It is your dream to taste and feel the rich and diverse culture of Europe. In this case, visiting Albania with your family will be ideal. Thanks to its long and interesting history, the cities and landscapes of Albania are full of ancient castles, Roman ruins, and mosques and buildings from the Ottoman era, which make the country fascinating to explore. With picturesque towns like Gjirokaster and Berat for visitors to enjoy, there is always something new to see and do. The now colorful capital Tirana is full of monuments and museums offering a glimpse into the country’s communist past.
Tirana: the capital city
Once full of gray and unwelcoming communist buildings, Tirana has undergone considerable transformation since the early 1990s. Full of life, the now brightly colored pedestrian streets showcase some charming Ottoman-era buildings and Italian architecture that highlights the country’s rich past.
Butrint National Park
Home to a number of diverse ecosystems and impressive archaeological sites, Butrint National Park is a very popular tourist destination, largely due to its proximity to the Greek island of Corfu. The main attraction is the astonishing archaeological site covering more than 2,500 years of history, which includes ancient city walls, remains of a Roman theater, a Byzantine basilica, and two castles.
Durres
Durres, which was once the capital of Albania, is located not far from Tirana on the country’s coast. Durres Albania is a very popular destination, which means that it can get a bit crowded during the summer. With one of the largest ports on the Adriatic, the city is somewhat congested and overdeveloped, although there is a good stretch of beach for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.
Berat
Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in all of the Balkans, Berat is known as “the city of a thousand windows” as there are many windows looking out at you from the front of the hillside buildings that are so closely grouped. While strolling around Berat is a lovely way to pass time, the city also has a large 13th-century hilltop castle that is worth visiting for its exceptional views.
Gjirokaster
Located in the south of the country, Gjirokaster is a pleasure to visit. With more than 500 houses and buildings protected and preserved as “cultural monuments”, Gjirokaster is full of wonderful architecture. Above the picturesque Old Bazaar is Gjirokaster Castle, considered the second largest in all the Balkans.
