8 Best Places to Visit in Albania Before You Die

Warm weather, idyllic beaches, bargain prices and a great mountain scenery is what you should expect from this list of the best places to visit in Albania before you die. Over the last several years, Albania has slowly risen up from its communist cocoon to be a popular spot for tourists from all over Europe and other parts of the world.

Tirana, the capital city, is a cosmopolitan and curious place. Its endless communist-era houses have been enlivened with bright paint. In certain parts of this city, these old houses stand beside the modern Italian and Ottoman architecture. It is disorderly and haphazard, but wildly vibrant and alive with the unending discord of voices and whir of cars in traffic adding spice to the atmosphere.

Albania’s biggest asset that will amaze you even as you check out the best places to visit in Croatia before you die is its Adriatic coastline. This is also considered as an Albanian Riviera. The beaches in this location draw considerable sunbathing crowds from July to August. This heavenly stretch of pristine beaches is breathtaking and is sure to amaze any traveler.

Further inland into Albania are stony trails for hiking amongst the sun bleached and lunar mountains. The remote villages offer an inviting welcome to all inquisitive travelers. With pothole filled roads and unpredictable bus routes, simply getting into the interior of the country is already a great adventure. However, when the travel logistics prove to be very taxing, there is always the benefit of well-prepared tasty meals, great wine and hospitable locals that will spur you forward.

With its great combination of engaging history, sandy beaches and highly competitive pricing, Albania’s once anonymous charms are being shouted to everyone across the world. Here is a list of the best places to visit in Albania before you die.

 

8. Berat

Located in the center of Albania at River Osum, Berat was basically constructed as a glorious castle on a hill. You can find the original ancient castle on this hill and it is called the Kalaja. The large castle contains a full district with many mosques and churches and is worth a visit. A significant feature of Berat is that houses in this area have huge windows. The surrounding small villages are a typical countryside, which you can also visit on a day trip.

 

7. Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera is located in the south-west part of Albania, and it is characterized by its steep coastal. It is comparable to the famed Italian Riviera; however, this one is less crowded and much quieter. The beaches are very inviting and you will either want to go sunbathing or swimming in the clear waters. Newly built resorts in the area allure thousands of travelers and promise an excellent holiday.

 

6. Apollonia

Named after God Apollon, Apollonia was once the most important town in prehistoric times. The ruins here are still very impressive and portray how glorious the original city was. Some of the attractions include theaters, temples, libraries and various other buildings, include the rotted mansions. This location is quite impressive and it offers a great view of the surrounding area.

 

5. Durres

Durres is a large city that is found on the Albanian coastline and serves as a critical harbor city. It is not only important from a financial viewpoint, but also as a cultural capital. Actually, many feasting and cultural events are held here throughout the year. The amphitheater plays a crucial role in hosting these events and is among the major attractions in the city.

 

4. Gjirokastra

This town in the southern part of Albania has been recognized by UNESCO cultural heritage site. This is because of the very distinctive architectural style that the buildings portray. This design is known as Balkan architecture style and it comprises of small houses made like castles. The stones help in maintaining optimal temperatures within the home and they form part of the attraction today. There are also several cultural attractions such as theaters, religious place and museums.

 

3. Kruja

An important building found in Kruja is the well-known Kruja Castle that attracts many people. This castle is a treasured site for Albanians and it contains Skanderbeg Museum that contains important artifacts about the war that occurred in this region.

 

2. Tirana

Albania’s capital city, Tirana, forms the political and economic center of the nation. With many cultural facilities, modern architecture and high-quality hotels, there is a lot that you can do in Tirana. The city is also very pleasing and you will find the people here energized and eager to help out travelers. There are many museums, zoos and parks to enjoy yourself here.

 

And, the best place to visit in Albania before you die is: Shkodra

Located near the Montenegro border, Shkodra is among the largest cities in Albania. It has a long history of conquests and battles. The Rozafa Castle ruins are an important attraction within this town. The town has since recovered from the tough battles to rise to a crucial trading center with a unique culture.

Hope you benefited from our guide of the best places to visit in Albania before you die.