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 individual, Albania has you lined.
I spent 3 months exploring Albania as a digital nomad, and there was by no means a boring second. There may be simply such quite a lot of various things to do, I beloved my time right here and positively plan to return.
Albania has change into widespread due to its attractive shoreline however it’s additionally made up of 70% mountain, which makes it a wonderful vacation spot for climbing. There are lots of superb cities to discover, and the nation has an enchanting historical past and tradition to find out about.
With a lot to find and so many issues to do in Albania, I assumed I’d put collectively an inventory 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, gorgeous countryside, and a few of the finest seashores in Europe. Listed here are a few of my favourite issues to see in Albania.
1. Tirana Strolling Tour
One in all my favourite issues to do in Albania is to take a strolling tour in Tirana. Albania has an enchanting historical past, significantly its comparatively latest communist previous.
This superb Tirana walking tour guides you thru this nation’s lovely capital metropolis and its distinctive historical past. It’ll assist orientate you to discover Tirana by yourself and provide you with 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 very 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 a superb option 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 sights in Albania. Positioned within the south of the nation, the Blue Eye is a deep underwater spring that pulls up essentially 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 drive 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 simple stroll on a paved monitor for round 2 kilometers. If you get there, you’ll be greeted by the gorgeous Blue Eye pure spring, surrounded by lush forest.
There’s a small present store and a restaurant close by. Over the Blue Eye, you’ll discover a viewing platform excellent for superb photographs or when you’re courageous sufficient, as a spot to dive from.
The water may be very recent, so it’s an amazing 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 Express cable car.
The cable automotive is positioned to the north of Tirana and is an attractive journey up the mountains with unimaginable views again over Tirana. On the prime of the cable automotive, you’ll discover quite a lot of actions and eating places. The Ballkoni Dajtit restaurant gives superb views from its glass partitions and accompanying viewpoints.
When you take pleasure in climbing, there are some implausible hiking trails from the highest of the Dajti Specific which take you to the summit overlooking the cable automotive and Tirana past.
Or, mix a tour of the Dajti Mountains with a go to to the well-known Bunk’Art 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
Transferring away from the capital metropolis of Tirana, a visit to Albania wouldn’t be full with no journey to the Albanian Riviera.
Ksamil is the middle of the Riviera and is without doubt one of the most well-known Albania sights. The seashores at Ksamil are a few of the finest in Europe and really Instagrammable. Right here, you’ll discover crystal-clear, blue water and white sand. The seashores are filled with seaside bars, eating places, and water sports activities alternatives.
From the Ksamil seashores, you may 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 may escape the crowds and profit from the superb bars and eating places shut by. You’ll be able to even seize a ferry from Sarandë to Corfu for an incredible day trip 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 in all my favourite issues to do in any nation is to get an actual style of native life, and there’s no higher method to do that than via a rustic’s meals.
One of the vital genuine issues to do in Albania is to go to one of many many zgaras (grills) in Tirana and all through Albania. They serve a few of the finest native meals within the nation.
From hen kebabs and qoftes (native meatballs) to grilled peppers and scrumptious native salads, these little grill homes provide tasty, reasonably priced, and genuine meals.
If you wish to go additional and actually perceive the meals and tradition of Albania, then I positively advocate this wonderful cooking tour. You’ll meet your information at an area market to gather substances earlier than turning your hand to a few of 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 classy neighborhood in Tirana and is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Albania at night time.
Probably the most attention-grabbing factor about Blloku is its latest transformation. Through 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 lovely buildings.
For the reason that fall of communism, Blloku has been opened up and is now house to a few of the coolest, trendiest, and finest eating places and bars in Tirana. It’s change into some of the cosmopolitan components 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 Era presents Albanian food with a culinary twist.
Blloku is a good go to through the day and is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Albania at night time because of its vigorous nightlife.
