Albania trip planner

Explore Tirana's vibrant city center, admire the colorful former-Soviet buildings, and people-watch in one of the excellent cafes.

Known as "one of the most relaxing places in the capital," kick back in the shade of the park's trees or go for a swim in the lake.

The main city square since before WWII, it is lined with historic and cultural sites including a palace, theater, museums, and more.

Albania's largest museum is home to a wide range of fascinating exhibits, dating from ancient Illyria up until modern times.

Completed in 2011 in honor of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, this massive church is Europe's third-largest Orthodox church.

With over 5,000 pieces of art, this gallery features a renowned collection Socialist Realism art, as well as international artwork.

Thought to be part of a 3C Roman House, the remains of the ancient colorful geometric mosaic is now displayed by the Byzantine church.

Climb up the 90 step winding staircase to the top of this 19C clock tower for the best views of the beautiful city.

Situated in the city's main square, this historic mosque was built during the 18C-19C and boasts rare and beautiful frescoes.

An excellent archaeological museum, home to an array of artifacts ranging from prehistoric and historic times up to Middle Ages.

This fascinating museum excellently exhibits a wide collection of artifacts ranging from zoology, to botany, to geology.

Escape the bustle of the city in this large green park, home to cafes, restaurants, fountains, and even a bowling alley.

Spend time exploring Saranda's town center, getting to know the local culture, and enjoying the laid back sea-side atmosphere.

Spend a relaxing day on Saranda's pebbled beaches, soaking up the warm sun, and going for a swim in the clear sea.

Located on the coastal promenade, this small museum traces the local history, exhibiting mosaics and ancient Christian artifacts.

Explore the recently revamped center, where clean-lined architecture alternates with parks and several historic buildings.

Albania's largest beach is very popular, stretching for over 10km lined with hotels, clubs, and restaurants.

One of the Balkans' largest amphitheaters, this structure dates to the 2C and is dotted with fading mosaics and murals.

Spend a night on the town and enjoy a play at the theater, established in 1953 and named after an Austrian-Albanian actor.

Dedicated to the region's Greek, Roman, and Byzantine cultures, this museum holds Albania's most extensive archaeological collection.

The residential villa of the Albanian Crown Prince is not open to the public, but the hilltop site offers nice views of the city.

The remnants of this 5C castle include walls, gates, and a Venetian tower, all part of a once extensive fortification system.

Recognized by its gilded stripes and the golden dome, this mosque was the largest in Albania upon its opening.

Explore the streets lined with shops, cafes, and historic landmarks, while enjoying the fresh scent of the Adriatic Sea.

The site of the 1912 Albanian Declaration of Independence, this museum exhibits historic artifacts, documents, furniture, and more.

Clear aquamarine waters, white sands, and the hilly alcove makes this scenic beach into am idyllic paradise.

Stroll through the streets of the city center, where colorful buildings, quaint shops, and nice cafes create a lively atmosphere.

Crowned with a lovely cupola that ensures rich illumination, this mosque is the functional community center of the local Muslims.

Erected in the 19C, this Roman Catholic cathedral is dedicated to St. Stephen and offers a sense of tranquility.

At nearly 5m the statue commemorates Isa Boletini, a leader of the 1910 revolt and the Albanian struggle for national independence.

Located in an Ottoman house, this museum exhibits historic artifacts and ethnographic items, providing insight into local history.

Learn about the horrors of the Communist Regime in Albania at this museum, whose exhibits feature personal accounts and photos.

Explore the city's streets, the shops, and cafes, and note the occasional remnants of Byzantine architecture.

Making up a significant section of the Albanian Riviera, Himare's beaches offer sandy shores, clear waters, and lively cafes.

Get acquainted with the simpler life of the Albanian countryside, which might lack a certain finesse, but offers a unique experience.

Trace the cobbled pavement through narrow winding streets, enjoying the medieval charm and authentic Albanian buildings.

Reinforced throughout the centuries, this 2C BC fortress-city encircles ruins of churches, residences, a mosque, and more.

One of over 20 located within the Berat Citadel, this 13C church houses 16C wall paintings of religious scenes and floor mosaics.

A 14C Orthodox church constructed in neat Byzantine style, it offers great views of the Osum River.

Crowned with a lead-covered dome, this 16C Ottoman mosque retains parts of its original structure, including hexagonal floor tiles.

A nice ethnographic museum, home to collections of furniture and household items, representative of traditional Albanian lifestyle.

Honoring the works of Onufri, an Orthodox icon painter, this museum showcases a rich collection of icons and other religious items.

Reconstructed over the ruins of a 16C church, this salmon-colored cathedral houses a nice mural and frescoes.

Lose yourself in the streets of this city center, where historic and modern buildings mix to create a varied architectural collage.

