Beaches of Albania: a detailed story about the resorts of the Albanian Riviera and useful tips for tourists. Holidays in Albania by the sea Albania southern Europe Ionian Sea
Everything about holidays in Albania in 2020 based on reviews from tourists. The best beach resorts with white sand, prices for all-inclusive tours and food costs. Sights and interesting places. Tips for vacationers with children.
Albania is an unusual and new destination for Russian tourists. There are very few flights there, and not everyone knows about it either. However, Albania is picturesque country With interesting story, and you can organize a wonderful holiday there.
Last minute tours search on services and they will find best deals among different tour operators. Want to save money? Explore our.
Search hotels with discounts on Rumguru. Here are the main ones.
Holidays in Albania
Albania is comfortably located on sea coast between Greece and Montenegro. Due to many years of isolation, the development of tourism began here quite recently, but the country is developing confidently and has been welcoming Russian vacationers for several years now.
The only international airport is located in the capital of the country, Tirana. There are no regular direct flights, but there are transfers in European cities from Moscow. However, in the summer months, charter direct flights open - for example, Ural Airlines has them.
Russia and Albania have a partial visa regime. In the summer of 2020, you can visit the country without a visa if your vacation in Albania does not exceed three months. The rest of the time you need to apply for a visa.
If you are traveling on your own, it is better to book a transfer from Tirana airport to your hotel online at KiwiTaxi. Upon arrival at the airport, the car will already be waiting.
Seaside holiday season in Albania
Albania, located in the Balkans, is famous for its truly hot summers! Winter here is short - only about two months. Mid-March marks the arrival of summer, and beach season in Albania it starts already in April.
Rain in these places is a rare occurrence, and the most comfortable temperature in summer is not even near the sea, but in the mountains - approximately +23...+25°C.
During the summer months in Tirana the temperature can rise to +40°C, but it is much more pleasant to be on the coast. The coastal wind creates the optimal resort temperature - about +30°C.
Towards the end of summer, the sea warms up to +25°C, so it is optimal to plan a holiday with children in Albania for August or September. The beach season closes at the end of October.
(Photo: Remi Bendo / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Prices for tours to Albania in 2020
Tours from Russia to Albania have appeared recently, so not every travel agency will offer you this route. Therefore, it is better to search for tours online on services and - search for major tour operators and tours at the best possible prices.
Charter flights to resorts fly from Moscow. In 2020, the cost of a tour to Albania for two starts from 70 thousand rubles. This includes 7 nights at a resort in a 3* hotel. Some hotels are located literally a few meters from the sea.
If a week at the resort is not enough for you, there are options for 14 days - from 86 thousand rubles for two under the same conditions.
But the all-inclusive system is a very rare phenomenon in Albania. In 2020, there are simply no five-star hotels at the resorts, and the price of meals mainly includes only breakfast.
According to tourists' reviews, there is no point in waiting from Albania yet high level hotels and inns. The country is still gaining popularity; you simply won’t find high-class service here. But if you want to relax in an unusual, picturesque and inexpensive place- that way.
(Photo: Artur Malinowski / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
Prices for holidays by the sea in Albania in 2020
The country accepts the euro, but there is also local currency. One Albanian lek is equal to approximately 50-60 Russian kopecks.
Prices in Albania will definitely please you! You can have lunch in an inexpensive cafe for 650 lek, and in a restaurant - for a maximum of a little over 2000 lek. Sandwiches here cost 200 lek, and pizza is only 500.
Surprisingly, for the same 500 lek you will get the use of two sun loungers and an umbrella on the beach. However, there are not many beaches equipped with sun loungers in Albania, so you won’t have to pay for anything at all.
Drinks are also inexpensive! You need to pay about 135 lek for a cup of cappuccino, and beer costs about 180-200 lek for 1.5 liters. Albania is known for its delicious wines. A bottle of table red wine costs about 300 lek and, according to tourists, these are really high-quality drinks. A 5-liter canister of water costs only 100 lek - we recommend drinking purchased water.
Transport costs will also not harm your budget: travel on a city bus is 40 lek, between settlements - from 60 lek. Just don’t forget that Albania is hot and there are a lot of serpentines - traveling by bus between cities is not always comfortable.
