Albania is a country that so far has only been noticed by a few travelers, although the Mediterranean country has many advantages. For example, it is a lot cheaper and less crowded than more popular holiday destinations. Anyone who loves wild nature, charm and the Mediterranean air should definitely visit Albania. Do it quickly, because at the moment it's still quiet and not so many people know what paradise awaits them there. One tour to the most important places is a good opportunity to get to know the country.

Albania is located between Montenegro, Greece, Kosovo and North Macedonia. Today around 2,9 million people live in the country and 4 million Albanians abroad. Many emigrated at the time because they no longer saw a future in Albania. Unemployment and poverty were (and still are) just two of the many reasons for migration. Since the end of communism, Albania's economic and social situation has improved somewhat. Nevertheless, the country is still one of the poorest in all of Europe.

Overall, the country is slightly smaller than Belgium and boasts a scenic landscape with mighty mountain ranges, a hilly hinterland, white sandy beaches, beautiful bays and idyllic villages. There are 14 national parks in the country. Whether hiking holiday, city trip or beach holiday - Albania offers you quite a wide variety. There is a lot to discover and you should allow at least a week for your Albania vacation (better 14 days). Albania is also one of the cheapest countries in Europe.

Top 1: Adv

The city of Berat is located on the Osum River in the middle of the country. The town was originally built as a castle and is located on a hill. On this hill is the original castle called Kalaja. The castle includes a district with numerous churches and mosques and is well worth seeing. Berat is also called the "city of a thousand windows" because the typical houses have large window fronts. These windows shape the silhouette of the city. The white houses are listed to preserve the city's original appearance. In 1961, Berat was named the “City of Museums” and is therefore a great destination for history and culture buffs.

In the vicinity of the city there are some small villages and typical landscapes that can also be visited on an excursion. In addition, the Osumi Canyon is highly recommended. Rafting on the turquoise waters of the Osumi Gorge is an activity that is growing in popularity, while hiking along the gorge's rim or through the river water is just beginning to realize its adventure potential. 

Top 2: Albanian Riviera

In the southwest of the country there is a cliff coast that can be compared to the Italian Riviera, but is much quieter and less crowded. The beaches invite you to swim and sunbathe. Newly built hotels and attractions are designed to attract tourists and promise a great vacation.

The landscape is mostly pristine and behind the scenes beaches one finds large and dramatic mountain scenery. Numerous small romantic villages are hidden in the mountains, which are perfect for small excursions.

Overlooking the Greek island of Corfu, the seaside town of Saranda is the unofficial capital of the southern part of the Riviera. It connects the nearby cities of Tirana and Corfu. The beach in Saranda is quite decent and equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas.

If you are interested in history, you should go by car or minibus to the town of Gjirokaster, 1,5 hours away. This UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of stone houses overlooked by the ancient Gjirokaster Fortress. Gjirokaster is derived from the Greek words argyron and kastron, meaning "silver castle".

Besides Saranda, the only other big city you can visit is Himara (Himarë). Drive through Albania will find. The part of Himara built on and around the old castle is called the Kastro and houses the ruins of Himara Castle. The city is visited by many tourists with its Byzantine architecture, views of the Ceraunian Mountains, orthodox churches, olive groves and beautiful bay.

To the south of the city lies the village of Qeparo. It is one of the Albanian villages where olives have been grown for centuries. Both Greeks and Albanians live in the charming settlement of Qeparo, and you can stroll through the narrow streets with their old houses.

The beautiful Castle of Porto-Palermo is located in Qeparo in the Bay of Porto Palermo. Although many believe Ali Pasha of Ionina built the castle, it may have been built and fortified by him long before that. Only time and further excavations will tell. From the Castle of Porto-Palermo or Panormos there is an impressive view of the Ionian Sea and the Ceruan Mountains.

Top 3: Apollonia

Near the city of Fier in central Albania are the ruins of an ancient city named after the god Apollo. Apollonia was the largest and most important city in the ancient world. The ruins are still impressive and show a small piece of the original splendor. Libraries, temples, theaters and other buildings can be visited, as well as a triumphal arch and ruined mansions.

Top 4: Durres

The large city of Durres on the coast of Albania is the country's main port city. Not only from an economic point of view, but also culturally it is a capital. Cultural events and festivals take place here throughout the year. An important role in these events is played by the amphitheater, which is one of the main attractions of the city. The impressive ancient building used to seat about 20.000 people and can be visited today.

Top 5: Gjirokastra

The city in southern Albania has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is due to the unique architectural style that most of the buildings display. The style is called Balkan architecture and includes small castle-like stone houses. In ancient times, the stones were supposed to regulate the temperature and today they are the symbol of the city. That is why the city is also called “City of Stones”. It is situated on the side of a hill and the individual quarters are connected with ornate streets.

