Photo by: Yves Alarie on Unsplash

Albania 🇦🇱

Remote, 19th-century Ottoman structure built on top of an earlier Venetian ruin, accessible by boat.

Ksamil other

http://www.bashkia-berat.net/

other

Natural mountain spring named for its rich color, surrounded by wild ferns, oaks & sycamores.

There’s a shuttle to here from Saranda that costs 1400 lek round trip.
There are signs everywhere saying no swimming, but tons of people seem to do it anyway.

Sarande activity

Popular hike to a beautiful blue swimming spots. There are several restaurants along the way, including ones directly above the Blue Eye. There’s a beautiful place below a bridge that many people mistakenly think is Blue Eye. The actual Blue Eye is across the bridge and just a few more minutes up the path.

If you just did the Valbona hike and don’t feel up for the three-hour hike to Blue Eye, you can hire a taxi for around 5 euros / person (minimum 15 euros). This cuts the hike down to about 45 minutes.

Theth activity

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bovilla+Lake,+Albania/@41.4517423,19.8806597,13z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sBovilla+Lake!3m5!1s0x1351cb0fbd49bc67:0x9260f7e0f121897c!8m2!3d41.4456666!4d19.8990739!16s%2Fg%2F11b6_9qmfd

activity

Unique Albanian history museum inside a preserved, Communist-era nuclear pit bunker.

The museum covers the history of Albania’s police force, focusing on the time of fascism, torture, and murder of the population.

Tirana activity

Olive-shaded archaeological site home to the Greek, Roman & medieval remains of the city of Butrint.

Ksamil activity

Landmark 12th-century castle overlooking the city, with military exhibits, a clock tower & a church.

activity

Castle dating back to the 5th century, with sweeping views of Tirana and the coastline. Inside the castle is a small museum.

Kruja activity

http://www.all-about-himara.com/dhermi-beach

other

Delicious sandwiches, wraps, salads, and pastas in an air-conditioned space.

Shkodër food

http://www.durres.gov.al/

other

Amazing fresh pasta and salsas. There’s a free desert included in every meal.

Tirana food

Abandoned village overlooking Lumi i Shales. You can reach it via a hiking trail that leaves from behind the guesthouses Eagles Land and Zgiboza.

There’s a fresh spring where you can refill water bottles near the village.

activity

A network of caves burrows into the cliffs around this white-sand beach popular for day trips.

other

https://maps.app.goo.gl/m2gejvaCBAHt8A656?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Imported other

Friendly family-run guesthouse with dorms and private rooms. The meals are great and large, and it’s in a perfect location for easy access to the river and the most popular hikes in Theth.

Theth lodging

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMrNVmSvj/

Sarande activity

https://maps.app.goo.gl/n2DdY9e2tp8GxmLE8?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Imported food

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMrNVh1V8/

Imported other

Regular shuttle to Blue Eye from Saranda. Check posts on Google Maps for pictures of their current schedule.

Sarande transportation

Picturesque, steep-walled gorge with a river for rafting trips past numerous waterfalls.

activity

Beautiful river that cuts through a narrow gorge.

activity

Three hour ferry from Koman to Fierza, considered one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world.

transportation

https://maps.google.com/?cid=12918792729869556373

Kruja activity

Cute town near Tirana. It’s for the old Kruja castle, as well the Sari Salltik shrine / religious site.

Kruja other

And Ksamil is still heaven on earth. One of my wife and I’s happiest days was renting a pedalo, bouncing round the tiny islands with a flask of strawberry margaritas, a kilo of cherries and a pile of chicken sandwiches.

https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/15ad3sy/comment/jtkhyh4/

Ksamil other

Secluded strip with cliffs covered in olive groves, laid-back restaurants & a castle ruin.

other

Panoramic zigzagging mountain road ascending the Ceraunian Mountains with Adriatic Sea views.

activity

Remote canyon with guesthouses and bars along a beautiful river. There’s swimming, plenty of lounge chairs, and a great hike to an abandoned village overlooking the canyon.

Getting here involves a 40-minute ferry on the beautiful Komani lake.

other

Ottoman-era stone bridge with multiple arches in an area popular for swimming & cycling tours.

Shkodër other

7 climbing routes reach this 2,751-m. peak, including one that incorporates a gondola ride.

other

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ikz1bd8ACx46fFEV9?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Tirana activity

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GekBE5DCyPY311Yt9?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Imported activity

Open air movie theater in Tirana’s Grand Park.

Tirana activity

Traditional restaurant especially known for their Father’s Rice. Portions are generous and service is very quick.

Shkodër food

There’s no Uber / Grab in Albania, but Patoko is a similar app for calling cabs. My foreign credit card wasn’t accepted for payment, but you can also pay cash instead.

transportation

Hilltop 15th-century castle offering views, a 6th-century tower & a restaurant with local cuisine.

Tirana activity

I haven’t made it here yet, but other travelers told me it was the best pizza they’ve ever had.

Tirana food

Opened in 1988 as the Enver Hoxha Museum, this large pyramidal structure is now a conference center.

Tirana activity

Remains of a landmark Venetian limestone castle in a hilltop archaeological park.

Shkodër activity

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FGR6cf7E2m1z4UuFA?g_st=com.dennisfalling.Ido.ShareExtension

Sarande other

Shrine to a 13th century Turkish holy man. There’s a nice hike up from Kruya, passing a fresh spring pool with frogs and drinking water.

Kruja other

Imported other

Delicious cheap traditional Albanian food. It’s super confusing if it’s your first time. Go to the back right of the restaurant where you can see the plates of the day. Pick out your food and head to a table. In a few minutes they’ll bring it to you.

Imported food

A small town spread out along the coast of the lake. You can bike along the road and stop at a number of great restaurants for coffee or fresh fish.

Shkodër other

Town right on the border with Montenegro on the edge of lake Shkodra. It’s the starting point for trips to Valbona, Theth, and Blue Eye.

Shkodër other

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMrN1GtaU/

Ksamil activity

Prominent central square featuring a national hero monument & surrounding historic buildings.

Tirana activity

A mysterious cave/tunnel that’s flooded with water. It’s a short scramble up a shale cliff from the road below, and has great views of the valley and castle.

Shkodër activity

This is the bus terminal for regional buses to the north (eg Shkoder) and south (eg Himare, Ksamil). Buses leave every hour or so for the bigger cities, and you pay 500 leke cash on the bus.

Tirana transportation

https://maps.google.com/?cid=9828327975849855845

Ksamil other

Former 18th-century stone livestock bridge, now restored for use by pedestrians.

Tirana activity

Relaxed budget lodging offering free Wi-Fi, breakfast & a bar, plus gardens & a shared kitchenette.

Shkodër lodging

This 26.3-km² park in the Alps offers diverse flora, valleys, forests & 20 species of mammals.

Theth activity

Albania’s most popular hike. 15km, 5-8 hours. It’s easiest and most scenic to do it from Valbona to Theth.

Theth activity

Spacious public park with a botanical garden, zoo, the Presidential Palace, a church & a lake.

Tirana activity

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMrL9G5YE/

Imported activity

Factory that makes masks for Venice’s carnaval. There are free tours to watch how they hand-make every mask, ending in the showroom full of thousands of unique masks.

Shkodër activity

Beautiful waterfall that’s around 30-40 minute hike from Theth. The hike has beautiful views of streams and old cottages along the way.

Theth activity