If you want to make your own routes and not depend on public transport, then rent a car. Through the Skyscanner Car Hire service you can book a car in advance without overpayments. A liter of gasoline in Albania costs 170 lek.
(Photo: Leif Hinrichsen / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0)
Seaside holidays in Albania - 2020: which resort to choose
Resorts in Albania are varied both in size and type: there are both sandy and pebble beaches. It depends on which seashore the resort is located on. Albania is the meeting place of two seas, the Adriatic and Ionian, and, according to tourists, the difference in currents and water temperature can literally be felt physically if you go into the water on the beaches of the resort of Vlora.
Resorts of the Adriatic Sea
Durres - Big City on the coast Adriatic Sea with a population of 200 thousand people. It is interesting that the Albanians themselves consider the city to be large and noisy, but it does not seem so to tourists from Russia. There is entertainment for any season and for different tourists. In Durres you will find large shopping centers, fitness clubs, pharmacies. And closer to the beaches there are amusement parks, embankments, clubs, cafes and restaurants.
Length coastline in Durres it is about 15 km, the bottom is flat, so the resort is perfect for families with small children. In the center and on the outskirts, the city looks different: the village flavor is gradually replaced by multi-storey buildings, and green landscapes closer to the center are adjacent to large hotels and shops.
Shengjin
Just 20 years ago, Shengjin was a small fishing village; now tourists from all over Europe come here to relax. The resort is suitable for those who go to the sea to improve their health: the coniferous forests around the resort make the air healing and the landscapes enchanting. Shengjin has both well-kept beaches and historical monuments.
Lyalzit Bay
This is a resort in the central part of Albania, next to the cape Kepi Rhodonit. The place is known for its white sandy beaches and pine forests that line the coastline. Here you will find silence and a calm, peaceful holiday.
(Photo: marcofieber / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Resorts of the Ionian Sea
Tourists call this resort the local Seychelles, and no wonder! In order to see real paradise beaches with your own eyes, you don’t have to fly to the ocean. These are the beaches of Albania included in the TOP best beaches peace. The sand here is almost snow-white and gives the water a soft blue tint. Some small bays have a pebble bottom.
From Ksamil you can go to Greece on an excursion to the island of Corfu, but this requires a Schengen visa. And for those who like a secluded holiday, tourists recommend the Monastic Beach, located near the monastery of St. George.
(Photo: Artur Malinowski / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
Saranda is a small town with an excellent level of service. The best hotels are located here, and the excursion business is well developed. Tourists recommend visiting the ruins of Butrint.
The most visited beaches in the city are Qeparo and Lukova. The terrain here is hilly and the bottom is mostly pebbly. To these beaches from pure water tourists come from all over the world. Fans of underwater excursions really like it here, and the residents of Saranda even opened several diving schools in the city.
Not far from Saranda there is a resort called Borscht. This beach in Albania is famous for its incredible blue sea color and scenery.
Vlora
This resort is interesting for its location. It is located at the junction of two seas - the Adriatic and Ionian.
It is quieter here than in Durres, there are slightly fewer inhabitants. There are two types of beaches - sandy on the Adriatic and pebble on the Ionian coast. A special feature of holidays in Vlore is the lack of first-line hotels. It simply isn’t here, since the beach is separated from the city by a wide road.
From here you can go to the Illyrian city of Apollonia and the Ardenitsa monastery.
(Photo: Artur Malinowski / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
What to see in Albania
Despite the fact that there are not many tourists in Albania yet and excursion activities are not well developed, unusual and interesting places there is enough in this country. There are attractions here both for lovers of nature, almost untouched by man, and for those who want to visit cultural monuments and shrines.
Riviera of flowers - resort area between Vlora and Saranda. It is considered the most picturesque place in Albania. These are untouched beaches, clean and incredibly beautiful - the construction of high-rise buildings is prohibited in these areas. You can only live in private small houses in the Riviera area.
Ancient road of Egnantia- an unusual landmark of Albania. This is a road several hundred kilometers long, previously it crossed the provinces of Rome. Now the road has partially collapsed and is overgrown with grass, but it still looks impressive.
Venetian tower in Durres. The ancient Byzantine tower is majestic and free to visit. There is a bar and cafe right in the tower, which will make the walk even more enjoyable - about low prices in Albania we have already said.
