What to See in Albania

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Albania has four sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Berat ★★★ (2005)
This city in southeastern Albania is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its stunning historic centre and citadel.

Butrint ★★ (1992)
Perched on a peninsula south of the seaside resort of Saranda, Butrint is a major ancient site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is, in fact, the most interesting in the country.

Gjirokastër ★★★ (2005)
Close to the Greek border, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its stunning Ottoman architecture and hilltop citadel.

Lake Ohrid ★★ (2019)
Straddling Albania and North Macedonia, this lake offers swimming, fishing, and various water activities. On the Macedonian side, it is home to several monasteries and villages along its shores. It is surrounded by the Galicica and Pelister parks and is a UNESCO site under the "Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region".

The Coast

Apollonia ★★
The site is a major Greco-Roman archaeological site near the city of Fier.

Hoxha's Bunkers ★
All along the Adriatic coast (among other places), you can still see the remains of the 800,000 bunkers built under Enver Hoxha’s presidency in the 1960s/70s.

Butrint ★★
Perched on a peninsula south of the seaside resort of Saranda, Butrint is a major ancient site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is, in fact, the most interesting in the country.

Albanian Riviera ★★★
This is the coastal stretch running roughly from Vlorë to Sarandë. Between these two seaside resorts, the coastline remains quite wild, with relatively limited tourist infrastructure. Note that from the summit of the Llogara Pass overlooking it, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama.

Natural Heritage

Llogara National Park ★★
This mountainous park overlooks the Albanian Riviera and is a favorite among hikers. From the summit of the Llogara Pass, you’ll enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding area.

The Interior

Berat ★★★
This city in southeastern Albania is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its stunning historic centre and citadel.

Gjirokastër ★★★
Close to the Greek border, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its stunning Ottoman architecture and hilltop citadel.

Korçë ★★
Often described as Albania’s cultural capital, this southeastern city is home to several museums and an old bazaar.

Krujë ★★
An ancient fortress, a museum, and a bazaar with old shops are the main attractions of this city located north of Tirana.

Lin ★
A quiet little village on the shores of Lake Ohrid. From here, you can set off to visit the beautiful city of Ohrid, which isn’t far on the Macedonian side.

Shkodër ★★
Located on the shores of the lake of the same name, this is the major city in northern Albania, known for its fortress, religious buildings, and bazaar.

Tirana ★★
Albania’s capital offers an intriguing mix of old, Soviet, and contemporary architecture.

Natural Heritage

Albanian Alps ★★★
This mountain range in the north of the country offers stunning landscapes of canyons, valleys, lakes, and rivers. You can also hike here and enjoy the two national parks it encompasses.

Lake Ohrid ★★
Straddling Albania and North Macedonia, this lake offers swimming, fishing, and various water activities. On the Macedonian side, it is home to several monasteries and villages along its shores. It is surrounded by the Galicica and Pelister parks and is a UNESCO site under the "Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region".

Lake Prespa ★★
A large lake shared by Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece, where it is designated a national park. Several Byzantine churches and abandoned villages dot its shores. The lake is home to significant bird colonies, including pelicans.

Lake Shkodër ★★
Straddling Albania and Montenegro, where it is known as Skadar Lake National Park, this large lake is home to numerous bird species. You can also navigate its waters and hike around its shores.

Mount Korab ★★
This region of the Šar Mountains, straddling Albania and North Macedonia, includes Mavrovo National Park. It’s an area for hiking and other outdoor activities like skiing at the Zare Lazarevski and Popova Sapka resorts. You can also see the Korab Waterfall, the tallest in the Balkans, and several scenic lakes such as Lake Mavrovo.

Valbona Valley National Park ★★
One of the two parks, along with Thethi, in the Albanian Alps. It offers stunning landscapes and a few caves to explore.