Albania is a delightful choice for a family vacation. The country offers many options for spending time, especially inspired by the stunning nature of these places. Picturesque cliffs, clear and azure sea, clean beaches. Albania can easily compete with resorts such as Croatia and Montenegro. Here you can plunge into the waters of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, sunbathe, and enjoy delicious dishes. In addition, you will get acquainted with many interesting architectural monuments that leave an indelible impression. The sights of Albania surprise and fascinate. It is definitely worth getting to know this country, because it is an amazing and unique place.
Sights of Albania: what to see first
It is worth starting your journey around the country from its capital. Tirana is the largest city in Albania, its heart. Over the past four hundred years, the capital has turned into a modern city offering tourists many interesting places to relax, including places of active nightlife. In the city, you can have lunch at a good restaurant and have a great time. There are many sights of the Republic of Albania concentrated here.
Tirana City is the capital of Albania Nbumbic
Skanderbeg Square
The first step is to go to the main square of the city – Skanderbeg Square. In nineteen sixty-eight, she received this name in honor of a national hero. His monument is located on the square. The National Historical Museum is located here. An Albanian landmark with a description can be found on the Internet. It is the largest museum in the country. The total area of the museum is twenty-seven thousand square meters. The museum institution consists of eight pavilions, each of which will introduce you to the history of the country, present paintings of primitive times and highlight the life of modern Albania.
Skanderbeg Square in Tirana Colin W Feel the atmosphere of Albania in this beautiful video!
Ephem Bey Mosque
You can read about the next landmark of Albania with a photo and description on the Internet – this is the Ephem Bey Mosque, built at the end of the eighteenth century. At the entrance, you can see a small sign saying that the mosque was established by Mullah Bey, who gave his money to the poor and needy. Mullah Bey managed to make only the foundation of the future building, and his son continued the work. The mosque was finally built sometime in one thousand eight hundred and thirty. The main distinguishing feature of the structure is the inclusion of elements of nature in the design. You can visit this place any day, entry is prohibited only during prayers.
Ephem Bey Mosque in Tirana Predrag Bubalo
Official website: http://www.visit-tirana.com
Clock Tower
Another attraction of Tirana in Albania is the Clock Tower, located in the same place, on the main square. The tower was built back in eighteen hundred and twenty-two. The authorities regularly restore it to keep it in good condition. The height of the structure is thirty-five meters. It is known that initially it was small, and during the reconstruction it was decided to change the size of the tower. A German clock is installed at the top, which works perfectly to this day.
Clock tower in Tirana Pudelek
The Fortress of Rosafa
View of the ruins of the ancient fortress of Rosafa near the city of Shkoder Tobias Klenze
After visiting the main architectural monuments in beautiful Tirana, you can go further. It is the turn of the sights of Shkoder in Albania. The fortress of Rosafa, built at the entrance to the city in the third century BC, is popular among tourists. There are many legends surrounding her elevation, one of them is related to the name. It says that three brothers tried to build a fortress, but every night it collapsed. Then they decided to sacrifice the wife of the youngest brother. Rosafa was immured alive at the base. The area occupied by the fortress is nine hectares and is made in the shape of a polygon. A museum with various archaeological finds is located on the territory of the building. In Shkoder, it is worth visiting the Mes Bridge, located eight kilometers from the city, the Lead Mosque, the Franciscan Church and many other interesting places.
The lead mosque in the city of Shkoder Meyavuz
The city of Durres
To make it easier to navigate, you can see the sights of Albania on the map. An excellent solution would be a trip to the beautiful city of Durres, which is one of the oldest cities in the country. The largest port of the Adriatic is located here. The amphitheater in Durres, located just three hundred and fifty meters from the sea, was built at the end of the second century. It could accommodate about sixteen to twenty thousand spectators. Gladiatorial fights were actively held in the arena. This unique architectural monument is worth visiting.
Amphitheater in the city of Durres in Albania Pudelek
Another attraction of Durres in Albania is Durres Castle, founded in the fifth century. The reconstruction was carried out in one thousand two hundred and seventy-three after a powerful earthquake. To date, only walls and archways remain of this structure. The main tower of the building was named the Venetian One, and a bar for young people has now been made there.
The Venetian Tower of Durres Pudelek
Saranda City
Saranda is a delightful city on the Ionian Sea. There is a luxurious promenade, many hotels and inns, and constant sunny weather. It is simply impossible to be in Albania and not visit this fabulous place. The sights of Saranda in Albania include not only architectural monuments, but also real natural wonders, such as the Konispol caves. You can go to the fortress of Lecourcy, towering over the city. There is a wonderful view of Sandra and the sea. You can have a snack in a luxurious restaurant.
The beach in Saranda in Albania Euglina
Sights of Vlora
The sights of Vlora in Albania are numerous and original. The Karaburun-Sazan National Park is distinguished by a variety of representatives of the animal and plant world. Excellent conditions have been created for underwater inhabitants here, and this contributes to their active reproduction. Here you can not only enjoy nature and beautiful views, but also go diving. Many sunken ships can be seen underwater. Interestingly, the reserve itself is accessible only from the sea.
Historical Museum in Vlore Arianit
The Historical Museum, founded in nineteen sixty-two, is definitely worth a visit in the city. Various unique objects illustrating various periods, from antiquity to the present, are presented here for review. There is a department that houses items related to the city’s struggle for independence.
The city of Korcha
The Clock Tower and the Mirahor Mosque in Korce Christian1311
The city of Korcea, located one hundred and seventy-nine kilometers from Tirana, also offers tourists places to visit. The city is known for its excellent carpet making. One of the sights of Korci in Albania is the Ilyaz Bey Mihra Mosque. The structure was built back in one thousand four hundred and sixty-ninth year. The initiator of the construction of the building is scientist Ilyaza Khodzhi. The first temple for Muslims called the Mirakhor Mosque is also located here. The mosque was established in one thousand four hundred and sixty-sixth year. The interior is of great interest. There are images of two Muslim countries on the walls. The building is located near the city bazaar.
The city of Gyrokastra
Panorama of the city of Gjirokastra in Albania Malenki
The city that appeared on the World Heritage List, located just one hundred and twenty kilometers from Tirana and is of great interest to tourists, is Girokastra. If you decide to see the sights of Gjirokastra in Albania, then it will be enough for you to walk through its streets. The city itself is unique, it gives the impression that you are entering the Middle Ages. Narrow streets paved with stone, unique houses – Turkish kule, a beautiful citadel of the fourteenth century – all this amazes the imagination.
The clock tower on the territory of the citadel in the ShkelzenRexha Gyrocaster
The attention of tourists is also offered:
- Ethnographic Museum; Mekate Mosque; Ruins of Adrianople; Museum of Weapons;
The exhibit of the “National Museum of Weapons” in the Marcelloo Gyrocaster
- Turkish baths.
Albania is a delightful country where you can come alone or with the whole family. The endless number of beaches, the incredible purity of the sea, the unique flora and fauna, ancient mosques, parks, fortresses – all this strikes to the depths of the soul and makes you return to the country again and again. It seems that in some cities time has simply stopped, giving us the opportunity to briefly return to the past.
English 
Russian 
German 
Polish