7. Go to the Metropolis of 1,000 Home windows (One of many Greatest Issues To Do in Albania)
The gorgeous metropolis of Berat is thought affectionately as the town of 1,000 home windows. It’s a singular, UNESCO World Heritage Website that will get its title from its Ottoman-style homes searching 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.
When you’re based mostly in Tirana, one of the simplest ways to go to Berat is on this highly-rated day tour to Berat. You’ll get pushed from Tirana and can go to a few of the most necessary 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 lovely Berat Citadel, the Pink 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 resort in Tirana. It’s an amazing day journey and a superb option to go to some of the widespread historic sights in Albania.
8. Go to Durrës
As some of the historical 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 historical historical past with its location on the coast and all of the cosmopolitan sights you’d anticipate from Albania’s second metropolis.
Durrës seaside stretches for over 10 kilometers and options varied bars, eating places, and resorts serving it. It’s not fairly as superb because the seashores on the Albanian Riviera however it gives some nice 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 vigorous bars that celebration lengthy into the night time.
For mixture of historical past, seaside, and celebration, a visit to Durrës is without doubt one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Albania.
9. Mountaineering the Accursed Mountains
When you love climbing then Albania is an unimaginable nation to go to with an enormous vary and number of hiking routes out there for all skills and ages.
For the top of climbing in Albania and for knowledgeable ramblers, the unimaginable climbing path via the Accursed Mountains tops any checklist of issues to do in Albania.
The Accursed Mountains, also called the Albanian Alps, provide a few of the most unimaginable surroundings and nature in Albania. The path starts close to Tropoje and passes from one nationwide park in Valbona to a different in Theth and extends for over 30 kilometers. It’s a protracted day journey and takes round 13 hours to finish.
It’s a difficult hike and I like to recommend robust strolling footwear and poles you probably have them. There are a few cafes to cease at through the hike. Name into Cafe Simoni to refuel.
For adventurous hikers on the lookout for one thing really particular, the Accursed Mountain hike is completely the most effective issues to do in Albania.
10. Uncover Butrint Nationwide Park
Butrint National Park is positioned within the south of Albania and is a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological website. It’s some of the widespread vacationer sights in the entire of Albania, and it’s simple to see why.
When you love historical 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.
As we speak, you may discover the Roman Theatre, the Discussion board, the stays of the Nice Basilica, and the Venetian Citadel and Tower.
There’s additionally a museum on website that homes some unimaginable artifacts found from the colourful historical past of Butrint.
You’ll be able to drive to Butrint, or when 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 historical 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 placement 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 Winery and Vineyard, which includes over 5 hectares of vineyards and gorgeous views. Strive their well-known Duka Cupboard Sauvignon and remember the fact that no wine tasting in Albania is full with out some do-it-yourself raki to complete.
If you wish to mix a day journey to Durrës with a wine-tasting tour of Lali Bay, then take a look at 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
When 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 completely 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 Website.
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 through the communist period as a jail. It’s well-preserved, attention-grabbing to discover, and gives some unimaginable views over Gjirokaster.
When you’re in Gjirokaster, take into account a go to to The Barrels Vineyard 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 positively some of the romantic issues to do in Albania for {couples}.
13. Hike to Bovilla Lake
20 kilometers north of Tirana is the gorgeous Bovilla Lake nestled within the Gamti Mountains. The lake itself is gorgeous with blue-green water and an unimaginable panorama surrounding it.
For people who wish to get the blood pumping, you may take a climbing path from the lake up Mount Gamti. The hike itself takes round 3 hours to finish however you’ll be rewarded with a few of 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 tackle the hike themselves or take a guided tour from Tirana. I’d advocate a information because the route on the way in which again down Mount Gamti generally is a little difficult to comply with.
Whichever method you select to discover, make sure you take loads of water and your cellphone for some superb pictures. 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 some of the widespread issues to do in Albania when visiting Berat.