(Photo: Artur Malinowski / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)
Capital Tirana. It’s convenient to go there from Durres on excursions - the distance is only a little over 30 kilometers.
On holiday in Albania in 2020, visit the national marine park "Karaburun-Sazan" near the resort of Vlore. Here you can go diving, and what you see will definitely not leave you indifferent: in addition to the richest flora and fauna, you will see the remains of ancient ships and ships of the Second World War.
Tourists are also advised to visit the fortified city with a centuries-old history and the city Shkoder, located on the shore of the lake. Beautiful mountain Daiti 2600 m high, a cable car leads to it. There are many churches and fortresses in Albania, and you will definitely see them near your chosen resort. For example, in the area of Dhermi beach (city of Saranda) there are thirty Orthodox churches.
(Photo: Tipfinder / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)
Consent to the processing of personal data
I am hereby being the Customer tourist services, included in tourism product, and an authorized representative of the persons (tourists) specified in the Application, I give consent to the Agent and his authorized representatives to process my data and the data of the persons (tourists) contained in the Application: last name, first name, patronymic, date and place of birth, gender, citizenship, series, passport number, other passport data specified in the passport; residence and registration address; home and mobile phone; E-mail address; as well as any other data relating to my identity and the identity of the persons specified in the Application, to the extent necessary for the implementation and provision of tourism services, including those included in the tourism product generated by the Tour Operator, for any action (operation) or set of actions ( operations) performed with my personal data and the data of the persons specified in the Application, including (without limitation) collection, recording, systematization, accumulation, storage, clarification (updating, changing), extraction, use, transfer (distribution, provision, access), depersonalization, blocking, deletion, destruction of personal data, as well as carrying out any other actions provided for by current legislation Russian Federation, using automation tools, including in information and telecommunication networks, or without the use of such tools, if the processing of personal data without the use of such tools corresponds to the nature of the actions (operations) performed with personal data using automation tools, that is, it allows for in accordance with a given algorithm, searching for personal data recorded on a tangible medium and contained in file cabinets or other systematized collections of personal data, and/or access to such personal data, as well as transfer (including cross-border) of this personal data to the Tour Operator and third parties - partners of the Agent and Tour Operator.
The processing of personal data is carried out by the Agent and his authorized representatives (Tour Operator and direct service providers) for the purpose of fulfilling this agreement (including, depending on the terms of the agreement - for the purpose of issuing travel documents, booking rooms in accommodation facilities and with carriers, transferring data to consulate of a foreign state, resolving claim issues when they arise, submitting information to authorized government bodies (including at the request of courts and internal affairs bodies)).
I hereby confirm that the personal data provided by me to the Agent is reliable and can be processed by the Agent and his authorized representatives.
I hereby give my consent to the Agent and Tour Operator to send me emails/information messages to the email address and/or mobile phone number I have provided.
I hereby confirm that I have the authority to provide personal data of the persons specified in the Application, and undertake the obligation to reimburse the Agent for any costs associated with my lack of appropriate authority, including losses associated with sanctions of inspection authorities.
I agree that the text of my consent to the processing of personal data, given by me of my own free will, in my interests and in the interests of the persons specified in the Application, is stored in in electronic format in a database and/or on paper and confirms the fact of consent to the processing and transfer of personal data in accordance with the above provisions and I take responsibility for the accuracy of the provision of personal data.
This consent is given for an indefinite period and can be withdrawn by me at any time, and insofar as it concerns a specific person, the subject of personal data specified in the Application, by the specified person by sending a written notice to the Agent by mail.
I hereby confirm that my rights as a subject of personal data have been explained to me by the Agent and are clear to me.
I hereby confirm that the consequences of withdrawing this consent have been explained to me by the Agent and are clear to me.
This Consent is an annex to this Application.
By clicking anywhere on our site or clicking “Accept”, you agree to the use of cookies and other technologies for the processing of personal data. You can change your privacy settings. Cookies are used by us and our trusted partners to analyze, improve and personalize your user experience on the site. These cookies are also used to target advertising that you see both on our site and on other platforms.Holidays in Albania are considered a relatively new destination. We will describe tips, prices for accommodation and food, and also provide reviews from tourists who have visited this European country. And although many people think that the service and hotel business here are not yet well developed, for those who are not very demanding, this is an excellent alternative to Turkish or Egyptian resorts.
