more It is a very popular place to stay for hikers or backpackers the night before their hike from Valbona to Theth. If you like to travel off-the-beaten track, you should visit Korab during your Albania holidays. The cave is so large that it can hold several speedboats at the time. There is a beautiful Ottoman bridge close to the city of Permet. Moreover, the National History Museum has a gallery about the terror of communism. Albanias former communist dictator, Enver Hoxha, was paranoid for an attack. Or you can simply have a picnic or a lunch in the little restaurants on the shore of the lake. From the beach, you can look upwards to the mountain range and you will see the road winding all the way up to the clouds. The grave site was discovered by archeologists in the late sixties. Another highlight in Borsh is the waterfall in the centre of the village. Although to be frank the visit to the cold war tunnel is a little creepy. Due to the isolation, the country went through extreme poverty. Korca is an intellectual city and the home of the National Education Museum of Albania. Albania holidays should be on your short list, because it is off-the-beaten path. After the communism, the original family became owner of the property again. Therefore, Gjirokaster is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The streets are narrow and made of cobblestones. Dajti is also a great attraction in the winter, when the mountain is often covered in snow. Get a 39-page PDF guide about the hidden gems of Albania, including a Google Map you can add to your phone! Bradt Guide even called it: one of the worlds great boat trips. How does the Care Funding Advice Service work? Ordinary Albanians were not allowed in and the area was unmarked on most maps. Coastal regions are peppered with laid back beach resorts, whereas inland youll find more mountainous landscapes, with UNESCO world heritage sites and tranquil national parks to explore. The site will probably remind you of a calming Monet painting, since the surface of the lake is covered in plants and flowers. If you are interested in Albanias history, be sure to visit the museum during your Albania holidays. And when you wander further inside, you see a dozen of rooms that take you back to Albanias former communist regime; There is the dictators office, where you can hear him speak trough a phone. Therefore, you should get on the minibus with the most people, because it will depart first. With an Albania holiday package, you can save up to on your next exciting escape. Albanias not a member of the tried-and-tested holiday club, so you can expect a real untapped to-do list. Jala Beach and Gjipe beach are hidden paradise beaches of the Albanian Riviera. From Nderlysa the hike to the Blue Eye takes about 40 minutes. Find the perfect The building of the museum was originally the first school of Albanian language. There is also the small castle of Lekursi, which offers a stunning view across the town and sea. Viroi Lake is one of the most beautiful places to visit during your Albania holidays. From there you must walk on a descending dirt path to reach the beach. And finally, the Blloku Area which was closed off for the public during communist and it could only be accessed by the communist elite. The paragliding instructors will take you from the platform to the bottom of the mountain. However, the castle was not owned by the Venetians for long, because in 1478 the Turkish took over the castle. You can take a tour trough the bunker. If you can, try to visit Gramata Bay during your Albania holidays. However, the fact that Gjipe is more difficult to reach, makes it more private. After a 3-hour boat journey, you will arrive at the other end in Fierze. Balkans off the Beaten Track - Discover Albania & North Macedonia. Holidays to Position: Lead Data & Analytics Engineer Lead Data and Analytics Engineer - This is a home working role, allowing you the It is the city, where Albania declared its independence in 1912. There are currently 8 airlines that fly direct to Albania, with Wizz Air, British Airways and Austrian Airlines being the pick of the bunch. When you visit the Ethnographic Museum, you get the opportunity to walk around in a traditional home built in 1964. Flights from mainland Europe are between 1-3 hours only. The village of Palasa has traditional stone roads and quaint white houses. Once the Ottoman forces were approaching, Petrela castle could signal the other castles in the area by lighting a fire. The Valbona Valley is usually covered in show between November and May, therefore, you must plan your visit across the summer months. The winding road has a new surface and it offers beautiful views over the Albanian Riviera. Apart from being on the water, it gives you the opportunity to stop on one of the pristine beaches to go for a swim or to go snorkelling. The currency of Albania is the Albanian lek. And finally, when youre planning your trip to Albania you definitely want to remember travel insurance. The city was wealthy and had a famous school of philosophy. The city is also called the stone city, because stone was used everywhere in the city. From there you take a minibus to the Lake Koman ferry. You can also walk through