Albania is a small country located north of Greece, opposite southern Italy and south of Croatia, according to an article published on the French travel blog "Je Papote".

Why should you visit Albania?

Albania offers amazing and diverse landscapes, a beautiful rocky coast in the south, fascinating beaches with turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, several large inland lakes and numerous mountain ranges. People are warm and caring. Tourism is already developed, but not excessively so, and the cost of living is more affordable than in Europe. Other attractive, but very subjective aspects: Albania is located in Eastern Europe.

Visit Tirana

This city is worth visiting during a trip to Albania as it is unique. There are streets and large buildings typical of the communist period. Some of which, like the National Art Gallery (1974), some rare and very old buildings and some very lively neighborhoods. In the evening, don't miss the Block. Once a neighborhood of the communist nomenclature, which has turned into a party area. Another curiosity is the New Market, reports ATSh.

Ohrid and Prespa lakes

This region extends to Albania, North Macedonia and Greece. The main city is Pogradeci. There are many affordable hotels and restaurants where you can enjoy local specialties, Koran, a lake fish that is served almost everywhere. A little further south is the lake of Prespa.

Korça and its region

Korça is a very old city in the south of the country. It is located on a plateau, (850 meters above sea level) surrounded by mountains and close to Greece. The best brewery in the country, Birra Korça, is located there. The city center consists mainly of old stone houses and some boulevards from the communist era with concrete buildings. A few kilometers south of Korça, you will discover Dardha. It is a very beautiful mountain village that is currently undergoing complete renovation and development. Some lodges and restaurants are open all year round. There is also a ski resort (Ski-Pista Bigël). The scenery is gorgeous and the elevation avoids high summer temperatures. A perfect base for hikers. The cities of Korça and Gjirokastra are located in the interior of the country, the only two cities in the south of Albania.

Gjirokastra, a city in the south of the country

Its architecture is remarkable with its multi-storied stone houses clinging to the mountain. The city center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. You should not miss a visit to the Castle, which offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Lovers of literature will have the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Ismail Kadare, the well-known writer and national pride of the country. Continuing west, make a stop at the "Blue Eye" spring. This magical place, during communism, was reserved for the party elite. Despite the crowds, the place remains magnificent with crystal clear waters and unmatched transparency.

Riviera Beaches

The Albanian Riviera stretches from Vlora in the north to Saranda in the south. The coast is mostly rocky, but full of coves and bays with gravel beaches. This is the only main road that connects all the villages and beaches of the region. It offers a wonderful view of a perfect blue sea. The Albanian Riviera can be a perfect destination for a relaxing, original and low-cost holiday by the sea.

Cut off

The old village of Qeparo offers stunning views of the Ionian Sea and the island of Corfu. In the summer of 2015, the seafront was completely renovated. Every year a progress is seen in the economic and touristic development.

Karaburun Peninsula

The Karabun Peninsula is a former military zone to which access was prohibited until the early 1990s. Today it is a nature reserve accessible only on foot or by boat. To find out, rent a boat in Orikum for a few hours, which takes you to the tip of the peninsula, to a sea cave where you can swim. There are several beaches on the east coast of the peninsula.

Vlora and the archaeological site of Apollonia

Vlora is a major port city and a crossing point to go to the Albanian Riviera. The city is two-sided, an old part with a very oriental atmosphere and another part influenced by communist architecture. About 40 kilometers north of Vlora, lies Apollonia or Apollonia of Illyria, a very beautiful archaeological site. The area was discovered and excavated by Franco-Albanian teams in the 1930s.

Berat

Berat, known as the "city of a thousand windows", is one of the oldest cities in Albania. The city attracts an increasing number of visitors every year, thanks to the 13th century castle, as well as the outstanding museum of Orthodox icons, the Onufri museum.

Shkodra

Shkodra is a large city located on the shore of the lake of the same name which serves as the border between Albania and Montenegro in the north. Lake Shkodra is wonderful. It is surrounded by mountains and you can swim there at sunset. Also visit Rozafa Castle built in the 14th century by the Republic of Venice. A few kilometers south of Shkodra, there is the coastal resort, Shengjin beach.

Climate in Albania

Albania has a Mediterranean climate with relatively rainy winters and hot and dry summers. Average maximum temperatures do not exceed 30 degrees Celsius neither in the sea nor in the interior of the country.