There are such a lot of implausible issues to do in Albania. Whether or not you’re keen on getting out in nature and taking off-the-beaten-track adventures or are extra of a metropolis particular person, Albania has you coated.
I spent 3 months exploring Albania as a digital nomad, and there was by no means a boring second. There may be simply such a wide range of various things to do, I cherished my time right here and undoubtedly plan to return.
Albania has turn out to be fashionable due to its beautiful shoreline but it surely’s additionally made up of 70% mountain, which makes it a wonderful vacation spot for mountaineering. There are a lot of superb cities to discover, and the nation has an enchanting historical past and tradition to study.
With a lot to find and so many issues to do in Albania, I believed I’d put collectively a listing of my favorites.
Greatest Issues To Do in Albania
There are some unimaginable issues to do in Albania. It’s a rustic ready to be explored and combines cosmopolitan cities, beautiful countryside, and among the finest seashores in Europe. Listed below are a few of my favourite issues to see in Albania.
1. Tirana Strolling Tour
One among my favourite issues to do in Albania is to take a strolling tour in Tirana. Albania has an enchanting historical past, notably its comparatively current communist previous.
This superb Tirana strolling tour guides you thru this nation’s stunning capital metropolis and its distinctive historical past. It’ll assist orientate you to discover Tirana by yourself and offer you an appreciation and perception into the place Albania has come from and the place it’s going.
The three-hour strolling tour is fascinating, and the guides are very educated. They’ve lived via a part of the communist period in Albania, and so that you obtain a extremely concerned really feel for this era in Albanian historical past.
For me, this is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Albania and it’s an excellent method to get to know this superb nation.
2. The Blue Eye
The Blue Eye in Albania is without doubt one of the finest pure vacationer points of interest in Albania. Positioned within the south of the nation, the Blue Eye is a deep underwater spring that attracts up probably the most extremely blue water into the river and lake on the Blue Eye Nationwide Park.
The Blue Eye is thought to be greater than 50 meters deep. Its true depth is but to be found, because the power of the water speeding to the floor prevents divers from getting any deeper.
To get to the Blue Eye, you’ll hike up via the Nationwide Park. It’s a comparatively straightforward stroll on a paved monitor for round 2 kilometers. If you get there, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful Blue Eye pure spring, surrounded by lush forest.
There’s a small reward store and a restaurant close by. Over the Blue Eye, you’ll discover a viewing platform good for superb photographs or should you’re courageous sufficient, as a spot to dive from.
The water may be very contemporary, so it’s an important spot to chill off. That is completely one in every of my favourite issues to see in Albania.
3. Dajti Mountains
Tirana is surrounded by the imposing Dajti Mountains and you’ll head up into them, courtesy of the Dajti Categorical cable automobile.
The cable automobile is situated to the north of Tirana and is an exquisite journey up the mountains with unimaginable views again over Tirana. On the high of the cable automobile, you’ll discover a wide range of actions and eating places. The Ballkoni Dajtit restaurant gives superb views from its glass partitions and accompanying viewpoints.
In the event you take pleasure in mountaineering, there are some implausible mountaineering trails from the highest of the Dajti Categorical which take you to the summit overlooking the cable automobile and Tirana past.
Or, mix a tour of the Dajti Mountains with a go to to the well-known Bunk’Artwork 1 museum – an unimaginable museum housed in disused bunkers. Mix a visit to each on this wonderful day tour from Tirana and tick off two of the highest issues to do in Albania in a single go.
4. Ksamil and The Albanian Riviera
Shifting away from the capital metropolis of Tirana, a visit to Albania wouldn’t be full with out a journey to the Albanian Riviera.
Ksamil is the middle of the Riviera and is without doubt one of the most well-known Albania points of interest. The seashores at Ksamil are among the finest in Europe and really Instagrammable. Right here, you’ll discover crystal-clear, blue water and white sand. The seashores are filled with seashore bars, eating places, and water sports activities alternatives.
From the Ksamil seashores, you’ll be able to even head out to discover the islands simply offshore. Seize a kayak or jet-ski and escape the crowds in Ksamil on these uninhabited islands for a day of journey.
I based mostly myself in close by Sarandë, which implies you’ll be able to escape the crowds and profit from the superb bars and eating places shut by. You may even seize a ferry from Sarandë to Corfu for an unimaginable day journey from the Albanian Riviera.
The seashores in Ksamil must be seen to be believed, and a visit to the Riviera is without doubt one of the finest issues to do round Albania.
5. Eat at a Native Zgara
One among my favourite issues to do in any nation is to get an actual style of native life, and there’s no higher approach to do that than via a rustic’s meals.
One of the crucial genuine issues to do in Albania is to go to one of many many zgaras (grills) in Tirana and all through Albania. They serve among the finest native meals within the nation.
