Category: Visit Albania

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Visit Albania

The 10 most beautiful Ionian cost beaches in Albania

With 107 miles of coastline, the Ionian coast has no shortage of beautiful beaches. With deep crystal waters and captivating views here is a guide to the most beautiful part of Albania’s Riviera.

1. Dhraleos beach (Palase)

When speaking about beautiful beaches, Dhraleos beach is one of the most exotic and tranquil beaches of the Albanian coastal zone complete with rich blue waters. This beach is popular for water sports. In addition, it is the destination for the parachutes that launch from Llogara Pass. A fun fact about Dhraleos is that Julius Cesar actually landed on this beach with his troops.

2. Ksamil

Not in vain Ksamil is called the pearl of the Southern Albanian Riviera. Its four marvelous islands remain covered in lush and green vegetation which makes you feel a part of the nature. What makes it more mesmerizing is the clear water that surrounds these islands which also makes their beaches more special.

3. Akroriza beach

The Akroriza beach is definitely one of the most unique virgin beaches of the Ionian coast. Reached only by boat or hiking, the tenderness of the nature, the untouched stretch of the white sandy beach and the crystal clear water, combine together to make your stay memorable.

4. Jale beach

Do not miss the chance of visiting the most dynamic beach of the Ionian coastline. It is a very popular destination especially for the youth because of its camp sites and summer music festivals.

5. Livadhi beach

Livadhi beach with its deep blue waters and the endless fields of olive trees, is one of the largest beaches of the region and it is mostly visited by campers and families for its peace and quiet.

6. Perivolo beach

Perivolo beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Drymades. It is surrounded by large rocks that create small and wondrous bays.

7. Alevra beach

Unique water colors, clarity of turquoise deep blue and burning orange sunset over the sea create an amazing show in front of which everyone should surrender. Alevra beach is definitely one of the must see if you are traveling the Ioanian coast

8. Potami beach

Potami beach stands out for its deep waters, navigability and also rocky characteristics. The offers to visitors colder water, due to the fact of underwater springs that flow all year long.

9. Borsh

Borsh, is one of the longer beach areas of the Albanian Riviera. It is protected by a collection of massive Mediterranean vegetation, primarily citrus and olive plantations. Family tourism has also become very popular in this area.

10. Bunec

The last relatively unspoiled beach of the Albanian southern Riviera is Bunec. A stream that runs down from the mountain divides this rocky beach in two halves. In this charming and peaceful place you can enjoy incredible sunsets.

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Visit Albania

The 9 most drop-dead gorgeous bays of the Albania’s Ionian coast

Are you looking for some intimate virgin beaches where you can spend some quiet vacations? We offer you a list of 8 most beautiful bays of the Ionian coast. You will find here not only spectacular views and some of the best beaches, but also the peace you are searching for.

1. Brisani Bay

An amazing bay with a breathtaking view. Brisani Bay in Karaburun has a beauty beyond words.

2. Saint Andreas Bay

A hidden paradise of the Southern Albania, the Saint Andreas Bay is a treasure of the Ionian coastline.

3. Grammata Bay

Grammata bay is one of the most extraordinary places you can visit during your vacations in the Ionian coast. The values of this natural monument are scientific, historical, archaeological, cultural and touristic. In addition, this beautiful seaside resort attracts visitors as a small intimate beach.

4. Kakome bay

For many years, Albania has been an insolated and military state, where many natural beauties have been hidden from public. However, today you have the chance to explore many of those sites. For instance, an example is Kakome bay, an ex-military outpost with a private beach that has a fine white sand and gravel, the variation of blue see and the surrounding greenery make it a true paradise.

5. Gjipe bay

The beach of Gjipe, the most remotely accessed beach of the region, is created in a very special way. Its shore it’s formed by a creek and on both sides of the beach there is a magnificent canyon. It has quite a picturesque view and here you will find what it might be Albania’s most beautiful beach.

6. Llamana bay

Llamana Beach, this somehow hidden corner, on the coast of Himara, is so lovely that the tourists find themselves between the sea, mountain and sky that become like one.

7. Megalhora bays

Megalhora bays in Drymades are truly magic. Surrounded by big rocks and also small hills, these virgin beaches offer spectacular views and also a quiet experience.

8. The Seagulls bay

Only 12 kilometers from Saranda this “hidden” destination in Albania offers a fantastic beach where you can spend some relaxing but also adventurous days.

9. Porto Palermo bay

Porto Palermo is a small but beautiful bay, where the water is so clear it looks like the boats are floating. The bay also has a historical value do to the fact that Ali Pashe Tepelena built a fortress that stands between the sea and the mountains in the perfect spot to distinguish the enemies during the war.

