Albania – an exciting and thrilling Balkan country. Before our trip, we didn’t know much about this little corner of the world. But that was precisely what intrigued us and piqued our curiosity. Our tour through Albania was an adventure with many beautiful moments and highlights. The loving and hospitable people made our trip so special. In the following article, we’ll show you the most popular sights in Albania. Have fun browsing and trying it out!
What you should also know:
- What else you should know:
- Overview of the sights in Albania
- The capital Tirana
- The holiday resort of Ksamil
- Tradition and modernity in Shkodra
- The idyllic Lake Koman
- The Albanian Alps
- Llogara National Park & Pass
- City of a Thousand Windows
- The historic city of Gjirokastra
- Butrint National Park
- The bunkers in the country
- Gjipe Beach & Canyon
- Albanian Riviera
Overview of the sights in Albania
On the following map, we have marked the most important sights in Albania for you. There’s obviously much more to see, but this map gives you a good first overview of the highlights.
By loading the map, you accept Google’s privacy policy.
Learn more
Load map
The capital, Tirana
If you’re in a foreign country, you should definitely visit its capital. During our tour of Albania, we also stopped in Tirana, the capital of Albania. It is located in the northern part of the country and has a population of around 419,000.
For comparison: The entire country has a population of just 2.8 million. Outside of the capital, the country is therefore rather sparsely populated. Compared to other capital cities, there isn’t a huge amount to see, but there are a few historical sights, modern architecture, and interesting museums.
A visit to the “Bunk’ ART” museum is definitely worthwhile. This former nuclear bunker from the communist era provides fascinating insights into the history, life, and events of that era. Afterwards, you can leisurely stroll through the streets, sit in one of the many cafés, and soak up the city’s atmosphere.
Tirana is also ideal for some great excursions, for example to Kruja, Durrës, or the Bovilla Reservoir. The reservoir, which supplies the capital with drinking water, is perfect for a short hike – with an impressive view as a reward.
Sights in Tirana: National Museum, Skanderbeg Memorial and central square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, Enver Hoxha Museum, Dors Fortress, ministries, clock tower, the local mountain Dajti. All information about Tirana here: Albania’s capital Tirana – Our best tips.
The resort of Ksamil
At the very south of the country lies the popular resort of Ksamil. It is arguably one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in the entire country. During peak season and during school holidays, there’s always something going on here. Outside of these months, with a bit of luck, you’ll have the beaches completely to yourself. We were last there in April and were almost alone on the beautiful beaches.
From Saranda, you can take the bus to Ksamil if you don’t have your own rental car. The journey takes less than 20 minutes and costs less than €1. Be sure to check out the beaches; they’re simply too beautiful to be true. For a brief moment, we thought we were in the Caribbean. Really. The water is crystal clear and shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue. Add to that the soft, white sand – simply dreamy!
In Ksamil, you’ll also find several restaurants, guesthouses, and bars. In the off-season, it’s super affordable; you can get a starter, main course, and drinks for two people for less than €15. Amazing, right? We can recommend the Abiori Bar Restaurant right on the beach.
Most restaurants serve Italian food, typical Albanian cuisine, and standard dishes like fries, burgers, salads, seafood, and more. We stayed in Ksamil because we also made a detour to Butrint National Park from there. You can find out more about Ksamil here: The best highlights and tips for Ksamil.
Tradition and Modernity in Shkodra
If you’re heading into the mountains from Tirana, stop in Shkodra (Albanian: Shkodër). This city lies between Lake Skadar and the Buna, Drin, and Kir rivers and is one of the oldest cities in the country. Montenegro is only 34 kilometers from Shkodra. The city is around 2,400 years old and has a population of just under 142,000. Shkodra is a cultural center of the country and offers several highlights.
Visit the Rozafa Castle in Shkodra, which was built in the 3rd century BC. Directly behind the castle is the multi-domed Lead Mosque. A detour to the Ruga-Ndre-Mjeda Franciscan Church or St. Stephen’s Cathedral is also worthwhile. Other highlights include the historical museum, the Mother Teresa monument, and the Mes Bridge, which crosses the Kir River.
The idyllic Koman Lake
On your way into the mountains, you will (eventually) pass the Koman Reservoir. The lake is up to 96 meters deep and is one of a series of reservoirs along the Drin River. The Drin has carved deep gorges through the Albanian Alps, and the reservoir winds its way through the valley like a narrow tube for about 34 kilometers. At its widest point, it measures about 400 meters, and at its narrowest, only 50 meters. The steep, hundreds of meters high cliffs along the shores are truly impressive.
You can take the ferry from Koman to Fierza daily. The trip takes around 2.5 hours (one way) and is reminiscent of a journey through the Norwegian fjords. You only pay around €9 per person (€7 for a car). So you can take a relaxing day trip to Fierza and then take the ferry back. Tickets for the ferry are available here.
