Berat, the city of a thousand windows.
It is the spearhead of the country. The best-known tourist destination to see in Albania. A beautiful town, World Heritage by Unesco, located less than two hours from the capital. What is it that Berat likes so much? A city with more than 2000 years of history behind it in which each culture has left its mark. Although it lacks great monuments to visit, it is a gigantic museum in itself and in a few minutes it will be able to hook you with no remedy.
They call it the city of a thousand windows. It is easy to guess why. Berat watches us. This emblematic image shows us a puzzle of stone houses that, from the banks of the Osum river, climb in perfect disorder to the highest point of the hillside crowned by the Berat fortress. The icing on the cake is the slender minarets of the mosques whose call to prayer is mixed with the hubbub of the city's daily life.
Historical center of Gjirokastra.
Gjirokaster or Gjirokastra, another city included in the list of World Heritage of Unesco. It is, without doubt, the best example of traditional Ottoman architecture on Albanian soil. And eye that also has a curious nickname: the city of stone.
The origin of this beautiful city is at the top of the hill. What is now a beautiful castle (partly in ruins) and with the best views of the city, lets you guess a glorious past. The cobbled streets of Gjirokastra are an authentic delight for long walks. Thus we will discover architectural jewels from the time of the Turkish domination, mostly large and elegant palaces topped by roofs with stone roofs (distinctive feature of the city).
Also, if you like nature and hiking, you should know that Gjirokastra is surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural areas. A good excuse to stay more than one night in the area and discover magical places like the Blue Eye Natural Monument, the Zheji Natural Park or the Hotova Spruce National Park and its hot springs area of Banjat e Benjës. The roads already show us a good part of the potential of this area.
Ksamil and the ruins of Butrinto
It is in the extreme south, almost touching the border with Greece. A population dotted by pebble beaches, small islands and bathed by super transparent waters and an incredible turquoise color. Paradise is here! It is the beginning of the so-called Albanian Riviera.
And the thing does not end here. Only about 10 minutes drive from Ksamil and south, is the National Park of Butrinto. A wonder of nature that hides in its interior the ruins of the ancient city of Butrinto. Also World Heritage by Unesco and with 3000 years of history behind it, this archaeological center shows the passage of different cultures in the area: Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian. The communion between architecture and nature is brutal.
Beaches of the Albanian Riviera
Albania has little to envy its neighboring countries in terms of natural wealth. And the coast of the Albanian Riviera is the best proof of that. We have already known one of its star destinations, Ksamil, but we are facing a coastal stretch of more than 100 kilometers full of beaches, many of them virgin and of a captivating beauty.
The coastal road winds between cliffs offering postcards to remember. And among all the beaches you have at your disposal, it is essential to make a stop at the best ones, such as Kakome Beach, Luvove Beach, Borsh Beach, Porto Palermo Beach, Llamani Beach, Himarë Beach, Jale Beach and Gjipe Beach.
Archaeological Ensemble of Apollonia
We return to the interior of Albania to discover another of its best kept secrets, the Greek city of Apollonia of Illyria. An archaeological site of incalculable value a few kilometers from Fier, the second most populated city in the country.
The jewel in the crown is the Temple of Artemis, which still has its front part and a set of slender Corinthian columns. But the tour is quite extensive and can take you more than an hour. A good part of the treasures collected in the site are shown in the Monastery of Santa María that serves as a museum. It is within the itinerary and is an exceptional way to end the visit.
Today we can only admire a small piece of the greatness of this city. The majority still continues underground, it is estimated that 90% of the old city remains to be discovered. We hope that the archaeological works continue and Apollonia is named World Heritage because it deserves it.
Shkoder
We are facing one of the most populated cities in Albania. And that, speaking in Albanian terms, corresponds to a locality with little more than 100,000 inhabitants. Shkoder, also called Shkodra, was going to be just a place of passage, but it became one of the most amazing cities of my passage through Albania.
One of its essential points of visit is the Castle of Rozafa. A watchtower from which to observe not only the city, but all the natural environment that surrounds us. In the historic center, we will find a set of pedestrian streets with a lot of charm and a super cozy atmosphere. It lacks the monumentality of Berat or Gjirokastra, but it gives off a very special magic. It's hard to explain, you have to see it in situ.
The city of Shkoder stretches along a plain on the shores of Skadar Lake. The best way to get into its Albanian side is by bicycle (you can rent it in the center of Skhoder). Be careful because the sunsets on the lake are spectacular.
Kruje
Walking through the back streets of Kruje one has the feeling that he has moved to another country without knowing. It's almost as if we were inside a Turkish souk. While the call to prayer creeps in every nook and cranny, it is best to just let go.
The historical center of Kruje is very small. We can start with a walk through the old bazaar. A set of craft stalls and tourist trinkets of the most unique, with clear Ottoman influences. A city within the city itself. It is completely walled and inside you can visit the Castle, now houses the Skanderbeg museum, and also the Ethnographic Museum. A magnificent example of well-preserved Ottoman architecture.
Ohrid Lake
Lake Ohrid shares territory between the countries of Albania and Macedonia. Within the Albanian borders we find a natural space in which the crystalline waters of this giant and the high mountains star the scene. Nowadays, Ohrid has become a great tourist attraction to escape the high summer temperatures, without forgetting its cultural component.