the low sea water to a second bay, which can only be reached via the sea. The museum is located in the centre of Tirana, just of the central Skenderbeg Square. The National History Museum is the largest museum in Albania and definitely worth a visit during your Albania holidays. Korca is the hometown of the Korca Beer factory. And there is a lovely little Independence Museum about Albanias road to independence. From the pass, you can see the Ionian Sea below, the beach side of Palase and the Dhermi mountain village. It is possible to swim in the water inside the cave. The canyon is absolutely gorgeous and the water is crystal clear. Simply said, historians do not believe the national hero Skanderbeg or the Turks would construct a new castle as they were more focussed on repairing existing castles. Moreover, in the centre of Korca you will see the gigantic Resurrection Cathedral, which is the largest Orthodox church in the country. The countrys mountain-backed coastline, known as the Albanian Riviera, has You will not be able to use this site without JavaScript. The aquapark is impressive in size, and it offers six swimming pools of which the largest is 1800-meters. Use this form to log in to your account or to create an account for the British Airways executive club, Offers end 31 January. The same building was also used by the German secret police (Gestapo) during the second world war. And do not be afraid if you have never climbed before, because the instructors will provide you will professional equipment and expect instruction. The direct flight times to Corfu from Glasgow or Edinburgh is around 3 hours and 45 minutes and from London it After nearly 400 years as a part of the Turkish Ottoman empire, it became independent. Flights from mainland Europe are between 1-3 hours only. Albania is a young travel destination, that is still playing catch up to the more popular Mediterranean destinations. There are beautiful pictures online about cave diving the Viroi lake. Visiting the canyon during your Albania holidays is trilling. miles), with Greece, Montenegro, Kosovo and Macedonia as its bordering countries. By boat you can reach the touristic attractions: the Haxhi Ali Cave, the Gramata Bay and the Blue Cave. And then there is the Pyramid building constructed during communism as a museum about the dictator. After the day of hiking, you will arrive in the mountain village Theth. From Tirana you can travel to Peshkopi, which takes roughly 5 hours by car or minibus. The hiking tour is truly a break from everything you know. If you rent a car, you can use Saranda as a base to explore the more private beaches in the area. Within the archaeological park, you can see the ruins of an ancient cities. And it was also a broadcasting station for Albanian media. Therefore, be sure to tell the driver where you want to go exactly, so you can get a special stop of your own. But over time the different rulers of Albania expanded the castle and made improvements. If you are looking for a more adventurous day during your Albania holidays, you can use upper station of the Cable Car as a starting point. Just outside Tirana, you can take the Cable Car up the Dajti Moutain. The Ottoman style houses are still in use today, and many have been converted into hotels and coffee houses. Therefore, Albania holidays are still charming and authentic. Once you drive down the pass towards Saranda, you will arrive on Palase beach. more Furthermore, it is possible to discover several sunken ships along the coast. The Albanian Riviera is an absolute must during your Albania holidays. If you are visiting Valbona and Theth during your Albania holidays. Best price guarantee Well beat the price if you find the same holiday cheaper elsewhere Refund guarantee A refund, with your deposit back as credit, with no fees 60 days before travel Take your time Before the entrance, you walk through a long, dark tunnel in the hillside with scary music in the background. Alternatively, if you are only interested in the south of Albania, you can choose to fly to the Greek Corfu island. There are lovely little villages in the mountains, that are so far away and difficult to reach, that you can still see the old traditions. Gjirokastra has houses from the period that Albania was ruled by the Ottoman Turks. A close second is the historical city of Berat. In the summer, it is the biggest destination in the Albanian Riviera. There is no beach here, because the bay is naturally rocky. If your tour trough Albania brings you to Berat, you can plan to travel southwards to the Osum Canyon afterwards. She was a British traveller, who wrote about Northern Albania in the book called High Albania. Many historians believe that the Albanian people are descendants from the ancient Illyrians. On the beach you will find sun loungers, parasols, a volley ball field and jet ski rent. From Preza Castle, you can see the castle of Kruja, a mountain lake, the Adriatic Sea, the airport and Tirana city. If you plan on visiting Theth, for instance, do rent a 4-wheel drive for that part of your journey. Korca is also called the little Paris of Albania, because of its beauty. The best way to explore the Accursed Mountains (or Albanian Alps) is a 3-4 day hiking