Also for 2019, Albania is preparing for another tourism boom. In 2018, 6 million visitors arrived. In the last five years alone, foreign arrivals to the country have doubled and in the next five years the number of visitors will be double what they are now.
Therefore, it is better to hurry before Albania is invaded by hordes of tourists. It is true that most tourists today focus on the beaches. That's why our itinerary recommends relaxing by the sea, but also not missing the natural and architectural beauties of Albania that are really worth seeing.
Our itinerary begins in Durres, which can be reached from Italy by ferry with the car in tow. It is essential to travel by vehicle in Albania because there are practically no trains and the bus service is not yet widespread in the country. Durres is not only a port city, but it is the second most important city in Albania. It hides some vestiges of antiquity that testify to the passage of numerous populations through the territory, Greeks who founded it, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Ottomans and, more recently, the fascist and communist regimes. The still partially hidden Roman amphitheater is beautiful, as are the Great Mosque, the Byzantine castle and the Art Nouveau buildings in the city center.
The journey continues to the capital, Tirana, a rapidly developing city, with a beautiful pedestrian-friendly historic centre, full of gardens and pleasant places to be outdoors, cycle paths and museums. Among the most original is Bunk'Art, an old bunker of Soviet origin that today houses the Memory Museum. Throughout Albania there are thousands of bunkers, many of which have been transformed into museums, clubs, restaurants or discos. Then there is the Royal Palace, the last built in Europe, where however no king had time to stay. But just walk through the city to discover a new capital that is being renewed very quickly.
The itinerary continues in the direction of Weight, also known as the city of a thousand windows. It's one of three unesco heritage of Albania (the others are the city of Gjirokastra and the archaeological site of Butrint). Berat is a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman city. On the heights of the city is the Kala Castle and some parts date back to the 4th century. Families still live within the old walls.
Then you go down to vlore, one of the most popular coastal destinations in Albania. The boardwalk, with a beautiful boardwalk, is now filled with new vacation condos. The beach of sand mixed with stones is very long and in summer it is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas. However, towards the south, towards Saranda, the coast becomes rockier and steeper. Here to swim you have to go down the stairs, but the water is definitely a much more transparent color. It is the point where the Adriatic Sea ends and the ionian sea. It is also the closest point in Albania to Italy.
On the outskirts of the city you can visit one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in the country, the ancient city of Apollonia, founded in 588 BC. by Greek settlers, but already inhabited by the Illyrians, it also became a Roman colony. The city became rich through trade, as it was once located on the banks of a river that no longer exists. It seems that the port could accommodate up to a hundred ships. It was also the starting point of the Via Egnazia which led to Thessaloniki and Byzantium. The site was recently discovered, to the point that most of the remains are still hidden underground.
From Vlora begins what is also called the Albanian Riviera, dotted with coves with emerald waters and crowned by a road that, in some places, reaches almost a thousand meters above sea level. It is one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in Europe.
