Albania is not the most obvious area for relaxing in Europe. The country is not as popular as neighboring Montenegro and Serbia, but even for a short trip here you can have a lot to have time: to relax at sea resorts, explore dozens of ancient fortresses or visit national parks with amazing nature. In Albania, it is easy to get a visa, and here it is quite cheap. More reasons to visit this Balkan country in our article.
Great beach vacation
This tiny country is washed by the waters of the adriatic and ionic seas. Almost all resorts are located in the west of Albania not far from each other: you can swim in a new place every day or go around several coastal towns and choose your favorite.
The best (and expensive) is considered Floodwhich is at the merger of the two seas. In the north of the city, mainly sandy beaches are located, where you can plunge into the waters of the Adriatic Sea, and the south of the resort is represented by a small -gale beach, which is washed by the waves of the Ionical Sea. Here you will find a developed tourist infrastructure, excellent roads, prayed bridges, restaurants with seafood, pine forests and museums with archaeological finds.
Another popular resort – Durres With wide sandy beaches and a long gentle entry into the water. Pine rifs save here from the heat. This city attracts mainly vacationers with children, including the smallest ones: there are many playgrounds, water slides, attractions and, of course, there is animation at hotels. In Durres, there are also a castle of the 5th century and an amphitheater, erected in the II century AD for gladiatorial battles.
Small coastal towns are good. So, in Saranda You can study the underwater world of the Ionian Sea, and the children will definitely like floating playgrounds; Also in the city and next to it there are many museums, archaeological parks, fortresses and caves.
To the village Borsh They go for the sake of diving, snorkeling and other types of water sports: despite the fact that it was cheap to relax here, tourists nicknamed the Borsh of Albanian Nice. Himara It is considered a health -improving family resort, also fans of scuba diving come here – many schools have opened on the coast for those who want to master the skill of diving with scuba gear. Dheermy – A village surrounded not only by the sea, but also with magnificent virgin nature and old churches. This place was nicknamed the Albanian Riviera for the beauty and azure color of the waves, as well as thanks to influential wealthy Albanians who often from here. Around Dheermi are plantations with olive and citrus trees.
Special attention deserves Kamil – A secluded and clean resort, popular among Europeans. It is not easy to get to him: you have to overcome the path through mountain serpentines. The Ksamil is called Albanian Maldives due to the fact that there are many small uninhabited islands near the shore: there you can arrange a romantic dinner or a spectacular photo shoot, swim with a mask or sunbathe from prying eyes. Basically, they come here in houses on wheels and remain for a long time to enjoy all the delights of wild rest.
By the way, in Albania you can sunbathe and swim not only on the seashore. WHICHlocated next to the Ozer, attracts the beauty of the surrounding mountain landscapes, as well as their sanatoriums and recreation houses: they come here to treat nervous and pulmonary diseases. Water is warm and comfortable for bathing from June to October.
Where to stay at the resorts of Albania
- Lux-chamber on the Camping Jungle in Borsh beach in Borsche (estimate 10)-from 2,600 rubles per day*.
- Hotel Ionian View B&B in Himar with views of the sea and mountains (rating 10) – from 6,000 rubles per day*
- Vinea Resort & Spa Hotel in Durres (score 9.9) – from 7,200 rubles per day*.
- Apartamente Noa apartments with views of the sea in Vlere (rating 9.8) – from 8,200 rubles per night*.
- Duka's Hotel Hotel in Kamil (estimate 10) – from 15,700 rubles per day*.
- Rozafa Palace Hotel Hotel in the locust (score 9.8) – from 15,900 rubles per day*.
- Rahoni Park & Suites Hotel in Dheerm (rating 9.7) – from 16,500 rubles per day*.
Historical attractions
The cultural heritage of Albania is diverse: these are ancient Christian temples and mosques, ancient amphitheaters and medieval fortresses. You should start acquaintance from the capital – Tyrants. Here it is worth seeing the Square of Scanderbug, the mosque Ephem Bay of the XVIII century, the hourly tower, the bazaar, the tomb of Suleiman-Pasha Bardzhini, the castles of tyrant and Petrele, the bridges of Tabak and the Terzi, the mosaics on the ruins of the Roman villa and the National Historical Museum.
Many significant locations are in the city Skodere. Especially popular among travelers are the mysterious castle of Rosaf of the III century BC. The legend says that three brothers built this citadel, but every night she fell upon. Then they decided to sacrifice the wife of the youngest of them, the beautiful Rosafo, walled her at the base with the baby. According to local beliefs, her ghost still lives in the fortress. A museum with interesting archaeological finds also works on the territory of the construction. The structure itself stands on a picturesque hill surrounded by two rivers – Boyan and Drin. Also in Skoder are the Mesi bridge, the lead mosque and the Franciscan Church, which deserve visits.
Archaeological Museum-Reserve Butrints It is located near the Greek border and the city of Saranda, just two kilometers from the coast. Butrints were once a Greek colony: this city flourished for more than a thousand years, was able to survive the raids of the vandals, and the Slavic tribes were ready, but by the 15th century the settlement was abandoned. It is known to the medieval Venetian fortress and excavations of the monuments of antiquity – the sanctuaries of Asklepy, the theater of the 3rd century BC, decorated with mosaics of the term, Baptisteria and an impressive acropolis. Another Greek city, from which the picturesque ruins remained – Apollonia. Here you can see the well -preserved fragments of the ancient theater, the temple of the VI century BC, sections of paved roads and residential buildings, baths, a well and many other objects found and restored by archaeologists.
