Whether you want to walk this route or explore it by boat (our preferred method), the Albanian Riviera is home to some of the finest scenery in the Balkans. Found on the country’s southwest coast, stretching from Vlorë to Sarandë, there are numerous hidden beaches, coves, and small coastal villages dotted between the jagged mountains and the beautiful waters of the Ionian Sea.
Found in the north of Albania, close to the Montenegro border, in an Alpine-esque setting that could be mistaken for Switzerland or Austria, is Theth National Park. A beautiful national park, perfect for spending an afternoon or even a few days exploring, Theth National Park is one of the best national parks in the Balkans, if not the best. Expect mountains, lakes, forests, open spaces and everything else you’d expect from a national park.
For the thrillseekers, why not give rafting a go through the Osumi Canyon? It can be found around an hour away from Berat, and rafting through the deep canyon with the rocky cliffs hanging above you can be an exhilarating experience. Even for those who aren’t into watersports, you can walk across the top of the canyon, and you’re treated to some of the finest views in Albania at the same time.
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Visiting the capital city is likely on everyone’s agenda when they travel to Albania, so why not take advantage of local knowledge and book yourself onto a sightseeing tour in Tirana? The benefits of going around with a local guide are that they can show you some of the city’s best hidden gems, as well as give you an insight into the history of the Albanian capital and even the best spots to eat – eat where the locals eat, rather than the tourist traps, for a start. This can be a great way to explore all that Tirana has to offer.
Watching the sun sink over the Ionian Sea from the 16th-century castle is popular among all visitors to the south of Albania, and it’s easy to see why. Plus, the castle is only a half-hour drive from the popular beach resort village of Ksamil, so it’s easily possible to spend a day at the beach, drive up to catch the sunset, and then head back to Ksamil for some dinner or late-night drinks.
Less than 15km northeast of Tirana is Albania’s largest reservoir, Lake Bovilla. This is a beautiful lake, which provides the majority of the drinking water supply to Tirana. It is also found in the foothills of Gamti Mountain, which can be climbed if you’re feeling up to it, or simply observed from the lake shore. This is a great trip out and close to Tirana, so it is easy and cheap to reach via taxi if you do not plan on hiring a car.