Albania is located in the most comfortable part of Europe - in the Balkans, on the shores of the warm Ionian and Adriatic seas. Nearby are Greece and Montenegro, which are much more popular with tourists, but Albania is beginning to gradually take away the fame of the best vacation spot from its neighbors.
The advantages of rest in Albania include affordable prices. The country has not yet been spoiled by crowds of tourists; it has very inexpensive food and housing. Albania has everything for recreation - clean beaches, picturesque canyons, untouched nature, a lot of interesting historical sites and attractive corners.
The service is at a fairly high, truly European level, and the locals are very hospitable and respectful of travelers. What you should definitely do in Albania is to get acquainted with the local cuisine and wines. Believe me, Albania is in no way inferior to France in this respect, it will delight you with its culinary delights and a huge selection of various varieties of this noble drink.
We also advise you to visit not only the capital Tirana, but also such cities as Berat, Pogradec and Saranda, where there is also something to see. The advantages of Albania include the relatively modest size of this country - you will have time to get acquainted with almost all of its beauties during one trip.
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What to see in Albania?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a short description.
National Ethnographic Museum in Berat
The museum in the city of Berat was opened relatively recently - in 1979. The building itself, built according to the traditional Berat architecture, attracts attention, as does the amazing immovable furniture literally built into the house. The National Ethnographic Museum allows you to get acquainted with the life of local residents, with their traditions and crafts, in particular, the process of olive oil production. The collection of the museum has over a thousand exhibits.
Chobo winery
This is a family business, the owners of which will be happy to show tourists all the peculiarities of wine production and give them a taste of various varieties of the noble drink, which is the pride of Albania. First, visitors to the Chobo family winery are introduced to the production itself, and then to the collection of wines, where bottles from each harvest year are kept. There are both white and red wines here, and the wide variety of choices makes them dizzy. The wine cellar itself is also quite picturesque, with mosaics and ancient amphoras for storage. The winery is located near the town of Berat.
Skanderbeg square
If Tirana is the main city of Albania, then Skanderbeg Square is its center, the heart of the city, where the most important buildings and attractions are located. The center of the square is occupied by a monument to Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania. It is surrounded by such interesting buildings as the Haji Ethem Bay Mosque, the Opera House, the National Museum and the Saat Kuda Clock Tower, built in 1822. Skanderbeg Square is comparable in size to Red Square, all of its buildings are designed in the style of Italian classicism.
Tirana National History Museum
This museum was founded in 1981 and is located on Skanderbeg Square in the center of Tirana. It is the largest of all Albanian museums and has a collection of more than five thousand exhibits. In the museum, we advise you to definitely visit the Pavilion of Antiquity, where exhibits from the Paleolithic era are collected. There is a separate Pavilion of the Middle Ages, as well as departments of iconography, renaissance, anti-fascism, independence and ethnography. Everything is located very conveniently for tourists, it allows you to get acquainted with all stages of the history of Albania.
Skadar lake
This is the largest lake in the entire Balkan Peninsula, located simultaneously in Albania and Montenegro. Skadar Lake attracts tourists with its picturesque shores, rich flora and fauna, clean water and untouched natural areas that are under state protection. Navigation on Lake Skadar is well developed, so it is better to travel on it by boat. Moreover, the reservoir is known for its islands, on which churches with tombs were built.
Ksamil resort
This is the most famous resort in Albania, which will amaze tourists with its clear water and amazing beach. At first it seems that on the beach you are met by ordinary, though incredibly snow-white and too coarse sand. However, looking closely, you can understand that this is not sand, but stones, ground to such a fine state. The water in the resort of Ksamil, located near the city of Saranda, is incredible blue, just like in the pool. In addition, there are several uninhabited islets that can be reached by swimming.
Berat castle
Berat, which is 123 kilometers from Tirana, is not called a museum city for nothing. This is truly a real museum of ancient architecture and history. Berat Castle is one of the most famous places in the city, located in the very center, as it should be - on a hill. The citadel was built in the XIII century, rises over the entire city and the riverbed. Not only tourists, but also newlyweds are sure to come here. The views from the citadel are stunning, and inside there are several ancient temples and a collection of historical artifacts.
Rozafa fortress
The Rozafa fortress is located not far from the city of Shkoder, in a picturesque place - on a rocky hill, surrounded by two rivers - Drin and Boyan. Scientists believe that the construction of the fortress began in the 3rd century BC. She survived the capture by the Romans, and the siege by the Ottomans, and the war with the Montenegrins. Thanks to local legend, the Rozafa Fortress has become a place of pilgrimage for young women who ask for a happy motherhood. The newlyweds often come here, attracted by the beautiful views. And tourists are primarily attracted by the antiquity and amazing history of this place, although the fortress itself has not been completely preserved. A museum was created in one of the surviving buildings.
Karst spring "Blue Eye"
This spring, located in the south of Albania, got its name for a very simple reason - its waters are really amazing blue. The Blue Eye spring is now part of the national park and is protected by the state. You can get to the source only on foot, after walking several kilometers. The Blue Eye can scare tourists with its unexplored depth - it seems literally bottomless. We do not recommend swimming - the water here is icy and even in hot summer it does not warm up above 13 degrees.
Butrint Archaeological Museum-Reserve
This museum-reserve is located in the southern part of Albania, near the city of Saranda, near the Greek border. Famous for its excavations and a medieval Venetian fortress. Archaeologists managed to unearth the walls of the acropolis, the sanctuary of Asclepius, the theater of the 3rd century BC, the remains of many residential and public buildings, including baths decorated with mosaics, on the territory of Butrint. You can visit the archaeological museum of Butrint on the way to the sea beaches - it is located just two kilometers from the coast.