From rooster kebabs and qoftes (native meatballs) to grilled peppers and scrumptious native salads, these little grill homes supply tasty, inexpensive, and genuine meals.
If you wish to go additional and actually perceive the meals and tradition of Albania, then I undoubtedly suggest this wonderful cooking tour. You’ll meet your information at a neighborhood market to gather substances earlier than turning your hand to among the native delicacies.
Meals is a good way to get to know a rustic, and the meals in Albania is excellent. Whether or not consuming or cooking, it’s the most effective issues to do in Albania for sure.
6. Discover the Stylish Neighborhood of Blloku
Blloku is a stylish neighborhood in Tirana and is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Albania at night time.
Essentially the most fascinating factor about Blloku is its current transformation. Throughout the communist period in Albania, Blloku was off-limits to residents of Tirana. It was a neighborhood reserved for communist celebration members solely and residential to some stunning buildings.
For the reason that fall of communism, Blloku has been opened up and is now dwelling to among the coolest, trendiest, and finest eating places and bars in Tirana. It’s turn out to be one of the vital cosmopolitan elements of Tirana and is certainly a spot to not be missed when visiting Tirana.
Head to the unimaginable museum-turned-bar Komiteti. It’s one of many coolest bars in Tirana and is packed filled with relics and artifacts from the communist period. Artigiano is an unimaginable Italian restaurant in Blloku and Period presents Albanian meals with a culinary twist.
Blloku is a good go to in the course of the day and is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Albania at night time because of its full of life nightlife.
7. Go to the Metropolis of 1,000 Home windows (One of many Greatest Issues To Do in Albania)
The attractive metropolis of Berat is thought affectionately as town of 1,000 home windows. It’s a singular, UNESCO World Heritage Web site that will get its identify from its Ottoman-style homes looking over Osum creating a surprising visible impact.
Berat is without doubt one of the cultural facilities of Albania and is without doubt one of the best-preserved historic cities for sightseeing in all of Albania.
In the event you’re based mostly in Tirana, one of the best ways to go to Berat is on this highly-rated day tour to Berat. You’ll get pushed from Tirana and can go to among the most essential and spectacular sights in Berat. Your educated information will clarify the historical past of Berat and its significance to the previous of Albania.
You’ll take within the stunning Berat Fortress, the Purple Mosque, and two of one of the best museums in Berat. You’ll additionally get an opportunity to have a conventional Albanian lunch earlier than heading again to your lodge in Tirana. It’s an important day journey and an excellent method to go to one of the vital fashionable historic points of interest in Albania.
8. Go to Durrës
As one of the vital historic cities in Albania, a go to to Durrës is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Albania. It’s packed filled with archeological finds, together with its spectacular Roman Amphitheater.
Durrës is fascinating because it combines its historic historical past with its location on the coast and all of the cosmopolitan points of interest you’d count on from Albania’s second metropolis.
Durrës seashore stretches for over 10 kilometers and options varied bars, eating places, and motels serving it. It’s not fairly as superb because the seashores on the Albanian Riviera but it surely gives some nice alternate options inside attain of Tirana.
Equally, the nightlife and meals scene in Durrës may be very cosmopolitan. It’s a enjoyable place to be based mostly for a day or two to take pleasure in some meals and the full of life bars that celebration lengthy into the night time.
For a superb mixture of historical past, seashore, and celebration, a visit to Durrës is without doubt one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Albania.
9. Mountaineering the Accursed Mountains
In the event you love mountaineering then Albania is an unimaginable nation to go to with an enormous vary and number of mountaineering routes accessible for all talents and ages.
For the head of mountaineering in Albania and for skilled ramblers, the unimaginable mountaineering path via the Accursed Mountains tops any checklist of issues to do in Albania.
The Accursed Mountains, also called the Albanian Alps, supply among the most unimaginable surroundings and nature in Albania. The path begins near Tropoje and passes from one nationwide park in Valbona to a different in Theth and extends for over 30 kilometers. It’s an extended day journey and takes round 13 hours to finish.
It’s a difficult hike and I like to recommend sturdy strolling footwear and poles if in case you have them. There are a few cafes to cease at in the course of the hike. Name into Cafe Simoni to refuel.
For adventurous hikers on the lookout for one thing actually particular, the Accursed Mountain hike is completely the most effective issues to do in Albania.
10. Uncover Butrint Nationwide Park
Butrint Nationwide Park is situated within the south of Albania and is a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological web site. It’s one of the vital fashionable vacationer points of interest in the entire of Albania, and it’s straightforward to see why.