The most captivating thing about Albania is nature. The beaches in some places consist entirely of snow-white sand, although in other regions you can also find pebble and rocky coastlines, and the sea will delight the eye with its perfect blue. This is where you can take stunning photographs that look like postcards from paradise.
general information
Albania is located on the Balkan Peninsula and is washed on two sides by different seas - the Ionian and Adriatic. Accordingly, it differs beach holiday on every coast. The state borders on several countries at once - Italy, Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro.
Thanks to this location, the climate here is pleasant. It is Mediterranean and the weather is often the same as in more famous resorts. For example, in Greece there are up to 300 sunny days a year. And Albania can boast the same. The beaches, although less well-groomed than those of their “neighbors,” still delight with beautiful scenery.
In summer the air temperature reaches 30 degrees. It is hot and dry here, however, there is a light breeze and humidity on the sea, which makes your stay at the resort more pleasant. Winter is relatively mild and very short; the thermometer rarely drops below +5…+10°. Thanks to this, the beach season here begins in April and lasts until the end of October.
And only in the mountainous areas of the country the climate is slightly different. Thus, at higher elevations, winter turns out to be very cold, snow falls and in some regions remains until summer. But rains are rare here.
David Stanley / flickr.com
Is it worth going on vacation to Albania and why? It's gorgeous here beautiful nature, in some places untouched by man. You should definitely combine a beach vacation with exciting excursions, visits to nature reserves, natural parks, and also try local dishes based on ancient recipes.
It is also necessary to mention the visa regime. Russian tourists can stay in Albania for up to 90 days without obtaining any permission. But this only applies to those who come here to enjoy a beach holiday on the seashore in summer season. The rest of the time, from September to May, you will have to apply for a visa, similarly to other countries.
Where is the best place to relax?
Let's list the most popular and interesting resort towns in Albania, among which you can find a place to suit your taste. First of all, it should be noted that the coast itself and its features differ depending on which region we are talking about.
David Stanley / flickr.com
Thus, resorts on the Ionian Sea are similar to European ones and are often called the “Riviera of Flowers”. There are old mansions, cozy boarding houses, beautiful nature, pebble beaches and rocky bays. People come here for thrills, for active species recreation, such as diving or mountaineering. This zone extends from Saranda to Vlore.
The second part, from Vlore to the Lalzit Bay itself, refers to less well-groomed beaches, but they become sandy and the descent to the sea is more gentle. This area preferred by those who come on holiday with children. Comfortable and safe shallow waters, the snow-white Adriatic coast, secluded bays - all this will delight guests. True, the infrastructure here is much less developed, there is practically nowhere to walk at night, and there is very little entertainment at the modern level.
Artur Malinowski / flickr.com
Let us briefly list the best resorts on each coast:
- Durres is located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea and is considered a major settlement in Albania. True, for our tourists it will seem like a quiet and calm town. And yet, here you can find many entertainment venues, fitness clubs, hotels, restaurants and cafes. Closer to the center, the beaches are well equipped, but the further you move to the outskirts, the more the landscape becomes more and more rural.
- Shengjin - considered medical resort, which is developing rapidly. Due to the proximity of coniferous forests, the air itself is healthy and has a beneficial effect on the human body. There are many nearby historical monuments. Ecotourism is very popular in these places.
- Lalzit Bay is located closer to the central regions of Albania. Cape Kepi Rhodonite is also very close by, offering magnificent views. The coast is a snow-white sandy strip, and dense coniferous forests grow along it. People come here for peace relaxing holiday And beautiful photos.
- Ksamil - this area is often compared to Seychelles as it is an amazing resort with heavenly beaches. White sand and clear blue water create a stunning combination. In some secluded bays you can find a pebble bottom. Due to its proximity to the island of Corfu, day tours in this direction are often made from here.
- Saranda is a very developed resort by local standards. Here you can find the best service, well-groomed beaches, luxury hotels. Tourists are offered a lot entertainment programs And excursion routes in the outskirts of the city. People often come here for diving.
- Vlora is an incredible resort where you can plunge into two seas at once - the Adriatic and Ionian. It is here that you will be able to compare the convenience and beauty of each coast. Another feature is that there are no hotels or residential buildings near the beaches, since the city is located some distance away.
