Albania is rarely considered as a country for a summer holiday, although in many respects it is more accessible than neighboring Montenegro or Greece. And in terms of the beauty of nature and the purity of the sea, it is not inferior to them. Despite the difficult serpentine roads, you can visit the most interesting places in Albania in a week.
How to get there
Both direct flights and flights with transfers are available. The cost of a round-trip ticket starts from 17,000 rubles* per person. To enter the country you will not need a PCR test or a visa. A car in Tirana can be rented directly at the airport or directly in the city. Prices start from 3,700 rubles* per day, depending on the type of car. Important: the maximum speed in Albanian cities is 40 km/h, outside them – 80 km/h, and on highways – 110 km/h.
Day 1. Tirana and Durres: remnants of communism and family beach holiday
Photo: amyrxa/shutterstock.com
Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania, founded in 1614. It deserves to be explored on your first visit to the country; the city’s cultural heritage sites require at least a day to study.
Durres is the closest beach resort to Tirana, the most famous and perfect for families with children. Located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, it is distinguished by beaches with fine sand and a gentle entrance to the water. Opposite is the Italian town of Bari; before the pandemic, you could get there by ferry.
What to see in Tirana and Durres
Take a look at Bunk’Art 1 and Bunk’Art 2 – bunkers built during the reign of Enver Hoxha and today become museums. This is the best way to learn about Albania’s communist past. It is also worth visiting the Ethem Bey Mosque, the National Historical Museum, and taking a walk in Rinia Park. In Durres, in addition to the beach, there is also something to see: Apollonia (the ruins of an ancient city), Venetian Tower, Mosaic House.
Where to stay in Tirana
There are hotels for every taste and budget:
- Areela Boutique Hotel – from 3000 rubles* per night for two;
- Hotel Austria – from 5300 rubles* per night for two;
- Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana – from 11,700 rubles* per night for two.
Day 2. Shkoder: the oldest fortress and the largest lake in the Balkans
One of the oldest cities in Albania, founded in the 4th century BC. e., belonged first to the Roman Empire, then to the Ottoman Empire. It is located north of Tirana, 100 km from the capital; the journey by car will take you about two hours. Today it is a point of attraction for tourists interested in history. The city surprises with its strong interweaving of Catholicism and Islam, mountain ranges and wild nature. Recreation here is poorly developed, but it’s still worth setting aside a day to explore.
What to see in Shkoder
Visit the Shkoder Fortress, built in the 4th century BC. e., explore the exhibitions of the museum located inside, and climb the mountain to see the majestic massifs from above. Those who want to swim and sunbathe can drive to Lake Skadar, the largest in the Balkans (the water in it warms up to 27 ℃). It is simultaneously located on the territory of two countries, Albania and Montenegro, and used to be a gulf of the Adriatic Sea. There is a national nature reserve nearby.
Where to stay in Shkoder
There are few hotels in Shkoder, we chose the best:
- Buna Park Hotel – from 3500 rubles* per night for two;
- Petit Hotel Elita – from 3600 rubles* per night for two;
- Hotel Restaurant Univers – from 3000 rubles* per night for two.
Day 3. Vlora: the first capital of Albania, mountains and coniferous forests
One of the largest cities in the country and the second largest port is located 130 km from Tirana and is washed by the Adriatic Sea. You will travel from Shkoder, passing the capital, and will spend at least four hours (225 km) on the road. Vlora has been known since the 6th century BC. e., fragments of the wall surrounding it were located next to the modern Flag Square. And in 1912, Vlora was the first capital of independent Albania. There is no beach in the city because of the port, but its absence is compensated by walks along the embankment, along which pine trees are planted. For swimming, you can drive 10–15 km from the city along the coast in both directions.
What to see in Vlora
Those wishing to get acquainted with the national culture will enjoy the Independence Museum, historical and ethnographic museums, and the Muradiye Mosque, built in the 16th century. You can enjoy a beautiful view from the observation deck in the house of one of the leaders of the Bektashi order, Kuzum Baba. And active travelers will appreciate the Logara National Park with mountains and coniferous forests.
