There are such a lot of implausible issues to do in Albania. Whether or not you like 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’s simply such a wide range of various things to do, I liked my time right here and positively plan to return.
Albania has turn into in style due to its attractive shoreline but it surely’s additionally made up of 70% mountain, which makes it a wonderful vacation spot for climbing. There are numerous wonderful 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 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 among the greatest seashores in Europe. Listed here are a few of my favourite issues to see in Albania.
1. Tirana Strolling Tour
Considered one of 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 wonderful Tirana walking 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 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 by 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 likely one of the greatest issues to do in Albania and it’s an excellent method to get to know this wonderful nation.
2. The Blue Eye
The Blue Eye in Albania is likely one of the greatest pure vacationer sights in Albania. Positioned within the south of the nation, the Blue Eye is a deep underwater spring that pulls up probably the most extremely blue water into the river and lake on the Blue Eye Nationwide Park.
The Blue Eye is understood to be greater than 50 meters deep. Its true depth is but to be found, because the pressure of the water speeding to the floor prevents divers from getting any deeper.
To get to the Blue Eye, you’ll hike up by the Nationwide Park. It’s a comparatively simple stroll on a paved monitor for round 2 kilometers. Whenever you get there, you’ll be greeted by the gorgeous 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 excellent for wonderful photographs or in case you’re courageous sufficient, as a spot to dive from.
The water could be very recent, so it’s an ideal spot to chill off. That is completely one among my favourite issues to see in Albania.
3. Dajti Mountains
Tirana is surrounded by the imposing Dajti Mountains and you may head up into them, courtesy of the Dajti Express cable car.
The cable automobile is situated to the north of Tirana and is a phenomenal journey up the mountains with unimaginable views again over Tirana. On the prime of the cable automobile, you’ll discover a wide range of actions and eating places. The Ballkoni Dajtit restaurant presents wonderful views from its glass partitions and accompanying viewpoints.
In the event you get pleasure from climbing, there are some implausible hiking trails from the highest of the Dajti Specific 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’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
Shifting 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 likely one of the most well-known Albania sights. The seashores at Ksamil are among the greatest in Europe and really Instagrammable. Right here, you’ll discover crystal-clear, blue water and white sand. The seashores are full of 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 primarily based myself in close by Sarandë, which implies you’ll be able to escape the crowds and profit from the wonderful 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 should be seen to be believed, and a visit to the Riviera is likely one of the greatest issues to do round Albania.
5. Eat at a Native Zgara
Considered one of 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 by a rustic’s meals.
Probably the most 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 greatest native meals within the nation.
From rooster kebabs and qoftes (native meatballs) to grilled peppers and scrumptious native salads, these little grill homes provide tasty, inexpensive, 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 among the native delicacies.
Meals is a good way to get to know a rustic, and the meals in Albania is superb. Whether or not consuming or cooking, it’s among the best issues to do in Albania for sure.
6. Discover the Fashionable Neighborhood of Blloku
Blloku is a stylish neighborhood in Tirana and is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Albania at evening.
Essentially 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 stunning buildings.
Because the fall of communism, Blloku has been opened up and is now dwelling to among the coolest, trendiest, and greatest eating places and bars in Tirana. It’s turn into one of the 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 Era presents Albanian food with a culinary twist.
Blloku is a superb go to in the course of the day and is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Albania at evening due to its energetic 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 understood affectionately as the 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 shocking visible impact.
Berat is likely one of the cultural facilities of Albania and is likely one of the best-preserved historic cities for sightseeing in all of Albania.
In the event you’re primarily based 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 Citadel, the Pink Mosque, and two of the very best museums in Berat. You’ll additionally get an opportunity to have a standard Albanian lunch earlier than heading again to your resort in Tirana. It’s an ideal day journey and an excellent method to go to one of the in style historic sights in Albania.
8. Go to Durrës
As one of the historical cities in Albania, a go to to Durrës is likely one of the greatest 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 count on from Albania’s second metropolis.
Durrës seashore stretches for over 10 kilometers and options numerous bars, eating places, and resorts serving it. It’s not fairly as wonderful because the seashores on the Albanian Riviera but it surely presents some nice alternate options inside attain of Tirana.
Equally, the nightlife and meals scene in Durrës could be very cosmopolitan. It’s a enjoyable place to be primarily based for a day or two to get pleasure from some meals and the energetic bars that celebration lengthy into the evening.
For a great mixture of historical past, seashore, and celebration, a visit to Durrës is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Albania.
9. Mountaineering the Accursed Mountains
In the event you love climbing then Albania is an unimaginable nation to go to with an enormous vary and number of hiking routes accessible for all talents and ages.
