Travel in Albania

Hotels in Sarandë

Hotels in Tiranë

Hotels in Ksamil

Hotels in Vlorë

Hotels in Durrës

Hotels in Golem

Hotels in Himare

Lake Ohrid

Straddles the mountainous border between southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem that is of worldwide importance, with more than 200 endemic species.
Lake Ohrid is the deepest lake of the Balkans, with a maximum depth of 288 m (940 ft) and a mean depth of 155 m (508 ft). It covers an area of 358 km² (138 sq mi), containing an estimated 55.4 km³ of water. It is 30.4 km long by 14.8 km wide at its maximum extent with a shoreline length of 87.53 km, shared between Macedonia (56.02 km) and Albania (31.51 km). Of the total surface area, 248 square kilometres (96 sq mi) belongs to the Republic of Macedonia and 110 km2 belongs to Albania.

Lake Skadar

It is named after the city of Shkodër in northern Albania. Lake Skadar is the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula with a surface area that seasonally fluctuates between 370 km2 (140 sq mi) to 530 km2 (200 sq mi).[1] Lake Skadar itself is located on the western Balkan with approximately two-third (229 km2 (88 sq mi)) of its surface belonging to Montenegro and about one-third (142 km2 (55 sq mi)) to Albania.[1] The lake’s water level also varies seasonally from 4.7 to 9.8 m above sea level. The lake extends in the NW-SE direction, and it is approximately 44 km long.
Dolphin-shaped Lake Skadar (Скадарско Језеро), the Balkans’ largest, has its tail and two-thirds of its body in Montenegro and its nose in Albania. On the Montenegrin side, an area of 400 sq km has been protected by a national park since 1983; today, Skadar is renowned as one of Europe’s top bird habitats. It’s a blissfully pretty area encompassing steep mountains, island monasteries, clear waters, and floating meadows of water lilies. The main – albeit tiny – towns here are Virpazar and Vranjina, though if you’ve got wheels, you can easily explore the handful of timeless villages sprinkled along the shore. Lake Skadar is a popular escape for nature lovers, outdoor-activity aficionados and locals fleeing the heat of Podgorica. Legend has it that the lake was created by the tears of a pixie; that may be fanciful, but after one look at magical Skadar, you may find yourself believing in fairy tales too.
Millions of years ago the area that’s now Lake Skadar was a bay of the Adriatic Sea. The changing geography cut it off from the sea and it became the Zeta-Skadar plain behind Mount Rumija.

Muzeu Historik Kombëtar

Is 27,000 square metres in size, while 18,000 square metres are available for expositions. The National Historical Museum is the national historical museum of Albania and the country's largest museum located in Tirana.

Rozafa Castle

Is a castle near the city of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania. It rises imposingly on a rocky hill, 130 metres (430 ft) above sea level, surrounded by the Bojana and Drin rivers.
One of the places we stayed in during our recent trip through the Balkans was the town of Shkodër in the northwest region of the country, close to the border of Montenegro. This area was very unlike the southern part of the country from which we had just come. The beauty of the open and mountainous countryside was replaced with a large, bustling town and overlooking it, sit the magnificent ruins of Rozafa Castle.
A board hung at the entrance showed the entrance fees of 200 lek (approximately £1.30 each), although the chap only charged the 12 of us 1000 lek in total to gain entry.
The thick stone walls are 880 metres long over an area of nine hectares with most of the remaining walls thought have been built by the Venetians.

Porto Palermo Castle

Is a castle near Himarë in southern Albania. It is situated in the bay of Porto Palermo, a few kilometers south of Himarë along the Albanian Riviera. Huffington Post ranked Porto Palermo first among 15 Undiscovered European Destinations for 2014.

Et'hem Bey Mosque

Mosque located in the center of the Albanian capital Tirana. The Mosque is composed by prayer hall, a portico that surrounds it from east and north and the minaret. On the north side is the entrance to the prayer hall, which is a squared plan and is constructed in a unique volume. It is covered with dome and the dome is semi-spherical and has no windows. To one side of Sheshi Skënderbej, the 1789–1823 Et'hem Bey Mosque was spared destruction during the atheism campaign of the late 1960s because of its status as a cultural monument. Small and elegant, it's one of the oldest buildings left in the city. Take your shoes off to look inside at the beautifully painted dome.

