go.
Perched above the scenic Old Bazaar is Gjirokaster Castle, reputed to be the second largest in the whole of the Balkans. A fascinating place to visit, the castle has an underground Cold War-era bunker and an Armaments Museum for visitors to enjoy, alongside its impressive fortifications and ruins.
7. Vlora
Known as the city of the Flag, in which Ismail Qemaili declared Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 28 November 1912, Vlora is a magnificent and dynamic city not only during the summer season but throughout the entire year. Is one of the most visited cities after Tirana capital and is well known as the most preferred destination during the summer season, with pristine beaches, delicious cuisine and a lot of entertaining places, and vibrant nightlife.
Expect the beauty of beaches, Vlora offers other opportunities for tourists which put in light the ancient history and culture of the city, its traditions, and its European origin.
8. Sarande
Like Vlora which is famous for its beaches, in Sarande you will find some of the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen. ‘3 Ishujt’ (3 ilands), Plazhi i Manastirit, Plazhi i Pasqyrave, Plazhi i Pellumbave. Every beach has its unique features. You can visit the city center alongside the beach in which you can experience the nightlife in the Albanian way.
9. Durres
Once the capital of Albania, Durres is located not far from Tirana on the country’s coastline. It is a very popular destination, which means that it can get a bit crowded during the summer.
With one of the largest ports in the Adriatic, the city is a bit stuffy and over-developed, although there is a nice stretch of beach for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. Along the seafront, there are lots of restaurants selling delicious fresh seafood.
Fought over for millennia by the Bulgarians, Greeks, Venetians, and Ottomans, among others, its wealth of historic sites entices just as many people as its beaches. The spectacular Roman amphitheater and fantastic archaeological museum are the undoubted highlights.
10. Lezhe
The country’s most beautiful lagoons, those of Kune-Vain and Patok, and some of the most exclusive, rugged beaches surround the ancient city of Lezha. Enveloped by this exotic environment rests the newest heart of Albanian gastronomical tradition. With several world-famous farm-to-table and fine dining restaurants serving the most updated traditional cuisine in the country, Lezha’s popularity has seen an upturn in the last decade! Once upon a time, Lezha attracted many visitors to its numerous monuments of great historical and architectural value in Albania, such as the Skanderbeg Memorial, an impressive Greek-inspired structure supported by marble pillars, and the Castle of Lezha, the crown jewel of the city. These days, its truly inimitable food culture, calm landscapes, and untouched nature are great draws to this ancient city.