tour through the mountain range. In fact, they are proud of preserving their history and traditions. The city is a very cultural place, as it is the home to many artists, musicians, painters, photographers, poets and writers. The park has a calming river with swans and ducks. The bridge has 13 arches, but none of them are equal they all have different shapes and sizes. And if you need any help or you have a question, they will be incredibly eager to help you during your trip. Therefore, the journey feels like an authentic great adventure. The museum show the weapons used during Albanias fight for independence. The area became popular after fall of the communism. The rocky bays can only be reached by boat or by a long steep hike. Each letter has a specific sound and the sound does not change in the context, therefore, reading and writing Albanian is rather easy. There was no opposition, because the wrong opinion or action could lead to torture, imprisonment or death. He started a photo business and was assisted by Rrok Kodheli and Kel Kodheli. It shows tribal leaders, highland upgrisings, town life in Shkodra and photographs of public events. How they processed wool, to make traditional hats. The road has spectacular view over the Adriatic and Ionian coasts and there are many photo opportunities along the way. Albania Holidays' Licenses and Certificates We are a registered company at the Albanian National Registration Center. Albanias neighboring countries, like Italy, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece, are famous for their beaches. Welcome to Albania!I am a Private Tour Guide in Albania. Archaeologists have found that some of the inscriptions are ancient, as they were written in ancient Greek, Medieval languages and Latin. Therefore, Berat is also known as the city of a thousand windows. Furthermore, foods and drinks are extremely low in price and usually very fresh. The Valbona National Park is a highlight to visit during your Albania holidays. Aquapark Blue Magic Water is the largest swimming paradise in Albania. The Resurrection Cathedral in Korce is the largest orthodox church in Albania. Or you can travel south along the coast to visit beaches and UNESCO World heritage sites. Vlore is a large city, therefore there are many restaurants, hotels and apartments around the beach. The Greek Corfu island is just across the sea from Ksamil beach. Zekate House is one of the historic sights, that you can visit in Gjirokastra. Holidays Today in Albania There are no holidays in Albania today. The waterfall is the most beautiful waterfall in the south of Albania. The inside of the fortress is dark, as it has no courtyard. Hilltop castles watch over the historic cities of Berat and Gjirokastra. The UKs bestselling monthly subscription magazine. The only way to visit the cave is by boat from Vlore. You can find more information below. When a trip surprises me, it is usually the highlight of my holiday. About Albania Tour Guide |Tripadvisor Reviews | Terms & Conditions | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Refund Policy | Editorial Policy. Berat is one of the historical towns on the UNESCO World Heritage list and an absolute must during your Albania holidays. The Blue Eye of Theth is a great place to visit during your Albania holidays. Dont be surprised if they invite you into their house for a meal with the family. The other two islands are a bit further away. Or had a shower in a mountain waterfall. She agreed to be built into the wall of the castle. Located on the Osum River, Berat is an old town 120km from Tirana, famous for its 13th century fortress, Berat Castle and its Ottoman architecture. You will see that the beach is surrounded by rocky piers that surround the bay. There are parasols and chairs along the pool side to relax and there are tropical bars and restaurants on site. The sea water is a nice temperature for swimming, usually between 20-23C in the summer. Or you can take a boat trip to the nearby Pirates Cave. And from Corfu take a ferry across to Albania for 45 minutes. The town is famous for the beautiful white houses on the hill side. The Blue Eye of Theth it is not far from the Nderlysa village. From the Pellumbas village, you can hike to the Canyon of the Erzen river. The cities of Berat and Gjirokastra both have a beautiful historical center. Of course, it depends on where you are going in Albania. In the museum, you can learn about the unique Albanian language. And finally, you can the Borsh Castle on the top of the hill, which dates back to the twelfth century. So that, you get to experience the most beautiful places in Albania! Shkodra is the largest city in the North of Albania and it is very popular amongst tourists. Visit villages and towns almost untouched by the passing years and sip a glass of local raki (strong alcoholic aperitif made with plums and grapes) at any bar or restaurant. And as a highlight, you can enjoy the most magical sunset from the beach site. It is a beautiful and calming place and certainly something you have not seen before. You can visit one of the many lake side restaurants or enjoy a day on the sandy beach. The city is close to the borders of Greece and Macedonia. Walking through either