sandy456

The Best of Albania

I am both looking for, and providing information about Albania. Please read the growing list of the best of Albania (compiled through personal research done on the internet). Please add, or edit items to list as you see fit. If you live in Albania, or consider yourself an expert on the country then please contribute your tips, hints, and favourites based on the criteria listed below. Once complete, this list should help visitors find exactly "the very best in Albania".

PLEASE only respond to this thread if you're interested in helping to edit or contribute items to the list. Thank you.

CRITERIA for LIST:
-memorable/dramatic scenery & landscape photography. Where to find the best (viewpoints, vistas, city views, panoramas, skylines, sunsets, etc..)?
-the unique outdoors, hikes/hilltops/lookouts, and amazing views?
-lovely/charming streets, cute villages, and magnificent/attractive architecture?
-authentic/unforgettable "local" travel experiences (i.e. non-typical, interesting/special experiences (full of original character), and unique only to the local area).
-the best freebies (museums, galleries excluded)
-specialty/unique regional cuisine/gastronomy (or the BEST places to eat (w/ local's prices, food made with love/regional favorites, and not too many tourists eating there)),
-anything else off-the beaten path.

Thanks again

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ALBANIA

Puke, what to see around?
Lac, "

Tirana, Mt diajte view , Et`hem Bey mosque, What is Tanner's bridge? , Qasmil Ismail street?, What to see on a Kruja daytrip

Durres, amphiteathre, ahmed zog palace worth the visit?

Gjorokster, old city, hike to castle, Antigonea illyrian town, Labove orthodox church

Korce, cathedral, moravia, mt. torrimori, Berat town (try fig jam)

Saranda, Dhermi beach, Ksamil village, Gjiri i Palermos beach

Elbasem/Gramsh, what to do?

Pogradec, beach at Tushemisht, view from hill at Lin, eat Koran fish

Cuisine: Boza drink,Dukagjin drink,Hardic drink, Kabuni,Kungull Me Kos,Lakruar,Tarator soup:

and any more?

am2254

Hello,

if you're travelling to Korca then make sure you visit Voskopoje which is a skiing resort. In the summer is it a beautiful place, with old monasteries dating back to 1800's, great hiking trails and food.
Also while in Korca, ask if you can get a ride to Bozovec, which is an absolutely must see and hike spot. The ride there can be quite difficult for it is not a paved road, so you need a truck. The ride can take you up to the military training camp, although now it is just a retired site with a guard and his dog. From that spot you can hike up to the mountain, where you will find delicious berries along the route, fantastic views and serenity. There are hardly any people on those trails, make sure you have plenty of water, snacks, food for there is no place to eat, and you are not alone on the trail. After about 1hr of hiking you will reach a campground, where you will find a water fountain and plenty of shade. Depending on how ambitious you are, you can continue to hike up to the peak of the mountain, which is about 2-3 hrs.
Arrange for the driver to pick you up at the same place, if he didn't accompany you on the hike. This is fantastic day trip and you will not be disappointed.

chair911

Definitely worth a visit: Apollonia. It´s a Unesco world heritage site, excavations of an old Greek settlement that flourished on the banks of the river Vjosa. It´s brilliant.

chair911

Here´s a link that may be useful for Apollonia: http://bestalbaniahotel.com/albania-...ghts-apollonia

tomboy

Is there really a town named Puke?

glenmd

subtle

toscanafoto

I visited Tirana and Berat

Berat I loved it ! Berat is a UNESCO site and would recommend a trip to see the city.

Tirana I liked and there are so many wonderful restaurants bars pubs

To see photos of my trip to Tirana and Berat click on the link below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcodi...7629085010802/

.

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toscanafoto

I want to point out the major tourist attractions

> Tirana what to visit:
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- Skanderbeg square
- Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Pyramid of Tirana Enver Hoxha
- Parliament
- Tabak bridge
- Tanners bridge
- Clock Tower
- Kaplan Pasha Tomb
- Rruga Murat Toptani ( pedestrian zone )
- Orthodox Church of the Holy Evangelist
- Catholic Church of St. Mary
- University
- Kombetar i Kukullave theater
- Bell of Peace
- Dajti mountain for the view
- National Museum of History
- Archaeological Museum
- Museum of Natural Sciences
- National Gallery of Figurative Arts
- Kinema Millennium park
- I Madh park
- Remains of the Fortress of Justinian ( Castel )
- Taiwan Center

> Berat what to visit:
----------------------
- Historical centre is UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Fortress
- Byzantine Church
- Ethnographic Museum

barry3040

Will be in Durres for 1 day on a cruise - what's better to do and see - Tirana or Berat?