The best places to visit in Albania

Tirana

Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania with a population of over 800,000 people. It is located in the center of the country and a vibrant city with bustling nightlife, cultural attractions, and many parks and gardens – many new cafés, bars and galleries are making sure it's becoming a tourist hot spot. Especially the popular Blloku neighbourhood is a lot of fun!

Shkodër

Shkodër is located in northwestern Albania near the border with Montenegro. It is the largest city in the region and known for its rich cultural heritage, including its Ottoman-era architecture, and its proximity to Lake Shkodër, the largest lake in the Balkans. The city is also home to the Rozafa Castle, a fortress built in the 3rd century BC. Sometimes Shkodër is also dubbed "the gate to the Albanian alps" since many hiking tours start from here.

Vlorë

Vlorë is the gateway to the Albanian Riviera. Apart from a few nice beaches, the city is also the place where Albania claimed its independence in 1912. In addition to that, Vlorë was founded in the 6th century B.C. and still holds a few interesting archeological sites, which makes it the perfect places to visit for history buffs and beachgoers alike.

Berat

There is no doubt about it: Berat is one of the most beautiful places in Albania. It is also dubbed "the town of a thousand windows" due to the Ottoman-style houses with their large windows all facing the river. Berat is a UNESCO world heritage site and there is so much to explore. The town has over 2,000 years of history and you can climb up the castle for a great view or walk over to the other side of the river, to get a better look at the 1,000 windows.

Gijrokastёr

Many people think, if they have seen Berat, they don't need to go to Gjirokastёr because they are both UNESCO heritage sites and the same. But that's wrong. Gjirokastёr has a completely different vibe with the castle and its winding cobblestoned streets. The little town is the perfect place for a little afternoon stop and to just wander around and get lost in the steep alleyways.

Sarandё

This cute town on the Albanian Riviera town is beautifully located: The town itself is built on a hill and surrounded by the most stunning beaches you will find on the coastline. While life in Saranda is slow, there are definitely a few events going on in the summer.

Ksamil

The beaches in Ksamil are the gems of the Albanian riviera, popular for their crystal clear waters and fine sand. While Ksamil's beaches are definitely stunningly beautiful, the city can get very crowded in the summer though so I do not recommend staying directly there.

Theth

Located in the Albanian Alps, Theth is nothing short of breathtakingly beautiful. Expect cotton-candy skies, high peaks, clear mountain rivers and canyons and sheep grazing on lush meadows.