city is like visiting a real-life museum. A visit to the UNESCO heritage site Apollonia for instance, costs 300 LEK = 2.40 EUR. The most popular route is from Valbona Village across the pass to Theth Village (or the other way around). The bunker has now been converted into a museum about the communist regime. There are many churches within the walls of the castle. You can visit the castle and enjoy a lovely view on Gjirokastra town below. The owners of the house live next door, you can simply turn up and ask them to show you around. Or you can drive along the river to Nderlysa, park the car and start your hike there. You will also get one of the most generous luggage allowance of 22kg as standard. You can have a seat by the window and enjoy lunch while taking in the view over Tirana. During your trip through the country, you will most definitely see the traditional clothing in touristic locations. The fortress was built during the rule of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. If you like to enjoy yourself in one of the many nice cafes, restaurants and night clubs, be sure to visit Blloku during your Albania holidays. The beach of Gjipe is hidden between the high cliffs of the canyon. The park also has seven slides and a separate pool for toddlers. The village of Dhermi, is one of the first villages you will see, when you drive down from the Llogara Pass. Moreover, Shkodra is the biking capital of Albania. On the top of the hill you can visit the Kala Castle. You can travel to the city of Fier which is closeby and from there make a day-trip to the archaeological park. And finally, you can take a minibus from Theth back to Shkodra city. Therefore, it is a must for your Albania holidays. The Bazaar is an Ottoman-style market place and it is more than 400 years old. Furthermore, Albania is really save compared to other European countries. The museum has many treasures; It has statues and mosaics from the Greeks and Romans. You can reach the aquapark by driving along the road between Tirana and Durres. And most importantly, you can disconnect and really focus on the beautiful nature around. Inside the castle, you can enter the Museum of Arms. However, when the nearby river closed up due to an earthquake, the city was abandoned. Which is like an old law, which explains how the people should live according to traditions. Albania holidays are just a short flight away from most European countries. Which means you stay with the family and you can have a family meal. For the longer hike, you can start from the Theth village and walk along the left side of the river to Nderlysa for 6.5 km. At Saranda whitewashed houses line the bay. The Grunas Waterfall is one of the naturally beautiful places in Theth. How can I help you? The mosaic tells the story of all the foreign countries that occupied the Albania in the past. Why book one of our package holidays? And finally, you can watch an episode of Top Gear Car show, where the presenters race each other on the Llogara Pass. The castle of Petrela is only a 20-minute drive from Tirana, therefore, it is a lovely destination for an afternoon trip during your Albania holidays. How can I help you? The city of Berat has two historic neighbourhoods. Does equity release affect inheritance tax? He had great military skills and fought against the Turkish Ottomans for 25 years. The castle is located on the top of the hill and it has a stunning view of the Albanian landscape all the way until the Adriatic Sea. Tirana is the capital of Albania. And then from Peshkopi, you can drive to the mountain village called Radomire. The collection inside the museum shows the history of Northern Albania. Moreover, you can also try the local speciality dish called flija. Since the water comes from the mountain snow, it is too cold for a swim. The water is bright blue and crystal clear. You can reach the beach by driving from Saranda along the road towards Butrint for a few kilometres. Activities that you can undertake include swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Inspiring options. It has become a popular attraction to visit during Albania holidays, because of the 3-4 day hiking trip across the mountain pass. You can also hike down through the bushes to reach the ocean. Today, the Balkan country is one of the most charming holiday destinations in Europe. Himara is a small seaside town along the Albanian Riviera. Saturday 08.00-16.00 (CET), To see Albania Holidays certificates, licenses and membership please click here, Copyright © 2023 Albania Holidays Ltd. All rights reserved.Powered by Manderina Promotions. The Museum of Secret Surveillance is the newest museum in Tirana and therefore a great place to visit during your Albania holidays. The canyon can be reached from the Grunas Waterfall, go back on the trail from the waterfall a few meters and follow the sign to the left for the Grunas Canyon. The Marubi National Museum of Photography has an impressive collection of photos about Albanias history. Albanian is the countrys official language, with around 98% of the population speaking it. Along the street, you can buy handmade products, like wooden pieces, handwoven rugs and lace. 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