Where to stay in Vlora
There are decent hotels in the center of Vlora and by the sea:
- Hotel Martini – from 3400 rubles* per night for two;
- Hotel Rolex – from 3600 rubles* per night for two;
- Hotel Garden – from 3500 rubles* per night for two.
Day 4-5. Himare and surroundings: Albanian Riviera and beaches for every taste
Between Vlora and Saranda lies the Albanian Riviera: a stretch of coastline along the Ionian Sea, stretching for more than 100 km. It includes several relatively large resort towns and a number of smaller villages. The main settlement of the Riviera is Himara (Vlora region), is located near the northern beach of Dhermi and the southern beach of Borsh. Between these three points there are also many places for swimming and secluded relaxation. The distance from Vlora to Himara is just over 70 km.
The peculiarity of the Albanian Riviera is the cleanest sea. True, the beaches are mostly pebble, the shores are steep, there are many bays and gorges, so this is not the best option for swimming with children. But for lovers of active recreation and exploring wild nature, it’s excellent.
What to see in the Albanian Riviera
The Logara Pass and the National Park of the same name will impress with views from a height of 1043 meters (if the clouds don’t cover everything), but only for physically prepared travelers – the climb is difficult. The resort of Dhermi and the village of the same name are the most popular part of the Riviera with discos and other entertainment during the season. The beach of Porto Palermo (just south of Himara) with an old fortress will be more peaceful, and in the bay near Livadi there is a nudist beach.
Where to stay in the Albanian Riviera
The most convenient place is in Himare:
- Aparthotel Himara Apartments – from 3000 rubles* per night for two;
- Mare Bed & Breakfast Himara – from 4700 rubles* per night for two;
- Hotel ARXONTIKO – from 6900 rubles* per night for two.
Day 6. Saranda: nightclubs, water sports and the Ottoman fortress
One of the most popular resorts in Albania, Saranda, is located in a bay surrounded by mountains. From Himara it’s just over an hour’s drive (55 km). On the coastline there is a huge number of hotels and apartments of different price categories, the infrastructure is also well developed: there are nightclubs and bars, catamaran rentals and other water activities. With cultural leisure it is more difficult – people often come here for a beach holiday or for a trip to the island of Corfu located opposite.
What to see in Saranda
Photo: Kateryna Mashkevych/shutterstock.com
Take a walk to the Lekursi fortress, built during the Ottoman Empire, standing on a hill, look at the city and the sea from above, have lunch at the local restaurant. We also recommend visiting the ancient city of Foinike, famous for its huge acropolis, and visiting the ethnographic museum, which will introduce the traveler to the history of Albania.
Where to stay in Saranda
We found some great options close to the beach:
- Barracuda Apartments – from 3700 rubles* per night for two;
- Hotel Piccolino – from 4300 rubles* per night for two;
- Vila Kalcuni – from 7900 rubles* per night for two;
Day 7. Ksamil and Butrint: ruins, “Maldives” and “Caribbean”
Ksamil is often called the Albanian Maldives. And it is located just 15 km from Saranda. There is amazing turquoise water of the Ionian Sea, snow-white sand, exotic landscapes reminiscent of the Caribbean with three islands in the bay, and good infrastructure. Travelers also do not experience a shortage of bars, restaurants and clubs. The city (although it is rather a collection of beaches) is located on the border with Greece and in the high season is characterized by a large number of tourists. The place is ideal for those who want to sunbathe or take beautiful photos by the sea. And for cultural leisure you can go to Butrint, an ancient city not far from Ksamil.
What to see in Ksamil
The ruins of Butrint, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are located 5 km from Ksamil. Today this ancient Greek city is a museum-reserve with an amphitheater and an acropolis; you can spend the whole day here. It is also worth visiting Syuri-i-Kalter: the source, translated as “Blue Eye”, delights with the azure color of the water. It is unlikely that you will be able to swim – the water is very cold (around +13 °C all year round) and the high speed of water flows.
Where to stay in Ksamil
We have selected several options:
- Guest house Villa August Ksamil – from 3900 rubles* per night for two;
- Ksamil Apartments – from 2600 rubles* for two;
- Hotel Villa White – from 3400 rubles* per night for two.
*Prices valid at time of publication
Searching for a hotel, booking rooms and paying will not take much time if you do it on the website or in the OneTwoTrip application.
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