The Albanian Alps
The Albanian Alps are among the top sights in Albania. Far up in the north of the country, you’ll find a spectacular mountain world with peaks rising more than 2,600 meters into the sky. Beautiful valleys, blue mountain lakes, fantastic viewpoints, idyllic hiking trails, and small mountain villages await you here. The hike between the Valbona Valley and the Theth Valley is a popular option. In these towns (Valbona and Theth), you’ll also find affordable guesthouses and pensions.
The highest mountain in the Albanian Alps is Jezerca at 2,692 meters. There’s also a beautiful long-distance hiking trail, the “Peaks of the Balkans.” This is approximately 192 kilometers long and runs over 10 daily stages through Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. You can, of course, also do just part of this hike. However, it’s not for beginners, as the trail also leads through remote high-alpine regions.
Llogara National Park & Pass
We drove from Saranda to Vlorë. On our way, we had to cross the beautiful Llogara Pass. This is located in the Llogara National Park and is a mountain pass and part of the SH 8 national road. The pass thus forms the dividing line between the Albanian Riviera and the hinterland.
In good weather, you can see the beautiful bays and beaches along the coast and the beautiful peaks of the Ceraunian Mountains (Maja e Cikës). There are a few parking lots where you can park your car and enjoy beautiful views.
City of a Thousand Windows
Ever heard of the “City of a Thousand Windows”? This is the name given to the city of Berat, located 100 kilometers south of Tirana. Berat is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Albania. In 2008, it was even added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A city with numerous highlights awaits you. The fortress, which towers over the city, is particularly beautiful. There are also winding alleys, small churches, and mosques to see. In the Mangalem district, the houses are close together, with very large windows. Hence the city’s nickname.
The historic city of Gjirokastra
A visit to the city of Gjirokastra is a must in Albania. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, due to its special historical significance. Today, around 20,000 people live here, and in 2005, the city was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city is located in the wide Drino Valley, surrounded by the Mali i Gjerë Mountains, which rise to almost 2,000 meters. Particularly beautiful in Gjirokastra is the old town with its pretty houses and the castle on the hill with its fantastic views. More about this here: Gjirokastra in Albania – Our Top Highlights.
The Blue Eye – Syri i Kaltër
If you’re on your way to Gjirokastra from the south, be sure to stop at the famous Blue Eye in Albania. This almost 50-meter-deep hole is located in a river and magically attracts many visitors. There’s not much to do there, but the scenery is truly beautiful (apart from all the trash). We particularly enjoyed the vibrant colors of nature. You can park your car in the parking lot. Entrance is only €1-2 per person.
Butrint National Park
Not far from Ksamil is Butrint National Park. Here, you’ll find an ancient port city dating back to the 8th century BC. The entire area is very idyllic and invites you to linger. The park is also surrounded by the Vivar Canal and Lake Butrint. You can also expect 800 plant species, 240 bird species, and 15 fish species.
We really liked the ruins of Butrint, which are an important part of the country’s past. It’s simply unimaginable to stand in the ruins of a city dating back to the 8th century BC. Everything is reminiscent of the sunken city of Troy, only in miniature. Admission costs 1,000 LEK (10 €).
The Bunkers in the Country
It’s hard to believe, but there are between 170,000 and 200,000 bunkers throughout the country. They were built between 1972 and 1985 on the orders of Enver Hoxha to protect the country from possible foreign attacks. These bunkers were the most important military installations and remain a symbol of the communist regime to this day.
They can be found throughout the country – in a variety of sizes, sometimes small and inconspicuous, sometimes considerably larger. In Tirana, two of these bunkers have been converted into museums: Bunk’ART 1 and Bunk’ART 2.
Gjipe Beach & Canyon
We discovered Gjipe Beach by chance on Google Maps. After parking the car at the signposted parking lot, we walked the rest of the way to the beach (around 20 to 30 minutes). You should definitely leave the car at the top, as the track is full of deep potholes and huge rocks.
Just before the last bend, you can see the stunningly beautiful beach, the bay, and the rock faces in the distance. The view left us speechless. There was no one there except us, probably because we were traveling in the country during the absolute off-season. There are images on Google showing the beach quite crowded with tourists.
Albanian Riviera
And who would have thought? Albania has a Riviera. It is one of the most unspoiled corners of the country. The Albanian Riviera stretches between Saranda and the Llogara Pass. Unfortunately, many parts of the Riviera are inaccessible, but you can pass through cozy towns and even stop in some bays.
The tourist center of the Riviera is in Himara. Popular beaches along the Albanian Riviera include Drymades Beach, Gjipe Beach, Livadhi Beach, Porto Palermo Beach, and Qeparo. Be sure to visit the Pastiçeri Barba Niko bakery, located just past the Llogara Pass, and offering delicious coffee and pastries.