Pyramid of Tirana

Is a structure and former museum located in Tirana, Albania. From 1944 to 1992, Albania was governed under a harsh Communist ideal that modeled itself after Stalinism. Landmarks such as the pyramid of Tirana still recall darker days.The out-of-place pyramid was built as a museum in honor of Enver Hoxha, a former Albanian leader who furthered the ideals of Stalinism for decades after the Russian dictator died. Designed by Hoxha’s daughter and son-in-law to keep the leader’s legacy alive, earning it the informal name, “The Enver Hoxha Mausoleum.” The museum retained its original purpose until 1991, and as national attitudes began to change, the space was converted to a convention center in the first shift in purpose that would eventually lead to its downfall.

Skanderbeg Museum

The national hero of Albania. The museum is located inside the Krujë Castle and the restored bazaar. The citadel includes a restored house from the Ottoman era that is now the Ethnographic Museum. The Skanderbeg Museum (Muzeu Kombetar Gj. Kastriot Skenderbeu) was inaugurated in November 1982, and named to honor George Kastrioti Skanderbeg (1405–1466), a national hero of Albania. The museum is located inside Krujë fortress and the restored bazaar. The memorial building was designed by Pranvera Hoxha and Pirro Vaso.

Korab

Is the highest peak of the eponymous fourth highest mountain in the entire Balkan Peninsula, standing at 2,764 metres (9,068 ft).
The Korab range stretches over 40 kilometres (25 mi) in a north-south direction between the lower section of the Black Drin and its tributary Radika. It is located around the border triangle of Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo, southwest of the mountain Šar Mountains

Lëkurësi Castle

Is a ruined castle in Lëkurës, southern Albania. The castle is on a strategic hill point overlooking the town of Saranda, southeast of the town centre. From here one can control the whole town as well as the islands of Ksamil.

Rinia Park

Is the central public park of Tirana, Albania. Built in 1950 during the communist era, it covers an area of 29.81 hectares (73.7 acres). The park, 500 metres (1,600 ft) from the central square, is bordered by Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard to the east, Bulevardi Gjergi Fishta and Bajram Curri Boulevard to the south, Rruga Ibrahim Rugova (former "Deshmoret e 4 Shkurtit") to the west and Rruga Myslym Shyri to the north.
Rinia Park (Parku Rinia) is another of Tirana’s lush green spaces. The park was built in the 1950’s and covers an area of almost 30 hectares. Best know for the Summer Festival held there every year, Parku Rinia a complete rebuild in 2000 saw a huge resurgence in the spot’s popularity. The water feature here is quite extraordinary.
Beside all the usual city park attractions,  Rinia Park also has a superb restaurants, terraces, cafes, and the aforementioned water park feature. Tiranians flock to the park in the evenings, taking pleasure from the many diversions, as well as the relative peace and quiet.

Berat Castle

Is a fortress overlooking the town of Berat, Albania. It dates mainly from the 13th century and contains many Byzantine churches in the area and Ottoman mosques.Berat Castle, a fortress landmark in the city of Berat, Albania, lies high above the Osum River. The castle dates back 2,500 years and records of its first conquering were accomplished by the Romans in 200 B.C. After many centuries of stone reinforcement, the exterior (perimeter) was enlarged slowly over time, under Byzantine conquerors, in the 5th, 6th, and 13th centuries. Currently the castle is in restoration due in part to a UNESCO World Heritage Site acknowledgement. (This is a welcome "gift" for the the residents of the castle who have been left under served as the city below has gotten much attention.)
Inside Berat castle houses many historical elements. A Mosque, "Red Mosque", which can be identified by it's lonely minaret (a staircase inside provides access to the top), more than 20 Christian churches, and a central museum which surrounds one of the largest Orthodox churches with many 16th century paintings, by "Master Onufri", and a decorative alter inside. (Many churches in Albania were destroyed during the Communist years as an "Atheist State" was declared during Enver Hoxha's reign.) Other architectural elements are court yards, a large cistern in the center, and numerous houses of stone in which the residents of the castle still occupy today; this is an absolute specialty in castle heavy Europe as it's one of the last remaining!
Accessing the castle easily can only be done from the Southern side. Many people who continue to live in the castle enter and exit the Southern entrance as the Northern is a drop off to the Osum River, over 100m. If entering by foot, a 200m walk up the steep cobble stone hill from downtown Berat will be rewarding. Many residents of the castle prefer to take an afternoon bus that departs from the opposite side of the city, straight through town, and up a back route.

Berat National Ethnographic Museum

Is a ethnographic museum located in Berat, Albania it opened in 1979 and contains a diversity of everyday objects from throughout Berat's history.
On the steep hillside that leads up to the castle is this excellent museum, which is housed in an 18th-century Ottoman house that's as interesting as the exhibits. The ground floor has displays of traditional clothes and the tools used by silversmiths and weavers, while the upper storey has kitchens, bedrooms and guest rooms decked out in traditional style.

Gjirokastër Castle

Is a fortress in Gjirokastër, Albania (during Ottoman rule it was historically known as Ergiri while local Greeks referred to it as Argyrokastro, a name applied also to the castle). Gjirokastër Castle is situated at a height of 336 metres (1,102 ft)
 It is open to visitors and contains a military museum featuring captured artillery and memorabilia of the Communist resistance against German occupation, as well as a captured United States Air Force plane to commemorate the Communist regime's struggle against the "imperialist" western powers.
Today, the fort sits on top of a hill that towers over the surrounding town making it a striking monument to the grandeur of the past.
All of the dictators and war aside, the small field atop the castle roof is also now home to a concert pavilion that hosts festival entertainment each year, and is generally a more exuberant and positive place than much of the rest of the castle.

Durrës Archaeological Museum

The country’s largest such museum, it’s the place to engage with wave after wave of empires and cultures that passed through Albania. In addition to its displays, ranging from small ancient coins to Greek terra-cotta figures and Roman tombstones, the museum hosts classical music concerts by international artists.

BunkArt 2 (Tirana)

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Kruja Ethnographic Museum

Very near to the modern Skenderbeg museum is the ethnographic museum of Kruja, within the remains of the old citadel of Kruja castle. It is the best preserved ethnographic museum of Albania and is packed from bottom to top with a lot of objects, situated in an old traditional house in Turkish style, built in 1764. The museum is also called the National Ethnographic museum, because of its importance. Surrounded by a wall, well marked, the entrance is through the original gate at the back of the house, while you will leave through the “front door”. All the rooms are furnished in the original way, kitchen, sleeping rooms, guestrooms etcetera, all packed with objects like clothes, musical instruments, utensils and other objects of importance. In the basement of the house, before entering the living rooms on the first floor, is an exhibition of crafts. Production of raki, olive oil, woolen dresses and qeleshë, the skull caps, is explained. Within the living rooms it is even possible to climb up to the place where the women stayed when guests were in the Oda. One of the main attractions of this museum is the private bath. It seems to be the only preserved personal Turkish bath in Albania.

Skenduli House

The latest Ottoman-era mansion to receive a renovation, the Skenduli House is well worth a visit and desperately needs contributions to pay for the remaining restoration work. You'll most likely be shown around by Mr Skenduli himself, who speaks Italian and some basic French, but no English. The house dates from 1700 and has many fascinating features.

Gjirokastër Ethnographic Museum

Gjirokastër Ethnographic Museum is a museum in western Gjirokastër, Albania. The museum is erected on the site of communist dictator Enver Hoxha's birth home and offers an insight into the traditional lifestyle of the town.The ethnographic museum is situated in the Palorto Quarter, which is the best preserved district in the old town of  Gjirokastra. The Ethnographic Museum stands on the site of the home of Enver Hoxha, communist dictator of Albania from 1944 to 1985.  The museum building was constructed in 1966 after the original house was destroyed by fire.  The reconstruction was designed as a model traditional Gjirokastra house with many classic features known to have been copied from particular houses around the city.  From 1966 to 1991 the building served as the Anti-Fascist Museum. In 1991 the exhibits from the previous Ethnographic Museum were moved into this space. The house has four floors, all of which are open to the public.
The rooms are arranged as they would have actually been used and are decorated with numerous household items, folk costumes and cultural artefacts typical of a wealthy Gjirokastra family of merchants or Ottoman administrators living in the 19th Century.

Lake Prespa

Prespa is the name of two freshwater lakes in southeast Europe, shared by Albania, Greece, and the Republic of Macedonia. Of the total surface area, 176.3 km2 (68.07 sq mi) belongs to the Republic of Macedonia, 46.3 km2 (17.88 sq mi) to Albania and 36.4 km2 (14.05 sq mi) to Greece. They are the highest tectonic lakes in the Balkans, standing at an elevation of 853 m (2,798 ft).

Butrint National Park

Is a national park in southern Albania, located some 18 kilometres (11 mi) south of Sarandë, close to Sarandë in Vlorë County. The park encompasses 9,424 hectares (94.24 km2) of hilly terrain with freshwater lakes, wetlands, salt marshes, marshlands, open plains, islands and over 1,200 different species of animals and plants. The park's mandate includes the protection of the lake and lagoon of Butrint, the natural channel of Vivari, the islands of Ksamil and as well the archaeological site, that provides valuable remains of ancient civilizations.
The area around the antique town of Butrint in southern Albania is not only home to several globally threatened species, but has also a rich cultural history, justifying its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The National Park comprises a high diversity of natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats, such as freshwater marshes, reed beds, Mediterranean forests and maquis, arable lands and fruit-tree terraces, as well as coastal waters with rocky and sandy coast, open halophytic lands, etc. These habitats shelter a high diversity of animals and plants, including species of global and regional concern, which make the Butrint area one of the most important areas for biodiversity in Albania.
The Park is of great importance for the conservation of global biodiversity as it is the site of 16 endangered species of flora and 14 globally endangered species of fauna. The wetlands area is shaped by a tectonic lagoon of 1600 ha, known as Lake Butrint, surrounded by forested hills, mountains, freshwater and brackish marshes and connected to the straits of Corfu by the Vivari canal. The “Lake” has an average depth of 14 m (maximum 22 m), while the natural channel of Vivari is up to 100 m wide. The archaeological remains of Butrint are part of the natural woodland with a complex ecosystem which depends on the nearby freshwater Lake Butrint and Vivari Channel which drain the lake into the Ionian.

Skanderbeg Square

Is the main plaza in the centre of Tirana, Albania. The square is named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. The total area is about 40.000 square metres. The Skanderbeg Monument dominates the square.
The Sheshi Skënderbej (Skanderbeg Square) is the heart of Tirana, a lively meeting place, surrounded by some of the most important tourist attractions of the city. This is where you will find the National History Museum of Albania, a statue of Albanian hero Skanderbeg, the National Theater, the Gallery of Figurative Arts, the Palace of Congresses, and other important landmarks.

Blue Eye, Albania

Is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near Muzinë in Vlorë County, southern Albania. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning, more than fifty-metre-deep pool. Divers have descended to fifty metres, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of the karst hole is.
This is the initial water source of Bistricë river , 25 km long, which ends in the Ionian Sea south of Sarandë, The source stands at an altitude of 152 m and has a discharge rate of 18400 l/s, The immediate area 1.8 km2 (0.69 sq mi) is a Nature Monument and is characterized by oak and sycamore trees.

Llogara National Park

Is a national park centered on the Ceraunian Mountains along the Albanian Riviera in Southwestern Albania, spanning an surface area of 1,010 ha (10.1 km2)
Driving along the coastal road from Orikum to Dhermi you will pass through the famous Llogara Pass, a spectacular winding road, rising up to 1,027m and overlooking the Ionian coast of the Albanian Riviera. This is the highest point on the main coastal road between Vlore and Sarande.
The first road over Llogara Pass was built in 1920 but until as recently as 2009 the road from Llogara to Sarande was very narrow, almost single lane, partially a dirty road or a raod with an old dilapidated coating.
Llogara Pass (Qafa e Llogarasë – in Albanian) sits at the height of 1027m and is nestled in the middle of the Çika Mountain range which is part of the Llogara National Park.
The Çika Mountain range starts at the Karaburun peninsula, and as it’s running south it’s becoming taller and taller. The top peak – Çika reaches 2,044 meters elevation, and it stands a little south of Llogara Pass. This mountain range runs almost for the whole length of the Ionian coast until the city of Sarande.