In the event you love historic historical past, then discovering Butrint Nationwide Park will probably be an enchanting journey. Butrint has been inhabited since prehistoric instances and has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Venetians. Every has left their mark on this metropolis that’s nonetheless slowly being found by archaeologists.
Butrint sits on the sting of Lake Butrint and is surrounded by forests and water. Town itself was a jewel within the crown of the Roman Empire and was designated as a retirement spot for profitable Roman warriors.
At present, you’ll be able to discover the Roman Theatre, the Discussion board, the stays of the Nice Basilica, and the Venetian Fortress and Tower.
There’s additionally a museum on web site that homes some unimaginable artifacts found from the colourful historical past of Butrint.
You may drive to Butrint, or should you’re based mostly in close by Sarandë then take this wonderful half-day tour to Butrint. It’s an enchanting have a look at Albania’s historic previous.
11. Take a Wine Tasting Tour
Albania has some unimaginable wine, which maybe isn’t a shock when you think about its local weather and site on the Ionian Sea.
Lazli Bay is without doubt one of the hottest wine-growing areas in Albania. Positioned within the northwest of the nation, it’s round an hour from Tirana and 45 minutes from Durrës.
Right here, you’ll discover the great Duka Vineyard and Winery, which contains over 5 hectares of vineyards and beautiful views. Strive their well-known Duka Cupboard Sauvignon and remember the fact that no wine tasting in Albania is full with out some selfmade raki to complete.
If you wish to mix a day journey to Durrës with a wine-tasting tour of Lali Bay, then try this full-day tour. From Tirana, you’ll take a guided tour of Durrës earlier than attending to pattern a few of Albania’s finest wines.
12. Discover Gjirokaster
In the event you’re within the south of the nation, then a go to to Gjirokaser is one in every of my most extremely rated issues to do in Albania.
This Ottoman metropolis is made almost solely of grey stone, perched up within the mountains. It’s free from autos with cobbled streets packed filled with boutique outlets, bars, and eating places. It’s so well-preserved it’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Above Gjirokaster is the fortress, which is certainly price a go to. It’s an enchanting place that was first constructed by the Ottomans after which used in the course of the communist period as a jail. It’s well-preserved, fascinating to discover, and gives some unimaginable views over Gjirokaster.
In the event you’re in Gjirokaster, think about a go to to The Barrels Winery for lunch or dinner. This family-run enterprise units tables within the vineyards and produces unimaginable seasonal meals and wine. The household is so welcoming and my go to right here was a magical expertise. It’s undoubtedly one of the vital romantic issues to do in Albania for {couples}.
13. Hike to Bovilla Lake
20 kilometers north of Tirana is the beautiful Bovilla Lake nestled within the Gamti Mountains. The lake itself is gorgeous with blue-green water and an unimaginable panorama surrounding it.
For those who wish to get the blood pumping, you’ll be able to take a mountaineering path from the lake up Mount Gamti. The hike itself takes round 3 hours to finish however you’ll be rewarded with among the most unimaginable views in Albania and you’ll even take a dip within the lake afterward to chill off!
Guests can both drive out to Lake Bovilla and deal with the hike themselves or take a guided tour from Tirana. I’d suggest a information because the route on the way in which again down Mount Gamti generally is a little difficult to observe.
Whichever approach you select to discover, make sure to take loads of water and your cellphone for some superb images. A visit out to Lake Bovilla is without doubt one of the finest free issues to do in Albania.
14. Discover the Osumi Canyon
Osumi Canyon is nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Albania, and it’s one of the vital fashionable issues to do in Albania when visiting Berat.
The Osum river flows via this spectacular canyon and should you head right here in Spring, then the water ranges can help you discover all the canyon by water. You may hire a raft and paddle the size of the canyon, stopping on the varied waterfalls alongside the way in which.
It’s one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Albania with youngsters or in a gaggle. Equally, if you need extra of an adrenaline rush, then you’ll be able to have a attempt at some white water rafting. There are some superb excursions organized to Osumi Canyon, together with this day-long water tour from Berat.
In the event you go to after summer time, the water ranges may have dropped, so rafting gained’t be attainable. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to nonetheless stroll across the high of the canyon for some nice views and cease off within the many swimming pools to chill off.
15. Embrace the Cafe Tradition
Probably the greatest methods to get to know a rustic is to cease and easily watch. That is an artwork kind that Albania has all the way down to a tee.
The cafe tradition in Albania is implausible. There are cafes in every single place, and locals and vacationers alike fill them day and night time.
One among my favourite issues to do in Albania was to move out for a espresso and other people watch. I cherished the cafes across the New Bazaar in Tirana which offered the proper spot to look at the world go by.
Equally, there are some unimaginable cafes to discover in Albania. Komiteti in Tirana is packed filled with relics from the communist period and the cafe chains are good too; Mulliri Vjeter and Mon Cherie are situated all around the nation, supply Wifi, and serve tasty espresso at nice costs.
