Albanian sights and sites
SIGHTS & SITES THAT MAKE YOU SIGH WITH PLEASURE
As part of the Balkan region, what we call today Albania has a history that involves occupations by many and varied empires. Greeks, Macedonians, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans have all made their mark. But there is one big difference with Albania – due to more recent political circumstances it hasn’t faced the ‘ravages’ of modernisation that, elsewhere, pass for progress. Thanks to that both social history and natural history have been preserved, with no pressure or rush to ‘upcycle’ cultural traditions nor trample natural beauty. Albania remains a diamond in the rough. Make sure you come before it gets too polished.
BLUE EYE PARK
Only 30 minutes’ drive from Sarander, the centrepiece of this spot of much natural beauty is The Blue Eye Spring that gushes deep blue water from an unknown depth. Sadly you’re not allowed to swim in it but, surrounded by lush greenery, the result is an almost magical ambience. It’s all part of the Bistrice River which flows out of the park and forms a spectacular ecosystem, hugely popular for its walking trails that get you close-up and personal with some amazing flora and fauna. It’s a great place for a day trip, so bring a picnic, definitely bring your camera and bring your eyes wide opened to take it all in.
BUTRINT
Nowhere better demonstrates the history of this part of the world than Butrint – a palimpsest of history and culture, it was continually occupied from the 10th century BCE through until the late middle ages when the waters around it silted up. An unusual ovoid promontory jutting out overlooking Corfu, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage almost sans pareil, a truly wonderful and mystical place where Greek and Roman ruins intermingle across the hills in a landscape dotted with eucalyptus trees. It is absolutely one of the world’s ‘must visit’ places. Check out our blog post The Palimpsest of Burtint.
PERMET
A quintessentially typical Bulgarian town, Permet nestles into the southern part of the country, surrounded by stunning nature and rich cultural heritage. Charming in its own right, sitting on either side of the Vjosa River, it is a great base for visiting a variety of local places of interest. Largarica Canyon is a noted beauty spot for walking, nearby Kapingjat Village is a slice of ‘living history’, and the Vjosa offers wild-water rafting. Chill out with a dip in the thermal baths or a visit to the local museum. During the summer months lots of folklore events, music festivals and dances attract a stream of culture vultures.
THETH
Nestled in the Albanian Alps, Theth is a picturesque destination full of natural beauty and history. It makes a great jumping-off point for adventures in the local countryside. Water is one of the major attractions with the 30m high Theth Waterfall a noted beauty spot. The Theth valley is great for hiking, traditional Albanian Alpine houses set back from rushing waters, with the bubbling spring of the Blue Eye of Theth a serene spot to chill out and picnic. For local colour check out the unique architecture of the traditional stone-built houses and some of the traditional delicacies in a rustic restaurant.
VALBONA
The Valbona Valley is famous for its National Park, one of Albania’s most spectacular with mesmerizing landscapes of towering mountains, lush valleys, and crystal-clear waters. The Valley follows the Valbona River, famous for its crystal-clear waters (refreshing for a summer dip on a hot day) and scenic beauty – take a boat trip to see the best of it. Nearby Bajkaje waterfall is a little hidden gem. Valbona itself is a time capsule of traditional Albanian village life with stone houses and pathways – take coffee (or something stronger) in one of the friendly local hostelries or guesthouses and watch the world go by for a while.
Cultural
Cultural Essence
ALBANIAN CUISINE
Food and drink in Albania tends to be half the price of other Mediterranean countries. It may be half the cost but it’s not half bad! Read our mouthwatering foodie blog
ART & CULTURE
The Balkans have a unique creative culture with roots in a range of influences from Ottoman, through Ilyrian to the modern day. See our blog for the full picture.
