Rozafa Castle (also known as Shkoder Castle) was an Ilyrian stronghold thanks to its location 130 meters above the surrounding countryside. Within the ruins of the castle lies the 13th Century St. Stephen’s Church which was later converted into a mosque during the Ottoman era. There is an old legend surrounding the castle that tells […]
The village of Ksamil lies 9 miles south of Sarande and is home to some of the best beaches in all of the Balkans (think Greece or Italy but a fraction of the cost). In this stunning section of the Albanian Riviera, you’ll find azure, blue seas, sandy beaches and plenty of entertainment and dining […]
Sarande is another resort town on the Albanian Riviera that’s located on a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay. To the west is the Ionian Sea and to the east, the foothills are covered in olive groves and a mountain landscape beyond. The ocean around Sarande is known for its clear, turquoise waters which are perfect for swimming […]
The Blue Eye (known locally as the Springs of Bistrice, as it forms the Bistrice River) is a freshwater spring in Theth National Park, Southern Albania. The spring is famed for its translucent waters that can be seen to a depth of 50 meters. It’s not clear exactly how deep the spring is, as divers […]
Gjirokaster’s beautiful old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its authentic Ottoman era buildings. It’s also the birthplace of Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha! This “City of Stone” is a real hidden gem and features a large medieval castle overlooking the town, Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques and an ancient bazaar that has been […]
Porto Palermo is a large bay on the Albanian Riviera famed for its beaches and 19th Century castle. Porto Palermo castle sits on a small peninsula that’s all but cut off from the mainland save for a tiny strip of land by which to access the fortress. The imposing triangular-shaped fortress once held a military […]
The Canyon of Gjipe is an 800-meter long canyon formed by the Ionian Sea on the Albanian Riviera. The coastal waters of the canyon are home to loggerhead turtles among other interesting flora and fauna. It’s also considered an important plant area thanks to some rare and endemic species found here. Adrenaline junkies can have […]
Th The Llogara Pass is a mountain pass in Llogara National Park. It’s located high up in the Ceraunian Mountains close to the coastline of the Albanian Riviera! This winding coastal road offers incredible views overlooking the Ionian Sea and rustic villages far below. The pass tops out at a staggering 1,043 meters (3,422 feet), […]
The palm-lined city of Vlore sits on a stretch of beautiful coastline where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea. Here you’ll find Turquoize waters that lap at golden sandy beaches backed by lush, green mountains. Like many cities in the region, Vlore has a rich and varied history from the Illyrians to the Greeks, Romans […]
This central Albanian “City of a Thousand Windows” is famed for its quaint white houses dating back to the Ottoman occupation of the country. The whitewashed stone houses of Berat cling to the hillside above the Osum River like the villages of the Amalfi coast in Italy. With its stunning houses, narrow cobbled streets, a […]
