Top 5 sights in Albania

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A beautiful girl enjoying her day in Albania

It’s no secret that Albania is one of the most underrated destinations in Eastern Europe, and yet tourism has found its way into this gem of the Balkans that only a few decades ago was still locked down by communism.

The Albania of today is awakening from a long slumber, which is not necessarily a good thing if you yearn for unspoiled beaches and car-free towns, like in the good old days.

But Albania has preserved its unique culture, and has tons of things to offer for those looking for interesting attractions that contain the flavor of a country. Here are top 5 sights in Albania, one of the most hospitable countries in the Balkans.

Mount Dajti

The busy capital city of Tirana with its cars and noise makes its inhabitants want to regularly escape to quieter and greener places, and Mount Dajti, just east of the city, fills this role perfectly. In summer, the lush forests of Mount Dajti will cool you down, while in autumn people crowd to the slopes of the mountain to see snow (which rarely falls in Tirana). This popular holiday area will also offer some nice views of Tirana from above – not a bad sight at all!

Butrint

If you yearn for some breath-taking historical sites, then you should pay a visit to Burtint, a Unesco World Heritage Site. This ancient city has weathered through Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods, and has been marked by all of them. The old city was abandoned in the Middle Ages, but it is remarkably well preserved. You can see a Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine basilica (the second largest in the world), and a Roman temple.

Petrela Castle

This beautiful castle is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Albania, and one which reminds people of the country’s rich history. The castle has parts dating back to the 5th century CE, but most of it was built in the 15th century. The structure is perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the village of Petrela, which is located close to Tirana.

Palasa

Berat, photo by Jason Rogers on Flickr

The small village of Palasa will definitely appeal to those travelers who are in search of a pristine corner of nature. Some of the most beautiful beaches on the Albanian Riviera are located near Palasa, but there aren’t any crowded tourist resorts, and most accommodation consists of beach houses and villas that can be rented.

Julius Caesar supposedly threw his cup of wine in the water on the Palasa beach in a fit of rage, so you might try diving in search of it.

Berat

This World Heritage city is a delight to visit thanks to its unique blend of Ottoman and Albanian architecture, which gave it the nickname of ‘the city of a thousand windows’. The old town hides countless attractions, some obvious and some not. The Kala, a 13th century Ottoman castle is a must-see, as is the Onufri Iconography Museum and several Ottoman-era mosques.

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