Most Beautiful Places in Albania – Do Not Miss These!

Albania may not be as well-known as some of the tourism juggernauts out there, such as the Maldives or Cappadocia, but trust me, this Balkan nation isn’t lagging far behind in the beauty aspect.

With exceptionally scenic mountainsides and breathtaking beaches, you’re in for a treat visiting Albania.

However, travelling to a new country can often be daunting, and without the right know-how, it can be easy to skip past spots that are worth visiting. That is why I’ve put together a list of some of the most beautiful places in Albania that you should not sleep on if you’re visiting Albania soon.

Keep on reading to ensure that your trip to Albania remains outright unforgettable for you for the years to come. 

beautiful Albanian places you should visit

Fortunately for a new traveller, Albania is bursting at the seams with stunning spots and locales, so zeroing in on a few places is fairly hard. That said, the forthcoming entries reflect some of the more popular tourist attractions you’d surely want to visit and some of the lesser-known gems many may or may not know about.   

1. Theth

This difficult-to-pronounce region can offer some of the best moments you’ll experience in Albania — no questions asked —  all because of how it’s wrapped around an overlooking mountain scenery and numerous hiking pathways to take you to other fantastical spots.

But to focus solely on Theth for a minute, this locale’s rich culture will stun you with its stone houses, and oh, don’t even get me started about the waterfalls. 

Speaking of which, a key location worth mentioning along the lines of Theth is the Blue Eye, an incredibly iconic Albanian landmark that you can stumble upon if you decide to hike to Valbona from Theth. I want to tell you about Blue Eye right away, but just before that, I’d also like to put it out here that the Theth to Valbona hike is another adventure you want to embark on. 

A local I spoke to in recent times advises trekking along this lesser-known hiking route for a ravishing time. Or, you could simply dive head-first into Albania’s Blue Eye, which also entails a shorter hike.

Here’s what you need to know about the latter.   

What Makes The Blue Eye So Unique? 

If you visit Albania and don’t get your carcass over to the Blue Eye, you aren’t really visiting Albania. This particular marvel, once seen from atop, looks like a human eye, hence its unique name.

But wait, that’s not even the best part. The Blue Eye is a truly magical place—the water is fresh, clear, and amazing, and the entire cave where the spring is situated is nothing short of a breath of fresh air.   

2. Berat 

They don’t call Berat the “City of a Thousand Windows” for no reason. There’s something genuinely special about this place, but I can’t seem to put my finger on what exactly. Perhaps it’s the distinct architecture that’s employed on houses like no other town, or it’s the monumental Berat Castle that simply steals the show for whoever sets eyes on it. Whatever the case, it’s one of the most beautiful places in Albania that you can’t leave the country without visiting. 

For more information and an analysis deep dive, MagicTown’s detailed write-up on Berat should point you in the right direction for what also happens to be one of the best cities to live in Albania.

3. Krujë Castle 

The thing about Kruja that you have to be wary of is its Castle—a tower that’s just brimming with culture and a showcase of the nation’s history. “vegan_traveller_ak” on Instagram was kind enough to share some of the photos she took during her visit to Albania, speaking to me at length about Albania’s natural beauty and mesmerizing tourist spots. 

In addition to its charm and significance, the Krujë Castle is also honoured because it houses the Skanderbeg Museum, which is directly tied to the popular Albanian figure Skanderbeg.    

4. Porto Palermo 

Love beaches and clear coastlines? Porto Palermo in Albania is what you long for. When you’ve had your fair share of cobblestone adventures and castle visiting, hit the water in Porto Palermo, kick back, and simply relax.

The best part is, that you’ll also find easy access to nature here if you ever want to take up hiking after basking in the glow of the sea breeze. The Llogara National Park, for instance, has good views to offer, not to mention a fairly fun hiking challenge as well. 

5. GjirokastËr

Gjirokastra is the perfect place to shop for Albanian souvenirs, so if you’re visiting for the first time as a foreigner, you’ll have a lot to look back on years later. The Old Bazaar in Gjirokastër, or the Gjirokastër Bazaar, is the place you want to scour before leaving the area. Expect top-tier local cuisine, another castle, and cobblestone streets as you take your time here.

While you’re at it, make sure that you know what are some of the best things to do in Gjirokaster so you end up making the most of your visit. Additionally, feel free to learn about this remarkable Albanian city in our Gjirokaster deep dive here.  

6. Tirana

Tirana is the name you’re going to see popping up the most when you start making your preparations for visiting Albania. As the capital city, that’s to be expected. From high-class brunch spots and bars to budget-friendly apartments in the area and quick and seamless transportation routes, there’s a lot to uncover in the heart of the country.

Also, check out some of the most fun things to do in Tirana to get some ideas on what you can do there.

7. Albanian Alps

Otherwise known as the “Accursed Mountains,” the Albanian Alps are the epitome of nature in Albania and are quite pushing the bar of how gorgeous this country is from a tourism standpoint. Opportunities for outdoor activities are numerous, including camping, hiking, and even river rafting.

On the other hand, the option to interact with the welcoming locals of the place in nearby sections such as the aforementioned Valbona is also available. 

Conclusion

Albania’s reputation as a tourism-centric country has been seeing a massive uptick in the last few years, and I genuinely can’t wonder why. The country is loaded from top to bottom with a wealth of different spots to explore, making it a stunning natural beauty for enthusiastic explorers. 

As we’ve spoken about some of the most beautiful places in Albania in this article, make sure that you exercise due diligence and visit all of these destinations the next time you’re in the country. Albania has a lot to offer to its inhabitants basically, and it’s about time that you start making the most of it. 

Do let me know in the comments ahead and what you think about Albania’s hotspots.