ALBANIA - Butrint 'Ancient City'

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The ancient city of Butrint was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 and is the most important archaeological site in Albania. Butrint is situated on a low promontory on the southwest coast of Albania. Butrint is undeniably a beautiful place. Close to modern civilization yet with its monuments in thick woodland, it is reminiscent of the age of 19th-century tourism. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city's development.

ALBANIA - Berati 'City of thousand windows'

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Known as the ‘Museum City’, Berati is undoubtedly a ‘must see’ for any traveller visiting Albania. Being more than 2,400 years old the town of Berati is one of the most attractive towns in Albania, rich in architecture, culture and history. Berati is also blessed with a dramatic location – situated at the foot of Mount Tomorri on the shores of the River Osumi. The ‘Town of one Thousand Windows’ is most famous for its white-washed houses which with their many windows seem to have been built on top of each other. Built almost all in white on a slope of green with the river at its feet, it offers a striking view as soon as it becomes visible.
The old town of Berati retains a unique style of architecture with its narrow and stone paved streets – ideal for exploration on foot. The castle is the only one in Albania (and perhaps one of the few in the world) that still has houses and inhabitants within its walls, each going about their daily life in exactly the same way that their predecessors did centuries ago.

ALBANIA - Prespa Lakes

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The Prespa Lakes are only a short distance to the south of Lake Ohrid and belong to Albania, Greece and Macedonia. Because of the natural diversity and spectacular scenery within the region it has only recently been proclaimed a National Park, the ‘Balkan Park of Prespa’, with a long-term view to develop eco-tourism.

The two lakes are shallower than Ohrid with a maximum depth of only 54m and the shoreline is generally rocky. Big Prespa lake is 285 sq. km whilst Small Prespa is 44 sq. km. They lie at an altitude of 850m and are surrounded by mountains reaching up to 2,334m.

ALBANIA - Mount Dajti National Park

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Scenic Mount Dajti National Park is located to the northeast of Tirana and provides a weekend and leisure nature playground to Tirana residents. It is particularly interesting for its wild flowers and different climatic zones and is an ideal spot to escape for some peace, quiet and easy walking.

The highest peak sits at a lofty 1,612 metres. In winter, the mountain is often covered with snow, offering a popular winter retreat to the local population of Tirana. The slopes of Mount Dajti are home to forests of pine and beech trees.

ALBANIA - Voskopoja

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Just 21 km from Korca, the remote hill town of Voskopoja is one of the most atmospheric and evocative places in this part of the Balkans. In a region adorned with large conifer forests and wide-open countryside, seven churches still remain – some adorned with some remarkable fresco paintings. The region today is inhabited by a few hundred Vlach shepherds (a small minority in Albania).

Voskopoja became one of the most developed and prosperous cities in the European part of the Ottoman Empire between the 17th and 18th centuries, and was even bigger than Athens and Sofia. The first of its 24 churches were constructed in the 17th century. In 1720 the first printing press in the Balkans was established here, and in 1760 books were being printed. The town declined at the end of the 18th century as Korca grew as the regional capital.

ALBANIA - Lura National Park

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The Lura lakes consist of 12 glacial lakes located in the Lura mountains in the northeast of Albania, close to the town of Peshkopia. The 1,280 hectares of mountainous terrain are heavily forested with black pine, fir and beech. National park status was granted to the area to protect the beautiful lakes which lie within it.

These remote glacial lakes are famous for their natural beauty. Lura mountain climbs up to a height 1,600 to 1,700 metres with magnificent beech trees and higher up conifers. The highest point, a bare peak called 'Kurora e Lures' (Lura's Crown) rises to 2,112 metres, but most visitors will prefer to confine themselves to visiting the lakes which occupy glacial cirques at heights of between 1,200 - 1,500 metres or at best the four principle lakes, the 'Liqeni i Madh' (Great Lake), 'Liqeni i Zi' (Black Lake), 'Leqeni i Luleve' (Lake of Flowers), and 'Liqeni i Lopeve' (Cows' Lake).

ALBANIA - Thethi National Park

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The isolated and remote Thethi National Park is located in the far north of Albania in the Dinaric Alps. The park and valley consists mostly of beech forest with some conifers and broad-leafed trees such as ash and hornbeam.

The largest settlement in the area is the pretty village of Thethi which during the height of communism was a tourist resort. Adventurous travellers who make it to Thethi are amply rewarded – the setting is quite dramatic with a backdrop of the high peaks of the Albanian Alps.

Shkodra is the nearest major town to Thethi, 70 km away. Due to the poor road conditions and remoteness of the region, hiring a 4WD vehicle with an experienced driver is the recommended and most reliable way to travel – and an adventure in itself!

ALBANIA - Llogara National Park

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Llogara National Park is located along the ridge of cliffs between the coastal towns of Vlora and Himara. The park is covered by dense black pine forests and gives rise to a 1,027m pass – ‘the Llogara Pass’. The park is rich in wildlife, in particular with roe deer, squirrels, foxes, wolves and wild boar.


Walking is a popular activity in Llogara and the park is an ideal location for sky activity pursuits such as parachuting.

ALBANIA - Lake Ohrid 'Deepest Lake on the Balkan Peninsula'

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Located in eastern Albania/western Macedonia and bisected by the Macedonian/ Albanian border, the 367 sq. km Lake Ohrid is the deepest lake on the Balkan Peninsula with an average depth of 138m and a maximum of 294m. It is also a popular summer holiday and hiking destination for Macedonians, Albanians and other eastern Europeans.


With its tectonic origins as a result of movements in the earth’s crust, Ohrid has a rich marine environment and is home to some unique species of fish – including the speckled trout. One of the best ways to explore the Lake Ohrid region, either in Albania or Macedonia is by mountain-bike.

ALBANIA - Apollonia 'Ruined Corinthian City'

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The ruined city of Apollonia is a 20 minute drive from the small Albanian town of Fieri and is certainly worth a stop when travelling en route between Tirana and the south. Although the site is not particularly extensive, the rural location is beautiful – set amongst hills and fields. It was founded by Corinthian colonists around 600 BC and at that time was a vibrant port. In the years from 214 BC onwards the city was involved in the war between the Illyrian Taulanti and Casander, the King of Macedonia. In 229 BC the city came under Roman control. In 148 BC it was integrated into the province of Macedonia.
Two significant structures remain at Apollonia – the façade of a Roman bouleuterion with its elegant columns and a small Roman theatre complete with original seats. Attached to the site near the entrance is a 13th century Byzantine monastery.
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