Drin River

Is the longest river in Albania, having a total length of 335 km (208 mi), of which 285 km (177 mi) flow within Albania and the remainder in Kosovo and the Republic of Macedonia.It then flows west for about 335 km (208 mi) passing through the Albanian Alps and Fierzë then upon reaching the Dukagjini highlands, flowing then to the south through Apripë e Gurit, Toplanë, Dushman, Koman, Vjerdhë Mazrrek, Rragam, and Pale Lalej.

Valbona valley

Is a national park inside the Albanian Alps in northern Albania. The park covers a total area of 80 km2 (31 sq mi), encompassing Valbona River and its surrounding areas with mountainous terrain, alpine landscapes, glacial springs, deep depressions, various rock formations, waterfalls and the Valbona Valley with its dense coniferous and deciduous forest.[2] It is characterized by its very remote areas which have a large preserved ecosystem all of which is primarily untouched with pristine quality. This vast pristine ecosystem is the centrepiece of what has been referred to as the Albanian Miracle of the Alps.

Krujë Castle

Krujë castle was built in the 5th or 6th century, perched above the city of the same name. At the time of the Ottoman threat, it was the headquarters of Gjergj Kastrioti, the “Dragon of Albania,” an Albanian nobleman and military commander. Kastrioti was sent as a hostage to the Ottoman court early in his life, and after leaving service, led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire in Albania.
Under his command, the elliptical castle, defended by a small army usually no larger than 3,000 men, fought off multiple massive sieges from the Turks, beginning in 1444. Ottoman forces who conquered large areas like Constantinople and the Balkans could not break the castle’s defences.
Kastrioti’s military skills presented a major obstacle to Ottoman expansion into Western Europe. The Ottoman Turks gave him the name Iskender bey, meaning “Lord Alexander” or “Leader Alexander” (which has been translated as Skanderbeg in English), believed to be no less than a comparison to Alexander the Great.
The Albanian stronghold finally fell, ten years after the “dragon’s” death in 1468, and was taken over by the Ottoman ruler Sultan Mehmed II.
The castle now contains a museum dedicated to this legendary Albanian leader. The exhibits of have been arranged in a way that chronicles Skanderbeg’s life and military achievements, one of the proudest periods of Albanian history. An important display is the replica of the Arms of Skanderbeg: his famous goat head-topped helmet and sword.
In front of the museum are the remains of an Ottoman-era mosque and its minaret, Sultan Mehmed Fatih mosque, named after the man who finally broke down the castle’s security.
A traditional home in the castle complex, below the Skanderbeg Museum, houses the Ethnographic Museum. The museum is located in an original 19th century house that belonged to the wealthy Toptani family. It shows the level of self-sufficiency the household maintained by producing its own food, drink and household artifacts. The home’s luxury is well presented with the walls lined with frescoes, intricately carved woodwork, colourfully painted furniture and the house’s own mini Turkish bath (hammam).
On the road to leading up to the castle stands a section of a 450-year-old bazaar, that in its heyday, saw more than 150 merchants selling their goods to the castle’s visitors and residents. It now sells traditional crafts and antiques.
 Albania and the center of Skanderbeg's rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Inside the castle is the Teqe of Dollme of the Bektashi (an Islamic Sufi sect), the National Skanderbeg Museum, the remains of the Fatih Sultan Mehmed mosque and its minaret, an ethnographic museum and a Turkish bath.

Kulla e Sahatit Clock Tower of Tirana

Was built in 1811 in Tirana, Albania by Etëhem Bey Mollaj, a Bejtexhinj poet who also finished the Et'hem Bey Mosque next to the clock tower. The stairs have 90 steps that go in a spiral fashion. It is 35 metres (115 ft) tall and was the tallest building in the city at the time. Since the restoration of 2016, 9,833 visitors were counted, who have visited the Tower.