120 km from the capital is a medieval city GirocasterUNESCO is a UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, in excellent condition, unique houses with turrets are preserved-Kule, which seem to be hilling on the slopes of the hill, as well as a majestic and well-preserved citadel of the XII century, ancient churches, a bazaar, Turkish baths and a mester medress mosque. Also, a very interesting national ethnographic museum with a rich collection is opened in this town, the halls of which are decorated as the rooms of the traditional house of wealthy residents of the XIX century gyrokastra: here traditional clothing, artifacts and household items that were used in everyday life and religious practices are collected. Nearby are the ruins of the ancient city Driveopol.
Another interesting historical city, spreading on green hills, bears a name Kruya. It is worth going there for the fortress and the Museum of Scanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, who was born here. Curious to visit and city museum Beratglorified by his castle of the XII century. Do not miss the opportunity to also call on the family winery Chostin and taste a noble drink in an elegantly designed wine cellar.
Where to stay in the cities of Albania
- Guest House Guesthouse LEO in Berata (estimate 10) – from 3,200 rubles per day*.
- Hotel Brahimi Hotel in a gyrocaster (estimate 10) – from 3,300 rubles per day*.
- The hostel The Hood Hostel in Skodere (estimate 10) – from 3,300 rubles per day*.
- Comfort Apartments apartments in Fieri (rating 10) – from 4,400 rubles per night*.
- Art Hotel Sarajevo in a tyrant (score 9.7)-from 7,700 rubles per day*.
- Hotel type “Bed and Breakfast” Rooms Panorama in Kruya (score 9.4) – from 8,800 rubles per day*
- Hotel Airport Tirana Hotel in Rinas next to the Tirana International Airport (Assessment 9.3) – from 15,000 rubles per day*.
Picturesque nature
Include a blue eye with a azure color of the water and the underwater reserve Karaburun-Sazan, which can be explored with scuba gear. Visit Logar’s high -altitude pass in the Acropolitan Mountains, Lake Komani, surrounded by wooded mountains, no less spectacular lakes of Boville and Skoder, Mount Desti (the only place where snow falls in Albania) and the majestic gorge of the Osum River. The Albanian nature opens up many opportunities for both calm retrites and for outdoor activities – equestrian campaigns, hiking, rafting, canyoning, paralaining.
There is a lesson here for lovers of long campaigns: you can go with tents to the Kun Vine reserve, to the aunt National Park, to the Lugin-E-Valbones Valley or to the North-Albanian Mountains. In all these locations, there are both camping parks and mountain “shelters” and guest houses for a comfortable overnight.
Skadar Lake, the largest on the entire Balkan Peninsula, which is simultaneously in Albania and Montenegro, is also very interesting. You can travel on a ship along it – you will see small islands from it, on which old churches with tombs are built.
Balkan cuisine
The kitchen of Albania is a mixture of Mediterranean and Ottoman gastronomic cultures. Pork dishes are almost never met here – they are mainly prepared from lamb and chicken, they are also constantly used eggplant, pepper and tomatoes. Local cheeses, olives, yogurt with vegetables and spices are often served as starters.
Here are the most famous Albanian dishes that you should try:
- Tava Kozi is a lamb with rice stewed in a pot under a yogurt;
- a soup of a pawn – a fish stew from a fresh catch;
- Ferges Tirana – sweet pepper stuffed with cheese and vegetables;
- Meze (snacks) from eggplant;
- Burek – a puff pie with a variety of filling (from nettles or spinach to fish minced meat);
- Sarma is something like cabbage rolls;
- Vyumlek – meat stewed with rice and vegetables;
- Tava Karkalechi Me Pan – shrimp with sea salt and herbs baked in creamy sauce;
- Grill octopus;
- More than Coca – a dish from the head of a young calf, brain and tongue, which is served with lemon juice and cakes;
- Tava Kose is a lamb baked in yogurt with a basil and asparagus;
- Pilaf Me Pule – pilaf with chicken and cedar nuts.
Albanians prefer to drink coffee welded in a Turk or strong tea from high -mountain herbs. Of alcoholic beverages, Rakia and local wines are popular, also the country has its own brewing. A baklava, ice cream with figs (kasata), a biscuit saturated with cow, goat and sheep’s milk and caramel syrup (trich), sweet rice with cinnamon or honey (Sultiash or Osaf), apricot pastille (faculty) and cornflower bells (balokumi) and balokumi) are served. A variety of Turkish sweets.
The cordiality of local residents
Here they are always ready to help with advice or business and do not strive to deceive you. If you are in the mountains to stop in private houses, you will be invited to the table with the whole family, and they will certainly give goodies on the road. For local residents, a guest is a messenger from above, a person who brings light and joy to the house: therefore, if there are many guests in the house, its master is considered a respected person.
If your arrival falls on some Albanian holiday, be sure to visit festivities, because the Albanians were able to maintain their traditions and rites almost unchanged.
Albania differs from other European countries primarily low prices. For example, the average check in the restaurant is about 450 leces (approximately 465 rubles). Especially here are cheap seafood: probably because the locals themselves prefer meat, and mostly tourists feed on the gifts of the sea.
How to get to Albania
There are no direct air tickets from Russia at the moment, but you can fly with one transplant in Istanbul, Antalya or Dubai. The cost of tickets starts from 46,000 rubles* in both directions.
Entrance rules
Russians will need a national visa, which is issued electronically. You can also enter the current Schengen, British or American visa.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