Fast Journey Itineraries For Albania
If you wish to benefit from your time, then listed here are my strategies of what to do in Albania throughout your journey.
1 Day in Albania Itinerary
In the event you solely have in the future in Albania, then chances are high you’ll be in Tirana. I like to recommend taking a morning strolling tour to get to know town and the fascinating historical past of this nation. For individuals who love nature, use the afternoon to take the Dajti Categorical up the mountains for unimaginable views over Tirana.
Alternatively, head into Bunk’Artwork 1 or Bunk’Artwork 2 museums to get to know extra in regards to the historical past of Albania throughout its communist interval.
Within the night, head to Blloku for among the finest meals in Tirana and a few drinks in among the full of life bars (should you’re so inclined).
2-3 Days in Albania Itinerary
If in case you have a couple of extra days accessible, then I like to recommend you base your self in Tirana. On the primary day, observe the 1-day itinerary above.
On the second day, think about a day journey to Berat for an enchanting tour of town of 1,000 home windows. If you get again to Tirana, head to the New Bazaar for a espresso or a drink and embrace the native tradition within the space.
On the third day, think about a day journey to close by Durrës to discover the second metropolis and its historic historical past. You might mix this with a wine-tasting journey to Lazli Bay for the last word day of historical past and tradition.
1 Week in Albania Itinerary
If in case you have every week to journey Albania, then begin in Tirana and observe the itinerary above. After that, I’d head all the way down to Sarandë for the remainder of the week.
From Sarandë, go to the unimaginable Ksamil seashores simply 20 minutes down the street. This will provide you with a while to work in your tan and is a pleasant mid-week break from sightseeing.
For the remainder of the week, think about heading to Butrint Nationwide Park, the Blue Eye, and Gjirokaster. All of those are inside shut driving distance of Sarandë and the Albanian Riviera. You may even mix Ksamil, Butrint, and the Blue Eye on this sensible 1-day tour of the world.
Within the evenings in Sarandë, try Haxhi Restaurant and head as much as Sarandë Fortress for dinner and drinks at sundown overlooking Sarandë Bay. In Gjirokaster, head to the homely Taverna Lani for an unimaginable meal and welcoming expertise.
Getting To Albania
The commonest method to get to Albania is by way of its primary worldwide airport in Tirana. Flights are frequent from throughout Europe and can be found at superb costs. From the airport, a 30-minute shuttle bus will take you into the guts of Tirana.
Alternatively, should you’re staying on the Greek island of Corfu, you’ll be able to take a ferry throughout to Sarandë in Albania to discover the superb seashores on the Albanian Riviera.
When you’re in Albania, one of the best ways to get round is by bus, by hiring a automobile, or by taking excursions. There isn’t an actual prepare community to talk of however small minibusses function between the foremost cities and run repeatedly. Taxis and automobile leases are comparatively low cost and dependable.
Alternatively, excursions function from many of the primary cities and are wonderful, cost-effective, and stress-free methods to go to among the finest issues to do in Albania.
Issues To Do in Albania: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Albania.
Albania is finest identified for its current communist previous, and its unimaginable museums about this period. It’s additionally dwelling to among the finest seashores in Europe.
I counsel the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to October; both facet of summer time, which is the busiest and hottest a part of the 12 months.
Completely! Albania is filled with fascinating historical past, beautiful nature, unimaginable seashores, and cosmopolitan cities, making it the proper getaway in Europe.
In the event you want to discover Tirana, then an extended weekend is enough to get a really feel for this nice metropolis. If you wish to go additional afield and benefit from the seashores and different superb issues to do in Albania, then funds two weeks to see one of the best of this fascinating nation.
Albania was completely protected once I visited. Tirana feels snug, even after darkish, and I didn’t encounter any points in any respect once I visited.
Visiting the unimaginable seashores on the Albanian Riviera is without doubt one of the hottest issues to do in Albania.
Ksamil has the finest seashores in Albania, situated on the Albanian Riviera. You may keep in Ksamil or in close by Sarandë to totally take pleasure in these seashores.
Head to a neighborhood zgara or grill in Albania and take a look at some grilled meats, together with qoftas (meatballs) or grilled greens and native salads.
In Closing
I hope this put up provides you some inspiration for issues and locations to see in Albania. There are such a lot of unimaginable issues to do in Albania that you simply’re more likely to want to return again and again.
Whether or not you select an extended weekend or an extended 2-week tour, there’s loads to do on this fascinating nation. There are some unimaginable excursions to take and locations to find whether or not you’re keen on historical past, nature, or meals!
I hope you take pleasure in your time on this superb nation.