UNESCO Sites
Albania has six sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 1992, the archaeological site of Butrint was the first to be included, followed in 2005 by the historic cities of Berat and Gjirokastër.
The natural beauty and cultural value of Ohrid and Prespa Lakes, the region shared with Northern Macedonia, were included in 2014. Three years later, Albania’s most recent addition to the UNESCO list so far is the native beech forests in the Gash and Rrajca nature reserves.
Among the intangible heritage, Albanian iso-polyphony, a chant derived from Byzantine temple music, found its way onto the list in 2008. It can be admired in southwestern Albania, in the historical region of Labëria. However, its tradition is spread to almost the entire Albania and you can encounter it also in neighbouring countries.
Cities in Albania
The Berat and Gjirokastër are competing for the primacy of the most beautiful Albanian city (qytet). As typical representatives of Ottoman architecture and urbanism, both are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. With its historic centre and ancient castle, Krujë is also one of Albania’s most attractive cities.
Himarë is the best place to stay if you wish to be in a town by the sea because it mixes a historic centre with stunning mountains and seaside scenery.
The Shkodër in the north and Korçë in the southeast are cultural capitals that will delight you with many interesting museums, historic buildings and beautiful surroundings.
Villages in Albania
Explore not just Albania’s cities but also the beautiful countryside. For centuries, Albania has had a predominantly rural way of life, and there are hundreds or even thousands of villages (fshat) scattered throughout the country, picturesquely set in the landscape. You may most easily experience the hospitality and culture of traditional Albania here.
Visit the mountain village of Theth in the heart of the Albanian Alps or the almost abandoned village of Qeparo on the Albanian Riviera. Those who want to stay in a traditional Albanian fortified house (kulla) should visit the village of Shulbatër in the Mirditë region.
A few years ago, the Albanian government launched the “100 villages” project to promote rural tourism (see here). Authorities now consider these villages a priority in terms of building infrastructure, and quite a few have already undergone complete renovation.
Mosques and Churches in Albania
Albania is known for its tolerance between people of different religions. Catholics and Orthodox Christians, Muslims and followers of the Bektashi order coexist peacefully, and their shrines – mosques (xhami), churches (kishë) or so-called tekke (teqe) – stand side by side.
In 1967, Albania was declared the world’s first atheist state. Nearly 2,200 religious buildings were either demolished or forced to serve another purpose. After 1990, many religious buildings had to undergo thorough reconstruction or were completely rebuilt.
Among the most beautiful mosques is the Et’hem Bey’s mosque on Skanderbeg Square in Tirana and the Lead Mosque in Shkodër. Determining the most beautiful church in Albania is perhaps even harder: but you should definitely not miss the churches in the Berat Castle or the village of Voskopojë near Korçë. Rural churches also have their unmistakable charm, such as the one in the village of Bënjë.
Museums in Albania
If you’re a fan of museums (muze), you’ll enjoy the capital city of Tirana, where you’ll find museums dedicated to contemporary Albanian art and history. Most interesting are the two Bunk’Art museums, which display the period of communist totalitarianism in Albania.
Albania’s second cultural capital is the city of Korçë in the south-east of the country. One of the five museums here, dedicated to medieval art, houses a fantastic collection of icons. These can also be seen in the equally stunning museum located in the Berat Castle. For photography lovers, the Marubi museum of photography in Shkodër is a must-stop.
Castles in Albania
And here come the castles (kala or kështjellë). Albania has a large number of them, from the well-preserved ones to ruins where you can only guess the original ground plan. Especially worth seeing is the legend-steeped Rozafa Castle near Shkodër. Equally stunning are the castles in Berat, Gjirokastër and Krujë.
Archaeological Sites in Albania
There are several dozen archaeological sites spread across Albania, making them their own chapter among the country’s monuments. They are concentrated mainly in the southern part of the country, which was under a stronger influence of Greek culture in antiquity.
The most beautiful and frequently visited is the ancient and mediaeval city of Butrint, which is on the UNESCO list due to its value that extends beyond Albania’s boundaries. Other important archaeological sites include the Roman amphitheatre in Durrës, the ancient city of Apollonia and the Illyrian castle of Byllis.
Ottoman Bridges in Albania
When travelling through the Albanian countryside, you will probably sooner or later come across the historic bridges (urë), which are among the most distinctive imprints of more than 400 years of Ottoman rule over Albania. The most beautiful is the more than 100-metre-long Mes Bridge near Shkodër. The Kadiu Bridge near the Bënja Thermal Springs or the Brataj Bridge in the Shushica Valley are not less elegant and beautiful.
Useful Links
Accommodation
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Flights
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Car Rental
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Mobile data
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Experiences
Viator.com offers a way to book diverse tours and activities in Albania, providing access to trusted local partners.