- Dhermi – recognized by the European elite as one of best resorts Albania and all of Europe. Celebrities, actors, TV presenters, singers and simply rich people often come here. The village is surrounded by olive and citrus groves. The Pirate Cave is also very attractive.
Pay attention to one feature - on the Ionian coast the coolness comes a little faster and already in September all the beaches are empty. For swimming during this period, it is better to choose places with shallow water, where the water has time to warm up. But closer to Lyalzit Bay, the summer season lasts longer.
Other types of recreation
Don't think that in Albania you can only enjoy relaxing time on the beach. Even despite the beautiful landscapes, secluded coves, snow-white sand, clear blue waters of the sea, these resorts are still poorly developed compared to nearby Montenegro and Greece.
Steve Kellett / flickr.com
But what Albania can really conquer is ecotourism and active entertainment. The main sports here are diving, rock climbing and mountaineering. hiking in the mountains, cycling, rafting, horse riding, etc. For immersion in the underwater world, it is better to choose the Ionian coast, where you can see not only interesting fish, but also old ships, castaways.
Pure virgin nature, hills and mountains, bays and rocky coast attract those who want to immerse themselves in wildlife. You can walk around the country all day long with a backpack and discover incredible corners and panoramas.
Attractions
And although Albania is much inferior to its “neighbors” in terms of excursion programs, there is still something to see here. The most interesting routes for tourists are considered:
- The Riviera of Flowers is a resort area directly on the shore Ionian Sea. You will be pleased here beautiful beaches, paradises untouched by human hand National parks and nature reserves. The peculiarity of the region is the ban on the construction tall buildings, so here you can only find one- and two-story houses.
- The ancient road of Egnantia dates back to Roman times, when it crossed all the provinces Ancient Rome. And although the path gradually became overgrown and partially collapsed, it is still of historical interest.
- The Venetian Tower is more convenient to visit for those staying in Durres. The building dates back to the Byzantine period and is considered an ancient monument.
- Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park is located near the resort of Vlora. The richness of the underwater world will amaze even seasoned tourists. And at the bottom of the sea lie the remains of ancient ships.
- The Kruja Fortress and the city of Shkodra will also amaze you with traces of centuries-old history. There are many monuments and ancient buildings preserved here.
- Cable car and Mount Daiti - reaches a height of 2600 meters and if you get to the top, you can enjoy beautiful landscapes and panoramic views.
Pero Kvrzica / flickr.com
Also in Albania there are a huge number of churches, fortresses, military installations, beautiful temples, and ancient houses. Architecture, history and nature combine in an incredible way and surprise even experienced travelers.
Cost of holiday
If you purchase a ready-made tour with accommodation and meals, it will cost an average of 300 euros per person. If you want to get the maximum good service and settle in the best hotel You should expect an amount of 500 euros per person. But pay attention to the fact that in Albania there is no such thing as "". And even meals at the hotel only include a simple breakfast.
Chris Parker / flickr.com
It will be much easier and more profitable to rent a room or apartment through private advertisements or online services. The price for housing in this case starts at $100. Further, the cost will vary depending on the season, settlement, living conditions and number of people. Pick up suitable option Hotel rooms or other accommodation can be found using the portal. or hotellook.
To fully calculate how much a vacation for a family or couple will cost, you must also take into account the costs of everything including the flight. Remember that there are practically no direct flights to Albania, and especially to any resort, from Russia. The exception is some charters that fly only in the summer.
To get to the country you will have to make a transfer somewhere in Europe. Most often they choose Montenegro and from there they come to Albania by plane or bus. The ticket price is approximately 9,000-14,000 rubles for a flight with a transfer. We look at Aviasales for the cheapest options.
You will have to pay for everything in the country in the national currency – lek. Therefore, you will need to exchange money at the airport or at the nearest bank. Some hotels also offer a similar service, but most often at a not very favorable rate.
The cost of food and entertainment in Albania is low. For example, a full lunch in a cafe for one person will cost 650-700 lek. A visit to a restaurant will be a little more expensive - 2000. On the street they often sell ready-made pizza or sandwiches, for which you can pay only 200-500 lek.
