City per City

Tirana

Also known as the “colourful capital of Albania” is a relatively new city, although antique monuments and artefacts are discovered all around Tirana. Tirana is the most important political and economic centre of the country. The “Blloku” area (called like this because the villas of the communist elite were here) is the place to be with its trendy bars, great restaurants, cosy pubs, cafes and nightclubs. The former major (also an artist) of Tirana had the great idea to give the old communist style buildings a facelift by painting them in bright colours with abstract patterns.

Places of interest might be: Skenderbeg square, Ethem Bey Mosque, National Historic Museum, bridge of Tabakeve, Martyrs cemetery, Archaeological Museum, Gallery of Art, Petrela castle and Dajti Mountain.

Durres

The second largest city and main port of Albania. This is where you can find the largest amphitheatre in Balkan with its 15,000 seats from the 2^nd century AD. Durres is located on the Via Egnatia trading route which was the route between Rome and Istanbul (former Byzantium). The city is also an important beach destination with its sandy beaches and clear, warm water.

Places of interest might be: Amphitheatre, Archaeological Museum, Ancient wall, Durres castle, Byzantine Forum and its beaches.

Berat

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and also known as “the city of thousand windows” and is declared as a museum city. The castle of Berat is built on a hill overlooking the city. People are still living within the walls of the castle, just like their ancestors did. In the old town of the city there are numerous churches and mosques.

Places of interest might be: Onufri Museum, Mangalem Quarter, Ethnographic Museum, hike in the mountains of Berat and rafting on the river.

Vlora

This is the city where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912. For a short time of period, Vlora was the capital of Albania. One of the major ports is located in this coastal town in the South West of Albania.

Place of interest might be: Independence Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Apollonia, Ardenica, Castle of Kanina, Castle of Porto Palermo, Llogara National Park and Bylis.

Saranda

This town is situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay between the mountains and the Ionian Sea and is the most Southern city of Albania. From Saranda you can see and visit the Greek island, Corfu. Due to the fact that it has over 300 sunny days a year, Saranda is the most attractive tourist town on the Albanian Riviera.

Places of interest might be: Butrint, Ksamil, Blue Eye Spring, Corfu, the beach and the ethnographic Museum.

Pogradec

This city is located in the East of Albania on the shores of Lake Ohrid and next to the town of Ohrid, Macedonia. Pogradec is surrounded by hills on the Southern and Western side of the city.

Places of interest might be: Ohrid, the beach, Tushemisht, Drilon, Lin and the Golika Bridge.

Gjirokastra

a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is declared as a museum city. Gjirokastra is one of the most important cities of the South of Albania. Gjirokastra is inscribed as a rare example of a well preserved Ottoman town, built by farmers on large estate. The castle of Gjirokastra dominates the town and from the castle you will have a beautiful view over the city and the landscape around. Gjirokastra is also the birthplace of former Albanian Communist leader Enver Hoxha and writer Ismail Kadare.

Places of interest might be: castle of Gjirokastra, weapon Museum, Ethnograpic Museum, Antigonea, and the Gjirokastra Mosque.

Shkodra

Shkodra is located in the North of Albania, close to the border with Montenegro on the shores of Lake Shkodra. This is one of the oldest and most historic places in Albania. The Rozafa castle can be found at the entrance of the city and has an amazing view all around the lake of Shkodra, the city and the countryside. Shkodra is the perfect destination if you are planning to take the Koman ferry or if you want to go to Theth.

Places of interest might be: Mesi Bridge, Rozafa Castle, the Historical Museum, Leaden Mosque, the Lake of Shkodra, Koman ferry and Theth.

Korca

Korca is a city in the South East of Albania, surrounded by the Morava Mountains and close to the border with Maceodonia. Korca presents the spiritual and material culture of the Albanians and has been an important religious centre for Orthodox Christians.

Places of interest might be: National Museum of Medieval Art, National Museum of Archeology, the first Albanian school, Bratko Museum, Oriental Museum, Orthodox Church, Voskopoja and Dardha.

Kruja

Kruja is located around 20 km North of Tirana and is a medieval town. Kruja is known for the National Hero, Scanderbeg, because this is where he fought against the Ottomans for 25 years, defending European civilization in the 15^th century. In Kruja you can find a castle, with its amazing view, which houses the Scanderbeg Museum and a medieval bazaar.

Places of interest might be: Kruja castle, Scanderbeg museum, medieval bazaar, Ethnographic Museum and the mountain of Kruja.

Himara/Dhermi

Himara and Dhermi are both located between Vlora and Saranda on the coast of the Ionian Sea. There are long white sandy beaches with crystal clear water and the few hills close to the sea are terraced and planted with olive and citrus trees. A perfect spot for a relaxing holiday.

Shengjin
This is a coastal town in the North West of Albania. Shengjin is an important holiday destination due to its natural beauty, rich culture, unspoiled beaches and mountains that hugs the shoreline. A place of interest might be the burial Place of Scanderbeg.

Theth

Theth is located in the North of Shkodra, only accessible by jeep from Shkodra or by foot (7-8 hours hike) from Valbona. Theth is known for its outstanding natural beauty and its remoteness. The well-known traveler Edith Durham said about Theth: “I think no place where human beings live has given me such an impression of majestic isolation from all the world.” Durham described Theth as a “bariak” of some 180 houses and also observed that it was almost free from the tradition of blood feud, which so blighted other parts of the Albanian highlands.

Places of interest might be: the lock-in tower, the story about the Kanun (traditional Albanian law), waterfalls, the windmill, a home stay in a typical Albanian house with traditional food and amazing hikes around the National Park.

Valbona

Valbona is a village in the North of Albania in the district of Tropoja. Valbona is known for the hikes in the mountains and the Valbona valley.

Places of interest might be: Valbona Pass, Cave of the wind, hikes around the national Park and a home stay in a typical alpine house.

Permet

This town is located in the South of Albania, surrounded by numerous beautiful mountains and flanked by the Vjosa river. Permet is the cleanest and greenest town of Albania and also known as “city of roses”.

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