The Osum river flows via this spectacular canyon and when you head right here in Spring, then the water ranges assist you to discover your complete canyon by water. You’ll be able to hire a raft and paddle the size of the canyon, stopping on the varied waterfalls alongside the way in which.
It’s some of the enjoyable issues to do in Albania with children or in a gaggle. Equally, if you’d like extra of an adrenaline rush, then you may 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.
When you go to after summer time, the water ranges can have dropped, so rafting gained’t be attainable. Nevertheless, you may nonetheless stroll across the prime 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 in all my favourite issues to do in Albania was to go out for a espresso and folks watch. I beloved the cafes across the New Bazaar in Tirana which offered the right spot to observe 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 positioned everywhere in the nation, provide Wifi, and serve tasty espresso at nice costs.
Fast Journey Itineraries For Albania
If you wish to profit from your time, then listed below are my strategies of what to do in Albania throughout your journey.
1 Day in Albania Itinerary
When you solely have at some point in Albania, then likelihood is you’ll be in Tirana. I like to recommend taking a morning walking tour to get to know the town and the fascinating historical past of this nation. For many who love nature, use the afternoon to take the Dajti Specific up the mountains for unimaginable views over Tirana.
Alternatively, head into Bunk’Artwork 1 or Bunk’Artwork 2 museums to get to know extra concerning the historical past of Albania throughout its communist interval.
Within the night, head to Blloku for a few of the finest meals in Tirana and a few drinks in a few of the vigorous bars (when you’re so inclined).
2-3 Days in Albania Itinerary
When you’ve got just a few extra days out there, then I like to recommend you base your self in Tirana. On the primary day, comply with the 1-day itinerary above.
On the second day, take into account a day trip to Berat for an enchanting tour of the 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, take into account a day journey to close by Durrës to discover the second metropolis and its historical historical past. You can 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
When you’ve got per week to journey Albania, then begin in Tirana and comply with 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 highway. This offers you a while to work in your tan and is a pleasant mid-week break from sightseeing.
For the remainder of the week, take into account 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’ll be able to even mix Ksamil, Butrint, and the Blue Eye on this good 1-day tour of the area.
Within the evenings in Sarandë, take a look at Haxhi Restaurant and head as much as Sarandë Castle 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 most typical option to get to Albania is by way of its fundamental worldwide airport in Tirana. Flights are frequent from throughout Europe and can be found at excellent costs. From the airport, a 30-minute shuttle bus will take you into the guts of Tirana.
Alternatively, when you’re staying on the Greek island of Corfu, you may take a ferry throughout to Sarandë in Albania to discover the wonderful seashores on the Albanian Riviera.
When you’re in Albania, one of the simplest ways to get round is by bus, by hiring a automotive, or by taking excursions. There isn’t an actual practice community to talk of however small minibusses function between the key cities and run commonly. Taxis and automotive leases are comparatively low-cost and dependable.
Alternatively, excursions function from many of the fundamental cities and are wonderful, cost-effective, and stress-free methods to go to a few of the finest issues to do in Albania.
Issues To Do in Albania: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Albania.
Albania is finest identified for its latest communist previous, and its unimaginable museums about this period. It’s additionally house to a few of the finest seashores in Europe.
I recommend 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 yr.
Completely! Albania is filled with fascinating historical past, gorgeous nature, unimaginable seashores, and cosmopolitan cities, making it the right getaway in Europe.
When you want to discover Tirana, then a protracted 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 finances two weeks to see one of the best of this fascinating nation.
Albania was completely safe once I visited. Tirana feels comfy, 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 best beaches in Albania, positioned on the Albanian Riviera. You’ll be able to keep in Ksamil or in close by Sarandë to completely take pleasure in these seashores.
Head to an area zgara or grill in Albania and check out some grilled meats, together with qoftas (meatballs) or grilled greens and native salads.
In Closing
I hope this submit provides you some inspiration for issues and places 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 repeatedly.
Whether or not you select a protracted weekend or an extended 2-week tour, there’s a lot 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.