Steve Kellett / flickr.com
Drinks are also cheap - 135 lek for a coffee or cappuccino, a large bottle of beer costs about 200, red wine is a little more expensive. Moreover, all products and dishes will be good quality and fresh. Transportation costs when traveling on excursions will also not be expensive.
If you are not very demanding in relation to service, then you can relax in Albania quite cheaply. As a result, you will get beautiful photographs, pleasant memories, see interesting sights and enjoy the beauty of untouched Mediterranean nature. This is a good alternative to more popular and well-equipped resorts, etc.
Video: cheap holiday in Albania.
A mystery country, “new love in the Mediterranean”... It’s not for nothing that they say so. Two and Adriatic), ancient cities under UNESCO protection, amazing beauty pristine nature, excellent cuisine, friendly, hospitable people. Meet Albania. Seaside holidays in this country are still new to Russian tourists. But travelers from Western Europe fully appreciated the developing infrastructure in Albania. After all, prices here are much lower than in neighboring Croatia, Macedonia or Montenegro. Not to mention Greece or Italy. What do they write about in Albania? Russian tourists? Which resorts in this country are worth visiting? What to see and what to try? Read about all this in our article.
Where is Albania located? Visa and currency
This country for a long time was closed to foreigners. Therefore, now with great interest, curious tourists are eager to come to Albania to explore the new region. Russian vacationers say that traveling to this country is a bit like traveling in a time machine. You can find yourself as if on Caucasian resort, but... somewhere in the 1990s. Of course, in Albania there are no gang wars and everything is quite nice. Local residents try very hard to ensure that tourists have the best impressions of the country. But our tourists still have many prejudices about this region in the west of the Balkan Peninsula.
What exactly is the Republic of Albania? Seaside holidays, exciting excursions to ancient cities, mountain hikes, gastronomic tours - all this is now quite accessible to foreigners. For Russians in the summer and in September-October, a visa is not required. You can stay in the country for ninety days, but only between June 1 and October 31. Upon entry, you must declare that the purpose of visiting the Republic of Albania is a seaside holiday. At other times of the year, tourists from Russia require a visa. The national currency of Albania is the lek. It contains one hundred kindarok. The ratio with the Russian ruble is encouraging: one lek has fifty kopecks. But locals often accept US dollars and euros for payment.
Climate in Albania
Nature has given this Balkan country about three hundred sunny days a year. Moreover, it rains mainly in the first half of spring and in November. If we talk about beach holidays in Albania, reviews claim that the peak tourist season falls (as elsewhere in these latitudes) in the summer months. Although it is comfortable to sunbathe and swim in the Adriatic and Ionian seas from the end of April until the first half of October. On the coast in July, the water temperature is +22... +25 degrees, and the air temperature ranges from +28... +32 °C. In January (the coldest month of the year) it does not fall below + 8 °C. The summer heat is easily tolerated: after all, the Mediterranean Mistral constantly blows from the sea. Another thing is the mountains. There the climate is more severe, and in winter the temperature at an altitude of thousands of meters drops to -20 ° C. Albanian Alps - high mountains, and there is snow on their tops for about six months. Although ski resorts there are very few in the country. Best vacation in Albania by the sea - reviews from tourists on this issue are unanimous - in September. Already low prices are falling even further. But the water and air temperatures remain high. Albanian September is quite a summer month.
Territory
Seventy percent consists of picturesque mountains covered with forests. If you are interested in the beach and the sea, then you should choose one of coastal resorts Albania. These are Saranda, Durres, Shkodra, Vlora or Fier. In each of them, in addition to wonderful beaches and warm sea, the tourist will find There are a lot of interesting and educational things for myself. Durres, for example, has a Roman amphitheater, the ruins of a Byzantine fortress and a Venetian tower. Many cities in the country were built before our era. But if you are interested specifically excursion holiday in Albania, reviews advise that you should never miss Berat. In this museum under open air Orthodox and Muslim worlds meet, separated by a river. The capital of the country, Tirana, is a piece of Turkey frozen in time; there are so many ancient mosques and Ottoman-style houses in the city. For lovers of medieval castles, Skandeberg, Kruje and Petrela are waiting for you.