Skanderbeg Monument

The Skanderbeg Monument is a monument in the Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania. It commemorates Skanderbeg, the national hero in Albania for resisting the Ottomans.

Lake Butrint

Is a salt lagoon south of Saranda, Albania, located in direct proximity of the Ionian Sea. It is surrounded by dense forested hills, rocky coast and complimented by saltwater and freshwater marshlands. The lake has a length of 7.1 km (4.4 mi) and a width of 3.3 km (2.1 mi), with a surface area of 16 km2 (6.18 sq mi).[2] The maximum depth of the lake is 24.4 m (80 ft).At the south, the Vivari Channel connects the lagoon to the sea.

Dajti

The Dajti belongs to the Skanderbeg range. In winter, the mountain is often covered with snow, and it is a popular retreat to the local population of Tirana that rarely sees snow falls. Its slopes have forests of pines, oak and beech, while its interior contains canyons, waterfalls, caves, a lake, and an ancient castle.
The mountain can be reached through a narrow asphalted mountain road onto an area known as Fusha e Dajtit. This was the location of a summer camp but now is the site of many restaurants and radio and TV transmitters. From this small area there is an excellent view of Tirana and its plain. This is the reason this place has been named as the Balcony of Tirana.

Llogara Pass

Is a high mountain pass within the Ceraunian Mountains along the Albanian Riviera. It connects the Dukat Valley in the north with Himarë in the south. Orikum is the nearest city on the northern side of the pass and the village of Dhërmi in the south.
The Llogara Pass is also part of the Llogara National Park, which spans an area of 10.1 km2

Theth National Park

Is a national park in northern Albania. The park covers 2,630 ha (26.3 km2) and is centred on the Albanian Alps, encompassing the larger portion of Shala Valley.[3][4] The park was established to protect various ecosystems and biodiversity and the cultural and historical heritage of the region. It is dominated by high terrain, with a wide variety of natural features including valleys, rivers, mountains, waterfalls, dense forests and several rock formations.
The “National Park of Theth” lies into the center of the Albanians Alps, between the block “Bjeshket te Nëmuna” on the west, and the block of Jezerca on the east. Thethi is a tourist – alpinist region and it is the most important one north of the country. It is only 70 km away from the city of Shkodra. It is a part of the commune Shalë within the region of Dukagjin. The park is surrounded from all four angles with pitons (rocky) of the two blocks above, which ascend down towards the valley and create an amazing view. Some of the most astonishing parts of this national park are the following: The peak of Radoines (2570m), Arapit (2217m), Paplukës (2569m), Alisë (2471m) etc. Hanging 750–800 meters below within the valley stretches the pictorial village of Theth.

Durrës Amphitheatre

Is a large Roman amphitheatre in the city of Durrës, Albania. Built in the 2nd century AD during Roman Emperor Trajan's rule, it is located in the centre of the city and is only half unearthed. The Durrës Amphitheatre is one of the largest amphitheatres in the Balkan peninsula.

Mount Tomorr

Mount Tomorr is a mountain in southern Albania, reaching an elevation of 2,417 metres,Mount Tomorr offers various sports such as hiking, horse or donkey riding, canoeing, and skiing.

Maja Jezercë

Is the highest peak in the entire Dinaric Alps, the second highest in Albania and the seventh highest in the Balkans, standing at 2,694 m.

Sazan Island

Is an island inside the Mediterranean Sea in southern Albania. It is the largest island in Albania and strategically located between the Strait of Otranto and the entrance to the Bay of Vlorë, forming the border between the Adriatic and Ionian Sea. The island has a surface area of 5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi) with a length of 4.8 km (3.0 mi), width of 2 km (1.2 mi) and a coastline of about 15 km (9.3 mi).
A fortified island with a vast network of bunkers and tunnels built to withstand nuclear attacks is to be officially opened to tourists for the first time this year. Sazan Island, a famously mysterious island, lies a few miles off the coast of Albania in the Adriatic Sea.It officially remains a military base, was once home to more than 3000 troops, and has been long off-limits to both visitors and locals.With Albania in the midst of something of a tourist boom, with an increase of 15% in visitors last year, the time was ripe to open the new attraction.The island is only about two square miles but despite its diminutive size, it more than makes up for it in wildlife diversity.It has a slightly different climate to the rest of Albania and because of that, has an array of plant life not found in the rest of the country.