For the head of climbing in Albania and for skilled ramblers, the unimaginable climbing path by the Accursed Mountains tops any checklist of issues to do in Albania.
The Accursed Mountains, often known as the Albanian Alps, provide among 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 sturdy strolling sneakers and poles when 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 in search of one thing actually particular, the Accursed Mountain hike is completely among the best issues to do in Albania.
10. Uncover Butrint Nationwide Park
Butrint National Park is situated within the south of Albania and is a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological website. It’s one of the in style vacationer sights in the entire of Albania, and it’s simple to see why.
In the event 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.
Right this moment, you’ll be able to 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 in case you’re primarily based 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 site on the Ionian Sea.
Lazli Bay is likely 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 fantastic Duka Winery and Vineyard, which includes over 5 hectares of vineyards and gorgeous views. Strive their well-known Duka Cupboard Sauvignon and understand 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 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 greatest wines.
12. Discover Gjirokaster
In the event you’re within the south of the nation, then a go to to Gjirokaser is one among my most extremely rated issues to do in Albania.
This Ottoman metropolis is made almost totally 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 value 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, attention-grabbing to discover, and presents some unimaginable views over Gjirokaster.
In the event you’re in Gjirokaster, contemplate 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 one 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 need to get the blood pumping, you’ll be able to 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 among the most unimaginable views in Albania and you may 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 best way again down Mount Gamti is usually a little difficult to observe.
Whichever approach you select to discover, you should definitely take loads of water and your cellphone for some wonderful images. A visit out to Lake Bovilla is likely one of the greatest 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 in style issues to do in Albania when visiting Berat.
The Osum river flows by this spectacular canyon and in case you head right here in Spring, then the water ranges mean you can discover all the canyon by water. You’ll be able to lease a raft and paddle the size of the canyon, stopping on the numerous waterfalls alongside the best way.
It’s one of the enjoyable issues to do in Albania with children or in a gaggle. Equally, in order for you extra of an adrenaline rush, then you’ll be able to have a attempt at some white water rafting. There are some wonderful excursions organized to Osumi Canyon, together with this day-long water tour from Berat.
In the event you go to after summer season, the water ranges can have dropped, so rafting gained’t be doable. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to 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
Top-of-the-line methods to get to know a rustic is to cease and easily watch. That is an artwork type that Albania has all the way down to a tee.
The cafe tradition in Albania is implausible. There are cafes all over the place, and locals and vacationers alike fill them day and evening.
Considered one of my favourite issues to do in Albania was to go out for a espresso and other people watch. I liked the cafes across the New Bazaar in Tirana which supplied the right 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 everywhere in the nation, provide Wifi, and serve tasty espresso at nice costs.
Fast Journey Itineraries For Albania
If you wish to benefit from your time, then listed below 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 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 in regards to the historical past of Albania throughout its communist interval.
Within the night, head to Blloku for among the greatest meals in Tirana and a few drinks in among the energetic bars (in case you’re so inclined).
2-3 Days in Albania Itinerary
You probably have a number 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, contemplate a day trip to Berat for an enchanting tour of the town of 1,000 home windows. Whenever 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, contemplate a day journey to close by Durrës to discover the second metropolis and its historical historical past. You possibly 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
You probably have per 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 provides you with a while to work in your tan and is a pleasant mid-week break from sightseeing.
For the remainder of the week, contemplate 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 sensible 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 method to get to Albania is through its important 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 center of Tirana.
Alternatively, in case 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 main cities and run repeatedly. Taxis and automobile leases are comparatively low cost and dependable.
Alternatively, excursions function from a lot of the important cities and are wonderful, cost-effective, and stress-free methods to go to among the greatest 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 greatest identified for its latest communist previous, and its unimaginable museums about this period. It’s additionally dwelling to among the greatest seashores in Europe.
I counsel the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to October; both aspect of summer season, which is the busiest and hottest a part of the 12 months.
Completely! Albania is full of fascinating historical past, gorgeous nature, unimaginable seashores, and cosmopolitan cities, making it the right getaway in Europe.
In the event 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 wonderful issues to do in Albania, then funds two weeks to see the very best of this fascinating nation.
Albania was completely safe after I visited. Tirana feels snug, even after darkish, and I didn’t encounter any points in any respect after I visited.
Visiting the unimaginable seashores on the Albanian Riviera is likely one of the hottest issues to do in Albania.
Ksamil has the best beaches in Albania, situated on the Albanian Riviera. You’ll be able to keep in Ksamil or in close by Sarandë to completely get pleasure from these seashores.
Head to an area 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 publish offers 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 prone to want to return again and again.
Whether or not you select a protracted 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 like historical past, nature, or meals!
I hope you get pleasure from your time on this wonderful nation.