Ecological holidays in Albania: reviews from tourists
The virgin nature of this country attracts many travelers. Tourists are advised to go on independent or group excursions to the Tomor Mountains (and at the same time visit Bektash) or the Albanian Alps. The canyons of Skrapara or the Valbona River will leave an indelible impression. The Lure National Nature Reserve occupies a special place among the natural attractions of Albania. Lake Ohrid is the calling card of the country. If you are in Tirana and have a little time to relax in Albania, reviews from tourists advise going to picturesque mountain Daiti. It is located in the vicinity of the capital. Ecotourism is also beginning to develop in coastal villages. Residents of former fishing villages are happy to welcome vacationers. Beaches, ancient castles or archaeological parks, beautiful mountains, delicious authentic food from the farm - this is what Albania is all about. Seaside holidays never come to the fore here. The main thing was and remains the amazing uniqueness of the country. All tourists unanimously say: even the laziest travelers cannot resist the charm of the Balkan republic and leave the seal pastime for excursions.
Ionian Albania: seaside holidays
Photos of the beaches of this Balkan country will make you cast aside all doubts. Holidays in Albania are cheaper than in neighboring Croatia, and the surrounding nature is cleaner. In this case, is it worth following the beaten path of many thousands of tourists? After all, you can get quality rest for little money and feel almost like a pioneer. The beaches of Albania stretch for four hundred and twenty-seven kilometers. They are mostly sandy, although those who like to warm bones on pebbles will also find something good coast. The Riviera of Flowers stretches from Saranda to Vlore. This is the Albanian coast of the Ionian Sea. There are many coves here that were harbors back in ancient times. The local elite prefers the Riviera of Flowers, where the most popular beaches are Divyak, Golemi, Durres, Lezhe, Velipoe. Pebble coasts are found in the vicinity of Vlora. Popular Albanian resorts here are Saranda (opposite which is greek island Corfu), Dhermi and Himara. The coast abounds with rocks, the sea here is deep. Reviews recommend this Riviera for snorkelers and divers.
Adriatic coast
This area starts from Lalzit Bay near the border with Montenegro and extends south to the resort of Vlora. Golden sandy beaches The Albanian Adriatic is perfect for children's recreation. The coast consists of many spits with shallow sea and a gentle descent. They often grow near beaches pine forests, so you can combine a pleasant holiday here with health improvement: coniferous trees contain many useful phytoncides. The most famous resorts Albania on Adriatic coast- these are Dhermi, Shengjin, Durres, Kuna. Reviews find it difficult to answer the question of which of the two seas is better and on which beach the water is cleaner. Everyone agrees that for comfort you should turn to chain five-star hotels. They often have private beach, the improvement of which meets European standards. The longest is Durrem. This is fifteen kilometers of sand. Reviews named Saint John beach near the resort of Leger the most elegant.
Saranda
Reviews recommend this resort to lovers of peace and languid bliss. Although curious and active tourists also have something to do here. Nearby is antique city Butrint, sung by Plutarch. Saranda is a destination for gastronomic tours. Here they serve grilled meat and seafood. But the main attraction of Saranda is the beach holiday. Ksamil Beach (Albania) is located ten kilometers from the resort and is the most southern village countries. The only drawback, according to travelers, is its distance from international airport Tirana - 250 km or five hours on the road! However, in all other respects the beach is excellent. Snow-white sand, against which the water seems endlessly azure. The notorious Bounty ad could have been filmed on Ksamil Beach. There are several mini-hotels here, but there is more choice of accommodation in neighboring Saranda.
What to try in Albania
Shopping is best done in the Republic of Albania. Reviews recommend combining a holiday at sea with tasting local delicacies. Local kitchen experienced the influence of the Turks, Greeks and Italians. Among the drinks you should try Skanderberg cognac and rakija - grape vodka. Among the wines, reviews recommend Aquila Liquori, Cobo, Luani and Gjergj Kastrioti.
Albania, where beach holidays are quite developed, is still a Muslim country. The patriarchal way of life still persists here. Therefore, you need to be polite and tolerant of the customs of the people you came to visit. Ladies should not sunbathe topless. This is fraught not only with conflict, but also with a large fine. Photograph local residents only with their consent. Reviews note that Albanians love children very much, so it is good form to praise the child. But complimenting local girls and women is not recommended.