Gjipe Beach

Hoping for such a quick reward, just after we parked our car in the bay by the road leading from Dhermi to Himara, I eagerly packed some food, water and sun cream and we hit the road or rather the canyon or rather it hit us as we realised later.
Located in the Albanian Riviera, Gjipe Beach is said to be the most beautiful beach of the country. Drive with care as this is a terrifying steep road (up to 9%) with dangerous drop offs. It's best not to look down. One mishap and you plunge off the cliff and into the sea. It’s one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world.
Located between the towns of Dhermi and Vuno in Vlorë County, southern Albania, starting from SH8 road, the drive to the beach, which is otherwise called as “The Gods Garden”, is 4km long. The first 2.5km, on the way to the Manastiri i Shën Theodhorit (St Theodor’s Monastery), are asphalted. At this point there’s a parking lot. You have to pay to park.

Đeravica

is the second highest mountain peak in the Prokletije mountain range and the Dinaric Alps chain, after Maja Jezercë. It is the highest mountain in Kosovo, t has an elevation of 2,656 m (8,714 ft) above sea level. Đeravica is located in the western part of Kosovo, in the municipality of Junik.

Osum Canyon

Is a river gorge in southern Albania, near the town of Çorovodë. The river Osum, which passes through the town of Berat, flows through the canyon.
The Osumi river gorge is one of the most spectacular natural attractions of Albania. During the spring, high water from melting snow makes it possible to explore the whole length of the gorge from the river. Spring is also the best time to view the many waterfalls in the gorges, which thunder from above as explorers pass below on boats.

Ardenica Monastery

Is an Eastern Orthodox monastery, distant 18 kilometers north of Lushnje, Albania, along the national road that links Lushnjë to Fier.

Osum

The Osum is a river in southern Albania, one of the source rivers of the Seman. Its source is in the southwestern part of the Korçë County, near the village Vithkuq at an altitude of 1,050 metres (3,440 ft). It flows initially south to the Kolonjë municipality, then west to Çepan, and northwest through Çorovodë where it flows through the famous Osum Canyon, Poliçan, Berat and Urë Vajgurore.

Mes Bridge

Is a bridge in the village of Mes, about 5 km (3.1 mi) (as the crow flights) north-east of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania.It is a monument of Postribs culture, turning the site into a turist attraction with a lot of visitors from all around the world. For foreiners the architecture of the bridge is intriguing with round slick stones and stone plates.

Beach of Durrës

Is the biggest and most visited beach in Albania.[1] It lines the seafront of the city of Durrës and is about 10.5 kilometres (6.5 mi) long. A number of notable Hotels overlook the beach such as the Adriatik Hotel.

Karaburun Peninsula, Albania

Is a peninsula located in the southwestern Albania. The peninsula essentially forms the eastern shore of the Strait of Otranto, a narrow strait that connects the Adriatic Sea to the north with the Ionian Sea to the south.
More than 20,000 square kilometres of the peninsula is occupied by the Rreza e Kanalit-Karaburun Peninsula Nature Reserve, while the remaining lies within the Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park.

Small Prespa Lake

Is a lake shared between Greece (138 km² drainage area; 42.5 km² surface area) and Albania (51 km² drainage area; 4.3 km² surface area). It is the smaller of the two Prespa Lakes.
A beautiful island on the small Prespa lake

Bunkart

This fantastic conversion – from a massive cold war bunker on the outskirts of Tirana into a history and contemporary art museum – is Albania's most exciting new sight and easily a Tirana highlight. With almost 3000 sq metres of space underground spread over several floors, the bunker was built for Albania's political elite in the 1970s and remained a secret for much of its existence. Now it hosts exhibits that combine the modern history of Albania with pieces of contemporary art.