Albania is rarely seen as a country for a summer vacation, although in many respects it is more accessible than neighboring Montenegro or Greece. And in terms of beauty and purity of the sea, they are not inferior to them. Despite the difficult roads-serpentines, in a week you can visit the most interesting places in Albania.
How to get
Both direct flights and flights with transplantation are available. The cost of a ticket back and forth starts from 17,000 rubles* per person. To enter the country, you will not need either a PCR test or a visa. A car in a tyrant can be rented right at the airport or directly in the city. Prices start from 3700 rubles* per day, depend on the type of car. Important: the maximum speed in the cities of Albania is 40 km/h, around them – 80 km/h, and on highways – 110 km/h.
Day 1. Tirana and Durres: the remnants of communism and family beach holidays
Tirana – The capital and the largest city in Albania, founded in 1614. He deserves acquaintance at the first visit to the country, the city’s cultural heritage objects require at least a day to study them.
Durres – The beach resort, the closest to Tyran, is the most famous and perfect for relaxing with children. Located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, it stands out by beaches with fine sand and a gentle entrance to the water. On the contrary, the Italian town of Bari is located, it was possible to get there to the pandemic there by ferry.
What to see in tyrant and Durresa
Look at the Bunk’art 1 and Bunk’art 2 – bunkers built during the reign of Enver Khoja and have become museums today. This is the best way to learn about the past of communist Albania. It is also worth visiting the mosque Etham Bay, the National Historical Museum, walk in the Rinia Park. In Durresa, in addition to the beach, there is also something to see: Apollonia (the ruins of the ancient city), the Venice Tower, and the mosaic house.
Where to stay in a tyrant
There are hotels for every taste and wallet:
- Arela 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. Skoder: 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 to the Roman Empire, then Ottoman. It is located in the north of tyrants 100 km from the capital, on the way on the car you will spend about two hours. Today it is a point of attraction of tourists interested in history. The city surprises with strong plexuses of Catholicism and Islam, mountain massifs and wildlife. Rest here is poorly developed, but it is still worth allocating the day for inspection.
What to see in Skodere
Visit the school fortress built in the 4th century BC. e., study the expositions of the museum located inside, and climb the mountain to see majestic arrays from above. Those who want to swim and sunbathe can reach the largest lake in the Balkans (water in it warms up to 27 ℃). It is simultaneously located on the territory of the two countries, Albania and Montenegro, and used to be a bay of the Adriatic Sea. Nearby is a national reserve.
Where to stay in Skodere
There are few hotels in Skoder, they 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. Infire: the first capital of Albania, mountains and coniferous forests
One of the largest cities in the country and the second largest port is 130 km from tyrant and washed by the Adriatic Sea. You will go from Skoder, bypassing the capital, on the way you will spend at least four hours (225 km). Infire has been known since the VI century BC. e., fragments of the walls surrounding it were next to the modern area of the flag. And in 1912, Vleer was the first capital of independent Albania. There is no beach in the city because of the port, but its absence compensates for 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 the flight
Those who wish to get acquainted with the national culture will like the Independence Museum, the historical and ethnographic museums, the mosque Muradia, built in the 16th century. A beautiful look can enjoy the observation deck in the house of one of the leaders of the Order of Bektash Kuzum Baba. And active travelers will appreciate the Logara National Park with mountains and coniferous forests.
Where to stay in Vlere
There are worthy hotels in the center of the flights 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. Himara and the surroundings: Albanian Riviera and beaches for every taste
The Albanian Riviera is located between Vlera and Saranda: the coast of the coast along the Ionian Sea, stretched to more than 100 km. It includes several relatively large resort cities and a number of smaller villages. The main settlement of Riviera – Himara (region of the Vletors), is located near the northern beach of Dermme and South Borsh. Between these three points there are also many places for bathing and a secluded rest. The distance from the flights to Himara is just over 70 km.
The peculiarity of the Albanian Riviera is the purest sea. True, the beaches are mainly pebble, the shores are steep, there are a lot of bays and gorges, so for bathing with children the option is not the most successful. But for lovers of outdoor activities and acquaintance with wildlife – excellent.
What to see in the Albanian Riviera
The Logara pass and the national park of the same name will impress the views from a height of 1043 meters (if the clouds do not close everything), but only physically trained travelers are waiting – the rise is complex. The resort of dermmi and the village of the same name are the most popular part of the Riviera with discos and other entertainment in the season. The beach of Porto Palermo (a little south of Himara) with the old fortress will be calmer, and there is a nudist beach in the bay near Livadi.
Where to stay in the Albanian Riviera
The most convenient is in Himar:
- Himara Apartments Apart-Hotel-from 3000 rubles* per night for two;
- Mare Bed & Breakfast Himara – from 4700 rubles* per night for two;
- ARXONTIKO Hotel – from 6900 rubles* per night for two.
Day 6. Saranda: nightclubs, water sports and Ottoman fortress
One of the most popular resorts in Albania – Saranda – is located in the bay surrounded by the mountains. From Himara, a little more than an hour on car (55 km). On the coastline there are a huge number of hotels and apartments of different price categories, the infrastructure is also well developed: there are night clubs and bars, rental of catamarans and other water entertainments. It is more difficult with cultural leisure – they often come here for a beach vacation or for a trip to the island of Corfu located opposite.
What to see in the locust
Take a walk in the Fortress of Lekursi built during the Ottoman Empire, standing on a hill, look at the city and the sea from a height, have lunch in the local restaurant. We also advise you to call in the ancient city of the foist, famous for a huge acropolis, to visit the ethnographic museum that will introduce the traveler to the history of Albania.
Where to stay in the locust
We picked up great options near 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 Boutrint: ruins, “Maldives” and “Caribbean”
Kamil is often called Albanian Maldives. And it is located only 15 km from the locust. Here is the delightful turquoise water of the Ionian Sea, snow -white sand, exotic landscapes, reminiscent of the Karibi with three islands in the bay, and good infrastructure. Travelers also do not experience lack of bars, restaurants and clubs. The city (although this is rather a combination of beaches) is located on the border with Greece and in the high season is distinguished 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 the boutrint – an antique city near Kamil.
What to see in Kamil
The ruins of the Boutoutine, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, are located 5 km from Ksamil. Today, this ancient Greek city is a museum-reserve with amphitheater and acropolis, you can spend here all day. It is also worth visiting the sui-i-kalter: the source, translated meaning “blue eye”, delights the azure color of water. It is unlikely that it will work out – very cold water (all year round in the area of +13 ° C) and high speed of water flows.
Where to stay in Kamil
Selected several options:
- Villa august Ksamil guest house – from 3900 rubles* per night for two;
- Ksamil apartments – from 2600 rubles* for two;
- Villa White Hotel – from 3400 rubles* per night for two.
*Prices are valid at the time of publication
Searching for a hotel, booking rooms and payment will not take much time if you do it on the site or in the OneTwotrip application.
Photo: Shutterstock.com / Unsplash.com
