Best things to do in Albania

21.07.2023 - 07:36 / roughguides.com

Beyond vague recollections of its Communist past, few travellers know much about Albania. Its rippling mountains and pristine beaches, lands littered with historical Roman ruins and pretty Ottoman towns remain largely undiscovered. Probably because of its undiscovered nature, Albania is also one of the most budget-friendly European destinations. Here's our pick of the best things to do in Albania.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget , your essential guide for visiting Europe.

Albania’s capital used to regularly top lists for Europe's worst city. Decades of Stalinist rule left Tirana grey and grim, lacking in both infrastructure and services. Today Tirana is – while still often chaotic – a very pleasant little city with enough interesting things to do.

The Et'hem Bey Mosque in Tirana is one of the few mosques to have escaped destruction by the Communists, which had resulted in any kind of religious institution being either closed, demolished or converted into warehouses or schools by the end of 1967. The clock tower is a symbol of the municipality of Tirana and, in an ensemble with the Et'hem Bey Mosque, is a unique architectural landmark.

Visiting Skanderbeg Square, named after the national hero who briefly ensured Albania was independent of the Ottoman Empire in the fifteenth century, is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Albania.

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Panorama of Tirana City and largest mosque in Albania © RussieseO/Shutterstock

If you are wondering what to do in Tirana away from the city centre, head to Mount Dajti National Park, popular with Tirana's residents for fresh air and countryside walks. You can either take an Austrian-built cable car (expensive) or the city bus (cheap) and once there you’ll find hotels, guest houses and restaurants if you feel like staying overnight.

Mount Tujanit at Dajti national park in Albania © Shutterstock

There are few better places to be in Albania than standing on the footbridge in the charming, easy-going town of Berat. From this vantage point, you’ll be surrounded by huddles of Ottoman houses, their dark, rectangular windows staring from whitewashed walls like a thousand eyes.

On the south bank is the sleepy Gorica district, kept in shadow for much of the day by a muscular backdrop of rock. To the north is the relatively sun-drenched Mangalemi district, from which steep, cobblestoned paths lead up to the hill-top Kalasa, an old citadel whose wonderful interior is up there with the best old towns in the Balkans.

Also note the Cobo winery, which is located near Berat in the village of Roshnik. Also note the Kobo winery, which is located near Berat in the village of Roshnik. A visit to a