By Liam Albania spent over 40 years isolated from the rest of the world under Enver Hoxha’s Stalinist regime but is now a star of the Balkan tourism scene. While you can see the remnants of that time, especially with how many bunkers are still littered around the country, Albania is very much open to tourism. There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in Albania and it should be on your travel radar.
It’s a great country to visit, with historic cities, inspiring nature, hospitable people and excellent food. Albanian is also a completely distinct language which is not related to any others. So, your Serbo-Croat-Bosnian phrasebook won’t do you any good here. However, a Pershendetje (hello) and a smile will go far!
I spent two weeks in Albania in 2022 and left wishing I had a lot more time to explore. It was one of the highlights of my Balkans trip and I’d go back in a heartbeat. That said, here are eight beautiful places you should visit in Albania:
Eight Beautiful Places to Visit in Albania: 1. Shkoder/Lake Shkodra
Shkoder is the closest Albanian city to Montenegro, which is very much worth a visit in its own right. One of the oldest cities in the country, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania.
Shkoder located on the tranquil Lake Shkodra. Biking along the lake is a fun and active way to spend an afternoon. There are some great seafood restaurants along the route which also have excellent views.
Biking, in general, is incredibly popular in Shkoder and a great way to explore the city. Wandering around the cobblestone streets of Old Town is another good option. It’s easy to rent bikes, though, and my guesthouse even offered them to guests for free. Bike down to Rozafa Castle, which has panoramic views of Lake Shkodra, the surrounding mountains and city.
Mesi Bridge might be a little far to bike to but it’s undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in and around Shkoder. The Ottoman-era bridge is the longest such bridge in Albania and cuts a beautiful figure across the Kiri River.
Eight Beautiful Places to Visit in Albania: 2. Theth/Valbone Pass
From Shkoder, head two hours north to the stunning Albanian Alps in Theth National Park. It’s easily one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania. In Theth, which has a very small town, I stayed at Rrakashdoli Guesthouse eating food raised on their farm.
The Church of Theth is incredibly beautiful, surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It’s also worth hiking up to the Grunas Waterfall.
The main draw of Theth is hiking through the Valbone Pass, which usually takes seven to eight hours to complete. It could easily take longer if you stop to appreciate the views and untouched nature in every direction. There are other hikes in and around the park but Valbone Pass is by far the most popular, and most rewarding.
In Valbone, there are guesthouses where you can spend the a couple of nights before hiking back to Theth. Before leaving, check out the Old Mill and Valbone Valley National Park.
3. Berat
Berat is a small city in central Albania that you shouldn’t skip over. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest cities in Europe. This 2400-year old city is known as the “City of a Thousand Windows”. That’s because its distinctive white houses, which are scattered around the hillside, tend to have plenty of windows.
This incredibly picturesque city on the Osum River is a good place to spend a day or two. One can’t miss activity is walking up to Berat Castle, on the north side of the city. The fortress itself is quite beautiful. Also, there are Byzantine Churches, Ottoman-era Mosques and incredible views of the city below.
Walk across the Gorica Bridge, which divides the Mangalem and Gorica neighborhoods of the city. Mangalem is traditionally Muslim, while Gorica is traditionally Christian. There are some hikes on the Gorica side which have superb views of the other side of the river.
4. Osumi Canyon
A popular day trip from Berat, Osumi Canyon is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania. The Osum River carved out the canyon over the course of millions of years. It is notably narrow at points, with sheer canyon walls, which add to its beauty.
It takes an hour and a half to drive here from Berat and there are plenty of places in the city that organize full day tours. Rafting is a popular activity at Osumi Canyon when the water levels allow for it. River hiking, swimming and kayaking are other potential activities at Osumi. Plus, there are some beautiful waterfalls along the canyon.
You can also hike in the lush areas surrounding the canyon for a bird’s eye view and plenty of photo opportunities. A trip to Berat wouldn’t be complete without making a stop at Osumi Canyon.
5. Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster is in South Central Albania and it is Albania’s only other UNESCO World Heritage city. It is no less beautiful than Berat and, like Berat, it has a famous castle. In fact, Gjirokaster Castle is the most impressive castle I visited in Albania.
It is massive, with incredibly well preserved stone walls and a distinctive clock tower. From the castle, there are great views of the city and the surrounding valley.
The remarkable Ali Pasha Bridge is also right outside of the city. It almost blends in with the rocky landscape surrounding it and it’s definitely worth the hike to get there.
Gjirokaster is also famous for its Ottoman-era stone houses with slate roofs. As a result, it has earned the moniker of “Stone City”. Gjirokaster’s Old Town is perched on a hill and there are plenty of narrow cobblestone streets to get lost on.
The food in Gjirokaster also seemed incredibly fresh and it was some of the best I had in all of Albania.
6. Haxhi Ali Cave
The Haxhi Ali Cave is truly a hidden gem in Albania which isn’t on the radar of the vast majority of tourists. This cave, located near Cape Gjuheza on the Karaburun Peninsula, is only accessible by boat. It is named after legendary pirate Haxhi Ali, who allegedly went in hiding in the cave with one of his sons.
There are a number of tours from the nearest city, Vlore, which will take you to Haxhi Ali and some beautiful secluded nearby beaches.Make sure you book a smaller speed boat instead of a ferry because bigger boats aren’t able to navigate through the cave.
Plus, if you visit during shoulder season, you may be able to have the cave all to yourself. On hot days, swimming in the cold turquoise water is incredibly refreshing and the entrance to the cave has a surreal look.
7. Llogara National Park/Dhermi/Himare
If you’re driving from Vlore to the beach town of Dhermi, consider taking the scenic route instead of the most direct one. Take a left for the exit at Dukat Fshat and keep going until you hit Llogara National Park.
It is easy to see why Llogara is a popular paragliding destination and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania. The views overlooking the Albanian Riviera and the islands in the Ionian Sea are absolutely stunning. The Maja e Qorres Trail has the same excellent views which make Llogara one of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania.
On the zigzagging drive down to Dhermi, you’ll go through the Llogara Pass, which also has mountain and sea views throughout. Dhermi itself is one of the most popular beach towns on the Albanian Riviera and is known for beautiful beaches and nightlife. Himare, another beach town, is under a half hour away from Dhermi. It has a more relaxed vibe and a castle which is worth exploring.
Eight Beautiful Places to Visit in Albania: 8. Butrint/Blue Eye
Just an hour and a half south of Himare you’ll find the resort city of Sarande. It can get incredibly busy during the Summer but it’s a good base to explore some of the most beautiful places to visit in Albania and beyond.
There is a ferry from Sarande that goes to the nearby Greek island of Corfu. There are also great views of Corfu and the Ionian Sea at Lekuresi Castle. From Sarande, you can also take a bus or 30 minute drive to Butrint National Archaeological Park.
Butrint was one of my favorite places in Albania and it’s another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features ruins from the Greek and Roman cities that used to be there. The Ancient Theater, Baptistery and Roman Forum at Butrint are quite impressive and the site makes for a great day trip. It is located on a small peninsula and the ruins plus the water make for a unique atmosphere.
While the beaches at nearby Ksamil get comically crowded during the Summer, shoulder season might be a good time to enjoy them. Another popular day trip from Sarande is the Blue Eye, which is only around 35 minutes away.
The Blue Eye is a natural spring surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains. It’s one of the most photogenic places in Albania and a great place to cool off during the Summer. The water is clear enough to see well into the Spring, which has a mysterious depth, given no one has descended past 50 meters.
While heading to all of these beautiful places to visit in Albania would make for a great trip, there’s plenty more to explore in the country and elsewhere in the Balkans.