7 Amazing Places to Visit in Albania

Ksamil village in Saranda is Albania’s hidden gem with paradise beaches. While the blue-water Mediterranean beaches are absolutely gorgeous, Ksamil has another advantage with visitors as it is within a short drive of two different UNESCO heritage sites: Butrint and Gjirokastra.

Elbasan old town founded 1466 by the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II. If you’re not watching your cholesterol while on your holiday in Albania, check out Elbasan’s local specialities like the Bugaçe – a traditional breakfast roll found nowhere else in Albania that comes smothered in butter and a bit of salt, or the Ballokume – a large buttery-sugary cookie.

Berat city on the Osum River in central Albania is worth visiting for its old town. On the hilltop there is the Berat Castle – the remains of a large 13th century fortress, and within its walls you can also see Byzantine churches, the Red Mosque and the Onufri National Museum. Berat is also popular with visitors for its traditional Mangalem Quarter with white Ottoman houses and historical mosques.

Pictured is the Church of Theth that was built 1892. Theth is village set among the peaks of Shala mountains in Theth National Park in northern Albania. Theth is a wonderful village but it’s very secluded, so it’s best to visit the village during summers as it is less accessible in winter. The village is declared a Protected Historic Center by the Albanian Government.

Pictured: Ruins in Apollonia, the ancient Greek colony city in the Albanian region of Fier, near Pojani village. It is believed that the city flourished during the 4th century AD which is now an archaeological park open to visitors. The archaeological site also has a museum where you can get even deeper into history.