Albania was never on my bucket list… but let me tell you how wrong I was to never acknowledge this Balkan country. To this day, Albania is in my top 10 favorite countries ever. In my opinion, the simplicity of this country, the landscapes, the activities, the cost of life and the people are what makes Albania one of the nicest places in Europe. Keep reading to know where to go in Albania and help you plan the perfect trip.
- Saranda – Perfect to relax
- Blue Eye – Day trip
- Gjirokastër – Day trip
- Butrint – Day trip
- Berat – The City Of Thousands Windows
- Tirana – The capital
Saranda
Saranda is perfect for you if you want to sleep in one city while exploring other places (Blue Eye, Gjirokastër & Butrint). It’s also known for its deep blue waters and beaches. The lifestyle there is very relaxing and easygoing. It’s the perfect city to start or end your trip in Albania to enjoy the water and unwind from life. To know more about Saranda, check out: 5 Of The Best Things To Do In Saranda
Blue Eye
Blue Eye is not actually a city, but a day trip from Saranda. It is a beautiful water spring. The water is blue and green and in constant movement because the spring pumps water from the cave under it. You can bring a swimsuit if you dare because the water in the summer is very cold. However, people jump every day in the water, so you won’t be freezing alone. There are a couple of trails around Blue Eye, so you can easily spend an hour there.
The entrance fee is 50L per person (0.70$ CAD). It’s almost free and totally worth a visit. I highly recommend renting a scooter (which I did, and it was very easy) or a car because Blue Eye is a 35-minute trip from Saranda. From the parking, you will walk 10 minutes to get to the blue water spring.
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a small town that represents the beauty of the Balkans countries. There are not many activities to do except to walk in the streets and shop for souvenirs. That’s why I also recommend exploring this town on a day trip from Saranda. Gjirokastër is located 1 hour from Saranda. Once again, you will need to either rent a scooter or a car.
Gjirokastër is so beautiful and has such a cute charm. You might wonder if it’s worth your time to visit this town. My answer is: absolutely. You can easily spend between 1 and 3 hours there if you plan to eat at a restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Butrint
Once again, Butrint is a day trip from Saranda (30-minute ride). I rented a scooter, but I know there’s also a public bus you can take from Saranda to get to Butrint.
Butrint is also a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. My favorite places inside Butrint were Butrint Ancient Theater & Butrint Castle (Venetian). It costs 700L (10$ CAD) to have access to the National Park. It takes at least a good 2–3 hours to visit the whole site.
Berat
Being known as the most beautiful city in Albania, Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even if I knew this fact, I was shocked by the beauty of the city. One of the main reasons to visit Berat is the old town, also called The City Of Thousands Windows. Berat is located in the south of Albania. It’s definitely a city you don’t want to miss when you visit the country. To know more about Berat, check out: 4 Of The Best Things To Do In Berat
Tirana
Normally, I don’t really enjoy the capital of the countries I visit. However, Tirana surprised me with its history and people. The capital is definitely different from the other cities in Albania. There are more buildings and big streets and less landscapes and authentic homes. That being said, Tirana offered me the history of the country (which is rich and difficult) and a better perspective on the life of the Albanian people. That’s why I 100% recommend going to the capital and seeing what it has to offer. To know more about Tirana, check out: 7 Of The Best Things To Do In Tirana