Gjirokastra also has many cultural attractions to offer. Museums, theaters and religious sites abound. In addition, every five years, the national folklore festival is celebrated in the town's castle.

Top 6: Kruya

Kruja is an Albanian town about 20 kilometers northeast of the capital. It lies on the side of the Skanderberg Mountains. The most important building in the city is the Kruja Castle, which is a national shrine for the Albanian people. It houses the Skanderberg Museum, which commemorates the war in this area. Other places close to the city are the Tomb of Sari Saltiks and the Qafe Shtama National Park. The small town has a great historical background and can also be visited as a day trip from the capital Tirana or from Durres.

Top 7: Tirana

Tirana is the capital of Albania and forms the country's economic and political epicenter. Many important institutions are located in Tirana, for example the parliament and the government. The city is also the seat of many political parties. The city is located on a river, about 30 kilometers from the coast. It is surrounded by hills on one side. Tirana was not very important until 1920, when the city was made the capital. But today it convinces with modern architecture and cultural facilities. There is usually a lot going on in the small cafés on the edge of the streets and the city has a very pleasant charm.

If you want to immerse yourself in the culture of the country, you should go to one of the museums or the Palace of Culture. In addition, the Skanderberg square with the famous equestrian statuette is worth a visit. They are the symbol of the city. Other places worth seeing are the Et'hem Bey Mosque and the Clock Tower of Tirana. There is also a castle in the capital that can be visited.

Skanderberg Square forms the center of the city, from which streets radiate in all directions in a star shape. The numerous political institutions, the universities and the botanical and zoological gardens are also worth a visit. Other parks and gardens are great places to enjoy free time and relax.

Top 8: Shkodra

Shkodra is a city in northern Albania and the fifth largest city in the country. It is located on Lake Skadar on the border with Montenegro. Shkodra has been affected by many battles and conquests, both by the Romans and by various noble families. After the city recovered from the hard fighting, it rose to become an important trading center and has a strong culture to this day.

The symbol of the city is the ruins of Rozafa Castle. According to a tragic legend, the castle was built by three brothers. Every night the walls of the castle collapsed. One day an old man advised them to wall a woman in the walls, then they would never collapse and withstand all enemies. The brothers agreed to sacrifice the woman who would bring them food the next day. Two of the brothers told their wives, so the third arrived alone the next day. She was subsequently murdered, but asked that they spare an arm, leg and chest to continue feeding and hugging their child.

The castle can be visited, as can a museum about the town's past. The city houses the famous Marubi Photo Museum. The city market is also worth a visit.

For an active holiday, a trip to the nearby ones is a good idea Albanian Alps at. The Peaks of the Balkans Mega hiking route offers one of the most attractive ways to experience the Western Balkans. The route forms a nine-day round trip along the Dinaric Alps that form the border between Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania. Adventure Albania frames too shorter hikes for beginners.

Best travel time Albania

The high season starts in July and lasts until August. Then most of the tourists come from the surrounding countries. the best time is in the Months of May, June, early July and September and October. In the mountains (Albanian Alps) there is a typical mountain climate with very cold and snowy winters.

The further south you go, the more Mediterranean the climate becomes. Most rain falls in the winter months between November and April. But you can never predict it exactly. And even in October you can still have wonderful weather.

Arriving by plane

You have different options to travel to Albania. There is only one airport in the country itself and it is located in the capital, Tirana. Flights from Germany are not that expensive. From Memmingen and Dortmund you can fly with Wizzair for less than 100€ there and back (without luggage) and from Düsseldorf Blu-Express (operated by Albawings) flies to Tirana.

You can get a return flight for as little as €120, but it also depends on the chosen travel time. Lufthansa flies to Munich all year round Tirana, from Frankfurt also Adria Airways in the summer months. Other airlines are Austrian, Alitalia, Olympic and others, but they only make a stopover with a change in their home country.

Another option is to fly to Corfu (Greece) and then take the ferry. On the one hand you save a few euros and you can also visit the beautiful Greek island of Corfu. Flights to Corfu depart from Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Hamburg and Dresden. Depending on the airline, the flights are not expensive at all.

Ferries from Corfu to Albania (Saranda) depart daily. A single journey costs €18 per person. Tickets can be purchased on site or booked online in advance.

This post was written by: Dirk Pohlers from Adventure Albania, a small travel agency, run by a German and an Albanian, offers guided tours in Albania. Travel in small groups of no more than 12 people and discover the fascinating country up close.