Whether you visit for the cultural relics or the art, enjoy the museum's 7,000-piece collection of icons, woodwork, and metallurgy.

Housing over 1,000 items, this museums traces the local history through the Hellenistic and Illyrian periods.

Set in a 19C school, this museum showcases the history of local education, including writing and various Albanian alphabets.

Constructed in the 1990s in the post-communist religious awakening, this elegant cathedral is one of the largest in Albania.

Grab a sandwich and stroll through the scenic paths of this park, enjoying the sense of serenity prevalent here.

Enjoy the serene atmosphere permeating these streets, or head to the bustling beach for some fun in the sun.

Boasts secluded alcoves lining this shore, this beach is famed for its clear waters and fine-pebbled sand.

Experience an authentic 600-year-old Ottoman township, home to a wealth of historic buildings and paved streets.

Dating to the 12C, this fortress is home to a military museum as well as several towers, and offers wonderful views of the area.

Built as a conventional 19C Ottoman house, this museum houses cultural relics, traditional attire, and historic household items.

Known for its unique Gjirokaster-styled Ottoman architecture, this 19C house retains its original facade and interior.

The only mosque in the city to survive the communist era, this building dates to the 18C and offers great views from its minaret.

Dating to the 18C, this bazaar is lined with authentic taverns, historic buildings, and shops selling handmade souvenirs.

Owned by the same family for the past two centuries, this 18C building boasts original interior. Be sure to book a tour in advance.

A subterranean bunker comprised of 70 rooms, used by the Albanian communist dictator for the detainment of political prisoners.

A wonderful national park, rich with diverse wildlife and vegetation, lush forestland and towering summits offering great views.

Overlooking the village of Preza, this charming 14C castle is known for its beautiful views of the Tirana plain below.

A rich national park, comprising historic territory, archaeological excavations, and natural treasures.

A beautiful blue spring where visitors enjoy diving more than 50 m below the surface; its actual depth remains unknown.

Overlooking the town of Sarande, this historic ruined castle boasts wonderful views and is home to a charming restaurant.

Located on the side of the Shushica Mountain, this ancient castle is believed to date to the 3C BC, later turned into a fortress town.

Connected to the mainland by a long wooden bridge, the picturesque island is home to a 13C Byzantine Zvernec Monastery.

The ruins of the Illyrian settlement and fortifications stand at the top of a hill and date back to the early Iron Age.

Controlled by various empires since antiquity, these castle ruins boast an atmospheric charm and offer panoramic views of the area.

Set on Albanian and Montenegrin territory surrounding Lake Skadar, this national park is a bio-diverse hub favored by bird-watchers.

Take a boat to explore this small forested island, home to ruins of a medieval castle and remnants of a Byzantine church.

Overlooking a lush expanse of greenery, these castle ruins boats a fortification system dating to the Neolithic period.

Said to be one of the most extensive Turkish bridges in the area, this 18C structure braces over the Kir River stretching for 108m.

Little is preserved from this former stronghold, but fragments of Hellenistic walls still remain, as well as a Byzantine church.

Hire a boat or challenge yourself to a swim, and head off to one of these picturesque islands for a quiet day on a secluded beach.

Encompassing Albania's largest lagoon and the Ramsar Wetlands, this national park offers rare bird watching and great hiking trails.

Set on the slopes of the Lure mountain ridge, this national park boasts 12 glacial lakes, a wealth of rare fauna, and lush forests.

Popular among active travelers, this national park offers trails for hiking and trekking, and is famed for local honey and tea.

Located on the border of three countries, Prespa is a picturesque freshwater lake, home to nine species of endemic fish.

Situated in the heart of the Albanian Alps, this beautiful park offers hiking excursions for climbers of all skill levels.

Reaching up to 1,200 m and covering 4,000 ha of land, this mountainous park offers some of Albania's most majestic peaks.

Located at the highest point of the Albanian Alps and spanning over 8,000 ha, this massive park is known for its breathtaking beauty.

Named for the Hotova Fir tree which is abundant in the region, this vast park offers amazing camping, rafting, and thermal springs.

Covering over 2,000 ha of stunning nature, this wonderful park is home to the "Queen Mother" water source, known for its beauty.

With peaks reaching as high as 2,200 m, this massive national park also features rivers, 14 glacial lakes, and rare flora and fauna.

Albania's only marine national park boasts ruins of sunken Greek, Roman and World War II ships, underwater fauna, caves, and beaches.

Whether you stay on the mainland or head to one of Ksamil's islands, the picture-perfect beaches are an unforgettable experience.

A medieval castle located near an ethnography museum, it boasts beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Housed in a 14C abbey, this archaeological museum exhibits relics from the ancient Greek settlement of Apollonia.