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Blue Eye of Albania

The Blue Eye or “Syri i Kaltër” in albanian, is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near Muzinë in Vlorë County. Definitely, it is a must-visit site if you have already made up your mind to visit Albania.

You will find people call it: a fairy tale-like spring, beautiful, colorful, unique, surreal beauty, etc. However, the best way to describe its beauty, it is to see it with your own eyes.

Considered a natural jewel, the wonder of Blue Eye in Albania, attracts so many tourist from around the world.

A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning deep pool. Divers have descended to fifty meters, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of the carst hole is. The water that comes out has a constant temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. The Blue Eye spring, is the initial water source of Bistricë river, 25 km long, which ends in the Ionian Sea south of Sarandë.

The source stands at an altitude of 152 m and has a discharge rate of 18400 l/s. The immediate area (180 ha) is a nature reserve and is characterized by oak and sycamore trees. In summer 2004, the source was temporarily dried up, then it was revived again.

Tip

An important tip for those who’d rather avoid the crowds with tourist is to try visiting it during the off-season.

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Visit Albania

Elbasan

The city of summer festival, Elbasan

Elbasan is located near the capital of Albania, Tirana. Now old center of the city of Elbasan is represented by the castle district (Kala), where you can still admire the old city walls. The city is known for its ancient origins dating back to Illyrian time. In August 2010 archaeologists discovered two Illyrian graves near the walls of the castle. However, those walls were built on the ruins of the Roman and Byzantine fortifications by the sovereign Ottoman Mehmet II. It was Mehmet II which gave the city the name of Eli-Bashan (“I put the hand”). He had built the castle in order to fight Skanderbeg, due to an ongoing conflict between the Ottomans and Albanians.

In 2003 a project was started to recover the old fortress, today successfully completed, and it has returned to its former city walls. You may see the corner towers guard along the perimeter, as well as the towers of the curtain and the fortified entrance.

Inside the fortress you can see the Royal Mosque, dated back to the fifteenth century, the Orthodox Church of St. Mary, built in 1650, and the Byzantine Church.

The city is one of the cultural capitals of Albania and it houses several museums.

Summer Festival

Did you know that Elbasan is home for the Summer Festival in Albania? Every year on March 14th, visitors from all around the country, celebrate Dita e Veres – Summer Day in Elbasan. The origin of this day is linked with a pagan tradition, in which Zana Malit, the goddess of hunting. All of nature would emerge from her temple on the outskirts of Elbasan every year on the 14th of March. Like many springtime festivals, the Summer Day festival symbolizes rebirth and renewal. The traditional desert of this festival it is known with the name of ‘ballokume”. You should definitely try it.

Museums of Elbasan

There is a museum dedicated to Alexander Xhuvani, located in the north of the fortress. It is where  was born and grew up. Xhuvani was very active in politics, culture, linguistic and education, becoming one of the figures the Albanian national revival.

Also in the center, a building from the eighteenth century houses the Ethnographic Museum, created in 1982, which preserves the archaeological heritage of the houses of Elbasan. The Albanian education is finally represented and glorified through the School Museum.

Theatre Skampa is also a good reason to see concerts and theater pieces depending on the season .

How to get to Elbasan

Reaching Elbasan is not difficult: the city is about 40 minutes far from Tirana, reachable by car or bus.

Economic activities

The town’s economic activities include timber processing, engineering works, and the production of cement, soap, and  olive oil. Cërrik, a few miles to the southwest, has a petroleum refinery.

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Dhermi

Sea, nature, typical village and summer festivals. Those words can clearly describe what you expect to experience as a tourist in Dhermi.

Dhermi is a small village in Vlorë County, Albania, part of the municipality of Himarë and trust us, it has beautiful beaches.

The village lies 42 kilometers south of the city of Vlorë and about the same distance north of the southern city of Sarandë. It is built on a slope of the ceraunian mountains at approximately 200 meters in altitude.

The mountains descend to the southwest into the Ionian coast and Corfu in the distance to the south. Nearby is the village of Palasë. The village comprises three neighborhoods: Gjilek, Kondraq (also known as Kallam), and Dhërmi itself.

Recently, the coastal area has seen a boom in the construction of accommodation facilities, such as wooden villa complexes. In addition, it is considered by the Albanian youth as a nightlife destination. If you want to visit Dhermi during summer, you should book ahead and you’ll find a lot of opportunities, starting with wooden villas, local homes or great hotels. AirBnb is also known there.

You can spend many days here exploring local mountains, caves and beaches. It has a new large promenade by the sea, and all the facilities emerged into the wild nature. For the festival lovers, there is a good news: Kala Festival takes place in June in the village and also, Turtle festival during july.Both of them, are popular with good music, great DJ around the world and also, backpackers.

The name of Dhermi is thought to come from the Greek term of “Drimadhes” which means “oak tree”.