Albania is a country in the Balkan region of Europe. Despite its small size, Albania has a lot to offer. From inspiring cities such as Gjirokaster and Berat to stunning natural scenery such as alpine lakes and dense forests, this Balkan country is worth a visit.
Albania has long been isolated from other European countries due to its rugged terrain, but that has made it an undiscovered gem for travelers looking for their next adventure.
You will never get bored in Albania since you’ll find a plethora of activities to keep yourself occupied throughout your stay. If you are planning on visiting the country anytime soon, below is a list of the 25 best things to do when you visit Albania.
25Visit the Blue Eye in Saranda
24Visit the Blue Eye in Theth
23Visit Berat Castle
22Visit Gjirokaster Castle
21Visit Rozafa Castle
20Drive on the Albanian Riviera
19Visit Korca Brewery
18Join a Free Walking Tour
17Take the Cable Car in Tirana
16Take a Ferry on Komani Lake
15Visit the Cold War Tunnel
14Relax at Filikuri Beach
13Chill on Gjipe Beach
12Try Raki
11Visit Ksamil Beach
10Dip in Benja Hot Springs
9Try Seafood and Fish Restaurant
8Eat Traditional Food
7Watch the Sunset from Lekuresi Castle (Saranda)
6Go Inside a Bunker
The wartime history of Albania is very strong, and it’s quite easy to see why. You can visit many historical sites like bunkers, war memorials, and palaces once used during the communist era.
One bunker that shouldn’t be missed is the Bunk’Art located at Fadil Deliu Street in Tirana.
This place is Albania’s most compelling new sight because of converting a massive Cold War bunker into a history and contemporary art museum.
To get there, take a Linza-bound bus from outside the Palace of Culture of Tirana. You can then ask the driver to drop you off at Bunk’Art in Fadil Deliu Street. If you are interested in the country’s communist history, don’t miss out on this museum.
5Visit Butrint National Park
Butrint National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage site that you should visit while in Albania.
If you have some more time off I recommend you do at least a two weeks itinerary in the Balkans region, visit new countries and discover new cultures. In just 2 months of backpacking the region I managed to visit almost 20 UNESCO sites, so go ahead, and immerse in the culture.
The ancient city is a remarkable place to explore as it’s filled with abandoned walls and amphitheaters that date back to the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.
Butrint National Park is 17 kilometers south of Saranda. You can reach this famous attraction via a direct bus that passes through Ksamil and leaves from the Saranda ferry terminal.
4Cycle along the shores of Shkodra Lake (Shiroka and Zogaj)
Shkodra Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Balkan Peninsula and the perfect place to test your adventure bike. Home to Europe’s largest bird reserves, Shkodra Lake is encircled by stunning mountains and lush fields.
You can cycle along the shores of this charming lake and enjoy a ride with breathtaking views. You may also bike through the tiny villages surrounding Shkodra Lake to get a taste of rural Albanian life.
Shkodra Lake offers sweeping views, and you can get there by taking the frequent buses from Tirana for a 2-hour journey to the lake.
3Experience Llogara National Park
2Wine Tasting at Winery
The wineries in Albania are some of the best you’ll find anywhere. There is no shortage of great wines, and it is also possible to do wine tasting tours during your stay there as well.
The best wineries to visit are Alpeta Agroturizem & Winery and Nurellari Winery in Berat.
Many of the wineries in Albania are owned and run by families. These families are proud to keep such a long-standing business going, but they are also pleased to represent their nation with delectable, handcrafted beverages.
There are also other wineries found in Berat, such as Cobo Winery, Luani Winery, and Lodge of Wine, so you should definitely take the time to explore and discover more of these wineries.
1Hike Theth to Valbona
