The Times names 16 reasons Albania should be your next dream destination

The Balkan country has spectacular beaches, warm hospitality, an exciting capital and many other attractions to explore, writes Alice Taylor in an article published in the British daily "The Times".

Located between Montenegro and Greece and surrounded by the part of the Mediterranean where the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea, Albania is quickly becoming one of the most exciting holiday destinations in Europe, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Its beaches are still the main attraction, with affordable prices compared to more popular European holiday destinations.

In Albania you will pay around 10 pounds for a meal, around 2,50 pounds for a liter of local beer and around 7 pounds for a cocktail in a great place in Tirana.

Despite no longer being a secret of Europe, Albania still offers many opportunities for unreachable experiences.

Albania presents a fantastic alternative for nature lovers looking to get away from crowded beaches. New roads – like those connecting the coastal village of Qeparo to Nivica in the mountains – make it easier to access remote places.

Hospitality to strangers is another highlight of any visit, and staying in a family-owned guesthouse will confirm this.

The capital, Tirana, is a great option for a city break year-round. Its empty communist-era blocks are now covered in bright murals, and other attractions include museums and castle ruins.

Some of the best activities to do in Albania:

1. Discover street art in Tirana

When Prime Minister Edi Rama became mayor of Tirana in 2000, the Albanian capital experienced a significant transformation through a painting campaign that breathed new life into the city's communist-era buildings with colorful street art.

Located primarily around the Blloku district and along the Lana River, the murals offer a visual narrative of Albania's past and present, capturing the dynamic essence of the city.

More than two decades later, Tirana's ongoing passion for color continues with MuralFest Tirana, an annual festival that brings together international street artists.

2. See the world heritage cities of Berat and Gjirokastra

The UNESCO World Heritage cities of Berat and Gjirokastra in southern Albania are unforgettable for their Ottoman architecture, forts and bazaars.

In Berat, visit the Solomon Museum, tracing the history of Albania's Jewish population; in Gjirokastër, the historic Skënduli House and Ethnographic Museum offer a unique insight into Albania's cultural peculiarities.

3. Walk through the history of the Balkans

Visit Butrint on the west coast of Albania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can walk through thousands of years of Balkan history through amphitheaters, bastions and ancient fortresses; or Apolonia, which dates back to the 6th century BC.

Divjaka is also a must-visit place, with bike paths, lagoons and beaches, pelicans and flamingos. Try the food at the “Ali Kali” restaurant, where a waiter serves fish on horseback.

4. Relax on the Albanian Riviera

The Albanian Riviera on the Ionian Sea stretches from the city of Vlora to Saranda, just across the waters from Corfu, and is a mix of cliff-top villages and stunning beaches. Among the winding roads and olive groves, there are opportunities to visit music festivals or see villages like Tragjasi.

5. Stay in a traditional guesthouse

Guesthouses are found all over the country. These traditional, family-run guest houses are a great way to immerse yourself in the country and serve delicious local food, including glacé and goat cheese.

The best are found in mountainous Tropoja and the remote southeastern town of Voskopoja – both excellent during the snowy winter months.

6. Understand the history of Albania in Tirana

You need a few days to explore Tirana, the capital of Albania. It's a compact city: most of the major sights are accessible on foot.

Don't miss the House with Leaves and the Bunk'Art 1 and 2 museums, which all offer a chilling look at the rule of former dictator Enver Hoxha.

Other places that are definitely worth visiting are; Tirana Castle, the "Dajtit Ekspres" cable car, and the Tirana Zoo.

Stop to see the Sali Shijaku House, with floor-to-ceiling artwork and a cobblestone courtyard perfect for sipping coffee.

7. Walk in National Parks

Visiting some of Albania’s national parks – Llogora or Valbona are two excellent examples – is always an adventure; just watch out for the Balkan lynx, bears and wolves that frequent them. Here you can hike, cycle or canoe.

8. Visit the Venetian mask factory in Shkodra

At the Venice Art Mask Factory in Shkodra, staff handcraft Venetian masks with more than 1700 different designs that are exported worldwide.

Next to the factory, you will find a museum dedicated to the Italian photographer, Pietro Marubi, who spent most of his life in the city.

Shkodra is also home to the spectacular Rozafa Castle, which is located 130 meters above the shores of Lake Shkodra and is surrounded by the Albanian Alps.

9. Discover art in Manastir

The Ardenica Monastery in the Fier region is reported to be the place where the 15th-century Albanian hero Gjergj Kastrioti, known as Skanderbeg, was married; much later, it was repurposed as a club for the communist elite.

The club is no more, but behind the carved oak doors of the 1700th-century Eastern Orthodox monastery you can see intricate gold-colored frescoes – painted by some of Albania’s finest artists, dating back to the 1800s and XNUMXs.

10. Explore Albania's best lakes

Albania boasts over 240 natural and 800 artificial lakes, many of which are havens of biodiversity. Lake Shkodra, the largest in the Balkans, is home to more than 270 bird species, including cormorants, herons and pelicans.

In the southeast, Lake Ohrid is the deepest lake in the Balkans. Its waters are home to around 200 endemic species, from crustaceans to predatory fish.

Near Lake Prespa, at 850 meters above sea level, it is known for the island of Maligrad and the Church of Saint Mary with XNUMXth-century frescoes.

11. Relax in the hot springs of Përmet

Dive into the sulfur springs between Përmet and Benjë. From Përmet, take the road to Petra. Be careful as there are some sharp turns.

Park your vehicle, walk to the Ottoman bridge and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery.

The Vjosa River winds its way through a spectacular gorge.

The hot water flows into the Vjosa River, but there are also several man-made pools. The area is also great for rafting, hiking, and camping.

12. Hiking trails around Nivica

Quiet Nivica is located in a corner of the Albanian mountains, amidst a network of trails that were once used only by shepherds and their livestock.

A group of Czech volunteers spent two years mapping over 100 kilometers of trails as part of a project for the sustainable development of isolated rural areas.

Among the options, magnificent canyons, waterfalls, the ruins of Nivica Castle and Maja e Këndrevica (2102 meters), the highest peak in the area.

13. Buy souvenirs in Bjeshkët e Nemuna

A trip to the remote village of Theth in the Bjeshkët e Nemuna – also known as the Albanian Alps – is a must, as is a ferry ride across Lake Koman to guesthouses accessible only by water.

Here you can walk or simply relax while enjoying fresh Albanian cuisine such as roasted meat, beans, or fresh fish served with seasonal salads.

In the villages of Lezha and Shkodra, visit winemakers, potters, and ateliers where vibrant bolts of fabric are hand-woven from wool and silk.

14. Visit a former communist prison

The former communist prison and labor camp of Spaç near Reps is a sobering experience that provides some context for Albania's complex past.

On top of a mountain are the ruins of the former prison, including cell blocks, interrogation rooms, solitary confinement cells, and administrative buildings.

It is not a joyful experience, but Spaçi is an important reminder of the struggles Albania has gone through.

15. Visit the nonprofit center Fundjave Ndryshe

Visit the non-profit Fundjave Ndryshe center, on the outskirts of Tirana, for a meal.

You will be served dishes such as raw seafood marinated in lemon juice, pasta and risotto with locally grown truffles, and a wide selection of Albanian appetizers.

The best part is that the money you spend goes directly back into the cause, which helps vulnerable local people with housing and English language lessons.

16. Follow the path to the Vjosa River

Explore the Vjosa River, stopping in towns and villages along the way.

Start with Përmet, a town famous for its hot springs and roses, and then head to Tepelena, the birthplace of the great Ali Pasha Tepelena, before continuing to Vlora, where the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea.