Summer recommendations: Albania and the Balkans
The mix of bunkers, fourth-hand Mercedes-Benz cars, codes of honour (the incomparable Kanun) and former communists we encounter leaves no one indifferent; Tirana could even be called modern (it is!), but What we like most about Albania are the scenes that remind us of our own past, not so many years ago. Mmm... those generous servings of aniseed spirits and liqueurs at the village bar.
Our trips to Albania
Albania✔️ Departures MAY to OCT 2024
✔️ Price from 1380€
✔️ Departures JUN to SEP 2024
✔️ Price from 1190€
South of Tirana. monumental Albania
South of Tirana, Albania’s historic towns preserve Ottoman origins and UNESCO-listed heritage. Citadels, archaeological sites and old town centres delight history and architecture lovers.
- Berat: Albania’s iconic view of houses rising in tiers up a hillside, and a favourite with most visitors.
- Butrint: Archaeological complex of Greek, later Roman, Byzantine and Venetian origin.
- Gjirokaster: Ottoman architecture typical of the Balkans with a spectacular citadel and castle.
Albanian Alps and Lake Koman. North
Shkodër is the gateway to one of Europe’s most remote and least-known areas. Getting around is difficult, with poor roads and long journeys.
- Theth Valley captures the essence of Albania’s popular imagination: sworn virgins, rural life and mountain landscapes that are a hiker’s paradise.
- Lake Koman: The (incredible) ferry crossing of Lake Komán is one of the most impressive river trips in Europe.
- Shkoder: The main town of the north, renovated with good taste and with a pleasant atmosphere
The South Coast
Albania’s coast is generally heavily built up and somewhat unkempt, with a popular seaside atmosphere reminiscent of our beaches in the early 80s.
As we move southwards, past the city of Vlora, the coast becomes more attractive, with stone beaches and a beautiful mountain landscape behind.
Unspoilt, hard-to-reach places sit alongside beach resorts full of bars and loud music.